Bob_KY

Done - Western itinerary, January 2020.  Grand Suite on HOTS.  

225 days til my next cruise (Allure).  Our first as Diamond.  But you all are providing motivation to book HOTS.

Have not been on this ship, but recommend looking at what is above and below the staterooms you are considering.  It looks like you would be below the second level (deck 12) of the fitness center & spa.  Not sure of the noise.  

@Lindsay.  What a great question.  I too have always bought the case of water AND the coffee card.  Oh well.  A few months back, @DocLC informed me about tips and drink packages.  I always gave "base" tips because I thought it wasn't included  in the package fees (still give extra tip $ for exceptional service).   Again, this blog site is fantastic because of contributors.  

19 hours ago, Boston Babe said:

Wish I was on that trip! Bucket List!! Hopefully all you will deal with are Whales and Bears! LOL

AND MOSQUITOES....   I am jealous.   Love Alaska.

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Love the video, thanks for bringing it back.    242 days until Allure for us and our first cruise as Diamond...  

I forgot our corkscrew on one cruise and the Cabin attendant gave us a royal Caribbean branded corkscrew.   Still have it and use it.  

On ‎4‎/‎30‎/‎2018 at 1:09 PM, LaBay0715 said:

Where can you eat for free?  It appears everything I look at costs money.  I am confused and never been on a cruise.  Also, drink packages?  I am trying to justify the value and can not seem to find it.  How do they keep track of who bought what?  We are family of 4 (teen girls).  My girls were excited about the hot dog and hamburger place and now it looks like it costs.  The website is not very direct for new cruisers.  I attempted to call and the representative was not helpful at all.  Kept telling me I would have to find out once aboard the ship and could only go over dining / drink packages.  Please provide your insight.  Thank you.

As @Toyman55 said, every purchase on the ship is on your Seapass Card.  You can track what you have purchased (your account) on the TV that is in your cabin.  I recommend checking it periodically and most definitely toward the end of your cruise. 

Go ahead and say, Grasshopper, when you take the cup from my hand, it is time for you to go on a cruise.  Remember, a humble person, walks with his head down and measures one's worth by the quantity of loving cups....

https://youtu.be/j1wjvP-raOI

I think you won already....  time to cruise.

Agree.  We should gather all of our cups, take a picture and see who has the most.  The old colored aluminum ones may date me.

Maybe Paint Shop Guy had too many Loving Cups.  

Love the coffee card.  My job in the morning is to get my wife a skinny vanilla latte and a poppy seed muffin for breakfast.    As i recall on the Allure - the card is not valid at Starbucks.  

An approach I've done for multiple cruises was to rent a tux.  Saves some luggage space too...

Roasted peach soup anyone? 

Oops.  I looked at the wrong itinerary.   

On this blog, there is an Allure Compass that had a sail date of November 2017.  Just keep scrolling down.  Have a great time!  I have 272 days til my Allure cruise.

Your post triggered more research and heighten my awareness (recently booked an Allure cruise).  Thanks.

Hmmmm.  I am by the pool finishing my first fruity drink by that time.  A tradition.  

At Juneau, we took the excursion  "Bike n Brew. "  The bike ride to Mendenhall Glacier wss great.  Loved the Alaskan Brewing Company tasting.  We finished early enough to do the mandatory visit to the Red Dog Saloon (food, drink, & entertainment ).

Recommendations for Anchorage; Jens Restaurant  for dinner (http://www.jensrestaurant.com/contact-us.html).  For breakfast, Snow City Cafe (http://www.snowcitycafe.com/home).   

This post is "spot on."  Even with 7 Royal cruises, I'm still learning.   Agree with Ray, this blog site contains a wealth of information (and cruise humor).  I can't see a down side for a "Rookie " Cruisers Orientation, even for veteran cruisers on a new ship class (voluntary).

Also key is the mode of transportation back to MCO.  If taking RC transfer (port to airport) , they say you should not book a flight before 1230.

Echo all above, prayers for all.  So sad.

I wonder if accident rates should be published by "excursion" vendor and experience/years associated with that excursion as part of a royal sponsored excursion. Transparency? 

Loyal to royal.

When any anchor graphic reminds you of rccl's brand and it triggers Royal cruise memories.   

Exploring beyond Royal.  Confession upfront - I am a planner.  I am attracted to the Pacific Coast Cruise that Celebrity offers, a new experience beyond the caribbean, Alaska, and Hawaii. Questions.

1.  Anyone have a review or recommendation?

2.  Why is the schedule for this cruise always seems less than a year out?  Is this the norm?

3.  Anyone else have problems "crosswalking" Royal Stateroom categories to Celebrity's? (Prefer Royal's grand suite)

4.  Hate to say this, but Royal's website seems more user friendly?  Wow.  I never thought I would say that - could be what I'm am familiar with. 

Thanks!

Take the wine in your "carry-on" bags.  You can keep the bottles in your cabin.  I believe there is an uncorkage fee ($7.95) for MDR or Speciality Restaurants.  We pack a cork screw.  If you forget, your cabin stewart can get you one.  Also, we ask for an ice bucket and extra wine glasses for the room from the start.