deep1

57 minutes ago, Anditoo72 said:

I am definitely going to look into that app, I purchased VOOM for my hubbys cell because he would never be able to go that long without streaming his news. That app will be perfect for our kiddos back home to stay in touch!

It works as long as hes connected to wifi and the ones calling use that app as well...

Did that last year with my GF just fine... 

I saw mentioned somewhere in here about calling back home. I do get the voom package and when in its range I leave my phone on. To make calls or text I use WhatsApp. All my family and friends are instructed to contact me via that only. Any other calls come in  I likely don't want to hear from them anyway...

21 minutes ago, tonyfsu21 said:

Also, you drop your luggage off first as your driving through as part of the process. It’s very easy. 

Really have carry on's but will drop Hyperhot GF with them...

5 minutes ago, tonyfsu21 said:

Yes. There’s a parking lot maybe 200’ away. Go straight to parking it’s a short walk.

Cool... That's what I needed to know... Was looking at ariel shot and wasn't sure if that was just like employees or whatever... Thanks!

My GF and I use carry on bags. Trying to figure if I should drop her at terminal with them (if its a long walk)  or just go straight to parking. 

Is there a lot right next to berth 18?

Looking around at things that are unique to the region I have found Chocolates, Vanilla, then noticed Hammocks. My GF is big into them! So... Anyone have any insight where to get one (purchase)?

Our very limited shopping list for this trip includes Vanilla... Like to get a couple bottles of extract and possibly some whole beans. I have read elsewhere that the extracts can be found in Cozumel in the grocery stores. Then I heard that Costa Maya is known for it.  Really would love to find it there and would really really love to fid some beans... Any input?

Looking at a local tour that runs on local time. The note that may be different than ship time. Does anyone know difference when visiting Cozumel? 

Each cruise is a little different.  You can't board til you check in. You can arrive earlier but may be in for a long sit. Last year I had one I was able to check in and board at 11 AM which made for  2 1/2 hour wait before we could access room and set our carry on bags down...  I was slated for 11:30 check in for this upcoming one but got email the other day that there is a delay and don't even show up at the terminal before noon.

I bring towels, cheap Wal-Mart kind,  for a couple reasons. Have checked out towels aboard ship and at first class resorts before, returning them properly but still getting charged. I caught on at the resort that people overheard us either overheard my account number/ name or simply said "we're with them". Had it happen with drinks there as well. Aboard with seapass that shouldn't happen but being asked to shell out $100 extra and having to plead my case with receipts in hand shouldn't have to take place... 

The second reason for bringing them is I can wall off between dirty clothes and clean in my suitcase when repacking to move on. On that note turning dirty clothes inside out is good marker for whats been worn or not when in a rush... 

Not seeing one. Do they have on that short of a cruise? 

My "key" option went away a long time ago. After reading about it I was going to get it. I guess its a month or more since it was available for my cruise...

After getting hammered for $9 for a six pack of single blade bic razors I knew to keep eyes open. I've dabbled in diamonds and tanzanite for quite a while and I have seen some laughable pricing on board. That being said I have seen both better and worse on shore. I scored a diamond pendant in Nassau that was genuinely a good deal. Same shop though had abysmally bad price on another item. Girlfriend knows purses and did find good deals on board though so they did eventually get us for some money.

I started small and slowly working up. The smaller vessels are still enormous when first traveling on one. Its all relative... They are absolutely fun as can be. You'll likely get on and say "Wow! They call this small? " Enjoy your trip. I'm sure you will...

Just got an e-mail from RCCL. Seems our USCG wants to conduct a "routine inspection" . They adjusted boarding time to 12:00 to 3:30. Not sure what it was before. They asked that people arrive no earlier than noon now. We were reserved to check in 11:30 before. Do we just up that a half hour? 

On 3/29/2019 at 9:55 AM, mook1525 said:

I ALWAYS wanted to ask this question to expert cruiser.. maybe I should start a new thread but here we go. 

WHY is it that Nassau gets such a bad review? I only visited Nassau once - we purchased a day pass at Melia resort - and experience wasn't all that different from other port such as St. Kitts, St. Maarten..

Am I missing something about Nassau? Cable beach was beautiful!

 

 

As long as you are on the Paradise island side of the bridge things are fine. The Nassau you see by cruise ship is totally different than the one when the ships aren't in. I'm a boat captain by trade. Rough tough eat clams while still in the shell type and come sundown Nassau scares me bad. Cable is a center for bad behavior at night. Bay Street that by day is nice is a ghost town with far too many shady individuals hiding in all those little cut through alleys. Had a guy try to hold me up at knife point after failing to sell me drugs or women. He didn't notice that I was wearing a pair of fishing pliers that when applied liberally to his temple cause him to drop the knife and take off. Nassau just a few blocks in has terrible crime rate with large number of murders even. 

I'll be on same cruise but don't have answer to your question... I've never really had need for one. Have had buckets of ice.

On 4/18/2019 at 7:44 AM, Carl said:

Sorry for the clarification needed but some of us like specific answers so should I take this as a flat out yes we can bring wine or no we cant? They must be carried on otherwise you need to collect your baggage from the dungeon near the bilge...

 

Yes you can bring up to 2 x 750ml bottles per cabin.

I've got the coffee affliction as well. Vulgar as it sounds I ice down a coffee from wherever before bed and hammer it when my eyes open. That gives me time to get to another venue before it wears off. 

Though I'd like to respond with some authority I'm not in position yet... Though I have done roughly a dozen ships only four have been RCL. Those four were selected by itinerary rather than the ship. I did a bunch of research and for what I was looking for on this and our next cruise and came up Indy. I have a hunch she will outshine the others I have cruised on.  If she goes as planned the next will also be her. After that a trans Atlantic on an Oasis class is in order. 

So far

So Far

1.Majesty (twice)

2. Legend

3. Sovereign

Outfrigginstanding! Well done!

I work as a sportfishing boat captain and our space is limited so packing light is the only option. The same mindset I use on the cruises. I carry a duffel type bag I was given in a fishing tournament.  I often wear sport coat, nice pants and shirt that I will be using formal night when I board. It comes off the second the cabin is available. A pair of jeans, a pair of khakis, 4 pairs of nice shorts, 4 dress shirts, then tee shirts for as many days as the cruise. I get around the shoe issue wearing topsiders which are fine for casual or not so casual use. I do bring a spare pair that I stuff with socks and underwear. If you have to bring shoes I strongly utilizing that space in them also invert them top to tp pointing opposite directions to minimize space.  I will carry a full shave, toiletries, medications kit if room allows. Otherwise bust out a ziplock. My girlfriend packs sensibly so I am blessed with that rare gift. Our snorkel sets, bathing suits, and token bottle of wine go in our carry on... I live near most ports I sail from so hotel set is not a factor. If I do travel farther and need a travel/ hotel set of clothes it wouldn't be the first time I have done so with "disposable" older clothes that get chucked. On Cruises over 7  nights I have used their laundry services and have always enjoyed the outcome.

I have always been "colorful" and not one to follow the beaten path. I have had a couple occasions  where staff had to ask me nicely to stop fishing off my balcony. This time I decided to go a slightly different direction. Brought my daughter to Coco Cay when she was about seven and came up with a "good way" to spice her trip up some. I brought her to the little shallow beach away from the popular snorkeling one to do some "special snorkeling". Being a fisherman and diver over the years I developed a collection of old galleon "pirate coins". brought one along tucked in my waist band. The water on that south beach was maybe knee deep, sand bottom and of course gin clear. We were maybe thirty yard from shore and I tossed the coin out in front of us without her seeing... I nudged her and kept her on course to "find" it... I remember her making noises through her snorkel when she "found" it.  
"Daddy its a pirate coin!" Wow was she excited! Mission accomplished  (or so I thought). We exited the water and she ran off showing the coin to every person she saw. Before I knew it,  the other areas emptied out and we were "joined" with a couple thousand "treasure hunters"... She's 27 this year and getting married. I had that coin set and unbeknownst to her I will make it available for her to wear when I walk her down the aisle...