Tourist1292

We upgraded to Concierge Veranda for our cruise last year. They do know something although not completely what class of room you are in as the card key is in a different color, but I don't think they would treat you very differently (unless you are a big tipper). The embarkation lunch at MDR is great but you can certainly live without. The disembarkation breakfast is just okay but having a room to sit down instead of standing in the hall is great. My daughters like the thicker robes as they wore them to the hot tub everyday. Other than these minor things, they will treat you very well regardless of what kind of room you stay in. I would rather save the money and get the regular drinking package perk instead. Initially we booked the regular veranda and with no perks. As the price keep dropping even after the final payment deadline, we ended up getting the room upgrade and added 2 perks with minimum cost. At the end, we actually save some money as one of the perk is OBC which is much more the cost of the upgrade.

We booked our cruise at one of the warehouse club site which list all perks optional. Initially, we booked the cabin without perks to save money. The price of higher categories (2 levels up) cabin went below the price I've paid a month after the final payment. I added two perks (OBC and classic beverage for 2) with the cabin upgrade to make the cost slightly higher and paid the small difference. With the OBC as one of the two perks, we actually ended up paying even less than the original booking as the gratuity and the wifi package (which we would have to pay out of pocket otherwise) was mostly covered by the OBC. So, I would leave the perks out in the initial booking to give you more options for upgrade and saving money.

I would not do that. It is a lot easier to get price adjust and pay on the final payment due date than getting refund. We did 3 price adjustment with the last one on the day before final payment. Then we upgraded our cabin after the final payment with the amount we paid as credit towards to upgraded cabin + perks.

There are free movies but just not as up to date or wide selection as on a flight. I don't remember any from my cruise in May but we did watch one movie within the 7 days. We simply have no time to waste on a cruise.

First, the wifi connection is not very reliable on the ship. Second, you will need a travel router to set it up. Bringing the Echo is not a very good or practical idea, however, bring a travel router regardlessly is very useful.

We took the Amtrak Cascade which is very nice and we paid around $35 this year with discount. The only problem is the schedule. It either arrives near midnight or noon.

I guess it may depend on the port. We got priority boarding in a separated line that is also for Elite member at Vancouver. There was almost no waiting. We also got invited to the helipad sail away/in.

We stay in the cabins on Solstice near the front elevator. There is no noise issue at all.

Fruit tarts and almond croissants at the Cafe are my favorite.

You may want to get a travel router. It would increase security, improve coverage inside the cabin, and allow simultaneous access.

Also debarkation continental breakfast in a designated waiting room.

That is not true. Many fruit juice can be used to marinate and tenderize meat.

We got the classic package as a perk on our first cruise last month. Originally I chose no perk to save money. After the cruise, my wife said it is a must have for future cruise. We would not pay the full price for the package separately though.

The mailed tag on sticker is much smaller than the self printed ones. We almost purchased holders for the tags and decided just put the stickers on to save money.

We also went to the Totem Bight a couple weeks ago. There is now a $5 admission at the entrance. After that, we passed by the heritage center during the walking tour, but we decided not to enter as we need to get back to the ship in an hour and there is an admission fee.