BND

We either book onboard or our TA books for us. Either way, they can easily compare cabins and see what's available on both legs without moving from screen to screen. We only dob2b's in the same cabin. One of the biggest perks of doing a b2b is not having to pack up anything.

I was just coming here to report that the channel is fully open as of yesterday June 10.

Tell me why they belong in a place where adults are drinking and probably having adult conversations? Kids don't have to do everything or go everywhere adults do.

The main issue at Rising Tide is that it's very limited seating. And, my personal opinion is kids don't belong in bars.

People want the same "quality" without paying more. The cost of everything has gone up.

The limiting of Pinns to the SL is simple. The suites expect the lounge they paid for in their cruise fare and if they allow all the Pinns on top heavy cruises, then they wouldn't be getting one of their perks. On some cruises there are 50 or more Pinns which really impact the SL. We've only experienced the limits on Jewel Quebec city 10 day NB and 10 day SB. It's a cruise that doesn't happen often and so it attracts top tier who've done other itineraries many times. On Vision in April, there were no limits and the lounges weren't crowded at all.

On small ships such as Vision class, it's a place to get a snack before dinner (late seating for us). There are plenty of people who do like the lounges. We've met a lot of great people in them. The great thing about it is, you don't have to go, but if others want to, then that's great. We haven't experienced the "seating domination". On some sailings there are groups that know each other and why shouldn't they sit together? We have seen less of that in the last few years, but it's never kept us from finding a seat.

Our experience is they use different sides of the MDR for each group. We've always eaten with other b2bers and we can see the Key's across the way. On one b2b (Oasis I think) we were instead sent to a specialty restaurant (Giovanni's) for a complimentary lunch. That's the only time that's happened.

We've had it happen on some sailings, but not all. We're D+, almost Pinnacle so we know that access to the SL won't probably happen for us on most, if not all cruises. We do use the CL. On Jewel 10 night NB and 10 night SB (NJ to Quebec to NJ) they limited the CL to D+ and Pinn and only let the top 20 Pinns into the SL. The CL during happy hour spilled over into the VCL and completely filled it. Our b2b on Vision in April wasn't restricting at all and the CL was never full. It varies so much from itinerary to ship. We're on a 5 night on Vision to Bermuda in Aug and we know there won't be a lot of top tier onboard. Last cruise we did to Bermuda on EN a couple of years ago, we were #3 point wise with about 440 points. My point is, that your mileage may vary, but as others have said, you can go in anytime except during happy hour IF they are restricting access to D+ and above.

And, I missed that lol.

We just did a b2b on Wonder in Jan and will again in Nov. We've done several on different ships. Just follow the directions you are given. You will get a letter a few days before about when and where to meet and what to bring (passport or bc and ID if that's what was used to board). Never heard of or seen a pre-meeting and we've been doing b2b's for a while. And, we always do the same cabin for each leg. We won't book a b2b otherwise.

I don't know that they are. They never said what ship. I just used it as an example that not all are the same.

Second formal night menu has one included lobster tail. Additional tails cost. We were just on in April for a b2b so we know.

Not all ships have wash stations. VIsion class for example only has sanitizer. And, someone stands at the door and dispenses it to each person.

I think everyone needs to forget about Labadee for a long time. The situation is not getting better and as long as they can't have a stable government it won't. We're scheduled there next Spring on Adventure, but I don't expect we'll be going there.

We used to see embarkation day weddings on every trip, but I haven't seen one since a year or two before Covid. We would always see closed off venues and wedding photos being taken. What we have seen more often now is weddings ashore like on a beach.

There have been cases when people check in that things didn't save properly. We've had it happen with photos and health questions in the past so it could happen with a cc. Why risk it by not having a cc with you?

Or do what we did. Both our boys had cc's when they left for college through USAA (we've been using USAA for 40+ years now for insurance and cc's). They each had a $500 limit and they were responsible for the bill each month. This was in 2002-2008 timeframe. That way, they had their own card/account which they both still have as 38 and 40 year olds with wives. $500 meant they couldn't go overboard but it gave them flexibility to spend on what they needed/wanted. They also both worked summers so they had spending money of their own. As a result, they have both had very high credit scores for quite a long time.

Some people always say that thinking it will have some impact. We just pre-pay and give extra as we feel like. It's certainly not going to break the bank and if it does for some people, maybe they should rethink their vacation because things can and will happen outside of their control that could be worse.

D+ and Pinn translated to Elite along with D. Now, they translate into an equivalent status. On both lines, okay. That's a choice to cruise on both prior to this change. What exactly did they expect? Special treatment? This just levels it. Royal didn't have to do anything.

To kind of get back on track, there are people on FB losing their minds. They are demanding that points also be shared across the lines. Someone also said, this really isn't a change. Really? Did they read the status match info?

I mean, how much do you think they'll spend? Other child's parent needs to set a limit regardless of whose card it's on. If you know the family well, you could just have them repay you after the cruise or give you cash ahead of time that can be put against the child's purchase.

D+ is now Elite Plus which is a change. Before D+ and Pinn were Elite. We've been talking about doing more X cruises once we hit Pinn next spring so this is another incentive.

Just not worth the hassle. Never seen anyone carry any onboard. When we still did beaches, we always just rented chairs and an umbrella. For two people it's usually about $25 at most places. Possibly a bit more now, but not the least bit unreasonable. I doubt the porters will take them. Even if they did, the odds of them getting to you undamaged is pretty much zero. Everything is stacked and can be tossed around. They don't take cases of water anymore. Luggage is all I ever see.

Yes, the USB blocks are allowed. I carry a small one as does my DH. We normally charge 1 thing at a time each at most. My fitbit and DH's smart watch both only require charging every 5 or so days. Phones we plug in overnight to charge.