Ret MP

Yep, I've been reading articles and posts about this for years. Just last week, one of my cousins in Canada posted about it. I responded that I honestly feel like I can read it just as easily or even better than correctly spelled words. Actually, they are spelled correctly, just in the wrong order other than the first and last letters. BUT, it really only works well with shorter words. Imagine trying to decipher "Antidisestablishmentarianism"?

I can raed the OPs psot jsut fnie. Slmal pinrt dseon't seem to btoehr me

Being a 72-year-old, I found the OP's post to be hilarious, well-written, and easy to read. I liked it. But, this statement holds true almost every time: "No good deed goes unpunished".

The public memory of such tragic occurrences is very short. Give it a week or two and they will be flocking back to purchase tickets again, if available. It is possible to think of and be sympathetic to the tragic circumstance and discuss the issues, fortunate or not, at the same time. Sometimes, it's just a matter of proper timing, though.

I guess their legal department is about as competent as their IT department.

Thanks. It's been a couch potato day, so far. Heading out, in a while, for dinner. Even though I'm an anti-NFL kinda guy, I watched the Colts win in Germany. Thanks for your service.

I have ZERO experience with X. But, I will say that in a Star Suite, you get unlimited beverages (Beer, Sodas, water, sparkling water, wine cooler-type beverages (brands of your choice)) stalked in your fridge and on the counters all day, every day, at no extra cost. No bottles of liquor, though. A bottle of wine or champagne is usually in the room upon embarkation.

Interesting! We had exclusive use for our party of 13. I do remember the Genie saying that it was a good time to reserve the Rising Tide Bar as it was an inexpensive time frame. But, I'm lacking in detail. I just know that we all totally enjoyed it. BTW, for popular consumption: The DJ for the Promenade Party is on the front of the Bar looking down at the Promenade festivities.

On Symphony my son-in-law paid for the Rising Tides Bar, it was $40.00. What I don't remember is if it was $40.00 per person or total (I'm sure however, it was $40.00 per person. $40.00 total seems a little too inexpensive for royal). No matter what, the fee included the bar being open, a bartender, and a server. We had no food, of any kind. Didn't think of it. It was well worth the cost, for sure. We are going to do it again on Harmony in January. Might have some finger foods this time, thanks for the suggestion.

I've cruised out of Galveston a few times in the past but on another cruise line other than Royal Caribbean. I've watched with great anticipation the building of Royal's new terminal, terminal 10. But, I haven't seen/read many reviews of how the terminal is working. Has anybody been there lately and can give a review of how it is working, good or bad or indifferent? We cruise out of there in ~65 days and also have parking reservations at the North Covered Parking lot. The few reviews I've read have been very positive but very limited in detail.

The Beach Club Cabanas are mounted on rails. The slide senses when someone is on it and moves over to the ocean just so the person using the slide can slide into the ocean, then moves back to its original over-the-sand location. Geeeeeeeeeesh, I thought everyone knew that. Not true, of course!

It would be a shame for you/anybody to pay for a Star Class Cruise and not utilize all the amenities that go along with it. A Star Class ticket entitles you to basically an All-Inclusive Resort type cruise. Almost everything is included, including unlimited specialty restaurants, Internet, all drink packages for all over 21, the refreshment package for those under 21, unlimited laundry service(s), being escorted off the ship by the Genie, and avoiding the lines to get off the ship while in ports of call, and so much more. There are only a few things that aren't included in the fare, excursions, and retail stores, for example. You also get your suite stocked with your favorite beverages, including beer (if you want a beer brand that isn't normally stocked if the embarkation location has that beer, they'll special order it just for you/your cabin) and wine cooler type drinks, water, and sparkling water you can have a standing order, every day of your favorite snacks (we do cold cuts, bakery goods, and fruit plated). Also, there are so many other advantages, and actions that the Genie and other crew members will do for you that aren't advertised or well-known. You will get an email about ~two weeks out from your Genie asking you some questions in an effort to get to know a little about you and your party. This is a great time to let the Genie know your likes and dislikes. I always let him/her know about any special occasions and ask for, for example, a Birthday cake. Also, I ask for a chocolate cake and cheesecake to be in the cabin for when we enter the suite for the first time. Once I actually asked for an Ice Cream Sundae bar and it was in the suite when we got there. It was too much for us so we don't do that anymore. Almost forgot, you can ask the Genie to reserve the Rising Tide Bar (Things to Do | Allure of the Seas | Royal Caribbean Cruises) on the '60s, '70s, or '80s (?) night Promenade party. That would be a good place/thing for your party of 8 to have the Bachelorette-type party (comes at an extra cost, though). But only the Star Class folks can get the included beverages, others would have to pay individually or use their beverage package if purchased. The bad part of having some folks in your party who aren't Star Class is that they can't (by rule) drink any of the adult beverages that are pre-stocked in your cabin and if they accompany you into a specialty restaurant, they will have to pay their own bill for the menu items and beverages, unless they have the UBP. But, the Genie will include some activities that your non-Star Party can partake in, like the escort off the ship in ports of call. We had 13 people in the Family Villa (4 bedrooms) on Symphony and nobody complained. In fact, the 3 people (a mom & dad and a 9-year-old) who slept on the living room pull-out bed said that they were very comfortable. Storage of belongings was not an issue. Sorry for being so long-winded. But, you did say that you know nothing about Star Class and I'd hate to see anyone not get what they are paying for. I could actually triple this post, there is so much more.

If the word "you" was meant for me exclusively, and just for clarification, I didn't just dig it up on the Internet, I don't trust only one or two sites unless it is from the "horse's mouth". EVERY source I looked at, which was about 5 or 6 authoritative sites (I believe) says that it is a 60-minute requirement.

Oh well, just checked again after I hit submit and it's gone.

That may be. I was responding to those who assert that the official, by rule/law/regulation/whatever, was anywhere between 6 days, 5 days, 24 hours, 48 hours, etc etc etc. I can't help what individual cruise lines do, how proficient they are, and so on. Makes me wonder though because the final manifest doesn't have to be submitted until 60 minutes prior to departure, if the sailing is far from being sold out/not close to capacity, will RCCL or any other cruise line keep sales open until the last minute? I see right now, RCCL is still selling bookings on the Indipendence for a sailing tomorrow out of Miami. Yes, that is outside the 24 hours you mention. But, the only sold-out type of cabin is the suites. If I'm not busy in the morning, I'll check to see if it is still available. No, I'm not trying to prove you wrong you are probably right, the do cut off bookings "around" 24 hours out. I'm just very curious and you did use the word "around". So, it is flexible at face value.

Correction ^^^

Several sites that I've seen this morning say a final manifest must be submitted 60 minutes before departure, this is just one:

The purpose/premise of what I wrote was to state that @LobsterStalker's post had no influence on my opinion or experience. I did not agree or disagree with you or @LobsterStalker, I only stated my opinion/experience. Again, I don't understand the disagreement. At least it wasn't "disagreeable", in my opinion. So, the only inference I can make is that you don't think @LobsterStalker's post had anything to do with influencing my opinion/experience?

I don't know what there is to disagree with. I went out of my way to separate my comment(s) from @LobsterStalker's comments, not that there was anything wrong the them. Then I gave my experience and I gave my opinion. I did not disagree with your post, I just stated my experience and opinion(s).

This comment/furtherance of a discussion does not directly involve what @LobsterStalker stated. I personally have never been asked directly for a good survey comment by an individual crew member or even by an announcement. But, things can be asked for but not be asked for directly. "If you enjoyed your service tonight, please remember us"! I've enjoyed serving you, here is my name (he/she hands you a handwritten sheet with his/her name written on it or a business card). We live and die by passenger comments on surveys. And on and on! I, personally, don't have a problem with a crew member asking for a good survey comment, it shows initiative and motivation. What I don't like are those crew members/employees, in general, asking for positive actions when they have been everything but positive and they know it.

As stated earlier, I'm a staunch Capitalist. I believe in businesses charging whatever they feel they need for a product/service. I also believe I am under no obligation to pay for that product/service if I feel it is overpriced, a bad value, and/or a substandard product/service. However, I'm a rule follower and a retired LEO. IT IS MY OPINION that those who find ways to bring alcohol (other than the authorized one bottle of wine/champagne) or other prohibited items on a ship are tantamount to a criminal act and in a small way contribute to the high cost of cruising. Look for ways to reduce your costs! I'd expect that and we do it. We purchase early and keep an eye on things during the waiting period until cruise day, if the price drops, we take advantage of that. JMHO/YMMV

I've got an 8TB Seagate. It's much bigger than the 4TB pictured and it does require being plugged into a 120 v outlet. But, I'm a little top-heavy with electronics (laptops, cells, tablets) and camera stuff when I cruise anyway. So, the 8 TB isn't an issue for me. I video and photograph a lot while cruising. The 8 TB gives me the flexibility to, at the end of each day, transfer video and photographs from the camera to the external drive AND still have plenty of room for all our entertainment needs. To be honest, I really don't load up much with movies and shows when I go on a cruise. I just like to experience the ship, sea, and all of the activities onboard. The Sandisk pictured is a perfect primary alternative to filling up hard drives for those who want to bring along movies, music, and shows. Another alternative is the 2TB thumb drives.

One good reason to have a 1, 2, 3, or 4 TB external HD. Load it up with hours and hours of shows and movies and no buffering.

I'm all for businesses raising or cutting prices all they want, after all, I'm a staunch capitalist. But, the other side of the coin, I don't have to pay the increase in prices if I don't want to.

Neeeeeener neeeeener neeeeener we're going to beat you on her. (January) LOL