cruiseguy1016

We had a table for 12 on Adventure several years ago. It was impossible to hold a conversation. In hindsight we wish we had had 2 tables for 6.

Are you and your wife using different cards to settle your onboard accounts? When we cruise, I enter a credit card for me and then say I am paying for my wife's account also. I put all of the OBC in my name since I am the one paying for both of us. If you and your wife will be setting up separate accounts, you can use the share option so that you both have some OBC to use.

You can have it dedicated to just you or you can share with anyone you want. Your cabinmate, somebody in another cabin, anyone. You'll need their name and cabin number but I don't think you need their reservation number. I always have it just me. Technically, it's also shared with my wife because I pay her onboard account.

To each their own. ^^^This^^^. The 3rd party tour companies know the cruise ship schedules. Their reputation and future business depend on them being reliable.

Yes, they can. Once the points are redeemed, they now become cash. If you have to cancel, they will not go back on your card as points but they WILL go back as cash.

You don't have to start over. My daughter got married last year so she had a name change. She called C&A to make the change. She retained all of her C&A points. It was quick and easy.

I usually redeem mine 6-12 months out and I always get a confirmation within 2-3 days.

Royal loves to raise the price on things and then give a percentage off so you think you're getting a deal.

If you have not done it yet, ask your TA (or RCI if you booked direct), to link your reservations and request a table for four. I always email rcldining@rccl.com at about 4 weeks out and make a request to them also.

I usually do it soon after I book. That way it becomes available for pre-cruise purchases.

It can be used for onboard expense including the casino.

If you haven't done it already, let your TA know (or Royal if you booked direct) what you would like. Then, 2 -3 weeks before your cruise (I usually do 4 weeks) send an email to rcldining@rccl.com and make the request to them.

We also bring a small battery operated light for the bathroom. It's a push on/push off type light. There is enough ambient light in the room for us to find the bathroom and then we just turn the light on when we get in there.

Get yourself checked in and grab a check-in time. As Biker19 said, your group can all check in together at your scheduled time. You don't need to fill in information for anyone else but if you do, it can all be changed up to 48 hrs. before departure date.

I just had the same experience.

I hate it. It disrupts the meal and it is so loud you can no longer converse with your tablemates. The waiters that I have asked about it, hate it also. They do it because they have to and they smile while doing it because that's what is expected of them. Have you ever had a waiter come back to your table all giddy and smiling saying "gee, that was fun, I can't wait to do it again"? No, they come back acting professional and pick up where they left off.

I always send the request about 4 - 6 weeks ahead of the cruise.

The Bahamas are on EST and they also observe daylight saving time so their clocks will always be the same as east coast clocks.

It's entirely up to the captain. Some do, some don't. There will be a clock at the gangway that shows the ship's time. Make note of the time when you leave the ship. That is the only time that matters.

Advanced reservations for any shows on Explorer are not required, or even available.

Alaska sailings are a lot less formal that Caribbean sailings. There will be people in the dining room wearing jeans and flannel shirts. There might be some people in formal attire. You are not obligated to wear formal attire. You will be allowed to enter the dining room wearing almost anything. As for the other "themes", my guess is that about 10% of passengers are even aware that there is a theme for any given night.

What time does your flight arrive? How far is the airport from the cruise port? Realistically, none of that matters, they aren't enforcing check-in times at most ports. Pick an early time, you'll be allowed to check in when you get there.

My wife uses whatever is in the cabin. We were on Liberty 2 years ago and it was the new style that stayed on. Onboard the Jewel last month, when we got in our cabin, it was the old style that required holding the button. She hated it. On the second day it broke (wouldn't turn on) so our cabin steward brought us a new one. It was the new style that stayed on. My wife loved it. If you get the old style in your cabin, maybe it will somehow break and you'll get the new style.

You will probably have many opportunities to tip people not associated with the cruise line. Some that come to mind are; Cab drivers from the airport to your hotel and then to the cruise port. Porters at your hotel. Porters at the cruise port. Tour guides and tour bus drivers.

The fee is $18 per person per day if you are staying in a non-suite. You can pay in advance through your TA or RCI if you booked direct. You don't have to wait until you board to pre-pay.