Matt

Wow my brain is way off on that one LOL Sorry for that

I think we are just going to stick with what we have and save the money

For our Freedom of the Seas cruise in July, we booked an inside cabin for the 4 of us (me, my wife, 4-year old daughter and 6-month old daughter) back under the Kids Sail Free deal. We paid about $2400 total. My wife and I realized a few weeks ago that squeezing in 4 people to 1 room isn't ideal and looked at connecting stateroom options. And family staterooms. And everything else. Essentially, we can't find another option that won't close at least $4200 or so. So essentially, to get more room and separation from my kids will cost me another $2000. I love my kids but 4 people in one small room might be a bit much. Anyone think it's worth the extra two grand to splurge? Or do we suck up what we have and enjoy spending that $2k during the cruise?

April 2015 19 - capitalkyle (Adventure of the Seas) 20 - monctonguy (Enchantment of the Seas) May 2015 3 - WAAAYTOOO (Freedom of the Seas) 6 - Cruiseman (Liberty of the Seas) 10 - sulross (Navigator of the Seas) 11 - ian91 (Allure of the Seas) 17 - sulross (Navigator of the Seas) June 2015 7 - JasonD (Freedom of the Seas) 13 - Shocked (Anthem of the Seas) 19 - turtleclanscott (Jewel of the Seas) 21 - TheMays July 2015 13 - jtinkey (Enchantment of the Seas) 26 - Matt (Freedom of the Seas) 29 - DocLC (Brilliance of the Seas) August 2015 1 - Marc (Adventure of the Seas) 8 - Dan (Liberty of the Seas) 10 - jlynn222 (Enchantment of the Seas) 10 - Nicole (Enchantment of the Seas) 17 - Bryce G. (Enchantment of the Seas) September 2015 13 - Shocked (Allure of the Seas) 18 - ian91 (Brilliance of the Seas) 19 - MarriedonRRC (Oasis of the Seas) 26 - RCKRZR (Jewel of the Seas) 27 - Steve (Brilliance of the Seas) 27 - sulross (Navigator of the Seas) October 2015 4 - sulross (Navigator of the Seas) 18 - bkirkham (Navigator of the Seas) 22 - JohnK6404 (Libert of the Seas) 24 - greenline627 (Grandeur of the Seas) November 2015 1 - sulross (Liberty of the Seas) 3 - rekkie (Explorer of the Seas) 13 - rekkie (Explorer of the Seas) 13 - Steve (Liberty of the Seas) 13 - sulross (Liberty of the Seas) December 2015 6 - sulross (Liberty of the Seas) 19 - WAAAYTOOO (Grandeur of the Seas) 31 - 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) February 2016 7 - jlynn222 (Freedom of the Seas) 7 - Nicole (Freedom of the Seas) 7 - sulross (Liberty 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) March 2016 4 - Dan (Anthem of the Seas) 13 - Marc (Freedom of the Seas) 13 - Cowcrazy65 (Grandeur of the Seas) June 2016 12 - Shocked (Harmony of the Seas) 24 - Steve (Explorer of the Seas) September 2016 18 - JohnK6404 (Allure of the Seas) October 2016 3 - WAAAYTOOO (Harmony of the Seas) 9 - Marc (Liberty of the Seas) 23 - WAAAYTOOO (Harmony of the Seas) January 2017 2 - DocLC (Allure of the Seas) March 2017 4 - Marc (Freedom of the Seas)

Awesome! Can't wait to meet you all onboard. Is it February yet?

Yes it's still available: http://www.resortforaday.com/Hilton-Rose-Hall-Day-Pass-Jamaica-Excursions-p/mbfmjahr.htm

7 mile beach is a really large area. It's like saying you'll meet someone at Disney World. My recommendation is pick a restaurant or hotel on the beach specifically to meet.

April 2015 19 - capitalkyle (Adventure of the Seas) 20 - monctonguy (Enchantment of the Seas) May 2015 6 - Cruiseman (Liberty of the Seas) 10 - sulross (Navigator of the Seas) 11 - ian91 (Allure of the Seas) 17 - sulross (Navigator of the Seas) June 2015 7 - JasonD (Freedom of the Seas) 13 - Shocked (Anthem of the Seas) 19 - turtleclanscott (Jewel of the Seas) 21 - TheMays July 2015 26 - Matt (Freedom of the Seas) 29 - DocLC (Brilliance of the Seas) August 2015 1 - Marc (Adventure of the Seas) 8 - Dan (Liberty of the Seas) 10 - jlynn222 (Enchantment of the Seas) 10 - Nicole (Enchantment of the Seas) 17 - Bryce G. (Enchantment of the Seas) September 2015 13 - Shocked (Allure of the Seas) 18 - ian91 (Brilliance of the Seas) 19 - MarriedonRRC (Oasis of the Seas) 26 - RCKRZR (Jewel of the Seas) 27 - Steve (Brilliance of the Seas) 27 - sulross (Navigator of the Seas) October 2015 4 - sulross (Navigator of the Seas) 18 - bkirkham (Navigator of the Seas) 22 - JohnK6404 (Libert of the Seas) 24 - greenline627 (Grandeur of the Seas) November 2015 1 - sulross (Liberty of the Seas) 3 - rekkie (Explorer of the Seas) 13 - rekkie (Explorer of the Seas) 13 - Steve (Liberty of the Seas) 13 - sulross (Liberty of the Seas) December 2015 6 - sulross (Liberty of the Seas) 31 - 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) February 2016 7 - jlynn222 (Freedom of the Seas) 7 - Nicole (Freedom of the Seas) 7 - sulross (Liberty of the Seas) 14 - sulross (Liberty of the Seas) 21 - Matt (Freedom of the Seas Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise!) 21 - AGSLC5 (Freedom of the Seas Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise!) 21 - sulross (Liberty of the Seas) March 2016 4 - Dan (Anthem of the Seas) 13 - Marc (Freedom of the Seas) 13 - Cowcrazy65 (Grandeur of the Seas) June 2016 12 - Shocked (Harmony of the Seas) 24 - Steve (Explorer of the Seas) September 2016 18 - JohnK6404 (Allure of the Seas) October 2016 9 - Marc (Liberty of the Seas) January 2017 2 - DocLC (Allure of the Seas) March 2017 4 - Marc (Freedom of the Seas)

Not sure. When we booked Allure for the group cruise in Feb 2016 we had choice of first or second seat dinner still.

Right here: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2011/09/15/excursion-focus-hilton-rose-hall-resort-spa-day-pass

I think a Sabor-mania meet is a must-do meet! Thanks for booking and for supporting our sponsor!

Welcome Keith! Great video!!

Obviously Majesty is a different class of ship than the others you mentioned. As long as you're okay with a smaller ship that doesn't offer as much onboard, I think it's a fine choice. Majesty is an inexpensive getaway cruise that still offers that core Royal Caribbean experience and personally, I wish I could get on her once so I could experience the Sovereign class but I don't think it's in the cards unfortunately.

Hi Mike! Great questions. We had about a dozen people that booked into the package. More people were there that we ran into but the folks that booked into the MEI package tended to be our "core group" and we hung out a lot! On Quantum, dinner wasn't organized minus one meal, where we booked Wonderland for everyone who booked into the room package as a thank you. On Allure, it will depend on if DD gets rolled out or not when we go. At the very least, I think it would be great if we were booked together for early or late seating. Obviously we will have to wait and see about dining. Thanks for looking into the package AND supporting our sponsor. We had a blast on Quantum and I can't wait for Allure! My wife was super jealous (technically this was my second cruise in a row without her) BUT I promise to make it up to her in the next few cruises. :)

You should also be aware that Orlando is very close to Tampa, so if you have a rental car, you can easily drive from Orlando to Tampa the morning of your cruise (about a 30-40 minute drive). Orlando has TONS of hotels and a little bit more to do as well in terms of entertainment.

That's fine. If you're helping folks out with a question, there's no problem in doing that :)

Interesting. I've seen restaurants like Chops busy but never really thought I wouldn't have gotten a table if I didn't have a reservation. That being said, I always recommend making a reservation....why not, right?

Royal Caribbean provides transfers between MCO (Orlando International Airport) and Port Canaveral, provided you book it in advance and fly in the day of your cruise. To purchase a Royal Caribbean Guest Transfer or for additional information consult your travel agent or the Royal Caribbean reservations department at 1-800-327-6700. I've heard good things (but never used personally) about Happy Limo: http://www.happylimo.com/portcanaveralshuttle.html

Good point. There's also usually some deals on the specialty restaurants for the first and second night of some cruises. The takeaway I always bring up with specialty restaurants is they rarely fill up to the point you cannot walk in and get a table. If you're a group of 4 or less, I've never had trouble getting day-of reservations or even walking in and asking for availability. They are always looking to get more business!

April 2015 19 - capitalkyle (Adventure of the Seas) 20 - monctonguy (Enchantment of the Seas) May 2015 6 - Cruiseman (Liberty of the Seas) 10 - sulross (Navigator of the Seas) 11 - ian91 (Allure of the Seas) 17 - sulross (Navigator of the Seas) June 2015 7 - JasonD (Freedom of the Seas) 13 - Shocked (Anthem of the Seas) 19 - turtleclanscott (Jewel of the Seas) 21 - TheMays July 2015 26 - Matt (Freedom of the Seas) 29 - DocLC (Brilliance of the Seas) August 2015 1 - Marc (Adventure of the Seas) 8 - Dan (Liberty of the Seas) 10 - jlynn222 (Enchantment of the Seas) 10 - Nicole (Enchantment of the Seas) 17 - Bryce G. (Enchantment of the Seas) September 2015 13 - Shocked (Allure of the Seas) 18 - ian91 (Brilliance of the Seas) 19 - MarriedonRRC (Oasis of the Seas) 26 - RCKRZR (Jewel of the Seas) 27 - Steve (Brilliance of the Seas) 27 - sulross (Navigator of the Seas) October 2015 4 - sulross (Navigator of the Seas) 18 - bkirkham (Navigator of the Seas) 22 - JohnK6404 (Libert of the Seas) 24 - greenline627 (Grandeur of the Seas) November 2015 1 - sulross (Liberty of the Seas) 3 - rekkie (Explorer of the Seas) 13 - rekkie (Explorer of the Seas) 13 - Steve (Liberty of the Seas) 13 - sulross (Liberty of the Seas) December 2015 6 - sulross (Liberty of the Seas) 31 - 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) February 2016 7 - jlynn222 (Freedom of the Seas) 7 - Nicole (Freedom of the Seas) 21 - Matt (Freedom of the Seas Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise!) March 2016 4 - Dan (Anthem of the Seas) 13 - Marc (Freedom of the Seas) 13 - Cowcrazy65 (Grandeur of the Seas) June 2016 12 - Shocked (Harmony of the Seas) 24 - Steve (Explorer of the Seas) September 2016 18 - JohnK6404 (Allure of the Seas) January 2017 2 - DocLC (Allure of the Seas)

Welcome Tom!

I assume you're on the Quantum re-positioning cruise to China? These changes were rumored to be coming down the pipeline before she made it to China. I've had itinerary changes but not closures to public spaces.

April 2015 11 - markinct (Oasis of the Seas) 11 - Ckvacs05 (Independence of the Seas) 19 - capitalkyle (Adventure of the Seas) 20 - monctonguy (Enchantment of the Seas) May 2015 6 - Cruiseman (Liberty of the Seas) 11 - ian91 (Allure of the Seas) 17 - sulross (Navigator of the Seas) June 2015 7 - JasonD (Freedom of the Seas) 13 - Shocked (Anthem of the Seas) 19 - turtleclanscott (Jewel of the Seas) 21 - TheMays July 2015 26 - Matt (Freedom of the Seas) 29 - DocLC (Brilliance of the Seas) August 2015 1 - Marc (Adventure of the Seas) 8 - Dan (Liberty of the Seas) 10 - jlynn222 (Enchantment of the Seas) 10 - Nicole (Enchantment of the Seas) 17 - Bryce G. (Enchantment of the Seas) September 2015 13 - Shocked (Allure of the Seas) 18 - ian91 (Brilliance of the Seas) 19 - MarriedonRRC (Oasis of the Seas) 26 - RCKRZR (Jewel of the Seas) 27 - Steve (Brilliance of the Seas) 27 - sulross (Navigator of the Seas) October 2015 18 - bkirkham (Navigator of the Seas) 22 - JohnK6404 (Libert of the Seas) 24 - greenline627 (Grandeur of the Seas) November 2015 1 - sulross (Liberty of the Seas) 3 - rekkie (Explorer of the Seas) 13 - rekkie (Explorer of the Seas) 13 - Steve (Liberty 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) February 2016 7 - jlynn222 (Freedom of the Seas) 7 - Nicole (Freedom of the Seas) 21 - Matt (Freedom of the Seas Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise!) March 2016 4 - Dan (Anthem of the Seas) 13 - Marc (Freedom of the Seas) 13 - Cowcrazy65 (Grandeur of the Seas) June 2016 12 - Shocked (Harmony of the Seas) 24 - Steve (Explorer of the Seas) September 2016 18 - JohnK6404 (Allure of the Seas) January 2017 2 - DocLC (Allure of the Seas)

The best reason to book onboard is the booking bonus you get. I always do it because you can always transfer the reservation a different cruise. It's free money, so why not?

Go normal time. If port is open, you can still beat the crowds. They are trying to control crowds but I'd still get there whenever you were planning. You're either sitting around at your house/hotel or in the port. May as well be closer to the ship!