Fuzzywuzzy

Living so close to both Newark Airport and Port Liberty I am almost tempted to offer a park and ride service from my house...
 

My wife 

Can I ask this here? Looks like you just did!

Working Vacation is an oxymoron.

Working Vacation is an oxymoron.

Working Vacation is an oxymoron.

I am so glad that I don't have to do this.
The major reason I go on a cruise is to get away from work. I don't want to even think about it. I do but I don't want to.

Like I said, I got what I paid for, suffered no loss. Apparently this has gone on for years, with tacit approval from RC, so complaining further up the line would have been fruitless. But I think I have discovered a new excursion bonus. Grab a drink at the loungers bar and have a seat at one of the benches across the way and watch the rope jumping show!

We did the muster video on the app while in the car about 10 miles from the port. I even turned off the radio to listen to it. Went to our station immediately after getting our seapasses. It was just the 2 of us there, the highly trained crew member scanned our cards and away we went. Easy peasey. I don't miss standing in a crowd of hot sweaty people at the muster station wearing my life vest like in the old days.

I'd say after 3 cruises one is pretty seasoned for the typical onboard experience. You don't need to be D+ or Pinnacle or be named @twangster to have in depth knowledge of the nooks and crannies to be able to have that overall experience figured out.

Perhaps I'm missing something, but I don't understand the intense level of negativity of some reviews. I spent many years unable to enjoy "luxury" vacations and now, as I am finally able to pursue my love of cruising, I try to look for the best in every cruise I take. Not every ship is for every traveler. Some want the bells and whistles, some want more intimacy. Bashing one ship or another because it doesn't meet your expectations seems pointless. I've seen many complain about the smaller, older ships yet my husband and I LOVE the smaller, older ships. We don't care if the wood trim is a bit outdated, if the furniture shows a bit of wear, or if there's no ice-skating rink or extravaganza-type entertainment. We get that these smaller ships are not for everyone, but I don't understand the hostility in some reviews. On the flip side, we hate the mega-ships with their millions of bells and whistles, but just because those ships are not for us doesn't mean they aren't great for those who are seeking that kind of vacation.
There are folks who have legitimate complaints - issues arise and when they do they should be addressed and rectified as best as possible - but in reading some of the things people say, I get the impression that they will look for fault everywhere. Those folks will never be satisfied. When I'm on a ship, I'm not sitting in my own living room, I'm not sitting in traffic, I'm not being bombarded by news and media all day long, and I can forget the world for just a little bit. To me, that's everything. It doesn't have to be perfect. The crew works hard under very difficult conditions. I appreciate that and try to be kind in my interactions with them. I give extra tips even though tips are already included in most things. Bottom line is, I get back what I put in to my vacation.
Just my two cents.

Guest do not have to wait until they get their sea pass cards, they can go straight to the muster station as soon as they step onboard.  You just need the app and they'll scan your sea pass right from the app (for those who get onboard before the rooms are open).

We did the muster video on the app while in the car about 10 miles from the port. I even turned off the radio to listen to it. Went to our station immediately after getting our seapasses. It was just the 2 of us there, the highly trained crew member scanned our cards and away we went. Easy peasey. I don't miss standing in a crowd of hot sweaty people at the muster station wearing my life vest like in the old days.

90% sure a Vision Class ship can fit?  OR  Only 90% of the ship will fit in the port like an old Cadillac too long to close the garage door? 😄

And still not one single photo...

I have gone as far as deducting a star class suite from my business income due to a conversation I had with Sugar Beach manager about almond topping quality and packaging upon learning it was my product.
This was several years ago and I’m not writing this in jail. I have not repeated this as my accountant recommended not jeopardizing my 1 for 1 record. 

Well Royal Caribbean has had a couple issues backing into parking spaces lately, too

Not to mention the reporters that look for the person with the scariest recollection.  They never quote the person that says "I dunno, I didn't really notice anything"

Mmmmmm.... jerk kelp.

When I was in Barefoot Beach people were climbing over the rock/concrete wall to get in.  The good news, the employees were very responsive and escorted those individuals out of the exclusive beach.  Man the people that got caught weren't happy at all.  A few of the authorized guests within Barefoot Beach were applauding the employees actions, me included.

Like I said, I got what I paid for, suffered no loss. Apparently this has gone on for years, with tacit approval from RC, so complaining further up the line would have been fruitless. But I think I have discovered a new excursion bonus. Grab a drink at the loungers bar and have a seat at one of the benches across the way and watch the rope jumping show!

Like I said, I got what I paid for, suffered no loss. Apparently this has gone on for years, with tacit approval from RC, so complaining further up the line would have been fruitless. But I think I have discovered a new excursion bonus. Grab a drink at the loungers bar and have a seat at one of the benches across the way and watch the rope jumping show!

Well, they are on the beach, so it's obviously dried seaweed for recipes. 😉

I would believe they are trained to not confront.  Sadly that’s the way things are.  I agree, it sucks, because I would be the one paying too. 

Yes, Jamaican vendors are quite brazen.