Shawn

Even better! Put the younger one on a float. Rope in one hand. Drink in the other ;) excellent.

We took your advice on Rose Hall. Found a video of the water park area and grounds to show the family after reading your review Looks great. Thanks for information.

What ages are good for the coaster on labadee? Thinking of booking the combo for water park with coaster for my older daughter (6) with me.

Yeah I want to go the MDR first and last night. Yeah the rotation of the menus themselves. I don't mind the dressing up. I was trying to think ahead of the nights for babysitting/specialty restaurant. We can always fall back to the lovely idea of "windjamèr" before camp for the girls if babysitting doesn't work. I don't crave lobster but my wife loves it (not kosher), but I did win the kosher brisket cook off! ;)

No stressing here. Just planning the invasion! ;) jk creating the bucket list for allure. :)

Thanks Don! Coming up with the bucket list to share and make sure it's complete of all the things to try! Hopefully including flow rider. ;) I can't imagine they change the order of the menus much.

I am going through the compasses for Allure Western saling to figure out which nights may be good to skip MDR. Anyone know if the pattern tends to stay the same? I am looking at the august 2013 allure western compasses on the blog. There was one menu on Enchantment rotation I wish I would have realized and skipped for Chops! :)

Yeah it's so easy and it can be covered parking or you can go through the parking deck and park a little closer in the uncovered parking but it's only about 30 yard difference. Very easy either way.

I have never experienced that on any ship either about the smell. I would love to save the money and be interior cabin but I can't convince my wife to go for it again. She says too claustrophobic to not have a window of some sorts. We have always have had a cabin within two decks of pool deck. We do feel the ship sway at times out to sea but never a problem for us, but that's always a subjective thing. The promenade cabins will be interesting to see this summer. That category did save a lot over the balcony. That's great advice about checking things out right away. We had a closet drawer that was broken and let the room attendant know embarkation day. It was fixed so promptly. As Matt always says, if there is a problem just let them know. They do everything they can to fix it.

You may not have the compasses but I am guessing you will have the old deck plans with you! ;) at least I would be! :)

I like that app to just watch the price fluctuations. It doesn't seem to show previous price history prior to selecting the particular cruise. It's interesting to watch the prices right before "sales." Also, I noticed that in general the prices really haven't seemed to drop below the original price set way out until past final payment date. Just proving, Matt is right (always) ;)! Book way out or shop the last minute deals!

Cruise critic is a little too critical I feel. I really have enjoyed every RCL cruise I have been on. Never a bad experience. Such a great way to travel and a great company to travel on.

I read the paper compass and highlight the choices the before. Matt, do you read the compasses before the trip and plan your invasion before getting on the ship? Or is that just me?! ;)

I would take the OBC. It's a splurge on board. A nice way of prepaying for the indulgence while on board! :)

Have a great cruise! Love that ship and think you will be hooked on Royal!

Leaving April 6 on Allure! Just can't wait! Thanks Matt for the adventure ocean and nursery idea for during dinner from the podcast. Great fall back if the babysitting falls through. Any need to link to reservations if doing MTD?

Don, there is a fun app for tracking the price of the various cabin categories on a cruise called Cruise Puppy. No affiliation. It's just a fun way to watch the price fluctuate as the calendar counts down.

One thing I found trying to book a spa appointment this past summer was that the appointments were not all listed. Very limited availability but didn't seem true on board. It seemed like the pre cruise booking process was steering you to certain times. We decided to just wait and book on board. Matt that was a great tip that you said to ask for the sheet(s) for the week that of all the daily specials. I never realized that they would give them all out in advance.

Great details Don! Murray was "learning" the day we went, but he knew so much already. So glad you liked it. Another nice touch she did was provide local Atlanta food tours for us to try when she sent the recipe email. I hope we get another chance to go on Enchament too. A great short trip! If I am not mistaken we had Ronaldo as well. We asked for him the second night we went, but he already had a large party, but no worries everyone was great!

I would love to do an ocean cruise! Thanks for the podcast on this! But alas, I am going to have to wait until kids are older (or maybe Grammy will come stay with them) ;) Bribery you say? ;)

Can't wait to hear more details! I still have 3 months 16 days and 19 hours! :( but who's counting! Can't wait to hear more and see pictures!

Yes, that's always what we end up doing too.  4-night on Enchantment or 7-night on Freedom.  But now with Explorer coming soon to Port Canaveral, this will be a more difficult decision.

Don't forget about the nursery not there yet (as if you would forget ;) ). I almost did for next December. But would love to go back on explorer. It's been about ten years I think.

Thanks Don. Yeah that's it and go early. They do run out of food. And all of the local business grab from there too!

Matt it is such a great ship! Great crew! I would feel guilty with the nursery on that ship though. Really way to small for toddlers. Then again not sure I would take the girls on it when Freedom is right there. Best if we can go kid less.

So glad to hear! Did you enjoy the Thai conch chowder? Jerk chicken? Great local places!

Had a great time on this itinerary earlier this year. Crew was wonderful. We never got to coco cay either and left for Nassau early! Really hope you enjoy the food tour tomorrow! We loved it! Chops was nice and quiet on our "Tuesday night" in Nassau. Great table overlooking the city!

Going on Allure in April and I am just not that excited other than to see it from reading some of the reviews. I am sadly more excited about Freedom later next year.