Bob_KY

You can rest easy, I'm not. I just have OCVPD.(obsessive compulsive vacation planning disorder)

Please, don't tell us you're an engineer........

I don't mind surprises, but just like my disney trips,  i love to plan the cruises and pour over the compasses.  It makes my trip start early and last longer!   But im like tiny260.. i don't get around to scanning and posting them.  Kind of like how i love reading everyone's reviews but don't write mine! Jane

You will love Harmony, sailed on her last year in the Mediterranean.
If you haven't already seen this, here is a link, http://www.royalcaribbean.com/royalsuiteclass/sky/

In the Suite Lounge during the day you can get soda, beer, wine, and water. During the evening cocktail hour they add to the mix the standard spirits (vodka, rum, tequila, gin, etc...) Keep in mind the bar in the Suite Lounge is unable to do frozen/blender drinks.
Seating: Entire rows were reserved, released about 5-10 minutes before the show started.
You don't need to make reservations for any show other than the Comedy show.
Main theater in May is was the front row in the upper level. From what I recall the seats were not all that great. There was a railing right at eye level.
Aqua Theater, not the very front. Maybe two or three rows from the back. I thought the seats were ideal.
Studio B (ice rink), First few row on the "narrow" side of the rink. Once again, these seat were ideal for viewing.
Comedy Club, no reserved seating for Sky class.
Departure:
In May they had three times to be escorted off. Meet in the Suite Lounge, optional breakfast in Coastal Kitchen. Once given the OK, we were escorted to the Bionic Bar. Once the entire group was there, we were escorted off and bypassed the lines to the luggage pickup area. One thing, you'll be using an escalator so keep that in mind. Once your luggage was claimed, dedicated lines for suite guests. However, I think they were sharing them with the Mobile Passport folks.

I can help out, I have extras, about six. Text/message me your mailing address through my profile and I'll be happy to send them to you if we have time before you depart on your cruise. You can buy me a beer or two in return!

Here's an updated list for Cruise Directors:
Adventure OTS - Casey Pelter April 8 for 4 months (will likely be on paternity leave early October).

Allure OTS - Mitch Merucci April 23 until September 17, then Dru Pavlov September 17 until November 19, then Mitch returns November 19 for 4 months, followed by Dru for 4 months.

Anthem OTS - Dru Pavlov March 12 through mid-July, then Jimmy Rhodes until November 22, then Bobby Broughton joins Anthem as November 22.

Brilliance OTS - Jerome Sueur returned November 10 until May 25 then Clo O'Connor May 25 for 2 months. 

Empress OTS - Elvis Pinto returns April 24 for 2 months. 

Enchantment OTS - Michelle Pimentinha Oliveira began February 17.

Explorer OTS - Graham Seymour returns March 19 through July 28 (then Graham is retiring).

Freedom OTS - Michele Scarpato February 18 for 2 months thru the TA May 7 then Mercedes LaFuentes. 

Grandeur OTS - Paul Rutter returned February 25 for 4 months.

Harmony OTS - Abe Hughes returns March 11 until July 8, then Bobby Brown July 8 until mid September, then Abe returns mid-September until after the New Year, then Dru Pavlov begins January 2018 for 2 months.

Independence OTS - Marc Walker begins April 28 until May 27, then Joff Eaton returns May 27 until September 30, then Marc returns September 30 until January 30. 

Jewel OTS - Susan Adams began April 23 for 2 months, then Simona Ferraiuolo returns late June for 4 months, then Susan returns late October for 4 months.

Liberty OTS - Jeff Arpin January 8 until late May, then John Blair late May until late July. 

Majesty OTS - Bobby Broughton April 17 for 2 months, followed by Susan Adams. 

Mariner OTS - Keith Williams mid March until mid May 10. (Replacement unknown.)

Navigator OTS - Drew Devine began March 26. (Unknown for how long) Clo O'Connor begins late September.

Oasis OTS - Jimmy Rhodes began March 12, then Tim Connor begins mid May for 4 months, then Jeff Arpin for 2 months.

Ovation OTS - Mike Hunnerup began March 5.
Joff Eaton expects to return to Ovation for the Australian season (need details).

Quantum OTS - Ricky Matthews end of January until mid-to-late May, then Chris Brown for 4 months, followed by Bill Brunkhorst in September.

Radiance OTS - Steve Davis March 28 until late-July, then John Blair for 2 months, followed by Steve for 4 months.

Rhapsody OTS - Dan Whitney January 21 (leaving ship soon)

Serenade OTS - Carly Boileau March 17 for 2 months, then Topi Ylonen should be returning from May 20 until September 17 for the Baltic season.

Vision OTS - Bill Brunkhorst March 13, then Keith Williams begins May 22. 

Voyager OTS - Jamie Fentiman began April 6 
 

I know! I've printed in B&W too! Some of the people on the crew said that they preferred it in color when I took the behind the scenes tour! I should have included that!

Hey Grubby,
I share your enthusiasm on your up coming cruise, only mine isn't until next March! My wife says I'm starting to get on her nerves! I recommend you buy these cruise luggage tag holders: http://amzn.to/2thOxmj. They are fool proof and very durable, can be used on more then one cruise!

I'd say mine is going to be the first drink I have on my very first cruise! (Non alcoholic, of course)

Thanks DocLC!  I thought it tax.  Feelng dumb.  My last cruise, the baristas made out well with tips. 

@Bob_KY double check your purchase of the card as it's unusual for Royal not to include an automatic gratuity in the purchase. I have topped additional when warranted, though. 

My understanding from cruise planner.   Starbucks kiosk is not included in any beverage  package; even the deluxe excludes Starbucks.  I went with the Cafe Select card - 15 specialty coffees for $31.  This provides my wife and I our morning lattes.   We also order 12 bottles of water, delivered to our cabin.  We don't drink sodas.   For our 7 night cruise this works out fine for us.  One thing for the cafe card, it does not include the tip.  We collect $5 bills 6 months before  our cruise for tips.   Based on what we drink, the Refreshment Pkg and Cafe Card would be redundant.  
It depends on how much non-alcoholic beverages you drink a day.  I hope this helps.

The only "package" that includes Starbucks are Star Class Suites (on Q and O class ships) and even with those, only the coffee is included...the pastries and other "food" at Starbucks is not included.

As a result of the overwhelming popularity of the C&A program and the associated perks, perhaps Royal should charge a $7.95 fee for those who want to partake. ;)
Too much sarcasm?
Seriously, I understand the need for the change as there becomes a point when the sheer number of C&A members becomes unmanageable. And for Royal, it's a good problem for them to have. However, I also think that they should replace a perk with something else if they're going to take one away. For example, they could wave the room service fee for Diamond Plus members. It really wouldn't cost them as many might not use it and it would add some good will. 

In May 2017 on the Radiance OTS,  the card was in my cabin along with my excursion tickets.  They used a hole "punch" to kept track.  On the back of the card, there was a place for you to write in your name and stateroom #.   
Also, i bought one for my upcoming oasis cruise.  I don't think you can use it at Starbucks. 

Last meal: Mushroom Truffle Risotto from Giovanni's Table
First Meal: I think it was actually the Seafood Spaghetti from the Mojo menu with the Escargot as a starter and Royal Cheese Plate as dessert!

The #1 problem I have with 4 night cruises (besides the fact they go by so quickly) is with RC, it seems like you will need to take off 3-4 days from work because they tend to occur over weekdays.  Because of this, I'd rather take 1-2 more days off work and get a 7-night cruise!
If you're new to cruising, I also recommend against 3 or 4 night cruises. By going with a slightly longer cruise, you will have the opportunity to really explore the ship and enjoy the experience. Shorter cruises go by so quickly and for someone new to cruising, it may not provide enough time on ship or on shore to really get a sense of it all.
If you've cruised a lot, then it's less of an issue and I defer back to my original point.

I agree with this statement, there are at least three different itineraries out of San Juan currently and they have now ported Freedom out of San Juan as well as Jewel during certian times of the year, Jewel will visit more of the smaller islands the bigger ships don't go in to.

Waaaytooo is right.  My OBC wasn't applied when  i boarded.  I was told to wait until "day 2" when accounts were fully established.  It wasn't,  so all I did was take my email confirmation to the service desk and it was fixed.  When you redeem points, like OBC, you have to identify the cruise date and ship.  Like DocLC, I have switched credit cards that provide a better rewards program.  

...you have 220 days until your next cruise and you've set out your suitcase and have started to pack.  With the recurring "cruise goal" to reduce the amount you pack...

Johnny Rockets is usually dead that first day in my experience so a great time to go.....trying to remember but pretty sure they had a 20% off promo that first day too..

When you are envious about another man's Sea Pass size!

Just realized one...you know you're a cruise nerd when...you open the cupboard door where the drink glasses are...and half the glasses are various styles of martini glasses, shot glasses and other assorted drinking vessels...you brought back from the various cruises you've been on...many complete with RC branding!

...you have 220 days until your next cruise and you've set out your suitcase and have started to pack.  With the recurring "cruise goal" to reduce the amount you pack...