taglovestocruise

That $58 pp, does not seem like a deal at all. I remember last cruise onboard prices were in the mid $50 + the 18% range. Things are changing, and not for the better.

Not Blacklane, but we have used Blackberry several times. Cost was around $175 for 2 with luggage and hand carry, including the airport surcharge last year. Very nice service with great driver. You can find coupons on Google for first time use.

Daughter is currently under 21, if the drink package is purchased now she would not be required to get the refreshment package. Several months down the line she will turn 21, Will Royal see that someone in the cabin has just turned 21 and must now buy the refreshment package. Just curious.

Bean counters are trying to figure out the added fee for the convenience. Something like a GTY rate. Highest price for booking onboard, slight discount for online pre purchase with reservations or normal discount for a GTY but only reserve after boarding.

We have never had a problem booking for later in the week, BUT we do book both nights and pay for both nights as soon as we board. Now that ships are sailing at 110%+ the rules may be more stringent. Don't wait until after dinner to let they know you want to use the BOGO, make your reservations for both nights today, tell the host you are using the BOGO and pre pay.

When Royal sails with 2500 D,D+ and Pinnacle they are giving away up to 10,000 free drinks per day. Someone must pay for the freebees.. Last 15 night cruise my wife and I had no problem with 150 cocktails. Thats $2700 in real prices..

And then your 16 dollar grat is pooled amongst 1000 crew.. wow,,,they get about 2 cents,

Something unmentioned. We have had ports changed and a TA or 2 that had added ports to our cruise we booked 18 months in advance. Royal has never charged us for a added or changed port.

We have missed several ports over the years and have never seen a credit. Most recent miss was on a Alaska Port missed because of heavy seas, still received nothing for the miss.

No bouncers, but they do have a line of MTD chomping at the bit to get a no show empty table. Sometimes the line is out the door.

We have flown one way LAX to Rome, Barcelona and Southampton using Air2Sea. Booked Air France, Lufthansa, Delta and Virgin, found Air2Sea to have the best prices for economy plus.

It is our go to place soon as we board to make all our reservations for the week, never book Izumi as my wife is allergic to sea food, but there is rarely a line.

Have read from some posters that MTD lines start forming a few minutes before the doors are even closed. They are just waiting for a empty table to be available as soon as the doors close to early dinners .

We have done several TA'S and always used Royals Air2Sea. One way international flights are about as low as you can find anywhere. Several times for weather related flight delays Royal has easily switched airlines and rebooked us at the last minute. We have always been able to reserve our seats the same day by going on the airlines website.

We have done 8 TA'S, East to West and West to East. Have done TA'S on Mariner, Independence. Quantum, Oasis, Allure and Symphony. We love the Sea days , ports are far less important. We also prefer East to West as the weather in OCT. is much warmer, West bounds have 8 25 hour days. The smaller ships have far less to offer than a Oasis Class. Oasis class ships also sail with 1200 fewer children than the regular 7 nighters. Favorite departure port is Barcelona. Most trips are to Florida which is far warmer than heading back to New York. If you book remember that the sun only warms the port side of the ship going West and only the Starboard side going East. We have also divided the trip into half MDR meals and half Specialty. With all the different size ships Oasis Class has become our favorite, never run out of things to do. We are both in our early 70's. We almost always book with a TA to get the perks and have always booked flights through Air2Sea. Air2Sea has about the best prices for oneway travel. Not sure if they still do it but Our TA from Southampton was 15 nights with 5 or 6 port stops in the Caribbean. Going west the first few days are chilly, as soon as you leave the Med it is shorts and t shirts every day. Happy cruising. TA'S are awesome.

i think it went to deck 12 and took the space that was Seaview cafe.

I guess everyone believes what they believe. I was told by the Concierge in the Diamond Lounge last year on Quantum that the drinks through the voucher system have nothing in the way of tips going to the server or bartender. I also asked about room service and he said most room service runners do it voluntarily as a way to get extra cash tips. If the delivery is free there is no tip to anyone, if the service fee applies then there is a small amount that goes into the ship pool.

That is exactly what we had on the last two cruises on Quantum and Ovation.

If you miss the ship your passport is left with the port agent.

Check your big box store if you are a member. They have it for three priced at $1320 for XB GTY. + a bonus store card.

And location. In the multiple story dining rooms they frequently use the lower level. We always have a table on the second or third level and try to be along the railing. On Quantum class we always go for The Grande dining room, MTD rooms lack ambience.

+ 1

What ship. Oasis class can be ocean view or interior balcony. Quantum class can be a obstructed deck 6 balcony. GTY'S are best for those who would be happy with any location. If booked with a US travel agent it is possible to change cabins after you receive your cabin number. Would not be wort it for us to book a GTY for a balcony, we have done it for a Suite.

About $4 from your local Walmart. +++ Several markets in Barcelona also sell it, pick some up on boarding day. happy cruising

Yes it has the same outside seating. We sat out there several times on our Alaska cruise last Sep. Freezing A cold but a nice view with very little wind.