Bob_KY

UPDATE:
Ship
Cruise Director
Activities Manager
Adventure
Casey Pelter
Eric (last name?)
Allure
Mitch Merucci
Amy Tripp
Anthem
Dru Pavlov
Hugo Arenas
Brilliance
Clo O’Connor
Unknown
Empress
Carlos Torres
Cecy Del Razo
Enchantment
 Michelle Pimentinha Oliveira
 Unknown
Explorer
Graham Seymour
Joe Chambers
Freedom
 Mercedes La Fuentes
Jerry (last name?)
Grandeur 
 Susan Adams
Tanya Yates Tongue
Harmony
 Abe Hughes
Katy McCullagh
Independence
 Joff Eaton
Caroline Peters
Jewel
Simona Ferraiuolo
Daniel Klophaus
Liberty
John Blair
Katrina Blair
Mariner
Unknown
Unknown
Majesty
Bobby Broughton
Moe Vatuloka
Navigator
Cuddy Cudworth
Mark Rous
Oasis
Tim Connor
Marvin Wilson
Ovation
Gordon Whatman
Unknown
Quantum
Chris Brown
Unknown
Radiance
Steve Davis
Margot Van Erck
Rhapsody
Patricio Honores
Daniel Dornas
Serenade
Topi Ylönen
Aysy Sadrislamova
Vision
Keith Williams
Chris Hopkins
Voyager
Jamie Fentiman
Unknown
EDIT: Please ask if you would like to know who will be onboard on a specific date.

Remember, you can always cancel if you buy now and purchase a better deal down the road.  It's a bit of a hassle to keep buying and cancelling and rebuying but it certainly is an option.  If the prices go UP instead of down, you will at least have the best price you found.

Some restaurants (ensure you call first!) allow you to bring your own wine, but charge a corkage fee.  I do not see this as out of the ordinary.  I like have the ability to bring 2 bottles of my favorite wines on my cruise.  The $7.50 cordage fee is still better than the 50-100% markup for the wine on the ship's wine list.   Agree with DocLC - let me bring more.... 

...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...

Upon further review...
We (wife and I) didn't think enough about the points that the great folks here said...that RC is a lot cheaper than Disney...someone said that it's best to think of it as a la carte rather than the 'nickel and dimeing'.
It's better to only purchase what you need.
Great advice from all...and great reminders! We wanted something 'cheaper' than Disney and we got that...however, we lost track of the 'pay for only what you want' aspect.
Our main gripe with RC was not having a good way for family members to easily (and free) communicate with each other like it is on the Quantum class or Disney.
Again, great advice from all, and thanks for the re-adjustment to our thinking...we were miffed about the communication options and that resulted in some sweeping generalizations which were not expressed well.
 
 
 

It's funny, you used the term, "nickel & dimeing", I used the term "ala-carteing" --- As someone who grew up on the Disney product, as Fmanke said, there's nobody that does it better in terms of providing a memorable vacation for the entire family .....
What I personally like about the way that RCL does it, is the fact that you're not forced to buy something, hidden cost or otherwise, that you may not use...... plus, now that I'm 54, I don't need something that's geared so much towards kids, AND, I do enjoy a casino.  Perhaps that's an additional factor as to why Disney Cruises cost so much more, they have to make up for lost revenue.
I love the fact that I can start with a lower base rate for the cruise, and all of us in the family can pick and choose the "add-ons" in order to create a more personalized, perfect vacation.
Just my opinion, Disney does what they do really well, and so does Royal Caribbean, you just have to do your homework, and decide on what works best for you and your family.
Mark

This is like conversations I have with people about all inclusive resorts who think their drinks are free. With RC, if you want it, there's a usually service for that. As opposed to paying for it and get it whether like it or not...'included soda' you're paying for it, it's just not a specific line item on your bill. Six or one half dozen, call it whatever. I hate paying for over inflated fares including things I don't use. 
Internet and such...there were days not that long ago where there was no such thing on a cruise ship...any cruise ship. They only way to keep in touch...ship-to-shore phone at about $8+/minute. New technology and services come out all the time...it's not possible to replace or swap out to the newest and latest thing every six months. On an all metal ship it's a massive and expensive undertaking to design and implement a wireless service. I've been on RC ships that have 'okay' internet service that didn't have any internet service previously...or the internet was accessed via PCs in a specific lounge that always seemed to be full. An interesting concept, however, that texting has become a top line critical item on a vacation...worthy of a Sociology Graduate Thesis.
RC's soda package is a joke. We order 18 cans of soda at the beginning of a cruise for my wife, it costs far less than a "fountain soda" package and is of far better quality.
We know several people who cruise Disney...we don't see the attraction to pay that much...for a bunch of things we won't use. To each their own, and it's good to see what else is out there.

I needed "wine diapers" once after about 6 bottles of wine! But that story is for another day!

fiegal2539.  Alaska remains my favorite.  As a military brat, i was born in Anchorage and for my military career I was able to be stationed at Fort Richardson for 2 years.  Love Alaska.  My wife would say,  too many non-flushing toilets.  :-)  The view from Alyeska - breath taking or being part of the 20% club to see Denali..  i will remove "activites on board." For cruises with numerous sea days - this may become important  (for example, repositioning).
UPDATE.  RCCL notified me today that my luggage was found and will be delivered tomorrow.  Great outcome.  RCCL shipped it International Priority  via FEDEX.  
 

fiegal2539.  Alaska remains my favorite.  As a military brat, i was born in Anchorage and for my military career I was able to be stationed at Fort Richardson for 2 years.  Love Alaska.  My wife would say,  too many non-flushing toilets.  :-)  The view from Alyeska - breath taking or being part of the 20% club to see Denali..  i will remove "activites on board." For cruises with numerous sea days - this may become important  (for example, repositioning).
UPDATE.  RCCL notified me today that my luggage was found and will be delivered tomorrow.  Great outcome.  RCCL shipped it International Priority  via FEDEX.  
 

I was one of the ten people with lost luggage from ship to airport from Hawaii to Vancouver airport. . I have never encountered such incompetency!!!  Reps at airport were challenged and finally figured out we needed to fill out forms for lost luggage after waiting for over an hour even though all luggage deliveries had been made.  Obviously, thry were not trained - No real empathy offered. And RCCL is looking for it ?(bull) --I'm trying to figure out what I do in the interim, I'm without my large suitcase, chanel makeup, shoes, clothes and some very expensive formal wear.   Yes i can accommodate my needs since i am home but my expensive makeup is not.  I have purchased approx $600 to replace my cosmetics and a new suitcase since I travel this upcoming week.   This was after 4 calls to customer service to be told it may take 2 weeks to  tell me anything - -- ludaacris.  It seems that i am not important as a customer once  the trip was over. Totally opposite of my experience while on the ship.  Now I get the "Tough Luck" as RCCL will not even commit to what options are being explored to track my luggage nor would they accommodate short term needs as they avoided ownership of my  stuff not being available based on them not getting my luggage to the airport.  Mistakes happen but my frustration comes from HOW this whole issue has been handled.  I've even had bettter experience from airlines when luggage has been lost and that is not saying much. Even when the airlines lose luggage, they are more accommodating.
 I think the full experience for vacation begins when what you pay for begins--that includes boarding, ship experience and departure from the ship.  I'm a diamond level cruiser and spent a lot of money with RCCL and this has stressed me enough that i may never cruise RCCL.  Am i valued or not?  Sure doesn't feel like it!

Bob_KY
I have done over 35 cruises on various lines, but always use Royal more than any other. Since I have taken many cruises, Itinerary is important to me. I love the Caribbean but I am tired of the same old stuff over and over. I have noticed some lines are adding a few different stops which might entice me to book Caribbean again. It is kind of "Been There, Done That". Saying that, I have booked at 13 day Atlantic Coastal on another line that starts in Montreal, stops at Quebec City 2 days, Charlottetown, Halifax, Sydney, Bar Harbor, NYC, Boston, Charleston, Orlando and finally stops at Fort Lauderdale. When I saw the itinerary I immediately booked it and got an incredible deal on it. I have done a Canada/New England that was the worst cruise I have ever done and know this one will be a lot better. It is way in 2018, so I have a long time to wait.
Experience is important to me, I want great, not good shore excursions, either ship generated or private, that I will remember for a life time.
Price is very important, since I am a solo cruiser, I pay 150% of what other passengers pay.
The ship and the cabin are important to me. I always look for odd shaped cabins that have more square footage.
On board activities, sorry not interested in the Not So Newly Wed Game (I wish they would find something else to do besides this game), Bingo, no way, too expensive, Shopping talks, once you have heard one, you have heard them all, Belly Flop contest, etc. Some lines are doing new on board programs, Discoveries at Sea is one, that offer the passenger more than just bingo. It is a learning experience and I like that.
Crew is important and I expect they will all be knowledgeable, considerate and helpful to me.
I have taken 5 Alaskan cruises with my 6th one next week on the Explorer, this will be my last one. I love Alaska but 6 times is enough.
Candie

Just stayed in a CLS #1742 on Allure a couple weeks ago. It was fantastic!!! Loved everything about the suite, and the service and extras that we received  being a suite guest were amazing. If you can swing it, go for it!! WARNING.... you will likely be ruined for regular cabins again!! Oh and you may not leave the 17th deck very often!?

For us........it's the following:
1.  ITINERARY
2.  CRUISE LENGTH (Nothing under 7 days)
3.  RELAXING

Peter,
You get double C&A points for a grand suite.  The "doubling" starts at junior suite level, but that level you are not afforded all the suite amenities.  
My wife and i set sail in 5 days - i will give an update about our first time in a grand suite.  We are so ready...  luggage packed and weighed.  Our favorite wines sealed, and my back pack - almost there.
R,
Bob

Peter,
You get double C&A points for a grand suite.  The "doubling" starts at junior suite level, but that level you are not afforded all the suite amenities.  
My wife and i set sail in 5 days - i will give an update about our first time in a grand suite.  We are so ready...  luggage packed and weighed.  Our favorite wines sealed, and my back pack - almost there.
R,
Bob

You forgot cruise companions. They can make or break a cruise I would imagine. As I have yet go on my first cruise, I can't be sure. But I am positive I won't have any issues as I am cruising with my beautiful wife of 27yrs.
 

Up to now itinerary is my main criterion.That's why our 14 nights Baltic Cruise (with TUI Cruises) ranks highest for me. All ports were different but each in their own a magnificent experience. And cruising in the archipelago of Stockholm at sunrise is an item for any bucket list - that was absolutely amazing. For our first RC cruise we're trying a completely different approach, making the ship the destination. We're on Symphony's transatlantic cruise to enjoy its amenities to the fullest - might change my perspective completely.

Klaconqueso.  Sabor on the Allure was one of our favorite stops.  Going on oasis in January - looking forward to that taste "comparison."

Embarkation/disembarkation can be likened to a road trip. They have to be endured in order to get to where you want to be. But the trip there is a LOT more fun than the trip home.

This is a tough question.   I have been on 3 cruises now and each one was "best" in dinner way.   My first on vision was the best in that the first sea day was the most relaxed i have ever been in my entire life!   The 2nd on freedom was the best in that i loved the promenade.   The 3rd was the best on adventure because  i loved the southern ports and being on my husbands first cruise!  If i had to pick one,  id say the first one was the most magical because everything was new and i had no expectations!   Jane

The shore excursions that are offered by RC, are not run by them, correct? They are just contracted by RC and provides RC guests the ability to get the first bookings on them? Is there any way to find out the actual name of the excursion companies providing the service? What are the pros and cons of booking through RC and booking directly through a private excursion company?

On the flip side to Toodle's reply, the outfits that handle the cruise-booked excursions tend to be more crowded. For things like snorkeling excursions or other outings that go to some location, they also seem to go to the same spot as all the excursions for the other cruise ships in port that day. So you could be expecting to swim with a group of 20 or 30 and instead find over a hundred people all jockeying to see the same small patch of fish. This was by far the most common complaint about almost every snorkeling expedition review I've read on TripAdvisor that was booked through a cruise. The third-party outfits that only book privately all had better ratings for going to more secluded areas and/or more scenic spots since they're carrying a smaller group, and I didn't find any negative reviews about missing or nearly missing their departure.
Also, Matt has pointed out in the past that the outside third party shops all have a vested interest in getting you back on time, or their reputation suffers (and depending on their policy, they could be on the hook to get you back to your ship). So as long as things all go normally, you'll be fine. BUT, you'll definitely be in trouble if something like a traffic jam or mechanical breakdown leaves you late and the outfit you booked with doesn't have a policy covering getting you back to your ship, so read the fine print carefully.
If you'd rather book through Royal for the safety of them waiting for you, but want to have more freedom on where you go / what you do, check out the new Private Journeys option they've recently set up. Matt just did a whole podcast episode about it last week, well as writing a blog post:
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/podcast/episode-194-private-journeys-shore-excursion
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2017/04/19/private-journeys-royal-caribbean-blog-podcast
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2017/02/28/review-royal-caribbeans-private-journeys-shore-excursion-curacao

Maybe off topic - sidebar, but, we take magnets to post schedule, maps, compass info and notes on our walls.  Functional versus for decoration.  

Maybe off topic - sidebar, but, we take magnets to post schedule, maps, compass info and notes on our walls.  Functional versus for decoration.