MikeK

  Our last three stays in Port Canaveral pre cruise has been at the Radisson Resort at the Port.  The hotel is nice with a large pool area and so so restaurant.  They have shuttles to the port but can be hectic at times.   One year there were 4 ships leaving the same time on Sunday morning.  It was a major cluster in the lobby waiting to get on a shuttle.  We ended up taking  an Uber to port for $12, which included 4 people and luggage.  There is a park and ride room price (room, parking for 7 days and shuttle ride)  Kinda pricey but the day before stay is better than taking a chance of missing the ship.

This year we are on the Harmony in June and got a room at the Hampton Inn about 5-10 minutes from the Radisson about $150-200 cheaper.  It also has a park and ride set up.  Where ever you decide to stay make sure you sign up for the earliest shuttle.  Good Luck!

  You are spending $1000's on a cruise.   Spend a little more and get a passport!  A passport is around $150 for 10 yrs.   That's $15 a year (cheap).   And remember to take it with you whenever you get off the boat.  It doesn't do you any good locked in the safe in your cabin.

  If you like antiques or just like beautiful things you could visit the Charles Hosmer Morse museum in Winter Park.  I believe its the larger Tiffany museum in the world.  It has a large collection of Louis Comfort Tiffany's lamps, windows and glass.  Some of which are his personal collection from his home in New York.  Winter Park is a suburb of Orlando on the East side.

  I agree with Twangster and others.  We were in a CLS on the Oasis last June and it was quite an experience.  For some reason the prices dropped and we were able to upgrade into it for about $400 more than our Junior Suite.  Probably wont happen again but I keep looking.   One thing I dont understand was why they changed showers in the CLS when they made the other Oasis class ships.  The large shower with three heads are gone in the other ships.  Our room was next to the elevators so it was real short walk to the Coastal Kitchen and suite lounge.  Dont remember any noise coming from the elevators or the Coastal Kitchen.   Would love to do it again.

  Like most on here have said .....start with a good travel agency.  I use someone local that's been doing my cruises for years and they specialize in cruises.  Being from Idaho I'm guessing there probably isn't many agencies that have experience in cruises.  I have heard nothing but good things about MEI so it would be your best bet to start there.  Travel agencies do not charge more than you would get if you booked it directly from Royal Caribbean and they do all the work for you.  Good luck!

   I believe the breakfast at Johnny Rockets is on the Oasis ships only.   Also on your daily planner under the food section there will be a $ sign next to the dining locations that are an extra charge.

 We are sailing on the Harmony in June.   Went through My Cruises and signed up for the shows yesterday.  Not sure when that became available because this was the first time we tired to sign up for the shows.  Good luck!

  This is a long standing debate on here for years.   I have seen everything from T shirt, shorts and flip flops to tuxedos in the MDR on formal night.  Other than swim suits I dont thing they will turn you down so on non-formal nights wear what you feel comfortable in and dont worry about what other people think.  Remember you on vacation.  Relax and have a good time.

  Make sure you bring all the correct IDs or they wont let you on the ship

  If its not on the menu tell the waiter what he would like and most likely they will get it for him.  If he wants a hamburger and fries and its not on the menu they will find it for him.  Happy sailing.

  If you are shopping in Cozumel and interested in silver jewelry make sure you bring a small magnet.  The magnet will not stick to real silver.  We got saved from buying  a fake necklace on one of our cruises by having the magnet with us.   Its important that you keep the magnet away from your sea pass card or any of your credit cards.  Good luck

  Also you can order as much as you want in the MDR,  like a double order of escargot

  Dont try to go to Disney World.  Trying to cram any of the theme parks in just a day  (a short day at that) is going to be a waste of money and you will spend a a better park of the day traveling, parking and just going through the process of buying tickets. Not fair to the kids and you will be worn out before you even start the cruise.    Since your already close,  Kennedy Space Center would be your best bet.  Enjoy the cruise,  your family will really love the Harmony.

  Next to most of the elevators is a large touch screen to help you navigate the ship areas.   Experiment with that when you get on board so if you or your 12yr old get turned around it can show you where you are and the touch screen can tell you how to get to any area on the ship.  The ship is very large and can be somewhat confusing till you learn it.  Have a great time and remember your on vacation,  dont try to do too much.  Just relax and enjoy.

  On my Oasis June 2017 cruise Sinbad (the comedian) was a passenger.  I talked to him a few minutes on the elevator and seemed to be a nice guy.  There was supposed to be a couple of NBA players on board the same cruise but I dont follow pro basketball.  Would it be politically incorrect to assume it was the two real tall guys I saw?

  I used to play poker in the army and with friends when I got out but I never got into the Texas Hold-em.  I play black jack when I m on the ships but I have seen the Texas Hold-em games.       Cant remember which ships I saw them on or what the blinds were.  Sorry but it didnt mean anything to me at the time.

I usually bring a large amount of 1's and  5's with me on the boat.  It is better to tip bartenders, waiters, etc  extra in real money instead of adding on the drink ticket.  Like some have said,  not sure how much money they see when added on the bill.  You will see for yourself,  the wait staff works their ass off so they really appreciates the cash.

  You should try to get your reservations for the shows as soon as you can as they go fast.   When you get the reservations they will be put on your sea pass card.  Even though you have reservations you will want to still get to the shows early as the reservations aren't for a seat but just to get you in.  The aqua theater show will have two lines.  One for the reservations and one for standbys .  Get their early because they still have to scan the cards to make sure you have a reservation and it takes time.  10 or 15min before show time they open the line for standbys and it can be a big mess.  On my last cruise they opened the standby line before the reservation line was done and it was a big cluster.   Also the comedy club needs a reservation and it is usually a good show (R rated).  If your feelings get hurt easily dont do the comedy show.....they take a jab at everyone and everything.

10 hours ago, eburgmama said:

I am planning my family's first cruise. We are looking for something this summer. My kids are 11, 9 and 4. What ship do you recommend? We are leaning toward the Symphony or the Allure.  thank you! 

  You might also look into cruising out of Port Canaveral on the Harmony of the Seas.  It is an Oasis class ship that has nearly all the bells and whistles as the other ships you mentioned.   Not sure if you will be driving or flying but either way it is wise to get to port the day before your cruise and stay in a hotel/motel.  There are things that can go wrong with travel plans (car break down,  flight delay etc) and the ship will not wait for you if you are late. Consider the day before expenses as a insurance policy.  Good luck,  I know you and your family will have a great time.

  We call room service and have a pot of coffee delivered to our room every morning.  By time you could get the coffee brewed in your room the coffee you ordered will be there.  Just remember to tip the server.

   To be on the safe side I would have a notarized letter from the parents stating you have permission to take the 15 yr old out of the country.  I would have his certified birth certificate and a picture ID if you can get your hands on one where he is from.  A government issued picture ID would be a big plus.  Good luck.....Mike

  Have your proper IDs, set sail paperwork and a credit card ready for check in.   You will need your IDs and set sail paperwork ready for the security check and your IDs, set sail paperwork and credit card for final check in.  Everyone in your party will then get a set sail pass( card) used for room key,  getting off and on the ship, and to buy things on the ship.  Casino is about the only thing you will be using cash for.  Relax and take your time looking around the first day.  Remember ...your on vacation!  Also forgot to mention there will be numerous RC employees around all the check in stages.  If you get confused just ask them for help.  That is what they are there for

  We waited at least an hour for a RC tour to return in Jamaica on our last cruise!  There were several tour buses about 15m apart, so I dont know if it was the same tour or two different tours that were late.  I believe that was the longest I ve seen on any of my cruises

   The specialty dining debate is as old as the dress code for formal night in the MDR.   My take on it is you are already paying for the food in the MDR.  Why would you want to pay twice for a meal?  Is the food that much better than the food you already paid for?  Not in my opinion but then again,  you know what they say about opinions!

  What kind of room are you in?  Some tips are geared for whether your a suite guest.