Ret MP

Yep, we are like that too. Hell, my wife starts packing months out. I hate not knowing something like that. But, it is what it is! We are also going on the Harmony but in Jan. Enjoy!

The FB reference mentioned above does a good job of answering most of that, although Oct 8 is kinda far away. You may need to check back with that site later to find out. Just like my next Star Cruise in Jan 2024.

That's for sure. Everybody wants to get on the newest and brightest. I didn't cruise on the Oasis for a couple of years after it was in service, because of the price. It did eventually come down, usually after the latest biggest, and brightest object comes into play. I can't wait to get on the Wonder someday but it won't be for years, lord will'in, and the creek don't rise. Edited In: Change Icon to Wonder.

My wife and I were married for over 30 years before she finally talked me into taking a cruise and I was also retired from Port Everglades. I was very concerned that I would just sit on the deck sunning myself and playing dominos with the other geezers. My first cruise was the Dream or Freedom, can't remember for sure which, with Rustubket (has nothing to do with rust) Cruise Lines. I was amazed at how big the ship was and how much there was to do. When RCCL announced that they were building the Oasis Class ships, I predicted a change in cruise lines in our future. It happened and I haven't turned back. I love cruising and the ship is MY destination. My daughter, the oldest, is completely and totally afraid that she would be bored and the ship might sink, she won't cruise. My youngest, well she's my young cruising buddy along with her husband and kids. They love cruising as much as I do.

I believe that the building of smaller ships in the future won't happen, at least for RCCL. RCCL is making a ton of money with Quantum Class and larger ships. There are some folks that really enjoy and prefer the smaller ships, and there's nothing wrong with that. I think that RCCL will continue to build superstructures and may cater to those "nitch" folks that like the smaller ships with a secondary brand like X, or make a new brand, or rebrand an older less successful brand. It won't be cheap though. I enjoy the superstructure ships as they have so many options to keep us busy, even though we don't do the water slides or surfing. I/we enjoy specialty restaurants/restaurants, bar hopping, entertainment shows, and the Casino.

Physically and electronically you may be able to use a HDMI to the TV or other devices and not be caught. However, just be forewarned: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/can-i-connect-devices-into-my-stateroom-television Q Can I connect a DVD player or gaming console into my stateroom television? A Guests may not plug any DVD players, gaming consoles or any other electronic devices into their stateroom television.

I'm also an immigrant, from Canada LOL. But, when I joined the U.S. Army, at 18, and was sent to parts unknown, the Army provided me with an official Passport Book. Back then there wasn't any such thing as a Passport Card. So, I've just kept my passports up to date since. Hell, they're good for 10 years. That means I've had to really put myself out ~5 times to renew. Man, I'm sooooooo hard done by, eh. I do not use my Naturalization Certificate for anything. I got it back in ~1976 and I think I've seen/used it two or three times since. Side note: I was a Canadian citizen during my first enlistment in the U.S. Army. EDITED IN: Full disclosure/transparency/correctness: I was actually in my early 20s when the Army issued me my first Passport. My timeline just didn't seem right and I looked it up to be sure. The first enlistment, when I was 18, I spent in California, Ft. Ord/Hunter Liggett Military Reservation.

BTW, I've felt the way I stated above ever since I was a teenager.

Don't let the background noise bother you. There is a myriad of folks in here and on other social media sites (cruise related) that think we should go back to yesteryear. Keep on, keep'in on!

Very well stated, even though some won't want to hear/read it. I've been of that same mentality since I started cruising a few decades ago. Never have I put on a jacket to go to the MDR or other specialty restaurants, unless I was cold. I think that was once.

I have been on there. I asked the same question, shortly after asking it here, and got an answer right away and a link to the page that a guy has started. Very helpful. I just hope people update it regularly. #genie gets you there.

I was afraid that that would be the answer. Thanks!

Does anybody know how to find out what Genies are on what ship and their future schedule of them? If possible!

Well, you said it yourself, your parents are in their 70s. I'm 71 and wouldn't think of traveling anywhere outside of the U.S.A. without an actual Passport Book and carrying it with us, everywhere we go. The older we get the odds go up exponentially for a health emergency. I'd never forgive myself if my wife had a medical emergency that required immediate evacuation back to the U.S. and was held up by the bureaucracy of getting clearance to fly back to the U.S. and her condition got worse or even.............. One thing that hasn't been mentioned, I think, is you also have to have a Government Issued Photo ID, like a driver's license if you are going to use a Birth Certificate.

Best factual information and advice given so far!

AND; "With 27 cruises with RCI alone I think I have enough experience to know everything about cruising". Post #266 LOL LOL LOL LOL It seems that this person places a lot of validity on how many comments, discussions, and/or cruises one makes/has taken. I've attended 71 of my birthdays, I have to be right with everything I say. LOL LOL LOL. I find myself learning more now than I did when I was younger because I listen better now. But, just because I'm 71 doesn't mean that I am infallible.

It's not what you say, it's how you say it.

Are you equating a person that burps and/or farts with people that wear shorts into the MDR? Man, that's a stretch. And I will say, you have been very insulting!

Are you allowed to tip extra in the MDR?

Wouldn't bother me a bit. But, I'll still wear my shorts to Chops if I want to. LOL

Ooooooookay "I sure as heck won't leave a 40% tip to open a bottle of beer because American servers don't get paid well on land". Who says that American Servers don't get paid well? I'd bet those that work hard, earn a good reputation, and keep their nose clean are earning far above the "living wage", some are doing damn well. Not all servers work in a Waffle House! And in America, at least the U.S.A. portion of America, you can tip $0.00 or that 40% you talk about, that's entirely up to you. At least you aren't paying for crappy service like you would be if the gratuity was mandatory/compulsory. My granddaughter worked at a little diner as a server in Plainfield, Indiana right after graduating from High School and went to school to be an electroencephalogram Tech (free to her as the University paid for her certification/training). That was her very first actual job other than babysitting. She made a lot more than $15.00 an hour with tips. But, she doesn't do drugs, has a clean record, works hard, and was there if management called and asks her to come in, she just did and does everything right, and customers loved her. Now she is 19, and a certified electroencephalogram Tech at the University of Indiana, Riley Hospital for Children, making much more money than her peers, with no debt.

Even though that wasn't addressed to me, I'll chime in. I'd say that nowhere does it say that shorts are welcome for any meal. Also, nowhere does it say that shorts are prohibited from any meal, at least in the "Dress Code FAQ". The only mention of having to be formal is at the Chef's Table and I'm not too sure about that, either. If you look at the very first line of the FAQ, it says that the guidance for what "Formal", "Smart Casual", or "Casual" is, is only a "suggestion". I'd submit that there are short pants suits that are formal suits. But, I know that shorts are allowed in the MDR on Formal nights as my Army buddy wears shorts to every venue no matter formal night or not. Never been a problem. But, nobody stood at the entrance and come over to welcome his shorts. https://www.amazon.com/MYS-Button-3-Piece-Business-Wedding/dp/B07V2CK7R1/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=short+suits+for+men&sr=8-2

I beg to differ just a little. RCCLs, and others, that cruise out of American ports are loaded with the vast majority of their passengers being Americans. I'd give a percentage but it would be a SWAG, that's old Army for Scientific Wild A$$ Guess. But, my SWAG is about 80 - 90%. So, I'd hope that cruises that leave American Ports and return (Closed Loop) would "adhere" or cater to "the American way", American tastes, American Customs, and American Culture, regardless of the make-up of the crew and captain. My experience is that they have catered to the American way, although they do try to cater to other cultures as well. Being a born Canadian and now a Naturalized American, and realizing that Canadians are also "North" Americans, RCCL does a good job of catering to our way of life with a sprinkle of foreign ways of life mixed in (think Indy food in the WJ or other cultural foods in the MDR. Behind the scenes, how employees are catered to is none of my business and doesn't affect how well my American way of life has been catered to/experienced on an RCCL cruise. So, Tip Often and Tip Generously when cruising out of American ports. That's my experience and my belief. YMMV.