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I've done Chef's Table 7 times on 6 ships. My least favorite was Navigator where it was placed on the landing between the two main dinning rooms. Food was fine, company was fine, just too noisy. I will always look to see if it will be held in a quiet space before booking in the future. 

I've done it 7 times so far. Only once did I book before the cruise when the price dropped $10. Seemed like a bargain, but since then I've gotten anywhere from 25 to 40% off onboard. Just a couple of weeks ago on Rhapsody we got 40% off when we delivered the entire table. After reading this thread I'll be looking for 50% off in the future.

Next Cruise is so infuriating. It always seems to take twice as long as it would take if I did it myself. I just did it again a few weeks ago on Rhapsody. I don't think that the time spent there is worth the perks, unless there's a hot cruise with an excellent price that might change (which was what happened in my case). I keep telling myself never again.

I was just on in September in Alaska so things might have changed a little with the home port, but late dining was 8PM (as usual), and Diamond Club hours were 4:30 to 8PM. There's usually enough overlap to accommodate both dinner seatings.

I've done 6 Chef Tables on RCL and the last one a few weeks ago on Radiance was the best of all. There was a new menu that everyone loved. If you're a person who's into wine this might not be for you, but remember that's only half the experience. Frankly, I'm always happy with the wine selections but it's the food and company I go for. You should be able to get at least 20% off when you board.

I'm D+ so get the fast line for check-in. Can my non-Diamond traveling companions check in with me?

Also, any tips for check-in at Vancouver since you have to go through customs?

Been on her twice and love both cruises. She really has a great vibe - better than some of the larger ones in the fleet.

That's a drag. That's one of the things I look forward to on a cruise.

I've been on Majesty 3 times and Empress twice and I'd take Empress. It's a small and old ship, but it has a great vibe. I enjoyed myself much more than on E than on M.

I'm on Empress now as well (we just docked in Havana) and concur with everything smc99 said. I talked to the hotel manager last night who told me that they lifted the entire top deck off and rebuilt it, but he did say that much of the work was done down in the crew area and wasn't obvious to the passengers.

He also said that he thought that Empress was rushed out to sea too early after drydock, but also said that's what happened during the previous refurb as well, so there are a lot of loose ends left from that one as well. He lamented the fact that after all this time, RCL can't seem to get their drydock procedures together. Said the same happened to other ships recently, such as Navigator.

That said, things are slowly but surely getting better each day as the crews make progress. I'm having a good time regardless of how it goes.

As someone who always goes solo I have to say that I see this a lot. My TA can't explain it and neither can RCL but it does happen more than I'd like. Needless to say, I never book those cruises.

There's no difference between the lounges except that the CL is usually smaller and less crowded.

I just got off Freedom recently and I thought it was way better than the MDR. Same with previous on Jewel.

I did it on Navigator in February and was disappointed because it was in between the two dining rooms. Way too noisy for good conversation, at least for me. Much prefer it when they use a separate quiet room.

I've actually done this in Jamaica. Had to cut a cruise short because of a calendar mishap.

You go to guest services and let them know what time you want to leave. They'll then arrange for a port agent to meet you and take you through customs.

A member of security will take you to the disembark area and stay with you until the port agent meets you.

Very easy, no fee.

I filed a claim for emergency eye surgery in Belize. It was reimbursed, along with the ship hospital costs, within a week or so of filing the claim. I use them on every cruise.

I keep hearing about the upgrade fairy offering deals, but have yet to receive a free or paid upgrade offer at 23 cruises.

All but one of them have been through a travel agent, which got me thinking that perhaps those that book directly with Royal may be first in line for these offers.

Can anyone confirm that they've gotten an upgrade call when booked through a travel agent?

8 with the furthest out in spring 2020.

I’ve been told by several cruise directors that they monitor cruise critic closely.

I stayed at the Hotel Miramar in Condado last May and I'll be staying there in August as well. Nice hotel at a nice price. I stayed at the Casablanca in Old San Juan before that and really liked it, but I think it hasn't recovered from the hurricane yet as I was not able to book online.

I'd go with #1 as well. I love Costa Maya and always look for a chance to return. Also like Paradise Beach and never mind going there either.

I've used a Nationwide policy from Insuremytrip for a few years now and I'm happy with it. Bills were paid promptly when I needed it.

For what it's worth, I just did the southern Spain route through the Canary Islands ending in Rome in May. Loved it. Probably the best cruise I've ever done. The weather was very pleasant, and that's a variable you obviously can't control, but the ports are generally warm weather.

You can ask the waiter if there's an Indian menu (sometimes yes, sometimes no). If not, ask what's available. It's usually pretty good, although the naan on Jewel last month left something to be desired.

I'm a vegetarian too and never had a problem finding something to eat at any meal. Yes, there is often an Indian menu, but you must ask for it. If there's not a menu, the waiter will tell you what's available.