Ret MP

Or Star Class where your baggage follows you from the outside of the terminal directly, after security screening, to your suite by a crew member. The Genie, if any good at all, will escort you to your suite and give you a briefing on the way up AND maybe divert a little to show you something, giving time for the ship's crew member time to get the luggage to your suite before you get there. It usually works.

The only time that I felt that I was getting threatened into a physical altercation was on a Carnival ship, in an elevator. Some young punk 20 something wanted to make a big deal about our "sea pass card" (it was our first ever cruise) or whatever Carnival calls it, and wanted to show off in front of his girlfriend. My buddy and I, both of us retired Military Police and Criminal Investigators, just look at each other and then looked at him, inched up into his face, laughed at him, told him he's picked the wrong people to mess with, we laughed again and exited the elevator when we got to our deck. Saw him, by himself from that point on, many times and he avoided us like the plague. BTW, that's not why we/I left Carnival.

For sure! Laws like the anti texting laws in many/most states only make the people that make them feel good, they can say, "see I did something". We all know, at least the LEO folks know, that they will never be enforced. Not as the only infraction, anyway.

Are you using a small town TA, Large non-big box TA, or a big box TA Honest question: If you are using a small town TA or a large non-big box TA are they available 24/7. I know the big box TA I've used is available 24/7. Never do you get the same TA twice when calling though, unless you get an extension # and then there is no guarantee that the same person will answer the phone, just a recording to touch 6 or 2 or whatever. I ask because most of us, I know I do, travel at all times of the day or night. If you need assistance at 2:00 AM on a Sunday morning, is anybody going to answer the phone, other than a recording telling you to call back during business hours.

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/frequently-asked-questions/am-i-allowed-carry-my-cpap-machine-onboard-plane-do-i-have-remove Am I allowed to carry my CPAP machine onboard the plane, do I have to remove it from my carry-on? A nebulizer, CPAP, BiPAP and APAP must be removed from its carrying case and undergo X-ray screening. Facemasks and tubing may remain in the case. You may provide a clear plastic bag to place the device through the X-ray.

In another thread or a completely other forum, someone said that if you go to the loyalty desk and ask, they may go ahead and upgrade, on the spot. I won't know until October 31st, if its possible.

The big box TA that I've traditionally used would send an advance payment to Royal via Credit Card within a day of embarkation, it would show up on our onboard account when we got there, never failed. Which also meant that if we didn't use it all, we could cash it out at the end of the cruise.

If you just count the number of physical venues on the different cruise lines that have included food locations. Yep, Carnival has more. However, look at each cruise line offerings in their included food location(s). I believe Royal's included food locations have a much bigger verity of food offerings on their menu. For example, this is the menu for Cafe Promenade: "MENU HIGHLIGHTS If you’re looking for a satisfying way to start your day, pair a cup of rich Royal Roast with a flaky croissandwich — stuffed with deli meats and crisp lettuce — or your favorite breakfast pastry. At lunchtime, it’s all about the flavorful chicken roti wrap and the New Orleans-style muffuletta, piled high with cold cuts and cheese. If you love a good antipasti platter, try the prosciutto with melon combo, or the pesto-grilled tomato. And if you have a sweet tooth, the decadent Mudcakes, creamy Willy Wonka pies, and fluffy round Led Zeppoles will make you come back for seconds. PRO TIP Some sandwiches, antipasti and desserts rotate daily, so stop by often to see what’s new". The above doesn't even mention the many different salads, cookies, various fruits available in a bowl, and much more. And I won't even get into the taste of the food, that is too subjective. AND, the Dog House isn't just a (Hot) Dog house: "MENU HIGHLIGHTS If you’re a traditionalist, go for the Coney Island dog, made with classic american beef. Or opt for authentic old world flavor with a German thuringer made from finely minced pork. Want to change things up? Try The big apple, a chicken sausage cooked with apple for a subtle burst of sweetness. Or bite into The Smoke house, a pork bratwurst seasoned with traditional spices for just a hint of heat. No matter which sausage (or sausages) you choose, they all pair perfectly with a side of home-style potato salad or refreshing coleslaw.. PRO TIP Customize your hot dog at Dog House with a wide variety of condiments and toppings — all available self-serve". What does Guys offer: Oh, hamburgers with different types of sauces and some sides. I could go on!

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/best-price-guarantee-policy Spot a better price on your booked cruise? Our Best Price Guarantee lets you take advantage of a better price within 48 hours from the time you booked— just give us a call or use our online form. You’ll receive the difference as a non-refundable onboard credit inside final payment or rate adjustment outside final payment. For more information on the Cruise with Confidence Best Price Guarantee for sailings booked on or before March 31, 2022, that depart on or before September 30, 2022, click here.

I'm glad you edited that in because I don't care if you wear a mask or not. I do care about misinformation/untruths that some put out there. AND, I can't state my reason or justify why I feel something is misinformation/untrue. Having said that, you did quote me and your first statement was, "See, this is what I often experience. People say they don't care if I wear a mask or not yet need to comment on the fact I choose to wear a mask". Yes, I commented that I don't care if you wear a mask or not.

No, I'm not a dolphin, I think. I don't like Mackerel!

BTW, that SMH, was intended to agree with you @ReneeFLL. Can't go into more detail.

Following the cruise rules could have a basis in law. If you break their rule(s), when you get to port, especially one in the U.S., and you are told to leave the ship and don't come back, you refuse, or somehow you come back, you can be arrested for trespassing. It's kinda basic. But, you are right, this horse is exceedingly dead.

Who says I speed? Even if I did, I'd take the ticket, pay it, and not give the cop a hard time. I'm no one special. If I brake the law, I'll accept the consequences without making a big deal about it. Of course, IF I BREAK THE LAW, it would be some minor offense, not a Biggy.

That is definitely true. Not just in the cruise industry, either. This is so true, "The Squeaky Wheel Gets The Grease". I've always said that if a policy or law isn't enforced, get rid of it. However, I believe that laws/rules should be followed/enforced as long as they are on the books, period. The vast majority of us follow the rules/laws (well, we used to). Why should those that don't get away with it!

If I was a crew member, working at the Towel station, I'd think about getting to the Pool deck early and place a towel on EVERY lounger. Just to see the mayhem. Of course, I'd be out of a job soon after. But, it may be worth it.

I'm really not trying to be "rude" with my response to your post. But, I must say, for general consumption, that "turning the other cheek" has never worked in history and changed nothing. You're not "rude" if you notify an official if someone is breaking the rules of whatever entity you are at and trying to enjoy. JMHO

So, other than Carnival and Royal, what is your knowledge of other cruise line reward "Status"? Inquiring minds want to know.

I've never used a local TA, not that I haven't tried, always the big box TAs which give you the best OBCs, up to $1,500.00. So, I'm not sure how the little local TAs actually work/treat you. My experience is that you call your big box TA and wait in a que for them, just like calling Royal, and then you ask a question, of which they have no idea, and then they have to call Royal while you are placed on hold while they are on hold with Royal. I find that TAs, I assume the same with local TAs, handle so many aspects of the travel industry, Air, Bus, Train, Hotels, Tours, Cruising, and on and on, they can not be expert in any one of them. So, they have to call or make "stuff" up. In far too many cases, I've caught my big box TA saying, "I believe that.......". No, I don't want an, "I believe answer", I want facts. I've go too much $ invested in my cruising to get opinions. I need facts. I try to go into Royal's site to the FAQ and get the answer to may questions from the horses mouth. So, if it wasn't for the OBCs, I definitely wouldn't use the big box TAs and on my next cruise, I didn't use a TA and all is well because I was luck to get a Royal Phone Answerer that was actually good at Customer Service and knowledgeable. BTW, I've asked the TA to call me back when they get the answer from Royal and, in some cases, no returned call. Calling direct to Royal, eliminates the middle wo/man and you are dealing with a person that only deals with Royal Caribbean related travel plans. So, I'm torn between the big OBC and dealing direct. I usually go with the OBCs 🤢, I'm that cheap or just like good deals, $$$ wise.

When I was fiercely loyal to Carnival and in John Heald's blog a lot, I would get down right rude with people that said, "Carnival is the Walmart of cruising". After cruising on Royal, I see, somewhat, what they are sayin. However, that doesn't mean that Royal or other cruise line don't have their share or some of the "sub-humans".

Their Suite Perks aren't much to write home about, either.

Being retired Military and Law Enforcement, accuracy and truth mean a lot to me. I see a lot of points of view post about a specifically prohibited point of view items/subjects. However, I can't point out the "FACTS" with links to the "FACTS" in fear of censorship. This is a privately run company and they have every right to restrict whatever they want. But, I think it should be equally applied.

In my opinion, not the same. Royal actually give you meaningful (subjective, of course) discounts, like in the shops in the Promenade, discounts on fare, free drinks, and lounges. Could be more that I'm not remembering. Carnival may have one or two of those but I don't remember they having them. So, in my mind, at least, it's more than just differing names of a perk.

Ain't that the truth!!!!!