DDaley

Northstar breaks down all the time.  They said it was broken when we went on the Ovation, but they apparently fixed in time for embarkation.  Then it broke the next day.  It was up and running again a day later. Just keep on checking.

They don't have to, but the flexibility these ships offer for deployment and repositioning is a very much in support of keeping them around. They provide options for Royal to zig and zag depending on the company's needs, which Oasis-sized ships simply do not. I expect we'll hear something about them from Royal within a decade, if not within the next 5 years.

I agree for the most part but don't they at some point have to build "smaller" ships? I maybe not 90 thousand tons but to replace Freedom class and Vision clas ships? Freedom, Liberty, Indy getting up there. Same with the Vision class, Explorer and Adventure. They are gonna need 140 thousand ton ships at some point right? 

Hello Effy!
I mean St. Thomas….

This went RIGHT on my list for our one day in Seattle! That’s one of my favorite rides in that park. Thanks!! 

It's not a visa, it's an electronic travel authorisation, exactly like the ESTA that the US has been operating for years, as @Ray pointed out.
Also, the US charges $21 for an ESTA and it's only valid for two years, so you're getting a bargain.

This was discussed on a thread weeks ago. As was pointed out on previous thread Europe is just catching up with the US who have charged visitors for travel visas ( ESTA ) for years. 

Happy to share with you all that I will be joining Icon Of The Seas later this year, and I will be a part of the start-up team.
 
I look forward to seeing all of you who have booked a cruise for 2024!
 
I'm excited to make video on the newest, biggest, and best ship in the world!
 
 

Keep in mind that the Solarium pools on ships that travel to the colder climates are typically indoors (I haven't specifically checked for Jewel).  The outdoor pools are typically unusable or very unpopular in cold weather.  If Royal didn't allow kids to use the Solarium's indoor pool for 3 hours, they would basically be unable to use the pools for their entire cruise.  That's not family friendly at all.

Some pics from the Top Tier event:
Ricky Matthews is our CD. We have sailed with him before. Funny guy, lots of energy.
We got treated to another tight rope walk 😬

It’s 3:03pm. All aboard was 3pm. No sign of Hubby. 
 

Central Park:
 

Boardwalk:
 

After Hubby grabbed a bite to eat in the Suite Lounge we headed up to see what the Suite Sun deck looked like. I really like the new additions here. Now if only they would keep the Deck 18 doors locked….
 

PDCC
Great weather today! Very hot but got away from the rain and wind that was around yesterday. No real plans today. I had breakfast in CK and Hubby slept in. Later we wandered around the top decks while it was quiet. Did not get to do this yesterday because of the weather. 

I just spent $2200 for a cruise on Royal Carribean Independence of the Seas. The staff was awesome. The interior room was small but kept clean by the staff. The main problem, Ilove water slides. You had to pay ridiculous amount of money extra for Coco Bay water park. I didn't go on a hiday weekend. $2100, outrageous.  The slide on the ship, had to wait an hour to get on it, so I didn't wait in 95 degree weather. I spent all this money and will never go on a cruise again. I could have used the money for a nice hotel for the 3 nights, got a message and went on a waterside 50 times without having to wait. Never again.

Sail away….
Mad Hatter’s Purple Potted Shrimp from Wonderland. Marla introduced Hubby to these last cruise and he loved them. So we got some to start off this sailing. 

Off on vacation mode for 1 week!

Crazy storm just rolled in…
Time to go through some room pics 😉
 
 

Here we are! Finally where we should have been a bit over 24 hours ago. 
 
Disney’s The Swan Reserve
- beautiful + new + modern
- as “un-Disney like” as possible 
- not as many kids 
- full Disney perks 
We booked a Junior Suite for a bit more room. I love their decor and colour schemes in all their rooms and throughout the hotel. We have been messaging them since yesterday morning regarding our delays. They were helpful, responsive, and very reassuring every time we updated them. 
 
 

Hoping all the kinks and bad vibes are now finished and all that is left for you is smooth sailing (😏) after an absolutely perfect Disney adventure.
 

They claim it has to do with the environment, but this is actually going to be worse for the environment. If they cared about the environment, they would keep the cruise port where it is but mandate that the ships connect to land power when docked. Instead, what is going to happen is the ships will end up docking 30 minutes away, and then in addition to the cruise ship emissions, there will also be all the bus emissions and extra traffic to move cruise passengers from the nearby port to the city center.
They actually just want to build a new bridge, but they don't want to spend the money to build it high enough so cruise ships can pass under.
 

I agree. From a market department point of view it would also be a nightmare. All your advertising is around the whole family vacation... confusing that message with 'Whole family vacation apart from this ship' is just confusing to the market. 

If they wanted to compete in the adults only market you would be more likely to create a subsidiary, move this hip to the new company and market it under a different name. That way you get brand recognition for the subsidiary without confusing the brand and customers of Royal. 

The Bacalar Lagoon is beautiful and was a refreshing way to end the excursion after visiting the ruins.  The Mexican lunch was delicious and the water and views were beautiful.  

I think if you believe it to be an issue @Snowchaser, wouldn't a drink package be to your advantage?  Your move then would be to ask for a double or a shot on the side and add it yourself.  That would be 2 drinks a la carte, but all included with the package.
Not trying to get you soused, but if you're looking for a little extra kick, that's the way.

Like a rum punch. I ask the bar tender to put a rum floater after he makes the drink at no extra charge