mbk999

28 minutes ago, monctonguy said:

f they can keep a balance of things(relaxing and active) 

I hope that is the case, allowing everyone the opportunity to "cruise the way you want to cruise"     While I would like to explore the new stuff, I also would like a quiet relaxation spot too.    

I guess I'm technically a Gen-Xer as I approach AARP age and my first reaction was positive. We thought it looked cool and likea lot of fun and I'd be willing to pay for it, provided there's still a complimentary section (hopefully still a large enough space).  

It's a little old school but the Schooner Bar's Sidecar was a new favorite.

22 minutes ago, Sabrinaklai said:

In the words of our CD, Clo, no worries, "it's the sea air that shrinks your clothes" ?

It must warp the mirror too...

45 minutes ago, bobroo said:

Just off Allure last week; it did not make a difference how many stairs I traipsed, lengthy walks on the jogging track, rock climbing, wave ridering, or asking my wife overnight how exponentially high her Fitbit recorded steps compared to her normal day.....our cruise was a glutenous indulgence of food and drink. We both still ended out a pound of weight gain per day.

 

Bring sweatpants for the trip home.

 

Yep, I've learned the hard way that exercise alone (unless you're a professional athlete in-training) does not equal weight loss.  Calories, calories, calories....   

39 minutes ago, toodle68 said:

My plan is always to limit the damage. I exercise every day so I can enjoy my food. I have struggled with my weight every day of my life and nothing would ruin a vacation than arriving home with a 10 lbs gain. So with the exercise we do, I normally come back 2-4lbs worse off.

Same here.  I hit the gym every sea day at a minimum (goal is 5x during the week).    Losing 3-4 lbs is a lot less daunting and depressing than 10 lb

Yes.  Easier to shed the pounds pre-cruise and it takes even more stress out of the trip not having to worry about how much weight you're gaining.

2 minutes ago, twangster said:

Many people use short cruises as small, affordable getaways.   Using the oldest & smallest ships doesn't introduce new cruisers in this market to the best of the fleet, or create the desire to fall in love with cruising and save up for a longer cruise

I agree with this statement, speculation or not.  Not that the smaller ships aren't nice or don't have their charms (and they were our introduction) but if you're new to cruising and see all the advertisements showing zip lining, I-Fly, ice skating, water shows, and then you get on a ship w/o any of those, it might feel a little like a bait and switch.  Granted it's still incumbent on people to understand what ship they are going on but people are people.   Providing them with a similar experience to the week long vacations would be a good strategy to hook people in (imo).  

And a combo Disney/Universal and short cruise is a great vacation, preferably the cruise at the end.

On 3/11/2018 at 9:09 PM, JBC said:

several friends that are Disney fanatics

That describes us, particularly my wife who definitely has the pixie dust syndrome.  With that said, I've never seriously contemplated a Disney cruise because of the ridiculous cost to go on those ships.  I'm sure they are fantastic, I'm sure the service is top notch, but Royal ships are beautiful and in general we've always had great service.  Maybe a less than stellar individual experience here and there (never out and out bad) but those have been few and far between.  I've had some so-so exchanges at Disney as well, so nothing is perfect.  I know Disney service and while it might be a touch better, it's maybe 10-15% better, not 2-3x the cost better.  

Planning?   Sailing on an Oasis class ship will clearly take some prior planning to maximize the experience.  But if you're a Disney fanatic, pre-planning a Disney trip is essential and way more involved than what I'm seeing for our Allure trip.  A couple of show reservations, an excursion or two, some dining reservations (if you go with My TIme Dining) and you're set. 

Bottom line:  you'll still have a great time and will likely be a convert.   I have friends who took their first cruise on a Disney ship to Alaska.  They loved cruising but due to cost, for their next cruise they booked a Freedom class ship but were very leery about it because "it isn't Disney"  Two other cruises later, booked on a third and they don't mention Disney cruises anymore.   

20 hours ago, mstrmind42772 said:

The only reason we’re taking this one is that the casino comp’ed us a room for a 4-nighter

Mariner would give you more for the "money"

You can do My Time Dining and make reservations (for times) ahead of the cruise.   6:30 one night, 7:00 another night, etc.   We like the MDR just fine.  I've occasionally had something that I didn't care for, but I just ordered something else.    As someone stated, if you're a gourmet or foodie, you might not think it's great but it's certainly not bad.  

You'll tender over to Coco Cay from the ship and then all the excursions will be from Coco Cay.   I'm not sure of the exact location but you'll gather for each on the island.

I'm assuming they all have shuttles but we rented a car from Avis (airport location) and the shuttle picks up from the port.    Drop off right at FLL.   A nearby possibility is http://www.vizcaya.org/   I have never been but know some people who raved about it, although their kids are middle school girls.    

1 minute ago, coneyraven said:

Same is true flying out of Baltimore on Southwest...... Since BWI is a hub, there are many more flights to MCO than anywhere else in Florida.  I call it the "Disney Effect"

Yep, I have done BWI to MCO many times.    And BWI to FLL works well too.   I've just about given up on United out of Dulles, mainly due to cost

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2018/03/08/state-department-warns-of-security-threat-in-playa-del-carmen-popular-resort-city-in-mexico/?utm_term=.3bd13a61618f 

Orlando equates to Port Canaveral (45 miles from MCO).   However Orlando gives you more stuff to tack on pre-cruise....   

I can't speak for Cleveland but it's cheaper for me to get to Orlando or Fort Lauderdale than Miami.   

I've been on both, albeit the Mariner was many years ago.  We were on the Enchantment last spring and I believe the it was in dry dock in December and it needed a bit of sprucing up but I'm sure it looks great now.   I like the Enchantment a lot but personally I'd pick the Mariner as it will have more amenities and things to do (much bigger ship).   A discriminator would be the cost of transportation to to and from the port.    For instance  if you can drive to the Enchantment but have to fly to the Mariner, that might swing things to the Enchantment.  But you really can't go wrong with either.  

Check the LIVE from San Juan and Adventure of the Seas - 2/22 to 3/2 as there are some St Maarten pix 

On 3/2/2018 at 4:01 PM, Matt said:

Can anyone comment on how useful the hop on/hop off trolley is in Key West? Is it frequent enough to make it worthwhile? Is it super crowded?

Debating what to do when we go there for the first time later this month.

I've been to Key West several times (cruise and non-cruise) and I've never seen it that over crowded (though I've never taken it so I can't comment on the stops).  But a lot of the touristy stuff on Key West is walkable as the ship docks in Mallory Square.   If you want to tour the island, an alternative (depending on kids or not) would be to rent some bikes and ride around the island.  There are bike rentals around the pier.   Never been to Key West?  Quirky place but cool.   Have fun!

51 minutes ago, Matt said:

Radio Margaritaville is my pre-cruise jam. We have a rule in our house...no listening to the channel unless we have a cruise soon!

I can't break my wife of it.  It's the first pre-set in her car and it is the background noise in the house.

48 minutes ago, Lindsay said:

Is it just me or does anyone else listen to the "Margaritaville" channel and the new channel "The Joint" (all reggae music) months before a cruise?  Or if you don't have Sirus Radio do you listen to this music some other way to get you ready to go and excited for your cruise?

I don't have a cruise planned until October but I'm already listening.  It puts me in the BEST mood!!!!!  Favorite songs:

• Stir it Up - Bob Marley of course
• La la la la la Song - Inner Circle
• Just about ANYTHING by Gregory Isaacs

What are your favorite jams?

Margaritaville is a standard channel for us, pre and post cruise.

2 hours ago, JLMoran said:

Did you wave hi to @twangster? And confirm he's not a robot?!?  

you beat me too it.....

If the Hyatt suggestion pans out, that's probably your best option.  Taxi/Uber from the port to there and then to the Airport.  BWI isn't far from the Inner Harbor, but it's also not across the street like in Port Everglades.  You'll kill 45-60 minutes getting to the airport, renting a car, going park to the Harbor and parking.   Inner Harbor is a great place to walk around.  Hope it all works out for you.

Awesome blog as always.   

In April we were at the other Hampton Inn (Hampton Inn & Suites Fort Lauderdale Airport) to the south but it won't be my first choice in October.  It was okay and it was one of the worst Hampton Inn breakfasts I've had.  There's also not a lot of food nearby options other than McD and Taco Bell.   We will shoot for the Embassy Suites next time.  

Looking forward to the review and I'm particularly interested in the St Marten tour as I'm looking at that as well for our October trip (and the current condition of the island).   We did a promenade view room on the Freedom and thought it was great.

First drink?  Me:  poolside margarita  Wife: something frozen poured directly into the carved out pineapple