HappyTexan44

Ouch. Toiletries are easily replaceable, although not on the cruise. Shoes, that would be hard, and expensive.

I plan on standing there and watching the porters load our luggage onto the thingy for that reason. But it is extremely difficult to remember what you packed. I'd had my luggage stolen once and it was extremely difficult to remember. It also took me a while for my wardrobe to recover. You take your favorite things on vacation and many pieces of clothing weren't really replaceable.

That is wild. I'd felt a little silly for being so stressed having to enter all our info before getting to the check-in time part. (It took a bit longer than normal because a child not mine was in one of our rooms) then I got to the end at maybe 12:08 and still got the 10:30 time. So, if I'd been a little later I guess I might have gotten a later time. Although, our fb group has commented that there are many first-timers on the cruise.

True, and I never had a problem getting the room I wanted. Eventually my favorite chains figured out what rooms I'd like and they added that info to their internal file on me. If the hotel is a large one when we've vacationed I've requested a room on a certain floor/area and I've always gotten it. I don't know what it is, but I can walk-walk-walk-walk all day and not be tired. Then the second I walk through the hotel I deflate and every step is drudgery. Cruises are different than hotels. They also aren't an airline. A flight and a cruise would be much closer if you paid for the flight whether or not you showed up. So, airlines have much more excuse to overbook.

Since they are encouraging people to book way ahead with the lower prices, you can't compare current bookings and current policies/prices. Most of those people probably booked a year+ ago. Our upcoming starter cruise was booked Fall 2022. I don't know if I'd have booked a cruise if the idea had come to us just recently. On the general topic, I think what really matters is the bottom line price with the options that you want, then compare it to the price you are willing to pay. If the price is too much, then it is too much.

We haven't taken many tours. Those we have, we asked the others with us at the end of the tour. But, I'd like a rule of thumb. Like using a percentage in a restaurant. In case it matters, we are doing an independent tour to Chacchoben Ruins for 3.5 hours and $320 for 4 people. This isn't a private tour. Tour operator: Chac Ek Costa Maya

But, there isn't a reason for everyone to pack that way for vacation. For our cruise since we are driving, the only real limitation is luggage cluttering up the room. The luggage will have to be hauled maybe 20' each way from the porter/baggage pickup and the car. So, for example, I'm taking my percussion messager, and that thing isn't small. I have RLS and when I can't get to sleep that takes care of the twitches. Could I live without it? Sure, I'd eventually go to sleep, but why suffer? I could bring woolite and handwash in the sink, I have happily done that before. But why do that on a cruise when it is so easy to just bring enough clothes? I have a luggage set that I bought with high school graduation money. I thought it was the cats-meow. But, when I started travelling for work, that wasn't nice enough so it hasn't had much use. Will be perfect for the cruise though. Several pieces that nest together, so they'll easily store under the bed. I'm old enough that the wheels are tiny.

I don't think they were saying to put the milk on the ice. But a container of ice also inside the fridge will keep the fridge cold.

I haven't done that with Royal, since they haven't fraudulently charged me for anything. But, I have done similar with other companies. First complain to the company. Wait a few days, then check if the charge is refunded. If not, then put in a fraud claim. I rarely do that, but when they kick up a fuss and try to deny the refund, absolutely. If they genuinely were going to issue the refund, either the refund will come through before the fraud process is started, or when the CC contacts them, they'll agree to the refund.

Newb here. How do people get offers? I'd used my gmail account which I don't check often, but if something might come by email, I'll force myself to check. I used a TA. Would the TA get an email? Note I don't *really* expect to get an offer. Our cruise isn't for a couple of weeks and we are starboard promenade deck 7. So, interior but on the wet side of the ship. I saw Deck 9 starboard had been drenched. So, maybe our carpet is mildewing now? Also, annoyingly, my gmail is down at the moment, although I got in this morning. Also, I really really loved our cabin selection. I wouldn't want to move to a regular interior.

My recent experience with checking in. We are travelling with friends, and our reservations are linked. Both of us moms were on the phone app at midnight waiting for check-in to open. She got in first, and checked in for just her family. At that point I was unable to use the app, I forget what the error message was. I had all our info next to my computer, so I did the full check-in there and still got the 10:30am arrival time.

The only problem with those is that they only go with PJ's

Experienced cruisers, since it sounds like the interior took damage, will that impact the next cruise?

It has to beat the idea of "Going Up in Order to Go Down" that is sometimes a forced thing when on a floor nearer the floor that everyone is going to at the same time.

If you do the training yourself, you can hire just anyone. That was actually why I put chefs in quotes. I don't have a problem with Royal providing the training for their 'chefs'. You don't need that many real chefs but you do need a ton of people that can follow instructions. They also hire internationally. So, either they aren't trying that hard to add staff, or they aren't paying enough (and therefore aren't trying that hard).

Or staff levels. My friend going with us, said that on her last cruise a few months ago that they were short-handed 12 "chefs." They were still using the excuse of We Can't Hire Enough People.

I've noticed though, that they have my CC saved that I used to pay for the cruise booked through a TA. I noticed it was saved when I did my online check-in. Then I let them use that same CC as the saved CC in order to complete check-in. I have plans on changing to a cash account on board, but since they have my CC saved in their system couldn't they just apply charges to that?

Both those look much comfier than the WJ. I wonder why more people don't hang out there on day 1?

No, when you call the phone number in the email received that looked like a cruise statement.

Just curious, where do most people go before the cabins are ready? I'd guess pool and WJ. Anywhere else? That Deck 5 Starlounge also looks nice.

Everyone is super eager to get on. My friend going with us, an experienced cruiser, said that the only thing keeping her family from arriving at 7am and pressing their faces to the glass is the hotel breakfast. By arriving early, DH and the teenagers can explore the ship and get started on the flowrider, etc. right away. I'm the planner (if you guys hadn't noticed), so I'll be antsy that morning until we are physically on the ship. Once on, I'll be quite happy to chill and read. I read something about some ships doing wine tastings that they don't publish, you just have to ask at the right bar early on Day1 to get on the list, so I might have someone in our group take my seat while I run and check into that.

That looks like a lovely place. I can grab a place by the window, be out of the way and even have a view.

I'll be on Voyager soon. Our carry-on will include 2-3 bottles of wine, One or two 12-packs of soda. DH's CPAP and medicines. Plus the normal swimsuits, etc. I plan on bringing our collapsible wagon and having in it all the carry-on stuff for at least four of us. My plan is to find a quiet corner with a comfy chair where I can park the wagon while I chill and read my kindle until the cabins open. Where are some good places? Looking at the maps it seems the library/game room would be ideal, but it is located with cabins, so I probably can't get to it until the cabins open. Note, before anyone fusses about wagons taking lots of room in the WJ, I don't think I'll even go there on embarkation day. We'll have the free hot breakfast at the hotel, and I love breakfast. Then we have early dining so I'll probably skip lunch. I am looking for a place to chill that isn't the WJ.

Probably the real reason Royal goes through the bother of checking out towels. I was talking to my sis-in-law last weekend and she mentioned that her ex-boyfriend is still paying for her DirectTv even though they broke up 10 years ago.

The scammer, "And what is the credit card number for the refund?" Phishing works be pretending to be a legit company.