We UPGRADED to a BALCONY ROOM using Royal Up!

[@christinemarino5732]

Yes, we use the draw space, some items I leave in packing cubes. Love unpacking once.

[@FrolicAndCourage]

Ooo, I like the idea of leaving everything in packing cubes. It’s like the best of both worlds - you still get organization and easy re-packing but a little more space 👍🏽❤️

[@fredfolson5355]

I definitely unpack completely when we cruise. I unload the suitcases on the first day and store them under the bed so I don't see them again until we pack to leave the ship. Even when I travel for business, I unpack - can't stand living out of a suitcase. And my wife and I are "high maintenance" cruisers. We always cruise in a butler suite with all amenities included. Go big or stay home is our motto.

[@FrolicAndCourage]

Makes sense - it helps to feel relaxed and settled early on 😌 Yessss, Fred! “Go big or stay home” I love it - might as well get the most out of your time off, for sure. I agree 💯 💯!!

[@Rascott03]

I want to be like you when I grow up lol

[@FrolicAndCourage]

Haha, me, too!!

[@drina614]

The reason why we book our own room is because of balance(center ship, less motion) and childcare(the closer the better) or near the main dining room. Away from kitchens (above) & clubs... elevator ls (traffic and noise)... makes a big difference

[@FrolicAndCourage]

We love the center ship, too! Less noise, traffic, and a balanced ride is the best! ⭐️

[@johnsemo835]

Very nice! How many cruises have you been on? Tell me how and when you did Royal Up?

[@Emily-xl2cr]

Good video - thanks for explaining all this was curious how it worked. Gave me a giggle how your husband just quietly nods along with you as you're talking haha, cute couple

[@FrolicAndCourage]

Thanks Emily! We were curious about how it worked, too, and we’re really glad everything worked out 😊 And yes, he’s a quiet head nodder, lol so sweet 🥰 Thanks for watching!

[@TheDisneyMamaVlog]

This is great! We’re just doing research to do our first Mediterranean cruise. Looks incredible! This ship looks amazing! Thanks for all your blogs. And yes we always use the drawers lol. First thing I do is unpack to feel settled. Lol

[@FrolicAndCourage]

Thanks for watching Disney Mama! We did a ton of research before our cruise, too and it certainly paid off 😊 I totally get the feeling of wanting to be settled on the first day - if the foundation isn’t there it throws everything outta wack!

[@amysudell8167]

Yes to using storage space And we toss our dirty closes in the luggage u see the bed in a garbage bag then just pack up everything the last night. I don’t like fishing through luggage for my clothes

[@FrolicAndCourage]

Ahhh, I see! Instead of pulling clothes from your suitcase, wearing them, then tossing them in a dirty laundry bag this is the reverse. Take all the clothes out then pack the dirty clothes in your luggage along the way. Nice 👍🏽

[@michaelzavala5803]

We just got this exact room number for our upcoming cruise over Christmas 😂😂.

[@FrolicAndCourage]

What a coincidence, haha! I hope you have a great time on your Christmas cruise!! 🛳 🎄

[@francescadelisi2564]

Always unpack and use the drawers! Also always bring a pop up hamper for all dirty clothes and all the luggages go under the bed. I hate clutter!

[@FrolicAndCourage]

A pop up hamper, how convenient! It doesn’t take up that much space and keeps the clothes separate. 👍🏽👏🏽

[@francescadelisi2564]

@@FrolicAndCourage And it fits perfectly under the desk area so not in the way at all!

[@FrolicAndCourage]

Even better! Nobody will trip over it and it doesn’t get in the way - brilliant! 🌟

[@drina614]

I use the couple of laundry bags they give us. I fold my dirty clothes and put them in the bags & put them back in the suitcase and keep it under the bed. Or I'll fold them and put them in the closet on the shelf that I use just for dirt clothes, thay way they can slide right back in the bag without it being all jumbled in a ball and having to sort them. Too much work. I have a system as I go so when we depart, it's easy to organize

[@FrolicAndCourage]

@drina614 ooo! Under the bed in a bag will cut out any unwanted odors for sure, I like how you think! 👏🏽🤔

[@chrispnw2547]

Princess offers a similar bid process. Purchased an inside cabin six months earlier but monthly priced two levels up to a deluxe balcony to get a sense of home much it would cost to upgrade. $1,000 (includes premier drinks package) versus $3,200. Received the bid email and watched a few videos about the bidding process. Placed a bid for $380 and 30-days before the cruise I won. I priced the same cruise for 2024 and Princess wants $4,400 for the same room. I am very happy.

[@FrolicAndCourage]

Woohoo! What an awesome steal, Chris, at $380!! Incredible savings!! 👏🏽

[@traceydelibero4065]

Great video

[@FrolicAndCourage]

Thanks for watching and leaving a comment, Tracey!

[@ciscokid516]

Antoinette, we're going to Bermuda in August! Can't wait!

[@FrolicAndCourage]

Bermuda!! 🎉 I’ve never been but I hear wonderful things! Are you planning on taking a cruise or flying in?

[@ciscokid516]

@@FrolicAndCourage we're going on the Norwegian Escape. Definitely should be on your bucket list, it's a beautiful island with beautiful people, everyone is so nice!

[@FrolicAndCourage]

I hear Norwegian is a fabulous cruise line - I’ll have to check it out and Bermuda as well 🙂

[@ciscokid516]

You guys will love it!

[@tangiebrown8169]

Yes depends on how long I’ll be gone

[@ericaedgerson6425]

Definitely use the drawer space.

[@FrolicAndCourage]

Nice! The extra space is helpful on a cruise ship 🚢 👍🏽

[@bigguy1403]

Question did you have any future cruises booked with Royal Caribbean when you won your bid?

[@FrolicAndCourage]

Hey bigguy! After the stress of booking and rebooking since 2020…I did not have another cruise planned (or even booked!)

[@bigguy1403]

@FrolicAndCourage no I ment when you won the royal up did you have any other cruises booked at the time. Trying to fig out how they award them!

[@FrolicAndCourage]

I understood what you meant 😊 I did not have another cruise booked at the time I won the bid. I think a lot of things came into place that may have helped us - this was one of the first few international sailings post pandemic and it was not operating at 100% so there may have been a lot of available rooms, plus CoViD measures like required negative tests were still a thing. I was signed up for the RC marketing emails long before sailing and this wasn’t our first cruise with RC (it was our second cruise with RC). Our sail date was May - before peak season crowds. We also bid on just about every room 😅 Maybe these helped us, maybe it doesn’t matter, but I certainly would’ve regretted it if we didn’t try 😁

[@bigguy1403]

@FrolicAndCourage ok thank you. Yes today ships are full and chances are very slim. If it happen it happens. Either way it'll be a great cruise...

[@joustindarmanta4011]

So can we make a bid if we already checkin online?

[@FrolicAndCourage]

Great question, Joustin! 🧐 You have to submit your bid during the “offer period” which is the time designated for your sailing and before RC “accepts” it and charges your card. If the system is still open after you checkin - assuming you check in well in advance and at least 2 days before departure, it’s possible.

[@nancybarger2457]

No doubt….cruising with a balcony room is the best!

[@FrolicAndCourage]

It really is, Nancy! The views, the water, the sound of the waves 🌊 ❤️