Atlantix2000

14 hours ago, Cruising Granny said:

So if a 16 year old with the same last name as mom is sailing without dad they should be ok? Both also have passports.

A child having a passport implies permission from both parents to leave the country.  If there were a custody issue, the child's passport could be held until the issue is resolved.

1 hour ago, CruiseRoyalDad said:

boo!! The only thing consistent about RCCL IT and policies is the inconsistency! Thank you for the heads up I'm going to give them a call. I just need to hype myself up for hearing "weekend like you mean it" a million times while on hold. Always use a TA folks. 

It may have something to do with when you purchased your UDP.  Perhaps old purchases aren't eligible to make reservations but new ones are.  In that case, you might have to cancel and repurchase the UDP but at current prices.  If you got it cheap, it might be best to leave it alone and play by the old rules.

Can you leave your children on the ship? Yes.  Should you?  That's a more difficult personal question.  Consider the possibility of missing the ship.  Now your children are spending the night alone.  Remember that ship-sponsored excursions promise to get you back to the ship but that does NOT mean the ship will wait for you.  It means Royal will get you to the ship even if it means flying you to the next port at their expense.  And what if the next day is a sea day?  They'll put you up at a hotel and fly you to the next port.  Personally, I would want to leave at least one adult from the group/family on the ship just in case.

24 minutes ago, TessFromFlorida said:

Only select Chase cards offer reward points 

From a quick glance on Chase's website:
All Chase branded cards except the Slate Edge offer Chase's Ultimate Rewards points
All partner branded cards earn rewards in the partner's program (United Mileage points, Hyatt hotel points, Amazon credit, etc)

The only exception I see is the Slate Edge which offers an annual reduction in interest rate each year while in good standing.  That card seems aimed at people that need to repair bad credit.

1 hour ago, Hoppy2BHere said:

Yeah.. The loss of the 3x on all travel will probably kill it for us too… Is the annual fee going up as well? Didn’t see that part, but either way.. hmmm…

edit: Just saw the fee changes… ugh.. so if we drop to a lower card, how does the keeping of points work? And how we can use them? 
J&S

All Chase cards use the same Ultimate Rewards points.  Each card has its own balance but you can transfer between them.  I've got the Freedom, Freedom Unlimited, and Sapphire Reserve.  Each has its own ways to earn points so I choose which card is best for each expense.  Then, I transfer all the points to the Sapphire Reserve and redeem from there (either transfer out to airline/hotel partners, spend them in the Chase Travel portal, or use the Pay Yourself Back feature to redeem in certain rotating categories).  It used to be a good combo.  I'll probably spend most of my points before my Sapphire Reserve renews in December and then either product change it to a Sapphire Preferred or something else.  If I'm lucky maybe I can qualify for a sign-up bonus while I'm at it.  But in general, I think the UR points are worth a lot less than they were a few years ago.

3 hours ago, TxGnRnr said:

Chase announced some major changes to their Sapphire Reserve credit card last week. (https://awardwallet.com/blog/chase-sapphire-reserve-overhaul/) One change involved the "all travel" category. That 3X category has been eliminated. But, they now added 8X points on all Chase Travel purchases (essentially 8% back). Chase previously only awarded points for airlines and hotels booked through the service.

I've been using a local Travel Agent to book all of my Royal Caribbean cruises, a combination of paid and casino-comped fares. Does anyone have experience working with Chase Travel on cruises? Do they handle any casino bookings?

Is anyone else considering switching to Chase Travel to earn the extra points?

quite the opposite.  I can't see how I can possibly justify keeping the Sapphire Reserve.  I used to say I could get thousands of value from this reward card so its original $495 annual fee was worth it.  Now it's going to be $795 per year due to a bunch of coupons/rebates/and memberships for services I never use.  I haven't run all the numbers yet but it's looking like my simple United Explorer with a $99 annual fee to get me free checked bags is going to be worth more than the Sapphire Reserve.

13 hours ago, Jclcool said:

My tags are also wrong we are aft starboard and the little map shows port aft. I’ve contacted RC three times promised new tags which never arrive. Very frustrating! I don't want lost luggage. We are on Oasis ship so this luggage would be so far away from our cabin if they follow this map. It’s not like on Odyssey where the cabins connect port and starboard side. This has apparently been an issue for years from these online post so why have they not corrected this problem? I was told they would put a note in the record. I politely told the lady the porters are part of the hardest working teams on the ship they rely on this map to get it to general location they don't have time to read ever room number nor are they reading notes off a computer when loading luggage. I don't want to spend my first day stressing about lost luggage. I’ve given them a lot of time to correct this. 

just don't use the tags you were given.  the porters can fill out blank ones at the port.  this is a pretty tiny issue

Oh @JeffB, the electrical engineer in me is cringing over this post.  You're using the word current for everything!  Current is the flow of electricity and the units are in Amperes (A).  Voltage is the strength of the electricity and measured in volts (V).  Frequency is the cycle time of the electricity when it is delivered as AC (alternating current) and measured in Hz.  European countries typically used 220-240V / 50Hz electicity.  The USA uses 110-120V / 60Hz electricity.

I'm not aware that cruise lines prohibit voltage converters.  That would be a horrible policy.  I've only seen limitations on number of power outlets.  Basically anything that creates additional power outlets will be confiscated.  Either a power adapter (changes just plug shape) or a power converter (changes plug shape and voltage) with one input and one output should be fine.

1 hour ago, JimnKathy said:

If we get dinged on our upcoming September cruise, I'll be visiting guest services to remove all of my prepaid gratuities and let them know they lost several hundred bucks for the sake of gouging me for $15 or $25 or $42.

Gotta send a tough love message to the corporate finance and marketing folks.

Yeah, that's just hurting your stateroom host and serving team.  Corkage fees are not new.  Land restaurants have used them for a long time.  It has nothing to do with opening the bottle.  It's purely a "not-purchased-here" fee.  The alternative is you aren't allowed to bring your own wine.  Just open the bottle yourself and bring a glass with you to dinner.  The glass can be any size including the entire bottle!

3 minutes ago, ChessE4 said:

I don't think it is unrealistic to expect an adult to act like an adult in a venue that is, well adult-like. So whatever you choose to do, be respectful. We've dressed in casual clothes absent our suitcases, so I understand there are many factors involved as well as cultural differences. But please don't jump all over OP for expressing an observation. You are entitled to yours as well.

PS.  I wasn't going to say anything until you used the word "wrong".

They were wrong that Royal doesn't give a minimum standard.  We all have our opinions on whether that's the correct minimum standard but it certainly exists.

On 5/11/2025 at 11:43 PM, Cole Thornton said:

Just got off of Harmony and there were those that clearly and totally disregarded all attempts by Royal to hold some standard for the MDR.  I think people nowadays just don’t care how they present themselves, and don’t tell me they cant afford to some slacks and a button down, but can pay the price for cruise and drink package.  At a minimum go to GoodWill store and buy some clothes.  It is evident that they couldn’t care less.  You have to feel sorry for their kids who are old enough to realize their folks are slobs.  You can see the embarrassment in their faces.  And before anyone gets worked up, I’m not talking about those dressed in nice shorts or slacks and nice shirts.  This is pointed at the guy in his flip flops, daisy dukes and a wife beater undershirt.  I wish Royal would stop picking and choosing which rules they are going to enforce.  Maybe it would help for them to add what the minimum allowed is with what they are suggesting.  Only a fool would not recognize that the decor and formality of the MDR speaks to proper attire.

I can afford a button down shirt just fine but I never wear them to work so why would I wear one on vacation?  The minimum allowed is stated as "no swimsuits".  That's it.  Your expectations are what is wrong.

I'm going to blame your internet connection.  I've been reading the site for the last 20 minutes or so and didn't notice any issues.

3 hours ago, TXcruzer said:

Corkage fees have nothing to do with the actual opening of the bottle. 

Yep despite having the word "cork" in it, a corkage fee is really an item-not-purchased-here fee.  The cruise ship (or a land restaurant that allows you to bring your own wine) doesn't make any profit on a bottle purchased elsewhere so they charge corkage instead.

3 hours ago, CruisingNewb said:

Yes.  Check past cruise compasses.  Day 1 is Day 1 is Day 1.  Never changes.  The day that you set foot on the ship is Day 1.  

Not necessarily true when interporting.  That's kind of the point of the thread.

6 hours ago, Mathias said:

According to thepointsguy link above, the Crown Lounge was relocated to the former teen disco space on Deck 15.

Looking at the the deck plan it is still lookated at the Boardwalk on deck 6 https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/allure-of-the-seas/deck-plans/2307/06

If the Crown Lounge is not on the Boardwalk, what will they put there instead?

There are 2 sets of deck plans on Royal's site.  If you look at the more future one (https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/allure-of-the-seas/deck-plans/2375/15) you can see the Crown Lounge on deck 15.  The deck 6 location is unlabeled on these plans, so I'm thinking it is a new restaurant that hasn't been announced yet.

1 hour ago, smokeybandit said:

And since this was announced, starting in June Southwest will charge you for your bags and is getting rid of "Wanna Get Away" fares and making them more like basic economy on other airlines.

so basically they've gotten rid of everything that made themselves stand out as different.  They'll have to compete solely on price now.  Not sure that's a great move.  In the past, I've automatically checked Southwest first, and then looked briefly to see if there were any special deals with other airlines.  Looks like I'm in the market for a new favorite airline.

3 hours ago, brdjnr said:

correct me if I'm wrong, but this linked one does not run afoul of the new rules because it doesnt add multiple AC outlets? At least that is my understanding.

Correct, that adapter should be fine.  I didn't look to see whether it converts the higher European voltage so that US plug is 120V.  So double check that before using with any devices that require 120V.

1 hour ago, TexanTwoStep said:

We're on Symphony in June (sailing in 78 days) and haven't got our GTY Oceanview Balcony yet -- first time using GTY so I'm nervous.

The deal you agreed to when booking a GTY is that it can be assigned anytime between the day you book and the day you board.  If that causes you excessive worry, then perhaps a GTY is not the best way for you to book future cruises.

2 hours ago, Mrs. Thomas said:

My upcoming sailing is for 8 nights (leaving 4-5). When I go into the app to see what the menus are for each night, it says that the MDR is closed on nights 7 & 8. Is this normal? I know there are plenty of other places to eat, but I'm confused. I looked at the only 8-night sailing cruise compass and it was open those nights. Anyone got any ideas? TIA

The app defaults to showing the information for the current cruise.  So while your sailing is 8 nights, the one going on right now is likely 6 nights.

3 minutes ago, RCIfan1912 said:

I like that and it's cool but shouldn't out be 4? Each person would get 2 each.

The rule is 1 pt/night is standard.  Then +1 pt/night for being in a suite and +1 pt/night for being solo.
You don't get the other person's points, you use that formula.

the drink package covers the "standard" drink rate.  That rate is different in different parts of the world and it rises over time.  Sometimes the documentation doesn't match current prices but that doesn't matter.  The package will cover the standard drink rate on your cruise even if it changes between the time you bought it and the time you sail.  The bartenders would mutiny if they had to ring up thousands of $1 charges every day.  They don't have time for that!

15 hours ago, Neema said:

I am aware that you are able to use your soda package to get soda at bars. But I heavily doubt I will use anything other than the cup to get soda. If I call Royal Caribbean Do they remove the Soda package gratuity or not?

Only if you believe the soda machines are refilled by magic fairies.

23 hours ago, DiSBr said:

HELP PLEASE!!!  We just booked a cruise, leacving in less than two weeks; but I can't finish the online check-in.  We are leaving from Baltimore, stopping in Charleston,  Port Canaveral, and then the Bahamas, so all US destinations.  My passport has expired, but I've been told my birth certificate, marriage license, and expired passport will work.  The app. will not let me finish checking in because when I try to upload my passport, the technology recognizes that it is expired.  How can I finish the check-in process without a current passport to upload?  Thank you so much!

Well, the Bahamas are an independent country so you don't have all US destinations but that doesn't matter.  The rules for US citizens are that for closed loop cruises (which means it starts AND ends in the SAME US port) you can travel without a passport.  You would not try to upload a passport at all and certainly not an expired one.  That's just a piece of paper now.  For checkin, you would select a different form of ID (birth certificate plus driver's license is a valid combo but you would need marriage licenses to link them if the names are different).

If it is not a closed loop cruise, you must have a valid passport.  If you are not a US citizen, you must have a valid passport.

it's kind of amazing how long this repair is stretching.  Royal may build the entire new beach club in Nassau in less time!

47 minutes ago, dodgestang said:

Text - yes

Internet calls (think facetime, snapchat, whatsapp) yes

Standard call - no, that's cell based

45 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

It'd be no different than connecting to wifi networks at restaurants, hotels and airports, or even your own house. Just in this case, you'd stay in airplane mode, then just pick the correct wifi network from the list.

37 minutes ago, Pooch said:

So no WiFi calling?  Even if it’s enabled on my iPhone 11?  It’s been a minute but I thought I had made calls home on my free WiFi days at sea and I don’t use any of the apps you mentioned .  Like I said, CLUELESS!!!

You can edit the list above to include WiFi calling as an Internet call.  I would recommend testing what @smokeybandit is saying above.  The next time you go to a local restaurant, put your phone in airplane mode, then turn on WiFi and connect to the restaurant's free WiFi.  Your phone won't know the difference between a local restaurant and a tropical beach