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I forgot to mention that I also constantly check my pricing on both airlines AFTER I've booked. I have stretched my "air dollars" considerably over the last year by getting credits.

COOL.................

The protocol is whatever you think is necessary for you. I got off the Freedom on 9/30 and tested positive for COVID 1-2 days later. I was sick and quarantining for 10 days total. So, when I got back on the Liberty, Anthem, and Navigator from mid-November to mid-December, I decided to go back to wearing masks everywhere, ESPECIALLY in elevators. I have different colored masks I wear to match my clothes, and I downsize an N-95 mask to fit inside my regular masks. (Actually, this was my cruise companion's "request", since she thought I was an idiot for wearing a non N-95 mask if I was concerned. She was right. I then combined my more attractive masks and the N-95.) Do what you gotta do. I did notice on all of these cruises that people were definitely hacking the last few days. I happens when thousands of people are confined to one place for days on end. Just part and parcel of crowds. 'Tis the season.................................

I prefer to cash out obc WITHOUT registering my seapass card in the machine. If your card is registered, they put a hold on it if you don't gamble at least a percentage of the transfer. They will know which account to charge the transfer to with your PIN. Press "Account", then "Personal Banker". Enter PIN. Press "Transfer", then "Room Charge". Enter the amount of your obc. When it registers on the machine, cash it out and go to the Cashier for the money. The amount is charged to your shipboard account, and offset by the obc, therefore zero-ing out the obc. This works for non-refundable and refundable obc, since it's considered a charge to your onboard account.

Two things: Look to see after 1/1/24 if they allow advance booking for specialty dining with the UDP. I read another thread recently that RCCL announced this was going to be available. You can book the lunch (look for Jamie's under specialty lunch in your Cruise Planner) for everyone if you have their reservation number. Then, when you get on board get refunded for the payment when you show all of you have the UDP. I have done this several times this past year.

I fly from the West Coast. I use Southwest as my go-to airline, and Alaska for flights to EWR. I've found a one way fare on Alaska from SFO to EWR that can be as low as $129, depending on the time of year I'm flying. I got an Alaska credit card last year, and stretched those points as far as I could. I'm flying SFO-EWR the first week of January, and used some Alaska points for a hotel near SFO so I can grab the earliest (and lowest cost) fare to EWR, arriving around 2:30pm. I also have a Chase Sapphire credit card that I can transfer points to Southwest. I use it for everything, and get double points for travel. So, I will pay for a cruise, and then transfer the double points to pay for airfare at some point. I have found over the last 2 years, since January 2022, I have paid a lot less using these two airlines.

You and I are saying the same thing. The "new" info is they have eliminated Pinnacles in Suites from the count, as being in a Suite takes priority. So, it allows a few more Pinns into the Lounge.

Guess what! I will be on the Anthem 3/17/24, also! Name the place and time! You will recognize me: I look exactly like my avatar.

I don't recommend solo cabins. They are skimpy in size and storage. I cruise solo and usually book a Virtual Balcony, or a Promenade View, to get extra light in the room. I had a VB on the Anthem from 11/26 to 12/3/23, and loved it! My cruise friend came in and said it was only a little smaller than her obstructed balcony cabin, and the second closet was narrower.

My experience with Concierges that have episodes of flagrant rule-breaking, is they avoid direct confrontation. They will usually call or talk to the offender in private to explain what is and is not allowed. I've experienced this personally when there was a problem one night with a man bringing his VERY vocal baby and his 3 year old son in with him. The toddler was running up and down the window sills all across the width of the lounge, and the baby never stopped yelling. I had to talk to two Concierges before the first one "got it", and the man was quietly told the next evening that he would have to leave if his children became disruptive again. On the other hand, I usually don't say anything if the children are there for food, and are gone by 6-6:30. The Navigator last week was like this. A mad daycare atmosphere from 5-6, and then quiet until 8pm. The whole ship had a LARGE number of children, as it was a weekend cruise.

Actually, this has changed within the last 30-45 days. When accounting for the number of people allowed in the Suite Lounge on ships with a Coastal Kitchen, those Pinnacles staying in a suite are eliminated from the "Pinnacle" count. I was on the Liberty, the Anthem, and the Navigator over the last month, and was in the Suite Lounge every night on all 3 ships, and ate in the Coastal kitchen on the Anthem. I'm Pinnacle and I don't book suites.

Ask the podium manager as you go into the dining room.

Between early Jan 2024 until March 2025, I'm on the Odyssey, Freedom, Radiance, Anthem, Vision, and Grand Princess for an average of $90/night (factoring out my solo supplement I pay). Virtual Balcony, partially obstructed Ocean View, and Balcony cabins. I suggest everyone start going on the hunt for a travel agent with group rates. For instance: I tried to book with NextCruise on the Liberty last month. Texted my travel agent who got me the same $100 obc, and a $750 lower rate for a higher category cabin. The prices don't have to be really high; the travel agent has to be really good with group rates. I agree that direct booking with RCCL is not the way to get a lower price.

Way back in the way back a MTD manager explained the whole system to me when they first started MTD.

When you are in the MDR at a specific table, your presence is noted. If you are not recorded in a specific place that can "claim" that portion of that day's gratuities, then it goes to the pooled "Dining Services", and it distributed throughout the no-charge eating venues.

Whenever your room number is recorded, or you are assigned a table, those servers get their portion of your dining gratuities. When you are out and about, and no specific restaurant records you as dining with them, your dining gratuities goes to "Dining Services".

It's my understanding that if you do not eat in the main dining room, then the "dining related" portion of your gratuities are distributed to the "dining services" category. This is all the other eating venues that do not record your cabin number when you go in. Every time your cabin number is entered into the system, the portion of your grats that would have gone to the staff in the MDR, now are diverted to the restaurant where you are recorded as eating that meal. The tips are pooled for the staff in that restaurant.

Thanks for clarifying............

Yeah!! Quantum from San Pedro or SD.............I'm soooooo there!!

OH, HALLELUJAH!!! I'm taping a printout of this to my suitcases for my FLL trips next year. Thank you very much.

The time for a quieter swim in the main pool is early in the morning, and around 4-6pm when everyone is going to dinner.

I was trying to not regurgitate all that I found while looking a flights from the OP's local area, but I did, indeed find the fare that I mentioned. I have flown Alaska EWR to/from the West Coast several times, and find it's pretty much the only East-West (and vice-versa) nonstop, and reasonably priced flight I could find. Matter of fact, I flew that route just two days ago to LAX. Also, you must have missed the part about the Alaska credit card for free check-in baggage in your to post.

Just to give some perspective: the poo-ing on the pool deck is something I have NEVER seen in 50 years. But, I had my son do that at age 2 at a soccer game................the other parents thought it was hysterical. I did NOT walk away from it. The one thing about life I expect is that things will change. So, I find my own ways to adapt, and see if I can still enjoy what has changed. I've started tracking the Unlimited Dining Package for all my cruises. I may not continue, because I'm finding the quality of food in the MDR is improving after the monumental screw-up from the menu changes last January. Windjammer is improving slightly, too. I have found the UDiningP to be as low as $17 average per meal, accounting for all available lunch and dinner reservations. $166 extra for my Sisters' Cruise next September is acceptable to me, and keeps my picky sister happy. I was talking to someone yesterday taking the little golf cart tram back to the ship in Nassau: she and I agreed we LIKE only getting cabin service once a day and in the evening. This way we have the ENTIRE day to do what we want on our own schedule.

I agree, once removed. I'm on the Anthem now with a travel companion who also gets balcony cabins. She has an obstructed balcony now and says it's just fine. She is mid-ship in x660, which coincidentally will be my cabin next March. I found her cabin to be quite roomy, and the obstruction was not a problem. She's very happy with it. Plus, it's mid-ship, so close to the elevator. I tease her, because I have a "virtual balcony" 3 decks above her. My view is better that hers! Yesterday, I had a lovely view of the Colonial Beach / Lighthouse area in Nassau. Today it's the sky with fluffy clouds and REALLY calm water. This VB of mine is at least 4-5 ft wide, and floor to ceiling high. BIG view. The only negative I've experienced in this b2b is I walked out of the bathroom yesterday morning to get dressed and was FREAKED for a few seconds by the heads of two crew staring at me!!!! They were cleaning the camera lens.......😁

I found, after much hunting and pecking on Alaska's web site, that they have nonstop flights to the West Coast for a very low price, from Newark, NJ. My nonstops to/from SFO have been as low as $139. So, if you can find a low cost flight up to EWR, it might work. Right now from EWR in mid-July, flying on a Friday, the fare is $249 one way. Get a "MAIN" seat, which includes seat selection and refund options. Also, get yourself an Alaska credit card, even it you only spend $5 with it. If you have it with you when you check bags, they are free.