Matt

The fee you pay is supposed to be in part (if not all) gratuity

They did have character meets but I was only on a 2-day. You can checkout this Cruise Compass for a better idea of what to expect http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/cruise-compasses/quantum-of-the-seas/sat-2014-12-20-0000

It varies depending on which muster station you have. When I was on Navigator, we were in the Star Theater

I thought they were supposed to be looking at the official page it does not mention a parade.

An hour each way should be fine

It depends where your muster station is. If you're lucky, it will be indoors where you can sit somewhere. But sometimes you are outside on deck. At least now they've dropped the requirement to have to bring the life jackets.

With the automatic gratuities, Royal Caribbean just has a flat daily gratuity rate of $12.00 USD ($14.25 USD for Suite guests) that is split among stateroom attendant, waiter, assistant waiter and head waiter. I forget the breakdown percentage of who gets what but your stateroom attendant gets the majority of it.

Just PM'd you the #

January 2015 22 - monctonguy (Brilliance of the Seas) February 2015 2 - Geoff (Quantum of the Seas) 7 - Mike_ (Vision of the Seas) 12 - poider (Radiance of the Seas) 12 - NCguys (Explorer of the Seas) 20 - Superwoman10 (Enchantment of the Seas) March 2015 13 - AGSLC5 (Quantum of the Seas) 14 - Marc (Independence of the Seas) 14 - Don (Serenade of the Seas) 19 - Superwoman10 (Brilliance of the Seas) 21 - Matt (Quantum of the Seas Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise!) 21 - RCKRZR (Quantum of the Seas Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise!) 21 - pnyxprss (Quantum of the Seas Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise!) 21 - Jamie (Quantum of the Seas Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise!) 21 - ncbn0902 (Quantum of the Seas Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise!) 29 - ian91 (Quantum of the Seas) April 2015 4 - bcarney (Jewel of the Seas) 5 - FloatMe (Adventure of the Seas) 5 - NYCruiser19 (Quantum of the Seas) 10 - CaribbeanPirate (Grandeur of the Seas) 11 - markinct (Oasis of the Seas) 19 - capitalkyle (Adventure of the Seas) May 2015 10 - RCL lover (Independence of the Seas) 11 - ian91 (Allure of the Seas) June 2015 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) September 2015 13 - Shocked (Allure of the Seas) 18 - ian91 (Brilliance of the Seas) 26 - RCKRZR (Jewel of the Seas) 27 - Steve (Brilliance of the Seas) October 2015 24 - greenline627 (Grandeur of the Seas) November 2015 3 - rekkie (Explorer of the Seas) 13 - rekkie (Explorer of the Seas) January 2016 2 - Dan (Oasis of the Seas) 3 - DocLC (Liberty of the Seas) 10 - Michel (Allure of the Seas) March 2016 4 - Dan (Anthem of the Seas) 13 - Marc (Freedom of the Seas)

Just note your requirement in the reservation and remind your waiter when you are seated. Shouldn't be a problem.

The first day is cold, next day starts to warm up around evening and by morning of day 3 it's warm. The big advantage of a cruise out of NJ is you don't have to fly (if you happen to close enough to drive to the port)

Wow! That's a vacation!

Maho Beach is good for about an hour or so, unless you really want to see a few planes land. Between planes landing it's mostly a bar scene, although there is a beach to swim at as well. I can't see spending all day here unless you want to get your drink on and enjoy the planes coming and going. I've visited a few spots in St Maarten such as... Bikini Beach: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2013/10/08/excursion-focus-bikini-beach-st-martin Le Galion Beach: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2013/03/07/excursion-focus-le-galion-beach When I visit St. Maarten, I've always used the services of a local driver I met a few trips back, who takes me around to what we tell him we're interested in. Usually his services for the day cost around $100 and that includes his van with A/C. I prefer using him over a group tour because it's far more personalized and I like to travel at my own pace. If you like, I can share his phone number with you. In St. Thomas, there's no question you should be going to Magens Bay: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2013/06/25/excursion-focus-magens-bay

Royal Caribbean can absolutely assist with gluten free meals. In your reservation make a note about requesting a gluten free meal (ask your travel agent or RC directly). You may also send an e-mail request to [email protected]; please include in the e-mail the guests' names, booking number, ship name and sail date. Lastly, on embarkation day, go see the head waiter in the main dining room to make sure the request is taken care of.

January 2015 22 - monctonguy (Brilliance of the Seas) February 2015 2 - Geoff (Quantum of the Seas) 7 - Mike_ (Vision of the Seas) 12 - poider (Radiance of the Seas) 12 - NCguys (Explorer of the Seas) 20 - Superwoman10 (Enchantment of the Seas) March 2015 13 - AGSLC5 (Quantum of the Seas) 14 - Marc (Independence of the Seas) 14 - Don (Serenade of the Seas) 19 - Superwoman10 (Brilliance of the Seas) 21 - Matt (Quantum of the Seas Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise!) 21 - RCKRZR (Quantum of the Seas Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise!) 21 - pnyxprss (Quantum of the Seas Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise!) 21 - Jamie (Quantum of the Seas Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise!) 21 - ncbn0902 (Quantum of the Seas Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise!) 29 - ian91 (Quantum of the Seas) April 2015 4 - bcarney (Jewel of the Seas) 5 - FloatMe (Adventure of the Seas) 5 - NYCruiser19 (Quantum of the Seas) 10 - CaribbeanPirate (Grandeur of the Seas) 11 - markinct (Oasis of the Seas) 19 - capitalkyle (Adventure of the Seas) May 2015 10 - RCL lover (Independence of the Seas) 11 - ian91 (Allure of the Seas) June 2015 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) September 2015 13 - Shocked (Allure of the Seas) 18 - ian91 (Brilliance of the Seas) 26 - RCKRZR (Jewel of the Seas) 27 - Steve (Brilliance of the Seas) October 2015 24 - greenline627 (Grandeur of the Seas) November 2015 3 - rekkie (Explorer of the Seas) 13 - rekkie (Explorer of the Seas) January 2016 3 - DocLC (Liberty of the Seas) 10 - Michel (Allure of the Seas) March 2016 13 - Marc (Freedom of the Seas)

I believe the white party thing is a Norwegian cruise event. RC has its own evening fun like 70s and 80s themed nights Which ship are you going on? On 7 night cruises usually formal nights are on the 2nd and 6th nights.

If your ship cannot dock at a port for whatever reason, RC will refund your money. Most 3rd party shore excursions I've dealt with have similar deals. HOWEVER, if it's just poor weather BUT your ship can dock, then there are no refunds usually.

I agree, there's something to be said about safety

January 2015 22 - monctonguy (Brilliance of the Seas) February 2015 2 - Geoff (Quantum of the Seas) 7 - Mike_ (Vision of the Seas) 12 - poider (Radiance of the Seas) 12 - NCguys (Explorer of the Seas) March 2015 13 - AGSLC5 (Quantum of the Seas) 14 - Marc (Independence of the Seas) 14 - Don (Serenade of the Seas) 21 - Matt (Quantum of the Seas Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise!) 21 - RCKRZR (Quantum of the Seas Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise!) 21 - pnyxprss (Quantum of the Seas Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise!) 21 - Jamie (Quantum of the Seas Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise!) 21 - ncbn0902 (Quantum of the Seas Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise!) 29 - ian91 (Quantum of the Seas) April 2015 4 - bcarney (Jewel of the Seas) 5 - FloatMe (Adventure of the Seas) 5 - NYCruiser19 (Quantum of the Seas) 10 - CaribbeanPirate (Grandeur of the Seas) 11 - markinct (Oasis of the Seas) 19 - capitalkyle (Adventure of the Seas) May 2015 10 - RCL lover (Independence of the Seas) 11 - ian91 (Allure of the Seas) June 2015 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) September 2015 13 - Shocked (Allure of the Seas) 18 - ian91 (Brilliance of the Seas) 26 - RCKRZR (Jewel of the Seas) 27 - Steve (Brilliance of the Seas) October 2015 24 - greenline627 (Grandeur of the Seas) November 2015 3 - rekkie (Explorer of the Seas) 13 - rekkie (Explorer of the Seas) January 2016 3 - DocLC (Liberty of the Seas) 10 - Michel (Allure of the Seas) March 2016 13 - Marc (Freedom of the Seas)

I don't think we will see any changes in the short term. We'd have to see this remain the norm for a while for there to be changes like that, but that's just my opinion.

When I was on there (first full cruise after drydock) those staterooms were still under construction. I've heard they are nice but haven't seen them.

I don't go with just one company. It depends on the island but in general I will research what's good to see/do there and come up with options based on reviews I find on sites like TripAdvisor or even Cruise Critic. Most of the time I will find a driver either online before I go or walk into port and find one and tell them what I am interested in doing and negotiate a fair rate. I have on occasion purchased tour group services but I've found my pace of travel and the group's pace of travel are not in sync.

In Cozumel, I really enjoy going into town and simply walking around. I recommend getting off the main street and walking two or three blocks away from the main street for the best cultural experience. There's great restaurants and shops to be found. In Falmouth, one of my favorite excursions was the Hilton Rose Hall http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2011/09/15/excursion-focus-hilton-rose-hall-resort-spa-day-pass

January 2015 22 - monctonguy (Brilliance of the Seas) February 2015 2 - Geoff (Quantum of the Seas) 7 - Mike_ (Vision of the Seas) 12 - poider (Radiance of the Seas) 12 - NCguys (Explorer of the Seas) March 2015 13 - AGSLC5 (Quantum of the Seas) 14 - Marc (Independence of the Seas) 14 - Don (Serenade of the Seas) 21 - Matt (Quantum of the Seas Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise!) 21 - RCKRZR (Quantum of the Seas Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise!) 21 - pnyxprss (Quantum of the Seas Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise!) 21 - Jamie (Quantum of the Seas Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise!) 21 - ncbn0902 (Quantum of the Seas Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise!) 29 - ian91 (Quantum of the Seas) April 2015 4 - bcarney (Jewel of the Seas) 5 - FloatMe (Adventure of the Seas) 10 - CaribbeanPirate (Grandeur of the Seas) 11 - markinct (Oasis of the Seas) 19 - capitalkyle (Adventure of the Seas) May 2015 10 - RCL lover (Independence of the Seas) 11 - ian91 (Allure of the Seas) June 2015 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) September 2015 13 - Shocked (Allure of the Seas) 18 - ian91 (Brilliance of the Seas) 26 - RCKRZR (Jewel of the Seas) 27 - Steve (Brilliance of the Seas) October 2015 24 - greenline627 (Grandeur of the Seas) November 2015 3 - rekkie (Explorer of the Seas) 13 - rekkie (Explorer of the Seas) January 2016 3 - DocLC (Liberty of the Seas) 10 - Michel (Allure of the Seas) March 2016 13 - Marc (Freedom of the Seas)

Polo shirts are fine. When I say "collared shirt" I really do mean any collared shirt, because I can't think of a collared shirt that isn't nice enough to meet this sort of dress code. You can get away with a polo shirt and khakis or even polo shirt and "nice jeans". Or you can go up the scale and go with a dress shirt, add a jacket, tuxedo, etc Thank you for listening! It's a lot of fun to put together every week!