wdwkings

I’ll second the above preference from @BillB48.  The factors of the itinerary (for ports, number of cruise days, etc) matter, along with the price.  But all other things the same, I would choose the pacific to Atlantic.  
 

Bill did an excellent job of the details but I’ll say having the grouping early before the lake is better.  The Pedro Miguel and Miraflores, the Cut and the Bridge makes for a great morning.  Take a break, lunch and nap and then enjoy the Gutan locks.  

The drink, the cesear salad.

On the Wonder if you order the cheese plate at the end of the meal (dessert), they have a cart they bring.  They tell you about the cheeses as they prepare the plate.  The choices are not the typical few they prepare in the kitchen and bring to the table like the older Oasis class ships.

The absolute quickest and easiest way would probably be teleportation, but I don’t think that technology exists yet.  Things could change by 2025, so maybe.

Happy planning anyway.

Sharing a few details related to the OP’s question and a topic brought up in the thread.

The chance of making a 9:50 am MIA flight from the port is pretty good.  There are risks of missing but that can happen even with the best plans.  We made a 9:30 flight from the port with time to hang in the lounge before takeoff in the past year (but it wasn’t Icon).  
 

For TSA pre-check, MIA is similar and different to other airports.  Some of the areas will have dedicated pre-check lines (and Clear) with  standard screening also. Expect that at the J and H terminal which serves Delta and most international carriers.  The D terminal (American) will have multiple TSA sections and with so many you can find the whole section a “standard only” or pre-check/first/executive only.  So pay attention to the different TSA options.  

Concerns about possible boarding delays are valid but pretty low risk.  There are a couple of likely scenarios for folks who might be interested  -

— First, there is a know delay and it is likely you will be notified ahead of time.  This could be something related mechanical issues, weather issues or logistical.  Some real examples from the past are engine issues or tides (Vancouver Lions bridge passages) that will impact when the ship can get to the port.  Those usually are shared as early as possible, usually a week or more out in some cases.

- Second, there are late or last minute items like the engine issues mentioned earlier, weather issues, inspections or others that might come up in the last days.  Those usually will get an email even up to the day of the cruise.  
 

- Last, there are some immediate issues at boarding.  Those will typically not be communicated.  There are a number of things that can impact boarding and one example is just poor flow and disregard or disruption to the processes which can cause backups - 

I’m guessing that since the first post mentioned diamond and suite, this is likely a disguised humble brag, but should anyone really wonder about knowing if there will be delays hopefully this helps.

If it is all adults and no excursions planned, consider a taxi to/from the Liquor factory.  The tour is pretty short then back near the port a walk around the waterfront area.  Some nice spots to see including the bridge, fort and the stores.  Don’t miss the building just over the bridge in the government complex with the cannon ball stuck in the wall from an old attack.

1 hour ago, Ourusualbeach said:

There are also plenty of doors / locks that are locked from one side yet can be opened from the other.  Not sure why so many want to doubt your experience.

This is true.  But people want to argue and be right.   
 

Another fact to consider is any door is technically a “fire door”.  It would be a barrier between you and a fire on the other side, but it can open so it is not a fire wall.  All doors usually have a fire rating, most commonly 1 hour or 2 hour, and that is how long it should resist and keep the occupants behind it safe.  
 

One more factor is that there are compartment or zones within a building or ship, which is what most people think of as fire doors.  Those doors are usually a two hour fire rated door and allow for horizontal evacuation.  
 

My guess is that people are descending into an internet fight so that they can be right about those doors being “locked”.  On each side of those “locked” doors there would be possible horizontal egress and definitely vertical egress.  If you do have the chance to walk down one of those hallways during turnaround, for Star class room access or other reason, there are many doors that are not normally open, including the crew access and stairwells.  It is possible that there is some sort of plan/design for alternate evacuation routes when certain doors  are “locked” to comply with regulations and should there be an actual need to evacuate.  Without knowing which areas are the actual horizontal evacuation zones on each deck, which doors are possible one way doors, or the operational plans might be in place on such large ships, this discussion is moot except for if you should bother the crew during turn around cleaning.

45 minutes ago, cruisegirl1 said:

Thx -

 

Are you saying a person in the same cabin for B2B had items removed.   Yikes - we do most all B2B and never that that happen.  Seems the cabin attendant messed up, as they know if one of their cabins is a B2B passenger.   

 

I do worry when  we move our suitcases to the new cabin on B2B (we do that often if the new room is vacated/cleaned early and to free up the cabin attendant), but always try to find the new  attendant to be sure they know it is B2B items and not something left behind.    

 

M

I would bet that the cabin attendant was being assisted by someone.  It is likely that someone doing a b2b is known to that attendant.  If someone else comes in to give a hand or a supervisor comes in to look things over and noticed something they might not realize and remove the item(s) since their perception is it was left behind.  

1.5 cm on my screen.  Probably a little further in real life but still very close.
 

4 minutes ago, FrannyK said:

I'm 0 for 3 so far.  I got an email all three times the day of the cruise that I was unsuccessful.  But it doesn't dampen my enthusiasm and  I am reading and learning and will definitely bid for our cruise in September on Symphony.  Do you mind telling us what type cabin you had and what you upgraded to?  And how $$$?  Was it a low or high bid?  Did you bid on more than one category?

Happy to share some details but my spouse does the bids so i don't know the amounts but i can share the gauge.  We typically book a balcony cabin so that is usually our starting point. 

Past wins - 

- Navigator - Balcony to a Grand Suite - bid was just above the weak 

- Harmony - Boardwalk balcony to a Crown Loft Suite - about 25% above the weak

- Quantum - Balcony to an Owners Suite - bid was just above weak (but probably more than the Navigator gauge bid reading) 

Upcoming -

Anthem - Grand Loft Suite to Royal Loft Suite - never saw the gauge on this one but it was probably close to the 25% above weak, this one is probably more than we wanted, but still a very significant saving if the room was booked directly.  

Congrats all on the "wins". 

We just got our notice of the room change the other day - 17 days out from the cruise.  This improved our success rate since we now have like 4 of 7 successful bids.  All of them did go pending as  others stated (but wasn't watching this last one, just noticed the room change in the app).   All of the successful bids have been around a month or so out, this one was the closest to the actual sail date.  

@NewlyMrs.Kilday it is probably best to start with your phone and the carrier/plan, that will help you know what is possible.  
 

As others have mentioned it is easy to message, call or video call from the ship WiFi and Bahamas if you have the right pieces in place.  Make sure you have WiFi calling enabled and setup before going on the ship.  Once on the ship things should operate pretty normally if you are on the WiFi properly.  Know what your plan is since quite a few have some coverage included in the Bahamas.  (Our plan includes some international service, but I always wait until the system connects since it always sends a welcome text from that country’s service that confirms what the limits are.)

The ships are sister ships as mentioned, while there may be some differences it wouldn’t come down to that for the decision.  Itinerary might help but you said that doesn’t matter to you.  
 

The key would be price.  In the OP post the cost difference was only $60.  Getting two more days at essentially the same price, that is the easy decision for me.  Why by 3 tires when you can get 4 at the same price, why get a small coffee when you can get the large at the same price, etc. The dollar per day charge is the better value with the 7 day.  

In my experience, based on the details you gave, I would not opt for the drinks package if it was me.  .  
 

The Oasis class suites will have beer and wine available in the suites lounge/coastal kitchen area during the day.  They will also have coffee/coffee machine for specialty coffees and teas available.  During the evening happy hours mixed drinks/cocktails will be available.  
 

Not sure how the party is booked but I’m guessing that everyone in one room with a person that might benefit from getting the package would have to get the package

The only reason to get the drinks package is if the party is planning on having more than what is offered “free”.  Then you have to balance that cost for the whole group.  Wonder does have a slight difference in the layout of the suites area/lounge from other Oasis class ships so that might play a role.

This caught my eye since we will be boarding in less than a month.  Haven’t checked our info to see if there are any changes but they look like they are next to each other.  Maybe one of the locals can give info on the parking.  

I have been able to work with the VPN on my old and current company’s laptops while on the ships.  We have Zscaler and Cisco VPN on the current work laptop and last cruise was February.  Not  sure when our IT added Zscaler but was in place for at least the last two cruises.  
 

Things can be a little slow at times but I can do pretty much what I need to do.  Usually things are network or file size issues not the VPN.   For video calls I usually use my phone for Teams calls as that seems to work a little better.  

20 hours ago, Jetdriver787 said:

Why? That money is already in the bank! You are now looking to maximise NEW additional ancillary revenue from unsold and returned inventory. One cabin at the top of a chain might potentially generate the “bid” revenue from 10 cabins further along that chain. 

This whole thread is based on speculation on what is factored into the equation and how the process works.  
 

That said it is not hard for data scientists to get data and work it into the equation.  The initial room payment would be easy to add.  Your initial room rate (full or discounted) plus your bid would be your overall bid amount.  So if two like category rooms have the same Royal Up bid the tie breaker, could go to the higher initial charge.  Likely the most important other factors are the bids below your cabin category so that other “winning” bids could be added revenue.  
 

There are huge amounts of data being shared already (thank Hank Asher for that) so even C&A and Casino levels could be included.  If RCI allows the access to the data, it could easily be added into the algorithm, but likely a much lesser factor.  It is likely way more complex on how the algorithm works, so pure speculation.  Safe to say that the actual bid amount is only a small part of what matters.

The rules and application of the rules do have to allow some flexibility.  There is food/snacks in some of the bars, trivia (including some more younger focused like Star Wars and Harry Potter) at many bars and other entertainment that a family might come to enjoy.  Therefore a complete restriction on anyone under 21/18 will not likely be applied. Playmakers is probably the most "family oriented" bar in the fleet.  Some venues will not be quite as family friendly, but as long as the group is primarily adults/family and not causing an issue it will likely be allowed.  When entry is actually banned, or age restrictions enforced, like the comedy show, the staff will not give any leeway. 

13 minutes ago, joepeka said:

The images are quite similar but the verbiage is different, e.g. "Bid Now' vs. "Bid Status" and "Bid on the stateroom..." vs. "View, change or cancel...".

Sorry, using a small screen, once I zoomed in it was noticeable.

3 hours ago, sasset said:

We’re booked on Constellatio in a new Sunset Suite in October. I read this on Cruise Critic and emailed a contact in Celebrity’s Executive office. She confirmed it.

Thank you for your email. 

With regards to the lounge chairs all the verandas are now set up with regular balcony chairs . Due to safety reasons, the lounge chairs have been removed from the balconies. I hope this answers your questions. Enjoy your day.
 

Thanks for sharing this verbiage.  As mentioned, the most risky situation is someone standing on anything and going over the rail.  I'm guessing that they might have a different perspective.  Surely they realized that someone can stand on a chair and go over the rail also. 

Guessing that there are more instances of people tripping and falling or injuring themselves trying to maneuver around in limited space on a balcony when a lounger is in place.  Odds are there are more reports of falls on the balcony compared to falls overboard.  

Not sure how much space is on a Sunset Suite balcony but if it is closer to a normal veranda, i could see they still might not allow loungers.  Large suites with large balconies, this would be very disappointing.  Our last sailing was in a 2 bedroom Aquatheater (i know Royal not Celebrity) and I would be surprised if they use the same logic there.

1 hour ago, joepeka said:

If your bid was accepted, under "Upcoming Cruises" on the web site, under your reservation, it should look like first image below. If your bid has not been placed (or the system thinks it hasn't been placed) the second image below is what you will see.  I don't think there's any way of knowing if the default bid is the current lowest among any others who may have bid thus far (if I understood your question correctly).

 

ETA: If your bid was successfully placed, you will receive an email from "Royal Caribbean - Royal Up" stating the bid was received.

It looks like the same image.

@Queencorkle you will login to the network when you first access the ships wifi.  You will set your sign-in info  with that first access on the initial device you are using.  You account will be limited to one device but you can switch.  To switch you can either log out on the device that was in use and then sign-in on the second device, or if you just go to the second device and sign-in it will ask you about switching devices.  You will have to go the same when you go back to the other.

Some of the other perks are nice, probably the lunch on embarkation being near the top of the list in my opinion, but most of the others are just nice to have not really a need to have sort of thing. 
 

Happy cruising!

58 minutes ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

How is it a no brainer? I don’t understand how spending more money for a cruise to get perks worth less than the cost of a cruise makes sense financially. 

Not all that hard to understand.  There are many diamond perks and some can be associated to a specific dollar amount, others may not have a dollar amount but could add value to someone.  If the person feels the Diamond perks are worth it, it is moot, but there is also the probability that the cost is offset.
 

Going back to the Diamond drinks for the OP’s 12 night cruise.  If they paid out of pocket, they would be paying for 4 drinks at $14 a drink for 12 days totaling $672 per person.  If they take a cruise similar to the one below they are coming out ahead.

The cost of the cruise is less than they would pay for the 12 days of drinks.  Your statement that spending more to get less is not accurate for every situation.  (Usually it is but not always.)

While there are other perks that come with diamond, I think you keyed in on the main one the drinks. A three day cruise to achieve diamond is a good option if it’s something you could take advantage of on the 12th night cruise.
 

Jusy doing some basic math, and this is not scientific at all, here’s where the dollar amount land. If you do 4 drinks at $14 each for 12 days, your total is $56 a day or $672 for the cruise in drinks.  You could add specialty coffee from the lounge to further justify the “drink cost”.  
 

Not sure you can get a three day cruise for less than $672 per person but if you can your in the black on drinks alone. 

9 hours ago, snaefell said:

 

Has this been reduced,we sailed on Quantum some years ago & there was a serious sun bed shortage during the cruise,there always seemed  plenty of free ones on Anthem,could just be a different make up of passengers that didn't like sunbathing!

 

Just to muddy the waters somewhat we did experience quite serious delays with lifts on Anthem which didn't happen on Quantum,the lifts on Anthem seemed to go 'Out of service' with annoying regularity at busy times!😮

Not sure that these two items are great metrics to judge capacity or number of souls on board a specific sailing.  

You did not mention when or where you previous sailing took place but that could be part of the difference.  @snaefell you did mention that you just recently sailed on Anthem.  Taking that perspective alone.  Sailing or any vacation in mid-May are likely to have less people, particularly from a US perspective.  It is after the spring break/easter holidays and before the true summer break so much less family vacations are happening.  Throw in finals and graduations and the trips that do happen have a different focus.  

It is likely that those traveling on a cruise in mid-May are retired, empty nest-ers or single or couples without children.  Not saying there are no families just slightly less.  That demographic will likely skew less towards pools and more towards elevators (just kidding but there likely is some truth there.)  Honestly there are probably many more cabins occupied by couples instead of families (3+).  That is give teh perspective that there are less at the pools and more at the elevators, regardless of other factors like weather, out of service lifts or other things that might be day to day.