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Never were truer words spoken than what I typed in the title ...... My wife, Tyna, and I did the exact same cruise last week, that we did last year --- A 5-nighter to Bermuda, in September, on Grandeur OTS out of Baltimore. Expecting the same experience as last year was our first mistake -- even though the ship, cabin, itinerary were identical, the cruise experience was completely different, yet, so much fun..... First off, I must give a "Shout Out" to the Cruise Maryland staff ...... We pulled in the parking lot at about 9:45 and were on the ship by 10:45 ..... had our first Bloody Mary in hand by 11:00 ---- The perfect way to start and enjoy our "Breakfast of Champions" Now mind you, we, along with others that we had made contact with, were watching The Weather Channel like a hawk..... we knew it wasn't going to be easy thanks to Jose, and we were right (I scoped the water splashing out of the swimming pool - who needs a Flowrider? Right?) ---- I must give a lot of credit to the Captain ..... normally, as you come out of the Chesapeake, you go south towards Cape Hatteras, then a track SE to Bermuda ---This time, we came out of the bay, we went due east to stay ABOVE the storm, then arrive at Bermuda from the north ---- Then, on the way back, we stayed to the south of the storm all the way west, then went north to the Bay...... as we were in Bermuda, Jose passed to our west ..... we did a sort of loop around it...... Perfect. NEVER DID WE EVER THINK OUR SAFETY, OR THE SHIPS STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY WAS IN ANY JEOPARDY!!! Fortunately, through all this planning, my wife bought every conceivable seasickness remedy she could find "Just in Case" --- People got sick on this cruise because of the motion (luckily, we weren't two of them) ---- I'd file that under the category "Proper Planning" .... Now, to get to the fun ---- the vision my wife had was to enjoy relaxing around the pool, enjoying some frosty beverages and listening to the calypso music ....... yeah, outside of Sail-Away in Baltimore and again as we left Bermuda --- that just didn't happen (in fact, they drained all pools and shut down the top outdoor deck AND the Promenade Deck that wraps around the ship under the life boats because of the wind and the rocking....Plus, in Bermuda, many excursions were canceled due to rough seas ..... Fortunately, again, knowing what the weather was going to be like - we rescheduled our snorkeling excursion to instead, visit the Crystal Caves (I highly recommend) For us, we took what many considered to be lemons, and turned them into lemonade..... We just let each day "happen" and see where it takes us ..... Tyna caught me on video ATTEMPTING to dance to Thriller on the Centrum Stage night one ..... It was as ugly as you can imagine (Thanks Bud Lite) --- even as I type this, I'm chuckling ...... so much fun. On another day, we did the Sushi Making Class in Izumi (I tolerate Sushi at best -- she loves it) --- it was so much fun, hers looked it was done by a professional, not to be gross, mine looked like a turd --- We laughed so hard for hours over that. One evening, we watched Beauty and the Beast (the new version) on the big screen ..... Yes, my "man card" got taken away on that one, but so did a lot of others ....incredibly peaceful. We met some amazing people, saw some people that were on with us last time, that not only joined us this time, but also will be sailing with is in April of 2019. Once again, I'm shown how, when you're on a cruise, you're amongst family. Here are a few pictures --- including Tyna during the Sushi making class .... and .... us doing a little smoochie, smoochie in one of Bermuda's famous Moongates (with Grandeur in the background) --- a stunning shot if you ask me. Anyhow, lessons learned .... be prepared for the weather, don't expect your next cruise to be anything like your prior cruises, and go with the flow and let yourself be stupid and have fun --- even if that includes attempting to dance to Michael Jackson's "Thriller" (I'm laughing again as I type this) Oh, and next time we go to Bermuda -- and yes, we are, it'll be October of 2018 --- still in Hurricane season , just not at its prime. Mark

With everything that goes on in everybody's busy lives, sometimes the best thing that can happen is doing nothing. I told my wife, we spend all year taking care of others. Whether it's our kids, other family members, friends or work responsibilities . This week is ours and ours alone. We are going to concentrate on us as a couple. Shut out the outside world. And celebrate 27yrs of being married to our best friends. All the best to you and yours.

Lol...15 years ago we took our first cruise on Adventure and our travel agent convinced us to "splurge" on a balcony since it was our honeymoon. Fell in love with it and got spoiled and never looked back after that. And then, just this past August, many RC cruises later we went on Harmony to celebrate our 15th anniversary and I finally convinced my husband to get a JS. Thought that was going to be great! One month before the cruise prices for GS dropped and we upgraded for an extra $500 just to "try out" Sky class after reading many comments here I was curious. Here's where I am going to sound really spoiled....I loved the GS and Sky class! Kids now want to go on Anthem and we have booked 2 connecting balconies for the extra bathroom and beds and although I know logically this makes the most sense some part of me is finding it hard to "go back". I'be been checking daily for price changes on the Anthem. I know...spoiled but very fortunate already. But yes...careful with those upgrades. They can be dangerous lol. Already trying to prep hubby on booking a GS for symphony in 2019....

They usually have a number of backdrops set up each night in addition to candids taken around the ship and in the dining rooms. In addition, there are photo opportunities when getting off in each port and when initially boarding the ship. At about $20 per 8x10, the package can be worthwhile, like the one at Disney, if you're willing to take the opportunity to have your photos taken a lot. Keep in mind, though, that they won't be nearly as creative as some of the Disney shots.

Wife and I just upgraded to a Balcony room on Vav of the seas for January 18. Our 4th cruise and the first balcony, can't wait.

Love you r review and your attitudes. Lemonade for all, maybe with a little vodka!

Great post, Mark, and awesome job making all that lemonade and having what sounds like a fantastic time! I know there was another post here or in one of the other forums that either included pics of the Crystal Caves or gave a link to the official site, but if you have any pics of your own I'd love to see them. I don't know if I can convince my wife to do that on our trip to Bermuda next year, but maybe if I can show her enough photos... or a hurricane comes nearby again when we're there... And that was great to read about how the captain navigated you to keep clear of the storm and still make it to Bermuda. One of my mom's co-workers went out on Anthem just this past weekend for what should have been a Bermuda cruise of her own, and the timing wasn't vs. Jose's location wasn't in their favor. Jose forced a complete itinerary change and she's going to Maine and Nova Scotia instead. Hopefully she can also make good lemonade out of those lemons, especially since it's her first cruise ever!

Sounds like it might be a real sale.

Yes, we did. It was great fun

So, so bummed I missed this cruise. Maybe someday I'll get to go on a GC!

This is wonderful news ! Hopefully everyone can save some money. It's been so long since the US had any REAL sale I've forgotten what it feels like. Good for you guys !

That what the travel agent is going to try. She said she was going to try changing my grandmother’s name to mine today (Monday) and try changing my grandfather’s to my boyfriend’s tomorrow. She said if that didn’t work then she was going to try what you suggested. Hooray for hoop jumping! ?

Just being away and not planning a wedding will be awesome! I love being on a cruise and having some days where it's me, a book and my frosty adult beverage.... so different from my 55 hour work weeks for sure! You have a great attitude about all the changes...i hour you have a wonderful time!! Jane

That's actually good to hear because the more they have to offer, the quicker they will return to normal through tax revenue.

Given that AO opens late on the first night, I'd do the family dinner thing on the first night and then reevaluate from there.

Unless something changed, AO doesn't open until 8 the first night and 7 the other nights. My kids always go the first night and as others have said, check in on the first night is a bit crazy because many didn't go and pre-register. We always eat in the MDR with my kids...sometimes it may be our only meal as a family. I have 2 teens who would check in my younger 2 early before the dessert course if they were in a hurry to meet friends. Sometimes I'd ask for dessert early for the kids if its taking too long or if they want to get it on their own at WJ.

I agree with what @jticarrutherssaid. I probably would encourage her to give it a try the first night. If she hates it or loves it at least you'll know, and know quickly.

Honestly, in between the stresses of work, planning a wedding, and losing my brother two months ago I'm really just going to be happy to be sitting on our balcony quietly with a beer and reading a book or just talking. I'd be fine if it was 7 sea days... just need to get away at this point.

If they want to go early, let them go.

I'm basing my comment on me. I walk slow.

If he's that close, wait until you get to CocoCay and see what they say. I doubt if you go there first thing you will have any issue booking it at the excursions hut on CocoCay.

I agree. My kids can't wait to get to AO. More importantly, they find dinner in MDR too boring for their taste. On day 1, there is an open house in the afternoon. Might be a good opportunity to not only register your kids, but let them see the space and talk to counselors about what they will do.

Depends on your child and her interests/maturity. We started cruising with our son when he was about 5/6. First cruise we brought him to MDR with us and he loved it, he has never shown any interest in skipping it since and actually gets a little bummed if we decide to skip dinner and hit the buffet. I dont recall whether Adventure Ocean is open the first night now, i know it did not used to be but thought i read they had changed that so it might be a night 1 option, just keep in mind night 1 is usually a madhouse for everyone so in terms of meeting kids may or may not be a good time.

Is it true they named a life boat after her?

I agree with JL about the negative noise on CC but I still read the reviews. I think when people go on a cruise they expect it to be like what they saw on LOVE BOAT. I always remember that show and think about how poor Isaac the bartender worked every bar on ship, every day. The Captain was never in the bridge, instead he was mingling with passengers, but I feel people expect that kind of treatment when on a cruise. If you have your expectations so high you will be disappointed. CC is not the only negative review site, there are several others. Trip Advisor has their share of negative reviews. I have read many reviews where passengers blamed the cruise lines for the weather, the sea conditions, people on board who were sick, etc. It is what you make it. Anyways I kind of veered off subject, if you read CC and just remember that this review might be biased, sometimes there is still good information in the review. I use Trip Advisor when I am looking for a good restaurant at home, a good hotel to stay at the day before the cruise, it is a wealth of information and it also lists excursions. For information about ports, I use whatsinport.com, cruiseportinsider.com and tomsportguides.com. The first two have a rundown of everything that is in port, weather information and what to pack, many things. Tom's Port Guides is written by a man who has traveled to all of the ports and compiled them into a wealth of information. He will tell you whether the port is walkable, how far from the ship to the center of town, his suggestions on excursions. It is an amazing wealth of information but unfortunately he hasn't traveled to every port, so there are many missing. I don't like vacationstogo.com. I have had friends who were kind of messed with on their booking. I don't like that they charge a fee for booking with them. A travel agent, at least to me, is the best way to go for a booking. A very good travel agent can make recommendations on everything to do with a cruise. My TA, since I know her so well, will tell me if she thinks the cruise just isn't right for me. With a membership to the Royal Blog you can get cruise tracking, I use it all the time. Matt is a wealth of information and so are the members. WAAAYTOOO has taken so many cruises she has so much knowledge about cruising and many others are the same. Just ask your questions and you will always get an answer. Candie