cruisegirl1

What Biker19 said. If you will be unhappy with ANY cabin in the guarantee category, a guarantee is not a good choice. You may be able to specify (and pay) for an ocean view balcony guarantee vs a neighborhood balcony guarantee when you book your cruise. M

What Sunshine3601 said, plus you may ask the cabin attendant for extras. M

You win the post of the day!!!!!! M

Shhhh. Next we'll hear that our cruising experience "is enhanced" and there is a new bar system at Coco Cay. 😀

Not always, Royal has strange math. They sometimes use a lower price for the interior than what is showing online so the upgrade is more. As you suggested, calling is best. It might be a good idea to have a first and second choice ready when you call. Good luck.

I read several reviews when Icon launched and wonder how many who said the meal was worth the nearly $500 ($400 plus gratuity) for 2 had it gifted rather than actually paid for it? I'm sure it is good and who wouldn't give a gifted $500 meal a good review. M

Sometimes they only make them one day at a time. That was our recent experience on Allure, but we were able to secure a reservation for each night we wanted. We sometimes prefer a few dining rooms or specialty menus to CK. Enjoy your cruise. M

I stand corrected - the technology of Effectors 2 is terrific. Every time I watch it, I sit in a different area to enjoy the technology. Close up was the least enjoyable. M

Don't forget that many Pinnacles have way more than 700 points. I have no idea what the average is, but on many cruises the top 3 cruisers all have in the high 2000 points. Except for Internet and a free Pinnacle cruise ( and one for every 350 points) there is little difference in upper tier D+ and Pinnacle. These two groups share the same amenity list have the same "cheers" meal, BOGO, wash and fold and more. So by your math, the P drink benefit is worth even less. Frankly the drink benefit is wasted in me. Don't get me wrong, I like a drink or two, but 6 is overkill for me. M

We've had a variety of cruises recently and there is no reasoning regarding the hairdryer type. We had a recent Enchantment ( old ship) B2B and moved a few cabins away ( same cabin class) and had the newer dryer in one and the "hold button" type in another. M

We find Wonder to have the weakest entertainment of the Oasis class ships. M

Matzo will be available, but to be on the safe side, you can always bring a box with. If you are observing Passover, you might consider some Passover packaged cookies/candies as I don't recall the availability of kosher for Passover baked deserts. There has been a "Passover" cooked meal with Matzo Ball soup, Brisket, carrots, but I don't know if the food was Kosher for Passover or even Kosher. I know the Channukah meal offered on many ships is not kosher. There are Kosher cruises during the year with an extensive array of freshly prepared kosher foods. A designated venue is closed to the public and certified Kosher with properly prepared foods. There is even a pizza oven at Sorrento's certified Kosher . We sailed in January and there was a large group requiring kosher meals. Solarium Cafe was designated for the group and closed to the public during the cruise. There was a hefty food charge for the meals, I want to say an additional $70/day/ per person. Other kosher meals ordered for general cruising will be a frozen and heated for passengers. M

There are generally three or so MDR lunch menus You can pull up any ship on the app and take a look at MDR lunch menus to get an idea. MDR lunch is open on sea days. M

That Diamond (and up) breakfast was a nice touch and is long gone. It was at a time with relatively few D and up members. I can't recall the timing of removal, but it might have been discontinued even before there was a Pinnacle category. There was a daily special item on the standard MDR menu, and also provided in the D section. Can you imagine if they had that today, it would include half the ship population. You would get better service in the NON D and up section. 😀 Thanks for the walk down memory lane. M

A great cruise for a balcony. Enjoy M