LizzyBee23

Radiance from Galveston available to book this morning

I think this is an important point.  There are waaay more than 7 "unique" menus on the ships.  There are probably dozens.  Some have been semi-retired over the years but as far as I know, they still exist.
Many years ago, we happened to experience just how many different menus options there are.  For reasons that don't need to be described here, we went with one of the MDR managers into a closet where the paper menus live.  There were piles and piles of menus (it was actually a huge mess !!); many that I had never seen before.  So there is no shortage of options for different menus.  The limiting factor, of course, is whether or not the ship has the supplies/ingredients (and perhaps, talent) to prepare some of the less-well-known menus.  If the menus repeat over the course of a longer cruise, I would guess that it's b/c of the lack of resources (food and/or chefs familiar with their preparation) on the ship and NOT b/c they don't have any other options.

I've never been on a Radiance-class ship, but agree wholeheartedly with the NCL criticism. Some of the new 4-5 day itineraries fit into our long weekend schedule, so might try to score one for a weekend away without the kids and give it a go. NOLA is our can-go-on-a whim port after our recent move, so I have a feeling it won't be long!

I've never been on a Radiance-class ship, but agree wholeheartedly with the NCL criticism. Some of the new 4-5 day itineraries fit into our long weekend schedule, so might try to score one for a weekend away without the kids and give it a go. NOLA is our can-go-on-a whim port after our recent move, so I have a feeling it won't be long!

Yes, that's what we're booked on.  It may be a tough sell.  Personally, I'd prefer a Radiance-class Royal ship. The rooms and balconies on NCL are ridiculously small and it annoys me.

Isn't it still the Breakaway out of New Orleans? Might be a tough sell if they're not already committed to RCL.

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2022/03/21/royal-caribbean-redeploys-radiance-of-the-seas-new-orleans-galveston-2023

I am not a fan of Radiance class, but if it means I can sail out of NOLA I would do it...caveat the ports.   I really would want it to be port heavy instead of multiple sea days.
The other positive for that class is I find people are creature of habit.  Small size ships like that you make friends easier...i.e. Schooner bar for trivia...70s party, Solarium, casino, etc. Bc you all keep showing up at the same time.  Larger ships you have more activities to do, but the negative is they can't go to smaller ports.
 

What? Yes! So stoked. Wonder what the itineraries are going to look like.

Been reading the various posts but finally confirmation.

On symphony now  , feels like 2019, great vibe , lots of children. Doesn’t feel crowded so far. 

Exactly. You can parent-shame all you want once you get off of the ship and back to reality.  Cruises are for fun.

What I hope for that I do see is kids having fun being kids and their parents or guardians having unmasked fun and maybe meeting lifelong friends plain and simple I want smiles and laughter flowing from one end of the wonder to the other.  We all waited so long for these days to come.  

The mirror in my cabin
 

I get what you're saying, but as the parent of a special needs child, I ask you to consider that the child you perceive as misbehaving may actually be dysregulated due to a disability or special need you aren't aware of. They may be autistic, have adhd or anxiety, or another condition that may not be immediately visible to you. Royal Caribbean in particular is extremely autism friendly, so a lot of parents of autistic children choose to travel on RC. And while yes, some parents "don't parent", in the case of a special needs child, it can be extremely difficult to calm them or anticipate a trigger, especially in a new environment like a cruise ship. I'd also encourage you to look up "strategic ignoring" or "tactical ignoring", which is a recognized technic for eliminating bad behavior in children with or without special needs. Just because a parent isn't parenting their child the way you feel is appropriate doesn't mean they are not parenting in a way that a medical professional has advised them. And in response to your "if you can't parent your kids, don't take them out in public," I could just as easily say, "if you can't handle being around kids, you shouldn't cruise on a family friendly cruise line." There are cruise lines that cater to pretty much anyone, including those who don't want to deal with kids (ex. Virgin Voyages). It is your choice to choose a ship that caters to families with young children. Any family who is on that boat, who paid the same cruise fare you did (or likely more, given that accessible rooms and/or staterooms that hold more people tend to cost significantly more than two-person staterooms, as there are fewer of them on the ship) has the right to be there and enjoy their vacation, just as you do (and trust me, if a special needs child has a public meltdown, believe me that the parents likely are far more mortified and shaken by it than you are, even if they don't outwardly express it). And finally, I ask you to consider that families of children with disabilities and/or special needs, particularly autism, likely already feel stigmatized and isolated enough without reading comments like yours. And this should go without saying, but families of children with disabilities and special needs don't need to stay out of the public. They have every right to be there, just as you do. 

Thanks everyone. My 5yo niece is unvaxed and we were worried she should would have to wear something showing that like a second class citizen. Happy to hear sanity has returned!

I’m telling you. It really feels pre Covid on here other than the crew wearing masks and the occasional guest as well. Symphony is jamming right now with nary a perceived worry. Windjammer was blowing up this am. Pool deck is jumping. Lots of kiddies frolicking. I don’t sense any neurosis from adults being around the children. So Far just good vibes all around. Ok time for a Bloody Mary! Cheers!

Trying not to get too excited about our upcoming cruise... A lot could change in 2 months, but things like this give me hope that we really are almost back to normal on cruise ships. The one we're about to go on has been something like 3 years in the making now, too, so to have it be relatively normal would be just amazing.

Trying not to get too excited about our upcoming cruise... A lot could change in 2 months, but things like this give me hope that we really are almost back to normal on cruise ships. The one we're about to go on has been something like 3 years in the making now, too, so to have it be relatively normal would be just amazing.

Trying not to get too excited about our upcoming cruise... A lot could change in 2 months, but things like this give me hope that we really are almost back to normal on cruise ships. The one we're about to go on has been something like 3 years in the making now, too, so to have it be relatively normal would be just amazing.

Having just gotten up the courage, after much support from my teenaged daughters, to actually be brave enough to show my cancer scars in a bathing suit on my upcoming cruise, I'm just crossing my fingers that I don't show up as a "cringe-worthy" line item on this lovely list. 

Cringeworthy?
...folks that are so worried about other people.🥴🥺

Hey! I'm getting married on the Mariner of the Seas in July, and I have a few questions about the spa. I realize that I can get my hair done, but do they offer makeup services as well? I saw the spa packages but nothing for makeup. I would really appreciate any info!

And they should. The transit mask mandate is about to go by the way side.

And they should. The transit mask mandate is about to go by the way side.