Tree_skier

If you aren't happy with your TA, I'd find another one. I used to be one of these "control freaks" that people refer to themselves as that had to maintain control of the booking. Once I discovered my TA I'll never go back! There is absolutely no incentive to dealing direct with Royal. When you call in with a question or a problem you have to deal with their staff that have 10% of the knowledge and understanding of what can be done. A good TA is worth their weight in gold. Group space, which includes refundable deposits, is just one of the benefits. My TA knows my habits and has intuitively acted on my behalf before I even made final decisions. Or has sent me shockingly low prices for cruises just released that he thought I would be interested in. I have a 7 night on Navigator booked for March 2025 because he saw how low suite prices were when they first released the itineraries and emailed me with the info. We grabbed a 2 br GS for 4 people for less than half of what they ended up selling for just a month later. This never would have happened without my TA.

Fabulous review @mac_tlc. I'm dying of jealousy. It's not booked yet but it is on the plan. Sadly, not until 2026 but I can't wait to get there.

Wall Street seems to be betting on a very bright future.

Youza, somebody definitely screwed up.

IF you are used to late traditional you'll have no trouble with MTD. Getting the later times is very easy. IT's the earlier time that people seem to have trouble with.

See this here is a review I can respect and take serious. You comment negatively on the layout of the ship but understand that that is a personal thing. Then contrast and compare a few things that are relevant to you.

Please don't let facts get int he way of a good rant

Exactly! Do people honestly think they are going to come on this board and make some really weird complaint (loungers in the wrong location and moved to inconvenient place). Claim these complaints are almost universally shared by their fellow cruisers. That most peoples cruises were ruined by this. Then expect everyone to pat them on the back in appreciation of the honest and objective review. I constantly amazed that people express an opinion and then when there is push back or response throw the ad hominem "Cheerleader corporate shill" slur at anyone who might challenge their brilliant and wise insight into all things Royal

Yes, mine showed up right when the other specialty restaurants became available. It was at the very bottom of the page.

Oh that is a classic. I have to get one...

I've got a plan... Take Anthem out of the UK and send it to Los Angeles. Apparently all the brits (with a couple exceptions on this thread 😉 ) hate it. I say they don't deserve her. We'd love another ship over here. Maybe put her on a rotation doing 7. night Mexican riviera and 7 night California Coastal and keep Navigator doing the 3/4/7 day rotation she is doing. I promise I'll book at least two extra cruises a year if they do. Even if it is just part time in LA. Maybe do 6 months here and add a ship to in Australia for 6 months. Lets take a vote 🙂

MSC Virtuoso out of South Hampton has a 3.0/5.0 score by Cruise Critic users. Anthem has 3.7/5.0. Seems like MSC in the UK is lagging substantially behind Royal. No wonder they have to give away drinks. Nobody would cruise them if they weren't hammered. 🙂

Fantastic... What a night! Luongo was a class act. He almost got Vancouver to the promise land back in 2011. I still remember so clearly the sound of LLLOOOOUUUU echoing across the arena. I like the Letterkenny reference too.

Drive to Seattle... It is way cheaper than flying our of YVR

Thanks for doing it. I enjoyed following.

I've done the free one twice and would do it again in a heart beat. I haven't done the pay version yet but likely will at some point in the future. Its a fun experience and give you really neat views. You definitely get much better and higher views that just looking out over a high deck. This is Willemstad Curacao.

We got a beach bed at Chill Island and thought it was reasonable quiet. It is tucked of in the corner away from the hubbub.

The OP doesn't say what ports they think they'll need currency at but if it is anywhere in the Caribbean US dollar is sufficient.

Used to be Lyft was the only option going into Galveston. They had some sort of contract or arrangement with Lyft. However, now they have opened it up to Uber as well. I use Uber mostly because I get $120 a year ($10 a month) credit with them through American Express. I'm actually booking a private shuttle for our next one. We've got 7 of us on this one. It includes pick up from the airport in two XL SUV's and a transfer the following morning to the cruise ship. It's about double the price of doing the Uber but since it is a special cruise with my daughter and her family I decided to spend a little extra.

Hobby is a little closer but I've flown into both and barely noticed the difference. I think the it is about 15 minutes difference. Hotels in Galveston are always expensive. I managed to find a deal on our Dec 10th sailing but that is rare. If you are looking to economize look for a hotel in Texas City. That might work out a little better for your car rental as there is likely to be more options than Galveston. You'll have a 20 minute uber ride on your cruise morning. We have always used Uber/Lyft. Royals Shuttle to IAH is $54. Hobby might be a little cheaper. It's an island.

We really like Chill Island... Not as central but a little more secluded and it seemed less busy. 😉

My one only experience was really slow. I'd get the earliest ticket you can. There will be a line for ticket distribution.

What an amazing itinerary... I'm hoping to do this one in the next couple years. Aalesund is my fathers birthplace. I have been a few times but I'd like stop in one more time. :)

excited to follow along. 🙂

It’ll likely be the sea day. Check the app for a current sailing with the same itinerary. That should give your answer.