Dan Curtis

I think Royal Caribbean currently has 24 ships in service.
I got to looking at my history and determined I have been on 11 different RC ships.
Then I determined 3 of the ships have been sold to other cruise lines including Empress, Legend and Majesty.
So I have only been on 8 of the current ships.
I thought it would be (for us anyway) a somewhat lofty goal to sail at least once on every current ship so only 16 more (17 with Icon coming on line) to go :).
I searched around the web for a bit to see if anyone was claiming to have sailed the entire fleet but did not find anything. I am sure there are a few out there somewhere. Maybe even here.
 
The current fleet includes:
Adventure of the Seas
Allure of the Seas
Anthem of the Seas
Brilliance of the Seas
Enchantment of the Seas
Explorer of the Seas
Freedom of the Seas
Grandeur of the Seas
Harmony of the Seas
Independence of the Seas
Jewel of the Seas
Liberty of the Seas
Mariner of the Seas
Navigator of the Seas
Oasis of the Seas
Ovation of the Seas
Quantum of the Seas
Radiance of the Seas
Rhapsody of the Seas
Serenade of the Seas
Spectrum of the Seas
Symphony of the Seas
Vision of the Seas
Voyager of the Seas

We have managed 12, but no Quantum class. Going on Allure next week. More Vision class than any other class...

6 so far
Empress
Majesty 
Explorer x3
Freedom x2
Oasis x2
Allure x2
Serenade in 2023
 

Voyagers:
Navigator - Adventure
Freedom: 
Freedom - Liberty - Independence
Oasis:
Oasis - Allure - Harmony - Symphony 
Quantum: 
Odyssey
Vision: 
Enchantment
Going to be on Explorer next year for the first time. Thats all for us. 

6 different ships so far…not sure I will ever make it onto the full fleet!  I guess I started cruising pretty late in my life! 

@Ditchdoc Don’t forget Wonder…..
I have cruised primarily from Port Liberty in Bayonne NJ…easy drive to the port!
So my most often is the Anthem…next up is Oasis. Then Allure and Wonder from Ft. Lauderdale.
Jewel, Liberty and Icon booked.
 

I bet @Matt and @twangster have done most.  Harmony will be my 6th (I've done Majesty, allure, adventure, vision (2x) and freedom (2x).  Jane

Empress
Sovereign
Independence 
Mariner
Monarch
Enchantment
All from Port Canaveral so far.

12 different ships for me!

9 different and the 10th will be this weekend on Harmony.

Voyagers:  Adventure, Explorer (next June)
Freedom: Freedom
Oasis: Oasis, Symphony, Harmony (next Sept)
Quantum: Odyssey, Anthem
Vision: NONE
Radiance: Brilliance (in two weeks)
6 so far but 3 new ships for me next year!

We've only sailed on 6 different ships to date: Majesty, Explorer, Liberty, Allure, Oasis and Odyssey...
Two more ships booked in the next year or so: Wonder (x2) and Icon.
On the current wishlist for various reasons: Mariner, Anthem, Ovation, Harmony and Symphony.

I am sure I do not hold the highest but this is the list that I have had the pleasure to cruise on in my 39 years:
Adventure of the Seas (1)
Allure of the Seas (1)
Brilliance of the Seas (2)
Empress of the Seas (1)
Freedom of the Seas (1)
Harmony of the Seas (1)
Independence of the Seas (1)
Jewel of the Seas (2)
Liberty of the Seas (1)
Mariner of the Seas (3) All West Coast
Navigator of the Seas (4) All to Mexico
Oasis of the Seas (1)
Ovation of the Seas (1)
Radiance of the Seas (2)
Song of Norway (1) 1983
Serenade of the Seas (1)
Symphony of the Seas (1)
Vision of the Seas (2)
Voyager of the Seas (1)
 

Starmony Christmas Vacation 
Itinerary 
Nassau, St. Maarten, San Juan Puerto Rico 
Stateroom 
This is our first time on Harmony and we are staying in a 2 bedroom ATS #8730. Even though I am #teamdeck17 we want to try different star class suites. The appeal of the ATS for us was the 2 bedrooms, large deck and proximity to the Aqua show. We really don’t like losing our living space in the evening when the sofa gets turned into a bed at 6pm.  We are fine with the long walk, but my hope is we see less room service strays in the hallway (that was a pet peeve on Anthem) Time will tell, stay tuned. 
Flights
Direct flights from Calgary to Fort Lauderdale are limited to WestJet and only once per week so we are flying out a week early on their direct flight in Premium.   

Pre Cruise Hotel 
Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort - Oceanfront 1 Bedroom Suite             December 17-24
We have never stayed here but the resort looks beautiful and our suite has been recently renovated.  It checked off a few must haves: oceanfront, separate living area, kitchen and spa with dry sauna and steam showers.  
Car Rental 
Enterprise from FLL airport. 
 
 

I used to look at the ones in Key West, the ones at the pier are very clear, actually was there, called our son and he could see us waving at him, I enjoy the cams.

Famous quotes from our cruise that kept us laughing…
I only eat the tops. I don’t like bottoms.
- Said by A when talking about muffins. 
I like the cream. I don’t like fingers. 
- Said by me when eating tiramisu at dinner. 
 
To say we had fun is an understatement. We laughed, we relaxed, we tuned out. I feel refreshed and ready to see my husband and kids, whom I adore and miss.
This mom and wife was desperately seeking suite freedom and certainly found it. 
 
Thanks for reading along. 

I'm a 100% live and let live and I really don't care if people dress casually in the dining room (you're on vacay - be comfy!) - but I also have a strict no furry nipples rule at the dinner table    🤮🤢🤮
 
wow

The one where they find a Genie!
7 Night Western Caribbean Holiday
December 30 2022-January 6 2023
 
About the travelers:
 
Well, first off I had all intentions of waiting  until check-in to start this blog.  But I got our SC questionnaire today! So I am beyond excited!
 
There will be 5 of us. Myself-Tina, my twins sons Boe & Jonas, and their 2 besties Connor & Ian.
Ian will be celebrating his 16th birthday on embarkation day!  That’s wasn’t planned. Just a bonus.
The boys and I have been on Allure once before. Such an amazing ship.  We are ready for the walking. I maybe #deck17 by the end of this one. I know it will be a totally different experience this time around. The boys are older and bringing friends. This group of boys travel well together. We’ve been on multiple major league baseball game & theme park trips. They also play various school sports together. But I’m keeping my fingers crossed, between the zip-line, mini golf, rock climbing & flow riders etc they’ll stay busy. They’ve been informed Sea days I will be found pool side or on balcony w a good book. They are welcomed to join me but I’m not moving. Every night we will do dinner and shows as a group and the rest of the night is there’s.
 
Cabin:
2BRAT 9330. I stalked the website for over a month and low and behold this cabin opened up. Over the moon we got this cabin. From what I’ve read on this amazing site, it will be perfect for us. With that being said, could anyone, please tell me why I’m still stalking the website for other cabins to become available and is this normal? #deck17 again.
I’ve watched so many YouTube videos- I’m gonna start a new drinking game. Rules of the game: I have take a shot every time Danny from Harr Travel says “I’m 6’6”  or  “I’m a big guy”. That way I’ll be primed & get the most out of my drink package! Don’t cancel me for that one! I’m sure he’s a great guy. I really do enjoy all his cabin and ship videos. There very informative and helped me immensely.
 
 
I am so excited about our first Star Class cruise. I mean, who isn’t excited about going home with all clean laundry after a vacation? Our original first Star Class cruise was scheduled for March 2023.
But—Star Class & NYE—I just couldn’t say NO! So even better-we will now have 3 Star Class cruises in the next 7 months. Is there such a thing as Star Class trifecta? Star class and never going back.
Next two are:
OASIS March 19-26. We are booked in 2 BRAT 10330. Coco Cay here we come!
Allure July 2-9th. We are in the Royal Loft for that one. (Lift & Shift from 2020.) Don’t get me started about this one just yet! 12 of us going. All in SC!  That’s a story for another blog-
 
I am an event/wedding planner by trade so I’m not sure how having someone else plan it all will go!  That’s just my personality. I like to cross my T’s & dot my I’s months in advance. This time- I’m just gonna breath and let go and have faith in the genie! That’s my plan. Now-if I can just stick to it! My sons already said there’s no way that’s happening. I think they even have a side bet going as to when I’ll actually cave and start planning.
Full disclosure- I already told them excursions & spa do not count. I had those in the cart 6 days after booking! Any good cruiser knows those book fast. Wink. Wink. I haven’t told them I’ve been looking at old Star Class itinerary’s posted on here. We’ll keep that between us.
 
But with the holiday season upon us, the Genie maybe my saving grace. Between cooking for 32 for Thanksgiving (yes my blessed family is that big) the 3 weddings, 4 private corporate holiday parties, I have on the books, I may not have time to plan this cruise. How many wishes do we get with our Genie and do they work on land? Oh, let’s not forget family Christmas.
 
 
I am proud of my restraint. It took all I had not to start this blog the day I booked the room. I figured, by waiting until the official check-in date, I wouldn’t break any records for the World’s most prematurely posted live blog! But I think receiving my email today blew that plan out of the water. Most importantly, so my sons can’t call me an overachiever.
I have booked our pre cruise hotel & parking at the terminal. I’ll put those under the excursion & spa category! Mostly likely to sell out!
We are leaving out of the brand new all green energy use terminal out of Galveston. Excited to see it and see how it will function. I think we are the 6th Allure sailing out of the new terminal. I’ll be sure to take notes & pics of that. I heard parking booked up early. So, I’ve book the North Premium lot. No clue where it will be. But it was the closest covered parking to the RC terminal.
 
I’d like to say a big Thank-you to all the folks who have shared their experiences on this site. It’s been invaluable information for many of us. It also helps alleviate some anxiety for those who stress about wanting to give their friends, family & loved ones memorable vacations, that are talked about for decades.
 
(The title of the blog is a reference to the show Friends by the way. The name of all the episodes always started The one..) Now I will have to order those dang magnets for the cabin door! Dang you Etsy!

I would imagine that there will always be some of the smaller ships. Namely, because they are needed for some of the ports and itineraries. Not all can accommodate the large ships. But I hear you, many do like the intimacy and excellent service of the smaller ships. 

I would sail the Serenade again in a heart beat. Hands down the friendliest crew and the CD Jaime was likeable as well, without being to silly. Our concierge Christian was phenomenal, even the MDR was better then usual. Funny the only employees lacking were at the Guest relations desk. Bye bye Serenade have a great time around the world. 

The beauty of that aft cabin! Going under the bridge in day light. 

Went to Loyalty desk to retrieve my pins. She had them, the room change was just to much for her. She was nice in a very passive aggressive way. First crew member I encountered like that. Don't care! She is probably ready to go home. Jasmine was her name.

Day 15 – you know what this means – disembarkation. For breakfast we had the fruit from yesterday’s room service delivery. We had originally requested  - and received – luggage tags for an 8 am disembarkation. We’d reserved our rental car for 10 am and thought this should work. I was under the impression that Port Canaveral couldn’t f*** up as bad as with the Symphony TA but boy was I wrong. At 9 am we had to vacate our cabin with the last time luggage tags being called about an hour ago. Royal Promenade was packed with people but Royal wasn’t allowed to let anyone off the ship… Hold a few thousand people hostage with no food and drinks (other than Iced Water) being available and see how the mood is – spoiler alert: not good. We were finally allowed to disembark at 10 am and were released into total mayhem. The port building was packed and there was absolutely no organisation to it. We managed to locate our luggage but were unsuccessful in finding the end of the queue for immigration. There were queues all around the terminal with no idea where it starts or ends so everybody just stood somewhere and hopped into anything that looked like a line. Port staff were of no help whatsoever as they were completely out of their depth. After standing in the „queue“ for about an hour they finally managed to bring some organisation into the mess and formed what really looked like a line. After another hour or so we finally made it through immigration - halleluja! Lucky we only had about 4000 passengers on the cruise - imagine this with 7000! At 12.30 pm we finally had our rental car – but only because we walked to the office. If we’d tried to get on the shuttle like everybody else we’d probably still be there 5 days later. We were off in the direction of St. Augustine, trying out the A1A (thanks for the recommendation btw). The weather was abysmal with torrential rain but I had one ray of sunshine – we went to Buc-ee’s 😄 
 
This concludes my not so live blog. Sorry for keeping you waiting for so long but live got in the way – as it does. We’re currently in Key West - sadly bad weather again today – and will fly home from MIA on Saturday. At least we really liked Florida so far, we’ll have to take the time to explore it with our RV in the future. No idea when our next cruise will be, we haven’t got much on our bucket list anymore. Maybe Hurtigruten‘s postal route and maybe a week on Icon if she comes to Europe. We will see.

A lot of the excursions are offered by small companies or family businesses and many of them had to change jobs during the pandemic.  Add in the staffing problems every company is experiencing these days and neither Royal or the excursion companies are as willing to promise they'll be able to run a specific excursion many months or even more than a year away.  I think they are just trying to avoid too many refunds and upset customers due to canceled excursions by waiting until closer to the cruise to actively promote them.  That's just my wild guess based on seeing this topic come up a lot in the last year.

Huh, that's interesting. It seems like post Covid there are less excursions in general. Used to be a million at each port. Hope yours show up soon.