TheDawg79

This is why you ALWAYS check cabin location before booking. Booking rooms that are not above, below, or next to the theatre is tops on many “do no book” lists. This is what, unfortunately, cruise veterans do. Sorry to hear about your experience. Just chalk it up to a learning experience.

Intercontinental Miami is my go-to followed by Kimpton EPIC. Neither has a shuttle but both are in excellent areas, are amazing hotels, with the ability to easily take a Lyft/Uber.

Royal is one of the very few who do sales on CP purchases. All others only raise prices as time goes on for the most part. I wouldn’t hold out thinking a sale price would pop up.

Lobster - Yes Crab - No

No self serve laundry on NCL.

I have never bought the DBP and have always came out ahead by several hundred dollars between my wife and I. I drink whatever I want, whenever I want and never feel like I have to drink to meet a break even point. I usually do port intensive itineraries so getting in 6-8 drinks on those port days just seems more like a chore to me. But again, this is ME and how much I drink. If you think 6-8 a day isn’t a big deal, then go for it!

Saying “clean mine next” is a demand. Telling employees when to do their job and in what order is excessive expectation for sure. That is almost the definition of a demanding person. Also not ever bar is set up for every single cruisers specific tastes. You cannot honestly expect that. Even “any decent hotel” bar does not have extensive offerings for every taste and budget. So what should these other bars omit from their limited space to make room for you and your tastes? Will there be any room for my tastes, or does mine not matter as long as your expectations are met?

Bluetooth has NOTHING to do with WiFi or any other internet connection

Second row spells it out. There is no way to get out of any dining, spa or drink gratuities.

This is very common knowledge and is done by almost all the major cruise lines all the time. Nothing to see here folks….move along.

I just repriced my next RCL cruise and it’s now $1,200 more. These “sales” are rarely worth getting excited over. The real deals are in the dining and drink packages as well as excursions.

Any upgrade cost would obviously depend on when you are flying, where you to/from, and when you book. There is no flat price. It can be a few hundred dollars or a few thousand dollars…..just like any other time you upgrade on any long flight. This wouldn’t be any different.

It needs to be the original or certified copy. It cannot be a xerox copy

What time did you book your embarkation for when you checked in? That would be the time you show up!

Why would you pack winter clothing for summer months in the southern hemisphere??? That would be a huge waste of packing space and make for one uncomfortable cruise!!

No one was in your cabin who does not have 24/7 access to it anyways. You were not endangered, so your “sense of safety and security” was never affected. Laying into the staff over something minor is a bit unhinged.

Points take about 1-2 weeks to post AFTER you disembark. There is no such thing as reaching Diamond halfway through a cruise. Points aren’t posted on a daily basis. They are posted in lump after the cruise. Someone close to Diamond should know this by now

They will all be decorated within the next day or two

Those do not open up until you get MUCH closer to your sailing date. The May 1st estimate above is going to be the best guesstimate you are going to get because there is no set day those get released. Might be 60 days out, might be 40, might be 30.

There has been a Black Friday sale going on for over a week. Go to their website and give it a look!

Yes

I ditto this. Alaska is perfect for a balcony(aft balcony is even better!) with it being so scenic.

Too bad because Alaska is the absolute PERFECT place for an aft!! That is where I fell in love with them.

I book only aft facing cabins. Ships are not THAT long, let’s get real, so it’s really not a significant walk anywhere. And let be honest….who doesn’t need a walk a few times a day after all the food and drink we consume onboard. The views from an aft cabin are simply the best. You don’t have to think about what the “other side” is seeing and if the have a better view. Front facing cabins have wind while at sea and many have funky interiors due to the design of the ship with sloping walls.

I would still say if you are going to spoil yourself with Star Class on an Oasis ship, do it on a longer 7 day cruise. It takes you a couple of days to get used to all the perks, pampering, and unwind fully. I know it’s not the cheapest advice, but again this is just me and my thinking. Again, you will have fun on either ship. There is no bad choice.