Kellie in Texas

Our first family cruise was to Alaska in 2011 (oldest son's high school graduation). For Christmas, I got everybody a rain jacket (wrapped individually), long-sleeved tshirts/Henleys, and a couple of other gifts like that. Then -- and this was back in the day when you didn't book online, you got the big RCCL "wish book" brochure -- I wrapped the brochure in a box with little sticky tabs on the page for the specific cruise we were going on. So, by the time they saw the brochure, they had pretty well figured it out.

I remember other threads similar to this too, maybe not a holiday surprise cruise but just a surprise cruise. My thoughts are don't wait to tell people. I am the cruise planner in my house and we've got a New Year's Eve 2022 cruise booked but I told my family back in July. I love the anticipation of it, so I would feel cheated if I didn't have lots of time to look forward to it. Plus everybody needs time to get passports, wardrobe, look at excursions, etc. You can always gather everybody to "watch a movie" and then pull up videos of the ship, ports, etc.

@smokeybandityou mentioned linked reservations. How do you link reservations for two cabins, either in the app or when logging in online? Here's my problem: I have two cabins reserved on Adventure in January. The second cabin is for my son and his GF, but I'm paying for everything. When I made the reservations with our TA, each cabin has its own reservation number. I used my log-in information for both reservation numbers, so when I log in online on the website, I see my cabin ressie number and theirs. But in the app, I only see mine ... even though an excursion that I purchased in Cozumel for both cabins shows up in the app. When it comes time to check in, I want to be able to check in for both cabins, but the app only shows me my cabin, not my son's. Am I okay or am I missing something? I guess I could do the check-in on the computer since both ressie numbers shows up there.

@IsanTomI love sea days too. And thanks for the tips.

2024 would be the timeframe and we love the Radiance class. Thanks.

We've done seven cruises, all Caribbean or Alaska plus one Baltics. I'd really like to do a transatlantic cruise some day or a Northern Lights one that visits Iceland and Greenland. I know you have to pounce on these quickly, but in general, how far in advance are they released? And any other tips we'd need to know?

What about a corkscrew? Size limit? Packed in checked bags, carry-on, or what?

I'd do that in a heartbeat. We were in a JS on Serenade in June; the walk-in closet and bathtub/shower combo (more elbow room in the shower than in a standard room) were worth $300 on their own.

@Sunshine2U @nasa1974 we are on the Dec. 31 Adventure OTS from Galveston. I had been watching for the all-access tour and it just popped up earlier this week. So your March cruises probably still have some waiting time.

We booked this tour on Adventure and the description says: Children must be six (6) years or older to participate in this tour. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or adult. It's also two hours long. FWIW.

I've been checking and just today the All Access Tour showed up for our Adventure 12/31/2022 cruise out of Galveston. I booked it pronto. We had this tour booked on Serenade for June 2020 but of course that cruise never happened; once it was rescheduled for this past June, they weren't doing these tours yet. It was 10% off in the cruise planner but still $133 per person, but it's two hours long and should be very interesting.

No, and the doors entering all the hallways where cabins are located will be closed until the room stewards are finished with the change-over.

I didn't see this in your post but make sure you keep with you -- in other words, not in a bag that's being checked with a porter -- your passport and other important documents, medications, and any valuables (like fancy camera, etc.) You will not get your checked bags until later in the day or early evening.

I love the Princess bridgecams. I don't think Royal ships have them, but many ports do. You can google the name of the port and "cruisecam" or similar to find them.

Nothing showing up for our Dec. 31 Adventure sailing out of Galveston.

We were in a junior suite and had one of these machines on Serenade this past June. It was on a separate little table from the larger dressing mirror/desk/table. Problem was the smaller table didn't have any plugs anywhere near, so we had to clear off the desk, pick up the coffee machine on its tray and move it to the desk to find a plug.

@lynncarolwhat ship were you on? And where did you meet the tour guide? Oops, I mean specifically in Costa Maya for Chacchoben.

Myself and DH went to Chichen Itza on our honeymoon a zillion years ago back when you could actually climb up the main pyramid! We have also been to Tulum, which is beautiful being right there on the cliff above the water. I think Chichen Itza is definitely worth seeing but only on a ship excursion so they'll get you back to the ship. It is a long way.

We'll be boarding Adventure in Galveston on New Year's Eve. I assume there will be a countdown to midnight and maybe champagne handed around. Any other festivities?

Yes, about half of it was covered. You can see the sunny part in this picture was the uncovered part. There was plenty of room to move the four chairs back to be in the shade or out of the rain (unless it was raining really hard). Also, I suspect they may hose off the outdoor area of the Windjammer in the late nights or very early mornings because that front part was frequently wet, even though it didn't appear that we've gone through any rain overnight.

@Biker19I think you must have some kind of buzzer or alarm set for CC. Seems like you are everywhere! 😄

Thanks for asking this @gottagoacruznI've been wondering the same thing. I'm emerald now, which comes with a few perks at least.

Will be on Adventure in a few months and I've got a rock wall climber in the bunch. In looking at the Adventure photos on CC, I saw this one. It looks like there's a seating area next to the wall (just behind the greenish-colored "glass" half-wall). I can't find anything on the deck plans to show what that seating area is. Anybody know?

Well, the app isn't showing anything for the Broadway-style show but Can't Stop the Rock does sound fund. We're still a few months out, so maybe the shows will be updated in the app later. Glad the outdoor movie screen is working; that's always fun.

What shows are on Adventure now in the theater? I know there's an ice rink that has a show, but what's in the big theater? Stage shows, I mean (like Liberty's had Saturday Night Fever for awhile). Also, is the outdoor movie screen working?