S.A.M.J.R.

Go to Royal's website and price check? We booked through a TA, saved $2300 (vs. direct) over three cabins, but I noted what the 'current' RCI price would have been if we booked through them. So I occasionally just check what Royal's price is and compare it to what I noted.

The last time I had read about this (many years ago, so it might have changed), you can go to GS and put charging limits on individual cards BUT, that did not apply to arcade charges.

We had an OV Balcony at the rear of the ship on Deck 10. There were NO outlets next to the beds. I had to run an extension cord (provided by RCI) from the desk area to the bed for my CPAP.

One possible downside... all the 3rd party insurances we've gotten require getting the insurance within 'x' (like 14-21) days of paying the original deposit in order to cover pre-existing conditions. So while the deposit may not be a big chunk of change, the insurance for multiple people could be. AND, if someone changes, you can't transfer insurance, so (assuming you'd want insurance), you'd have to purchase it for the new person ("throwing away" the money from the person not going on the trip). That being said, we usually book 12-15 months out. We actually have Harmony booked for July 2024 and we made that reservation in February.

IIRC, you can have Royal decorate the room before you board (for a fee). I don't know if that came back after Covid though. You can order champaign and chocolate covered strawberries (maybe a bunch of orders) to have ready in your room when you board (also fee).

Ours were put away (sofabed)

There are reports on CC of the (3rd) beds being left "out" the entire cruise.

Based solely on reading here (I have no first hand experience), if he has whatever official document showing the name change, that's what he needs (BC, DL, and "bridging document" to explain the difference in names).

A full sized carry on can carry 1st day of things for multiple people. I can get ~5-6 days worth of clothes in my carry on. Whether that's 5-6 days of clothes for one person or one day of clothes for 5 people, it's still the same bag.

There are two reasons for carryons... 1) To not have to deal with checked bags. 2) As a backup in case the airline (or others) "misplace"/"misdirect"/flat out lose your checked bags. When heading TO a vacation, it is advisable to put everything needed for the first 24 hours in a carry on. This way if the check bag doesn't make it, you still have supplies. Now, we can get everything for 24 hours for 4 people into a single carryon.

They did for me. Email special_needs@rccl.com

Can you let us know what apps you're using?

Freedom class you can definitely walk the entire ship outside.

Totally agree with seeing the maitre'D after boarding. BUT, I would not count on him being able to change to early traditional. I'm guessing there's a waiting list. Definitely worth the ask, just don't expect the resolution you want. Also, if you show up at 6 (when you want to eat), there's a good chance you'll wait until 6:30-6:45 at minimum for tables to empty out. I would make MTD reservations for as early as you can and then check back each day to see if they can get you in earlier.

You hire a contractor to do some work on your house. The plumber they hire causes issues. Do you contact the plumber, or do you contact the contractor?

It escaped you apparently. I was joking about a "normal" massage being a sales gimmick.

And that would differ from a "normal massage" how?

What's different between 2016 and 2023? We started cruising in 2013 and there was no refund/OBC for lower cabin prices after final payment. You could (and we did) upgrade to a better cabin and be "credited" for what you've already paid.

How long until your cruise? If far enough out (a week?), contact RCI or your TA and make the changes.

I don't drink coffee, so could be totally wrong, but I thought the coffee was free at Cafe Promenade (unless it was a specialty coffee).

So for a very short time, especially relative to the 39 years of experience the OP has, you could benefit from a price drop. Sort of like, for a very short time, you could go on cruises EXTREMELY cheap (compared to "normal").

I must be missing something (or have missed something in the past). We started cruising in 2013. So only 10 years ago, MUCH less than the 39 years OP has cruised with Royal. I remember learning back then that after final payment date (NOT the date you paid in full) if the price drops, your ONLY option is to get an upgrade. There was not an option for a refund OR OBC. We took advantage of that in 2013 and upgraded from a D8 to a D1 on Oasis. Now, can someone explain how I've known about this rule for 10 years, and the OP apparently never knew about it and is upset about it after cruising with Royal for 39 years? There's been some reference in the thread about this being a "recent change", but if this was the rule we booked under a decade ago, what change was made "recently"?

Please name one. For it to not be "to Royals benefit" means Royal would have to lose money on updating the card. Now, if they update the card and the person doesn't purchase an alcoholic beverage, they're out the cost of the card and the time to make the card. As mentioned, they don't have to be 21 to drink off their friends (or family) plan.

It can only benefit Royal to make the change. Anyone interested in getting their age changed from 20 to 21 is going to want to buy alcoholic drinks... more money for Royal.

THERE ARE ALREADY RULES AGAINST SAVING CHAIRS. And your "10 minute" idea? What if we change the speed limit from 70mph down to 55mph. That will cut down on speeders, right?