Matt

Matt's 99 Days of Quantum are killing me.  Same with the podcast.  I so want to go on a cruise.  If you happen to be on the Navigator in April and see some crazy guy trying to swim out to the ship in Belize City, throw out a lifesaver.  I would appreciate it.

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!

For airfare check out Royal Caribbean's/Celebrity's Choice Air, I understand they sometimes offer better prices for non-domestic US flights. 

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?

The only way to tell is to book a cruise for each ship  :)

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.

IIRC Starbucks is included on all ships except Oasis and Allure, on those two the specialty coffee from the "other" coffee shops is included but not the standalone Starbucks on the promenade. Not a coffee drinker myself so I could be wrong but pretty sure that was the story on Starbucks on RCL.

That would make sense given the feedback I had heard

I love both ships and if I had a choice, I'd go for Navigator because of the upgrades that ship got.

As for stateroom, your budget may dictate more than anything what you can get but suites are really the way to cruise, if you can afford it. I think most people will tell you balcony staterooms are plenty nice too.

Generally speaking the average age on Celebrity tends to sway older than the families that go on Royal Caribbean. Doesn't mean it's all "gray hairs" but it wont be 20 year olds either.

Welcome to the boards! 

I agree the non-US itineraries have less info.  I'd love to hear about the best things in each port to see.

Like I said the value of the package for us is heavily dependent on who we are with and what the itinerary is, but our default setting is "not worth it".

Great point!

 If I were to add up all the drinks we really, really wanted, it wouldn't be half of the $770 I paid.

You summarized my thoughts each time.  I know with the package I would be drinking for the sake of drinking.  On sea days I could rationalize it but port days, forget about it.

You've been on Quantum already? Lucky you! ;)

 

BTW, now that Oasis is heading off to Europe, I wonder what they're going to do with the Freestyle machines. I would assume that they have enough refills for it to last a few weeks of sailings before she returns to the US. I think that this may be the first time that Freestyle machines will have been on a cruise ship in Europe.

:lol: Sorry I meant Oasis. I've got Quantum on my brain

It's a good question.  RC has told me Freestyle machines are limited to US only for maintenance reasons so it would make sense they would remove them or temporarily put them away.

Is there a freestyle machine on the Granduer?  Do they usually have a variety of coke products? Are they good about keeping it filled?

 

Thanks!

Yes, Grandeur has the Freestyle machines.  

I've only experienced the machines on Freedom and Quantum and they were pretty much full. 

Is MTD with a reservation faster service?  We are going with another couple and would prefer to be seated with them only.  Our TA scheduled us for traditional dining.  I am thinking MTD and making our reservation time would be the best for us.  What times do they start seating for MTD?  When is the last seating time for MTD?   traditional has two times early and a late only? 

 

 

THANKS AGAIN!

 

Lisa

Hi Lisa!

If you have a reservation you will be seated first.

MTD is open between the hours of 6:00 and 9:30 p.m.

Traditional has two times, 6 and 8pm (more or less. Some ships are like 8:30 or 8:15)

Yes, all ships have godmothers.  Most are celebs, others are less well known.  Oasis of the Seas has 7 godmothers, one for each neighborhood!

I (try to) keep a list of refurbishment info here: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/ship-upgrade-list-and-schedule

Can I ask is the price the same if you book before you cruise as it is on embarkation?

Yes, no price difference when you book the package.

I have used resortforaday in Falmouth and they were great

I haven't been there but I did go to Parrot Tree Beach Resort in Roatan earlier this year: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2014/02/21/excursion-focus-parrot-tree-beach-resort-roatan

I took a look at the Sabor menu, it talks about margarita flights. Are these included in the $25 per person cost or are they extra? Sabor is something I definitely  want to check out.

All alcohol is extra

Can someone that has purchased this package tell me the pros and cons. Looks like it will cost $306 for the two of us to have this package. Will it be worth it. What are your drink options without a package?

The Royal Replenish package is a pretty good deal if you want to drink juices, bottled water, etc every day.  Just like the alcohol package, it can be a good deal if you have a few non-alcoholic drinks per day.  It's certainly easier to "break even" on this package.

Izumi

  I had not tried this for awhile so decided to go back - very popular so glad

  we booked early - Some people will be surprised no matter how many times you

  tell them there are fees to eat here - not like chop's where they charge $25 per

  person to dine, but a la carte pricing for each item you order.  but we thought it

  was well worth it - I had the Hot Rock Skewers.  This is a SUPER hot rock that

  allows you to cook your food yourself and then eat it - kind of fun - we also

  shared Sashimi, firecracker rolls, surf and turf rolls and had edaname and miso soup

  for 4 people we spent $79 which included two drinks.  so if we had gone to Chop's

  or Portofino's cost would have been the same.  Definitely would go back

My wife loves the hot rock in Izumi

Great info Michelle!

I can't wait to try it out. The idea is pretty darn cool and it's yet another "only on a Royal Caribbean ship" moments