Engineroom Snipe

Yes. The more we travel creates a huge difference about: 1. What we would like to have with us? 2. What we can have with us?. Against: What do we REALLY need? The REALLY need items are few. Especially when you have to constantly hoof the load in situations you describe.

I think that was the reason the carry-on limit was 30 lbs but was not enforced with a scale. If a flight attendant needed to assist someone lifting their bag, and it was difficult for them to lift, the weight might be questioned. You mention a good safety point. I would not like 30+ lb carry-on released during rough weather bouncing around.

Yes, if one were to believe the interview information on face-value, I would take it as a "hold" on the stock that things were definitely getting better if not slightly "buy". I do not hold stock in Royal but I do have a significant amount of investments. Not quite sure why the institutional investors would be selling off unless there are other numbers that contradict the interview information which to me seemed very positive.

For that particular flight, the carry on limit was 30 lbs but I never saw any of them weighed. The price was extremely low so I could tolerate working around the limits. My wife and I pack light so it was no biggie. I brought the checked bag for extra room for souvenirs and items which are not allowed to be carried on but can be checked. I know that I could maybe get too cocky and have it overweight so I have a backup plan to take an easily accessible items and shift it to my carry-on or personal bag.

Since the view blockage is estimated at 20%, I think 20% of the current cruise booking price would be appropriate and reasonable as a future cruise credit.

Frontier lowered their limit to 40 lbs (from 45 lbs which was 50 lbs before the shut-down). Anything over 40lbs would double the checked fee. This must be a huge moneymaker for them because they scrutinize each bag on a digital scale which the customer can see when the bag is placed for the agent to tag. Mine came in at 39.7 lbs (I carry a very accurate travel hand scale which has saved me time and time again). The baggage check-in person weighed it twice hoping it was over the limit. I offered to use my scale if she wanted a second device to weigh it. My offer was not appreciated. 39.7 lbs was the verdict.

Yes, he mentioned Royal only had some of "their smaller ships" affected by the situation.

Jason Liberty was just interviewed on CNBC. Record bookings, blockbuster numbers for 2023 and into 2024. The cruise discount to land experience percentage used to be 45% (his words, not mine). Royal has shaved 15% off of the difference since the reopening. He seemed to suggest that things were going in a very positive direction (and maybe trying to get the 30% current difference lower). Does not look like prices for the average Royal cruiser will be coming down. Stated a "30,30,30" split on typical passengers. 30% new to cruising. Specifically mentioned that younger cruisers are desiring new experiences. 30% new to Royal that cruised on other brands. Specifically mentioned that new cruisers from other brands are 5x more likely to stay with Royal after sailing with them. 30% long time repeat Royal cruisers. He did not seem to think their bookings would be affected by a slowing economy as their customers are now more diverse and more affluent in general. He also mentioned the generational transfer of wealth which will assist future bookings. Interesting interview.

There are many images and videos of the outside of the ICON as it entered Miami port on web and You Tube. Since you know where your current room is, possibly scour them to see what RCI is talking about. The "cleaning" equipment is probably in its 'resting' place during the port entry. Just a thought after reading your post.

I am not doubting your opinion because I have read on CC about so many itineraries being changed on short or no notice and other things like weather, civil unrest, or sickness onboard not being mentioned. Do you know of any sites which keep track of itinerary changes? That information would be interesting to peruse. Kind of like a J.D. Powers consumer survey, "Which class of current Royal ships is most reliable to complete their itinerary without scheduling changes?"

I remember some very fine dining in MDR over the past 35 years on Royal and you are correct that maybe things in the rear view mirror seem "closer than you think". I am not expecting much anymore. All I am expecting now is consistency. I do not pay suite prices so I am not going to Coastal Kitchen. I still appreciate and celebrate when I do get a better than average meal experience onboard. Those celebrations just seem to be happening less often since the start-up. Yes, I had some misses before on cruises but I had many more celebrations. From many postings, buying an unlimited dining package is not always a guarantee for better meal experiences. I will cruise again after this year but for now, unless I get an outstanding value. If the price is low enough, I can tolerate misses and shortcomings. I will lower my expectations with the price.

On each I have in my planner, the "suggested original retail price (without the discounts) is different from about $95 to $105. From there, throughout a year of tracking, the best deal I have seen is 30% off the per-person original retail price with one exception: We have been offered 35% off certain cruises at certain times of the year under a "Senior Discount" which requires, as best I can figure it out, all of the occupants of one cabin are over 65 years of age. I do not know if it applies to anyone else booked in the cabin or suite. I realize the the price per day is the ultimate hard dollar calculation but after years of tracking, the percentage rarely exceeds 30% off the original retail 100% price per person.

Agreeing with @Tree_skier. https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/celebrity-cruises-captains-club-loyalty-program You will be at Diamond level with 'Royal'. Add on, one day each person per cruise internet access. There are some smaller perks beyond these but the major ones have been noted, just go to the Crown and Anchor benefits page and look under the Diamond (not +) benefits.

Yet another item in the "included with the cruise price" disappearing. 😢😭😉

+1 !!!

If you have the unlimited drink package, I would get a shot of Bailey's and slide in with that caramel! 🤫

Oasis, September 2023, Escape room was $29/per person. I enjoyed it.

The OP opted for the unlimited dining package to enhance their options above the standard free meals. This would bother me more knowing that I spent additional monies beyond the standard cruise fare and it did not seem to matter to the final enjoyment of the meal experiences. Another point to consider a "3 meal package" during Black Friday Discounts. If the meals are good at the specialty restaurants, it might be worth it to book the remainder at onboard prices. If they fail to deliver, you can call it quits on specialty dining and survive on MDR rations. I have never gone hungry on a cruise but I have had some bad food experiences over the years. A thought to work around this problem.

I feel as I am at the poker table of the Gambler (1980). https://genius.com/2484202/Kenny-rogers-the-gambler/You-got-to-know-when-to-hold-em-know-when-to-fold-em-know-when-to-walk-away-and-know-when-to-run-you-never-count-your-money-when-youre-sittin-at-the-table-therell-be-time-enough-for-countin-when-the-dealings-done. Every cruise price and experience is getting what you are willing to gamble on it. 😉

There were vibrations noted but no noise. Highly unlikely with the few shipboard experiences I have encountered regarding honeymooners. 🤣

Radial or bias-ply? Static or dynamic balancing? One has to be over 50 year of age to even remember those questions. 😁

There could be a ground fault vibration there (earth quake). 😄

Many years ago, the "economy" chains of hotels had a mechanical vibrator attached to the bed called at the time, "Magic Fingers", that could be activated for about 15 minutes for a Quarter. Everyone tried it if just for "What the heck is 'Magic Fingers'?" There might be small but niche market for this room. 🤑

Your observation about how many credits are left in the system is accurate. To the best of my calculations, most of them had to be applied to cruises by last December of 2023. The spring and early summer of 2024 still seem to be strong but not as good as 2023. Big wildcards, long time repeat cruisers maybe considering a test of another line. First time cruisers might not repeat at the same price. The summer bookings are strong but not at the high prices of last year. 2025 prices are soft. One year at a time.

Three cruises after reopening before the menu change: I attributed the lack of quality of the food to supply chain issues and getting the dining crew fully staffed. The food was adequate at best. I did not go hungry but there was nothing special about it. Three cruises after the menu change: The first two were adequate with the last one in November showing noticeable improvement in the quality of the food and its preparation. Again, food is subjective and crews constantly change so the experience can be very different for someone else. I have said many times that all ships have had the same reduced menu for the MDR for almost a year, but there seems to not be any consistency from one week to the next or one ship to another. Since reopening, on a 1 to 10 scale, my cruises have been between 3.5 to 8.5 concerning food: no consistency.