leaveitallbehind

I think @firefly333 touched on the concern in terms of holding up service. But I am going to take it another direction as you indicate that you will be at a table for two. The scheduled times are not just for the convenience of the passengers, they are also to keep a pace for the servers and preparers as there are other scheduled times to follow yours. If you are consistently late you will be compressing the timing of the servers who will already, as example, be serving appetizers to the rest of the room when you are just arriving. This, IMO, could be inconsiderate to the servers who now will have to alter the intended pace to accommodate you. If you don't want to consistently arrive until 5:15 or 5:30, my suggestion would be to consider scheduling My Time Dining, so that you can arrive at your convenience. You also can just arrive at MTD without reservations and wait until a table opens.

I don't disagree that it is necessary to monitor and I am certain RCI is doing just that. I was also only passing on anecdotal information indicating the strength of the relationship that at least at one time existed.

As indicated, it is an either / or situation - you either pay the discounted price through the planner (or on board if it is offered as such) -or- you use the Captain's Club discount. @Arizona Wildcat provides good information as well - you can buy the Classic via a promo, then apply the Captains Club offer as an upgrade value to Premium on board if that would net the better price for the Premium.

Very true and Labadee supports the local economy not only by a per passenger fee, but, also as you indicate, by providing local staff employees. Anything can happen, but I am certain RCI is monitoring the situation. But as a side note, I know that RCI is seen favorably by Haiti as during the 2010 earthquake, RCI ships continuously delivered relief supplies when calling on Labadee. Not only was this reported in the media, but I know this as I was on board one of the ships when many pallets of supplies were off loaded. I don't think the government would want to see a disruption in the cruise line relationship.

I don't disagree and was only speculating on a reason as our bookings, as stated, typically open up earlier than that claimed by the OP.

We did the inaugural cruise on Grandeur of the Seas in 1996 and they gave us each a hard bound book describing the build, the ship, the launch staff, the company management staff, along with a story about RCCL. It was actually very nice.

...which is the size I had been describing.

I understood that - was just clarifying what is included and requires Premium over Classic if you need those options. Sorry if my post wasn't clear as well - lol.

If by base cruise fare you mean standard v 'always", which includes the classic beverage and standard wifi packages, then I think that is a decision based on how many daily beverages you would consume and your budget. Typically you would need to consume about 6+ beverages daily to break even on including that in your fare. As mentioned, wifi is also part of that fare. Otherwise, I am not sure I understand what you mean by base cruise fare.

I don't disagree, but I think the OP wants to carry on their luggage to have it with them when they go to the room, rather than wait for it to be delivered later.

As you are planning on the Premium package, as a further comment, phone calls, face time, or streaming, are only available with the Premium package. Phone calls and face time will then be available via wifi calling.

I would be a little concerned with mid-sized bags, but the worst case scenario is, as mentioned, you would have to check it at the pier.

As a side note, usually the incentive for additional OBC is for on board bookings (such as with your FCC). They typically also require a reduced deposit. But no reduction in published fares In our experience many bookings include some amount of OBC - on line or through a TA.

But will also be priced accordingly - higher.

Most mass market cruise lines - Celebrity included - run frequent back to back sales that are genuine in how the pricing is calculated, but typically to a very similar fare structure sale to sale. Most will include OBC or some other similar on board offer. So are they a good deal? That all depends, but likely about the same good deal each time. You just have to decide if what you see is in a budget you are comfortable with and go from there. Keep in mind that once you lock into a fare, you are protected from any increases that will likely take place as sales continue approaching the sailing date. But you also can benefit from any fare reductions that also can take place. You just have to follow your sailing date's fares to make sure your booking was at the best rate available.

Again, that might be a UK policy.

If you plan carry on only, then you should be OK. But keep in mind that port security is similar to airport security and the bag sizes that can go through the screeners can't exceed carry on size. So if anything you have is larger they will not get through security and you will have to check them at the pier. Also the app check in isn't like trying to check in with Southwest Airlines - you don't need to jump to click on the boarding times at midnight. There are plenty of time slots that accept hundreds of passengers each to accommodate all of the passengers. You will be able to get your preferred, or certainly a desirable, timeslot without rushing. Lastly in terms of arrival time, I would not press it too late as you must be on board 90 minutes prior to the scheduled departure time. So plan your late arrival time accordingly.

When the post pandemic restart commenced, they enforced the times. In recent cruises they have not been as rigid and we have been able to board immediately if we arrived early. It may vary by ship and port, or how many are in the queue when you arrive, but they don't seem to be enforcing it as rigidly any more. That being said, it goes quickly by way of the queue which seems to work better than the past free for alls, and you certainly won't be delayed if you follow your time slot. Who knows what they would do, however, if too many people start jumping their times - lol. The typical first boarding time is 11:00 in our experience.

Check this link from the RCCL website: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/special-celebration-wedding-vow-event-services#:~:text=We can assist with planning,wide for a nominal fee.

We have been able to schedule in the US at about 90 days in the past - right after final payment. But it can vary and everything may not open at the same time. This might be different in the UK.

Yes. But to the OP, it isn't like trying to check in with Southwest Airlines - you don't need to jump to click on the boarding times the minute it opens up - LOL. There are plenty of time slots that accept hundreds of passengers each to accommodate all of the passengers. You will be able to get your preferred, or certainly a desirable, timeslot without rushing. We have always been able to get a time we wanted and on several occasions not checked in until several days or more after the window opened.

I'm going to answer your last question by suggesting that we, by way of our C & A status, get 10 free drinks combined per day. We always tip the bartenders with each one as, although they may be free to us, the bartenders still need to serve them and IMO deserve the gratuity. I believe the casino bar is pretty much full service with an array of drinks available.

Its an open forum. You are certainly expressing yours. And as indicated I have also suggested ways to find a solution and hope it works out for you.

Specifically: The black square indicates a sofa bed. The black diamond indicates one upper berth. The black circle indicates two upper berths. Those with both the black square and the black triangle indicated a sofa bed with one upper berth. As indicated, I knew that the location alternated every other stateroom. I was not aware that a stateroom with either or both symbols indicated that the bed was near the bathroom. That would make sense, at least with the upper berth, and of course would then be the key to the alternating pattern. Good to know. Thanks. @39august that also clarifies your statement that I questioned.

Sushi on 5 is an a la carte menu with no dollar limit. As such, we have never included it in any dining package as in our experience we have never exceeded the package value applied with our a la carte selections. But that is just our experience. We eat there once every cruise and usually include a lunch there as well. I would rather apply that package selection to one of the other specialty restaurants which, to us, is the better value.