Starry Eyes

It’s not that simple for gty rooms

Is this your May 7 cruise? Have you tried the bar code trick?

Thanks for the additional information. I was thinking every survey could leave a video commentary, which would be overwhelming.

OK, but will anyone actually watch and act on those video reviews? Or will they mostly analyze the numerical scores?

Such requirements should be addressed to the special needs department at least 45 days before the cruise (for US departure, longer for some others). The email address is special_needs@rccl.com Here is the FAQ which can be found via google: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/dining-dietary-restrictions-customer-care

I can understand that you find the pricing frustrating. Still, since it is literally untrue, do not say the cabins are literally identical because some newbie might foolishly believe you. Say they are the same size. Playing devil’s advocate here, as I obviously don’t do the pricing: If the connecting cabins were the same price, random people might carelessly book one (or both) of the pair, even though they don’t need a connecting cabin. Later when people who really want connecting cabin, they cannot get them. Pricing them higher reduces the chance of that. Similarly with the triple/quad. If the base price is the same couples might book the triple/quad cabins. During KSF, couples could even add free kids (who will no show) to grab those cabins if three/four occupant are required to get a cabin location they want. Then those higher occupancy cabins are not available when parties of three or four try to book. Every cruiseline seems to have their pricing gimmicks. I ignore the gimmicks. If the price is acceptable, I book it.

Now, now….the cabins for two are not literally “identical” to nearby cabins in a different category that hold 4. The cabin only has two beds (convertible to one king); it literally does not have more berths for more passengers. Sometimes the cabin configuration will not accommodate a sofa bed.

Deck 6 is my favorite. Deck 8 is my second favorite. You can’t go wrong with either. I’d pick one or the other. I would not split the difference and choose 7. If I had a variety of suites to select from, I’d go pick one that is aft elevators to midship.

Your high level of awareness will be helpful as you need to carry your passport. You will also need to think about what other items you will take your short tour vs check with your luggage. Medication, valuables, electronics and such generally should stay with you rather than in the checked luggage, though you don’t want to be overburdened on your tour.

DH and I are d+ so we each get 2 free days. We share that access and space out those 4 24 hour periods over the course of a typical cruise. We have access over half the time and that’s all we need. How much time do you want your 14 year old to be on line during the vacation? You might buy her a package. You might buy “yourself” a single device package so you can “stay in contact with work” and “share” an agreed upon number of hours with her, so she could check in with friends daily but not be online the entire vacation. You might not buy any.

FYI ,in case it impacts your choices, the 340+ lunches are only on 7+ day cruises. Don’t expect one on the 6 day segment if you book that 6+8 b2b ”Cheers with an Officer available only on cruise vacations of 7 nights or longer. Members with 340+ points are entitled to one (1) Cheers with an Officer event per voyage which includes a complimentary lunch — house red, white and sparkling wine will be served.”

Someone who would forget which cubby could also forget which lounge chair. Couldn’t a self entitled bore take a towel off the wrong chair just as they could out of the wrong cubby? Either way, your towel is gone while you are still in the pool. They could mount obvious (and also less obvious) security cameras directed the cubbies to discourage any self entitled bores and any young mischief makers

Another point to consider: generally the shorter the cruise, the more of a party crowd it tends to draw. So, if you are totally party people, that’s a plus in the the b2b short cruise’s column. If you are less party people, the plus goes in the other column. For me, I’d go with the 7 day, I do not like turnaround days that well.

The oversell situation may have been specifically for balconies with 3 or 4 guest capacity. Your friend’s doubles may not have been oversold. Just a guess. I know you won the RoyalUp to the CL…congrats.

LOL, quote said the average bum crack. Having spent a career in healthcare, I may have seen the average bum crack

100 ml on average? Did that make sense to you? Think about it…that’s enough to fill a TSA travel bottle. I think that “expert” has poo between his ears. I don’t use the hot tubs, but that’s an exaggeration.

No, the new MTD scheme started Before the shutdown on some ships. It was not created after covid or due to covid. That may be when You first experienced it, but enough of us experienced the revised MTD scheme Before the shutdown that you must accept that fact.

RCI has created a cycle. They changed MTD (for the worse), so cruisers who would chose MTD react by asking for traditional dining, and RCI uses that “increasing demand for traditional dining” to justify their cuts to MTD, expanding the change to more ships.

I did not take it that way. I am not anti Pinnacle either. I probably will make Pinnacle eventually, though I am not taking any special steps to do so. The points just accumulate as we enjoy our cruises.

People are only “stuck” if they want to be stuck. If they like the perks so much that they do not even look at other options, they are stuck. I suspect in addition to regular monthly retirement income many Pinnacles have a substantial amount of money in investment accounts that they can draw upon at will. Some retirees accumulated that money by spending carefully throughout their lives. They may be able to afford any cruiseline, but that does not mean they are inclined toward the ultra luxury brands.

Perhaps people whose families have struggled through serious health issues or a rough financial patch will have a different opinion. It has not happen to me, knock on wood, but I know there are circumstances could keep me on land for three years.

I have never had a “disgusting” cabin on check in (85 cruises on various lines), so perhaps don’t worry too much😉 That said, how would you want to be treated in there were an issue at your job? If a client notes a problem in your work area, would you want them to assume you don’t care enough to do things right and immediately go over your head? Or perhaps would you want them to approach you with an open mind and give you chance first?

What category cabin did you book and how many guests? Are your friends in same category with same capacity? Just as you would be inclined to accept option 3 (if not for your friends), others on the ship will also be tempted by the offer. I suspect Royal will get sufficient volunteers.

Not many people would pick option #1, but maybe for personal reasons someone would rather cruise in June. Option 2 does not work for everyone as many schools are back in session.

At crowded times, we slip away one at a time, be it to the restroom, to the bar or for a snack. If we will both be gone longer we give up our chairs.