LEMJMcC

Me too! I have never even touched a gambling mechanism and have not the foggiest idea of how to even start one of those things spinning! Of course I am so financially risk averse (my wife would say cheap) that I wouldn't bet that the sun rises tomorrow. Still, I'd like to try the casino (smoke-free) just once for the thrill??

I booked our Junior Suite online last summer for our July 2024 Alaskan cruise and have watched the prices online since until they showed sold out; the fares always went up, not down. I recently called RCI after I had made the final payment to see if re-pricing was an option. I was told by the agent that there were no more JSs available therefore he could not check the current fare of a that same type of cabin. He looked at the other classes of cabins and told me that their fares had increased. I think from what I've read and heard that this particular cruise is either sold out or nearly so. Yours might differ. In the past I've had success in getting lower fares up to a certain point, even after final payment. I think once I was given onboard credits instead of a refund for some reason that I cannot recall. As stated above, it can't hurt to ask. "You have not because you ask not"

?? No idea what that means.

I'm hoping to take a quick dip in the sea while on our Alaskan cruise this July. Are there any places that provide easy, safe access to water from the shore at any of the ports listed above? I'm not talking about doing laps, but I would like to experience it once. Thanks.

To each his or her own. I wouldn't mandate or legislate that people not wear helmets, I just don't believe it should be mandated that I do. Same for seat belts...

We're booked for a private tour for the ten of us this July with Harv & Marv's in Juneau. They have been very responsive to my inquiries. We'll see if they live up to their reputation, which seems positive from what I've read of them.

Related question. Can the pre-paid gratuities for Spa treatments be removed or refunded? I think I know the answer, but am curious to see if anyone had any success in removing or at least reducing these so-called "tips".

Had it on Wonder and loved it.

I think I just understood that there is no Johnnie Rockets on Quantum of the Seas. If that's correct, is there any venue that serves real milkshakes? I'm asking about ones made with milk and real ice cream, not those icy ice-milk imitations. Thanks.

The wife asked me what the earliest expected boarding time might be for our 7-night Alaskan cruise coming up this summer. So, for those who've done this or similar cruise out of Seattle, what's the earliest we could expect to board? We're in a Junior Suite if that matters. I'm planning for us to be dropped off at the cruise terminal about 10:00 AM. Thanks.

Bummer about helmets required...I hate helmet laws.

They let you fill bottles with the OJ?! Now that's a great idea! Freshly squeezed OJ is the main reason we go with the Refreshment Package. What kind of bottle do you use?

And Red Bulls too! I drink about three or four of those each day on a cruise!

One cruise, I think it was on Oasis and perhaps Wonder as well, there was a Lavazza machine in our Junior Suite, my wife really liked it, so much so that we bought one for the house. I am not a coffee guy, but I think that's expresso, right?

Related question. What impact does rain have on the bike ride down? Do they cancel it (I hope NOT!) or just take it slower? Thanks.

Oh, I do. I have multiple reminders on my Outlook calendar with plenty of advance notice. I had heard from one of my friends going on the same cruise that he had received an email reminder from Royal, I was curious as to why I hadn't. Thanks.

What's your favorite omelet? I'd be interested to hear some new ideas for one. I usually just have ham, cheese, mushrooms, onions & peppers in mine. If other options are available, I might branch out a bit.

Perhaps we all should start maliciously, even if fallaciously, slamming RCI and other cruise lines to deter others from cruising?

I recently made the final payment on an upcoming cruise the day before it was due. I found it interesting that I never received any prompt or reminder from RCI about it. Did I miss something or do they not send out any kind of reminders? Just curious. Also, what would have happened if I had missed that final date? Would I lose my deposit and my booking? Thanks.

No, it's docking in Seattle on July 8. Thanks

Thanks much for the response. We have always carried all of our own luggage off the ship. For this trip, I have taken some steps to make that even easier by purchasing some luggage straps that allow me to attach all my bags together into one load which can be easily wheeled around. We have reserved a shuttle to pick us up at 8:00 AM, based on your information about disembarkation beginning shortly after 6:30 AM, I'm wondering if we ought to arrange for an earlier pick up, say 7:30 AM? Think that's reasonable?

Redacted

We've watched pier runners before, but just out of coincidence as we hung out on our balcony right before the ship began the process of leaving. Never saw someone miss the ship though. It was amusing seeing them run, fast walk, regular walk, jog again, then slow walk onto the gangway. We never cheered or jeered at anyone, but just sort of smirked to ourselves. I hope (confidently expect) that I never find myself in that situation. If we do a private tour, I always keep a close eye on the time and we have always returned to the dock plenty early. If a party misses the ship out of sheer arrogance, inconsideration, or by drinking themselves into oblivion, I have little sympathy.

This question was asked on another forum about Wonder of the Seas and someone responded that they would NOT get in line to disembark, but waited until about 15 minutes after the announcement was made for disembarkation and were able to walk right off the ship. Can anyone with recent experience on Quantum or similar ship in Seattle weigh in on the best way to self-service disembark? We're trying to be off and ready for a shuttle by 8:00 AM... Thanks.

I seem to remember lining up in the entrance way to the MDR on deck 5 when we self-disembarked in February, 2023.