mom2mybugs

16 hours ago, RCVoyager said:

Cayman is a favorite for our family.  7 mile beach is world class.  Stingray City is a lot of fun.  Shopping is good.  One hint would be the party boats to Stingray City are usually very crowded.  We have arranged small boat trips on the island outside of the cruise line.  I think there is a Diver Down there that you could contact.  If they can't do it, they will know someone who can.  

I have heard lots about 7 mile beach....looks beautiful. 

15 hours ago, JLMoran said:

 

I can't make any comments about Freedom yet, but I wanted to say congratulations on the performance opportunity for your daughter! That's awesome!  :D

It's my favorite place in the world, and I can't wait to watch her!  She is more excited about hitting 5 parks (4 Disney and universal) in 5 days than she is singing lol! 

14 hours ago, Matt said:

Top 10 Freedom of the Seas secrets: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2015/08/03/top-10-freedom-of-the-seas-hidden-secrets

Thanks Matt---I still can't visualize where that St. Tropez area is, but I will totally look.  And I'm am absolutely going to try the heliopad for sail away, if it's not too cold that day!

13 hours ago, RBRSKI said:

Love the Freedom Class.  Ironically, we have been on all except the Freedom but will sail on her this Thanksgiving.  Had a buddy just get off the Freedom this past Sunday on a 8 night and said everything was perfect.

Good to hear for sure!!  I have been on 3 royal cruises, and they have all been awesome...even adventure pre-refurb.

19 hours ago, arebee said:

I love the Freedom, big but not too big.  I've been on her a few times..  Wondering, couldn't you drop to a window on Oasis?

We could have, but Freedom was such a deal that even dropping down to window on Oasis wouldn't come close. There wasn't a huge difference btw window and balcony like on other boats...we could have saved going balcony in a neighborhood but everything started feeling just too much.   We are saving almost 1/2 of the oasis cost by going with freedom instead.  That will buy a drink pkg and a couple plane tickets.... 

Thanks everyone---super excited to go :)  jane

Ok...this is the one new Port on our trip...what would people suggest we try? Is there anything we can't do elsewhere, or is it pretty typical dolphins, beach etc? Haven't done any research yet as im just decided to switch boats and sailings, but would love a quick narrowing down! Thanks, Jane

Im going to try mtd this next cruise. We had awful service last time (no drinks ready, wrong orders etc) and specialty dining could leave 1 couple at a table for 6 by themselves. I figure we might try and get a table by ourselves because small talk when you hadn't seen anyone at the previous 2 meals was kinda weird! Jane

Hi everyone,

Just found out my daughter will be singing with her hs choir at the candlelight processional at epcot in december. With an extra trip and a new water heater getting put in tomorrow (no hot water is no fun!) We figured we were paying an awful lot for a balcony on oasis. So for almost half the price we will be on an outside view on freedom. Ive been on freedom once before and loved it, but had gotten excited about oasis. Everyone remind me what they love about freedom!! Also what is the best things about grand caymon (so sad about giving up the labadoozies!) Jane

The for cruises I have booked, none of which are with Royal, are all booked with MEI as is my stay at Walt Disney World for WDW Marathon Weekend after my New Year's cruise.

I will hopefully be running the half marathon that weekend! Jane

good to know! I have loved both classes I have been on (vision and freedom) for different things and Im just having a hard time believing i can live a 3rd class as well! Excited to try lol! Jane

been on 3 cruises...no problem with straighteners or curling irons! Jane

Hi everyone! I am trying the "save and book way early approach" and have booked on oasis for March 2018. My first cruise was vision, the 2nd on freedom and the 3rd on adventure (pre-upgrades). Im worried that oasis will be so packed (esp. on the sun deck on sea days) and that we won't feel we ate on a "ship". I did book an outdoor cabin for my hubby who likes shade and not so many crowds. Can people give me info on oasis vs freedom class? I like this itinerary (st maarten, san juan and labadee) but it's not amazing and there is a Freedom sailing for cheaper (out of ft laud so airfare will be more). Im curious for trying the big ship but is it worth it? I more it's subjective but I'd love opinions. Thanks! Jane

Best thing I learned was to bring 3m hooks for the wall. It was great to be able to hang things like pjs, jackets and seim cover ups. Thing I haven't learned....how to stop overpacking! Jane

My 3 children (12, 16 and 18) and I took our first cruise out of Tampa on Vision in 2015.  We absolutely loved it.  The smaller size made it feel more maneuverable, and there were still plenty of great restaurants and options.  The smaller size impacts the number of tens...since you are going at the holidays, your kids should be able to meet lots of friends if they want to.  Have a great time and enjoy!   Jane

The hotel worked fine...they had our name. Will find out about transfer tonight! Jane

I totally wanted to get there early tomorrow, so thanks everyone for relieving my concerns! Jane

Another note on this...

 

I had a luggage tag rip off of my bag once, but I caught it right before we handed it to the porters. The plastic covers for tags are inexpensive and kind of nice to have, and avoids the "rippage" issues.

I have these and love them! They hold up forever! Jane

So we got the hotel in san juan with the cruise company. That and the transferto the ship are on our invoice. However, we have received nothing from royal about any times for the tanner, any separate paperwork, etc. Shoulda we have gotten something, or does royal just handle it all directly and electronically? Jane

So my husband got the email saying our deck should board btw 3pm and 4pm. Since we have to check out of the hotel at 11, we have no intention of waiting! But how strict are they on these times? Jane

Milk is always free, even in mdr. My 19 year old got it every dinner! Not sure about chocolate. Im not sure about juice because my kids are older. I know fresh squeezed is cost. Jane

I understand your pain because our last Freedom cruise I tried to order a BBC (Banana Baileys Colada) & they told me "we could not make those anymore because they do not carry the Banana mix.

 

The bartenders said it was a popular request, but just like you said no one knows why?

Bummer...i was, going to try this this time! Jane

I enjoyed the Bacardi's distillery tour !

 

;)

Did you tour the factory? I hear now that they don't, and that was thew interesting part. We might do it just so we don't sit at the airport for 6 hours! I would do the san juan tour, but we are going to walk around on friday before the cruise, and i think id be worrying about time. So maybe i will try this one! Jane

Ok...on the right board this time! Ignore this on dining!

We go on adventure in august. On the last day, our flight doesn't leave til 255. We cant check luggage until 4 hours before, and i hear there is pretty much nothing to do at the airport. Do we get a late number and just take forever getting off? Does taking off your luggage have a firm "depart by" time (we've never done it)?

One other option we could do is the "crummy bacardi tour". Is it worth it in terms of making it easier off the boat? How do post cruise excursions work in terms of favtoring in to getting off the boat? Do they give you any priority in terms of getting off or going through customs?

All these are fwp, but standing in the sun forever waiting to get the luggage checked to the airport sounds like such a bummer ending to the trip, and San juan port sounds less good than port canaveral or tampa at disembarking! Jane

My dream dining rotation consists of a random selection based on a 3 sided dice that has Izumi, Sabor or both written on each side.

This i would have totally predicted!

Jane

Im loving hearing about san juan...we arrive in 2 weeks! Jane

We did ours on Formal night so my husband wore a Tux and I was in a gown. Others were too. But I wish I had a little more breathing/eating room and not so high heels for walking back to the room after all that wine

Taking the 2 bottles on if you drink wine...totally worth it! I did that on my first cruise (no drink pkg) and saved buying at least 6 glasses of wine at 10 bucks a glass... the 2 bottles weren't that heavy and didn't cost 60 plus gratuity! My next cruise on adventure we will carry on 2, get 1 bottle of champagne from AAA, and that will do dinner for the 2 of us for the first 3 days, prob 4. Save us a bunch! Jane

Thanks! I could rewear a formal dress (i don't go insane anyway) but would rather not get too dressy!