Matt

Word on the street is Royal Caribbean is going to announce some new unlimited alcohol packages and make changes to the current ones. Details: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2013/11/13/rumor-royal-caribbean-offer-new-unlimited-alcohol-packages-november-15 Changes look good to me, what do you all think about it? More or less likely to buy it now?

We will likely never know that kind of specifics as to what caused the problem and who's fault it is.

The Hilton Rose all inclusive resort has a fabulous pool/water park area that most kids should love. I reviewed it here: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2011/09/15/excursion-focus-hilton-rose-hall-resort-spa-day-pass Yes, you do need to drive a bit to find things to do outside the Falmouth port area but it's a tolerable drive I feel (20-30 minutes)

It's never too early to book another cruise :)

One of the propulsion pods is broken and needs repair essentially. I don't think it's a defect so much as the cruise ship equivalent of having a flat tire; You have to take the tire off and patch it up. Same is true for the pod.

Royal Caribbean hasn't ruled out sending Allure of the Seas to dry dock early to deal with the propulsion problems that are slowing her down. http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2013/11/12/royal-caribbean-considering-early-repairs-allure-of-the-seas Do you all think Allure should go in for repairs now? Or wait until 2015?

Anthem coming to Southampton looks more and more likely now. Royal Caribbean UK is promoting a big event on November 21 with the title "A date that'll be music to your ears". (Music...Anthem...get it?) http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2013/11/12/royal-caribbean-planning-announcement-november-21

I totally understand what you mean here. Especially with airfare costs for luggage, I get why it's such a hassle. Granted you can rent a tux and not deal with the ordeal but I'm not sure it's a savings value :lol:

Ha! I don't think there's anything wrong with eating only in the Windjammer but I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't miss the MDR experience.

Info on there seems similar to the news we saw a few weeks ago that indicated Anthem was coming to Southampton http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2013/09/02/more-proof-anthem-of-the-seas-sail-out-of-southampton

Yes, Adventure of the Seas has a Chops Grille. Adventure is a great ship, smaller than Indy (Voyager class) but should compare well to the ship since Freedom is basically a larger Voyager class ship.

On our Freedom of the Seas cruise back in February, we sat with two different groups at our main dining room and had a great time. It's a bit of a crap shoot in terms who you sit with (some people aren't talkative) but more often than not, it's fun.

If you want to sit with the people in the other cabin, make sure you or travel agent links your reservations together in Royal Caribbean's system. For traditional dining, you really wont know the seating arrangement until your first day onboard. What I like to do on embarkation day is go to the main dining room after I eat lunch in the Windjammer and look for your table (the table number is on your SeaPass card). You can then see how large your table is and that will tell you if others will be seated with you or not. If you want a change, now is the time to ask the head waiter on duty about a change. They will try their best to accommodate you but I've had good luck with this strategy.

I've heard really good things about the mystery dinner

I'd be shocked if it's anything but Anthem coming to UK announcement.

If anyone can attend, I would love for you to RSVP and then email me so we can discuss how you can cover the event officially for RoyalCaribbeanBlog!

On Jewel of the Seas, cash from the casino was easier and I think a better deal than the onboard ATM

I'd love to do New Years on a cruise ship. Someday....

You can say that again

That's true and it's a recent change

November 2013 17 - CruiseShipGuy (Allure of the Seas) 26 - rekkie (Radiance of the Seas) December 2013 1 - ladynikk1 (Allure of the Seas) 12 - CruiseShipGuy (Brilliance of the Seas) 16 - Don (Enchantment of the Seas) 21 - CruisinTexan (Serenade of the Seas) 21 - Sheltie (Independence of the Seas) 28 - Sheltie (Independence of the Seas) 31 - ladynikk1 (Explorer of the Seas) January 2014 12 - ian91 (Allure of the Seas) February 2014 11 - trainer.stan (Rhapsody of the Seas) 14 - rekkie (Radiance of the Seas) April 2014 5 - bcarney (Oasis of the Seas) 6 - Islandspud (Allure of the Seas) 10 - TTate1966 (Explorer of the Seas) May 2014 12 - Don (Serenade of the Seas) July 2014 20 - Islandspud (Freedom of the Seas) September 2014 12 - greenline627 (Grandeur of the Seas) November 2014 23 - Sheltie (Quantum of the Seas) October 2014 2 - Shocked (Independence of the Seas) 15 - ChrisTravel2114 (Oasis of the Seas) December 2014 27 - Islandspud (Explorer of the Seas) March 2015 21 - Matt (Quantum of the Seas Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise!) 21 - RCKRZR (Quantum of the Seas Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise!)

Great post, thank you Stan

Welcome to the boards and thank you for listening to the podcast! :D In terms of finding out about last minute deals, there are a couple of ways I find out about them... I follow @RoyalHotDeals on Twitter. It's Royal Caribbean's account with deals I subscribe to weekly deal alerts from sites like TravelZoo. They usually spread news about really good deals quickly I've told my travel agent I want to know about good deals on Royal Caribbean :lol: You bring up a great point about finding out about these deals as a possible show topic or part of one. Since you live in Florida, you have the greatest access to last minute deals so take advantage of it! In terms of deals for solo travelers, there aren't really deals just for people sailing solo but if cruise is cheap enough, even the single supplement isn't a bad deal. I guess you need to find a friend to go with you!

Can't wait to hear back your thoughts Don! That story is really a microcosm of why I enjoy cruising on Royal Caribbean so much. I love that kind of service and friendliness!

November 2013 17 - CruiseShipGuy (Allure of the Seas) 26 - rekkie (Radiance of the Seas) December 2013 1 - ladynikk1 (Allure of the Seas) 12 - CruiseShipGuy (Brilliance of the Seas) 16 - Don (Enchantment of the Seas) 21 - CruisinTexan (Serenade of the Seas) 21 - Sheltie (Independence of the Seas) 28 - Sheltie (Independence of the Seas) 31 - ladynikk1 (Explorer of the Seas) January 2014 12 - ian91 (Allure of the Seas) February 2014 11 - trainer.stan (Rhapsody of the Seas) 14 - rekkie (Radiance of the Seas) April 2014 5 - bcarney (Oasis of the Seas) 6 - Islandspud (Allure of the Seas) 10 - TTate1966 (Explorer of the Seas) May 2014 12 - Don (Serenade of the Seas) July 2014 20 - Islandspud (Freedom of the Seas) September 2014 12 - greenline627 (Grandeur of the Seas) November 2014 23 - Sheltie (Quantum of the Seas) October 2014 15 - ChrisTravel2114 (Oasis of the Seas) December 2014 27 - Islandspud (Explorer of the Seas) March 2015 21 - Matt (Quantum of the Seas Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise!) 21 - RCKRZR (Quantum of the Seas Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise!)