I've seen that canned statement for our SJ cruises. But that can change from cruise to cruise. If you can schlep your own luggage, go for it. Rooms are typically ready after one. But that can change from cruise to cruise.
Are they the exact itinerary? I'd book the itinerary I liked best not someone's positive or negative opinions or experiences. We've been on both ships. For us each cruise line and ship offer something the same and different.
Yes for Elite and above. No dedicated lounge like the DL. Most bars and as already stated not in the dining venues or the theater. No CC HH drinks the first evening of the cruise.
Agree. I carry a medium size back pack and my wife a purse with personal items in them. Easy to schlep around until the cabins are ready. But we do like how Celebrity handles it much better.
I don't believe it has anything to do with that. Like Celebrity cruisers don't do the same. Maybe it's just me as I'm not paying attention to others or what they say. IMO, it's all about the dollars. I can remember when Celebrity and RC (at the time not under the RCG umbrella) when you weren't allowed to bring wine or other beverages onboard. The times, they are a changin'.
Maybe it's not fleetwide. Maybe the photographers are being phased out thru attrition (not renewing their contract). We will be on the Apex in March. I'll keep an eye out for them. Personally I (we) could care less if the photographers were no longer but understand those that like that tradition. We rarely take advantage of the two free photos from our RC CAS perks/benefits.
When is some time ago? The so called photographers were roaming around the ship and off the ship on our March 2022 B2B cruise on the Explorer. Same with our September 2022 Summit cruise.