mom2mybugs

First Cruise over a major holiday --- I never imagined Halloween could be so much fun.
 

We had a rocky year for vacations but I went on my 4th cruise, and learned you can repeat a ship and find whole new things to do!  Bring on 2019 though....first yolo booked oasis class in March (allure) and another attempt at Europe with our first 12 day cruise in the med/Greek isles (vision and first bigger family stateroom).  Happy new year everyone!!! Jane

When I read the release from NCL themselves it was confusing to be honest - as every line cancels your res if you don't pay.  All they're doing is improving their reminders/notifications that final payment is approaching.  My travel agent knows when to start harassing me, and smartly, he usually lies about the date to give me a buffer ?

Thank you so much and I think you’re right about us going to Sabor too. I have heard nothing but positive things about the guacamole, margaritas, and desserts. We might as well go to all three since we will be going to Chop’s for lunch anyways.
Thanks again!

We did all 3 and we liked sabor, but it was definitely hit or miss the 2 cruises in terms of food and service.  The quac and desserts were really good, and the specialty margaritas were fun.  Since you are doing the key, I would go ahead and try sabor.  Chops was amazing, as was Giovanni's.  Any way you do it will work great!  Happy anniversary!!!!  Jane

Have an amazing trip...I have been on freedom twice and loved it.  I agree with @JLMoran that my time seems the way to go.  I found the last time we did traditional seating, we were at a huge 10 table and at least 4 people a night were gone with specialty dining or ports.  We ourselves were only there 3 nights and it just seemed kinda forced to make conversation.  It was very different than my first cruise but I can think with the dining pkgs it will be the trend.  We are doing 4 nights of specialty dining on our upcoming allure cruise, and with 2 being the BOGO and taking the first 2 nights, we will just go my time or windjammer (which I have never done for dinner!).  Jane

@Auto...do you work for Royal IT? Sure looks like it! ?

Thank you and I’ll definitely keep checking the Cruise Planner. I’m glad to hear that there’s typically 2 shows per night to plan our dinner reservations accordingly. I’ve become almost obsessed with doing research about our first cruise, but we’re both extremely excited and want to be prepared for the trip.
Thanks again!

As we plan our 2020 cruise, we asked our 9 year old if he wanted to go to new places on our cruise or have cool things on the ship. We explained that not every ship has water slides or laser tag. He said, totally seriously, "What about buffets? Do they all have buffets?" We assured that any ship we take him on will have a buffet.
#priorities

I live in Chicago and going on a cruise in NJ soon.

@Lovetocruise2002 have an amazing trip!!! I loved freedom class, but haven't been on Oasis class yet (March here I come!).  I think the break will be awesome and you will go back to school in much better shape.  I just keep telling myself.... Spring break... Spring break... Spring break!  Anyway, can't wait to enjoy your trip with you!  Thanks for blogging!  Jane

So is Chicago!!!  Which is why we are yolo booked for spring break!  Jane

Hi, my name is Auto...

Day 8: Boooooooo!
We woke up early, and sadly packed our last things to carry off the ship. Leaving our bags in the room, we got breakfast at a semi-leisurely pace, and then went down to say goodbye to our cabins. We then did a lap around the pool deck, and started to head for the theater to wait for our disemarkation number to be called. A crew member saw us headed that way, and told us we could wait in the Centrum, and she would come find us when our number was called, which was nice. When our number was called, we walked off the ship for the last time, and into the terminal. We were able to quickly locate our bags and walked on out. A benefit of sailing through the European Union is there are no customs/passport checks while leaving the port (at least for US/EU citizens). Our car service met us right at the exit of the terminal, and whisked us to the airport. Unfortunately, we had to sit in the airport for about 4 hours waiting on our flight, but the girls barely noticed since they all had their iDevices and wifi. I dozed off a little on the short flight home, and before we knew it, we were in the van and driving home.
 
Final Thoughts:
- I really enjoyed our cruise, ship, crew, and port calls. I was concerned about being on one of the oldest ships in the fleet during an off-season cruise, but my fears were nowhere near founded.
- We were keeping a running scorecard of the Disney Magic vs. Rhapsody of the Seas, and I must admit that Rhapsody stacked up favorably. Even in the areas where the Magic won, I kept telling my wife "if we were on a bigger and newer Royal ship...."
- I cannot say enough about how much my girls enjoyed their time in Adventure Ocean. Even though there were not as many kids on this cruise, the staff kept up a high level of programming and gave my girls all kinds of personal attention.
- With the exception of the tender debacle in Kotor, embarking and disembarking the ship was smooth and painless.
- I can't wait to try the other ships and itineraries Royal Caribbean offers. I am fully a "cruise person" now and constantly schemeing for the next one. 
 
Thanks for following along!

Quick update:
Uneventful flight to Venice and transfer to hotel. Made a game-time decision, on the advice of the front desk clerk to head into Venice, which was fully open for business. Had pizza and gelato and wandered around St Mark’s Square. 
Off to bed with embarkation day tomorrow!

So is Chicago!!!  Which is why we are yolo booked for spring break!  Jane

On our 12nt Vision sailing in Europe the drink card was available from day 4 or 5 for several days. It worked out to $8.50 a drink which is good if you're a cocktail drinker but not as a beer drinker. The beverage package was available until the last 4 days of the cruise I believe. We were also able to purchase a wine package in the MDR. I believe it was $99 for 4 bottles.

Booked Enchantment a week or so ago over Labor Day (5 nights to Yucatan and Cozumel) as a surprise for husband because I've done too much work travel and having something relaxing on the horizon helps. We've accidentally become suite people, and realized a JS on this sailing would carry us in to Diamond. 
Checked the booking again - saved $160! It was already a pretty good price for 5 nights in a JS, so that price drop was super nice! Also thanks to work travel help, I got our flights and hotel already covered! Looking forward to flying in to Houston and grabbing some Torchy's Tacos before the rest of the trip down to Galveston. 

Do you want to start a fight on the RC Blog forums? Because this is how you start a fight on the RC Blog forums. 

and I only need to buy a gazillion lottery tickets and win to afford it!!!!!   ? Jane

To play devil's advocate...Booking a gazillion cruises in JS and above will move you up the C&A ladder even faster.  Win-Win. ?

Lol...I hear you  (but still like the idea of booking a gazillion cruises for other reasons ?)

We had so many favorites! The Flow Rider show on day 7 around 5:45pm might have been my favorite thing though. (Get there early, and plan to get REALLY wet ) it was sooo fun! 
 
Ice Games was probably my favorite regular show. Every show we saw was good so it’s hard to pick. ? 
The fountain show in the aqua theater was really fun too. 
The boardwalk family event on day 7 was very well done and probably my kids favorite ( ages 9,8,4). 
 
 

Woohoo for red velvet cake. Can't wait.

We have struggled with the drink package on the long sailings as well.  The 12 night Serenade got as low as $39 a day and we grabbed it.  There was a bundle for $47 a day with 1 device Voom and we grabbed that as well.  By calling I was able to get one package for me, and the other for Tony. 
For 12 nights at those prices, with tax & gratuities it came out to $644.37 & $552.24 for a total of $1,196.61.  Yes, I fainted at that total price but once I wrapped my head around that it was 12 nights worth of coffee, water bottles, drinks and internet for both of us...I just was light headed instead of passed out.  LOL  
At the beginning of the cruise, I was watching my drink habits, counting my beverages to make sure I got my $39 worth each day...and boy was it easy.  I am embarrassed to say that drink fatigue never set in...but food fatigue sure did for those last couple of days.   We definitely got out money's worth.  We had 7 days at sea and 5 in port, and while two of the port days we were out long enough that we didn't really drink that much on board, we made up for it on the sea days. ?