livingonthebeach

Maybe - I have cruised several times since the restart. I think it has a lot to do with percentage of capacity and not so much as whether it is a small or large ship. The only time I got sick was on a fully loaded Odyssey OTS. It wasn't the C souvenir I brought back but a lingering cold / flu for almost a month. Don't know what it was but it was nasty!

I've seen minimum bids all over the place. The only time I was successful scoring an upgrade with a minimum bid was at the very beginning of the restart. I have to think that minimum bids are calculated based on the percentage of bookings for the particular cruise as well as cabin types for existing bookings. RCI outsources the Royal Up program to an outside company, but it makes sense that RCI would communicate to them the level of demand for each particular cruise and existing bookings so they may set the prices accordingly. Good luck with your bid if you made one.

Yes - you can either eat and run in 30 minutes or linger for over an hour sipping those delectable bottomless mimosas.

Yes worse. Think Walmart.

Funny! I've seen much worse in the WJ - seen any thong bikinis yet? Post away!

If you are Diamond and above you can request both robe and slippers in any cabin - whether you get them is a different story. The slippers I haven't seen in a long time, IMO they are totally not worth it. If you happen to obtain them, you may wear the outfit anywhere onboard. If you're sensitive to odd looks and whispers directed at you, then rethink your costume.

I'm curious to know how you found out there were 250 cases onboard. Was it announced? I was on Odyssey in December and many on the FB page reported coming down with Covid but no number was ever given by anyone on the ship or on FB. We had to make an emergency stop in Miami to let off a very sick crew member but we were not told what he was sick from. A passenger died on that cruise and again, the cruise line was silent on the cause.

The average travel time from MIA to PortMiami is around 25 minutes. (8 miles) It can take less or longer depending on time of day and traffic, accidents, etc. My last cruises out of Miami have been very orderly and organized. Happy cruising!

Every embarkation port allows 2 (750ml) bottles per cabin in carryon luggage, as others have pointed out, if you bring them in checked luggage you might run into a problem.

Haven't seen that 10 drink card in quite a while. I'm not sure if it was discontinued. Was nice while it lasted.

i agree! It’s always broken and RCI paid millions for it - total waste of money and space, IMHO.

The IFLy and North Star extended bookings fill up fast - you can do this pre-boarding. For the freebies you have to wait until you are onboard.

The Bionic Bar is a total waste of space - it spills drinks and don’t even bother asking for ice once the drink is done. No BB on Allure - good thing.

Congrats! I’m ecstatic for you and will be following the festivities.

Great advice! If you don’t hide it will get tossed with the cleaning service - that goes for glasses, forks spoons napkins as well. If you want it - hide it!

Good advice - I'm almost to Diamond Plus - is there any real incentive to reach plus?

That works great in the US but for the Philippines? When the nieces are not only out of a cruise but now have to pay for a call -- no matter how short or long it is?

Hope you had it all resolved and got your second deposit back. Just seems like you wouldn't have to jump through hoops to get what you reserved and paid for back.

Honest? He and his wife were the ones who made the reservation for the wife's nieces in the first place. How on God's Green Earth would that be DIShonest for them to cancel in whatever way they saw fit? Adding a phone plan in the Philippines for the nieces to pay? Jeez.....nice gift!

I see now what you meant. Yes, good advice.

She should have that already since she made the initial reservation.

Just have your wife call and pretend she's her niece - that's all - easy peasy.

These stretch-to-fit covers from Dollar Tree $1.25 are super lightweight and don't take much room in a suitcase. You can even stack plates on top of them. Couple them with a DT or thrift shop lightweight cafeteria tray and VOILÀ you have the equipment to do your own room service. Don't forget to tip yourself!

So sorry to hear. Was it the dreaded "C" souvenir or RSV? I was feeling lousy the last day on Odyssey and still not 100% almost a month later. I tested negative for C so maybe it was RSV? Who knows? On that cruise we had to make an emergency stop in Miami to let off a very sick crew member. They did not specify what it was. One passenger died on that sailing as well - again no one knows of what. I got the new booster (5th shot) just to be on the safe side for the next cruise.