foxrunner

6 minutes ago, foxrunner said:

Give it up Please!

Sorry, I was being obtuse. What excursion do you enjoy in St. Maarten??

On 4/22/2025 at 3:26 PM, OCSC Mike said:

If I’m not doing one particular excursion on St. Martin, I agree.

Give it up Please!

10 hours ago, SplashOfWater said:

It's $120pp for adults 

OUCH!

Better start searching the couch for lost quarters!

On 6/8/2025 at 1:18 PM, SplashOfWater said:

We will be on Utopia in mid-October and the Royal Railway is now showing in our Cruise Planner. It's under the Exclusive Dining Experiences section.

Thanks! Still a no-show for Jan 2026!

@SplashOfWater How much does it cost per person??

On 6/8/2025 at 1:18 PM, SplashOfWater said:

We will be on Utopia in mid-October and the Royal Railway is now showing in our Cruise Planner. It's under the Exclusive Dining Experiences section.

Thanks! Still a no-show for Jan 2026!

23 hours ago, JustinandBrooke said:

We're going the week before you.  I'll try to post here when I see Royal Railway online.  If I miss it, do the same for me.  

ABSOLUTELY!

6 things to know about Royal Caribbean's immersive train restaurant before you go

In: 

Question ?

The planner just populated with all the other dining packages except the Royal Railroad for our Utiopia cruise on Jan 26, 2026. We are hoping to try the railroad and don't want to miss the pre-cruise sale. Is this typical??

Thanks!

1 hour ago, OCSC Mike said:

No but 99% of my bookings are group rates when cruises are released (which will never drop) or last minute-ish deals that are past final payment so checking for price drops isn't really part of my usual routine.

The only reason he's been processing them for me lately is we had family recently decide to join us on a cruise for next March that we booked forever ago (with group rates) so I've found a few drops for their two cabins which were booked with normal pricing.

Thank You!

When we started, we booked on our own, but the Allure O T S, aka OBC convinced us to go the TA route. I'm not thrilled with my  TA. We need to notify her about price drops; she doesn't work weekends or holidays.  What I'm saying is no response to emails unless we are in the normal business hours window. I thought all Mei agents had an automatic software-enabled price drop notification, but for whatever reason, she doesn't. I know that I need to move on, but I hate to be those people, as she seems really nice. We are also exclusively booking group cruises for the price and refundability. We know price drops, especially now, are rare, but why are we telling her about them? Given the fact that we now have a new American Pope, I'm looking for absolution. 

On 5/5/2025 at 3:56 PM, OCSC Mike said:

Do whatever makes you comfortable. Just be aware that some of us don't use a TA to save any hassle... I use mine to get me refundable deposit group rates significantly lower than website NRD prices that also come with OBC.

I used to book myself and probably still would be if not for learning about group rates.

Does your TA email you with price drops, because mine doesn't? This is an MEI agent. 

With great respect to engaged parenting, you are on the right track. Says the teacher, who has 34 years of classroom middle school experience. Nothing will be perfect but the goal is improvement, not perfection. Cruise on!

On 12/28/2024 at 6:20 PM, Fla33023 said:

They never come back! 

Thanks for the reminder! We really liked it. To quote my darling bride "It wasn't a cave!" On the next cruise, we tried on Allure to get the same room type but it wasn't a group rate option. We are group cruise people now because of the price and refund policy.

16 hours ago, Jax said:

Tonight we ate at Oak & Stone which is conveniently located in our hotel. They have a restaurant on the main level and a rooftop bar/restaurant with views of the riverfront and marina. We ate at the rooftop and it was very nice.  They have some really great happy hour specials and a wall of craft beer. 

We love the Oak & Stone in Naples FL. We can walk from my father in laws place. No roof top deck though!

 

 

 

 

 

18 hours ago, USCG Teacher said:

Something similar, but hear me out: put the mix in a Belgian waffle maker. (I've never tried it with peas, but they're welcome to the party!)

I like that the waffle maker simplifies the process. I put turnip in as well but any leftovers are welcome!  

Gobble Gobble!

On 12/15/2024 at 12:14 AM, bcarney said:

Ok, first, think of Thanksgiving with mashed potatoes and gravy. Now, picture yourself on a ship, and for breakfast one of the sides is corned beef hash as the base, and sausage gravy as the gravy, like Thanksgiving.

Your cardiologist will thank me.

My son makes this every post Thanksgiving breakfast.

Leftover turkey,stuffing, mashed potatoes, peas, are combined into a patty.

Deep fry the patty serve with warm gravy and topped with a fried egg!

YUMMY!

The beach clubs on Cozumel, which are all inclusive, are less than $100 per person. I don't see anything in the amenities write up that would justify $149 PP. We will only go to Hideaway on PDCC if it is $50 or less PP. $300 per couple no thanks! I'd be surprised if they could fill the place outside of the 1st few days at that price.

My rules would be only one choice per and only MDR items.

Escargot

Prime Rib

Key Lime Pie 

On 11/10/2024 at 6:10 PM, DonR said:

Sea Base (either Bahamas or Virgin Islands) is the plan for June 26. A whole different kind of cruising! 

Philmont in 2017 with my two boys. Amazing! They have both flown and grown and we miss them. So enjoy every minute. 

Lobster night is typically the 2nd formal night.  I've heard that if you look at the app for a sailing before yours with the same itinerary it shows MDR lineup. Lobster, shrimp and crab were in the buffet on the first day. Go grab some and then Aquadome Market! Enjoy Icon it is a great ship!

If this is your first Royal cruise, it probably doesn't matter about the MDR food theme. The themes are very general and you will always find an Indian dish. Also if you aren't a repeat cruiser a dish you like on land may not be fav at sea. You can checkout past cruise compasses to see the formal nights. We really enjoy the MDR and have never tried the Empire Club as we try to enjoy the included offerings.  

I believe that tract of land is where the sad beached sailboat sits. Maybe Royal will repurpose it as a bar??

What is your favorite ship of each class? Why? Quantum Class best was Odessa because of Playmakers and pool deck.

  Oasis = Allure because it was our 1st cruise.

Freedom was great but we were only on 4 nights and I don't think that is enough to properly evaluate it. Need to go again in the name of science. 

What is your favorite class? Why? Oasis, Icon was great but the price is too steep. If the price was similar to Oasis then Icon. 

What is your favorite overall ship? Why? The one WE are on at the moment!

41 minutes ago, JeffH said:

Appreciate all the great info/advice. The cruise lists Florence/Pisa as one of the days on the itinerary, but isn't Pisa a ways away from Florence? And I gather it's just climb the Pisa, take pics, and done. 

I just got back from Western Med in Aug. on Oasis and we went to Pisa. Take the train from La Spezia Centrale to Pisa Centrale then use the Rick Steves free audio guide to walk from the train to the "dodgy tower". The audio guide is free and the train costs around $30 for two roundtrips. Eat lunch in one of Rick's recommended cafes, which is very reasonable price-wise. Once at the Field of Miracles, the full tour ticket was about $11 per person.  Never having been to Pisa it was great! I wouldn't try and do both Florence and Pisa in one day as it would be too rushed. Now as to which one to visit, that is up to you. Ask more questions as needed!

We were given a bottle of Champagne because my wife witnessed a Guest Services crew member being yelled at by a guest. She waited until the guest left and said" you probably don't hear a lot of compliments but we are having a wonderful vacation".  He then sent us the bottle, which was very nice but not our intent. Anyway, we gave it to our room steward who was thrilled! He mentioned that he and one of the other stewards enjoy playing pool and the bottle of bubbles would be perfect. 

My wife suffers motion sickness and I don't. We both enjoy cruising. PREVENTION is the key. Get the prescription patch and wear it before you even embark on the ship. Refresh as recommended but don't let it lapse. (tip if it is too much and you are drowsy cut the patch in half) Ship size and ocean don't matter if it is rough, you're going to feel it. Once you feel seasick it is hard to correct. Be vigilant for your partner it may wash off in the shower or pool, so reapply immediately.  Cruising is super fun if you're not seasick!