Matt

With RFID it's really about the software behind it. Hoping RC's system is simple, yet effective

GREAT info, thank you for sharing

Good point!

September 2014 28 - CaribbeanPirate (Brilliance of the Seas) October 2014 2 - Shocked (Independence of the Seas) 5 - Marc (Allure of the Seas) 9 - Satkowitz (Explorer of the Seas) 12 - donalk (Liberty of the Seas) 14 - Darkcabbie (Independence of the Seas) 15 - ChrisTravel2114 (Oasis of the Seas) 15 - ian91 (Oasis of the Seas) 19 - ang73 (Freedom of the Seas) 27 - Gwen (Oasis of the Seas) November 2014 9 - RCL lover (Navigator of the Seas) 12 - Matt (Quantum of the Seas) 16 - Greg (Allure of the Seas) 22 - mactrio (Serenade of the Seas) 23 - Sheltie (Quantum of the Seas) December 2014 6 - Swazoo (Independence of the Seas) 12 - Cleo (Quantum of the Seas) 13 - Auburn14 (Explorer of the Seas) 27 - Islandspud (Explorer of the Seas) 27 - KeithnRita (Serenade of the Seas) 28 - AGSLC5 (Allure of the Seas) January 2015 3 - KeithnRita (Serenade of the Seas) February 2015 2 - Geoff (Quantum 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!) 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) 19 - capitalkyle (Adventure of the Seas) May 2015 10 - RCL lover (Independence of the Seas) June 2015 13 - Shocked (Anthem of the Seas) 19 - turtleclanscott (Jewel of the Seas) July 2015 26 - Matt (Freedom of the Seas) September 2015 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) March 2016 13 - Marc (Freedom of the Seas)

Yes, Royal Caribbean celebrates Halloween on its ships. Lots of guests and crew get dressed and they have a party on the Promenade. There's also a parade with prizes for the best costumes. This carried over into the MDR where various costumes were showcased.

Exciting news!

Thanks for the shameless plug!

Hasn't happened to me. I wouldn't count on one but you should edit in your Crown and Anchor profile online opt-into upgrades automatically.

Starbucks is included in the ultimate and royal replenish packages on all ships except Oasis and Allure. Or at least, that's been most people's experience.

Final payment date is 90 days before your sail date

I'd say it's worth trying. One of two things could happen..... 1. Someone will cancel randomly 2. Someone will cancel when final payment is due #2 is most likely to happen but I'd be on the wait list if you really want that sailing.

RC has said the gratuity will go to crew fund

Great review, thanks! Good stuff, thanks Marc

Tuxedo rentals are $89-99 per tux: https://tuxedorentals.rccl.com/tuxedo/tuxrental.nsf You cannot rent gowns.

Great photos Marc. What did you think of the over-the-water cabanas? I always felt while a nice view, they seemed like more "work" because you have to walk back down stairs to go swim or anywhere else, whereas on the beach cabanas are cheaper and easier to get in and out of. But that's just my perception.

September 2014 28 - CaribbeanPirate (Brilliance of the Seas) October 2014 2 - Shocked (Independence of the Seas) 5 - Marc (Allure of the Seas) 9 - Satkowitz (Explorer of the Seas) 12 - donalk (Liberty of the Seas) 14 - Darkcabbie (Independence of the Seas) 15 - ChrisTravel2114 (Oasis of the Seas) 15 - ian91 (Oasis of the Seas) 19 - ang73 (Freedom of the Seas) November 2014 9 - RCL lover (Navigator of the Seas) 12 - Matt (Quantum of the Seas) 16 - Greg (Allure of the Seas) 22 - mactrio (Serenade of the Seas) 23 - Sheltie (Quantum of the Seas) December 2014 6 - Swazoo (Independence of the Seas) 12 - Cleo (Quantum of the Seas) 13 - Auburn14 (Explorer of the Seas) 27 - Islandspud (Explorer of the Seas) 27 - KeithnRita (Serenade of the Seas) 28 - AGSLC5 (Allure of the Seas) January 2015 3 - KeithnRita (Serenade of the Seas) February 2015 2 - Geoff (Quantum 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!) 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) 19 - capitalkyle (Adventure of the Seas) May 2015 10 - RCL lover (Independence of the Seas) June 2015 13 - Shocked (Anthem of the Seas) 19 - turtleclanscott (Jewel of the Seas) July 2015 26 - Matt (Freedom of the Seas) September 2015 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) March 2016 13 - Marc (Freedom of the Seas)

You may find this review of the cabanas on Labadee helpful: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2011/09/13/excursion-focus-barefoot-beach-cabanas-labadee

Thanks Brenda!

I'm with you. Between moving, new kid on the way and more I haven't been able to cruise since February and can't book anything until July 2015 so I know your pain. The good news is it gets better and before you know it, you'll have something booked!

ChoiceAir used to be a bad deal in the past but these days they've refactored the program to be more competitive. I believe their current promise is to have the cheapest price within 24 hours of booking

Great report Brenda! Can you elaborate on the menu changes at 150 Central Park? For the 20% off, did you get the discount when you booked 3 online? Or "magically" got the discount after boarding? How crowded (or uncrowded) were the specialty restaurants? For the shows that took reservations in advance, did you feel the reservations were necessary?

Now you're talking! :D

Brilliance is a great ship and cruising out of Tampa is a great choice! I think you picked a good ship, especially with the prices I often see for it.

I wouldn't hesitate to book Celebrity for any of the concerns you highlighted.

That would make sense given the feedback I had heard