SpeedNoodles

I haven't cruised since 2010, but the highlight of this year is booking 3 upcoming cruises and finding all of you!!!

I haven't cruised since 2010, but the highlight of this year is booking 3 upcoming cruises and finding all of you!!!

Times Square on the Promenade. Happy New Year! ??
https://youtu.be/1iEtWVEt5eo

Poutine, of course. 

Fixed that for you.  
And following...

Who’s Going?
The usual crew:  Hubby, our 2 girls, D10, D12, and myself.
Flight
Our plan is to fly from DTW to FLL the day before.  We booked through Air2Sea this time as it was about $140 cheaper (total) to do so.  In the end, I don’t think I will use Air2Sea again unless it is for a cruise outside of North America or unless I don’t plan on ever upgrading.  More on why later.
Pre-Cruise Stay
Once again, La Bamba dictates where we stay, so it’s back on 17th Street again.  Our usual, with kids, is Hyatt Place Convention Center but since we booked so late and it’s a holiday, that property was already sold out!  We grabbed a room at the Holiday Inn Express on 17th Street (red flag…2 star…out of comfort zone again) and the only thing that was left was a King bed room with a sofa bed.  We figured we’re already “roughing it” for the cruise so might as well “rough it” for the hotel as well.  This hotel recently underwent major renovations and a new addition was added to the hotel.  To our surprise, the week of Black Friday, they opened bookings for the new section, which included suites, and we were able to grab a suite for more space and more beds and at a lower price than we initially booked for.  Win-win.  Love those scenarios.  The suite snob in me was now a little less tense.  Fast forward to a week ago, I called to confirm my reservation, only to be told that while we still have a room, the suite section is not yet ready.  So back to roughing it.  They confirmed that I have at least 2 beds and they can throw in a cot.  Oh well, I am so desperate for a getaway at this point to really care.
Itinerary
This 5-night sailing brings us to Labadee, Haiti and Falmouth, Jamaica.  The ship is the destination for us, so we are likely staying on board the entire time.  We might take a walk around Labadee since D10 loves the beach, but we are also visiting these exact ports again in March so not too worried that we will miss much.
Cabin
We are booked in…gasp…an Oceanview cabin!  Booking this cruise 3 months out left us with little selection and crazy high prices.  Just to give you an idea how high, we booked Indy for next NYE too and the cost we are paying for our Panoramic suite (VP-full suite benefits) next year, is less than the cost of this year’s Oceanview.  Lesson learned here…. book early for holiday sailings.  Another thing I learned about holiday sailings is that the usual price drop after final payment doesn’t happen.  I’ve tracked the price on this sailing right up until this week and it has done nothing but increase over time, even after final payment.  Cabins also didn’t open after final payment either, meaning people are not changing their minds about their holiday sailings.  So, the wise @twangster and fellow Insiders were correct again, holiday sailings are an anomaly.
Pre-Cruise thoughts
-          This is our first time without a balcony since 2003!  The suite snob in me still has not come to terms with that.
 
-          This is our first time sailing Freedom class.  I have heard so many good things about this class of ship from so many of you that I am very excited to check it out for myself.
 
-          We are #TeamNoDrinkPackage on this one because we have kids with us, and because this is our first cruise as Diamond members with Diamond benefits.  We will see how this works out.
 
-          We have purchased our usual VOOM 2 Device plan again.
 
-          Dining mainly in the MDR again.  I did not love it on Mariner but for a short sailing it will be fine.  Anything is better cooking on my own.  We are trying Giovanni’s for one night.
 
-          This is our first time sailing over the holidays.  I’ve always been hesitant to travel over the holidays for various reasons so I’m outside my comfort zone on this one too. 
 
-          Once again, in the spirit of a live blog, please do not hesitate to ask any questions.  I will do my best to find out whatever I can for you.
 
-          When responding to a post with a series of pictures, please do not include the pictures in your reply.  It just makes for easier scrolling.
 
-          Lastly, I will do my best to bring the cruise to you LIVE through Periscope – you can follow me @LoveToCruise2002.

I haven't cruised since 2010, but the highlight of this year is booking 3 upcoming cruises and finding all of you!!!

We just started playing too. I'm hoping it is a win-win situation.  We'll get some free OBC and be so sick of slot machines we will stay away from them once on board.  Oh.....who am I kidding!!!?

1-31 Brilliance - RCPeriscopers Group Cruise!  There are 40+ of on board that will be periscoping so make sure you tune in! 

I haven't cruised since 2010, but the highlight of this year is booking 3 upcoming cruises and finding all of you!!!

Fourteen cruises marks the most I've cruised in any single year so I thought I take a second to put it down in a post.
I started 2018 as a relatively new Diamond member in the Crown and Anchor Society and finished just over the halfway mark to Pinnacle.
Anthem -> Liberty -> Serenade -> Adventure -> Explorer -> Empress -> Radiance -> Mariner -> Enchantment -> Adventure -> Symphony -> Serenade -> Oasis -> Navigator
The scary part is I missed a cruise when my daughter graduated from the Air Force or it would have been fifteen.  Oh well, well worth it.
Of all these cruises I think Navigator to the ABC islands was my best cruise, in no small part due to the ABC islands and my cruise mate (step daughter and scuba diving buddy).
Other notable 2018 cruise events for me
First Transatlantic (Symphony) First Canada/New England (Adventure) First ABC island cruise First visit/cruise to Cuba First Diamond Plus cruise (Adventure repositioning San Juan to Bayonne) First Radiance class experience First Voyager class experience Completed the Oasis class challenge (sailing all Oasis Class) Completed the Freedom class challenge (sailing all Freedom class) Completed the Empress class challenge (easy one here) My longest single cruise (Adventure 13 night Snowbird Migration) Paid for a cruise in full and didn't show up (cruise #15 above) Sailed six different classes of ship in a single year (would have been seven classes if not for the missed cruise) First time on a FlowRider Five Crystal Blocks First year not sailing in a full suite Sailed on a ship every month of the year First RoyalCaribbeanBlog Group Cruise!!!!
What was your most notable cruise moment of 2018?

Yes, it has to be done before final payment.  It can be done with both ref & non-ref bookings, and everything stays the same.  Room doesn't change.  
I have three TAs I work with; two check automatically and one doesn't.   The latter will check if I e-mail and ask them to.  I usually just check myself on those and e-mail if there is a drop.  

Hi, there were no restrictions I recall when we sailed on Ovation from Singapore to Sydney in 2017,  When she is in the Chinese market the ship is managed differently. For example you have to pay to use the Northstar and bumper cars. I think you will be fine with your sailing.
 
 
 
 

If they do, I haven't seen any advertised offer along the lines of "Hey, book ____ for x% off now" onboard.

Thanks!!! I get myself into all kinds of trouble when I have a quiet overnight shift at work with nothing to do!! I almost read TOO much!! 

Given the “in China sailings” qualifier at the end of that, I think you’ll be OK for your Alaska sailing. 

I agree with JL, I think this is really for the China sailings.  That market is very unique to any of their other markets, especially from gambling and smoking aspects.  My bet is that the company adjusts accordingly to each specific market.  I would think that like you, most U.S. sailings, including AK, will be filled with mostly American and Canadians, which may mean that RCCL would hear bloody murder from those passengers.  I say that bc loyal Royal customers are accustom the Solarium to have that adults only pool.   I would be more upset regarding the fact that I couldn't use the pool, over the bistro. 
Do not get me wrong, I enjoy the outside pools too, and when we go on the Adventure in the spring, we only took an outside balcony, I plan to use the Solarium quite often.  I have seen pics showing that it is not totally covered, or maybe all of the pics show the pool with the roof retracted, but that will be go to pool.  I plan to do this because, my pet peeve on cruises with the outdoor pools is I enjoy the hot tubs/jacuzzi more than the pool itself.  However, regardless of signage regarding age requirements and parental supervision, inevitably there will be a couple of kids under 10 that will jump in without parental supervision, splash each other, sit on the bottom holding their breath, etc., and get out a few minutes later.  Repeat with a new set of young kids a few minutes later.  It is not relaxing.  Instead of me getting angry at the kids or contacting the life guard to report them to their parents,  I opt for the Solarium.
I know on certain ships the Solarium bistro, such as Anthem, that you can access the bistro without going through the Solarium per se.  You can go through the Solarium pool area too, but there are doors for entry without entering the pool. 

Hi, this is part of a response I got from a C&A rep mail:
 
So we'll be Ok on Alaska cruises! ?

For those of you that are cruising this month, Congrats and Smooth Sailing!
January 2019
4- KLA (Mariner of the Seas)
5 - FlowBro Ty (Majesty of the Seas)
5- Broons77 (Rhapsody of the Seas)
5- TCinME (Rhapsody of the Seas)
5- BeatArmy2010 (Jewel of the Seas)
6 - yaya luvs to cruz (Anthem of the Seas)
6- MaryCS62 (Anthem of the Seas)
6 - Deedeelynn (Anthem of the Seas)
9- BeatArmy2010 (Jewel of the Seas)
11 - SouthernYankee  (Mariner of the Seas)
12 - Ashlynne12 (Brilliance of the Seas)
12 - krwillia (Granduer of the Seas)
12- L454S (Vision of the Sea)
13 - tiny260 (Allure of the Seas)
13- Jolly Ogre (Allure of the Seas)
13 - jrmende63 (Jewel of the Seas)
13- Oliver (Liberty of the Seas)
13 - Casino Crazy (Oasis of the Seas)
14 - SouthernYankee (Mariner of the Seas)
18 - mworkman (Anthem of the Seas)
18 - kpersons09 (Anthem of the Seas)
19 - SouthernYankee (Symphony of the Seas)
19 - davelliott (Vision of the Seas)
20- lauraodonnell86 (Freedome of the Seas)
20- Irieman (Freedome of the Seas)
24 - JohnUK (Grandeur of the Seas)
25 - RBRSKI (Independence of the Seas)
26 - SouthernYankee (Symphony of the Seas)
26- Gabe (Symphony of the Seas)
26 - fbcmusicman (Rhapsody of the Seas)
26- Joy (Rhapsody of the Seas)
26- Tammylee63 (Rhapsody of the Seas)
27 - SPS (Freedom of the Seas)
27- BTE (Allure of the Seas)
31 - Rede411 (Briliance of the Seas)
31- KathyC (Brilliance of the Seas) RCPeriscopers Group Cruise! 40+
 

Holy crap batman 7:50 AM?!?!?!?  I’m on vacation, are they kidding?  

We left a little after 12 noon. Rhapsody is right behind us. Brilliance is skipping Grand Cayman and going right to Cozumel.... 3 sea days, 1 Port. 

Coast Guard closed the port.  Ships can't leave without Coast Guard clearance.  
I'm in Sarasota for a family related matter.  It was foggy this morning as well.  
James Van Fleet tweeted about it. Expects the port to open at 10am but it's out of Royal's hands.  They will sail when the port reopens.