8 hours ago, CruiserBruce said:

Just an FYI, the big RCI ships, like Allure, almost always get into port first, ahead of all other ships, due to their size and logistical needs. So getting off them early isn't indicative of the experience others may have on other ships.

Yes you are correct. In my excitement about a smooth departure this morning, I neglected to mention that I would not expect to duplicate this every time. I was actually a little nervous booking a 10:25 am flight. We rushed off to the airport and then realized how early it was. Going standby on the earlier flight was a huge bonus. 

Just got off Allure this morning. Fastest we’ve ever been off a ship. Left the cabin at 6:45, walked downstairs with our luggage.  We were through airport security and at the gate at 7:15 am. We had 10:25 am flights booked. Got on standby list and was on a 8 am flight. Very good experience. 

We are currently on Allure, finishing up an 8 day. Main dining has been a little different experience than we’re used to. We have always enjoyed the main dining room experience, this is cruise #8 on Royal. I kinda like that it’s slower paced, but this time, it’s really really slow paced. 2 plus hours each night. Seated at 5:15 and I don’t think we’ve had an appetizer before 6 pm any night this week. I’m thinking short staffed maybe. Our server is working at least 10 tables that we counted. Plus I think she’s working a couple more tables in the next room.  I think she’s doing a good  job for the workload assigned to her. Food is still good and coming out hot. But it’s just too slow paced.  Next cruise we may switch to windjammer. 

Question, is it possible that cabin category affects seating in the MDR?  We’ve had a suite the previous 2 cruises and had very experienced wait staff and very attentive service. Currently in an inside, and noticeably different service. Coincidence?  
 

Also, my time dining appears to be a mess. Each night as we’re leaving, lines have been backed up to elevators or further. For reservations and without, both lines are about the same. I’d recommend traditional dining if you are considering my time. 

Just to add a data point. Received cabin assignment on Adventure sometime between 86-89 days prior to sail. We don’t often book guarantee cabins so have nothing to compare this to. 

Thanks for the info. Not checking bags and we’ll definitely get off early and use a taxi. 

I booked a 10:30 am flight from FLL.  Any tips for disembarking Allure of the Seas and getting to the airport? Taxi/Uber? 

Grabbed it for $17.99 on Allure 9/17. Was just about to get Voom 2 devices. And was considering chops lunch boarding day. This was $23 more for the key.  So this is technically a deal. We’ll use the internet and embarkation lunch but the other benefits are meaningless to us. 

Goes away in about 3-4 months. Learned this during Covid. 
For me the booking fever starts as soon as we board. Thankfully I have an awesome TA that will talk me out of booking something stupid at nextcruise. 

At risk of beating a dead horse….
 

I think that was quietly added to the FAQ’s recently. And they “fixed the glitch “. Really that’s what all the fuss was about. Only recently, I have read a couple reports of this situation where someone has not received the solo double points. Could be new policy, maybe. I’d like to hear from someone that has done this in the past couple weeks and automatically got double. 

51 minutes ago, Another_Critic said:

Which cruises are you seeing the 50, 25, 0 supplements?

 Voyager in October, Boston to San Juan. 0% inside, 50% ocean view and balcony 

Follow up question: If you book solo and are fortunate enough to find a rate with 0% single supplement, do you get double points?  The FAQ’s on the CAS page specifically says you must book solo and pay the single supplement to get double points. But there are a few 50, 25, and even 0% supplemental fares out there now. Looks like they’re available on a few repositioning cruises. 
 

Second follow up question: if you book solo and pay the 100% supplement on a double occupancy cabin, could you later add a cabin mate? Say like a week or two before sailing.  

I’ve never had a real crab cake from Maryland. However I love the crab cakes on Royal Caribbean. They can make them out of whatever they want as long as they stay delicious. 

48 minutes ago, Tlbecker1 said:

Did you reprice the cruise after booking?  I have had that problem in the past before final payment.  I call to reprice the cruise on the OBC is removed.  I always ask now to make sure that I know if it is going to be taken off or not.

That could be it. Added a balcony discount sometime after booking. 

34 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

If its obc from a group mine doesnt show up until I board. 

 

Promotional obc shows up and stock, but group obc after you board. I'm always afraid it wouldnt show up. 

Yes it’s group space. Weird because we have 3 cabins booked. 2 of them still show OBC in the cruise planner. 

30 minutes ago, brillohead said:

It "fell off" -- as in it was there and then disappeared?

Yes. Showed up in cruise planner after I booked. Disappeared sometime before final payment. I checked to make sure I didn’t buy anything in cruise planner. 

The $50 OBC from Royal fell off one of my bookings. Does this happen often? Travel agent says everything is fine. I have my doubts. Disappeared from cruise planner and the Royal invoice. TA’s invoice still shows the total OBC though. 

Sounds like there was a glitch in the automated system that gave solo points to a cabin mate after someone no-shows. I guess they “fixed the glitch.”

1 minute ago, nelblu said:

She books and sails as a solo?

We are both booked. That’s why I was asking is the extra point a sure thing or is it YMMV. 

2 minutes ago, nelblu said:

The rules as I understand, is that you must be physically on board to earn the points.  However, some years ago while sailing to San Juan, we received an emergency call that my daughter was rushed to the hospital.  This was our third night out and the next day in San Juan we terminated our sail to go home.

We got credited with the entire 7 nights.

My wife goes and gets the double points while I stay home. I get 0 points but still linked to my wife’s account who will be a brand new diamond on our next cruise together. 

Thanks for the replies. I was thinking it was probably YMMV. My wife and I are 16 points short of diamond with an 8 day booked next month. So while most would take an extra

cruise to level up, I’m considering just staying home. 

Is the extra points for sailing solo after the other passenger doesn’t show up an actual policy written somewhere or is it a YMMV situation? There’s been a few reports lately of not getting the extra points. 

6 hours ago, blue_water said:

Please elaborate for the OP? Good feedback helps!

I shouldn’t have mentioned it because I don’t like to relive unpleasant memories. My daughter was very excited about a dolphin swim. I had done the research and even called to verify she was eligible. They changed the requirements between when I booked and when we arrived. She was 1/4 inch too short and they made her take shoes off to measure. She was upset and so was I. Safety. Ok fine. But their response to the situation was what really made the day something I’d like to forget. No refund of any kind. Told me it was my fault. I was polite but their customer service was anything but. After more than an hour of trying to get something out of the day they put us with a ship sponsored dolphin encounter with a huge group. Had to wait another 3 hours just to get that. I had booked the exclusive swim for a small group and we ended up with the ship excursion masses. 

Thanks for the report. We will be there Sunday and I’ve been looking for a recent review. 

3 hours ago, JessyCruises said:

 

Just wanted to drop a heads up that if trying to cut sugars it is best to avoid tonic water, unless it is diet tonic water which I do not think is available onboard.  I learned this the hard way last weekend.  I am eating very low carb right now and thought I was being good when I went out last weekend and had a few gin & tonics (gin is 0 carbs).  Turns out tonic actually does have sugar (about 30g depending on what kind).  It is best to opt for Club Soda which should have 0.  Now I know!!

Any advice for staying low carb on Royal Caribbean? I’ve been low carb for 6 months with very good results. I don’t want to spoil that on a cruise next week.