3yorkies

yes, I get them on almost every cruise and have done about 8 casino ones. I never do the royal up, as I want to choose the location of my cabin and don't want to take the chance. Plus I hate having to pay double for one person in the room.

I love your writing style and your photos---and and the tats! Can't wait to follow along until I leave this Friday for my cruise on Allure to the ABCs.

I always book near the front elevator and never have I heard any noise, even in the morning when I am sleeping in. Of course I don't go to the room until 1 to 3 a.m., so maybe I miss the noisy times. I usually close the casino most nights. The only time I ever heard noise was when I booked an "adjoining cabin" to get the area I wanted. Never again. The walls are like paper between those rooms.

Actually I got one specific to my cruise on 8/20 that the testing was now allowed 3 days pre-cruise instead of just 2. So it applies to cruises after 8/14 but before Sept. 4.

I am booked for August 20 on Allure. Just two days ago I got an email that the time for testing was now three days instead of two days. I think that is the extent of the August 14 change, that they are making the 3 days a permanent change, as it was previously specifically announced just for cruises the week of August 6 to 13.

I've stayed at the Ramada and had no issues. It's a place to sleep, beds are fine, room was clean, just very dated, but mattress and A/C were fine. Guess I'm not picky for 8 hours. As for bugs, it's Florida. So if I saw a bug or two I would not freak out. I'm staying at the Ramada Wyndham FLL next Saturday night before cruise on the Allure. Price was $80.00

Yes, flying Friday, board Saturday. I won't miss it unless the airlines screw up really bad!

I board the following Sunday, the 20th. Still quite a few cabins available online. Hoping for a LOT fewer children. At least the casino, solarium, and most bars will be safe areas, lol.

Never got one either, but would not wear it unless it is magnetic.

Do you get on the cruise where you hit it during the cruise or on the next one, same as C&A changes?

I agree that they should be consistent in what they say and what they do. However, I don't think I would ever feel entitled to a refund if I were not quarantined, so would probably just forget about it. Also until it is in writing I doubt it is enforceable. Glad none of the rest of your party became ill!!!

Can you still cancel bids? I would not want if I did not know before I boarded. Too much hassle.

Just read elsewhere that Starbucks IS now included as an allowable drink. Effective in August

The captain on Liberty was hilarious last month. It was held in the Ice Theater, and he walked out next to the cruise director from behind the curtain. He looked sort of scared and said, "This is on the ice?" She replied, "yes". Then he hopped out from behind the podium, took a couple of wobbly steps onto the ice and looked like he was going to fall down. Then he started skating backwards. Seems he is Canadian and according to his bio he gave us, he was born on skates. He was very funny and also gave a lot of interesting info about the shop. They also introduced each of the ice skaters and had each one do a short performance which differed from the actual show I saw the next day. Two glasses of cheap champagne were okay, but I would have gone even without the drinks. So I think it really depends on the crew.

And this is the very reason it is not wise to stop requiring testing pre-cruise. There would be more infected people onboard to spread a very, very contagious pathogen.

I don't see it as a downgrade, as I would prefer to have 4 (soon to be 5 after next cruise) drinks that I can enjoy throughout the day and anywhere on the ship (except perhaps bionic bar and rising tide) than to be able to guzzle as much as I want in 2 or 3 hours. That's not how I like my drinks. Some days I use all 4 by mid evening and then go to the casino if I want another, as they are free there on my prime. I would hate to see them revert to the old DL hours only system. And I always put that on my comments after each cruise----four so far in 2022 and one more in August, one in December.

Loved your cemetery shots! Thought I was the only person who sought them out on trips. My favorites have been Hawaii, New Orleans, and London.

Espresso martini and lemon drop martini without the sugar, just a short rim.

Makes more sense for a line that is 18 and over. It's the unvaxed kids allowed on the ship that concern me for testing the most.

I was very glad in Galveston that they did divide people by arrival time. I had 10:30, arrived at 10:22, and had a line, but got inside the building about 10:40. There were probably 500 or more people with other arrival times waiting. If they had been allowed to just go in when they arrived, I would have been standing outside for a long time even though I arrived at my assigned time. Now if you want to take the chance that you will arrive and there be no line (can't imagine that since they schedule from either 10 or 10:30 at most ports) and you can just walk in, fine. But if there is a line, then you will be waiting outside for a long time. Seems to make more sense to show up when you schedule your arrival. I have a cruise out of Fort Lauderdale in August, got online when the check in opened and got a time of 11 a.m. I plan to be there about 10:50 for my scheduled time. Hopefully the times will be enforced as they were in LA and Galveston and Seattle this past year.

You do earn C&A points, even double points as a solo. I've done 5 in the past year. You pay port charges, taxes, and the gratuity. One time I wanted a cabin near forward elevator on a certain floor on Allure and had to pay an extra $34.00 because it was a bit higher class than the balcony they had in the offer. Most cruises I lose $200 to $500 in the casino, but once I came out $900 ahead. So I figure I am getting some very cheap cruises. Only the high airfares have me not booking more right now.

The two photos look quite different to me. One has a huge dresser, the other does not. One is much wider than the other as seen from the width of the sliders. I would go by the actual dimensions on the RCCL site for the ship. Photos can be deceptive due to not using a normal lens, but rather a wide angle. Realtors do it all the time.

No, not allowed. If no concierge there, might get away with it, but I would not risk my perks,

Glad to hear this, as Royal seems to short-change solos in so many ways. One more cruise and I get D+, so been wondering about that

Almost to D+. On the BOGO dinner, can one person use both on two different days or just give half price on one? If not, this is just one more way that single cruisers are ignored and get no benefit.