Ret MP

Flag Semaphore is what I used. 🤪

I booked a room almost a year ago for a cruise in Jan 24, the room holds 8 and we are a party of 4. However, it may grow to 8 eventually. But, I didn't have a problem booking a room/cabin for 8 with only 4, initially.

Yes, I have found that the "Next Cruise" desk is a lot more knowledgeable and professional. Hell, they have to be, they are a "face to face" sales force. My only bad, or not so good experience with the "Next Cruise" sales person was that the items they sell other than actual cruises (BOA C.C. for example) they many not tell you about the more important/critical disclaimers of the product. For example: The BOA C.C. points can only be used, when using the points to pay for a cruise, on the actual fare, not the insurance, taxes/fees, or gratuities. On the other hand, the RCCL Customer Service representative I talked to yesterday told me to not pay the gratuities in advance and when I settle up with my onboard account, pay for everything, if you have enough points, with the Royal/BOA reward points, but you have to transfer the points over to you sailing in advance of sailing on the BOA website. And yes, most cruise social media sites, including this one, is a very fine source of information. You just have to know how to tune out some of the B.S. and accept that we all have different experiences, opinions, writing styles, educational levels, come from all over the world and tolerance levels.

They do have a NASA Human Centrifuge, though. 😉🙃

Unfortunately, Royal's phone answerers, at least far too many, are just that, "PHONE ANSWERERS". Under trained, uncaring, and in some cases, have the IQ of a rock. I've found that it got worse with having people work from home during the pandemic. They all need to be moved back into the mother ship and trained/supervised much closer. There are always exceptions. I booked a reservation directly with Royal, yesterday. I couldn't have been handled any more professionally. This guy was amazing. It was a first that I was so happy with RCCLs reservations agent/representative. I would suggest to anybody that is not comfortable with the answer(s) you get from a "phone answerer" at RCCL, call right back and ask again. I've found that if I ask for a supervisor, it isn't any better or they will only tell you that one isn't available and they will have a supervisor call back which doesn't happen.

Can't believe I just noticed this post. You asked, so here is my answer: Several reasons but I'll divulge a couple/few of them: 1. I really enjoy the ambiance, the décor, the somewhat upscale cliental (not too stuffy and not to rowdy), dining options, entertainment options. I also really enjoy RCCL's Star Class. I was loyal to Carnival for a lot of years, I'll never cruise them again. 2. I don't like to dilute my reward points. I try to use one credit card and earn the points with that card/C.C. Company, not spread them around, same with cruise companies. If a take a cruise on a none RCCL cruise line, it's a cruise I'm not earning points on RCCL. 3. Price, a little more expensive than Carnival but not as expensive as many others.

Sure, come on!

OMG & LOL, a few hours after typing this post, my wife and I looked at each other, and like we read each other's mind, we said that we need to take a cruise just to achieve Diamond Status and any cruise we take will accomplish that because we only need three nights to qualify. Port Canaveral is the closest Large Cruise ship port to us. So, we did some research for a 3 or 4 night cruise. Well, the best price and best cruise was/is Independence of the Seas to Coco Cay and Nassau, 4 nights, Spacious Ocean View Balcony Cabin, 9th Deck, October. Obviously not a Quantum or Oasis Class ship. But, this cruise is an agenda driven cruise not purely for fun and pleasure. However, I'm sure we will do both. We won't get off of the ship in Nassau, for many reasons. So, it's all paid for and we have already purchased the Soda Package. IF we want to drink adult beverages, we'll pay ala carte. Can't wait!!!!!

LOL, that's above my pay-grade

Sport packing is 100% right-on LOL. I use the old school method of rolling everything as tightly as possible and gently filling in every air pocket as possible, one layer at a time starting with the biggest at the bottom.

I prefer to cruise only on Quantum and Oasis class ships for a various reasons. The ship is about 98% of why I cruise, Ports of Call don't mean much to me. Like @smokeybandit, I don't cruise for the amusement park on a ship unless I have the grandkids with us. Being 71, I can't/shouldn't use them anyway, with a few exceptions. But, I do like the variety of activities, entertainment, and food options that these two classes of ships offer. YMMV

I would think so too. But, they do heat the water for many many reasons, obviously, and I would think that just adding in hot water for the laundry isn't that much of an increase in cost, all things being considered. The ship is powered by a liquid/carbon based fuel (diesel) to power the electric generators. Other than powering the generators, everything else on the ship is powered by electricity, including the ship's propulsion/motors/Azipods (at least on the more modern ships). On my last behind the scenes tour, on the Symphony, it was confirmed to me that there are no flame producing systems, including the galleys and Hibachi grills, used on the RCCL's more modern ships, maybe all. Fire is a very very big concern on ships. Sorry for the extended remarks, I just find ship's operations very interesting. I'd really like to have access, but it will never happen, to the ship's security systems as that is my background and great interest to me.

Unless this is a recent change, when I was on a behind the scenes tour, a few years ago, which included the ship's laundry, they were using very very very hot water in the huge washers that they were throwing in the mash bags full of passenger's clothing.