deep1

Hmmm... Until recently I could "feel" a difference on each cruise line I have tried... Often that "feel" is related to the bulk of the passengers on each line or at least my perception of them. Carnival reminds me of the party dance boats in Nassau and I envision bodies strewn about in the wee hours crawling back to their cabins in an alcohol induced stupor . Seems any port I have been in its Carnival trying to one up with the party noise. Disney , I find to be too "themed", too commercialized, too caught up in their own self promotion. I see a "mature crowd" on the princess cruises I have attended. Holland America (its been a long time) I found a more "reserved " if not "executive" crowd. RCCL for me wins hands down with their ships and ingenuity that goes into them. I say at the onset of my reply "Until Recently". That refers to I always found the typical RCCL passenger to be a "notch above". Not in a snobbish way. Just a little more fun without overdoing the "party" thing. A little more intelligent to converse with. My last cruise with them the "class" tilted more to trailer park than successful professional. Might have been the port Was a different one than the ones I've been used to)? Or perhaps that it was a three night quickie that had started out priced dirt cheap (I booked late , last OV cabin on sold out trip). It was more reminiscent of Carnival .

I know they say it can happen any time right up to day before sailing. What's the more realistic time line? Had my bid in for a few weeks now. Has anyone actually had a bid accepted. We sail in three weeks...

Weather that time of year is often front related. Not uncommon to be 80 one day and 60 the next in Florida. Usually though That far east into the Bahamas its milder... Cold front would have north side of facility exposed but interior and south side in the lee would be fine.

It I guess will never let me go....

Not seeing it on my upcoming five night on Indy sailing April 29 ?

My work schedule and that of my ex wife and now new love have hindered our abilities to book too many in advance. As a big game fishing boat captain its far from all glitz and glamour. Not just working hot engines, clearing "plumbing issues", 36 hours at the helm on "canyon" trips but we are also effectively on call 24/7. Last boat owner quit fishing and I'm now "underemployed". New sweetie is switching jobs and new one very flexible with time off. So...…. We have this one booked and plan on booking three more while on this one. One for just her and her daughter, one for her kids and us, then a transatlantic for just us... ?

Great responses... I know all about the starlit nights away from all light contamination. Look hard and you'll spot satellites on some nights. Another thing that the sea lets you see up close and personal is weather... St. Elmos fire? What an experience that is.... It can get a little "frisky" as well. Weaving through a 'snake pit of waterspouts. Seeing that approaching squall line you know you aren't gonna get around. Now and then a special "rogue wave". Entire days that make you second guess your choice of a livelihood are then followed by those that remind you why you are there in the first place.

I hopes so... Last time I opened a screw top wine bottle I'm pretty sure I could see vapor trails like the cartoons emanating from it... ?

I don't drink but no problem with others that do. (I was an expert). My hyperhot sweetie (I use full description in case she reads this) enjoys a glass of wine now and then. I understand that we are allowed two bottles of 750ml or less. No problem. More than likely it will be just one... I read the instructions and they suggest you put it in your carry on bag otherwise they won't deliver your other bags to room if its in them. Kind a weird but its their boat and their rules. The part I haven't been able to find is how they feel about corkscrews going through security. Most good wine to my understanding comes in corked bottles. Thus the requirement of a corkscrew. Now if they do take exception to the curly implement of vino release that leaves me with plan B. That would be to choose a vintage cabernet with a distinctive screw cap. I'd rather go cork and keep the quality up as opposed to the normal red stained bilge water they sell in the screw cap bottles. Any input?

I lost track of when I saw them last... Didn't notice for years as my daughter had grown and wife and I weren't much for them. Since then got divorced and been with new gal last year who has teens. Told them about the galas last year before cruising just a three night run that didn't have one. I thought it might have been because trip was so short. Oh well. They made for nice memories and really were a wonderful addition to make it a true cruise feel. Thanks for the heads up.

In years gone by they used to have Midnight Gala in the MDR on various ships. I remember a 4 nightery they did an amazing one with a walk through tour of "sculptures" using aspic , butter, cheese, etc. On our Alaskan 7 night they had desert ones a few times. Last year on Majesty we didn't get one and looking at a recent Compass for Independence I didn't see one listed either? Have they stopped?

I duck hunt from a kayak in New Jersey and Florida but would love to get to La some time and try it there...

Ocean water is similar in make up to our own blood (at least to some extent). For some of us it just blends to the point where we can't tell it apart. Salt can take its toll or it can keep one young. I guess its how we look at it. For me it has tried to take my life but has also given me life. One I'd never trade. I've got aptitude in a lot of different fields. I chose the sea. I was patching up a couple wounded conch divers in the Bahamas a few years ago. Someone said "You should have been a doctor"... "Why would I do that?" … "You could make a lot of money". "So I could get a boat and go fishing?" … Took a moment then he understood...

I'm a big game fishing boat captain by trade... roughly 5000 days at sea (wish I could turn them into rewards points). Most sane people do something as far away from their livelihood as they can find when taking a little vacation time. I do enjoy a trip to the woods now and then but nothing flips my pancakes like a cruise. I started with the Sea Escape one day things and slowly graduated to some older classic ships like Britanis and Oceana. I remember seeing Majesty for the first time and thinking "what a monster"!. How does it float? I dreamt of one day going on a realllllyyyy big boat. I did family on Westerdam and couldn't help having "RCCL" envy... I sailed Sovereign, Legend and yes even Majesty amongst others... Its like gold fever... Doing Independence this go around and already feel the burn to do not just Oasis class but maybe even do a transatlantic... I'm like a kid when I get aboard. I want to know every nook and cranny. I can't help that the instinctive captain comes out in me. I critique in my head the dock and basin maneuvering. I check GPS stats, check forecasts, eyeball the radars. Then I settle back. "Here I am on a floating city. Somebody else is driving. I don't have to rig baits, cut fish or wax the hull. Time for more running around and getting familiar. The pools, the endless food options, the glitz and glamour. In the casino I feel like saying "Bond, James Bond". Music and shows and games. Endless stream of fun "STUFF". Sleep is something I find hard to do before and during a cruise. I can do it when I get home. I can't get enough! Who else?

Hmmmm. I saw games they played last year along these lines. I did the different browser trick to get a better price on the whole booking. In fact I did that this year. Not sure if its related but once I pulled the trigger on this next cruise voom I lost the ability to get pricing or availability on the "Key".

I'm a carnivore... My date will no doubt tear up some bisque... ?

Port app shows it in port but when you look for slip the entire day is missing. Other dates very detailed...

In that pic it looks like they are missing the day. On the page before it shows three ships ( just Indy for RCCL) in port that day but no info for their times or slips...

Yes it is odd... When I see little things like this it makes me nervous...

We're on Indy on April 29 sailing. Lauderdale depart... So far so good. Looking through docs directions to port are clear. I go to that port for business a lot. I have read other threads that say pier 18 is the place to be? I guess that is the main base. Looking at google I see Oasis class docked there but then two more RCCL boats parked in two other more remote locations. Yes, I know they move around but wondering if there is some way to be sure to go to 18? Then I didn't see designated parking close by? Looks like it's a pretty long walk or some kind of shuttle? In the past they have been very specific about which garage, which berth (pier) etc. Not so much this time...

Meticulous about planning my fiancé' noticed while going through the app on my phone that night five dinner is not displaying. Just breakfast... We are on 5 night western Caribbean on Independence leaving May 29. She also noticed we don't know which night is formal. Anybody know? A glitch I found was trying to lock down our time dining times, seemed to go right on line but don't show on our reservations???

Blue Kay? Do they have massages there. Somebody recommended for snorkeling. Site is in Spanish so wondering if they do. Other spots for snorkeling or massage suggestions very much wanted and appreciated...