This is how I plan to cruise!! Tips and tricks that we have learned.

[@amandaoliver6715]

Don, you are the Man! I watched your first cruise on Allure to get your take as a First time cruiser. We are Diamond on Royal and have sailed on Allure 5 times. But, I really enjoyed watching you and Queen Heather. I would like you to consider cruising on Odyssey of the Seas, which is smaller than Allure, but larger than Independence. We did the Mediterranean cruise on Odyssey out of Rome and it was awesome. One point you could have made about online check is that the earlier you check in, you are more likely to get your preferred check in time. Finally, you are a hell of a gambler. Dr. WO😮

[@MakeItHappenWithDon]

Heather wants to do the Mediterranean. Probably do it soon.

[@tonyfred123]

The Intercontinental in Miami is my favorite cruise hotel. Get a room facing the port and watch the ships. Excellent hotel. Reminds me of the Cosmo.

[@MakeItHappenWithDon]

Will have to try it. Thanks.

[@N2it4Now]

Glad we found ya via "first time cruising." We were the same way on our first cruise years ago. It is truly amazing how these ships float. Rock on Don!!

[@MakeItHappenWithDon]

Thanks for joining.

[@AD12396]

I actually create spreadsheets as well when I travel as I am a planner and find them so helpful. Thank you for sharing your tips and look forward to your vlogs. Enjoy!

[@MakeItHappenWithDon]

You are so welcome!

[@quike221]

This was so helpful, thanks a lot Don for sharing those great tips, blessings to you guys!

[@MakeItHappenWithDon]

Glad it was helpful! Blessings.

[@thomasbossie2174]

My brother and I went on a free cruise a few years back and it was great. It was from a casino perk He received He was a big gambler. What was funny was our free cruise cost over 10 grand at the end of the week. Our cost was from gambling, and I had to buy my wife a gift for letting me go. Also in the cost was tips and I think some taxes.

[@MakeItHappenWithDon]

Right. Nothing is free.

[@sgraffrn]

Great breakdown and tips!

[@MakeItHappenWithDon]

Glad it was helpful!

[@awkaeve]

we love you don!!! Thank you for giving us such amazing information!

[@MakeItHappenWithDon]

My pleasure! Thanks for the kind words.

[@tripp540]

Very informative video Don! Thanks for sharing

[@MakeItHappenWithDon]

You are very welcome

[@Cathie-yj9zb]

Enjoyed your Tips and Tricks, hope to sale when I retire 🍀🥂

[@MakeItHappenWithDon]

Best of luck!

[@Cruisnboy]

Welcome to cruising guys! We love it, been on lots of cruise lines and they are all alittle different but always a great time, Enjoy your cruise this coming week, Have a great time and Make it Happen!🎉

[@MakeItHappenWithDon]

Thanks so much!!

[@sweetlifehappywife3460]

Excellent work on this one, Don!! We really appreciate you sharing how to book everything for a cruise since we’ve never done one & it seemed overwhelming. You eased my mind. ❤

[@MakeItHappenWithDon]

Glad it was helpful! Now book a cruise.

[@BarbandKenontheTown]

Thank you for this excellent video! We had just booked our first cruise shortly before you posted your first cruise video so we were so excited to see what we had to look forward to. Our cruise isn't til January and we are going on the Utopia of the Seas. These tips and tricks you posted are so helpful! We are really looking forward to your upcoming cruise videos too. We are leaving for Vegas today and eating at Don's Prime while we are out there based on your review. Thanks for the hard work you put into your vlogs! Enjoy your trip on the 7th!- Barb and Ken

[@MakeItHappenWithDon]

Enjoy Vegas. I know you will love the cruise

[@donbarron5349]

Back to back cruises cuts the cost of airfare, hotels, cab fares, etc. Also we've been on several freedom class ships, but we love Oasis class ships and Central Park.

[@MakeItHappenWithDon]

We will try odyssey soon

[@LisaKayGlasgow]

We will be in Las Vegas for my birthday 8/3 - 8/9 staying at The Cosmo then heading to Fontainebleau for the last 2 nights! I’m gonna show my husband this video when he gets off work today! #Ohioians

[@MakeItHappenWithDon]

Awesome. If interested in a meet and greet, email.me. we have a few that are interested so we will probably plan something at FB. Just a casual meet up for a drink. Let me know and I will give you the info when we set it up.

[@LisaKayGlasgow]

@@MakeItHappenWithDon absolutely, I will let you know. We have a big group going with us so not sure the timing would work out but it would be cool even if we run into ya both!

[@MakeItHappenWithDon]

@@LisaKayGlasgow sounds great.

[@deborahjones2045]

Great tips. Hoping to take my first cruise soon. thanks for the helpful info.

[@MakeItHappenWithDon]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jeffvansloten1897]

We need a make it happen Europe tour.

[@MakeItHappenWithDon]

Good luck

[@jasonsmith8212]

My wife and I will be on the 7/19 Utopia of the Seas cruise also!

[@MakeItHappenWithDon]

I'm sure we will see you on there. Come say hi

[@mgrenn]

Have a blast - Looking forward to watching! You may want to cover up your Flight Ticket Confirm Number!

[@MakeItHappenWithDon]

Thanks for watching.

[@Scotty_B123]

I've heard good things about Virgin cruises... no kids allowed!! I think that'll be my next cruise.

[@MakeItHappenWithDon]

Yes me too. WE will probably try Virgin in 2025

[@JMSites-kr3lj]

Nice work on this vid! You'll be the Captain before long if you're not careful. Amy and I are looking forward to the next video already. And another topic...leave a little money in Vegas for us...we'll be there later in the month. Take care, guys!

[@MakeItHappenWithDon]

We always leave plenty for ya. We will be there early August.

[@georgedixon9863]

cool video, I'm on Utopia with my best friend for a 4 day mid-September, I'm sure we'll be a complete mess (drink package, yeah!)

[@MakeItHappenWithDon]

Enjoy your cruise

[@hamsflightskitbox3710]

Congratulations on your casino wins. It paid off. ? How long did you play? Thx u, good channel. 👍🏾

[@MakeItHappenWithDon]

Not sure how long we played. Played in the evenings when at sea.

[@larryfrench2675]

Got some hurricanes coming Be careful.

[@MakeItHappenWithDon]

I see. Thanks.

[@djcruiser9816]

I have not sailed with Royal yet but looking forward to trying them. In my opinion less than 20 dollars in gratuities for a cruise seems kind of low for as hard as they work.

[@MakeItHappenWithDon]

I agree.

[@tommyclauss8915]

Your videos show you playing 2.00$ a bet on slots … junior suite ? 😂

[@MakeItHappenWithDon]

Yes. And they upgraded us to grand suite. Blessed.

[@CASmerk]

Are you able to tell us a ballpark amount you spent in the casino before they approached you and offered the free cruise? Thank you 👍🏻

[@MakeItHappenWithDon]

Weeeeellllll. It's hard to say. You need to get 2500 points. I don't know what that computes to dollars. Obviously, if your winning, it's easier to get to 2500. I can say that I had 4500 points and Heather had 2600 points. It's definitely doable. We had some good fortune that trip so it was easy. Now, that being said, the points for us a cruise certificate for the free cruise. However, every two weeks, we get free cruise offers on the mail. How that helps.

[@jeffvansloten1897]

Which spreadsheet did you use. I’m planning my 10 day Ireland trip and have it on my notes in my phone. Need better.

[@MakeItHappenWithDon]

I just created it myself.

[@TheLatinBlast]

How much do you have to spend at the casino to earn yourself a comp cruise?

[@MakeItHappenWithDon]

Not sure dollar amount. You need to earn 2500 points.

[@TheLatinBlast]

Don, this is what I found in the RC website: "Slot Machines - Earn 1 point for every $5 you play on a reel slot machine or $10 on a video poker machine. Table Games - Earning points is based on the type of table game you are playing, your average bet and how long you play. Certain games are not eligible for point earning such as Texas Hold'em Poker, Keymaster, Cash Crane and coin pushers."

[@Summerwind-jl8cx]

Hello Don, I can’t help thinking that my Tip to you to stay at the Radisson at the Port and not in Orlando when you cruise out of the Port Canaveral kind of spurred this video. You provided some nice tips for first time cruisers from planning to booking etc! Do you think you will be doing a weigh-in that I suggested, just for you, when you do the Utopia? Before and after the cruise. Enjoy your Vids! 👍

[@MakeItHappenWithDon]

yes. I plan on doing it. I am not happy with my current weight. lol But, there is no shame in my game so I will try and remember to do it.

[@Summerwind-jl8cx]

P.S. ...Meghan Trainor with Her just-dropped Sixth studio album has everyone moving - and now her next move is On ‌July 15‌! Meghan will bring all the vibes to Utopia of the Seas SM to get the party started right, officially welcoming our newest weekend getaway to Port Canaveral.

[@MakeItHappenWithDon]

Yes. looks like she is on the media VIP cruise.