cruisetorelax44

the cruise sails on March 30th, so that's fine. i did call club royale direct. i may just give another call to see if a different agent can help. it seemed so strange.

I'm prime, so I have the certificate that gives a 7-night cruise, with only a few restrictions (no new ships, no holiday cruises, some blackout dates on some ships). But when I called to redeem it for a cruise I booked through next cruise, I was told I was not allowed to do that. Has anyone else had this issue? I've often booked through next cruise to secure the room and sailing, and then just applied the certificate. The service rep told me, the rules changed. But I've never seen a notice on that and there is no restriction on the certificate. Thanks!

We plan to walk off the ship. We specifically chose this direction because we'll end closer to the airport.

We thought about that, but there's one direct flight home and it leaves at 12:40p. Otherwise, it's a connecting flight that is about $400 more per person. We're early risers lol...

I think that's where we're going to stay. Thanks!

I posted this on the Panama Canal board, but no one has responded, so I thought I'd post it here as well. We're on the March 30th sailing that starts in Colon. We booked a pre-cruise excursion with Royal that starts at 630am on embarkation day. Has anyone done this tour? Does anyone know where it starts? Because of the early hour, the tour start spot may impact the hotel location we choose. The only time I've done a pre-cruise tour was on a Greek cruise that left from Civitaveccia. That left from the airport outside of Rome. Thanks!

We're on the March 30th sailing that starts in Colon. We booked a pre-cruise excursion with Royal that starts at 630am on embarkation day. Has anyone done this tour? Does anyone know where it starts? Because of the early hour, the tour start spot may impact the hotel location we choose. The only time I've done a pre-cruise tour was on a Greek cruise that left from Civitaveccia. That left from the airport outside of Rome. Thanks!

no need. just ask your stateroom attendant for a fan. they've never let me down...

no food.. but the hand shaken pina coladas were amazing!

I love making up my own mocktails. A virgin pina colada with watermelon syrup, or some of the peach mix or mango mix thrown in. Non-frozen? Pineapple juice, cranberry juice, sprite and lime... You can usually get cans of soda everywhere (we started asking exclusively for cans a few cruises ago, because we found the fountain soda mix was just not that good in many places). Be creative, tell a bartender what flavor profiles you like and let them make you something special. You may be surprised 🙂

Does anyone know if they still offer small plates (for a fee), or is it just drinks? Thanks!

i did something very similar in july. (one night in denali, two in fairbanks). there are buses right at the port in seward. you get your luggage like you normally would when you disembark, and then you go right to the bus where they load you up. we had maybe 90 minutes in anchorage to find some place to eat and then get back on the bus. really not a lot of time at all. i think we were dropped off right near the cultural center. we also stopped at a grocery store on the way up to denali to get snacks and stuff. enjoy your cruise!

thanks

I just got some new casino offers, and for the first time, it says Companion sails free. Up until now, it was always a full free cruise, or a specific dollar amount as a discount. It seems this one is that one person has to pay, while the other is free, and if you sail solo, you have to pay half price! Anyone else get something like this? Thoughts?

i've always gotten rockets with the UDP.. but shakes are not included

We usually leave $5-$10 per person, per meal. All depends on where we're going and the server. We know we paid an extra 18% gratuity when we booked the package, but we like to leave a little extra.

it's not something that's usually available on the app... it's the inaugural sailing, so if it's sold out.. it probably is 😞

We're on the very first sailing of Icon on January 27th, and with the crowds, we wanted to buy the key. It was never an option.. until it showed up today SOLD OUT. So frustrating... I guess I'll be stalking the site for the next 10 months in hoping someone cancels...

You can log out of one device and log into the other

If you aren't getting internet, it's probably not for you. The other benefits are nice, but not worth the price. But you are purchasing an internet package, it may well be worth the upgrade. Everyone spends on what's valuable to them.

I'm diamond plus... far from a newbie. Every person has their own priorities. If I wasn't already getting internet, I wouldn't do it. But the perks are worth it if it's a little more than that...

Sometimes the key is only like $30 more power person than a two device internet package. On Oasis class, that's super worth it just to get on board early. Reserved seating at shows and designated activity times makes it even better.

thank you!! excited to do it!

Deck plans show an escape room on deck 15, and there's a description on the website for it, but I haven't heard much about it. Does anyone know if it's still there? Is it as good as the one on Oasis? Thanks!

If you've never been on a Royal, I'd do the three night and go to Chops, 150 Central Park and Jamie's. A steakhouse, Italian, and fine dining American. You'll get the most bang for your buck and they're all delicious 🙂