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4 minutes ago, springaussie said:

It will be interesting to see if those Trans Pacific’s go on sale before February. 
Quantum and Anthem April 2025.

 

I am waiting for Anthem. The sad thing is I reached the magic 340 as a solo cruiser in the Spring, and have yet to book a Royal cruise. I only have 2 next year on different cruise lines.

55 minutes ago, Gardyloo said:

Assuming there are two or more of you, have a look at the Alaska Airlines-branded Visa card, which will not only give you a big bunch of Alaska miles on signup (very useful program) but which will also give you an annual "companion certificate" with which one passenger pays the going price and a companion pays $99 (plus some taxes, ending up usually at $122) for the same itinerary - one way, round trip, multi-city.  So if one ticket costs, say, $600, the price for 2 would be $722, or $361 each.  

 

Alaska Airlines Visa® Credit Card - Apply Today

I also like their BOGO sales. Nice way to get some extra miles.

Since I live in the Seattle area, my airline of choice is usually Alaska Air. I don’t normally book airfares until about 2 months out. Having that free bag with the Alaska card really is nice. I also like they have several non stops, which I prefer.

They may have a time to pick up tender tickets or they may not. I can’t speak specifically for Belize, but on my recent Greenland cruise, it was open tender boarding for all 3 tender ports. And recently on my daughter’s Navigator cruise, they had a time to pick up tickets for Cabo, but started passing them out early, which wasn’t announced.

If they do pass out tickets, pay attention to time, and maybe check an hour before. Only one person needs to be there to pick up their parties tickets.

6 hours ago, jaredgold33 said:

We booked yesterday through a TA and are inside final payment period so would only be eligible for OBC, but the exact same stateroom category dropped on our sailing on Royal’s site. Wondering if I call Royal (or my TA??) if they will give the difference back in OBC. 

Along with what was posted, since you are past final payment, you do not get price drops. Nobody does, regardless of how they booked. However, you could look at a cabin upgrade.

I don’t understand for those that absolutely can’t do without, and are willing to get caught, just take edibles. Also less harmful on the lungs.😉

I cruise solo and never eat in the MDR, but I leave tips on, because I still eat in other places. I would suggest maybe putting some cruise cash on your account periodically before your cruise, and that can help lower your final bill. That’s what I plan on doing for my 25 night TP in Oct.

2 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

have heard of this new virus for dogs but not familiar with the treatment.

I have read of some vets treating with Paxlovid.

27 minutes ago, BlackForest said:

Early on there were numerous youtube reviews of Navigator of the Seas that mentioned the poolside screen has a terrible display...it is tinted green and the resolution is more tile-like. I hope that they have fixed the quality of the screen as I will be sailing on it over Christmas. Anyone sailed on NOS lately and noticed the poolside screen display? Thanks and Cheers!

My daughter and granddaughter just got off Nav on Monday. I asked her and she did say it was grainy, but she didn’t notice a green tint. She also said it’s just not a super clear picture. Guess this is something you will find out when you board, and if it affects you watching the movies outdoors. Didn’t seem to bother them.

Many have had luck with going to the podium around 6, and being seated at tables that Early Traditional did not show up for.  

Yup

3 hours ago, firefly333 said:

Now I need tips how to get a good one way fare back from Barcelona.

Do you have a credit card that gives airmiles? I usually use those for international travel. Air2Sea doesn’t really have the deals they used to. You probably have time to research on some good card deals. A lot, you need to spend so much in X amount of months, but if you have any final payments coming up on cruises, it’s a good way to get quite a bit of miles. I always pay my cards off every month. 

2 hours ago, orville99 said:

Had our first whale sighting this morning - mom and baby - unfortunately they didn’t breach so no pictures, but it was neat to watch them surface and “exhale”🐋

Daughter and granddaughter are on Navigator in Mazatlan today. I told her to keep an eye open for whales. No luck yet. We did see them on our New Years cruise on Navigator.

1 hour ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

I am Platinum on Carnival and Diamond Plus on RCI and I can easily say RCI is by far my favorite between the two. 🙂 I am only a few cruises away from Diamond on Carnival, but I don’t think I will cruise on Carnival again. 

I have been Diamond on Carnival since 2019, but have only been one cruise since, 2 years ago, because I had to use up an FCC. I will be sailing the Panorama over to Singapore next year, and I did the Splendor to Singapore in 2019. Their Diamond benefits mean nothing to me, but I will cruise them for a unique itinerary, and I did like the Panorama.

I’m also Diamond Plus on Royal, and as a solo cruiser, their benefits suit me so much better. I reached the magic 340 in the Spring, but have yet to book anything with it. I’m waiting for info on the Anthem TP in Spring of 2025. Hopefully I can use it then.

Googled it

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/content/dam/royal/resources/pdf/crown-and-anchor-society-benefit-grid.pdf

You don’t get a lot as Platinum. There are still 4 levels higher on Royal. On Carnival, there is only one, Diamond.

I don’t gamble, so can’t answer any casino perks.

I have before, but also found that for myself, I am better just getting a la carte and not getting the pre cruise selection. Also, if you get the Pre deal, you will only get 4 pieces of sushi, and not 8 that you would get from ordering a la carte. I don’t eat sushi, but I love the ramen, so gyoza and ramen is plenty for me and comes out costing less.

Check the menu and prices, and see which works out better.

2 hours ago, The Scurvy Pirate said:

  I guess maybe some solo cruisers were bringing two bottles

As a solo traveler, it used to be 2 bottles per cabin, so we could bring 2. Now that rules have changed, solo’s can only bring 1.

4 hours ago, Bernhard1974 said:

Hello,

does somebody know if Anthem get some changes/adaptions to the Asian market, when she goes out of Singapore?

 

It’s not there permanently like Spectrum, so probably not. After it goes over end of 2024, it will come back in Spring of 2025, for the Alaska season.

1 hour ago, Elusive_Cruiser said:

Thank you!  So, what if you want to order a 'premium' wine, or scotch...?  Do you pay the full price, or a price differential?

 

If you buy the package, drink purchases are up to $14. Most liquors fall under that price. What level are you on Celebrity? If Elite or above, you will get Diamond status on Royal, and receive 4 drink vouchers, per person, to use at any bar, anytime of the day.

1 minute ago, Hi my name is Andy said:

I didn't see anything similar, will delete this if so, but I think there's a need for us Brits to have our own little club here as well.  

 

We don't have the good fortune of our American cousins to sail so often with RC.  

 

Hi.

This isn’t specific to Royal, but you do have a little UK spot on Cruise Critic

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/544-uk-cruisers/

1 hour ago, Itried4498 said:

As much as I’d like to see a Quantum ship in LA, the LA cruises (both Royal and Celebrity) are generally the lowest price comparable cruises in the network.  A repositioning Hawaii/ Los Angeles cruise maybe, but nothing more although it’d be really nice. 

Can’t do a repo because of PVSA. It can do a round trip to Hawaii from LA, with a stop in Ensenada.

1 hour ago, degladiator said:

Any word or anything regarding Ovation ots after it's repositioning cruise to Vancouver in May 2025?

Ovation is not doing the 2025 Alaska season. I’m patiently waiting for the Anthem TP in the Spring of 2025. It is doing Alaska in 2025.

I see Ovation does have a TP scheduled from Honolulu to Vancouver, but rumor has it, that it may go to LA…still rumor though.

My daughter and granddaughter are sailing the Navigator on Thanksgiving week. When I’m logged into both website and app, it does pull up her sailing, which may be because I have used her login to check things before. When I login as myself, I see lower discounted rates on Refreshment and Soda packages than she sees when she logs in. She’s Plat and I  am D+, so I’m wondering if there is also a bigger discount for C&A status…it’s very strange. Mine shows for Refreshment, $17.99 and she shows $22.99…Soda- mine $6.99, hers $8.99

3 minutes ago, Tree_skier said:

You can just do it on your own.  If I remember right from my last two cruises there was a kiosk selling shuttle tickets to Mendenhall Glacier for about $25...  They drop you off at the visitor center and that there was return trips offered every 30 minutes.

This is what I did in May….the shuttle was easy and convenient, and I could take my time walking the trail. I would definitely go this way. BTW, I am a solo traveler and in my early 70’s. I would do this again in a heartbeat.

1 hour ago, orville99 said:

The two outlets by the bed are 220V Euro outlets. Will ask our stateroom attendant when we see him about how to convert those to 110V US plugs

The best thing to do is to check tags on the plugs for all devices you want to plug in. Most electronics, you only need an adapter, as electronics are dual voltage. If there are no tags and you’re not sure for things like clocks, fans, etc., you will need a converter and then plug your adapter into that.

PS…I just checked my ResMed CPAP and it is dual voltage. I have only used an adapter plug in other international city hotel rooms. But it’s always a good idea to check everything. Other people may have had different outcomes, but these have been mine.

I have never used a converter on the ship, but I only use the Euro outlet for things I know are dual voltage.