VACruiser

@Ampurp85 ^^^ now that's some serious sea shenanigans if that's the case.

Normies can't understand this kind purchase . You have to be the kind of rich where 100k is like spending 100 dollars for us normies. It'll never make sense to people that have to pick and choose what excursions or what room to buy on the cruise due to limitations in money.

I have been on both lines equally and I can say that I really enjoyed my January 2024 cruise on the Carnival Celebration. It is a huge step up from the normal Carnival ships and I can say that I will cruise it again and in fact I will next year and then Symphony of the Seas the next year. The food was not bad at all in the MDR - hit or miss on some items but I could always go away filled on something. There are plenty of specialty restaurants on the new ships too if that's your thing. I think that the new ships, Celebration, Mardi Gras and Jubilee are all competitive with Royal, Norwegian and others. If Carnival took their ships to more islands instead of the same ones over and over, I'd go more often. I also will be interested when they open Celebration Key in 2025. I wonder if it will be like PDCC?

I did that ride January 24 to Megan's Bay on an open air taxi. Just be prepared with all the correct money for the ride and also the entrance to Megan's Bay. The bus was $8 per person over the hill to the beach and then the entrance to the beach was $7 per person - they like exact numbers if you can. The ride back over the hill was an adventure. The brakes were smoking and smelled like it on the way down. When we get down to the bottom the driver asked who wanted off at the shopping district and no one replied so he got angry and asked for money from everyone before he would take us back to the ship . It seemed odd but we all payed up and he took us back to the port area.

or is it the new normal

I just stayed in the Hampton Inn in the Brickel district in January 24. It is in a nice area with lots of restaurants, CVS, and grocery stores nearby. They also have a decent breakfast in the morning. And, they have a shuttle to the cruise port for $8 per person. The only drawback is that the street noise can be on the loud side. My last trip there were a lot of cars revving their engines in streets and it reverberates between the buildings. Not a big deal but just a distraction.

The scary thing is may be these are the best prices and they will go up from here.

These prices are insane...looked at an 8 day out of Fort Lauderdale on Oasis of the Seas to Aruba, Curacao, and Coco Cay in a Grand Suite and the price is $13,992 without insurance and $15,270 with insurance. A Crown Loft is just barely under $17,000 and with insurance $18,630. I checked out a balcony with all the goodies, pre-pay gratuities, refundable deposit, and insurance $5693. As the Brits say - I am gobsmacked!!!

I'm wondering why @Ampurp85 is awake and but now I understand. I would have a hard time sleeping on the train too. I can't even sleep much at home so add a train, not happening. As far as the 23 hour train ride - even I knew that from your writings so he has zero excuse.

I only come here waiting to see what the vintages will do next. But, on the other hand, I'm actually a vintage too based upon these age groups mentioned so I hope that I'm not pulling their level of shenanigans on a cruise or preparation for cruise. Whenever I see a blog for a @Ampurp85 cruise I know it's going to be entertaining and we haven't even gotten to what will happen on the ship part. More to follow I'm sure...

13 pages and counting...is there a record for the number of pages for a Live Blog?

@asquared17As a man reading this blog, I have quizzical look on my face - what the heck is "kitten heel?" By the way, I enjoy your writing style and have enjoyed your methods for telling the story.

Kareem, welcome to the Royal Caribbean Blog. Nice to have you here. Now, let's talk about your attitude...

@Ampurp85 I'm still waiting for pictures of the two busty Latina's. I jest, I jest...OK maybe not, but I always enjoy your cruises and blogs. You are always entertaining with a tell-all writing style. My first thoughts when I see your blog starting is what will she get into this cruise and what will she see and write. May be you should you should start writing a book on all your funny anecdotes of cruising. Call it Single and Cruising with a Nice Face.