Tree_skier

Thanks for that I just wasn't sure. I knew you could check in one and not the other but I wasn't sure if there would be any ramifications for the checked in party as you got closer to embarkation. That being the case, the OP should just checkin himself and leave the rest alone.

I'm a new diamond so this next cruise will be my first foray into the Diamond lounge. With the machine they have do they also include flavoring syrups? If so are any of those sugar free. DW starts every day with a sugar free caramel or vanilla latte.

And Hawaii 🙂

This seems the best way to go to me. You get the taxes and fees back this way as well. It just happens a few days after the cruise. The only real question is about the online checkin and if it needs to happen.

1. I think finding a sympathetic agent is unlikely. Not that they wouldn't be sympathetic but that they are simply incapable doing anything the outside of the script they are given from Miami. 2. I had one cruise where we had a no show but it was granddaughter and she was a third person and I had checked her in when I did ours at 45 days so I have no knowledge on how to proceed with that. 3. If your brother was willing to let you use if info as a place holder I'd say go ahead with that. I understand your unwillingness to do it with your wife's info. 4. I can't imagine a no show now will have any impact on a cruise next April. I'm so sorry for your loss.

I've asked for 4 bottles at a time. 2 for me and 2 for DW and never been refused.

That's bizarre. In the past I have always ordered the DBP for me and the RP for my wife. It was never a problem and there was never a question justifying it beyond "She doesn't drink". Call again, I'm sure you will have better luck with a different rep.

I've had 3 cruises post restart and all were less the $50 per day. Lowest was $44 a day. It is only in the last couple months the prices have shot through the roof.

I get cash through the Casino. It's easy and free.

With Memorial Day pricing that started yesterday, my next 3 cruises are coming in at $66.99, $72.99, $72.99. With the diamond drink perk factored in there is no way I would break even over the length of the cruise at those prices. I would do a little better than breaking even on sea days but on any port day I would definitely end up falling behind by quite a bit. I'm buying a soda package and buying a 24 pack of water to cover the non alcoholic beverages and will live with paying $7.50 for a few beers or ciders each day. I'll reserve the diamond drinks for the $13 cocktails and when I total up the bill at the end of the cruise I'm sure I'll be ahead of having bought the package. I'm thinking that this is going to be the most affordable way to go.

Buy option #3. It's what we do all the time. When we travelled with DD and her husband the kids I bought 1 person 4 devices and they used two devices. The best value is doing that way.

I wonder what the deal was with the Samsung. Both DW and I have iPhones and have used them extensively in Canada.

The heaviest thing I wear on an Alaskan cruise is a hoodie. However, I'm pretty impervious to the cold so my experience is definitely different than you. Normally, I don't wear a coat in any weather above 45°. However, I'd take a couple pairs of shorts if I was you. Last year we had weather from the high 30's to to mid 70's. Our last sea day lots of folks were out on deck baking in the sun.

Point to the post of this thread that judges people for choosing to dress casual.

Most of mine are all in the $75 range. Maybe Royal really does hate Aussies.

I have a few Coco days booked over the next couple of years. I'm not seeing those prices. What cruises are you seeing $3500 Cabana's?

I must just go on different cruises. The idea that formal night is dead or dying is very far removed from my experience. Every cruise I have been on I see the majority of men in jackets and ties on formal night. I honestly think that CC is not representative of what actually happens. To me, it appears there is a very vocal minority that try to project there anti-formalwear bias on all who ask questions about it on this forum.

Sea days we will always do the MDR for lunch. We're usually in the WJ for breakfast and as well as a late lunch on port days. I think the food and presentation is a little better in MDR for lunch but your variety is much better in the WJ.

My ATT plan includes Canada and Mexico.

Did your sore throat turn into Covid? I wasn't clear on that point.

Yes you need it for a bus crossing.

With the Serenade cruise last year I was just glad to be on ship with very little expectation. That being said it was a great cruise and I enjoyed it immensely. I spent and an inordinate amount of time at the R-bar/Centrum sitting with a drink and my iPad listening the band or guitar player and posting on Cruise critic or playing online chess. This cruise, as all subsequent cruises have been, will have higher expectations about activity on them. I'll let you know how things go. 😉

All the data that came from China was top notch. Please don't disparage the work of the CCP.

I have cruised to Alaska twice on Serenade. I enjoyed them both immensely. This next cruise to Alaska will be on Ovation. I wanted a larger ship which has more to do on sea days. There are 2 sea days plus embarkation day and then Victoria which is essentially a sea day for me so that is a lot of free time. The additional shows, dining options and musical entertainment are what sold me. I have been on one Quantum class before and it was my favorite cruise ever.