Matt

The Anigua-Barbuda tourism minister just wrapped up a bunch of meetings with cruise executives, including RC. You can read about it here: http://www.caribbeannewsnow.com/topstory-Antigua-Barbuda-tourism-minister-presents-cruise-facilities-masterplan-to-cruise-executives-33385.html Of interest, was this paragraph

Possibly. If this rumor is true, I will be very interested to see which ship they put in Galveston. It's worth noting Galveston is RC's test market, where they put new features first (Navigator and Liberty's refurbs saw first ships with various new features).

I try to track drink prices here: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/royal-caribbean-drink-prices

That can definitely happen, and as you noted that front came through the night before, which tends to churn the ocean. I suspect it will be short lived, especially once you get out of the Atlantic.

That was back in January, right?

To be fair, I feel Waffle House makes better hash browns than a vast majority of diners I have been to in the northeast United States.

:o If true, that's a big change. RC has a deal with Galveston to provide a ship of a certain size, and I believe it has to be at least Freedom class or higher. The deal came after Navigator was there, and the cruise line promised something larger than that.

When you purchase a drink package, the gratuity will be included in the drink package purchase. So when you go order a drink with your drink package benefits, there is nothing extra to tip (unless you want to).

That is correct.

Good point. It is worth noting some rooms overlook the channel where the ships come in and out of.

Looking forward to following along!

The Holiday Inn Club Vacations Cape Canaveral Beach Resort that Resting Birds mentioned looks amazing. My parents own a timeshare at a sister property in Orlando and we have always loved it there. Been angling to do a weekend staycation there to check it out myself.

I haven't been there yet, but I'm trying British Colonial Hilton on my next visit to Nassau

Grand Cayman: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2016/09/08/excursion-focus-royal-palms-beach-club-grand-cayman Falmouth: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2011/09/15/excursion-focus-hilton-rose-hall-resort-spa-day-pass

I honestly have no idea, but I've just read about it and heard good things.

I was under the impression RC's insurance pays back 100% if a covered reason, and 75% for any reason. If you purchased RC's trip insurance at the time of your cruise booking, then you should be covered under one of those scenarios.

The photo upload feature is something that began with the Quantum class ships and expanded out to the Oasis class. It should be in the online check in area, along with where you enter your passport info and contact info.

Bingo, try another web browser. Maybe something is cached

Having cruised on Freedom of the Seas 4 times, I've seen the same shows many times. Usually, shows are changed as part of a refurbishment but not always. I'd expect the same shows in 2017 that you saw in 2016.

Same. No need to put yourself in a panic, if it can be avoided. Noon is safe, and flights in 11:00 hour are cautionary, but doable.

The casino

I'd point out the wine in the diamond lounge and concierge lounge is free. There is quite a wide selection of wine elsewhere on the ship. Plus, Royal Caribbean allows you to bring up to 2 bottles of wine per stateroom!

We've done connecting rooms with young kids (1 and 5) multiple times and its wonderful. The key is to have a connecting room (with a common door between the rooms). At night, we keep the connecting door open so we can hear them.

I've done Blue Waters and I was deeply disappointed in it. Full disclosure: my children were in an awful attitude that day, so it did not help, but the beach was oversold and the food was anything but the description they have on the site. Here's my full review: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2016/03/15/excursion-focus-blue-waters-beach-escape-falmouth By contrast, I loved Hilton Rose Hall: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2011/09/15/excursion-focus-hilton-rose-hall-resort-spa-day-pass

I don't think it will be horrible. Just different. I admit the Divina and now Seaside intrigue me, mostly because these are brand new ships that have a lot going on and are very inexpensive. That being said, you can probably say the same about NCL and I have no desire to try them again.