karena1

Been going there for many years and never have had any issues with sea lice or any other kind of bugs. We go 10-12 times a year, and no issues at all.

We have been to CocoCay over 80 times and never spend anything except for tips. We grab our free loungers/umbrella and relax for the day. We go to the included buffets or Snack Shack for lunch. Our WIFI works out there. We have the beverage package, so that works out there. Pool is included. You can have an amazing day and CocoCay without spending anything.

We rarely go anymore. Even at Pinnacle, we still get the beverage package and so go to other bars on the ship. Love the pub for pre-dinner drinks to watch the world go by or on Oasis Class, we sit at Schooners and watch the world go by. We may go to the suite lounge once or twice the entire week.

Premium coffee will be in Windjammer, Cafe Promenade and Park Cafe and probably the MDR (we never go there for breakfast so not positive). There is also a Starbucks Kiosk but your beverage package won't work there. Frozen drinks you can pretty much get at any bar.

I put out pills in little plastic bags and throw them in a ziplock. Never take original bottles. I have pictures of my vitamin bottles and husbands meds bottles on my phone, but never, no matter where we travel, do I take the actual containers. I also take at least 3 or 4 days extra for him b/c of his meds. i don't for me as if I miss a few days of my vitamins, no big deal, but he has heart meds and stuff and has to take those, so always bring extra for him, just in case of delays returning home.

Has anyone recently been to Playa Dorado? Looks like the closest beach from Taino Bay cruise port. We have a fairly short day in Puerto Plata, so want a beach that is super close to the port so we are not having to travel very far and can get the most beach time as possible. Looks like loungers/umbrellas to rent, food/drinks you can buy. We do not want to pay for an excursion, we want to grab a cab and go. Thanks

You can grab the trolley from the ship to the end of the port and then another one to take you to Chill Island or just walk across the bridge once you get off the pier and Chill Island is right there.

We walk to Nellies Beach. Our favorite place out there. Close to everything.

Exactly. I was speaking of Liberty out of FLL, we have not sailed on another ship out of there in a while. Out of Miami, we do Freedom a lot, and in Dec we did Oasis and they did not check. Going on Wonder in Oct out of PCC, so will see if they check or not.

As a rule when we cruise out of FLL, ship opens at 10:45 - Suites/Pinnacle board first, then Key and then everyone else. Doors open at 10 am and they let everyone in. No one ever checks your time, When the doors open, you can go, get checked in and then go wait. They will board by row based on the time you arrive.

Totally agree! Been on a 135 cruises with Royal, are now Pinnacles, and we rarely, if ever, complain about a cruise. Someone is cooking/cleaning/taking care of us. We are happy. Whatever perks/benefits/gifts we get, we appreciate. We love cruising and don't worry or sweat about the small stuff.

We go to CocoCay all the time. We grab loungers/umbrella on Chill Island Beach right below the snorkel shack. Best snorkeling is the the left when you are looking out at the water. Snorkel along the rocks there and then go across to where the swim platforms are and there is a red buoy in the water and that is where the shipwreck is. Super close to the island vendors, the bathrooms, Chill Grill and Wacky Seagull bar if you want anything to drink. We always sit there.

I haven't gotten any emails yet, but am expecting it. We have a ton of cruises booked after Jan 1st, so will see the increase on all but maybe 2 of our cruises as we do a lot of 3 and 4 night cruises. But it is what it is, not going to stop me from cruising any more than the gas surtax did.

Yes, they have it on the 3 and 4 nighters. We see it all the time when we are on Liberty for our short cruises.

We are on Liberty a lot, and yes, they do SNF on a 3/4 night cruises. Honestly, I don't see anything that an 11 year old could not see. She probably sees way worse on a normal day or on the news. We love SNF and go every time we are on Liberty.

yes, boarding starts about 11. We get there by 10, go to the suite lounge and then get on the ship the minute boarding starts. Our last Freedom out of Miami, we were on the ship at 10:45. I check my bags, so only carry on my tote with our valuables and our backpack with what we need at the pool for the day. Same at FLL. We get there by 10, go to the suite area, and typically the ship opens at 10:45 so we get on right away.

I paid for my 1st day so want to be on the ship the minute it opens. We drive also and get there by 10 so we can get on as soon as it opens. Always check our bags, when cabins open at 1ish, they are normally down the hall, I go get them and get unpacked.

I pay gratuities the day I book. 21 booked through April 2025 so I will be price protected if there is another increase.

I keep a spreadsheet of all my cruises and my clients (basically family/friends). I check it every, single day to see what is due next. Then make sure everyone is aware final is coming up. I live by that spreadsheet since I have 21 cruises booked just for us alone!

We are fine with it, hotels/resorts are the same. We do morning service. Just leave me towels and I am good. I make sure my room is clean every morning, I don't leave stuff all over the place. I pick up and make sure our cabin is pretty clean before we leave in the morning. So totally okay with morning service and done.

Not true, I get price drops all the time. I have 21 cruises booked and have gotten price drops on at least 75% of them.

I get price drops all the time before final payment. There might be a few that are new bookings only, but that is rare. Call and talk to someone else. Cannot tell you how many price drops I have gotten on my cruises.

Been cruising since 1994, now 66 and 79 years old. Love it so much. We have only done 2 suites in the 147 cruises we have been on, 135 on Royal and still finally made Pinnacle last June. We live in Florida, so take a lot of 3 night cruises so cruise almost every month. We love all the ships from Radiance Class up and love the promenade on the Voyager Class and up. Husband likes the new menus. We love the staff and entertainment. Costs on everything have gone up, so not surprised it went up on cruises also. Don't feel like we get nickeled and dimed at all. We buy the beverage package, prepay our tips and other than additional tips for the staff, we don't spend a dime once on the ship. I have priced out other lines, but don't like NCL at all, Celebrity is much more expensive and Princess is also. With our perks, we see no reason to go on a ship that will give us nothing extra, and we love Royal, so we stick with them. Have 21 booked on Royal right now through April 2025. Will do Utopia in a couple of years when the price drops a bit. Waited to go on Wonder until this October and got a balcony for a very reasonable price.

I would rather prepay them and have it done. Did not really mean worry - meant convenience. To me it is easier just to add them on as soon as I book my cruise. Like you said, personal preference.

We just got off Freedom last Monday and we each had $2.18 credited back to our onboard account due to port fees. First time I have seen that in a really long time.