You can have a much better WJ experience on embarkation day if you are willing to wait a little bit. 15 minutes after they announce rooms are ready no less than half the diners in the WJ will clear out. We usually just get a snack when we first get on board at a complimentary venue and a drink (or two) and chill until they announce rooms are ready. Then leisurely head to the WJ for a much more manageable experience.

First cruise coming up and we did NOT know you can call to get around buying the drink package for both adults! I’m pregnant so my husband was a little bummed we couldn’t get the package for just him but this is going to be a game changer!! Thank you!

I always ask if anchovies are available for my Caesar salad, and of course they always are, they just never appear on the menu. I can never compliment Royal’s staff enough. We sailed Wonder ots last April and I couldn’t locate sandwiches in the Windjammer. An officer noticed that I seemed a bit lost and asked if he could help. After explaining my issue, he asked for my patience as he located my requested food item, but returned empty handed. Apparently there weren’t any sandwiches. He left but returned a few minutes later with three sandwich options for me to choose from which he acquired from the Park Cafe located on another deck. I was blown away by this officer’s outstanding customer service. I’m definitely loyal to Royal.

I learned this from one of your previous videos. There are tons of Walk through of ships online. It's a good way to get a better understanding of the ship as well as what's on the ship. Did that for Radiance of the Seas and saw we could go on the helipad. Super happy about that. This little tip I learned about myself. When you're on the ship. If they have an open area with little light at night. Usually in the Adults only area. If you go out at night, and look up. You can see the stars so well, it's breath taking. I had to shield the sides of my eyes some times, but I swear I could see the milky way. Even saw some shooting stars as well on a couple cruises doing so.

Regarding the beverage package, if your cabin mate has a Dr. Note stating that they cannot drink alcohol or sugary drinks RC will NOT force any drink package on your cabin mate. This is seldom mentioned and it should.

I saw on another KZfaq page now with all of the flights being delayed a simple GPS tracker inside of your luggage when flying is a good way to keep track of where your luggage is. Because the airlines don't always scan those barcodes so at least you'll know where your suitcase is if when you arrive and your poor destination and they say your suitcase is still where you took off from but you can see that it is where it's supposed to be the cruise line as a cruiser then you can show them at the airport the suitcase is somewhere here I see it on my phone so get a GPS tracker and place it inside your suitcase

Thanks Matt for the wonderful tips. There's one though, avoid going to the guest service during embarkation day. The queue is really long and we probably might spend more time queuing than getting the issues addressed. There was once there is no towels in my stateroom, so I just called up the housekeeping using the phone in the room. We told them we will be out for lunch and they sent us the towels by the time we got back from lunch.

Great job as always. Appreciate this summary video to give to my friends that are considering cruising for the first time.

Thank you for including the off-season months for Australia! The south pacific, Australia and NZ aren't as big a market as the Caribbean but RCI has a significant presence here sailing out of Sydney, Brisbane and Perth.

Didn’t know my kiddos are young enough to be complimentary at speciality dining locations! Awesome

Book packages, excursions, and onboard gifts around Black Friday... I got as much as 50% on some things.

I was on Royal Caribbean last week until Friday last week and it was the best cruise I have ever had and it was so fun because they had bumper cars a indoor pool a outdoor pool nice restaurants and I went to Alaska on it for my first time last week while I was on it and they do game shows on the cruise like the broken link and love and marriage and so much more if you go on it. Last week when I was on royal Caribbean I was on one of there ships called the ovation of the sea and there are 16 decks for you and 1-2 more for the crew on the ship.

Wonderful tips..Thank you so much! Thanks to your videos I feel super prepared for my 1st ever cruise.

This video was perfect! When I took my first cruise about 10 years ago, I did a lot of research months in advance. I did many of the same things presented in this video and it made my first cruise immensely enjoyable. My favorite tips: 1. Bring your swim gear and essentials for the rest of the day in your carry-on. You don’t know when your checked luggage will show up at your stateroom. 2. Get on the ship as early as possible. Ride the heck out of the Flowrider and water slides. Do the rock climbing wall and zip line. This avoids the brutal lines on sea days. 3. Eat lunch on the ship on embarkation day - you paid for it! If the Windjammer is too busy, not a problem, there are plenty of other places onboard.

I am going to Alaska on Quantum in a week! Can't wait, thank you for the videos!

18 days to quantum of the seas to Alaska, getting excited, appreciate all your tips and tricks

You just found yourself a new subscriber! Hoping to sail on my first Royal cruise in 2024 so I will be watching past and currents video’s you put out! Thank you!👏👏

Thanks Matt. 77 days till our honeymoon cruise to Hawaii on Radiance!

Tip number 2 just saved me nearly $400 🤩 TFS!❤

Check in at your muster station as soon as you get on the ship. It is usually on one of the lower decks and you can knock it out and not have to worry about it anymore.

Thanks Matt! Awesome video!

I sure appreciate your videos Matt!

Thanks for your wonderful compliments for travel advisors. We work so hard and want our clients to have the best possible experience.

Great job with all the tips and reminders. Another good tip is to be sure to have some type of identifying marker like a colorful ribbon or string on your suitcase as it can help you find it quicker if the suitcase doesn’t end up at your door and is down the hallways

Thanks Matt for the tips. I was a travel agent for 17 years. I took the time to make sure my clients had all the information needed for a great cruise. I booked pre and post stays as well as checking fares to see if the price went down and got the rate locked in.

My biggest tips from 4 cruises are always going to third-party excursions and book yourself. You can beat the crowds and see amazing things, like Unesco Dolphin/ray/turtle Shows, climbing the waterfall before anyone gets there, and eating jerk chicken with a red stripe with the locals, all day private island. Sure it's not guaranteed, but hey I did it with no issues. Everlasting impressions away from others. So far in 2022, the only "deals" I see are the Ultimate food plan (with a 40% wine discount) since the food quality is down in free areas overall (from what I read) with all these specialty restaurants added. The drink package is a stretch unless non-alcoholic or a great deal

Cruises are so popular and so fully booked where i live that repricing is unheard of.

Thanks for the tips Matt! We sail on Adventure if the seas in 23 days. (We did Anthem in 2019) Even though we’ve sailed before we always can benefit from new tips!

You are the best KZfaq on cruises!

Thank you for the true & tried tips, Matt! So super helpful 👍🏼 we will be on Wonder of the Seas embarking out of Barcelona end of August.

Txs so much. Taking G’kids on Oasis in July. I wrote a note to try Johnnie rockets for Bfast 👏👍🏼😋

Always top notch information. Sending to my parents who are going on their first cruise

I take my makeup, shampoo etc and put it in my carryon. We fly so we have to pack it in our checked bag. I also put a change of clothes or what I am going to be wearing at night in my carryon. This is so if my luggage comes to my cabin later I have everything I need. We never eat in the windjammer the first day. The exception was on the Wonder where the windjammer is bigger and there are more tables.

I will follow these tips on my next cruise.

Thank You so much for all the information we are going on Freedon of the Sea on Aug. 8th and it's a family of about 10 of us some of course children and it is their first time lol Also took your advice and fling in the day before. So thank you Matt for all your help!! Glad your are feeling better

Thank you so much for ALL your helpful videos!! We leave in one week for a cruise on the Ovations of the Sea to Alaska. You videos have made preparing for our cruise less stressful!!

I book my cruises 18 months to 2 years in advance. It helps immensely in getting great pricing and the cabin we want. The only time you can reliably get a better deal is if you're only a few days out and you're willing to book the absolute last minute to fill a spot, but obviously, there are lots of downsides to that method. Unless you're retired and live right next to a cruise port, you're going to have a lot of trouble making that work.

Another fabulous video filled with tips and tricks! Thank you so much!!

Great video!

You are the best

My parents booked our cruise on their honeymoon 19 months before the sailing so they got a wicked deal

Great tips!

Thanks for the great video. Hopefully mine will be as good some day.

The meme got my attention 😂

Good tips Matt! Thanks!

I have a bit to say on a few things. But post Covid you want to fly in 2 days in advance. Until the airlines get their act together. My flight to Miami was delayed 25 hours. And my bag was lost. If that had been the day before I would have been doomed.

My cruise ship I booked is almost at cap Also If you fly in early make sure you book hotel very very far in advance The hotels in Vancouver is going for almost 400 a night

Thanks!

You kept saying to book through Travel Agent. We did and got so confused and had a terrible experience. we ended up go back to do it ourselves online. Easier to do it online yourself than book it thru a travel agent you don’t know and they don’t know you.

GREAT INFO 👍🏾👍🏾

me and my family are going on an october cruise

Johnny Rockets wasn't open for breakfast in April on Oasis ☹️

Hey Matt, big fan here. Do you think you will ever do a tour of a vision class ship? Thanks!

May I add one to the Shore Excursions? Book early! I've missed out on a few when I waited to book onboard. By the time I got on the ship, many of them were sold out!

Thank you Matt for all the information for a fool-proof cruise. We are first time cruisers and am so excited to board the Allure of the Seas. Celebrating our first granddaughter's graduation and accomplishments (she deserves it). When you can if possible, can you please forward a paper copy of the Cruise Compass. I know they are going to do away with paper, but we just wanted to discuss it with our grands and group. I am a visual learner and just wanted a recent paper copy. Thanks! Have a wonderful day.

What are some of the best places to stay before the trip at port Canaveral?

Does Johnny Rockets have burgers for breakfast? I’m not crazy about breakfast foods.

I chose my time dining assuming that meant I could go on my time, when I'm ready, but you said make a reservation when you get on ship. Is this for all days or each day you have to make a reservation?

oops I just got my answer about the cruise compass.

I wish we could book shows online before boarding. I’m not seeing the point of not being able to.

When school starts back and vacation time is over the cruise lines are facing very choppy waters! They should know what’s in store for them and they’ll be begging people to cruise, vaccinated or not!!

Hi Matt! Do you know if the repricing rules have changed for Australia? Is it true we now only have 48 hours to reprice?

In regards to choosing a travel agent the only downside is that if you book a suite classr oom you do not get the double points advantage. That is why I book on my own but I do see the benefit of having somebody do all the leg work for you if that's what works for you.

i just booked a cruise for Feb 2024 (taking advantage of the EARLY booking discounts), but there is no packages available to purchase. any idea on when that stuff starts showing up to add on and purchase?

can you talk about those with mobility issues .... ie walker scooter, or wheelchair . what assistance is available and is there shore excursions they can do

Third party excursion companies often guarantee refund if ship schedule changes and also guarantee you will not miss the ship or they will pay to fly you to the next port to meet the ship. In St. Martaan, we arrived 3 hours late. I contacted the company and was told as soon as they confirmed that the ship arrived too late for the excursion, I got an immediate refund. I have loved every private excursion I have done. I’ve been extremely disappointed in every cruise line excursion I have done.

I just finished a 8 day cruise on Alure of the seas. Windjammer never had an omelet station. Very disappointing.

Are we allowed to take our suitcase on ship ourselves?

Do you get double loyalty points when sailing solo in a double cabin on RCL?

As a solo traveler, is it still Important to make reservations for my time dining?

Any tips on Parking at ports? Going on my first cruise in a couple a weeks and I was wonder if I should buy parking in advance at Port Canaveral or wait till I get there. Thanks!

If you go to the helipad in Galveston, you are likely to see dolphins!

Do you need a passport for the Caribbean cruises?

Is allure going to be refurbished this year?

Thanks for the tips Matt. We’re on the Odyssey in a few weeks and I’ve done everything you suggested. Packages are purchased as well as excursions and we have the earliest check in time. I’m running into one roadblock. We’re sailing out of Rome and are flying in on Saturday for a Sunday sailing. I called RC about a transfer from the airport Hilton and they couldn’t help me because I didn’t have a Sunday flight to give them. Now I’m trying to find a private transfer to the port. I’ve not been to this port in about ten years and from what I’ve seen on KZfaq it looks like RC has a new embarkation area. Do you know how close a private vehicle can get to this area? I’m very frustrated that the RC rep was unwilling to give me any help or information specific to the port. Thanks in advance to anyone who has information.

do you have any recommendations for a travel agent....im so overwhelmed

The problem is, the pre-purchase option for shore excursions, drink packages, etc. don't work. I've tried it a dozen times over the last month, and it always errors out when trying to complete the order.

where do we find past cruise compases?

Can you find past cruise compasses online

Is it 12 bottles of water per person? Or per stateroom?

Love the tips Matt. We have 4 upcoming cruises. Question though. We just made Diamond and was wondering if you know if we bought the drink package, can we use the vouchers for someone else? Thanks.

Never knew about not getting a dinning package for kids.

do you hook people up with jobs ?

Is NA beer allowed? I didn't think that could be brought on board.

how so you find a "good" travel agent

Do you not get charged if the port is skipped?

When did they start enforcing check in times? We always get there as early as we can and they never make us wait until our official check in time. Our last cruise was pre covid though.

Good information but what in the Heck is the Wind Ja Mare??

is it weird that the water slides and thrill rides are deal breakers for me?

Assuming that is Eddie Murphy in your thumbnail, I'd recommend rethinking the use of that image. Your channel can get dinged for it. A famous KZfaqr (wildlife) lost his channel because his intro had (small and brief) a cutout of a snakes head that apparently was used without permission. The owner of the image abused the KZfaq complaint system and used one image to file three complaints and the channel was taken down permanently for violating the 3 strikes policy.

Is it just me or was he saying “Windjammer” weird?

Don't book royal caribbean horrible experience bad bad bad service special from Rome . Bad food after 10 pm only horrible pizza . No fun on board. Bumper car only for 2 minutes . Go for other like NCL or Carnival .

Another fool proof tip is to use apple AirTags in your luggage, they made it so easy to track our luggage on the symphony. 🛳