USCG Teacher

Bravo, Tyler.  Thanks for posting. 

18 hours ago, KWong said:

You definitely can't do everything, so just relax and go with the flow.

100% this.

6 minutes ago, KristiZ said:

This is also a good one, but mostly if you're American -- they don't always keep up with the things that don't impact us  

On 2/22/2020 at 12:49 PM, Smurfy said:

 

In my sailing days, this would be referred to euphemistically as a missile hazard. 

29 minutes ago, Gwen said:

I just received an email saying I can bid on a room upgrade on our 3/7 trip on IOS.  I've never bid on anything so not sure how this works.  Did anyone else got an e-mail for a upgrade offer

Thanks!!

Hey Gwen!  There have been numerous threads on the Royal Up program, all of which loaded with answers from cruisers both more experienced and eloquent than myself.  One of the largest and most diverse threads can be found here:

On 3/15/2019 at 11:36 AM, KJ1231 said:

Same for Anthem in July

Oasis in August has also consistently been $119 except during the Black Friday sale where it dropped to $104.  Did a lot of repricing that weekend!

12 hours ago, Ash said:

If I purchase one South Beach all day Beach Bed is it good for me and my significant other? With the price being 199.00 I wouldn't imagine each person in my cabin would have to pay individually, or do we?

You're correct, that price is per bed, not per person. 

13 minutes ago, Ersteeve said:

Thank you... are they at each water slide?  And does it display your weight?

On 1/5/2020 at 8:51 AM, WAAAYTOOO said:

It registers either “green” or “red”.  It does not produce a value....just “pass/fail”.  We failed. 

2 hours ago, Baked Alaska said:

I absolutely love the cruisemapper app and website. I can literally throw away a whole day just looking at ships. . . today it is ice breakers. My son would like to cruise on one. I don't doubt he will someday find a way!

For just a short, four year commitment, he can get paid to "cruise" on one.  I can make a few calls if you'd like!  

2 hours ago, Flacruiser99 said:

I'll bet it will be nicer then Northern NJ.

8 minutes ago, deep1 said:

This is why I eat far too many donuts and hot dogs and other stuff for my own good,  I look at all you "healthy people" getting sick. I seldom do.  Might it be that diseases can't thrive in a a junk food environment? Maybe its that I'm just lucky?

Sounds like you may have Three Stooges Syndrome.  I've only ever heard of one other case.  

3 hours ago, JLMoran said:

There is also a fairly limited supply of what's called a "quadrivalent" vaccine. Instead of being manufactured for just the one strain they think is most likely to be the worst in that year, this version of the vaccine protects against four strains. It's specifically reserved for 3 high-risk population groups -- infants and toddlers with still-developing immune systems; the elderly, whose immune systems just aren't what they used to be and who are physically less able to hold up to the symptoms; and asthmatics, whose respiratory systems get hammered by the common cold and would be much worse off with a full-blown flu infection.

Both of my parents got the quadrivalent version (or as they like to call it, the Superflu Shot) this year.  My mom is currently recuperating from the flu right now, it really knocked it out of her for a week.  But like she keeps saying, "imagine how much worse this would be if I hadn't gotten the shot!"  She's right of course.

3 hours ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

I will say, downtown Newark is quite an experience.  At least we will be thrilled to get out of here and get on the ship finally. 

Newark has a number of hidden gems, but many of them are...well hidden.  It is not a wonderful area for exploring without a local to guide you.  Hopefully there's enough to do on site and you're being well taken care of until tonight.  Bon voyage!

16 hours ago, Mikeb1892 said:

Wondering what would be best. 

So, as this thread has clearly demonstrated, the final answer to this question is

9 minutes ago, BeagleAgility said:

I could not specify the cabana number when booking and I don't see one on the reservation. Is it possible when I immediately get on board to go to the Excursion Desk and see if I can request a particular cabana number?

While I don't have personal experience with the system, based on other poster's reports it seems that cabana numbers are assigned chronologically by booking.  First to book gets #1 (or whatever the lowest number in that area is), etc.

20 hours ago, Tammy H. said:

I was thinking more along the lines of trying a new entrée and if I didn't like it, would I be able to get a different one.

This is absolutely never a problem.  As an adventurous eater by nature, one of my favorite perks of cruising is getting to try foods I might not ordinarily be drawn to without the financial commitment.  I've had many happy surprises and a few misses, but the crew has never once batted an eyelash if I informed them that I didn't like something and would like to have something else.  Pro tip: if I am trying something new, I inform the waiter as I'm ordering it.  Without fail he or she will then check in soon after the dish is delivered to make sure I am enjoying it.  It allows them the opportunity to keep service moving efficiently and prevents you from sitting there with a plate full of food you don't like while everyone else is starting their meal. 

1 hour ago, SpeedNoodles said:

I'll take stoned over drunk any day - they typically don't get aggressive.

Oh yeah, can absolutely confirm.

56 minutes ago, SpeedNoodles said:

I'm being promoted to supervisor - different set of problems, but no more taking phone calls (yay!)

Congrats!  Mo' money, mo' cruises!

4 hours ago, WannaCruise said:

As for giving up a sea day, there is nothing that says that you can't stay on-board.  There are a few less organized activities running compared to a sea day, but you can still enjoy the facilities.

100% this.  Every day is a sea day if you want it to be.  

@Ron, allow me to introduce you to my elementary school-aged Refreshment Package:

15 minutes ago, DanielB said:

and I have never seen Star Trek.....LOL  or Star Wars

But, that means you're missing out on HANDS DOWN the greatest Disney princess of all time!  Sure it's retroactive, but it still counts! 

That last cruise I went on was on Adventure.  At the time, she was part of the largest class of cruise ships in the world.  My next cruise this summer is on Oasis.  

3 hours ago, Frank said:

You make a great point, if you are going to purchase the internet package and the key program only cost a few more dollars then go for it!

That was my situation.  Surf & Stream for my booking bottomed out at $15.99 a day over Black Friday weekend.  The Key was being offered for $19.99.  As an Emerald member cruising on an Oasis class ship with two wonderful but not always so patient kids (one of whom is 5, so I don't have to pay for The Key for him), it was a no-brainer for me, but the stars really did align in this case.

Okay, sorry to go a bit OT here, but I just have to throw this out there.  Want to know why I follow this board obsessively and pretty well ignore other cruise forums?  This thread right here.  This conversations could have gone SO many different ways (none of them good!), but instead we got questions probing for more information, relevant information and a potential solution versus arguments and "side-taking."  Turns out there ARE still some little nice corners of the internet.

***Puts soapbox away.***

Thank you for your time.

I spent a day at Iberostar Cozumel many years ago. I was staying at the Iberostar Tucan in Playa del Carmen, and they had exchange privileges.  The beach and pool were very nice, and the staff was fantastic.  The food was very good as well.  It was significantly smaller than the resorts in Playa, but not at all crowded.  Of course, it's been so long since I've been there that Wifi wasn't even a thing yet, so take this information with a grain of salt.  Personally, based on all of the positive reviews from people I trust on this website, if I were to go back to Cozumel I'd probably go to Nachi, but I enjoyed my time at Iberostar, am a big fan of the Iberostar brand and have stayed at many of their properties.

2 minutes ago, ellcee said:

I feel like this should be our code word for when we hold our tongues on here.