Matt

I don't think it's a prerequisite to want to cruise 365 days a year to be a cruise fan. I can definitely see a week long cruise being enough and then taking a break. The key is you want to return.

I think it's definitely a fair question to ask in light of the recent events. There's definitely a good amount of security, especially in the US ports. Also, they do respond quite quickly to changes. A good example was when the Ebola threat was elevated earlier this year and within a few days, they started screening for it.

This blog post may be helpful. It's photos of of the ship post-drydock http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2013/11/11/vision-of-the-seas-photos-first-post-dry-dock-cruise#.VkkLhK6rRE4

Love that quote

Great analysis, Scott. If you listen to Arthur speak about cruises, he yields no middle ground in the debate. To him, all these new ships are awful and shame on anyone that chooses to travel on them (listen to his weekly radio show and that is the summary of his opinion). I love his opinions and advice in other aspects of travel, but in terms of cruises I really feel he is out of touch on this.

November 2015 13 - rekkie (Explorer of the Seas) 13 - Steve (Liberty of the Seas) 13 - sulross (Liberty of the Seas) 16 - mfoley52 (Enchantment of the Seas) 25 - dh1ch1 (Freedom of the Seas) 26 - Matt (Brilliance of the Seas) 26 - vandy96 (Brilliance of the Seas) 29 - dh1ch1 (Freedom of the Seas) December 2015 6 - sulross (Liberty of the Seas) 12 - Krazykitty (Oasis of the Seas) 13 - sulross (Liberty of the Seas) January 2016 2 - Dan (Oasis of the Seas) 3 - DocLC (Liberty of the Seas) 10 - Michel (Allure of the Seas) 11 - monctonguy (Independence of the Seas) 11 - ian91 (Splendour of the Seas) 17 - Huntley (Freedom of the Seas) 22 - Forsyth71 (Mariner of the Seas) February 2016 7 - jlynn222 (Freedom of the Seas) 7 - Nicole (Freedom of the Seas) 7 - sulross (Liberty of the Seas) 8 - scottstein1 (Enchantment of the Seas) 14 - sulross (Liberty of the Seas) 21 - Matt (Allure of the Seas Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise!) 21 - AGSLC5 (Allure of the Seas Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise!) 21 - WAAAYTOOO (Allure of the Seas Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise!) 21 - sulross (Liberty of the Seas) 21 - Jerel (Allure of the Seas) 21 - eaglesfaninfl (Freedom of the Seas) 22 - monctonguy (Brilliance of the Seas) March 2016 4 - Dan (Anthem of the Seas) 13 - Marc (Freedom of the Seas) 13 - Cowcrazy65 (Grandeur of the Seas) 13 - Knisley96 (Navigator of the Seas) April 2016 3 - sulross (Liberty of the Seas) 3 - Steve (Liberty of the Seas) 10 - sulross (Liberty of the Seas) 23 - Adventure of the Seas (monctonguy) May 2016 21 - Welshrose15 (Navigator of the Seas) June 2016 12 - Shocked (Harmony of the Seas) 16 - MikeK (Navigator of the Seas) 24 - Steve (Explorer of the Seas) July 2016 4 - Cruiseman (Radiance of the Seas) 24 - DocLC (Serenade of the Seas) August 2016 7 - amejiajr8 (Allure of the Seas) 21 - Davyb33 (Jewel of the Seas) 25 - AGSLC5 (Anthem of the Seas) 28 - sulross (Liberty of the Seas) 28 - WAAAYTOOO (Liberty of the Seas) September 2016 18 - JohnK6404 (Allure of the Seas) 18 - sulross (Liberty of the Seas) October 2016 9 - Marc (Liberty of the Seas) 23 - sulross (Harmony of the Seas) November 2016 5 - WAAAYTOOO (Oasis of the Seas) 27 - Jerel (Navigator of the Seas) December 2016 3 - dh1ch1 (Brilliance of the Seas) 23 - WAAAYTOOO (Navigator of the Seas) January 2017 2 - DocLC (Allure of the Seas) 9 - rekkie (Ovation of the Seas) February 2017 7 - JohnK6404 (Anthem of the Seas) 11 - WAAAYTOOO (Harmony of the Seas) 11 - AGSLC5 (Harmony of the Seas) 18 Jerel (Harmony of the Seas) March 2017 4 - Marc (Freedom of the Seas) April 2017 14 - scottstein1 (Navigator of the Seas) 22 - WAAAYTOOO (Harmony of the Seas)

Glad you are enjoying this site!

Agreed. You definitely have a good deal on your hands. Well done! Balcony guarantee means you will get a balcony stateroom, but RC will pick the exact stateroom closer to your sail date. This means it could be any balcony stateroom, anywhere on the ship. As long as you aren't particular about where your room is, then it's a good idea because guarantee staterooms are often less expensive options.

This is part of the new BOGO GETTER deal, so if you want it, you'd have to re-book under this current deal to get it.

About half those photos are just RC's photos. I found that slightly amusing. Also of interest is Arthur Frommer, slammed Quantum of the Seas when it came out for essentially not having the same things to do as a ship from 1920. http://www.frommers.com/community/blogs/arthur-frommer-online/_would-believe-roller-skating-rink-sea-bumper-cars-circus-school-basketball-court-controlled-sky-diving-read-weep

Here's the episode: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/podcast/episode-117-royal-caribbean-versus-carnival-cruise-line

Welcome! I haven't been on Carnival, so hard for me to compare. What do you mean by going to the same destination.

This should fit the bill on St Croix: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2014/01/21/excursion-focus-sand-castle-the-beach-st-croix

Love that!

Thank you, John! I really appreciate your support.

Feel free to post any questions you may have. We're here to help!

From what I understand, there are limitations with the freestyle machines on ships that go to Europe. Typically, the freestyle machines are reserved for ships based in North America.

St Thomas will be warm enough to swim, but Bahamas could be hit or miss, depending on the winter they experience down there.

I tend to agree. While message boards are an old school means of social media, the ability to find old conversations is really helpful. But to Scott's point, it's more likely to get more folks in a Facebook group versus message boards because most people are already on FB.

Yes, and that is a BIG factor to consider. Plus you also have to figure on other incidentals related to airfare (hotels, food, etc)

Makes sense. I will be curious to hear your thoughts when you return if your plan/thoughts worked out in the manner you expected.

Can't argue with that logic!

It's more rare these days and they tend to be shorter. When in doubt, I look for a cruise vacation.

I think this change reflects what most people do actually wear when they go out for a party or to a club these days.

Great answer, JohnK6404!