Wilson

I am staying home from work on 11-07 so if they announce 2019-2020 cruises I can go further in debt to Royal.

Well, whatever RC does on Coco Cay, you can bet your butt there will be an 18% gratuity fee involved!

Well, think they already know about the issue...

Today's hot item in Sorrentos is a meatball hero.

Greetings from Labadee

In regards to decorations they have been getting earlier and earlier, last year the decorations were already up before thanksgiving (for Christmas). Every ship is probably a little different but I would expect to see the ship decorated when you board not during the cruise.

A wise man named @Matt once said..."ask nicely, all they can say is no".
I recently took this advice while on the Harmony group cruise. As many of you know the Diamond Plus and Suite guests are invited on complimentary tours. As a Diamond member I have received a couple behind the scenes tours, but really wanted to do the Bridge Tour on Harmony. I visited the Loyalty Ambassador and explained that I was still 2 cruises away from D+, but was interested in the Bridge Tour if they had any cancellations. She explained that there was plenty of room for me to go since it fell on a port day.
The tour is only about 20 minutes, but I was very excited about visiting the bridge and especially on the World's largest cruise ship. There was lots of interesting facts shared by the officers. Here are just a couple things.
1. There are over 1400 cameras installed around the ship. Obviously none in the cabins or restrooms.
2. At Harmony's top speed of 25 knots, she can come to a complete stop in 1.4 miles.
The tour usually consist of 15-20 people, but there were only 6 in our party. They will not let you take video, but you are welcome to take as many still shots as you like. I going to attempt to attach a few pics taken from my phone.
I think this wise man also stated that another acceptable practice is to offer a piece of negotiable paper with a President's pic. LoL
 
 
 

A wise man named @Matt once said..."ask nicely, all they can say is no".
I recently took this advice while on the Harmony group cruise. As many of you know the Diamond Plus and Suite guests are invited on complimentary tours. As a Diamond member I have received a couple behind the scenes tours, but really wanted to do the Bridge Tour on Harmony. I visited the Loyalty Ambassador and explained that I was still 2 cruises away from D+, but was interested in the Bridge Tour if they had any cancellations. She explained that there was plenty of room for me to go since it fell on a port day.
The tour is only about 20 minutes, but I was very excited about visiting the bridge and especially on the World's largest cruise ship. There was lots of interesting facts shared by the officers. Here are just a couple things.
1. There are over 1400 cameras installed around the ship. Obviously none in the cabins or restrooms.
2. At Harmony's top speed of 25 knots, she can come to a complete stop in 1.4 miles.
The tour usually consist of 15-20 people, but there were only 6 in our party. They will not let you take video, but you are welcome to take as many still shots as you like. I going to attempt to attach a few pics taken from my phone.
I think this wise man also stated that another acceptable practice is to offer a piece of negotiable paper with a President's pic. LoL
 
 
 

We went once. Too expensive, crowded and very loud. 

@AnnetteJackson stole your towel? 

A wise man named @Matt once said..."ask nicely, all they can say is no".
I recently took this advice while on the Harmony group cruise. As many of you know the Diamond Plus and Suite guests are invited on complimentary tours. As a Diamond member I have received a couple behind the scenes tours, but really wanted to do the Bridge Tour on Harmony. I visited the Loyalty Ambassador and explained that I was still 2 cruises away from D+, but was interested in the Bridge Tour if they had any cancellations. She explained that there was plenty of room for me to go since it fell on a port day.
The tour is only about 20 minutes, but I was very excited about visiting the bridge and especially on the World's largest cruise ship. There was lots of interesting facts shared by the officers. Here are just a couple things.
1. There are over 1400 cameras installed around the ship. Obviously none in the cabins or restrooms.
2. At Harmony's top speed of 25 knots, she can come to a complete stop in 1.4 miles.
The tour usually consist of 15-20 people, but there were only 6 in our party. They will not let you take video, but you are welcome to take as many still shots as you like. I going to attempt to attach a few pics taken from my phone.
I think this wise man also stated that another acceptable practice is to offer a piece of negotiable paper with a President's pic. LoL
 
 
 

A wise man named @Matt once said..."ask nicely, all they can say is no".
I recently took this advice while on the Harmony group cruise. As many of you know the Diamond Plus and Suite guests are invited on complimentary tours. As a Diamond member I have received a couple behind the scenes tours, but really wanted to do the Bridge Tour on Harmony. I visited the Loyalty Ambassador and explained that I was still 2 cruises away from D+, but was interested in the Bridge Tour if they had any cancellations. She explained that there was plenty of room for me to go since it fell on a port day.
The tour is only about 20 minutes, but I was very excited about visiting the bridge and especially on the World's largest cruise ship. There was lots of interesting facts shared by the officers. Here are just a couple things.
1. There are over 1400 cameras installed around the ship. Obviously none in the cabins or restrooms.
2. At Harmony's top speed of 25 knots, she can come to a complete stop in 1.4 miles.
The tour usually consist of 15-20 people, but there were only 6 in our party. They will not let you take video, but you are welcome to take as many still shots as you like. I going to attempt to attach a few pics taken from my phone.
I think this wise man also stated that another acceptable practice is to offer a piece of negotiable paper with a President's pic. LoL
 
 
 

My SIL works for American. She said that the day before is a nightmare and that day of is actually much calmer since people already want to be at their destination so not to miss lunch. LoL The only issue is parking. All lots will be full. I made a reservation months ago for parking, but might just Uber to and from the airport.

I'm echoing this.   I wouldn't spend the money on an excursion when this is a phenomenal walking tour.  There is beautiful architecture,  churches,  restaurants,  ships and bars etc all within walking distance of the ship.   I just couldn't take enough pictures of all the amazing buildings.  It truly is one of my favorite ports and one of the cheapest!   Can't wait to go back!  Jane

Thanksgiving 2015 was full of drama at the in-laws so we stayed with my family in 2016.  Happy to say that things are better now, but when the 2017 sailings opened up we immediately booked a cruise to avoid reliving 2015. Glad we followed Matt and Billy's advice about booking as early as possible and got a great deal on a 9 night sailing (Labadee and the ABC's) on Navigator. We were able to get a Grand Suite for under $1600 per person. That same cabin last month was over $2500 per person and today the Junior Suites are $1900 per person. 
We arrive in Miami on Thanksgiving day around 1 pm and will board Friday morning. I have a couple questions:
Can anyone make recommendations on places to eat on Thursday that will be open on Thanksgiving for lunch and dinner?
Will they start decorating the ship for Christmas during our sailing?
Looking for excursion suggestions in Curacao. We have a reservation at a resort in Aruba and doing and snorkeling with Woodwind in Bonaire. The wife is more of a sun bunny. She enjoys the sightseeing seeing ride to and from the beach from the ship. She likes shopping as well. Obviously we will be relaxing on Barefoot Beach in Labadee. 
 

I love Curaçao. It’s my favorite Carib island.  It’s a GREAT walking port.  Walk to the right as you exit the compound and follow the sidewalk trail through the old fort retail areas. I love how they have used the old Fort ruins for shops and restaurants (the US would NEVER allow anything like this !).  Walk over the pedestrian bridge and get one of the tuc-tucs and take the tour. It’s a beautiful little tour and extremely interesting.  Who knew there was a very strong a Jewish influence in Curaçao ?  
There even a very nice casino right in the retail area. It’s a nice cool place to get in out of the heat.
Enjoy !

Ill be boarding Serenade day after Thanksgiving.  If nothing is open on 17th St I'll just grab a bite at the hotel.  
 
Did that 9 nite Navi sailing last April and it was a blast.will do it again in January!  Last Curacao visit I did the caves and city walking tour.  Caves we're ok... Natural Bridge Caverns in San Marcos was much better, but the city tour was very nice.  Wilemstead is very pedestrian friendly.  After it was over I wandered on my own for a few more hours and found a great little outdoor place for lunch.  The walk back to the pier was great as well, with the floating bridge and much more to see.  
January I'm just going to walk to town and hang out.
 
 

If you have Voom Surf and Stream you can stream the parade on a phone or tablet while on the ship.

A wise man named @Matt once said..."ask nicely, all they can say is no".
I recently took this advice while on the Harmony group cruise. As many of you know the Diamond Plus and Suite guests are invited on complimentary tours. As a Diamond member I have received a couple behind the scenes tours, but really wanted to do the Bridge Tour on Harmony. I visited the Loyalty Ambassador and explained that I was still 2 cruises away from D+, but was interested in the Bridge Tour if they had any cancellations. She explained that there was plenty of room for me to go since it fell on a port day.
The tour is only about 20 minutes, but I was very excited about visiting the bridge and especially on the World's largest cruise ship. There was lots of interesting facts shared by the officers. Here are just a couple things.
1. There are over 1400 cameras installed around the ship. Obviously none in the cabins or restrooms.
2. At Harmony's top speed of 25 knots, she can come to a complete stop in 1.4 miles.
The tour usually consist of 15-20 people, but there were only 6 in our party. They will not let you take video, but you are welcome to take as many still shots as you like. I going to attempt to attach a few pics taken from my phone.
I think this wise man also stated that another acceptable practice is to offer a piece of negotiable paper with a President's pic. LoL
 
 
 

Uhhh, where's the steering wheel with the parrot perch next to it? 

A wise man named @Matt once said..."ask nicely, all they can say is no".
I recently took this advice while on the Harmony group cruise. As many of you know the Diamond Plus and Suite guests are invited on complimentary tours. As a Diamond member I have received a couple behind the scenes tours, but really wanted to do the Bridge Tour on Harmony. I visited the Loyalty Ambassador and explained that I was still 2 cruises away from D+, but was interested in the Bridge Tour if they had any cancellations. She explained that there was plenty of room for me to go since it fell on a port day.
The tour is only about 20 minutes, but I was very excited about visiting the bridge and especially on the World's largest cruise ship. There was lots of interesting facts shared by the officers. Here are just a couple things.
1. There are over 1400 cameras installed around the ship. Obviously none in the cabins or restrooms.
2. At Harmony's top speed of 25 knots, she can come to a complete stop in 1.4 miles.
The tour usually consist of 15-20 people, but there were only 6 in our party. They will not let you take video, but you are welcome to take as many still shots as you like. I going to attempt to attach a few pics taken from my phone.
I think this wise man also stated that another acceptable practice is to offer a piece of negotiable paper with a President's pic. LoL
 
 
 

Awesome advice (never hurts to ask) and neat review and pics.  Thanks for sharing.  Also, post moved :-)

Special request: Please drag hilltop cabana closer to the beach. 

I might have already happened!

The local governments are in control of the reopening date.  They are asking for the cruise ships to return. Cruise line officials are ensuring they can fulfill that request in a safe manner.    Cruise ships in particular are a form of tourism that places less demand on resources compared to fly and stay tourism.  Cruises arrive in the morning and leave later the same day unlike fly and stay tourists who stay overnight when crime can be higher and who place greater demand on resources such as food, water, policing and potentially medical.  Crime can be higher in part because there is no money coming in and people are growing desperate in a large part because they have no income.  
Local governments want to reintroduce tourism to bring income but also to bring a sense of normalcy back, which itself helps to reduce crime and stabilize the region. Cruise ships are the ideal answer for how to a slowly reintroduce tourism.  
 This isn't the first hurricane to have this effect, many islands have gone through this before.   When I cruised to St Marteen  in the late '90s it was soon after that islands last such hurricane hit with similar devastation.  
EDIT - in another forum I participate in a similar thread is evolving.  A resident of St Thomas is posting and they want tourists back.  They are not sure how they are going to pay the rent this month and while they are not fully restored (no power at home yet), they are eagerly waiting to welcome us with open arms.  They need the money.  So for anyone that does go to a recently opened island, be generous, tip well.  An extra $5 or $10 is nothing relative to the cost of a cruise.