Farminger

Finally getting back to cruising after having to cancel our October 2018 cruise, booked last year, to Cayman and Cozumel, due to school and a doozie of an accident. So we're going with friends on Enchantment for 4 nights to Coco Cay and Nassau on Sept. 17. I'm really looking forward to this one, as we have a full sea day (never had one of those before), and a total of 13 hours in Nassau, which will be more than enough time to see things that we missed on our last cruise. We're planning on making our own walking tour, including the National Art Gallery of the Bahamas, John Watling's Distillery, and lunch at Bahamas Kitchen Cookin. Are there any other activities in that immediate area that anyone recommends? I'd like to mention that Senor Frogs and the Straw Market are immediately out, as we went to those last cruise, and, well, not terribly impressed with either. Thanks again to Matt and everyone for such a great community. Y'all make the cruising experience so much easier to plan and execute.

Surprisingly, we got our passports processed and returned in under a month. Nice surprise. However, something to keep in mind. Bring a copy of the passport application with the scale for the photos with you when you have them done. we learned the hard way that not everyone knows the correct scale and had to have them redone (albeit, the redos were free).

Out-standing

Great photos! Thank you @BrianAlt for sharing them!

They work the boat drills, fire watch, security checks in port, and several other duties.

Being the planning junkie I am, I have been pouring over the forums here, Trip Advisor, Frommer's, and the like, in order to find the best places to go while in port. However, being that there seems to be a wealth of information from what I would call a group of friendly, experienced travelers here, I pose this/these questions: What is the best _________ you ever ate/bought/saw/experienced in a port your visited while cruising? Where and what are, of course, important, but also why whatever it was was the best. Now I know this will be different for everyone, but the point here is to, in a way, build a clearinghouse of ideas for all of us who are planning or those who just want to share. Thanks to all in advance for your input, and Happy Sailing.

I had not problems at all at any of the restaurants. The staff was pretty knowledgeable about the food contents, and if they didn't know, they pulled one of the chefs to talk to me. RCI, and indeed most food and service related industries worth their salt are proactive about allergy awareness.

I guess since I've only been on one cruise so far, I still haven't seen and done all there is to do onboard yet, so this is a tough one. Not sure where they would put an indoor skydiving simulator, but that might be interesting. Or a VR tour of ports to give you an idea of what is there (This might spawn some excursion bookings too).

Yes, most of the musicians do pull crew duty. My friend is married to one of the musicians serving on Majesty at the moment, and the whole band works as crew when not playing, though they do have more downtime than other crew members. Have to practice and rest their voices.

You are correct. It is Libby. Was reading another post while typing. Fixed the original. Thanks.

Well, just logged into the myVegas game to find they are running a contest to win a 7 night cruise for 2 out of Galveston on Liberty. Balcony room, free tournament entries at the casino, and taxes and fees are included. Good luck!

With cruising being a decidedly more affordable option for many over flying when it comes to travel outside their country of origin, I would love to see RCI (or anyone, for that matter) offer a few 4 or 5 nights going to Grand Cayman or Puerto Rico from either Tampa, Port Canaveral, or South Florida that has an overnight in the port of call. I understand there may be some restrictions on the amount of time ships are allowed to stay in port or at station keeping. However, if they are going to do overnights in Cuba, why not other locales?

Or the Edmund Fitzgerald, for that matter...

Let me know how this cruise goes. We're booked for October 2018 for the same route.

I would definitely check with your pediatrician as to what is the safest option for your little one. Most patches are dosed for adults, and are WAY too much medicine for children and infants. Hopefully he won't have a problem, but you're right in being proactive.

I think one of the funniest conversations I had on our last cruise touched on this. Try explaining to a four year old, that yes, in fact, they do have a jail on the ship...

My wife loves the Miami Vice. Half Pina Colada, half Strawberry Daquiri, All tasty. Don't have a particular fave myself.

Good answer! Our next cruise is Oct 20 2018 on Brilliance of the Seas

I have noticed that the RCI website has a section for contests and sweepstakes, but as of late, all I've seen on there is an advertisement for RCI gift card purchasing (my new Christmas wish list top item). Does anyone know how often they run contests and sweepstakes?

We grabbed lunch at JR on Majesty as we were pulling into Nassau. Food was good. Service was good. But, by far, the best view at a JR we've had thus far. That made it worth it.

This answered a few questions. Thanks for the thread @JLMoran, and thanks to all who answered.

And if you do get towels, it is best to make sure your card is rescanned when you turn them in. If they do forget or neglect to rescan, make sure you check your itemized bill before you dock. My wife turned her towel in the same evening, but they didn't rescan her Seapass, so we got a charge. However, they seem to be pretty good about reversing it if you talk to the folks at guest services.

Last meal on a RCI vessel? A terrible tragedy to ponder... but still... For starters, the chilled banana rum soup, and the fruit salad. Then for dessert, the Bailey's Banana Creme Brulee. No need for a main course... just keep those coming. The actuall last meal was breakfast at Windjammer on disembarkation day. First meal was fruit salad, grilled chicken and baked potato, and the BBB in the MDR on Majesty. Was a great start...

I like the idea of a formal/semiformal night of dining. Not a huge stickler for the dress code,as some people's idea of formal is totally different than mine or others, but at least make the effort to look presentable. Heck, go big... Kilt up, laddie

Man oh man, could I have done more sho... I mean my wife could have done more sho.. Okay, you caught me. Anyways, my big concern was what had to be declared at Customs. The CBP site may not be the easiest to navigate, and since I'm going to Grand Cayman, I want Rum Cake. and I want to bring rum cake home. But the food and agriculture signs had me wondering. So to make a long story short,and to hopefully save someone the aggravation of Customs fines... Here's the link for the approved food items... https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/3619/kw/bringing food to us If anyone has anything else to add, please, enlighten us. The more we know, the happier we travel