twangster

I love Labadee.
These are the typical loungers that are available and are included at no cost.  

This area is called Columbus Cove and the beach is better for swimming but there are no views of the zip line here.

This is the area near the zipline

Both beaches are beautiful but the water here is more rocky on this side as it is exposed to the Atlantic more.  If anyone plans to swim bring water shoes.
The first picture was taken early in the day before many people had left the ship and you can see how easy it is to get loungers.  If you have a large group and you want shade that might be harder to come by as the day progresses but generally speaking it isn't too difficult to find something.  A small tip to a beach attendant goes a long way and they are locals who can always use the money in a country where a good job is hard to come by.  They can help find a few chairs and group them together for you.  
 

Yes it is!  Assuming your flights meet the criteria.  Make sure to turn in your forms by the deadline.

I bought a Rolex a couple of years ago.  They are quite affordable but I hardly wear it and it's a bit bulky. 
It was $36 on the streets of San Juan.  
Still not sure what all the fuss is about.

60 days after booking and before final payment due date.
It never hurts to reach out and ask.  If nothing else it gives you a contact to use if something pops up and you want a quote on a cruise.  

I got a rock. 
Many of mine are solo though so maybe being solo I don't see the price breaks.

I bought a Rolex a couple of years ago.  They are quite affordable but I hardly wear it and it's a bit bulky. 
It was $36 on the streets of San Juan.  
Still not sure what all the fuss is about.

I bought a Rolex a couple of years ago.  They are quite affordable but I hardly wear it and it's a bit bulky. 
It was $36 on the streets of San Juan.  
Still not sure what all the fuss is about.

Day 7 - Civitivechia 
Today we were in Civitivechia which is the port for Rome. We've heard that to do Rome in a day is pretty frantic as it's at least a 1hr 15min drive from the port, extremely hot, and very crowded in summer. As we're from England it's relatively easy for us to visit for a weekend so we plan to do that at some point. So we decided not to do an excursion this time around and instead enjoy the ship. 
We had a lie-in until 8 before going for breakfast in the WJ. It was pretty quiet and I enjoyed some nice pancakes. 
We have explored Civitivechia a bit on our previous visit prior to doing a wine tasting excursion and it's a nice little town with a fort, a small beach area and some quaint streets and buildings. 
We had 5 other cruise ships in port with us today: Disney Magic, Celebrity Reflection, TUI Mein Schieff 6, MSC Fantasia and Costa Didema. So we decided to get off and go for a stroll through the port to stretch our legs and look at the ships and super-yachts. 
We were off the ship for about 1.5hrs between 9:45 and it was already very hot. Once back on board, we grabbed an iced latte and a snack from Cafe Promenade then went up to the back of the ship to try the water slides. They were really good fun although I preferred the yellow one as the blue one had lines on sections of the tubes that made my eyes go funny. Top tip for a fast slide: arch your back and dig your heals and shoulders into the slide. 
We then went to the Solarium to relax before lunch in the WJ. More relaxtion followed before the day's shuffleboard match- I'm disappointed to report that I'm now trailing by 3 games! I need to have a word with myself!
As we've got an early start tomorrow for our trip to Florence, we decided we didn't want to do late dining in the MDR so we took advantage of an offer we spotted in the cruise compass for 30% off at Giovanni's Table. It was fantastic! I had the octopus to start while my husband had the belly pork then we both had the fillet mignon - the barolo sauce was to die for! The desserts came on a trolley and the waiter, having picked up in the fact that I love food, let me sampleall of them ?
After dinner, we did some window shopping on the Royal Promenade and tried on some Rolexs - it's my husband's dream to own one but I don't think we'll be buying one on this cruise! 
Then it was off to bed ready for Florence in the morning. 
 

In July you will be competing with land cruisers since kids are out of school.  Certain popular tourist things may be very busy.
May is nice but I like cool nights and warm but not hot days.  Same with October.  Canadian Thanksgiving is Oct. 12, 2020.  Canadian Thanksgiving isn't the massive travel week it is here.  However if a port of call falls on Oct. 12, 2020, that port may see closed stores and venues.  If wearing a light jacket or light sweater at night is out of bounds for you on a cruise, May/October may be like that.  Personally I like that kind of weather.  
I'm doing Adventure in October on the "Snowbird Migration".  It boards on Canadian Thanksgiving this year.  It's a one way from Quebec City to Florida as a repositioning cruise.   I'll probably be live blogging it here.  This cruise starts with an overnight in Quebec City which I really like.  Check in, go to cabin, then go explore this historic city.  Sleep on the ship and have a full day the next day to do the same before sailing many of the standard Canada ports, then 2 in Maine, Boston and then down to FL.  The second day in Quebec City should work well since the first day is Canadian Thanksgiving.  The first day I may just walk around and take pictures while self exploring. 
Bienvenue au Canada. 

In July you will be competing with land cruisers since kids are out of school.  Certain popular tourist things may be very busy.
May is nice but I like cool nights and warm but not hot days.  Same with October.  Canadian Thanksgiving is Oct. 12, 2020.  Canadian Thanksgiving isn't the massive travel week it is here.  However if a port of call falls on Oct. 12, 2020, that port may see closed stores and venues.  If wearing a light jacket or light sweater at night is out of bounds for you on a cruise, May/October may be like that.  Personally I like that kind of weather.  
I'm doing Adventure in October on the "Snowbird Migration".  It boards on Canadian Thanksgiving this year.  It's a one way from Quebec City to Florida as a repositioning cruise.   I'll probably be live blogging it here.  This cruise starts with an overnight in Quebec City which I really like.  Check in, go to cabin, then go explore this historic city.  Sleep on the ship and have a full day the next day to do the same before sailing many of the standard Canada ports, then 2 in Maine, Boston and then down to FL.  The second day in Quebec City should work well since the first day is Canadian Thanksgiving.  The first day I may just walk around and take pictures while self exploring. 
Bienvenue au Canada. 

As I've thought about this and in particular your last sentence in reference to your daughters accepting this:
I can safely predict that won't be an issue.  
You have displayed great patience and resolve as this has played out.  Sure at moments it has gotten to you, and how couldn't it?  In the end you let it play out, maintained faith in Sharla and MEI Travel and worked towards a resolution.  That is commendable.
Our children watch and learn from us in subtle ways none of us appreciate from their early years to later in life.  My kids have endured flat tires, locked up brake calipers, hotels that didn't come close to the brochure, flights delays, lost luggage, pets pass and so on.  It didn't take me long to learn that their reaction mirrored my own during life's challenging moments.
This is a process for them too but I'm confident you will find they handle it with as much grace as you have despite how frustrating it has been.    After all, they learned that from you.  
 

Thanks for the update.  Glad to hear it's been working out so far.  Keep the updates coming.

UPDATE!
Tell ya what, snake bites are different breed altogether! The swelling in my husband's leg has gone down considerably. It did not "pass the second joint " a la Poison Control not your local dispensary LOL! , in this case his knee. So he didn't need the anti-venom. (Whew!)  During the time his leg (above his ankle) was HUGE, the temp of it was  10 to 15 degrees warmer than his non-bitten leg. Now that the swelling is down, the temp is equal to his other leg. Here's the weird part. His foot is still huge (no way to put on a shoe, yet), BUT it is now colder than the foot that didn't get bit. I hope this is okay. He's got an appointment with his PMD this afternoon. Hoping he can go to one crutch (or no crutch) and get some exercises/pt for mobility.
What a roller coaster we've been on this week. Monday started out like any other day, just like today for anyone reading this (perhaps?), and it ended and Tuesday started with a possibility lethal situation. Then we went from averting death (I guess it is THAT dramatic) to possibly losing limb. Now, we're back to, I think, how Monday started, for the most part. 
Here's the take away, if there is one: Looking at the epidemiological data (before I had my own business, I was an epidemiologist so I'm kinda of a science/medical/statistics nerd), the chances of being injured or killed in a car accident OR being struck by lightening are greater than being bit (note, I didn't say "dying") by a venomous snake. 
Since, most of us have already driven somewhere today, and you lived (you're reading this, aren't you? ?), buy your trip insurance if you haven't  (add that "cancel for any reason", if you still can). If you still won't, go buy a lottery ticket and pray.
THANK YOU THANK YOU everyone for your well wishes. I have truly found a community of wonderful, nice, caring folks!

You echo my thoughts.  This seems like a really bad idea.  I am quite familiar with the IndyCar race in Toronto as I am a corner worker there and I just cannot see how this could work.
Track construction generally begins almost 2 months before the event and the tear down takes weeks.  That alone would be a huge impact on traffic not even considering totally closing it for a weekend which I would Imagine is the busiest of times for the port from a tourist perspective.
The reason I asked about the RCL terminal is the proposed layout seems to use the roads directly in front of that part of the port.  I would imagine that the tunnel could be used to access the ships further up the port but I think the existing RCL building would be completely inaccessible.

This webcam has been focused on Mariner all day as she gets ready to set sail later today.
http://www.portmiamiwebcam.com/

Pick some future Mariner sail date and watch her depart with your daughters.  It's hard not to get excited anytime I watch a sail away.  

This webcam has been focused on Mariner all day as she gets ready to set sail later today.
http://www.portmiamiwebcam.com/

Pick some future Mariner sail date and watch her depart with your daughters.  It's hard not to get excited anytime I watch a sail away.  

As I've thought about this and in particular your last sentence in reference to your daughters accepting this:
I can safely predict that won't be an issue.  
You have displayed great patience and resolve as this has played out.  Sure at moments it has gotten to you, and how couldn't it?  In the end you let it play out, maintained faith in Sharla and MEI Travel and worked towards a resolution.  That is commendable.
Our children watch and learn from us in subtle ways none of us appreciate from their early years to later in life.  My kids have endured flat tires, locked up brake calipers, hotels that didn't come close to the brochure, flights delays, lost luggage, pets pass and so on.  It didn't take me long to learn that their reaction mirrored my own during life's challenging moments.
This is a process for them too but I'm confident you will find they handle it with as much grace as you have despite how frustrating it has been.    After all, they learned that from you.  
 

As I've thought about this and in particular your last sentence in reference to your daughters accepting this:
I can safely predict that won't be an issue.  
You have displayed great patience and resolve as this has played out.  Sure at moments it has gotten to you, and how couldn't it?  In the end you let it play out, maintained faith in Sharla and MEI Travel and worked towards a resolution.  That is commendable.
Our children watch and learn from us in subtle ways none of us appreciate from their early years to later in life.  My kids have endured flat tires, locked up brake calipers, hotels that didn't come close to the brochure, flights delays, lost luggage, pets pass and so on.  It didn't take me long to learn that their reaction mirrored my own during life's challenging moments.
This is a process for them too but I'm confident you will find they handle it with as much grace as you have despite how frustrating it has been.    After all, they learned that from you.  
 

Day 6 - Nice
Today we're docked in the beautiful port of Villefranche-sur-Mer on the south of France's Cote d'Azur. From here it's possible to visit Nice, Monaco and Cannes; we'refreshing been to Monaco we're visiting Nice. 
After breakfast in the MDR buffet, we head to go to the theatre to meet our tour. We'd booked the 'introduction Nice' tour through RC. This simply involved a coach transfer to Nice with some commentary about the history etc on the way. I'm not sure ofthe exact price but our was about £40pp. It probably would've been cheaper to go by private  taxi as it's only about 30mins away from the ship, but the traffic can get pretty bad on this stretch of coastline so I felt happier being on RC's bus. In fact, when we visited Monaco previously, our tour was back late because of the traffic and we were back later than the advertised 'last tender' but our wasn't a problem for us as it was an RC tour. 
We had to wait in the theatre for about 5mins for a tender to become available, then we were on our way. The tender ride is only short - about 10 mins, but it's a nice chance to take in the views of the stunning scenery and super-yachts in the harbour. 
From the cruise terminal, there is a very short but steep walk up to the citadel where the coaches park - how they manoeuvre through the tiny lanes with cars parked either side I'll never know. Then we settled back to enjoy the views on the short drive to Nice. 
Our drop-off point was next to the Albert I park on the Promenade d'Anglais. This was right next to a little tourist train that does a 1hr tour of the city with pre-recorded commentary including taking you to the top of the 92m high Mont Boron for €10pp. There was a train about to leave so we hopped on for the tour. It was a good value option especially for the views over the city from the top of Mont Boron. 
After the tour, we had a wander around the old told and bought a couple of souvenirs and a bottle of wine to take home. We then had a very delicious (if expensive!) lunch as one of the pavement-side restaurants.
We then had a stroll through one of rhe parks before heading back to the promenade. We had 44mins left before having to get our return transfer but it was extremely hot - 34 degrees - and there was little shade to be had anywhere. We spotted a rickshaw that did tours for €15 pp for 30 mins so we jumped on as it was a good way to get out of the sun, generate a refreshing breeze and see a bit more of the city. It was such good fun, if a little hairy, as the driver took us down really narrow streets chock full of pedestrians. In hindsight,  we'd have preferred to have done a longer rickshaw tour rather than the train tour but both were good experiences. 
The driver dropped us off at our bus stop right on time for our return transfer. After a short drive, we were back at the cruise terminal where we were greeted by RC staff had out cold towels and complimentary ice-cold water and flavoured water.  We only waited for a few minutes for a tender and then we were back on board. We grabbed a frozen mocha each to cool down and headed up to our cabin for husband to check his eyelids for holes whilst I sat on the balcony watching some of the super-yachts sail out. 
Sailaway took us past the St Jean Cap Ferat peninsula which is the 2nd most expensive residential area in the world after Monaco. As we sailed past, we saw The Grand Hotel (the big ehite building on the cliff in the photo) where a room will cost on average a mere €2090 per night!
As we headed back out into the Med., we could see the Seabourn Encore and a Viking (possibly the Orion) in the distance sailing away from Monaco. 
We then got changed before heading down to Bolero's for a pre-dinner drink. Dinner tonight was in the MDR where I had the Lasagne which was DELICIOUS! Then we had a stroll round the promenade deck before heading to rhe Schooner bar for a nightcap and a sing-a-long. 
Tomorrow we'll be in Civitivechia where we plan to stay onboard as we're not visiting Rome. Apparently there'll be several other ships in port with us too so I'm hoping to get a good look at them. 
 

Haunted by the @hayley_bopp at the moment.
Here is her Indy live blog
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php?/topic/6830-independence-14th-28th-july-med-liveish-blog/
 

As I've thought about this and in particular your last sentence in reference to your daughters accepting this:
I can safely predict that won't be an issue.  
You have displayed great patience and resolve as this has played out.  Sure at moments it has gotten to you, and how couldn't it?  In the end you let it play out, maintained faith in Sharla and MEI Travel and worked towards a resolution.  That is commendable.
Our children watch and learn from us in subtle ways none of us appreciate from their early years to later in life.  My kids have endured flat tires, locked up brake calipers, hotels that didn't come close to the brochure, flights delays, lost luggage, pets pass and so on.  It didn't take me long to learn that their reaction mirrored my own during life's challenging moments.
This is a process for them too but I'm confident you will find they handle it with as much grace as you have despite how frustrating it has been.    After all, they learned that from you.  
 

Could be... I have relatives in Jolly Olde England.  

Always at a table for two, by myself.  Tables are so close though that if you have friendly neighbors you can have a conversation.  
I actually prefer this and usually get great service.  In and out in under 45 minutes, sometimes faster.

As I've thought about this and in particular your last sentence in reference to your daughters accepting this:
I can safely predict that won't be an issue.  
You have displayed great patience and resolve as this has played out.  Sure at moments it has gotten to you, and how couldn't it?  In the end you let it play out, maintained faith in Sharla and MEI Travel and worked towards a resolution.  That is commendable.
Our children watch and learn from us in subtle ways none of us appreciate from their early years to later in life.  My kids have endured flat tires, locked up brake calipers, hotels that didn't come close to the brochure, flights delays, lost luggage, pets pass and so on.  It didn't take me long to learn that their reaction mirrored my own during life's challenging moments.
This is a process for them too but I'm confident you will find they handle it with as much grace as you have despite how frustrating it has been.    After all, they learned that from you.  
 

As I've thought about this and in particular your last sentence in reference to your daughters accepting this:
I can safely predict that won't be an issue.  
You have displayed great patience and resolve as this has played out.  Sure at moments it has gotten to you, and how couldn't it?  In the end you let it play out, maintained faith in Sharla and MEI Travel and worked towards a resolution.  That is commendable.
Our children watch and learn from us in subtle ways none of us appreciate from their early years to later in life.  My kids have endured flat tires, locked up brake calipers, hotels that didn't come close to the brochure, flights delays, lost luggage, pets pass and so on.  It didn't take me long to learn that their reaction mirrored my own during life's challenging moments.
This is a process for them too but I'm confident you will find they handle it with as much grace as you have despite how frustrating it has been.    After all, they learned that from you.