Starry Eyes

That is easier said than done right now. I’m on a b2b on Odyssey next month and booked balcony gty for both legs. Using the barcode trick we could foresee our future assignments (different categories on the two cruises); there are no available cabins in those categories on either cruise. So odds of switching to a better cabin in our category is quite low. We are flexible, so our cabins will be fine. The same may be true for obstructed cabin categories for the TA.

Caution is advised as it is more common than you seem to think. They’re are smoking areas on the promenade decks of multiple Royal Caribbean ships. People who are careful to avoid smoke learn not book lower balconies that side those ships; booking a balcony gty on those ships runs the same risk.

I am not on board, but per the app here are the current smoking areas for Odyssey “Smoking is permitted in the following areas:

 • Casino, Deck 3. Smoking is allowed in Casino Royale only while actively playing in designated areas. • Outer deck, Deck 5 (port side) • Outer deck, Deck 14 (port side) Indoor smoking areas permit tobacco cigarettes and electronic cigarettes.” I have read that some Quantum class ships have the smoking area on 5 starboard, the app says it is 5 port side on Odyssey. If you cannot be totally flexible about cabin location, you should not book a gty, but perhaps you lucked out this time.

iPhone users generally just put their set sail pass into their apple wallet. The numbers are below the barcode in the wallet. No app other app is needed with iOS. Android user do need a bar code reader for the barcode trick.

If you read the OP’s post, they cruise in June. That means they do not yet have a set sail pass, so they do not have a barcode to scan. That is the reason nobody else on this thread suggests the barcode trick to the OP; it is too soon for the OP. If the OP is waiting for their assignment after check in (45 days out), they can try the bar code trick.

Caution is advised: you may find B2B cruising addictive. We did, especially when we lived far from port. Even now that we live in Florida we still like B2B. We had an 8 day cruise scheduled for Odyssey next month; today we booked the following 6 day for a B2B. Oasis class is an excellent choice for a B2B, as there is plenty to do on the big ship. We don’t mind changing cabins. As with all things, it is about attitude, packing for a cabin change does not take us long. One can choose to look forward to experiencing another cabin in another location on the big ship.

Hmm, maybe the owl was looking for a Disney ship….bigger mice.

How many times must we remind guests with special dietary requirements to contact special needs department before embarking on their cruise? 🤣🤣🤣 That burrowing owl likely left the ship quite hungry.

If you want a tour on a short stop, book a ship excursion. That eliminates any stress about being late to the ship. Or use one of the quicker ideas from others posters.

Well, I bid the most the upgraded cabin is worth to me. If it is worth more than that to somebody else and they outbid me, so be it.

If they said you could get a neighborhood balcony, then it is an XN.

My guess: they probably updated the format of invoices for unassigned gty cabins. Perviously it said obstructed: 0% with a note lower on the invoice that the % obstructed would be updated when the cabin was assigned. Of course, some people likely did not read or did not process that note. If the unassigned gty now says obstructed: pending, that’s better, as people don’t have to find/read a note elsewhere on the invoice. Unlike Quamtum class balconies are not as big an issue on Wonder and her sister ships. Personally I don’t really worry about obstructed balconies when I book gty on Oasis class. Did you go with the lowest priced balcony gty which would be an XN, a neighborhood balcony gty or did you specify the more expensive XB oceanview balcony gty?

He has a deck and muster station. If RCI knows that much, they have unofficially picked his cabin; it is no longer for sale.

The numbers do not show below the barcode on the set sail pass; you must de-code that barcode to see the number. If you are an iPhone user, you can do that by putting the set-sail pass into your apple wallet. The look in your apple wallet for the number below the barcode after the -. Android users have reported similar results with barcode reader apps. Expect the cabin number below the barcode to eventually be your assigned cabin. We decoded our barcode on Feb 22 as soon as we checked in; our cabin has not yet been officially assigned. I’m glad I know.

It is no surprise that even with specialty dining, the old adage remains true… John Lydgate

Sure…it’s called specialty dining🙄

I see it on my reservation for April. It just takes me to my RoyalUp bids. I guess it is convenient if you are signed in and want to check your bids, otherwise it’s no big deal.

When we checked in we were told about 2. Cabins available announcement was made a little after 1.

Is 8 pm Zulu equal to 3 pm Eastern?

I hope it is resolved before you board. Do you have big plans in Port Canaveral that would be impacted if the problem is not resolved?

I’ll paraphrase for you: Trouble with one engine; working on repair. Thus going at slower speed. That will delay arrivals to Port Canaveral and Nassau. The Port Canaveral stop is anticipated to be very short…4p arrival-7:30 all aboard. Nassau est.arrival 1pm. Compensation: OBC equal to 1 day cruise fare.

I’m glad the sale is back, though nothing works for me this time

Is there a reason you are using Royal Caribbean’s transfer? There are plenty of private shuttle services and I suspect they are more likely to provide a specific departure time.

I agree that locals often have the easiest time reshuffling their plans. On the other hand, a cruiseline cannot know everyone’s circumstances. A family in TN planning to drive to port May have just had a recent financial setback; getting a full refund offer right might feel like a godsend. A family in MI might have a second home in FL, so they could accept the offer and still use their flights. Thus I can image the cruiseline sending the email offer to people with various addresses; after reading the offer they can volunteer or decline.

As to what criteria, I’d have to speculate that RCI would the set of volunteers that hit RCI least hard in the wallet. So, if they oversold ocean balconies, volunteers who paid less for their ocean balconies would tend to be favored over those who paid more as the refund will be lower. I would speculate they will choose volunteers who want to move to Explorer this week until those cabins are filled; better to fill every ship this week before giving FCC’s. Those are my guesses.