steverk

Captain Merrick is amazing and currently on Radiance. However, this is his last sailing before his break. I'm not sure what his next assignment will be. But you can follow him on Facebook and message him directly.

So I'm on a ship and have to admit to getting a fiendish pleasure heckling the pier runners. Of course the crew can't participate, but I get the impression they enjoy it too. However, it also feels rude. Any thoughts?

I was going through the Panama Canal and my neighbor had very loud music playing. Fortunately, it didn't last long. Idk if Royal stopped them or if they just decided to watch the canal from some other place.

Simple. I like my music so every other person must love it too! What that doesn't include you? Must be something wrong with you! <tongue firmly in my cheek >

I guess I look at the price increases a little differently. Yes, prices are going up. No doubt about it. I don't like it, but what's the alternative? I'm not willing to stay home and sit in a rocking chair. Land based vacations are also on the rise and don't seem much cheaper. RV life is unaffordable now. Therefore, I plan to grin and bear it. Perhaps I'll choose a cheaper room or ship. Or maybe a cheaper itinerary. But I'll still go.

I agree completely. I've noticed for several years the dramatic price difference between early and late August in Galveston. Given the limited itineraries out of Galveston and the distance to the airport, I've never thought Galveston was attractive as anything more than a drive to port. That said I'm always surprised by the number of people that do fly there for a cruise.

My 29 year old daughter is uncomfortable in th DL too. She's never experienced treatment that bad, but people stare and whisper. Ironically, she's D+ and earned all the points herself. That's probably more than the jerk earned! Btw, I don't like non diamond members in the lounge either. My course of action is to make sure the door closes behind me. If someone makes it in, I assume they belong.

No telling. Royal usually makes port as scheduled, but anything from weather and political instability to operational issues at the port can cause a port to be missed.

The amtrak thruway bus stops in downtown Houston. I dropped someone off there just a couple weeks ago and was surprised to see it actually continues to Galveston railway museum. This is across the street from the old terminal and about a mile from the current one.

I've done Alaska 3 times. Twice interior and once on a balcony. There's no denying that a balcony is better. However, it is frequently 2-3 times the price. I'd rather do 2 or 3 cruises on an interior than one in a balcony. In your case, it sounds like balcony isn't even an option. If that's true, then a cruise on an interior beats no cruise at all.

She was supposed to be amp'd back in 2020, but then... I haven't heard of a revised date yet. Even so, she's still a great ship!

I suppose it's possible, but this far in advance royal could have substituted Costa Maya instead of overnight in Cozumel.

I've qualified for 2 blocks so far. One arrived 6 months after I earned it. The other was 2 months. I kept calling to make sure it wasn't forgotten

On Liberty I remember them weighing people for the slides, especially the tidal wave. On Adventure they didn't. Neither ship has a sky pad.

I got it too! Ran out of my house in total fear that my neighborhood was sinking! Couldn't even find my life jacket. I did find my old rowboat though.

They're all sister ships so they are all very similar. @Matt just did a Podcast on Liberty that might be of help too. I've sailed on Liberty and Indy. I prefer Liberty because of the tidal wave slide. It's awesome! On the other hand, Matt prefers ships that have been amplified, so your opinion can and probably will vary!

Today I was looking around on Royal's website and I find 3 cruises with overnights in Cozumel. It appears that Royal really is looking at making overnights there a regular thing. Cruises I found were all on Voyager out of Galveston. Nov 13, 2023 Nov 27, 2023 Feb 5, 2024

I swear by air2sea. They've bailed me out of three tight spots so far, and it's the only way I fly now. As people have noted, there are some downsides. One the hasn't been noted. They use different fare schedules than travelocity, which are usually, but not always, slightly more expensive. Since the fares are refundable, price matching really doesn't happen.

I think you have the picture wide screen. Belize is building a new island with a dock to accept Oasis class ships. I'm not sure when it will be ready, but they've been working on it for quite a while. As far as Voyager leaving in April 2024, I wouldn't read too much in to that. I don't believe the 3-5 night itineraries have been announced past Spring 2024. I'm sure there will be shorter cruises out of Galveston, but we'll have to wait and see what ship(s) are involved.

Check your shore excursions section of the cruise planner. They usually have some type of excursion, usually a bus tour, that ends at the airport. These will handle your luggage too.

Please let me be sure I understand. You're looking for a ride from the cruise terminal to one of the Holiday Inns on the island on January 28, 2023. Is this correct?

Adventure is on a 5 night cruise. If memory serves, Royal hasn't had lobster on 5 night cruises for a long time. I remember one from 5 years ago when they did, but nothing post pandemic.

We do the same. Nothing fancy, but it gets the job done

In my experience, wifi calling from the ship hit and miss. It seems to depend on where you are sailing. I don't know why that would matter, but it usually works for me in the Gulf of Mexico near Galveston but not in the western Caribbean.

The freestyle machines dispense ice even if you don't have a drink package