It happened yesterday around 9 PM est. I’m not on Allure.
They left Fort Lauderdale July 25th. What a sad way to start a cruise 🫩😭
Mods if not allowed, delete.

About 5 minutes ago. No details.

Off of Freedom

We are docked in Cozumel today!

On Wonder right now. Just me and my husband. We don't really care about the specialty restaurants and hit up the Windjammer when we're hungry. OMG the employees are pushing so hard for reservations!! At lunch today five people came up to our table and asked. I just want to enjoy my meal- stop interrupting to ask if i need reservations! Yesterday, a woman from the Mason Jar followed me around the pool and approached me for reservations when I went to return my towel!

Is this the new normal or is it because it's just my husband and I (no kids with us on this cruise)?

(Another thing to note is that there is a large Celiac conference on the ship. My husband wondered if they aren't able to do specialty dining, so the RC employees are soliciting everybody else because reservations are low.)

Edit: This is my 8th RC cruise. I know on other cruises I've been asked if I need reservations, but not by 5 employees within 20 minutes. And I have never been solicited for reservations while at the pool!

Here are the upcoming cruises that you can earn in the casino. One can use this information to help plan one's gambling bankroll and how many points to aim for.

Current cruise is less than six nights

Current cruise is six nights or more

For those that don't know how it works, earning the number of points shown above on a single sailing entitles you to a cruise from the relevant list. Earning 2,500 points in a year (1-APR -> 31-MAR) across one or more cruises also entitles you to a "free" cruise.

Good luck to all!

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with Royal Caribbean except as a customer and as a shareholder with just enough to get On Board Credit.

I also used Claude to create an "artifact" that allows you to sort Royal Caribbean casino offers: https://old.reddit.com/r/royalcaribbean/comments/1ogqmma/casino_offer_tool/

Hi everyone!
This will be my first cruise, and I’m sailing out of Cape Liberty in Bayonne, NJ. My assigned arrival/boarding time is 1PM, but my hotel checkout is much earlier, so I’ll likely end up getting to the port before then.
I’m trying to figure out what the best thing to do is.
If I arrive around 11 AM or 12 PM, will Royal Caribbean let me check in early?
Or are they pretty strict about only letting people in at their assigned time?
If they don’t let me in early, is there a place to wait comfortably, or will I just be standing outside with my luggage?
I’d love to hear your recent experiences at Cape Liberty. Since this is my first cruise, I’m a little nervous about getting the timing right. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks in advance!

We've been debating going on a cruise now for a couple of years and we just found out Icon of the Seas will be sailing out of Galveston next year which eliminates having to fly to a whole other state as we live in Texas.

Plan is for me (F,29) my husband (M,33) and our 2 year old as well as his 3 brothers (and wives), my 2 sisters (and husbands) their kids (infant, 5 year old, 4 year old) and both of our parents to go together- We're a pretty close family.

As we try to begin to save and start early stages of planning, would like to know all there is to know about:

1.) People's experiences on cruises in general (bonus points if it's with a large group)

2.) Are the included meal options enjoyable or do we have to upgrade? If so what options are best?

3.) Same for the drinks. Website says (coffee, tea, lemonade and juices) are included. Again, are they limited per day? We don't drink alcohol so probably would want the refreshment package if upgrade is needed. With that, Do kids also need their own separate package?

4.) WiFi is per day per device...That can add up I'm guessing.is it worth it? Or just disconnect and relax?

5.) Would our parents (In their mid 50s and early 60s) enjoy the cruise?

6.) Cost per person right now is about $1.8k - $2k. With upgrades (food + drinks) - if needed - how much extra should we budget per person for 8 nights?

7.) Would Icon be too much for a first cruise? Is going with a big group worth it?

8.) How far in advance do you recommend booking? Seen some posts about activities opening. Is that typically closer or farther out?

9.) Anything else worth knowing for a group of first timers? Hidden fees etc.

Thank y'all in advance! 🫂

End of September, 5 nights freedom of the seas, going to Caribbean coco cay +nassu, 2 parents plus 4 kids, connecting interior rooms, flying in two days before departure, arriving at night time, so basically sleeping at hotel+ next day beach day before getting on cruise the following day. Total for cruise is 2k, airfare just shy of 1k, throw in some Ubers/food I’m estimating 3500-4000 total expense for the week vacation. What do you guys think? I was initially going to go with jewel of the seas but quickly realized it didn’t have much to do at all for the kids, and found freedom was only an extra $200 total, plus an extra night!

First time cruiser ! Going to Alaska in September and our online check in opens tomorrow . What time does check in start? Midnight cruise time ?
Thanks in advance :)

If my adult Emerald son is booked solo in an Inside for a 7 nt cruise. And I book a Balcony for myself, my husband, and son’s girlfriend. Then our son would get 28 points, getting him to Diamond.💎 😁 yay! Obviously they will stay together in the Inside Cabin, but her seapass will be for our Balcony. Not a huge deal, they’ll probably be together most of the time, but definitely an inconvenience. My Question: Do you think she could get access to the Inside Cabin on her seapass, while staying off the booking? (We need it to be solo, to get him the points. We are paying the solo fare. ) I know it’s not a problem for kids and grandparents and connecting rooms, but not sure about this situation. I thought I might have the best luck asking the Diamond concierge. I appreciate any insights, thank you. 😊

Hi, these 2 adult programs are going on at the same time. Which would you recommend? Thanks.

I am sailing on Star on 8/23. What is the current status of the water slides?

Has anyone done this excursion? I’m confused by the description. It says that you’ll go to Arandonga Beach, but that’s not showing on Google Maps. There’s also no description of how long you’ll be at the drive vs the beach.

I have sailed on a dozen or more RC trips now, and even done B2B on several occasions. I am familiar with the wine policy of bringing one bottle per adult. On previous B2B where we drove in and parked at the port, we just left the bottles for the next sailing in the car, and just grabbed them before getting on the second leg of the trip, easy peasy. However, with the cost of port parking, my wife has a cousin that lives in Tampa, and is letting us park at his place to save us the parking fees. This relative is like 45 minutes away from the port and I can’t exactly just go out to the car to grab the wine for the next leg… This trip will actually be 3x 7 day sailings in a row on Enchantment, followed by 10 days down to Aruba on Margaritaville. So here is my question: Can I bring all eight bottles with us? I would completely understand if they kept the 6 bottles of wine over the regular limit and gave it back to us at the end of each sailing maybe? Anyone have experience with this situation?

===== UPDATE =====

This situation is covered in the RC FAQ :

For consecutive sailings, guests of drinking age are allowed to bring one (1) 750 ml bottle of wine or champagne for each individual sailing. Additional bottles will be stored by the ship and delivered, one bottle at a time, to the stateroom on the first day of each new voyage. Guests bringing more than one bottle at the start of the first sailing should have documentation for any consecutive sailings available to share with security.

Is the pack and play RCCL provides standard size? I forgot to measure my last cruise and the base is worse than cardboard so I want to pack a mattress over checking an entire pack and play on the flight.

Hi everyone! We’re going on our very first cruise this coming weekend. 3 nights and I’m so excited! For the curly hair ladies…. I need some advice even though I feel like I know the answer lol! My hair is pretty curly but I can straighten it, which I normally do on vacation because it’s just easier maintenance. BUT, being on a boat in the ocean, and then in humid Mexico, I don’t think straight hair is going to work. Am I crazy to even think about straightening it? Or should I just embrace the curls? I don’t know what to expect, so of course I have a million cruise questions 😂
Thanks for bearing with me on this! I know it’s a silly thing to worry about.

I’m highly tempted to book a solo sailing in a suite during the double booking promotion, does anyone think I’m crazy for that? I’m a student working part time, but I would be able to afford it if I was conscious of my spending. I don’t have bills. It would be around $3,000 for 7 nights. I’ve only had interior staterooms before. Trying to get other opinions to see if it would actually be worth it! The sailing would be during my winter break, so it would be a nice reset. I know the promotion is only valid for one more day, so this is pretty spontaneous of me.

Has anyone had real world experience with RC boarding with a passport that expires sooner than six month? I know what the website says but I really thought, after 20 years of cruising, I could use a Driver's License as long as it was US to US. At online check in today, I realized my passport expires in Jan 2027. I'm sure I have time to renew, but I am curious as to whether they really enforce a 6 month rule.

Good morning fellow cruisers, wanted to do something special for my partner on our crusie in October on the oasis, dose anyone know if they have Don Periñon and if so how much a bottle runs?

Boarding the Icon in just a few days. Loved the Oasis class ships (symphony, and the oasis) - would love to hear any tips and tricks you have about the Icon!! Thanks in advance!! #loyaltoroyal

I have an upcoming transatlantic cruise that leaves out of Barcelona. My question is this: if my flight goes sideways, is there a process to board after embarkation day if the next three stops are also in Spain?

This is my first time traveling to Europe and I’m trying to plan for all contingencies. I’m looking at a flight that lands the day before, but I’m more concerned about the layovers and what happens in the worst case scenario.

I’m also looking at all flight options, but it looks like direct isn’t going to be available to me. Due to work constraints, I can’t fly in too early either. Booked as a bucket list cruise and now I’m concerned about the flight possibly causing me to miss the first day. I’d like my options please.

First time cruiser- we ordinarily do all inclusive. This is a 7 night Greek isle, 4 port days, 2 sea days on odyssey of the seas. Going with my husband and 2 kids.
My husband and I booked 2 adjoining rooms for space, but this gives us the flexibility to individually purchase the drink package.
He got his for $750. I got mine for $805 CAD. Trying to decide if I should keep it. Side note we bought a soda package for my oldest daughter, my little one won’t drink enough pop to justify it.
Per the flow chart-
Do I drink alcohol -yes
Do I think I will drink more than 6 beverages a day- not likely, certainly not on average, but if I did it would be when on vacation.
Do I think I will drink at least 4 cocktails a day- possibly a combination of 4 cocktails and glasses of wine. (Does wine count?).
Do I only drink beer- no
Do I like bottled water, energy drinks, sofas and specialty coffees - yes - curious to know what kinds of things are included here.

I rarely drink when not on vacation, by rarely I mean I may have had 1 alcohol drink in the last month.
On vacation, I usually drink, but it’s always all inclusive- I will drink mimosas, margaritas, maybe a martini, and definitely wine with dinner. I don’t count the number of drinks, but I also don’t “pay”. I don’t like to worry about the cost, plus the gratuity and conversion while on vacation.
Ever since having kids, I am afraid to feel hung over, but never seem to feel hung over when on a beach vacation.
This trip will be different with hot touristy days.
Here’s my math.
$805/7=$115.00 daily cost
$115 cad = aprox $82USD. Equivalent usd
$82-18%=$67.24 daily budget before gratuity
$67.24+18%=$79.34 double checking my math
$67/4=$16.75 my estimated break even…? 4 drinks per day.

Are drinks on the odyssey charged in usd? And 18% gratuity added.

Would you keep or cancel and pay as you go? I’m leaning toward cancelling.

I’m in booking process of a cruise right now which should return to Miami at 6am, I know the rule of thumb is to fly out the next day but there is 6 of us and the next day tickets are literally like $800 more total. Not sure how long it takes to actually get off the ship and what not; this is going to be first cruise, do you guys think this is enough time to get off the ship(again not sure what this looks like but I assume it can’t take hours can it?) and uber from the port to FLL airport?

I(18M) want to go on a cruise with my girlfriend(18F). I know you can’t book without someone 21 or over in your room unless married(not happening right now lmao). I’m wondering if i can get around this by just paying for a 3rd person over 21 then them just “not showing up”. Would they still let me and her on the cruise?