DocLC

My son (7) bought this was the coolest thing ever.

You will need to pay for sodas either by the class or through a package. RCI hasn't included soda since the mid 1990s and even then it was only in the main dining room. Everything else your TA said is correct. Juice is also available in the mornings although it will not be the fresh squeezed variety.

Come to Southern California and I'll hook you up. :) Now if we could only get a Royal ship back out here . . .

Congratulations!

You're even giving attention to Sabor over Izumi. Changing loyalties?

Any disappointment that Sabo wasn't mentioned or are you still holding out hope? These changes are making think of moving from Liberty to Freedom; that way, I can sneak in a WDW precruise trip rather than waiting until 2017.

That was back when Platinum meant something. Now it's just a lowly level on the way to Pinnacle, and I'll admit that I've been looking at ways to rack up points, like sailing in a suite on the 12 night Brilliance cruise, then reality (price) sets in.

Excellent deductive reasoning, WhitesSoxFan. I hadn't even considered that. There are several lines like MSC that are much cheaper by comparison, especially if 3rd and 4th berths are for children.

Good points, Michelle. The TA I use doesn't offer any perks unless the agency has a promotion with the cruise line. We often get a small gift once onboard (e.g., $25 OBC, photo, or bottle of wine) as a thank you, but nothing big or upfront nor expected. While I know I can get better deals out there, I'm loyal to myth tried and true TA as she makes time for me and doesn't charge a fee to rebook if prices drop. I looked into a warehouse club agency once because of an add and past experience with them on a land trip. However, when I asked about price drops, they informed me that there'd be a $75 change fee each time. In addition, I could never speak to the same person and often had to wait 20 minutes on hold each time.

Mark, I'd recommend listening to last week's podcast that Matt did. Also, for the most part, all cruise lines now require agents to sell cruises at the same prices that they offer. This means that the price for the cruise is essentially the same regardless of where you buy it. However, some agency book group space and can get a better price as a result. For example, perhaps a family is having a huge reunion onboard, so the TA has received a special rate for the large group. Even though you're not part of the reunion, the TA can still book you at that rate if they have it. Likewise, TAs also will look for all the discounts available which the call center people at RCI don't always do. For instance, I saved several hundred dollars earlier this year because of a residency sale for the state I live in. While your price likely won't vary much except as noted above, agents can throw in perks to sweeten the deal like insurance, prepaid gratuities, onboard credit, etc.

Anyone willing to sail the Radiance next month? If so, then we have the Radiance class covered. :)

Legend, 12/31/05 sailing from Tampa, Platinum before all the new tiers.

I just read that they're offering a sea day brunch/lunch at Izumi for $25. We have some really, really good all you can eat sushi places here for less, so I probably wouldn't be interested but thought of you, Matt, when I read it given your interest in sushi.

The last time I was at such an event was 2006; I'm curious to see how it's changed. Back then they offered quite a spread including sushi, although I'm guessing that's gone.

Thanks, Matt! Love escargot and my son ordered it with his hamburger on our last cruise. I would not have considered the lasagna, though, so thanks for the advice. And of course, you can never go wrong with coffee ice cream.

Don't they change the hashbrowns from day to day. ;)

While I can't specifically comment on the Allure, I have heard that Johnny Rockets is another option for breakfast that is complimentary.

If you had one not to miss dish in the main dining room to recommend, what would it be? Let me know your favorite appetizer, entrée, and dessert on a 7 day cruise. Thanks.

bcarney, I thought for sure that after the laundry you were going to say that you'd start cruising all over again. The reality of needing a diet is a real downer. ;)

Royal doesn't do a lot of world cruises like some of the other lines, but if I stayed on board long enough, B2B2B2B . . ., it might turn into one. :) I think I would choose the repositioning on Quantum followed by a cruise on the Asian itinerary. I'd settle for an inside, but if price wasn't an issue, I'd go for a suite not only for more spacious accommodations but also for double C&A points. Could I get quadruple points if I sailed solo?

It is definitely one of those things where your mileage may vary with the package. We did a similar one on Celebrity (nonalcoholic) and purchased it out of convenience. In reality, I didn't expect to save any money and simply thought I'd break even or come close to breaking even, which would have been acceptable for convenience sake and having the expense prepaid. What surprised us is that we actually found value in it. I had a couple of specialty coffees per day (breakfast/dinner), a fresh squeezed orange juice in the morning, a soda with lunch and/or dinner, and bottled water and in the end we found value in the package. We're trying it out next month on the Jewel. If it works as well as it did on Celebrity, then we'll likely opt for the package on the Brilliance in July. I actually suspect that it may be a better value on the Brilliance since our major port stops are Norway, where everything is expensive, so the option of bringing on soda and/or water might be cost prohibitive. I actually watched a Rick Steve's seminar on YouTube where one of his writers actually said that he spent more on the soda he bought before getting on the ship than it would have cost him to simply purchase the can out of the mini bar on the ship.

Keep in mind that some of the reps. have a reputation for giving inaccurate advice. I'm not saying this is the case, just a warning from experiences I've read on other sites. And while you may get a faster response, there's a greater likelihood that at. T.A. has been on the ship than a phone rep.

The flight is now $1955 R/T up from $1090 R/T, so it may have been a short-lived sale.

While I can't specifically speak to in-room childcare, I have had good experiences on several cruise lines since my son as 2 and this includes Disney, Holland America, Celebrity, and Carnival and this is coming from someone who use to work for Child Protective Services and has a sensitivity/concern about child maltreatment. While I wouldn't let my son run free on the ship without supervision, I've never had a concern with the childcare.

Let's hope it stays that way. The last time I was in Europe, the dollar was pretty weak and it hurt. The upside is the airfare was cheap ($550 r/t) from San Diego back then and the hotels were about $100 per night. A lot has changed in a decade, though, especially airfare.