mom2mybugs

In st thomas,  take the boat over to st johns.   The beach was one of the prettiest we have ever seen and easy less busy than magens,  which is also beautiful and ok if you are the only ship in town!   Curacao is beautiful to just walk around...the architecture was amazing.   Arubas beaches are beautiful but the one we went to was packed and we were sorry we didn't do the other (can't remember eaglw or palm)...id advise getting there early and getting an umbrella!    If you have any extra time at all,  wander san juan.   It was maybe the favorite part of our trip.  The food was great and the forts amazing.  We loved it!   We had the exact same itinerary last summer on adventure pre-refurb.  It was a wonderful trip!   Happy anniversary!   Jane

4 hours ago, bobroo said:

HEY! HEY! HEY! 

I'm from the Northwest 'burbs and any RCL sailings out of Chicago--the line starts in back of me! ;0)

That's fine...you gave me great advice about chefs table on adventure...i will let you trailblaze and give us all the tips!  Wouldn't it be great to skip airfare though....one can dream!   Jane

15 hours ago, DocLC said:

This is why I don't make reservations for MTD. Sometimes my son goes with us; other times, he eats with the kids in the AO. Thus, we just go when we're hungry and ask for an appropriate sized table. 

And the waits really aren't bad?  I have this fear of waiting 45 mins for a table.   That would make me crazy i think!   Can you make reservations and show up at a different time?  Or do you need to cancel first?   

I thought the mayan ruins in costa maya were great.   It was a long bus,  but not insane, and we still had some beach time and "hair braiding" time before sailing.   Jane

Wish i knew what my 14 year old is going to do!   We are trying MTD this time.   If we eat early she will likely eat with us,  but if we eat late she will be with her friends.   We'd like to be just the 2 of us if she isnt with us and don't care as much if she is.  Not sure other make reservations we can do.   Im sure you can't request just 2 at some meals and not care at others!  Jane

Is this class bigger than vision and smaller than freedom?  Am i right that the views of the sea are the string points of these boats?  Im having a hard time keeping all the different classes straight!   Am i right that these would be less teen friendly?  Jane

10 hours ago, klaconqueso said:

Grr! I'm cruising on Allure in 170 days and they still haven't released our entertainment bookings. I wanna plan!!!!! 

Totally get this!   I'm almost a whole year and chomping at the bit lol!  Jane

On Thursday, April 20, 2017 at 0:23 PM, fmanke said:

I would love to cruise out of Chicago.  The great lakes are a lot bigger than people think.  

As a northwest suburb girl...it worud have to be in summer but it would be great!   Jane

5 hours ago, DocLC said:

Other alternatives to accessories with:

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Ok this was hilarious!   Now they need my red wings and im set!   Jane

I always use the lanyard.   I like not having to have my purse or wallet with me all the time and the lanyard keeps me from losing the card on the table or pool bag all the time.   Mine had the bottom detach so it was easy to hand to the bartender.   It is totally personal preference though,  and you will figure that out pretty quick.   Jane

On Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at 7:41 AM, JLMoran said:

Maybe Newark could become your new "home port". We do offer Canada and New England cruises along with those Bermuda and Bahamas/Caribbean trips. ;)

It would have to be warm lol!  Our biggest issue if we went spring break would be time.   My husband and I both teach and our youngest will be in high school.   So we might save money but then have time issues.    If we go in summer,  then we have more time in between summer school and the school year,  but then we could drive wherever.   I have considered texas too...those flights from chicago seem a bit lower.   Jane

I had no idea this was such a strongly felt issue?   The last production i went to at the oriental theater in chicago (in my broadway in chicago series)  let us being in drinks and they were even selling snacks in the theater...but it was a very different sort of show.   I will let people know after we go see Aladdin on sunday!  Jane

33 minutes ago, Arizona73 said:

So it sounds like it's reasonably easy to request a table for 2 at the MDR, but what about specialty restaurants?  I'm assuming, particularly since you're paying extra for those, that you can be seated alone if you prefer?

I have always been seated at our own table at the specialty restaurants.  They have never even asked if I'd want to sit with someone else...it is more like a regular "true" restaurant.  Jane

I have been on 3 cruises (Vision, Freedom and Adventure) and loved them all for different reasons.  Kidwise, my teens (13-18) had a good time on all of them, but it was a plus to go during spring break for my youngest (more kids on board).  I absolutely loved vision because it was smaller and I could just relax without feeling I was wasting the rest of the ship (and it has the best schooner bar in my opinion).  But I was surprised how much I loved the promenade on Freedom and Adventure!  In regards to ship vs itinerary, I end up cruising mostly on checking dates and then what is out there.  My kids liked more ports with active shore excursions, while I'm ok with just walking around a bit.  Seems like most of the Caribbean ports have the same offerings of activities anyway. Anyway, I would go on any of royals ships and my guess is I will find things I love on each and things I wish each had (that another does).  In the end if I have my drink, my sun chair, and no place to drive to...I'm good!

12 hours ago, Spiegeje said:

 

I was dying to get on a ship again, and I saw Freedom of the Seas docked at Port Canaveral as we disembarked from our first cruise. That sold me on the next ship I wanted to sail. The next was the Navigator Group Cruise when my geekdom metastasized. I will now get on a ship any time, any place...as long as it is RC until I hit Diamond, then I will try Celebrity and maybe Princess one day. NCL would be a distant third...but I want the free drinks in the diamond lounge.

 

OMG--I am so wanting the free diamond drinks...hard to remember how much I have to spend on the cruises to get there!  Argh....I'm only at 21 nights lol!  Jane

12 hours ago, fmanke said:

That's a great reason, saving on airfare for a cabin upgrade. Now if only RC would home port in Chicago, I could save on airfare, and cruise more often! :D

Totally!!!  We need to work on that.  The airfare to florida at spring break time is what is killing me!  Jane

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