hcat

thanks .I won't wear slippery or good shoes that might get ruined .Hoping for dry skies ... but we'll be ready..just in case.! A few of our friends have had falls recently so we try to be careful! Looking forward to some of those yummy looking dishes you featured..esp the lamb chops

the green screen photos give options of several poses with diff backgrounds ..including the ship.. We have done the green screens on EDGE & BEYOND and have taken boarding photos as well...The photographers do a great job.! You can gather your family or book a pvt session..They do table shots on chic night. Photo costs are pricey but they often offer a portfolio frame which includes a ship photo on one side and you can insert your pic on the other. We always buy a few and make our own "albums" ..Lately buying a photo book/ package has not always been possible..not available . We NEVER leave the ship without our prints/uploads. Agreeing to wait has resulted in complaints.

Elite lite bkfst.. limited selection, no cooked meals but it is usually much quieter..fewer people, calmer.. mimosas other bkfst coffee drinks..Fresh coffee.. Cap Club Rep usually there. Either way..plated selections served by waiter or a buffet spread. we prefer it unless we want waffles. Our main assignment is in BLU but sometimes the Lite breakfast us all we want and is quicker..

yup.. that and drink packages opened the flood gates!

that's the idea! we'll try before dinner! another possible space on E Class might be upper level at the Club..?? i think X may be doing this to relieve crowdjng at some of the bars during prime time?,?

is there a route from Rooftop to inside without getting wet in the rain..? (we'll be prepared) One time at Lawn Club Grill we got drenched heading back to the elevator..no covered walkway!

some of us go way back with X..but I am sure there's a way to return some old perks without hurting others! Hope you continue to enjoy X!

Loved the Rooftop report..how did Jeremy enjoy his food photo going public? We try to book Rooftop and Lawn Club Grill on port nights to avoid the "breeze" or other elements. Interesting how some folks always think they know more than trained and experienced professionals.. I always ask if they would second guess their surgeon and do their own heart surgery or gall bladder removal! Or take over piloting the plane!

excellent... less stress and you will still get home on the same day!

The Retreat in Michaels (on some ships) is a more "recent" concept for the benefit of suite guests to enhance suite marketing. Michael's Club was originally a cigar bar with humidors along the wall.. When it was no longer used as a Cigar Bar, it became a piano type lounge on most ships. (Perry Grant). BUT It was also used exclusively for the Elite and E plus get together just before dinner (no shorts) , with complimentary drinks, and excellent snacks & surprise tastings from the Specialty Venues. We looked forward to it most days as a cozy congenial get together..more about socializing than free drinks! Michaels also offered a small cold lite breakfast buffet with coffees.Cap Club host/ hostess presided. Then two things happened...there were too many Elites or E + for the space so it was moved to the upstairs lounge.Not the same anymore. AND, it was given over to suite guests as their exclusive lounge. Happy to hear it may come back as an option. Our next cruise is in late January so hope we will get to experience it. I am sure it won't be in the Michaels, but hopefully in a nice space!

7 am is a late arrival..how many other ships will arrive in port before yours/ how many pax? as Jim said...walk off is highly rec (pack light).and a pvt car service is def rec. Still it is cutting it close... If everything goes smoothly, it could work on an early Sat morning. .lMuch less traffic than on a weekday but there is a distance to the airport, plus check-in and security...and not sure where your gate is. when this happens we prefer to stay at a hotel..and leave the next day..less stress..Wish you luck..Report back!

good plan.. when we had our cats, we had a great pet minder..a retired vet tech.. she came twice a day..played with them, fed them and sent us pics! our last cat travelled with us to Fla every winter.. loved the lanai. Sadly, we eventually had to say good bye. For now no pets. If we adopt..we'd get a senior cat..like us! Hope you have a great cruise!

i did read they were working around the fog issue.. note that anyone driving over the Skyway bridge may have travel delay or closure issues

decor and activities will be great perfect for families...lots of kiddos!

Concierge seems to be a good value these days.. still has some nice perks. Recent review of Concierge class Prime location on Silhouette was very positive....that' s why we decided to try it. Not a bargain but reasonable for what is included. I believe it has Lawn Club Grill which is fun! Just a short extra cruise to KW and Bahamas. The only suite we could realistically afford would be the SS which we had on Beyond.. It is a nice large stateroom with lots of storage and good views if the water., We never used the balcony and I did not like the bathroom mirror window opening to the cabin (gimmicky). I thought the big tub shower combo was slippery, dangerous and quite awkward! Despite all that, the bigger room and extra storage make it a good choice for longer itins. We could still eat in BLU if they had space and specialty dining is an option ..Luminae on BEYOND was not a pleasant space and the menu was dissappointing. The Retreat Lounge and Small pool outside and crowded bar out there were ok..nothing very special Lack of a butler would not matter..ours was very intrusive. glad we have choices..just need improved food quality all around!

great idea to pack in the garage! our next door neighbor in Fl pet sit only for others in our Community. She does a great job and we enjoy meeting all the dogs without any work on our part! Who watches your dogs when you cruise?

Good to know it has improved. Last time in AQ out of Port Ev, we were easily registered by rep with an I pad..Then herded into the big area..much like a cavernous bus terminal with hard curved seating. Concierge Class was called ahead of AQ so they could get on in time for their luncheon. There was no priority area for E or E +. The time before that, same terminal, they just announced everyone could board. Total free for all.. folks pushing ahead and rolling wheelies over feet! our last cruise was in SS.. .not much better but fewer people racing to board.!

We like AQ Class.. and def enjoy using the Thermal Suites (nicest on S Class but okay on E) .Breakfast in BLU is pleasant and we vary dinner with Specialty Restaurants. Looking forward to AQ on Ascent. We will miss priority boading, daily canapes and other previously included perks but not a deal breaker. Have always had very good service in BLU and the stateroom. Prices were very steep for AQ on APEX, so we will be back to a SV (great cabins) with the 4 mdrs. Going to try Concierge again on Silhouette as it was a good value for a Prime Balc. Glad we tried the SS on Beyond but not worth the higher prices for our needs..

he said shorts not shirts!

i think someone mentioned the dates were awkward,? Well hope someone catches a bargain.!

that is surprising but maybe not appealing to families without a stop at Coco Cay!

i think that is a well thought out approach... hope you will be at peace!

It was yrs ago.. before the mega ships.. We had recently hit Diamond and were pleased to have access to a tiny cozy lounge with coffee, bagels, lite snacks ..there was a concierge there..nice magazines and maps...great for reading and quiet time. On our next Royal cruise our access to that venue was denied. They did have a nice D breakfast and great pm cocktail party.. We stopped cruising on Royal C ages ago..went back once to try Oasis which was not a good fit. The post was a response that asked if we ever had anything (perks) taken away... All moot now for us!

There is always a market for cruisers and premium prices for preview or maiden voyages of new ships. Some folks want to be there first. We prefer to wait for initial kinks to be addressed. We are looking forward to Ascent in Jan '24..The cruise before ours was priced lower, but we have b day celebration during our week!

Wow.. great photo! That view alone makes the breakfast worth it.