FlaIce

No direct experience on Deck 13, but was in Odyssey 12630 last month and that's as close as I'd want to get to the overhang and support beams.  We were in an extended balcony on a forward facing hump, no beam interference, but they'd be more in the way on normal balconies.  Given the choice I'd take deck 11, but would not book 13.  The x630's are great cabins BTW.

Thank you both for your responses. Will save my cash for the casino!

Are bingo packages paid for in cash or charged against your seapass account?

Thank you all. The video was very helpful.

Thank you Canadian!  I'll check out that tour company.  I should have mentioned we'll be on Royal Caribbean, they're offering the other excursions I mentioned.

Will be docked at Willemstad on 2-March-2023.  Would love to observe turtles while snorkeling but am having second thoughts about the options. First, is early March "in-season" for sea turtle viewing in Curacao? Is Playa Piskado (Playa Grandi) the place to go?  Honestly the descriptions I've found of the turtles being attracted to the chum from cleaned fish, well it doesn't sound like the most natural environment. Better options to see them during early March?

Any feedback on some excursions such as "Snorkel Trip to Turtle Bay CUL9" (boat trip), or "Beach Hop and Turtle Snorkel Experience CUE8"?

There seems to be more to see in Curacao than a nine hour port call can do justice to, even though the turtles are on every "must do" list should I take a significant part of our day for them?

Thank you for your advice.

Any recent experience with either the length-of-cruise thermal spa pass, or the Top 18 Solarium?

For the Spa pass sauna and steam baths, are reservations needed?  For Top 18 is advance purchase from the activity desk recommended?  Is there any shade?

Sailing on 14-Aug four-night from PC. Appreciate your advice on either of these areas, thank you.

I booked onboard last month directly with RC for a 2015 cruise, would transferring to a TA now increase my deposit required?

Well "not the best" may not be completely fair - the reef was beautiful, lots of coral formations and fish - but the "Seahorse Sailing and Snorkeling" excursion we took off Royal's Enchantment last month was disappointing. Same tour as other lines, folks from two NCL ships were along with us.

This is a cattle boat, overloaded, >50 people. Never got under sail (set the sail luffing on way back and kept engine running). Rum punch sans rum. The reef was great but next time we'll consider some other smaller operators that have been discussed on this board.

We did an afternoon self-guided walk to both the Graycliff and John Watling's last month, took about 3 hours total from the ship and back. Made a very nice day combined with a morning excursion and lunch back on the ship. The chocolate factory was small but the pride they take really showed thru. $10 per person includes a sample. The distillery is a very cool property and good place for a drink on their patio. Tour is free, however to help "fund continued preservation" of the property at the start they'll offer for sale poker chips (Casino Royal connection) for $5 each which can be turned in for a drink at the bar. I believe both tours are closed on Sundays, check their respective web sites. Google maps helps with putting together your exact walking path, which can also go past the Pirate Museum if you want to add that on.

Important note - I do NOT recommend this walk for children due to the traffic and lack of sidewalks along certain streets. Perfectly fine for able adults aware of their surroundings, and during the day our group of 5 felt safe from a crime perspective. The tours themselves are probably better appreciated by adults, even the chocolate factory - sorry it's not Hersheypark.

No, I don't believe that sharing a bottle of wine would violate the no-sharing policy of he package. Even though you're getting a discount (only 5% since you have to pay 15% gratuity), you're still paying for each bottle and my guess is that's the difference that makes sharing OK.

Thanks for the response. The overall experience will come down to how the waiter or sommelier handles serving both by the glass and bottle, but I'll plan on saving some money as I treat my in-laws to a bottle of wine.

Looking for feedback on using the beverage package 20% discount on bottles of wine purchased in the MDR? (Per the RC pdf: "Enjoy 20% off bottles of wine with the Select, Premium and Ultimate package").

More specifically I'll have the Premium package and will be ordering wine by the glass for myself. I'd like to order a bottle using the package discount for the members of my party without the bev package. Would this violate the package no-sharing policy?