Mum2Mercury

When calling the regular Customer Service line, it's smart to call first thing in the morning OR late at night -- they're open considerably later than you'd expect. You'll get right through -- I suspect C&A would be the same. Since they're given to people who have cruised with Royal about a million times, you could argue they're not "free gifts" but earned benefits. I don't need more beach towels, don't wear slippers, don't like wine and can get cheese (or fruit) from the buffet. Know what EVERYONE likes? On Board Credit. I'm quite sure if you surveyed people on your next cruise, 100% of them would say, "Yes, give me money I can spend as I wish." Additionally, On Board Credit is quite cheap for Royal to give. What do you think a cocktail actually costs them? Maybe $1-2? Yet if you buy it with On Board Credit, you feel like you got a $15 value -- good deal for Royal. On Board Credit doesn't have to be physically delivered to rooms, so it doesn't take up the ever-dwindling crew's time/effort. It's a win across the board.

Yes, Fish and Ships is a small restaurant on the pool deck -- nothing to do with Playmakers. I mistyped.

We had a Promenade Interior on the 6th floor -- loved it! Reasons: - You're only one floor up from the Promenade -- easy to walk down for a drink or pizza. - We were only two rooms away from the Entertainment Bridge, so we could watch the dance parties without joining the crowd. - The room was only noisy during the dance parties, and they only lasted 30 minutes. - We didn't particularly like walking in and having the bed plopped down right in front of the door, but we loved the seating by the window. My husband loves Playmakers. Note, if you care, that the cheapest beer on the ship is a pitcher in Playmakers. Playmakers also has the only Fish & Ships. This size ship is our favorite -- big enough to have plenty of amenities, not gigantic /oversized.

We've had two free upgrades -- one was only a year ago: - Paid for Inside Guarantee /upgraded to Obstructed Ocean View - Paid for Inside Guarantee /upgraded to Promenade Cabin

You're asking about Self-Disembarkation. It's easy: Keep your luggage in your room. You won't have an assigned time slot. When you're ready, just take your stuff and leave. No searching for your luggage in the terminal. Assuming you're able-bodied and haven't over-packed, this is the easiest way to exit the ship. You can request help boarding /disembarking the ship -- all sorts of other helps too. Fill out a Special Needs form ahead of time. Email Special_Needs@rccl.com .

Me too! I was just thinking what an amazing thing memory is. I'm 1000% sure I haven't seen that commercial since I was a child -- did it say 1970-something? -- yet it rushed back to me immediately. And that commercial was NOTHING IMPORTANT to me at all. Memory. Wow. Well, in all fairness, I've only once had anything damaged inside my suitcase, and that was a bottle of tequila. It was in a duffel bag (cushioned by all my clothes) and we were driving to spring break during college. As we drove, we started smelling alcohol -- we were driving a hatchback -- and the neck of the bottle somehow broke. SO GLAD we had a washing machine in our condo. As for criminals being attracted to expensive luggage, I wonder if they'd recognize it. I don't think I would. Off-topic, but it might help someone: My husband's favorite suitcase is an olive green rolling carry-on that I gifted him many years ago -- it was nothing expensive. Before retirement, he used it quite often for work trips and two zipper pulls broke off. I bought a pack of replacement zipper pulls (from Amazon -- where else?) and they just clipped on SUPER EASY. Lobster clasp style. I was beyond thrilled. I refurbished the suitcase for $5.99 !

Yes, but no suitcase is guaranteed to survive that rough handling.

A couple thoughts: Years ago we were walking down the hall to our room on Embarkation Day, and a crew-only door was open, so of course we looked in. It was a staircase, and they were literally THROWING suitcases down the stairway. I mean throwing them down a whole flight of stairs. I'm surprised more suitcases aren't damaged. I think we all know that luggage handlers aren't at all careful when they're out of our sight, but that was a surprise to me. I do agree that it's smart to buy cheap luggage if you're going to let other people move your stuff. All of my suitcases come from places like TJ Maxx or Ross, where you can get them for $40-60.

I am fairly strongly against ship's excursions, but they have their place -- and 8-hour trips that require multiple forms of transportation in a country where I don't speak the language is that place. Why would that make any difference? I climbed a similar pyramid (is that the right word?) in central Mexico when I was a teenager, and it was surprisingly hard to climb. The steps were quite small, and we had to turn our feet sideways as well climbed.

Agree completely. I've seen that too -- and I've seen them force some people towards the elevator line. That would've stopped the accident I saw.

We never opt for the up-charge restaurants, as we don't see that they add much value to our cruise. BUT, if I were going to eat at one of them, I'd definitely consider lunch because of the lower price.

Here in the South, 40-50 degrees is a typical day in winter. I don't think you'll need the tights under your jeans -- but they take so little space in the suitcase, and you might want them for dinner anyway. Bare legs in 40-50 degrees is a little chilly. The puffer jacket + a layered tops sounds perfect. A scarf, hat and gloves makes such a difference in your warmth. I don't think I'd want the larger backpack. Why? The backpack will not only serve you for Embarkation Day -- it'll be your day bag every time you get off the ship, and that larger bag won't be as convenient. I'd consider attaching a duffel bags to the top of that 24" suitcase, if necessary. Yes to workout gear. Eating cruise for for a month without working out? No, it doesn't bear thinking! Yes to packing your OTC meds bag to the max. You don't want to bring yourself to the attention of the medical staff unless you're really, really sick. What do you typically use at home? Pack two packs of all that. Then pack two packs of general sickness medicine -- we like DayQuil ourselves. Band-aids and other first-aid. If you use none of this, be pleased. Will you have to fly for this cruise? While lost luggage is an oft-discussed fear, it doesn't happen all that often. As long as you arrive 1-2 days ahead of time, the chances of loss are miniscule.

Good point -- can you manage your suitcase up a staircase? Even if you're just driving, can you lift it in /out of your trunk? Here's a bad story. My husband and I were leaving the ship, and we were behind an elderly woman and her middle-aged daughter. Both were rolling one of those giant steam-trunk sized suitcases + a medium suitcase + probably each had a purse. The elderly woman was slow-but-fine as we left the ship. Then we had to go down an escalator. The daughter went first, then the elderly woman got on, balancing her suitcases as the escalator moved. My husband was pushing me, "Go, go -- there's a line behind us". But I refused, saying I felt unsure of the elderly woman, and I wouldn't get on until she was at the bottom. Sure enough, mid-way down, SHE FELL. Fell over top of her luggage. Of course the escalator kept moving, and her daughter saw her mother was in trouble but couldn't get to her. The only thing we could do was wait and not "pile up" on top of her. People at the bottom helped her up and pulled her suitcases away. She was bleeding. They soooooo should've waited in the line for the elevator. Yes, especially if you're not young or if you have any mobility issues, think through every stage of moving your suitcase.

Dark suit, but I can't say if it was black, blue or gray. Tie color -- not a clue. Yeah, you're right. I can't be specific.

Interesting game. I just tried to remember what everyone wore at school yesterday -- I'm retired, but I substitute teacher. I can't remember a single person, and we ALL wear school colors /spirit wear on Fridays, so I had a bit of a head-start! Wait -- on the way out the door I said something to the new Assistant Principal, who was wearing a suit and tie. I told him he looked entirely too snazzy for a Friday, and he laughingly said he's still too new to "dress down". I only remember him because he stood out (in a good way). You're right that if you wear simple, neutral things, people don't remember /realize you're wearing the same thing. I messed up on one recent cruise: I brought a tee-shirt that my department members gave me when I retired -- it's a graphic tee with a funny saying. In elevators, etc., people noted that shirt, commented on that shirt. I only wore it once because I realized it was memorable!

I consider a 26" big. For our first cruise I bought a GIANT suitcase, thinking it'd work for my husband, myself, and our two grade-school children. Everything fit, and my husband could roll it himself, leaving me to manage the kids hands-free. BUT it was difficult to lift in /out of the trunk, and we just weren't happy with everything-in-this-giant-space -- I gave it to my mother, who used it once and gave it to Goodwill. When we leave a cruise, we see groups with every individual wrangling one of these GIANTS. I don't get it. Very good advice. More good advice. Yes, I find that easy. Ways to make it happen: - If you'll have 9 dinners, pack 4 appropriate outfits -- each one'll be worn twice. Speaking only for my own family, in a cruise that long we'd probably skip "the dinner experience" twice and have just a buffet meal. - For 9 days, I'd wear/pack 4 bottoms -- shorts, skirts, pants, whatever. Then add 3 tops to match each bottom. If hot/sweaty activities are planned, purposefully wear a bottom that's "on its last wear". That'd be 16 items for your daywear, and -- if folded carefully -- that plus the dinner wear would fit comfortably into a medium suitcase. - This would mean you wouldn't need to wash anything during the cruise -- if you opt to wash, you could bring less. - Of course you need sleepwear, under-garments, and swimsuits. That'll still fit into the medium suitcase. - You might feel it's necessary to add a warm layering item. - Shoes are always a problem. I'd wear a pair of tennis shoes, pack a pair of comfortable walking sandals, and add one pair of dinner-shoes that'd match all outfits. IF the plans demand it, I'd add water shoes. No duplicates within those categories (for example, no to two pairs of walking sandals). You probably won't have ALL of those needs in one trip. - If you're snorkeling, consider bringing your own snorkel, but rent fins. That's a lot of space saved. - If you're hiking, consider whether your plans require that you bring boots or whether your tennis shoes will do. - For multi-climate trips, try to choose layering pieces; for example, being a Southerner, almost all of my blouses are short sleeved, and I layer on cardigans for our mild winters.

Your guess is as good as anyone's. Many people here suggest that you just go ahead and buy what you KNOW you'll choose, then -- if the price drops -- call in for a price match. Easy. And you can drop an item up until a day or two before the cruise.

Yes, even putting money aside, Disney's become so complicated -- reservations for specific days, reservations for rides changing constantly -- and, if you don't do all these things, you essentially ride nothing. Just visit gift shops. Well, yes, that IS what it means -- it's worded politely /emphasizes what IS allowed rather than what's not allowed. Anyone arguing otherwise sounds like a teen trying to "put one over" on his teachers or parents. What we don't know is whether this Royal Caribbean Blog is the official one or the same-name unofficial blog.

I forgot that name. Does anyone really care whether other people went back to Disney, Epcot or that restaurant? To be fair, people don't have to be drunk to be loud.

I've never seen a BoomBox onboard ... do they still make those? I have seen/heard small speakers maybe half the size of the Kleenex box here on my desk. Two thoughts on the topic: - While I do not wish to listen to other people's music, I have been just as annoyed by groups of loud talkers near the pool while I'm trying to read. Last time I was disturbed by anyone, it was a group of loud card players next to me at Coco Cay ... they were super nice people, just loud. - The Solarium isn't a quiet area. Just an adult area. Good year for me too. I was in third grade. Loved those monkey bars. Well, to some extent. When everyone's dressed up, the effort everyone's put in brings an excitement, a sense of importance and elegance to the meal. People on these boards want to push that to the extreme, and that's wrong -- overly casual diners don't outright ruin a meal, nor are they completely inconsequential. It's more of a mid-point issue: They DO dampen the atmosphere. That's not witty. Yeah, this was an unfortunate situation, but note that you were in an expensive restaurant in the middle of DISNEY WORLD. Shorts and tees are appropriate wear at Disney, and people do get hot and sweaty.

I like Tevas, Chacos and Sketchers.

For 11 nights, I'd pack: - 6 dinner outfits, assuming each would be worn twice ... I'd make a couple of these casual enough that they could be used for daywear - 4 pairs of shorts & 3 shirts to match each ... wear ashore shorts that're on their "last wear" - 2 casual tee-shirt type dresses for daytime - 1 pair of shoes to match all dinner outfits, 1 pair tennis shoes, 1 pair comfortable walking sandals, 1 pair of water shoes (if you deem them necessary for shore excursions) - 3-4 swimsuits + 3-4 cover ups

Yes, you can do that. I agree, but some people like to have it all paid up /taken care of ahead of time. Makes it easier for them to relax /spend onboard. No. Way.

Thought 1: The Nook was never as nice as the Kindle. Thought 2: I prefer reading with my Kindle. It's lightweight, which I appreciate since I read for hours at the time -- when I finish reading, it always "holds my place". I don't enjoy the feel of a big, fat book in the first chapter or so, when the pages are alllll on the right side, and it's harder to hold open (or vice-versa as you reach the last chapter). As an English teacher, I have a pretty good vocabulary, but I love being able to see the definition of a word with the touch of a finger -- I know I've fine-tuned my vocabulary simply because it's so easy to look up a definition. I love that I can bump up the size of the text, say, if it's late at night and my eyes are tired. But storage of books is the best single thing about Kindle! I've never in my life had enough bookshelves ... until Kindle allowed me to hold literally thousands in my purse. They don't need dusting, and they don't become brittle with age. I'd sum it up like this: I love READING, not BOOKS. I've never been on Serenade, but that's the best cruise-ship library I've seen! Well, I prefer DTB (Dead Tree Books) for a couple categories: - Books for my grandson definitely. Being only 2, he likes color and pictures, and that's not Kindle's strength. Plus he's still nailing down the concept that you read from left to right and turn pages -- he's not ready for Phase 2 reading yet. And even though a Kindle isn't all that expensive, I'm not willing to put an electronic item in his hands. - I don't like to take my Kindle to church. The preacher says, "Turn to ___", and by the time I've opened my Kindle, opened the appropriate chapter, found the appropriate chapter and verse, he's already finished reading it! Navigating is just too slow for this purpose. - I don't like how-to books such as cookbooks or gardening books on Kindle. So often they have sidebars with photographs /illustrations, and Kindle tends to throw them on the next page, which is confusing. - I don't like comic books (excuse me, graphic novels) on Kindle because the images can't be enlarged, and they're hard to read. But what Kindle does best -- novels -- they do exceptionally. Buying from Goodwill (or your library's fifty-cent shelf) is a great idea -- my school library even has a free shelf. If the book is lost or damaged, you don't have to be upset -- except that you might not learn the end of the plot! And, yes, you can leave them for the next cruisers. My daughter just picked up 3-4 books for our upcoming fall cruise in just this way!

1. None of the Royal Caribbean libraries are going to please a serious reader. They're kinda made up of books left behind by previous cruisers. You'll probably be happier bringing your own books onboard. 2. Books can add up in size /weight! I absolutely love my Kindle -- I'm actually on my second one, having completely exhausted the rechargeable battery on the first one. I have thousands of books in the space of one small book!