steverk

Captain Marek is a very unique Captain. He's very visible, personable and fun he also inspires his crew like nobody else I know. It makes for a very fun cruise.

I really like both ships. Liberty has more amenities. Radiance is prettier and has a more relaxed vibe. captain Marek is in charge of Radiance. If he's on for that sailing, it would make the difference for me.

If you're trying to save money, I'd recommend hotels in Webster or League City. If you want a place with lots to do, I'd suggest Kemah. If you want to see the ocean, I'd suggest Galveston. Under no circumstances would I recommend anywhere near either Houston Airport.

I wouldn't presume to know what Royal Caribbean is planning to do about ports like Tampa and Baltimore. If you zoom out from Royal Caribbean International to Royal Caribbean group, there are just too many possibilities. Here are some that I can think of off the top of my head. Build a new class of RCI ship that can service these ports. Stop servicing these smaller ports entirely. Give these ports over to one of RCGs other lines like Celebrity or maybe introduce Marella to the United States at these ports. The real question is how many small ports does RCG want to support? There's more than just Tampa and Baltimore. For example, what about New Orleans? Or Northern Europe? Panama Canal? Once that question is answered, the next one is "how does RCG choose to do it?" As you can see, there's more than one way to skin that cat. What I've heard about Discovery project is that it will be neo-panamax. That means about the size of an RCI Voyager class or a Celebrity Edge class. I'm no expert on ports, but I believe that would be too large for Baltimore, Tampa and dicey for New Orleans. It would definitely work for Panama, Northern Europe. and Alaska.

Perfect day prices jumped dramatically a few months ago. People here in the USA are all grumbling about it. Last year, I stayed in a Thrill waterpark cabana for $599 USD. You can touch it for twice that now.

So RCG is having another cruise planner sale. I haven't seen anything spectacular for Royal cruises, but my Celebrity cruise has excellent savings. It's probably worth checking your cruises as well.

I sail out of Galveston frequently. The weather in cozumel and Roatan is pretty stable year round. Costa Maya gets unbearably hot in the summer. On the other hand, winter sailing out of Galveston, while normally pretty nice, can be cold, windy and foggy. All things considered, weather is pretty much a wash for any of those dates. Christmas and spring break are usually crazy busy with tons of kids and high prices. Thanksgiving and summer are both busy with plenty of families, but less crazy than Christmas and spring break. Therefore, I'd choose Thanksgiving unless you want a big traditional Thanksgiving dinner with lots of family around.

They will automatically give you an early disembarkation time. As long as you try to get off at the appointed time, everything will be fine

I think they mean the diamond lounge, but I am not sure. Another one I've never been able to get is priority wait list for sold out shore excursions

Unfortunately, any unused vouchers expire at the end of the day. They do not accumulate. You can grab enough canned drinks at the end of the day and enjoy them at your leisure.

Yes, your kids can share the vouchers, although your daughter will have to use her card to get them.

I guess this depends on you. With 4 free per day, you really have to be a heavy drinker to make the drink package pay. On the other hand, it's very nice to have the drink cup that can be used at the freestyle machines. The drink package requires a tip at purchase. You really should tip the diamond vouchers at the time of service, so the drink package can be more convenient

Most rooms have 1 EU 2 prong outlet and 2 USA 110v 3 prong outlets

It was very fortunate it wasn't worse. Navigator departed Mazatlan on schedule minus one lifeboat. Glad I'm not assigned to that boat. Wait a minute I AM assigned to that boat!

The railing shows no visible damage.

Yes. I can get out there and it I c6. Here's a couple more pictures

Fwiw here's how things appear right now. They appear to be trying to raise the davits in preparation for sailing. The boat in the picture is the rescue boat. The lifeboat is gone, but I don't know where.

You've got a good eye, but my camera isn't the greatest. Looking at it in person, I'm sure those are oars. I didn't know lifeboats still had them, but I am sure that's what you see.

Not sure. I'd judge 100% but no higher. If they have to Disembark people, I'd volunteer for the right compensation

Got visible damage, like it hit the transom on something. I think it's dead.

It's on the port side. Fairly far forward. Access to the lifeboat deck is Shut down. So I don't know the number

No announcement so far, but that's certainly a possibility.

Navigator of the seas at Mazatlan. Announcement said it happened during maintenance and there were no injuries

I've noticed the change on several cruises going back to last summer. On the other hand, I was there earlier this month and we were checked at the ship. The only noticeable difference was the number of ships in port. This month we were the only ship at the International pier. In fact, we were the only ship in all of Cozumel!

Develop more ports of Call. For selfish reasons, I'd do it in the western Caribbean, but it's a concern throughout most of the world.