Ret MP

What would concern me most is if you have private health (Including Travel Insurance) and life insurance, what's the company's policy about traveling to countries that have "Travel Advisories" issued by the U.S. Government, which includes the wording, "Do not travel to Haiti"?" I'd also like to know, as I'm not a lawyer, what RCCL's exposure is for ignoring an official U.S. Government, et al, "Travel Advisory" that says do not travel there. It all seems risky to me for all involved and in many ways, not just for security/personal safety.

I know that you didn't ask me, but this is a discussion board, eh. I consider it long. However, they did deliver what they advertised, at least for me and I'm no fan of the U.S. Government bureaucracy. Hell, Amazon can't seem to deliver what they advertise, often.

Oh, it's still there, you just have to read between the line, sometimes. Other times, it's right there, it just has to be recognized as humor.

Okay, this/you is/are getting petty. Bye!

I gave you a link. The source is all airlines that go to foreign countries that require the 6-month validity rule set by the country. And then there is this: PassportExpand A passport is required for all international travel. If you're traveling anywhere overseas, you need a passport to board an international flight and to enter the country. Passport cards will not be accepted as form of I.D. for international air travel. Keep in mind: Some countries require your passport to be issued at least 6 months before the day you arrive. https://www.aa.com/i18n/travel-info/international-travel/international-travel.jsp?anchorEvent=false&from=Nav OR https://www.delta.com/us/en/check-in-security/required-travel-documents/travel-from-the-us REQUIRED TRAVEL DOCUMENTS Travel Outside of the U.S. When you’re traveling outside of the United States, make sure you have all required travel documents. A passport is required for all international travel. Remember, the name on your boarding pass must match the name on your government-issued passport. In general, your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the period of intended stay in a foreign country. Also, be sure to check to see if a visa is needed to visit your destination country. Please review all international destination entry requirements, opens in a new window prior to traveling.

Exactly! On the first email from the Genie (2-4 weeks out) is when I always tell the Genie that we want to experience all the Specialty Restaurants and some (Chops and Hibachi, no sushi though) twice. I tell him/her, I don't care when, no preference as to timing other than I don't want to be scheduled to be rushed to the next scheduled activity (theater). I feel the first email from and to the Genie is the most important. That's the time to list all preferences and desires. Including what you expect to find in your suite when you first arrive (cheesecake, ice cream sundae bar, cold cut plate, veggie plate, brand(s) of beer, cookie plate(s), and so on). And what you want to be replenished in your room daily. As I always say, don't be afraid to ask, they are in the business to say yes. But, if they can't, they will try to compromise with you. I've never had that problem, though.

Airlines, like cruise lines, require 6-month validity if the country visiting requires it. And this is why (see #3 and especially #5): https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g1-i10702-k5986060-Why_do_airlines_require_6_months_validity-Air_Travel.html BTW, my personal recent experience was DOS received my renewal application on May 9, 2023, and I got the renewed passport on or about July 22nd, not expedited. I find the news reports hard to believe. BTW, I got our old passports back yesterday.

A point someone made earlier is a great one. What's going on in the INDUSTRY IS "death by a thousand cuts". However, those that say, "Shop other lines", isn't MUCH of a remedy, why swap one set/kind of cuts for another? They all, at least many, seem to be doing cuts of some sort(s). As stated many times, I'm a Star Class cruiser, about 50-60% of my cruises are Star Class, up to this point. But, I think my January cruise out of Galveston (we booked and locked in the price over 2 years ago) on the Harmony will be our last Star unless things reverse. We will probably cruise on Royal but it won't be in Star Class. This saddens me/us. It looks like cruising, even what used to be economy-priced cruising, is moving in the direction of the aristocrats, what used to be decades ago.

I do remember the days at both hotels and on cruises the sheets were, in fact, changed daily (I remember having to put a sheet of paper or disk on your bed if you wanted to have you sheets changed. Also, even after they changed to every other day, you could still request to have them changed daily. But, my point or premise is, if we had twice-a-day service, you have a better chance of getting towels and sheets changed after having a nap (perspiring) or other noon activities. Also, the ship has changed and gotten bigger, bigger means more occupancy, more revenue, and a larger margin. To go back to the 40s, 50s, and/or 60s and look at the cost of cruising is like comparing apples to oranges. Back in the day, many of us couldn't afford to cruise in Steerage Class. I think we are all talking about last year's, the year before that, the year before that, you know in this Century.

I'll not address all the responses or quotes to my post. Why? Most didn't get what I was saying. AND, those are my thoughts, I did not try to tell anybody else how to think. I did not get rude to/at ANYONE. Also, it was important enough for me to talk/type enough about but not a deal breaker. Royal will do what ever with or without me. One thing that I did not say in the post is that the twice-a-day service was included in a much cheaper cruise fare. Now it's down to once a day and the fare has gone up and up. Next, I'll not defend my personal hygiene habits other than to say that "excessive" is in the eyes of the beholder. I happen to like clean. I spent 20+ years in the Army going without clean cloth, showers, clean towels, and clean sheets for many days or even weeks at a time. I swore that I'd never do that again as a civilian. Those that find fault with my post, so sad, too bad. You are free to have your own thoughts and actions.

Apparently, that is true about a lot of things with Royal. But, I'm still loyal!

Even better!

You can still get Southwest flights for about that and that includes 1 piece of luggage and a carryon or two.

Sorry, I must disagree. "Check-in" times are when the App will allow you to complete your boarding information and that is when you get your "Arrival Time" to show up at the terminal. However, if you don't "Check In" on the App, you can "Check In" when you arrive and enter the terminal which slows down your progress. When should I arrive at the cruise port terminal? - Royal Caribbean Cruises https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/cruise-ship-port-arrival-time A. Guests should arrive at the terminal within the "arrival time" slot you selected during Royal App check-in. Those who arrive early will not be able to begin boarding, and those who arrive late will need to wait until we are able to work them into another group. Due to government regulations requiring cruise lines to submit final departure ...

I'm no fan of Rustbucket Cruise Lines (Carnival), in fact, I'll never cruise them again or any of their other brands. However, I felt that their Fun Behind The Scenes, I think it was called, was much superior to what Royal's Behind the Scenes offers. Here's why. On Royal, the theater tour was just to stand on the stage and ask questions of a cast member. On Rustbucket, we actually went behind the stage and went into the so-called, dressing rooms and costume room. On Rustbucket, we walked down I-95 and went into freezers and refrigerators. On Royal, I don't remember being in/on I-95 at all. No pictures on Royal, Rustbucket, at least two, one next to the ship's bell and one at the helm with the Captian. On Rustbucet we saw the Brig. Not on Royal. On Rustbucket we went into the crew mess and other crew venues, not on Royal. On Rustbucket, we got gifts, some good gifts. On Royal, we got nothing. On Rustbucket we actually went into the engine room, a very short catwalk from one door to another, not just the control room. I think I remember we also got a special meal on Rustbucket, not Royal.

Yes, it is!

I'm so glad you used those words because that is all the "dress code" is, a suggestion.

That's why I USUALLY say that there is "NO EXTRA CHARGE", it's paid for in the fare regardless if you bring one or a hundred bags (yes, that's an exaggeration, for effect).

100% right on! Also, if I want things to be "as usual", I'd stay home and save thousands of $s. Also, I don't live in a home that is, on average, less than 200 square feet of living space. Also, my garbage cans at home are much bigger than a gallon-size chromed or plastic bucket and I can empty them at any time I want to, how they get full is not the issue. Also, I'm not living in such close proximity to others and don't know whatever I might have brought into the cabin with me. Also, there isn't a good place to hang up a towel to dry after use (can't hang a towel on the balcony, by policy. Hanging on the hook in the bathroom and they are still wet the next morning, yuk). Also, I don't want used plates, glasses, and uneaten food hanging around in my cabin or at the front door for who knows how many hours or a day (we don't do that at home). Also, what I want and pay for on my vacation is no one's business and no one should feel intimidated to justify their desires. To go a little further, sheets and pillowcases need to be cleaned and replenished at least once a day, especially in newlywed's cabins, or very *@>^ active adults, and young boys. Or if you are like me, a profuse perspirer. I think, that means it is my opinion, that twice-a-day cabin service and towel/sheet/pillowcase <once a day, isn't just a desire, it's also a sanitary issue. At home when we mess up towels/sheets/pillowcases, for whatever reason, they get put into the hamper to be washed at the earliest convenience, not just put back on the towel rack or put back on the bed. Never used again and again.

Complainers complaining about complainers who are complaining about 1/2 and 1/2. I think I'd find something really earth-shattering to complain about like mushrooms and/or asparagus!

I think, from what I've read and experienced, boarding times are very dynamic. It all depends on the location, landside pier management (Royal's), if the ship comes into dock on time, the size of the ship and passenger count, and the number of people that show up early. For example: On our last cruise out of Canaveral, the new terminal, October 2022, Independence of the Seas, we showed up at 10:00 AM, we had a 12:00 - 12:30 boarding time, the serpentine ropes were already set up and several landside employees were monitoring people and lining them up according to boarding times. At 10:30 they started allowing people to enter the terminal, by 10:40ish the line was down to nothing and they just opened it up to whoever was there, regardless of boarding times. So, it's a crap shoot, at best. We "usually" cruise Star Class and boarding times are flexible. But, we do cruise in balcony category cabins about 40 - 50 percent of the time and I will always show up, when not in Star, at 10:30 regardless of our boarding time. Worse that can happen, at least at Canaveral, is we would have to walk next door to the very good bar & grill and have a few adult beverages while waiting. In addition: It's a "crap shoot" with lots of Royal's policies and whether they will be enforced or not. BTW, I've used "boarding times" (that's arrival times to the terminal) in this post because that seems to be the popular lexicon. However, they are actually "arrival times".

Meeeeeee toooooo. However, a 10 or 15-minute "power nap" seems to do the job, for me. I feel great afterward, anything more and I'm out of it for the rest of the day.

Department of State got our renewal application on May 9, 2023, we received our renewed passports 2 or 3 days ago, just as advertised.

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/food-drink-onboard-policy "Guests may also bring non-alcoholic beverages as carry-on items on boarding day. Non-alcoholic beverages may not exceed 12 standard (17 oz.) cans, bottles or cartons per stateroom. Milk and distilled water brought on for infant, medical, or dietary use are permitted".