LeeW

Until very recently the large ships only allowed you to make reservations once you connect to the shipboard wifi. A few ships are now allowing advance reservations but Wonder isn't one of them.

For us the 4 D+ days is enough. Note that on large ships the credit is about $54 each and you actually can't buy the two days at the same time. First day, use phone. Second day buy one 24 hour period. This can last through most of 3rd day depending on when you buy. Day 3 or 4 buy second period. On day 5 use other person's credit to cover rest of cruise. Usually credit pays all but $9 of stream at that point.

If you see an excursion at a lower price you can generally cancel and rebook it within a minute or two. Don't try this if the excursion is showing only a few slots open, though. I have had to refresh the excursion page sometimes to have it register that I no longer have that excursion booked. Generally takes about 5 days for a refund to show up in credit card. Immediate if booked with OBC (although may have to refresh as indicated above for OBC to be available to rebook). We normally book excursions a year out and get several price reductions before the cruise. Same used to happen for soda package but since they implemented the new Planner haven't seen that price go below $8.99/day. Hoping for Black Friday sale for discounts on six cruises booked.

Have been to the French side three times in last year. Only "unrest" we have seen is that French side hasn't had much help with hurricane cleanup that was promised well over a year ago. Dutch side is in pretty good shape. Both sides are great tourist destinations and very safe for any tour.

Donut shop on the Boardwalk has fresher donuts and more variety than other locations. Our Assistant Waiter was working there and said they were made fresh behind the Dog House for that location. The donuts served elsewhere were made overnight. We found he was right.

Plus larger ships have more things for you to do together - ice show, aqua show, water slides, some headliners (magician or ventriloquist). We like Vision because it is like the old-style ships. Lots of the entertainment is in the Atrium and may be things like the crew singing. Or you can get things like bumper cars and sky diving on Anthem-class (had a 6 year old in there making like Superman).

Logout.com doesn't always work on my phone but if I bring up an incognito browser it does. Usually the next device to log on gets the switching device message and that works. Usually....

The cabin reservations need to be linked for this. Easy if one TA but a bit harder if more than one.

Just remember that ship excursions need to be cancelled 48 hours before the tour.

While cruising was shut down we went to Florida in January 2021 and stayed in Cape Canaveral (and the ship we were supposed to take was there....). Decided on Wildside Tours out of Cocoa Beach. This is likely the operator for your possible tour. Saw lots of manatee and dolphins. Chilly, but we still went swimming in the ocean and in the hotel pool. Some days were windy and cool (light jacket), others were mid-70s. Hot (80) on day we took the tour. Tour is mostly in mangrove area land side of the island. https://wildsidetours.com/ You could probably do this one on your own but realistically it needs a car to get down to the boat ramp in the park. If booking through a cruise line they would supply transportation.

Allure open last couple of weeks, although very few books. Fair number of games.

Solarium was fully open up until 23 Oct. Saw some officers looking over tile edges near bar but other than that didn't see any major problems. Cracked tile or two is pretty normal (our shower had more lose tiles than Solarium). Since we spend most of our time up there would have been hard to spend two weeks elsewhere.

No shade in Symphony solarium - the upper level is a restaurant. They did have large clamshells but it took about 5 towels to screen out the sun (and not that many of the clamshells).

Have had it take a few minutes for the cancel to go through and can't book again until it does. Refresh the booking page after cancelling.

Been to Labadee twice in last three weeks. You don't see any security (except ship-type folks) unless you go looking for it. Aggressive vendors in local market, yes. We aren't really fond of beaches there but do like the new policy of having chairs and umbrellas already positioned. Tried Amiga Island this time and very nice beach with ok snorkeling. And they now have a spectacular coconut macaroon cookie that is NOT available on the ship.

Last week on Allure it was optional for crew. Had one waiter that wore one, assistant did not. Second cruise neither did. Occasional crew member did - including young lady handling towel station by the pool. Several cleaning tables in Windjammer did. This was our 15th cruise since restart and saw the fewest masks. And elevators were pretty packed.

We had same table on Allure for B2B last week. Helps to have a 6:45 dining time (and get there at 6:20 first night) when MTD opens since the dining room on 3 is used by fixed seating before. If you are getting the same table sometimes the fixed diners aren't done and you have to wait. Or they will put you somewhere else if you don't want to wait. Tip (assumes they don't renumber the tables) - table 3 and 4 are way over to the left in a hallway. Very quiet and have windows. Tables can seat 4 but we had table 4 for 2. Downside of this location is that it is a long way from the kitchen. First cruise that showed. Second had an assistant waiter that hustled to get our food and drinks. Also, Moonish worked at the Donut Shop that cruise. He said that the donuts in the Windjammer were made in advance and sent up there. Donuts for the Donut Shop were made on 6 behind the Dog House and put out immediately. We agree - the Donut Shop donuts were much fresher (and more types). As of last week it was getting dark around 7:15, so less of an advantage having a window seat. But the quiet back there is fantastic.

They do this routinely with minor kids in separate cabins but NOT adults. Easiest way is to have one person in cabin in all group photos. Onboard they will also add a second cabin for half price. Lots of folks would like one package to include multiple cabins but not how it's sold. While you can try giving photographers one cabin number the face recognition software often will override that.

Just did this. Our TA is associated with an agency in New York for her business. Her name, phone and business were not in the list. She gave us main agency name and phone number and that allowed the transfer. You can also use agency booking code if you have it. Or do online form when you get home sine Royal needs request from you within 30 days and before final payment date.

Unless you are changing cabins don't need anything. In US you will walk off ship and back on normally. Only difference we have seen is couldn't do three questions on app.

Have never seen anyone fishing off a dock. They want things clear for people.

Skip the beach beds. They have sheer curtains around them but are all located out in the sun. Instead head over to the area between the blue and red dots on the map (left turn on shore, over bridge, onto sand as soon as possible past dive shop and local stores). This area has umbrellas every two/four loungers and has many palm trees overhead. Good shade, especially if you go first thing in the morning. Nice sand down by the beach and around chairs to play in. Well-protected beach with easy entry. Close to buffet. You will likely want to take the little one to the kids water park for a while (pirate ship when you first get on the island) but there are no loungers around that. If little one is potty trained she can also use the main pool. Right end has zero entry and some loungers, but really not much shade. You can also clip towels to the umbrellas if you need a bit more shade.

Check Celebrity or search for cruises going to Aruba. Can't remember if Royal booking engine can do this but many online agencies can give you a list.

If you don't print your boarding pass at least keep a copy on the phone. Internet can be unreliable in the port building and you may need the pass until you get to your room for drinks. Lately they are asking for room number so pass probably isn't needed once onboard, though. And even in terminal they can look you up.

Also note that you can't check luggage in until 3 hours before the flight. The storage room isn't reliably manned, so if you do use it allow an hour to get your bags out.