PatsFanBrian

My first experience with zip lining was a tree top adventure in Jamaica.  I'm petrified of heights, but decided I had to challenge myself.  We booked the excursion far ahead of time and I had plenty of time to think about it.  I may have backed out, but my 25 yr old daughter (at the time) kept telling me that I would never go through with it.  My pride was at stake.
It turned out to be a frightening but amazing excursion.  We were brought up to the mountains and start a progression of 6 runs with hiking and climbing in-between.  The 1st run was only about 75 ft but each one progressed in length and height.  The last couple were past the point of return.  The only way back was to finish the excursion.  The final run was over 1200 ft long and 200 ft up over a canyon.  We couldn't see the end of the run which went back into the jungle.  While I was gliding along, I actually opened my eyes and took it all in.  Quite amazing.  Unfortunately, for the young lady coming a few people behind me, she screamed and cried the entire way and was in such a panic, she stopped herself about 100 ft short of the platform.  A guide had to hook up and go out to pull her in.
We've zip lined 2 more times since, but none have matched that first experience.

I would ask about getting a refund in advance.  I would doubt if he takes the truck ride to the top he would get a full refund.  I think there must be a cost to that ride.  To be sure, call RCCL to ask them.  Keep in mind that if you book the excursion through the cruise planner that there is no cost to cancel it for whatever reason.
For me (a bit scared of heights) the worst part of the experience is waiting to go while standing on the edge of the platform.  It is high up!  I had no problem on the practice run, that was easy for me.  But the zip-line itself is real fun once you get going.  I say if you get a chance, it is worth doing at least once.  I know, it is not cheap.  You will probably get your best price booking in advance through the cruise planner.  Keep checking prices and if it goes down, just cancel and rebook to get the better price.

I'm watching this one closely as well.  We depart for Bermuda Sunday (from Boston) and we're supposed to be there Wed - Fri.  I know it's far out, but if that makes a turn north, it could become an issue.

We always get the 3N dining package.  We're a bit more partial to Giovanni's, but still enjoy both.  Our experience with Chops is that it can be inconsistent and really comes down to who's cooking the meat.  We had some amazing dinners at Chops and a couple of so-so.  We've also found that Chops is better early in the week, perhaps because the better cuts are used first?
For our 9/22 sail coming up, we'll do Chops on night 2, then likely do Giovanni's on nights 4 & 6 (Serenade only has Chops and Giovanni's).

We love Chops too.  Now a days we buy the 3N Dining Package and just go to Chops all three nights.  So good...

We always eat breakfast in the MDR.  We have found it's a great opportunity to meet new people because they want to fill the tables, unless you specifically ask for a small table, they put people together as they arrive.  We've had many great breakfast conversations with total strangers.

I'll have both, you can never be too prepared.

I'll have both, you can never be too prepared.

If you sail a ship with Playmakers, that's also a good place to check for some better beers.  Mariner's Playmaker had Sam Adams on draft and even an IPA..I was pleasantly surprised.

Cans have made a big comeback, many beer nuts think the beer stays fresher longer.  I always go to the draft first, but those options are limited on the ship.
But beer should be poured.  I'll never drink directly from a can or bottle.

I went ahead and jumped at the $48/day price.  We figure we'll break even at worst and we have the added convenience of not thinking about it.

Corona isn't my go-to beer but do enjoy a few in the sun. When not watching calories or carbs I'm more of a Guinness Draught person. I also enjoy Smithwicks, and other beers in the Guinness line up. I of course enjoy a variety of other beers but not going to list them all lol.
I'm not a beer snob but do get snobby with how people incorrectly pour a Draught. I'm too polite and don't call them out, but if it results in a big head I'll not order another. Last few bars I've seen the same thing ... Put class under tap pull handle - eek - once it settles - pull handle again -eek - ... One I saw doing an angle, not perfectly but at least it was an angle. After it settled, she pulled the handle forward instead of pushing it back - ugh! 

I'm sorry, Corona is not beer, it's flavored water.
I admit that I'm a beer snob.  I like my beers strong and full of flavor.  On the topic, the one let down with RCL is their beer selection, fairly generic.  But they have to please a larger crowd, so I go with the flow and find the best that I can, usually end up with Blue Moon.  At least the Pub has some things to pick from.
Given that my upcoming sail is out of Boston, it would be great if they could stock up on some New England based beers like Sam Adams and Harpoon.  I've been on one sailing that had Sam Lager.  Halfway through the week, I was told that I had made quite a dent in their stock.  I'm not sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing.

RCL has always been generous with their humanitarian efforts.
When Irma tore through the Caribbean in 2017, my former manager was vacationing with his family in St Maarten and got trapped.  Adventure of the Seas arrived there to rescue stranded vacationers including his family.  It was quite the ordeal for them, from surviving the actual storm to being in fear for their lives as looters and gangs roamed the resorts (they heard many gunshots).  After nearly a week, they were finally picked up by a police caravan who escorted all the guests to the port.  They were told not to stray and above all, have their passports because they would not be getting on the ship without them.
Needless to say, he was overcome with gratitude to the crew and RCL for their efforts.

RCL has always been generous with their humanitarian efforts.
When Irma tore through the Caribbean in 2017, my former manager was vacationing with his family in St Maarten and got trapped.  Adventure of the Seas arrived there to rescue stranded vacationers including his family.  It was quite the ordeal for them, from surviving the actual storm to being in fear for their lives as looters and gangs roamed the resorts (they heard many gunshots).  After nearly a week, they were finally picked up by a police caravan who escorted all the guests to the port.  They were told not to stray and above all, have their passports because they would not be getting on the ship without them.
Needless to say, he was overcome with gratitude to the crew and RCL for their efforts.

I wonder if there will be more interest in Cats with the movie coming out later this year.  BTW, if you want to get creeped out, watch the trailer.  Looks more like something out of Dr Moreau's Island.

This was taken from Eagle Beach

Yes, it does.  We passed the beaches and had nice views of the shoreline.  I attached a couple of pictures/
 

We did it a couple of years ago, we enjoyed it.  Very laid back.  We were brought out to spot with a clear view of the horizon.  It was amazing to be able to see the movement of the sun as it went down.  The crew counted down to the last beam of light.  
I have pictures somewhere, if I can find them, I'll post one

Chicago was definitely trimmed, almost in half.  I know that the producers of Mama Mia agreed to allow the RCL production on the condition that it be performed uncut.
There's no way Hamilton would ever be staged on a cruise ship, it's the hottest show in the world even after a few years.  You'll never see the Disney productions.  The old classics are great for the baby boomers and older, but will not resonate with the younger cruisers.  There are some other decent productions that could be good candidates such as Billy Elliot, Far and Away, perhaps even Phantom. 

This is what we like about it and we feel like we get more attention from the servers since they have fewer tables to care for.

Agree, more intimate like sitting at a candle lit table in a fancy restaurant with dimmed lights.  The atmosphere is pretty nice.  Less hectic than MDR since theres less staff and guests.

We like the specialty restaurants just for a change of scenery. I don't know that the food is any better than the MDR sometimes, but it is more intimate, which is a nice change from the MDR.

We had that experience also but we didn't get on until much later.  The boat came back "sick" so they had to sanitize the entire ship (which is another conversation in and of itself!).  We sat in the port a LONG TIME!!!  Pray you don't have this experience!  But yes, generally you can start boarding by 1030-1100.  Just remember your room won't be ready until 1pm.

RCL has always been generous with their humanitarian efforts.
When Irma tore through the Caribbean in 2017, my former manager was vacationing with his family in St Maarten and got trapped.  Adventure of the Seas arrived there to rescue stranded vacationers including his family.  It was quite the ordeal for them, from surviving the actual storm to being in fear for their lives as looters and gangs roamed the resorts (they heard many gunshots).  After nearly a week, they were finally picked up by a police caravan who escorted all the guests to the port.  They were told not to stray and above all, have their passports because they would not be getting on the ship without them.
Needless to say, he was overcome with gratitude to the crew and RCL for their efforts.