CruisinUngs

If I may add a request from a newbie, itinerary in the title would help, ie.  western/eastern caribbean, Bermuda, Bahamas.  For many of you, ship name tells you where its going.  For me ?‍♀️???  
I love reading the blogs but it would help if one is looking for a specific itinerary.

This has reminded me of this story. The first cruise I was on on Independence there where 2 groups of people that where getting a bit drunk by the pool bar, at one point the bar man had to run off to grab some supplies, guy was on his own in there, so 2 members of the groups jumped the bar, helped themselves to drinks and then walked off as if nothing had happened.
The next part of the story I head from one of the cabin attendants the next day, so early the next morning we docked in Vigo, Security marched down to the staterooms, blatered on the doors till they opened up and escorted them all off the ship, hangovers and all.
Apparently the screaming very quickly turned to begging.

Really don't understand the thinking of some people at times

And for those of us in the Mid-Atlantic, more options that are only a day trip away would definitely be a plus ..... living in Maryland, the options that won't incur an airline are Baltimore & Newark --- Having Charleston would be a a viable "drive to" option.

I'm boarding tomorrow.  Will ask around

....of the Jewish faith, have a safe, healthy and happy New year.

Well that's not right. That's just not right! ?
 

I sat here for 10 min deciding if I was going to reply but I figured 1. You all seem like really nice people and 2. it’s not CC so hopefully this will not be taking in a combative way but more an FYI... I have a close family member in jail (will not go into details and its complicated anyway) but it is definitely not a resort. He also developed medical issues while in there and the care is definitely just enough to keep him breathing at times. Also things like education really helps to prevent these people from being repeat offenders.  Totally can see how people who do not have insight would think differently as I did before this entered into my life. Also I know it differs greatly from state to state and the type of facility you are in. They are all definitely not resorts though. 
@Sweety my stepfather is a middle school teacher for 20 years and it scares my family every day. It’s APPAULING that we can’t keep our schools safe. They should be the safest places in our country. It’s not like every little girl and boy are dreaming of being teachers these days so it also scares me to think of what the profession will lead to in the future. Thoughts are with you and your family. 

Here are some scopes from this cruise:
Havana Arrival
https://www.pscp.tv/w/1RDxlWoVOwMJL?t=3s
Havana Departure
https://www.pscp.tv/w/1RDxlWoVOwMJL?t=3s
Havana Excursion and Walking around:
https://www.pscp.tv/w/1BRJjeVNkWQGw?t=3s
Walking around CocoCay:
https://www.pscp.tv/w/1BdGYogazLZxX?t=2s
Empress Sunset
https://www.pscp.tv/w/1eaJbVlqARQJX?t=16s
 
Cruise Compass has been scanned and sent to Matt.  It should appear shortly on the Cruise Compass page:
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/cruise-compass
 

With that thread title I was wondering what I did in the MDR...
In my experience cruise line 'jerk seasoning' is pretty mild.  Pick your cruise line.  Truth is 'Jerk' isn't something that comes from a bottle so don't expect the real thing.
I did an excursion in Jamaica on Carnival that included a "jerk" lunch.  It was so mild.  The restaurant told me people complained to the cruise line so they had to tame it down.  

So - my wife and her sister decided last year that we would do a cruise this year and we had a great cruise in Alaska. I have never hear anyone say that had a bad time in Alaska and many I talk to have an Alaskan cruise on their bucket list. Guess we started at the top....
Anyway - we had a blast and realized the benefits of cruise vacations versus our usual rent a house at the beach (New Jersey or Isle of Palms, SC). So we told our kids (20 and 17) that there won't be much under the Christmas tree this year because we're taking them to the Caribbean (5-night, Brilliance, 12/29, Grand Cayman, Cozumel).
And then my wife and I will be married 30 years on 2/25/19 and my wife' turns 60 on 3/11/19. What shoud we do? I know - quick cruise! At the same time I get an email from Casino Royale offering a discount and then learn about myVegas to earn even more OBC or discounts on here. On top of that, MEI was including gratuities (on the 12/29 cruise, too!). Who  can resist. My wife wasn't keen on the idea but that's too bad! We sail on Enchantment (3-night, 3/8/19, Nassau, Coco Cay). Woot! She saw the $200 charge on her RCCL credit card and I told her it was for excursions on the 12/29 cruise. Wonder how long I can keep the surprise from her!
I'm blaming you guys if she gets mad at me!! Once she realizes we can spend 2 days on the beach, just the two of us, I think she'll get over it!  Need recommendations for best beach experiences on this one - I don't drink alcohol, she has occasional beer or wine so alcoholic beverages aren't a factor.
 

I'll see your Chicago June 21 and raise you a New Jersey June 27.
No, I'm not kidding. ?

For all you lucky people cruising this month.  Have fun and enjoy a few cold ones for us that can't join you.
August 2018
4 - hisfuzziness (Freedom of the Seas)
5 - SorsCode (Liberty of the Seas)
5 - CraftyCat05 (Symphony of the Seas)
9 - TbearRunningMom (Anthem of the Seas)
11 - hisfuzziness (Freedom of the Seas)
13 - Lovetocruise2002 (Mariner of the Seas)
19 - Bella (Oasis of the Seas)
20 - Sweety (Majesty of the Seas)
20 - jurrjurr (Mariner of the Seas)
23 - CruisingQueen36 (Anthem of the Seas)
24 - greenline627 (Adventure of the Seas)
25 - Traveler (Rhapsody of the Seas)

Thanks everyone.  This is truly a great community.  I *almost* feel prepared with 47 days to go!  ?
 
Jon

It was a glitch! Somehow the computer reverted to the non promotional price. Spoke to a wonderful woman in customer service named Stacey. She was able to get me an even lower fare! Wonderful customer service, and I can't wait until our January cruise! 
Thank you to all of you for your help! 
I will have to come back to this forum since you are all so nice! 

This is the first time we have plannned a cruise so far in advance  (9/1/2019 - Oasis - Western Med).  When can you start purchasing excursions, etc and booking shows and dinners?  Do we wait until 90 days before?  It's our 45th anniversary and I want it to go smoothly.  I really enjoy reading all the tips everyone provides.

Day 13 - Vigo
Today was our final port day and we were in the Spanish city of Vigo. We didn't have any plans other than to have a walk around. 
There is a fort that you can walk uo to so we headed up through the old town to reach it. Being a fort, it is located at the top of a steep hill. Luckily for us, there were escalators to take us up part of it - Gibraltar could learn something from Vigo! 
The climb was worth it though for stunning views across the Vigo estuary and the fort is set in pretty landscaped gardens. There is also a nice memorial, consisting of a series of old anchors,  to the ships that were lost during a war on the 18th century. 
After visiting the fort we took a stroll through the town back to the port area. I was really sure what to expect from Vigo but it was a larger city than I thought it would be and had an interesting mix of old and new architecture. There was also plenty of shopping to be had if you're that way inclined. 
We were back onboard early- around 12pm - and went for a bite to eat inbthe WJ before heading to the Solarium to relax and cool off. We stayed there until sailaway which we watched from the cantilever hot tub. This was another scenic sailaway as we sailed out of the estuary with mountains on both sides. 
We then went to Studio B to watch the Ive Show 'Freeze Frame'. It was another great show although 4 out of the 8 performers fell with 3 of them falling twice. Luckily no one was hurt and they carried out to supportive cheers and applause from the crowd. 
There was a Queen tribute band on tonight called The Bohemians. We didn't fancy it as well as going to watch Freeze Frame. As we were having a pre-dinner drink in Vintages, the cruise director made an announcement apologising for having to cut the first performance short and cancelling the second performance as the lead singer's voice had gone partway through the show. He was extremely apologetic and announced that a film would be shown in the theatre instead of the second performance. We thought that this was completely reasonable as it's one of those situations that can't be avoided but the cruise director was so apologetic it made us wonder if people had complained about the first show being cut short. 
Dinner in the MDR followed and was our final formal night with lobster on the menu and the chefs parading through the dining room. Apparently we've broken the ship's record for the amount of pizza consumed with 27 thousand slices under our belts - I guess we know where the Brits stand on the Sorrento's debate!
Finally we grabbed a drink from the Champagne Bar and watched the Britannia Rocks show on the Royal Promenade which was fun. 
Tomorrow is our last sea day as we sail back to Southampton. 

Safe journey home. We are T -8 days for our 6 day cruise and starting to feel very excited.

This worked great for us on Empress...we received extra shots whenever our favorite barista was there.

Just remember for all of you leaving kidlets with Grandma & Grandpa, maybe a little reciprocal vaca as a thanks?!?!
I love my grandkids more than anything in the world but having them for days at a time is a lot of work.  I would NEVER say no but just because I say yes doesnt mean it isnt a lot to take on whilst you reconnect!
Of course maybe its my grandkids, crazy monkeys all of them!!!

Absolutely.  Check often. 
Typically you are safe to purchase now and if a future sale does apply to your sailing, refund your purchase and buy it at the lower price.  

Gotta keep the blog PG here.
Was funny though, while walking around on the day we went to the cathedral, we saw a guy in the nude taking a smoke on his balcony. You could see everything. Those crazy spaniards! 

Also LadyB you might want to look into the luggage tag holders they sell on Amazon.  We bought some years ago and they work really well.  The luggage tags you print off  will fold nicely into the the holders which come with a small cable that attaches to you luggage.  When ordering make sure you order the ones for Royal Caribbean   If you are flying in just wait till after the flight to attach the cruise tags 

What she said! Looks awesome. Great pics. 

We took our first cruise without the kids (ages 5 & 1) this past June. We had no guilt even though it was the first time to be away from the little one. It's necessary to get away from the kids and reconnect with your spouse in order to be a better parent. Just think of it as recharging your batteries so you can be there more for your kids.