Mike_

I'm in! I just received my confirmation from MEI. Thanks to AGSLC5 for reminding me of the tax promo! Now Winter 2016 is settled, thanks Matt.

Matt, I am starting to pre-book my cruise for winter 2016 and I am very much interested in the group cruise. Can you tell me how many people went on the first one? I listened to the podcast, but don't remember any numbers. It doesn't matter per se, but the more the merrier! How do you handle dinner? Is everyone on their own or will we be grouped, etc.? I reached out to MEI and I thought the price was good for me, so I am 90% there. Good luck, Mike_ P.S. Was your wife jealous when you got back? Who gets left behind on the next one? :) http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/royalcaribbeanblogcom-cruise-aboard-allure-of-the-seas

Marc, You are good! I forgot all about that episode; it's probably where I got the idea... However, I was imagining it running on the outside of ship! http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/simpsons/images/6/67/Royalty_Valhalla_rollercoaster_and_ferris_wheel.png/revision/latest/scale-to-width/640?cb=20120529145730

I was day dreaming today and thought, what if RCCL put a roller coaster on a ship! You could board on a low deck, it could ratchet you skyward, and you could sweep on down and around the back of the ship, almost touching the water. Then on the other side same thing and around the pointy end. RCCL, make it happen! You're welcome.

Marc and DocLC, Thanks, based on your comments I'll stay the corse. Do I need to prebook restaurants and shows on big ships like Breakaway? I am the type of person that looks at the cruise compas and decide that day when to eat. ee.g. Before or after the evening show, etc. Thanks, Mike_

DocLC, Thank you. For the last few days I had been thinking about canceling the NCL cruise due to all the negative comments. It appeared like you had to pay for special seating for shows, and then it was suggested to grab the dining package as you would need to book so many special restaurants. On our last cruise on Vision I like the MDR so much I only ate at one special restaurant, Chops. And yes, I did get the booze package on this cruise as a coupon or advertisement. Thanks for the information. Mike_

This cruising thing is a disease. I was walking around the track at my gym (snow on the ground) and I suddenly felt like I was walking around the jogging track of a cruise ship. Do you think I could get a job on one?

DocLC, Can you explain about the spending more and smaller cabin? In reviewing other reviews on NCL and Breakaway, I see some complaints about spending and being nickle and dimed to death. My only reference is RCCL which seemed to me very simple; I only paid for booze and specialty restaurants, and both I feel were reasonable. Also, what about the smaller staterooms? Are they that much smaller? Thanks, Mike_

Doc, Being a celebrity onboard takes a little getting used to. Especially when they keep showing your fat gut on the big screen. However, it was a great time. A lot of interesting kind people too, which really made the cruise. Mike_

bkirkham, I am in a similar position. I've only completed two cruises, both on smaller RCL ships (Jewel and Vision), and through the blogs podcast I really want to try the bigger ships now to compare, but I can't line it up correctly. I wanted to sail out of NYC/NJ to Bermuda, but NCL's itinerary is better than RCL's, as are the prices. The NCL was cheaper than RCL, and they were giving away the drink package. Now RCL is running the BOGO, but NCL is still cheaper. NCL breakaway sails to Bermuda and docks at 8:00 Wednesday, and leaves 5:00 PM, which gives you almost three full days to enjoy the island. RCL on the other hand docks at 3:00 PM, and leaves at 12:00 on the third day. Bermuda closes at 5:00 PM, so it doesn't provide much time there. I have had very good experiences both time on RCL. I like the ships, the people, and most of all the food, and with their loyalty programs it seems dumb to look elsewhere. Let me know what you're thinking as the promotions will probably die at month's end. Thanks, Mike_

Hey, I'm back, everything was great. I even won a medal for the bellyflop contest; third place bronze. I also came in second for hairiest back, own biggest beer belly... I this RCL cruises are trying to to tell me I am eating too much.

I concur on the quality of rccl bedding on Jewel. They were as good as any Marriott I've been in, and slept like a baby. (Slept for two hours, woke up crying with wet pants ;) jk)

What? I am all by myself? No one is going with me? I am super nervous, but super excited. Can't wait to leave the cold and ice. I'll be thinking of you all while I am enjoying the fun and sun. Be safe, and keep researching those excursions while you are waiting to board. Mike_

:( I liked the sea view cafe! I thought that was a special gem for a midnight snack.

Thanks. The only thing of interest was the tubing excursion, but with an hour each way on a bus, plus walking, I was kinda wondering if it was worth it. If anyone has done it I'd be interested. Of course I planned to book through RCCL for preference for tenders, but I also read or heard someone lining up early and said no one ever questioned them about their preference position. Also, I will look into The Parrot Tree Resort, thank you. Mike_

Really? If that is the case why are different venues different fees? Either way, what ever you tip in addition in the MDR, you would do same in Chops I guess, Thanks, Mike_

Hello, I am trying to do my last bits of cruise planning and was wondering if anyone has any input on ports of call. So far I am looking at the following: Roatan, Honduras: 1.West End Bay, 2. Little French Key, 3.Tabayana Beach Belize City, Belize: Stay on boat? Costa Play, Mexico: 1. May Chan or 2. Tropicante Cozumel, Mexico: Paradise Beach (heard this was good on podcast) I have not heard too much good things about Belize, so I may or may not just stay on the boat. While in Cozumel we also have a sailboat race in the morning that sounds great: Cozumel 12 Metre America's Cup Regatta Thanks in advance for any advice... I am so pumped for this vacation... I need it. Mike_

I found some guidelines from frommers.com: http://www.frommers.com/articles/7185.html Basically they recommend about $5 per day to steward, $5 per day split between waiters. What about when you go to specialty restaurants... do you tip them, or is that included in the additional fee you are charged?

As someone new to cruising, I find tipping the hardest part to navigate. Several websites provide different advice, so it's really hard to grasp. As stated, tips are required, but as an American it's awkward when you don't; sometimes :) I choose my time dining, so all my tips are collected and paid in advance, but to me the total tips collected seem low. Especially since they are dispersed among so many; they include room stewards, waiters in dining room, etc... My first, and only cruise, I tipped as follows: Porters: $2 per bag. Drinks: I realize that every drink includes a 15% gratuity, but when someone brings me a drink, I usually add $1 per drink. Getting a drink myself from the bar I may not add a tip, unless they are personable. Since they are collected anyway, I am not sure what the point is... the person proving the service doesn't keep the tip, they share in the total tips. Correct? Waiters: Last night of cruise, I tipped the MDR waiters $50 ($25 each); I only ate there three times. Steward: I really liked our steward, he was very helpful providing ice each day, extra pillows, extra towels, answers to questions, etc.... I tipped him $100. I think this May have been double what I should have. Special restaurants: not sure how I did this, I only ate in one and it was not good. Plus I ordered a bottle of wine... so the up charge was $30 per person, plus $60 for wine, ... maybe $40? Room service: Morning coffee, breakfast, dinner, $2-$5 For some reason I feel a need to tip... I also think that the pay for most of the wait staff is low, so if I am treated well then I can provide a little thank you. Interested in others ideas and specifics. Mike_

Yes, on an eight day cruise, seven of which you are on vacation, four days would be cold? My first cruise I chose a small ship on purpose, but in reviewing the blogs podcasts and posts I want to try out one of these Quantum size ships... and they both seem to leave from Cape Liberty... but I usually take my cruises in February. :(. I guess I will have to switch things up. Thanks, Mike_

Has anyone sailed out of Bayone/NYC in winter? I assume it would be very cold for a passage, at least at the beginning... what is that experience like? I assume it would make a b-line for the gulf of mexico current asap, to help warm things up on the way to the Caribbean, but it can't make it that warm. Just interested in the experience, and if it makes sense to leave from there in the winter months. I live near Philadelphia and Cape Liberty is under 100 miles away from me. However, I always thought it was better to fly to Fl, or PR so it was warm right away and I could reach further into the Caribbean without the time steaming down the coast. Let me know, Thanks, Mike_

Here is a youtube video of it: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=vQg5iYDzp_E https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5g-Xv1y37eI

Matt, Sorry, this cruise is on Vision, Feb 7th. Western Caribbean. 7 days. I wish I would have found this blog earlier, I would have jumped on your March cruise. :) Mike_

No, it was definitely a "white" party. It was on Jewel of the Seas out of San Juan Feb, 2014. Southern Caribbean cruise. I, of course, brought nothing white. :). The party was a light buffet with appetizers on the pool deck at night, after dinner. Mike_

Hello, I was wondering if you can find out what nights are formal on your cruise before you leave, that way you can make reservations in the specialty restaurants on those nights. Also, on the last cruise I was on the had a "white" party on deck, where everyone wore white clothing. Is this usual for all cruises, or just the ship I was on, or does every cruise do something special like this? And, is there a way to find out ahead of time? Thanks, Mike_