taglovestocruise

We have flown one way LAX to Rome, Barcelona and Southampton using Air2Sea. Booked Air France, Lufthansa, Delta and Virgin, found Air2Sea to have the best prices for economy plus.

It is our go to place soon as we board to make all our reservations for the week, never book Izumi as my wife is allergic to sea food, but there is rarely a line.

Have read from some posters that MTD lines start forming a few minutes before the doors are even closed. They are just waiting for a empty table to be available as soon as the doors close to early dinners .

We have done several TA'S and always used Royals Air2Sea. One way international flights are about as low as you can find anywhere. Several times for weather related flight delays Royal has easily switched airlines and rebooked us at the last minute. We have always been able to reserve our seats the same day by going on the airlines website.

We have done 8 TA'S, East to West and West to East. Have done TA'S on Mariner, Independence. Quantum, Oasis, Allure and Symphony. We love the Sea days , ports are far less important. We also prefer East to West as the weather in OCT. is much warmer, West bounds have 8 25 hour days. The smaller ships have far less to offer than a Oasis Class. Oasis class ships also sail with 1200 fewer children than the regular 7 nighters. Favorite departure port is Barcelona. Most trips are to Florida which is far warmer than heading back to New York. If you book remember that the sun only warms the port side of the ship going West and only the Starboard side going East. We have also divided the trip into half MDR meals and half Specialty. With all the different size ships Oasis Class has become our favorite, never run out of things to do. We are both in our early 70's. We almost always book with a TA to get the perks and have always booked flights through Air2Sea. Air2Sea has about the best prices for oneway travel. Not sure if they still do it but Our TA from Southampton was 15 nights with 5 or 6 port stops in the Caribbean. Going west the first few days are chilly, as soon as you leave the Med it is shorts and t shirts every day. Happy cruising. TA'S are awesome.

i think it went to deck 12 and took the space that was Seaview cafe.

I guess everyone believes what they believe. I was told by the Concierge in the Diamond Lounge last year on Quantum that the drinks through the voucher system have nothing in the way of tips going to the server or bartender. I also asked about room service and he said most room service runners do it voluntarily as a way to get extra cash tips. If the delivery is free there is no tip to anyone, if the service fee applies then there is a small amount that goes into the ship pool.

That is exactly what we had on the last two cruises on Quantum and Ovation.

If you miss the ship your passport is left with the port agent.

Check your big box store if you are a member. They have it for three priced at $1320 for XB GTY. + a bonus store card.

And location. In the multiple story dining rooms they frequently use the lower level. We always have a table on the second or third level and try to be along the railing. On Quantum class we always go for The Grande dining room, MTD rooms lack ambience.

+ 1

What ship. Oasis class can be ocean view or interior balcony. Quantum class can be a obstructed deck 6 balcony. GTY'S are best for those who would be happy with any location. If booked with a US travel agent it is possible to change cabins after you receive your cabin number. Would not be wort it for us to book a GTY for a balcony, we have done it for a Suite.

About $4 from your local Walmart. +++ Several markets in Barcelona also sell it, pick some up on boarding day. happy cruising

Yes it has the same outside seating. We sat out there several times on our Alaska cruise last Sep. Freezing A cold but a nice view with very little wind.

This looking from the bridge wing on Symphony. If you have a hump cabin you will see nothing but water looking straight down

Also good in the showrooms and private islands.

Yes they accept SB gift cards, you earn points but you can not purchase by redeeming points if you are a SB member. Only works from free standing SB kiosks, which is what they have on Allure.

Every morning, not on debarkation morning. I believe it stops at 11:00. Only on Oasis Class ships. happy cruising

It is a Add On from Elon Musk. Any cruise line that has switched to Starlink can access his portal for instant point to point transport. Latest upgrade was to include Oasis Class and Icon. Shareholders should fear not, Royal is working on a way to add a slight charge to guests and add a 18% fee.

Yes just go to one restaurant. We have always found the lines are much shorter at Izumi or Wonderland. Almost everyone seems to go to Chop's to make their reservations. If you are waiting in the terminal the App will sometimes let you make reservations.

Should be deck six forward port side in the fitness area. Muster now takes less that a minute. View and check off the online video the day before your cruise using the App, walk-in and they scan your sea pass and that is it,,, one minute.

Don't pass on trying the free breakfast at JR.

Not just 9 year olds. 30+ cruises over the last 40 years and Alaska on Ovation last year was by far the most boring cruise I have ever been on. I found Quantum Class to be also just as boring. I am sure I am almost standing alone in my opinion. PS: book I fly and Northstar as soon as you can, they fill very quickly for the week.

Without a reservation there is a non reservation line that forms outside of each theater. They do scan everyone's sea pass card as you enter. The non reservation line is opened about 10 minutes before showtime. Now that the ships are sailing at 110% the showrooms seem to fill quickly. I don't remember any time in the past that Oasis class had a just walk in policy.