GetToLivin

Saw this on our NYE cruise last year, it was like an obstacle course and I'm not even being dramatic. I always thought it would be a fire hazard as well but for the entirety of the cruise, the hallways of Deck 11 looked like a stroller store.

We're on an 8-day cruise coming up and the price dropped to $299/pp for UDP. A while back I purchased a 3-night and Chops + 1 dining package since there isn't a CK. It's $190 more total, for the UDP: I'm wondering if it's worth it on this class ship? We're used to Oasis class which has more to choose from. Also, can you use UDP for lunch on embarkation day? Would be nice to avoid the Windjammer. Thanks for your input 😎

We also had 11730 on Allure last December and the balcony was hands down our favorite part about that suite. It's huge, perfect views, great place to sit and take it all in, enjoy!!

I've used Resort for a Day for several stops throughout the years, never had an issue and everything is as advertised. I cross-check with Trip Advisor regarding resort reviews, etc., and make the best decision from there.

I had issues earlier, all my bookings disappeared and the app wasn't loading.

I wish! Currently, the 2-bedroom GS on my sailing is going for $19,107/pp, yikes 🤑 The CLS is $3341/pp on this sailing. I went ahead and switched and ended up saving roughly $4,200 from the OS to the CLS. I feel really good about this decision, thank you so much, everyone, for chiming in!

...partly what inspired my "echoes" question, hah! I've been told it's "possible" to get a roll-away bed so we'll see if that happens ...but I'm not above putting one of them on the balcony lounger if necessary 😆

I'm second-guessing myself so I'm looking for insight. Traveling with DH, and 16 and 19 yo kiddos. I have an OS currently booked, I chose it because the layout looked roomy enough for everyone, plus the bathroom is separate from the bedroom (unlike the Aqua Suite we had last year, which was amazing, but annoying when kids have to come through the room to use the facilities). Well now I'm looking at the CLS thinking, would 2 bathrooms be better? Space is about the same? At least our room is in a different area v connected to the living room, so maybe that'll create some separate space, too? Does the loft echo? LOL, see, I'm spiraling. I know many here have sailed in both categories, looking for YOUR insight and really starting to think 2 bathrooms and an upstairs will at least provide some separation of space for everyone. I love them but, well, if you have boys you know... 😆

I second the Rose Hall Hilton - absolutely amazing AI with a scenic drive along the way.

We really love RCI and it's the only line we've ever sailed because we love the ships, layout, entertainment, etc. However, we are finding we have to be extremely flexible in order to score anything close to a "deal". For example, I had a cruise booked in April that I canceled because of the price and in September because of the price. I just couldn't stomach what they wanted for a balcony. But low and behold, one day of random browsing I found a Suite GTY on a cruise in Oct and I jumped on it because these days, I got it for the same price many balconies are going for. So my advice, is if you can be flexible at all, you'll have better odds at finding a price point for your preferred category.

If I were paying 9k for a balcony I'd probably want to utilize every square inch of that ship, too 😆 On a serious note, so many of Royal's itineraries visit the same ports, so if you continue cruising once or twice a year, you'll quickly have opportunities to visit ports you might choose to miss while on Icon. Do what makes your vacation feel right to you and enjoy the new ship smell! 😁

One of our worst cruises was on Harmony last November, and yes, similar demographic meaning people who lack overall social grace and manners, and the air of entitlement was insane. It was the only cruise I've been on where I was looking forward to going home toward the end, I was sick and tired of being around rude and inconsiderate people. Certain ports seem to breed more of them than others, which is why we love sailing from Texas so I'll leave it at that 🫣

Just an FYI, we have done the thermal suite anytime we've been on an Oasis-class ship. The timeslot is just a formality, I've never actually shown up for the time we placed. I don't really know why their system makes you do it in the first place. From there on out, we just showed up when we wanted to use it, and were never turned away due to lack of appt. So in our experience, no, the time slots mean nothing and they certainly don't police a 15-minute max on time in the thermal suite.

I had the same question as OP a while ago for Mariner. Found out that there were public spaces on Deck 10 (if memory serves me right) that were indeed converted to more rooms and those were updated. However, all decks below were not. This might be the case here as well.

I've booked a Suite GTY a couple of times now. First time I was awarded a Grand Suite (this was in 2017, prior to Royal Up). This time, I was awarded a Jr. Suite but I also have a couple bids in for RoyalUp. I was able to see which room we were assigned via the barcode trick, however, on our set sail pass it only gives the deck number at the moment.

Ugh, this is so sad. We took DS (15/yo at the time) on his first cruise last December and after the "ooohing and ahhing" I very soberly told him not to mess with trying to sit on a railing, push "upward" on a railing to hoist himself high, lean over too far, etc, all the dumb things teen boys might do. I explained what "going over" means in many gruesome scenarios and details. Didn't want to freak him out but I'd rather he had a terrifying visual to remind him to respect gravity and the sea. So sad for this family, a parent's worst nightmare.

Reviews that are hyper-critical - I usually pass over. If there are intelligent and constructive items being brought up, I'll pay attention. That said, Allure is my favorite ship and aside from the NYE party in the Royal Promenade (good LAWRD) I've never felt crowded. Allure has a good energy and vibe, which I know sounds silly, but I've been on many ships and two that I'm not super keen on are Adventure and Harmony, just hit differently and not in a good way for me. But I'll be back on Harmony in Dec/Jan so we'll see if I come away with a different opinion. Everyone's experience will vary, go enjoy your cruise and formulate your own opinion 😀

We also had really cheap minimums: RS was $175/pp, GS was $140/pp, and OS was $280/pp.

Congrats! What sailing is this? We have one coming up in Oct on this ship, Suite GTY, but was able to Royal Up as well so I'm excited to see how this pans out 🤞

But but but! They're recovering from the pandemic and then there's inflation AND who are we to say that just because we've always gotten towel animals for FREE that it means things don't change and we need to adapt?! Adapt! For anyone who disagrees RCI isn't forcing you to give them your money and you can just hightail it to another cruise line. Hmph! 😎 🍿

In the grand scheme of things unless it's your time, money, and dream vacation that you've lost a piece of, feel free to move on from this post and learn how to empathize for more than one situation. S**t is constantly happening at every single port we cruise to: crime, poverty, etc, doesn't seem to stop anyone from griping about goodness knows what in those moments. As for the OP, they're not blaming the wildfires for a dang thing, they're upset that RCI is actin' a fool again by not accommodating in any way, shape or form, their customer, who is now not getting the experience they had planned for. Bad form.

Very interesting -- DH and I (same last name) took my DS (different last name) on a cruise in December, never got a blink. But I DID have his dad sign a consent form just in case (notarized and everything). Just goes to show you: depends on the agent(s)! Loved seeing pics of the RS, hope your luggage shows SOON!

Well, I think it's pretty well noted he said all the HR-friendly things in his interview (I take PTO for port-days, my workweek is my workweek, etc) so good on him for covering those bases 😉 But I do think this is like anything in life: when you're on vacation you treat it as such, and really, he's not on a vacation. If I go to Miami on vacation, I'm going to treat it like that: sleep in, eat differently, enjoy a cocktail at noon, etc. If I live there, I'm going to have a non-vacation schedule/life. He's just swapping land for sea -- and good for him.

Following along 😀 If we ever depart from Miami I'm staying at this hotel for our pre-cruise stay, what amazing views!

I can also attest to this, so long as it's the exact same category I've had no problem moving cabins if they were available.