WAAAYTOOO

...tourists with FOOD !

Welcome aboard, Jen !

She might be needing a staff of her own by now !

Yes, they do. The upcoming Brilliance Group Cruise to New England and Canada is the most money I've ever paid for an Owner's Suite !

+1 except replace "often" with "never" (and remove "no").

A couple of years ago on Grandeur we found the entire dresser drawers full of the last occupants' underthings. Not only does it show that the last tenants were either in a huge hurry or just not very good (or experienced) packers but it also showed that the room attendant didn't do his/her job in prepping the room for the next occupant. While I can so sympathize with you over the loss of a dear belonging, I would not hold out hope of recovering it, unfortunately. I feel sure that there is a "procedure" for things left behind but I don't know how effective it really is. The NAV lost an entire suitcase of ours which was never recovered. Of course, there's always the possibility that it was taken by accident or not by accident. Good luck !

The early morning and late evening flights out on Saturdays and Sundays (in particular) are usually priced lower than the ones that leave between 11:00 - 2:00. That's not a coincidence. The airlines know that a cruiser is unlikely to be able to make a very early morning flight and not inclined to wait around all day for a late afternoon or evening flight. That is why those "sweet spot" flights are so pricey. Could you do it ? Probably. Should you do it ? I wouldn't. I try and get my flights out - even at the really easy access airports (FLL, MIA) - between noon and 2:00 even if they cost more money. I am not great under pressure. I tend to turn into a real biatch (NO responses are necessary !). ?

I noticed that the excursion I purchased on Curacao for Freedom in April wasn't on the CP anymore. I just assumed that it had sold out but it seems highly unlikely that 5 of yours have coincidentally sold out. Hmmm...that does seem bizarre. Your thesis seems as likely as any. Probably just don't want you cancelling and rebooking. But then, it seems highly unlikely that Royal IT could figure out how to do that....sounds a little complex for them... That Curacao excursion is the only one that I have booked through Royal at the moment. The one I have for Aruba is a Resort for a Day booking. I guess the only way to check your thesis would be to ask someone on your Roll Call to check and see if they are able to view one of the excursions you have booked (but they have not).

I do believe that I have read that if you do the 2 room option and you book 1 adult in each of the rooms then you can get around the "everyone over 21 must purchase the drinks" rule.

I was wondering the same thing a couple of days ago.

Build up that resistance !! Good job !

It also depends on with whom you are vacationing, IMO. With just Dan and me, we will always choose a cruise. It is a perfect fit for the way we like to vacation. However, we often travel with friends who don't particularly care for cruises. Believe it or not, those people DO exist ! One of my girlfriends is deathly afraid of water. So in cases where we are vacationing with them, we will do land vacays and we always have a great time. We have vacationed with family members who have small children and it is often much easier for that group to stay on the land. Over the years I have decided that I love Jamaica as a cruise destination but it is probably the last place I would choose for an all-inclusive b/c it seems as if you are truly a prisoner on the resort. Of course you CAN venture out but I have never been comfortable roaming about in Jamaica. I don't do it on a cruise either. Of course, the resort LOVES it if you stay put on their property but I like to be able to get out and see something new so we have decided that the all-inclusive option in Jamaica just isn't our thing. We have done a number of all-inclusives in Mexico that we truly enjoyed but things aren't as great in Mexico anymore either....even on the east coast of Mexico which used to be much safer.

I LOVE champagne (the real stuff) but it gives me a terrible headache.

I got a new comp casino offer in email today-the “summer sizzzle” offer. We chose the 4 night NAV. Sailing for 7-1. Normally we do not do flyaway cruises for less than 7 nights but b/c this one was over the 4th of July and only requires 1day of vacation, we decided to go for it. We will once again fly in the day of the cruise (Ill-advised) but it will add to the excitement or anxiety or both. The offer was for a balcony but we upgraded to a Grand Suite. I had been reading that the summer sizzle offer was complimentary for the first person and the second person got a casino rate. That always seemed unlikely to me as I have never heard of any casino offer being for just 1 person. I’m happy to report that it is not true. The summer sizzle is for 2 people just as all casino comp cruises have always been.

TMI ALERT ! ??

Thanks for the closer look at Star Class from down under.

Sky class is availabile only on Oasis and Quantom Class ship. With Sky Class you get complimentary Voom internet, all day access to Coastal Kitchen, complimentary luggage valet (where it’s available), access to either the Suites Lounge or Concierge lounge (depending on the ship), priority security line and ship check in, access to Concierge service. I’m sure I’m forgetting something. Obviously your stateroom will be larger and usually more centrally located. You will also get priority for seating at My Time Dining when you don’t have a reservation. You will get priority access for ship disembarkation and a special reserved seating are in the entertainment venues.

I've had the same experience as Twangster. If we deviated at all from the original route, I was asked to modify the route. As I recall, the driver (this was in Bayonne) said, "I'm new at this job and I don't want to lose it".

Dan and I are already talking about doing Azamara to Antarctica. We sailed with a lady on Grandeur a couple of years ago who sails Azamara regularly and she raved about the Antarctica itineraries. She told us about standing next to an Ambassador Penguin in the Falkland Islands and Dan has never forgotten that....

I LOVE that you went to the MDR. I regret that we did not when we were on our Anthem B2B. As you say, once you have memorized the menus, it's time to try something new. You had the guts to do it. Good for you. I am going to do it though, when we do our B2B on Anthem next year.

I agree, Matt. I think it's almost a kind of psychological thing. I do not mind walking down the Promenade at all....but walking the same distance down a narrow hallway is pure torture.

Can't wait !!

There is only 1 down side to using casino discounts or upgrading a casino offer....you must pay the FULL amount at the time that you book a free cruise (which is only taxes and port fees if you do not upgrade it) or upgrade a casino offer. So while you're getting a GREAT deal, you will have to cough up the full balance up front. I actually prefer to pay off my cruises on a monthly basis so putting out the full amount up front stings just a little bit...BUT it's paid in full and I don't have to worry about it again after that.

Are you at least a Prime tier level with Club Royale ? If you are, you are exempt from paying the 5% "convenience" fee and can get $$ on your Sea Pass card at the casino. I know nothing at all about the gift card(s) so I'm no help to you there. Sorry. If you are NOT a Prime or higher member of CR then (aside from the gift card idea, of which I have no information), I'm afraid cash or opening a line of credit with CR would be your only options. If you do not know whether or not you are a Prime tier level, call Club Royale and ask. 888-561-2234

I’ve noticed the same thing. I think they are pushing the UDP. 5 nights was perfect for us as Dan always wants the lamb shank. I haven’t seen a 5 night plan in a while.