Matt

Been on 3 different cruises, on 2 different boats and spent alot of time in the casino each time. Never found it to be that bad. 

I agree but then again I'm not sensitive to smoke or have asthma.  

If you haven't voted, what are you waiting for? Vote, everyday day, & check out the tally to date - Matt is getting really close to FIRST! VOTE!!!

Thank you for the kind words Don. You're right, we're almost in first!

 

Here's your Friday reminder to vote please

July 2014

3 - Sandya (Explorer of the Seas)

12 - AGSLC5 (Vision of the Seas)

20 - Islandspud (Freedom of the Seas)

 

August 2014

2 - angel1912 (Oasis of the Seas)

9 - brooklynn1950 (Oasis of the Seas)

30 - michelle (Oasis of the Seas)

31 - Bryce G. (Allure of the Seas)

31 - mike (Navigator of the Seas)

 

September 2014

12 - greenline627 (Grandeur of the Seas)

28 - CaribbeanPirate (Brilliance of the Seas)

 

October 2014

2 - Shocked (Independence of the Seas)
5 - Marc (Allure of the Seas)

14 - Darkcabbie (Independence of the Seas)

15 - ChrisTravel2114 (Oasis of the Seas)

15 - ian91 (Oasis of the Seas)

 

November 2014

9 - RCL lover (Navigator of the Seas)

16 - Greg (Allure of the Seas)
23 - Sheltie (Quantum of the Seas)

 

December 2014

6 - Swazoo (Independence of the Seas)

13 - Auburn14 (Explorer of the Seas)

27 - Islandspud (Explorer of the Seas)

27 - KeithnRita (Serenade of the Seas)

 

January 2015

3 - KeithnRita (Serenade of the Seas)

 

February 2015

12 - poider (Radiance 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)

 

May 2015

10 - RCL lover (Independence of the Seas)

 

June 2015

13 - Shocked (Anthem of the Seas)

 

September 2015

26 - RCKRZR (Jewel 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)

On Navigator of the Seas in February you could smell smoke there.  It wasn't foggy or anything but it was noticeable from an odor standpoint.

Thank you all!

Thursday vote reminder: http://www.10best.com/awards/new-media-awards/best-cruise-blogger/

Using a whiteboard on your stateroom door is a good, low-tech way.

 

I've heard walkie talkies dont work so well due to interference/metal bulkheads.

 

If you get the unlimited wifi plan for multiple people, you could use iMessage or whatsapp or any other messaging app to communicate.  Granted, that is an expensive option.

I always aspire to use the gym but it rarely works out that I get to go.

 

Years ago I was better about going and the facilities are always top notch.  I did a class (spinning) on Freedom of the Seas and loved it.

Wednesday reminder!

• Gatsby
• Mamma Mia
• Sonic Odyssey
• Wink
• Tribute
• Virtual Concert
• Starwater

I wonder if this has anything to do do with it  :D  :D

 

Dude, the honey stung chicken does me in every single time!

Here's your Tuesday reminder!

July 2014

3 - Sandya (Explorer of the Seas)

12 - AGSLC5 (Vision of the Seas)

20 - Islandspud (Freedom of the Seas)

 

August 2014

2 - angel1912 (Oasis of the Seas)

9 - brooklynn1950 (Oasis of the Seas)

30 - michelle (Oasis of the Seas)

31 - Bryce G. (Allure of the Seas)

31 - mike (Navigator of the Seas)

 

September 2014

12 - greenline627 (Grandeur of the Seas)

28 - CaribbeanPirate (Brilliance of the Seas)

 

October 2014

2 - Shocked (Independence of the Seas)
5 - Marc (Allure of the Seas)

14 - Darkcabbie (Independence of the Seas)

15 - ChrisTravel2114 (Oasis of the Seas)

15 - ian91 (Oasis of the Seas)

 

November 2014

9 - RCL lover (Navigator of the Seas)

16 - Greg (Allure of the Seas)
23 - Sheltie (Quantum of the Seas)

 

December 2014

6 - Swazoo (Independence of the Seas)

13 - Auburn14 (Explorer of the Seas)

27 - Islandspud (Explorer of the Seas)

27 - KeithnRita (Serenade of the Seas)

 

January 2015

3 - KeithnRita (Serenade of the Seas)

 

February 2015

12 - poider (Radiance of the Seas)

 

March 2015

8 - dbixler (Freedom of the Seas)

13 - AGSLC5 (Quantum of the Seas)

14 - Marc (Independence 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)

 

May 2015

10 - RCL lover (Independence of the Seas)

 

June 2015

13 - Shocked (Anthem of the Seas)

 

September 2015

26 - RCKRZR (Jewel 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)

Matt,

 

Any plans to have a live podcast with listener questions (a la WDW Today)?

 

Thanks for the great site and love the podcast.

 

Neil

There may be something on the horizon, stay tuned!

Thank you all so much :)

July 2014

3 - Sandya (Explorer of the Seas)

12 - AGSLC5 (Vision of the Seas)

20 - Islandspud (Freedom of the Seas)

 

August 2014

2 - angel1912 (Oasis of the Seas)

9 - brooklynn1950 (Oasis of the Seas)

30 - michelle (Oasis of the Seas)

31 - Bryce G. (Allure of the Seas)

31 - mike (Navigator of the Seas)

 

September 2014

12 - greenline627 (Grandeur of the Seas)

28 - CaribbeanPirate (Brilliance of the Seas)

 

October 2014

2 - Shocked (Independence of the Seas)
5 - Marc (Allure of the Seas)

14 - Darkcabbie (Independence of the Seas)

15 - ChrisTravel2114 (Oasis of the Seas)

15 - ian91 (Oasis of the Seas)

 

November 2014

9 - RCL lover (Navigator of the Seas)

16 - Greg (Allure of the Seas)
23 - Sheltie (Quantum of the Seas)

 

December 2014

6 - Swazoo (Independence of the Seas)

13 - Auburn14 (Explorer of the Seas)

27 - Islandspud (Explorer of the Seas)

27 - KeithnRita (Serenade of the Seas)

 

January 2015

3 - KeithnRita (Serenade of the Seas)

 

March 2015

8 - dbixler (Freedom of the Seas)

13 - AGSLC5 (Quantum of the Seas)

14 - Marc (Independence 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)

 

May 2015

10 - RCL lover (Independence of the Seas)

 

June 2015

13 - Shocked (Anthem of the Seas)

 

September 2015

26 - RCKRZR (Jewel 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)

Dan, Monika, Cassie (16 y/o daughter) and Trager (7 y/o son) from the Tampa, FL area here.  We have cruised with RCI in the past and are planning to go on Freedom in March 15'.  Cannot wait.  Glad to have found the blog and plan to be a regular visitor.  Happy cruising!

Welcome Dan!

17.3" laptop loaded with movies off my media server works for me.  Also handles light gaming if I feel the urge.  Sometimes I can even hook up to the TV but I don't count on it.  Depends on the ship and the TV that's in my particular stateroom.

Bringing your own movies is a great idea

Thanks Matt. I am making my way through your podcasts and enjoying them a lot.  I really liked the one with Len and Laurel recently.  Laughed at how little they appeared to know, with them normally being the ones with all the information.  :)   I learned things like the ice skating is free, and the show is too. The Royal Caribbean web site isn't real clear on a lot of details, or at least I haven't found it on their site.. 

Glad I can be of help. There's a lot to do on Royal Caribbean ships and most of it is included in the price!

 

Thank you for listening!

And closing in! The bar was only about 1/3 the size. Cmonnnnn!

We can do it!

I think most excursions will be fine to wait.  I would however book them early once you get onboard.  There's a risk of selling out but I think in general most excursions do not sell out that quickly.

Here's your Saturday reminder to vote :D

Thanks everyone! Here's your reminder to vote today (Friday)

Perhaps if i put my name down as SLY STALLONE on my next cruise it may swing it....... LOL  :D  :D

I always register as "Bradley Pitt"

Matt you deserve this for all your hard work. Good luck mate  :)  :)  :)  :)  :)  :)

Thank you!

 

Just a reminder to vote again today (Thursday)!

I would be curious as to why Royal keeps changing their stance on NO. Is it financial? Are those taking cruses from NO not big onboard spenders? Do they need to discount the cruises to get people onboard? I can't imagine any other reason besides financial to justify the changes.

 

My wife goes to NO every year for a public health conference and lets just say it isn't her favorite place to visit while traveling for many reasons. Also I've heard a lot of people say the Port of NO is very unorganized with long wait times to get on and leave the ship. Hopefully that has changed.

I have no doubt the decision is financial based.  Maybe it's onboard spending, maybe its cruise fares.  

 

I do believe they will return to New Orleans within a year or two.