twangster

Excellent strategy.  I did a Celebrity Alaska cruise in June.  I had a great suite with larger balcony but I hardly used it.  I was out of the cabin and all over the ship, much like Caribbean.   At the time I thought to myself, okay that was nice, but if I do Alaska again, I'm going inside or ocean view.  I did splurge on excursions this past cruise and so glad I did.  To see Alaska you need excursions.  Otherwise you will end up like so many that write poor reviews for Alaska ports offering "same old jewelry stores" .  To experience Alaska you need to get out of the port area and excursions are the way to do that.  However that was an expensive vacation.  
I'm on the group cruise to Alaska in June 2018.  I booked an inside virtual balcony.  I plan to spend a good bit on excursions and while planning this year's cruise I had to choose between some excursions.  On next year's group cruise I can try my alternate excursions I missed this year.  
I did a helicopter to a glacier this year and the must do train in Skagway.  Next year seaplanes, dog sleds or maybe a hike to a glacier.  The money I saved on the cabin will pay for the excursions.    

Lyft.  If no Lyft nearby I'll just cab it.

On demand handshake is $5 but no gratuity.  If you buy the Captain and Crew handshake package it is subject to 18% gratuity at time of purchase.

My Canuck sense o' meter just nudged downward...
If I wanted water, I would have asked for water!

My Canuck sense o' meter just nudged downward...
If I wanted water, I would have asked for water!

Same with the US site.  IT strikes again.
The Google translation is interesting: 
Six (6) Children under the age of age are not allowed to attend, and children aged 6 to 18 years of age require at least one guard É

Yesterday @Matt informed us of a big reveal planned by RCI next week on Nov. 7.  Watching his periscope yesterday and in response to his call for speculation and guessing what could possibly be announced in the big reveal next week, I put my thinking cap on and started making wild guesses.  One guess is that Coco Cay may be making some big news soon.  
This post is purely speculative with no basis in fact or inside knowledge.  It's almost certainly going to be proven wrong next week, but let's have some fun!
What got me thinking last night was Matt's comment about a concept of staying overnight on Coco Cay and possibly arriving on one ship but departing on another as mentioned in this blog.  
Guests on CocoCay may be able to get off the ship and stay there overnight, "we will be adding some private cabana accommodation for Suite Class guests who may want to get off and stay for a few days in total luxury and privacy before hopping on another ship to come home." Coco Cay is also known as Little Stirrup Cay and it is located right beside Great Stirrup Cay (GSC) which is a private destination for Norwegian Cruise Lines.  Last year NCL announced plans to refurbish GSC including a private lagoon retreat for certain suite guests.  I had also heard rumors about a hotel operation on GSC although finding information on that is more difficult. 
On a recent trip to Coco Cay aboard Grandeur of the Seas I spotted construction on GSC. 
In this photo of GSC just right of photo center you can see construction trailers and right of that a row of concrete buildings.  Left of the trailers is the beach that GSC visitors use when visiting there.

Here is a closer photo of the GSC beach area showing row and row of loungers.

Here are those concrete building under construction in an undeveloped area of GSC.

These are presumably building to fulfill the NCL vision of a lagoon retreat but could they also be part of that rumored future overnight hotel operation on GSC? 

A distinct disadvantage for any port of call is the lack of a pier.  That has an impact to daytime visits and lacking a pier it makes the idea of overnight stays from a cruise ship very challenging.   
All too often cruise ship visits to tender ports are called off due to slight seas.  That moment of stepping off a large and stable cruise ship onto a tender bobbing up and down in even a small amount of waves can be very dangerous.  Not only do you need calm seas in the morning but if seas are forecast to become larger later in the day that can also impact a visit to a tender port.   
That soon won't be an issue for Coco Cay, the pier is under construction and scheduled to start receiving ships in June 2018.  A pier will be a game changer for Coco Cay.
Maybe the big reveal next week is going to announce some very big upgrades for Coco Cay.  Will that overnight Coco Cay hotel hinted at earlier this year become a reality?   
Wouldn't that be the ultimate back to back cruise adventure?  Arrive to Coco Cay on one cruise ship, spend a few days and nights on Coco Cay, depart on a different cruise ship! Will we get Crown & Anchor points for Coco Cay?  
Maybe Mariner's post dry-dock relocation to Miami plays a role in this concept.  
What other new and exciting features will Coco Cay receive?
Back in 2013 Matt wrote a blog describing how Carnival would be making some stops at Coco Cay.  What if NCL was to use the Coco Cay pier as a mean to access GSC on less than perfect days?  Both have sheltered harbors were boarding a water taxi can be done safely and it would be a short ride between islands.  What if the cruise lines shared island resources?  Highly unlikely but hey, this is all about wild speculation. 
So let's hear from you.  What wild and crazy ideas can you come up with for the big reveal next week?
Dream on...

Must posses secret ninja skills to sneak in just before or as WJ opens

I am going on Explorer myself in June '18 - on the Royal Caribbean Blog Group Cruise!
When I did an Alaska cruise on a different ship this past June I had the drink package.  I managed to utilize the package to the point it had value for me.  I drink a lot of water and would take two bottles with me on excursions.  I had more specialty coffee than I might in the Caribbean.  I'm usually good for two glass of wine during dinner and two cocktails in the evenings at shows and not what.  Throw in some beers and a martini here and there and I'm confident I did better than breaking even.  I like not having to worry about it, or questioning should I have another, or trying a certain drink I haven't had before.  
We have four sea days on Explorer plus three long days in port where you can do an excursion, come back to the ship for a meal,  then go self exploring after that.  At lunch a glass of white wine or a beer goes down easy.  I would consider this cruise a DPFI - Drink Package Friendly Itinerary.   

Comparative look at damage to Labadee cabana hurricane damage
4 cabanas were damaged.  I'm going in a couple weeks. Will see what progress they've made replacing them.
Suite guests have the exclusive use of Barefoot Beach with it's own enhanced food area and a separate bar.  Bar service works like on the ship - if you have a drink package, it works on Labadee.  Floating mats are included.  There is also a suite shuttle service by golf cart to/from Barefoot Beach.  Also keep an eye for a sail away event on the helipad for suite guests with champagne and mimosa when leaving Labadee.  
Also, there is this blog @Matt wrote:
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2014/07/24/what-you-need-know-about-labadee-cabanas
 

Comparative look at damage to Labadee cabana hurricane damage
4 cabanas were damaged.  I'm going in a couple weeks. Will see what progress they've made replacing them.
Suite guests have the exclusive use of Barefoot Beach with it's own enhanced food area and a separate bar.  Bar service works like on the ship - if you have a drink package, it works on Labadee.  Floating mats are included.  There is also a suite shuttle service by golf cart to/from Barefoot Beach.  Also keep an eye for a sail away event on the helipad for suite guests with champagne and mimosa when leaving Labadee.  
Also, there is this blog @Matt wrote:
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2014/07/24/what-you-need-know-about-labadee-cabanas
 

Must posses secret ninja skills to sneak in just before or as WJ opens

Loft suites on Oasis class are great.  I love those cabins!  Very convenient to the suite lounge and Coastal Kitchen.  Comedy needs a reservation.  Suite concierge may be able to assist if you haven't got one already, otherwise the other shows do not need them.  Highly recommend all shows, but for 1887 (Ice Skating show) go early enough to get front row within the suite section.  We had front row seats and it was amazing.  Look for crew guarding certain rows and turning most folks away.  Show your plum suite card and you are good.

On demand handshake is $5 but no gratuity.  If you buy the Captain and Crew handshake package it is subject to 18% gratuity at time of purchase.

Unless you are doing a B2B. hehehehe

Unless you are doing a B2B. hehehehe

I can appreciate.  One of my cruise companions is a platonic friend who is a high school teacher.  
Her family booked a big family reunion cruise in January despite her objections and they were shocked she couldn't just take it off like the rest of them.  

Easy solution... do another cruise before then!  In the 45-60 days before sailing you can scoop some pretty good deals during certain times of the year.  

So, we are now 147 days out from the second leg of  our two week B2B next year on the Allure. The cruise planner for the first week was populated with all the "discounts", deals, excursions and entertainment at day 158. The second week (April 1st) cruise planner shows no deals, discounts nor entertainment and we are now 147 days out. I wonder what RC is doing? I know what they are NOT doing. By the way, waiting for the trip is KILLING ME!!! 
 

Yesterday @Matt informed us of a big reveal planned by RCI next week on Nov. 7.  Watching his periscope yesterday and in response to his call for speculation and guessing what could possibly be announced in the big reveal next week, I put my thinking cap on and started making wild guesses.  One guess is that Coco Cay may be making some big news soon.  
This post is purely speculative with no basis in fact or inside knowledge.  It's almost certainly going to be proven wrong next week, but let's have some fun!
What got me thinking last night was Matt's comment about a concept of staying overnight on Coco Cay and possibly arriving on one ship but departing on another as mentioned in this blog.  
Guests on CocoCay may be able to get off the ship and stay there overnight, "we will be adding some private cabana accommodation for Suite Class guests who may want to get off and stay for a few days in total luxury and privacy before hopping on another ship to come home." Coco Cay is also known as Little Stirrup Cay and it is located right beside Great Stirrup Cay (GSC) which is a private destination for Norwegian Cruise Lines.  Last year NCL announced plans to refurbish GSC including a private lagoon retreat for certain suite guests.  I had also heard rumors about a hotel operation on GSC although finding information on that is more difficult. 
On a recent trip to Coco Cay aboard Grandeur of the Seas I spotted construction on GSC. 
In this photo of GSC just right of photo center you can see construction trailers and right of that a row of concrete buildings.  Left of the trailers is the beach that GSC visitors use when visiting there.

Here is a closer photo of the GSC beach area showing row and row of loungers.

Here are those concrete building under construction in an undeveloped area of GSC.

These are presumably building to fulfill the NCL vision of a lagoon retreat but could they also be part of that rumored future overnight hotel operation on GSC? 

A distinct disadvantage for any port of call is the lack of a pier.  That has an impact to daytime visits and lacking a pier it makes the idea of overnight stays from a cruise ship very challenging.   
All too often cruise ship visits to tender ports are called off due to slight seas.  That moment of stepping off a large and stable cruise ship onto a tender bobbing up and down in even a small amount of waves can be very dangerous.  Not only do you need calm seas in the morning but if seas are forecast to become larger later in the day that can also impact a visit to a tender port.   
That soon won't be an issue for Coco Cay, the pier is under construction and scheduled to start receiving ships in June 2018.  A pier will be a game changer for Coco Cay.
Maybe the big reveal next week is going to announce some very big upgrades for Coco Cay.  Will that overnight Coco Cay hotel hinted at earlier this year become a reality?   
Wouldn't that be the ultimate back to back cruise adventure?  Arrive to Coco Cay on one cruise ship, spend a few days and nights on Coco Cay, depart on a different cruise ship! Will we get Crown & Anchor points for Coco Cay?  
Maybe Mariner's post dry-dock relocation to Miami plays a role in this concept.  
What other new and exciting features will Coco Cay receive?
Back in 2013 Matt wrote a blog describing how Carnival would be making some stops at Coco Cay.  What if NCL was to use the Coco Cay pier as a mean to access GSC on less than perfect days?  Both have sheltered harbors were boarding a water taxi can be done safely and it would be a short ride between islands.  What if the cruise lines shared island resources?  Highly unlikely but hey, this is all about wild speculation. 
So let's hear from you.  What wild and crazy ideas can you come up with for the big reveal next week?
Dream on...

Beginning to look that way.  
http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/articles/277322/big-interview-michael-bayley-president-and-chief-executive-of-royal-caribbean-international
While this article is in the UK and centric on UK related topics, I noted this: 
Bayley says the development means Royal could homeport two ships in Miami, one in Fort Lauderdale and one in Port Canaveral – plus Anthem of the Seas in New York.
 

My Canuck sense o' meter just nudged downward...
If I wanted water, I would have asked for water!

New graphic posted today! 
 

Must posses secret ninja skills to sneak in just before or as WJ opens

So, just out of curiosity,  what time are you doing your recon of the WJ? All of your photos of the WJ are so pristine, everything in place and no messes! Great job.