silentbob007

I tend to specialize in that timing. 😬

That’s a shame about JR. We are looking forward to breakfast there next week. Usually the food is hot since it is cooked to order right there.

For my upcoming cruise I booked a GTY rate for an ocean view balcony that I couldn’t see on Royal’s website which only had a balcony GTY that included neighborhoods (allure). I don’t know if the oceanview one world have been available if I had called instead of just using the website.

To clarify Sabor (Mexican on the boardwalk) and Samba (Brazilian steakhouse in the solarium). 😁

Ours for the start of April opened a couple of days into March.

Caesar’s will only match if you don’t already have an account with them. Tried to get them to match my MGM Gold in November and they refused while in Vegas and staying at a Caesar’s property.

Have done plenty of Carnival cruises though none recently. I won’t get into demographics. I like the food options available on Carnival. What bothered me the most was hearing some of the shop team talking to each other about different ships and lines they’ve worked on and how Carnival tended to not care if crew didn’t show up to mandatory safety meetings while RCI was very strict about it. Take the gossip as you will as I’m sure it is not necessarily accurate or representative

Same for Allure

I think a lot of people in this forum err on the side of caution. Do you need the letter? Probably not. Even if you need it, you may not be asked for it. BUT if you get someone shoreside who asks you to produce it, you are probably not getting on the ship. I just had an issue with my father in law and taking oxygen a plane. We did everything asked and the particular agent at the desk denied him boarding. Once that one person decided he was not boarding it wasn’t happening no matter who we complained to or showed what the website said.

I thought I had read at one point this could also happen in some people because desalinated water may contain more salt than you are used to.

When I was booking Allure last month, Royal’s website only showed a general balcony GTY however other travel websites showed XN and XB guarantees. When I called my agent, I was able to specifically book the XB. I had a cabin for 3 on hold because no GTY was offered. The day I went to confirm the reservation, an XB popped up as available for 3 at a significant savings.

Did not get an email but was able to put in some bids for my April 2 cruise. Had a hold on a specific cabin but was able to book a GTY when it came time to make payment for substantial savings (and got a decent room assignment). Any bid I make is playing with house money on the off chance one gets accepted.

Starbucks (actual branded stand, not other venues serving Starbucks coffee) is excluded from everything … drink package, vouchers, etc.

I think you have to knock on the door for entry since your card won’t open it.

They certainly save spots to be booked onboard.

Is a direct transfer to IAH bootable on board? The only thing I see in the planner now is a trip that includes a stop at NASA but it doesn't mention compatible departure times.

I dislike embarkation day (until I'm onboard, have my bags, and can go into vacation mode) but I loathe disembarkation day (early morning and having to leave). Have only done a few B2B cruises and have wondered why I just don't stay onboard every time. 🙂

Park Cafe is my go-to, though seating is obviously more limited than the WJ. Sorrentos, Cafe Promenade, and El Loco Fresh are also other options.

The easy sign of rough weather ahead is when they start putting barf bags in the stairwells. I don't generally take sea-sickness medication for Oasis ships, but I do take it with me just in case. On cruises where there seems to be a bigger likelihood of rocking and rolling (transatlantics, smaller ships, notoriously rough areas, etc), I will proactively take something like Bonine (non-drowsy) as a once-a-day precaution.

Oasis class is a very inward focused design. There are different places to go to see water but are not the focus below the top decks.

Glad to follow along. My first cruise out of Galveston in April and bringing an extended family of brand new cruisers. Will be my first cruise since right before Covid and also my first with 2-year old baby boy in tow (though I guess he technically joined us on our last cruise where we told my parents about him).

Well retail prices are the same. What the stores mark them up for on the other hand…. I think our Total Wine sells for our local min which is $70.

On my most recent booking, Royal’s website only had as generic balcony guarantee but from other websites it was clear it was also possible to get an ocean view balcony guarantee for just a few dollars more and that was what I asked our agent to book. I’ve had many neighborhood balconies and didn’t really have a problem with them. You sometimes get some nose bleed through, especially in the boardwalk. People watching was interesting and I’d rather have an interior balcony than no balcony at all, but I don’t ever plan to spend my day hanging out there.

Full Broadway shows have only been on some oasis and quantum class ships, though at one point in the distant past I seem to remember seeing Saturday Night Fever on Liberty.

Being prime spring break time, there might be much different pricing and availability for 2-person cabins than 4-person cabins. Note that even if you have two people in a cabin that can hold 4, there is no guarantee you will be able to be add more people later as the ship might have reached max occupancy.