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I don't know the answer to the FaceTime question, but the answer to cell charges is turn off your cellular in the settings and turn the phone on to airplane mode. Then you will be just using the ship wifi. No charges. Also, depending on your cell carrier you may have free wifi service in port and can use your phone for texting. Check with your carrier and enjoy the cruise.

I was on the Jewel in October in the Mediterranean. Boarding was the same. And no customs. I was surprised that most passengers were Americans. I also expected it to be more formal and dressy but not so much. The only difference is the VAT on purchases which no one could ever explain to me. I still don't know if we paid it or not. We purchased all of our excursions on the cruise planner in advance and they were definitely cheaper than purchasing onboard. It will be noted on the Welcome Aboard letter (in small print.) Also, the cruises are usually port intensive so give yourself some time to unwind somewhere.

I just got off the Vision. I saw many people just carrying 12 packs of soft drinks and whole cases of water. One person had rigged up a handle made of tape to carry the water.

I just got back from the Vision and thought about your post while watching the 70's party onboard. Here are a few of the guests in costume for the party. Also, I was on the LOS over a year ago, and I believe the party was an 80's party.

We are set to sail on Liberty June 2 in an ultra spacious ocean view cabin. I just received a Royalup offer for a panoramic view suite (no balcony). The minimum bid is $250pp. I wonder if anyone has sailed in these cabins and wonder if it is worth the money to upgrade. We are already diamond + C&A members and a lot of the benefits are already included- Also do we pay an additional gratuity for the suite?

@WAAAYTOOO I did give the cabin steward a poor review. I have never done that before and I hated to do it but he deserved it!!!!

Since the untimely passing of my phone, I have also contracted a terrible cold. So I am shortening the slog to some random observations. 1. Having been to Cozumel too many times to count, we just took a taxi to Pancho's Backyard for a margarita, guacamole and flan . YUM! 2. We never had to search for a table in the Windjammer. Where was everyone? The Windjammer food selection was very limited and not outstanding- a big disappointment after the outstanding Windjammer selections on the Jewel in November. 3. We had the least friendly and helpful cabin steward in 20 years of cruising. Never introduced himself, or left a card or smiled. He actually snapped at me when I needed help with my safe. 4. A bartender at the Solarium bar was setting up to open the bar. I asked her for a napkin and she sent me to get one at the Park Cafe which wasn't open. When I got back, she was already serving drinks to a couple. 5. Lots of salsa dancing but no country and western or even pop? 6. Could not understand a word the captain said so I am glad he wasn't telling us to evacuate. 7. Embarkation was a snap but self assist debarkation took almost an hour. 8. I watched a woman fill her water bottles by jamming them up and touching the water spout with the inside of the bottle. Can't they do something about that? I reported it and was told they clean the water spouts at the end of the day. It should be done frequently. I don't mean to say it was a bad cruise, maybe I'm looking at it through the lens of someone who is sick, and who suffered the tragic loss of my phone. LOL I will think of the good things when I feel better! EDIT #4 In thinking about this during the night, I realized maybe they don't give out paper napkins anymore at the outdoor bars???? When I went back to get the napkins at the Solarium bar, she handed me paper towels. EDIT #2 The Windjammer had theme meals-Mexican night, Caribbean night, Mediterranean night, etc. I wonder how many really ate the pigtail stew and goat curry? I only saw pizza two days. Comparing this to the Jewel in the fall, if they had lamb shank in the MDR they had lamb shank in the Windjammer. The carved turkey and ham were non existent. Chicken was in the carving station as well as a sirloin strip. FINALLY, we went on this cruise for two reasons: 1. we needed 5 points to become D+ and we accomplished that goal. 2. we desperately needed some R&R when we just chilled out, and unplugged.We had lovely days hanging out in the solarium and reading and eating when and where we wanted and came home refreshed. . So all in all, it was a great cruise!

Tried the rice thing then read Do not do that because a piece might become lodged in the plug in. Sure enough that happened! Now I have rice stuck in the plug. I tried everything then I read the online suggestions and I had already done everything wrong. Looks like I will be heading to phone store on the way home tomorrow.

I intended to post from Cozumel yesterday but had an accident in that my ?flew out of my pocket and landed in an unfortunate place ?in the cramped bathroom. I tried everything but it appears to be be like the witch in the Wizard of Oz “undeniably and reliably dead.” I am using my husband’s ? for this post and he is a little stingy with it ??so I will finish when I get ? tomorrow.

Yesterday we followed our unplanned unplugged cruise ? non plans. We decided to try MDR for both breakfast and lunch .The service was not great either time. At breakfast they forgot my husbands fruit ? and my oatmeal. The eggs benidict were a surprise on the menu but very disappointing.-hard and cold Lunch brought the best meal of the day which was a sirloin strip tender and perfectly cooked followed by warm cherry ? crepes. ? After ? and reading ? we went to the Masquerade theater to watch GREEN BOOK ??? then off to the diamond club for wine ? and cocktails ? The red wine for diamond members was so bitter I almost ?. I tried both merlot and cabernet. Steer clear! It was formal night and many cruisers were dressed to the nines We had a very good dinner ? in the Windjammer then hung around the Centrum until time for karaoke A couple of ? ? were amazing but the rest not so much but everyone had fun . Today most passengers are in Progresso but we stayed on board More when I get free wifi again

The ? just sailed and I am about to lose free wifi from port. We really try to unplug while onboard which is why this will be hit and miss slogging. We endured the muster although after the situation with the Viking ? I paid closer attention. Lunch in Windjammer was tasty. I always head for mashed ? and gravy and a few salads to feel like I am eating healthy. This is a first for us. We’re not just unplugged but also unscheduled. No dining room or My Time Dining reservations. We’re just going to wing it in the Windjammer and various venues when and where we feel like it. I packed only shorts and swimsuits and my husband is looking forward to 5 days of not having to shave. Of course he will look like a homeless person by the time we return Monday. Off to the diamond club for free drinks ? and appetizers!!

Using my ? for slogging ( slow blogging) and intermittent wifi. ? Arrived early and sitting in lobby area waiting for ? clearance. ? Will give this slog thing a try under these conditions.

I have not been on Brilliance but have been on Radiance and Jewel several times, both sister ships of same class. It is our favorite class of ships-classicly beautiful, not too large, and a "more mature" crowd without a lot of small children since it doesn't have all the bells and whistles of the huge megaships. They have everything you mentioned except I can't guarantee Quest. I am just not sure about it. They are great ships for kicking back, enjoying a glass of wine in the schooner bar and dancing in the Centrum where the music drifts upward and you can look downward and watch the action. I spent 12 nights on the Jewel recently and they had a great Halloween party and some top notch shows in the theater. I don't think you will be disappointed.

Absolutely NO for arriving an hour late to dinner in the MDR but perfect for MTD. The food is the same, the dining room is the same (just another floor) and the service is the same. That's the answer to your problem. On our very first cruise in 1997, we had early seating and one of the tables our waiter waited on was a table of young girls from a South American country where they traditionally eat late. EVERY SINGLE NIGHT they came in very very late and our waiter was apoplectic in trying to get them served appetizers when he was already bringing desserts to the other tables. In addition, EVERY SINGLE NIGHT one of them claimed to have a birthday that day and the whole wait staff would stop and sing happy birthday and bring a flaming birthday cake. The waiter graciously accommodated then every night but it made an impression on me-be on time for dinner.

What about coming home and getting through customs and immigration at the port? Don't they check your passport and birth certificate to make sure you are a citizen when returning to the USA? I would think that would be up to the customs agent to decide if they can get back in. Maybe they haven't crossed that bridge yet.

I take a shawl for the evening on deck. Then I leave it in the bar or the dining room. Then my husband has to go back and ask for it. Then I have to go to the customer service desk and see if it has been turned in. Then my husband tells me not to bring a shawl again because all I do is lose it. It's all part of the cruise experience for us.?

@Charlesy I am going on the Vision Wednesday and have the app installed.? However, text between passengers requires the wifi purchase. ? When is your cruise?

You might check the transportation time to the ruins and the bathroom facilities. Take plenty of Wet Ones. Also the buses may or may not have seat belts.

Sorry I misread your question. I thought it said it is a RC EXCURSION. I am always nervous about taking a non RC excursion because I have had two RC excursions get me back late. Stuff happens so I only book the RC excursions. But that’s just me.

Three is fine. If your RC excursion runs into some kind of delay, the ship will wait for you but not if you are just drinking at the bar somewhere and lose track of time.

I have been to Mexico many times from Acapulco, puerto vallarta, Cozumel, cabo, and never used pesos. If you bring dollars bring small bills. Unfortunately vendors give you change in pesos and might try to take advantage of you. Happened to my daughter last year.

Funny story! Twenty years ago, we were fairly young and on an 11 day cruise with a much older crowd. It seemed everyone was in a wheelchair, used a walker or had an attendant. I had packed gowns and shoes for every special night on the ship. One night we dressed for dinner and I was horrified that I had forgotten the shoes to go with whatever I was wearing that night. My husband said, "Don't worry, No one will be looking at your shoes. Everyone is going to be impressed you can WALK!" LOL So I think of that when I pack now, especially shoes. I take the fewest (is that a word?) number and make them work. More room in the bag!

I second everything already said and add any medications you MIGHT use because when you are out in the middle of the Gulf you WILL need it. The drug store items are sorely limited on ship-usually a few shelves in the liquor store or gift shop. Also the shops are not open on port days and at night or early in the morning. One cruise I injured my back and needed pain medicine and ICY-HOT patches. Now I pack that just in case. Also don't forget the sunscreen. Even if you are from TEXAS (guess going on Liberty), the sun is hotter than a Texas day in August. I forgot sunscreen, had an 8:00 am excursion on a catamaran and came back a lovely shade of maroon for the rest of the cruise. OUCH! Finally take your sense of fun and adventure! Try something new in port, drink a new drink, eat escargot if you have never tried them. (My grandchildren turned their noses up until they tried them and then ordered them every night!) As one comedian said on a ship, "You'll never see these people again, so have fun!"

Dollars are accepted in Mexico and credit cards.

Haven’t been on Symphony but I am diamond and haven’t run into a Diamond lounge at any port. At most they direct you to a specific area to sit and wait. Go early and you can board ship and explore ship.