emmef

On 8/29/2023 at 7:37 PM, HelloWorld said:

Somehow, We got a killer deal on this cruise for a balcony mid ship cabin at 1/3 the price .  I've only sailed on the Navigator in an interior room...so...holy cow this will be a BIG step up. Someone prepare me! haha

Someone tell me, how is the weather in November? Also...

Any Gamers/Nerds from 25yrs - 40yrs that will be on the ship? We would love to meet up, and play a round of Card against Humanity/etc or geek out/talk crap about Anime/video Games!   (Heck maybe RC will be kind to us and let us have an HMDI port so that we can play some video games <3)

My husband (48) and teenage son (will be turning 15 onboard) are gamers.  There are gaming tournaments typically in the teen area of the ship, just FYI. There is usually a card room or a place on the ship that will host card games.  Caribbean weather in November is typically mild, only if there is an unusual cold front that reaches really far south does it ever get chilly in the Caribbean.  We have sailed a couple of times during November, and weather has been good and the water not cold but pleasant.

Neither Houston airport (IAH or Hobby) is close to Galveston Island.  You will need at the very minimum one hour and 15 minutes transit time between airport and the Island.  Can't stress enough that traffic can be a real factor.  I've lived in the Houston area for 30-plus years. If there is any way to fly in the day before, please do.

10 hours ago, Babsy47 said:

Look at USB travel kettles that look like a thermos.  The are easy to pack and can be used anywhere.  

And most likely not allowed as they are a fire hazard, this type of thing is often confiscated.  Ships are typically very cautious as fire is the biggest danger to any ship.  Easiest just to get free coffee/continental breakfast from room service. You tell them what time and they will bring you a carafe of coffee, decaf, or hot water for tea.

Looking in the app today (1 day until we board Voyager!!!)  and I see that my 5:30 Dining reservation has changed to "My Time Dining".  Anyone else have this happen?  Not really interested in MyTime for this cruise, since we plan to be in the MDR each night.

Em

6 hours ago, Grogu said:

Thanks!  I think it's a great idea to bring on the 12 cans.  I was hoping to avoid carrying more onto the ship, and since purchasing the DBP thought we could use the space in our luggage for other stuff, rather than soda, but we can make room.   Just wondering if you can bring on soda cans that you purchase at a port?    

Soda shouldn't go in your luggage. Carry it on during embarkation day. 

You can always just bring 12 cans of soda with you onto the ship and store them in your cooler (I don't like to call it a fridge, as it isn't very cold). That would definitely reduce your dependence on finding cans of soda at the bars.

My husband wears shorts all the time, even in the MDR. He is in a wheelchair and it is REALLY hard to get long pants on him. We just make sure that his shorts are clean, in good condition, and look nice.  We've never had an issue on any of our cruises.

19 hours ago, TXCoastPatriot said:

 Rockport, TX!

Glad to meet you  I have been to Rockport and it's a great little town. We hail from the Cypress, TX area (NW of Houston). I can't wait to get on the ship! Need that vacation.

We decided to pony up the money for the "North" parking lot next to the new Terminal 10. Unfortunately, all of the covered spaces were already sold out!

My family did Alaska Inside Passage last summer on the Ovation of the Seas (Quantum Class). We loved it and had very few issues getting around the ship with his motorized wheelchair.  His chair is big, and he cannot stand or walk so it basically has to go everywhere he goes.  We didn't have many problems at all in the Alaska ports like Fairbanks, Juneau, and Ketchikan.  Be sure to bring a rain poncho that will fit over the driver and the scooter in case it rains!  Bring along a portable charger for the scooter that is a big help too if you need it.   

We just charged the battery every night of the cruise, and for the most part my husband's chair was fine.  He had a bit of a battery drain going up steep slopes, but that is helped by either myself or my teenage son helping by pushing a bit on the back of the scooter like an engine assist. 

We did the train into the Klondike (White Pass Railway)in the Accessible Car and that was fabulous. They have a big lift that they will lift chairs/scooters on and you will park the scooter by a window to see all the great scenery.

If you haven't done Southern Carribean (Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire, etc.) I definitely recommend those ports as they are relatively accessible. Aruba and Curacao especially. Bonaire, since it is a protected natural area, is a lot less handicapped accessible.

1 hour ago, Scarlett625 said:

Completely flat and scooter friendly. The only issue was the gangway back onto the ship. It was very steep and drained the battery temporarily for both my husband's scooter and my sister-in-law's scooter halfway up. Both had different brands of scooters. I was able to push my husband up the rest of the way and run back to grab my SIL before she rolled back and took out the passengers behind her. We definitely laugh about it now that no one was hurt. 
 

@Scarlett625 you did it right, push a bit on the back of the scooter chair to help the motor of the scooter/chair to get up the ramp. That saves a ton of the battery power. My husband has sailed in a 3 wheel scooter and also in his newer motorized wheelchair.  Carpet and steep inclines do tend to do in the batteries if you don't help them along.

@CHRIS WONG  Royal released this video of the CREW areas on ICON!  They look amazing!   

On 10/30/2022 at 6:21 AM, TexanTwoStep said:

Really excited for this cruise!  I'll be bringing my son (14) for his first cruise and we scored a panoramic oceanview suite (floor to ceiling windows on the bow of the ship on deck 12!).

Look forward to meeing some people from the boards on this cruise!

Were you sailing in 1814 by any chance?  

@MikeCooksandTravels It's typically two "dress your best" nights.  Not mandatory, but fun to do.  It is usually the second and seventh night if I remember correctly.

Hot chocolate bar in your room?

@deep1

If you are in a Junior Suite you can do Coastal Kitchen dining for your nighttime meal if they have availability.  This perk is totally worth it.  The food in Coastal Kitchen is comparable, and sometimes better than, the Specialty restaurants!

Yes, you will get a robe in your room, probably also some complimentary bottled water and a coffeemaker in your room.

What are the Benefits of the Suites Program? | Royal Caribbean Cruises

Glass of wine with dinner, a special meal, a massage, souvenirs, coffee, the possibilities are numerous.

We use the continental breakfast option regularly.  We love to have hot coffee, tea, juice, fresh fruit and a muffin or bagel delivered. We are early risers, so usually have it delivered by 6:30. Even if we want to have a later breakfast in one of the dining rooms, we just order our coffee and tea through room service.  Last trip, on Ovation, we had to ask our room steward for door hangers, but normally they are in a drawer in your room or with the regular room service menu. We've ordered through the TV a few times as well. A great perk that everyone can use!

Royal Caribbean's Adventure Ocean children's program is an excellent option for toddlers when you want to have an adults-only dinner or go out later in the evening.  Take the tot to sign them up on the first day of the cruise.  The children's areas are staffed by caring adults who must have a college degree and some experience caring for children. They will feed, entertain, clothe, put them down for naps, etc.  I think they may call you or one of the parents to come change a diaper, but other than that you can reserve for blocks of several hours throughout the cruise. Details here Adventure Ocean | Kid Friendly Cruise | Royal Caribbean Cruises

@Jenn Greene I haven't been on a bad Holiday cruise yet!  We love sailing over Thanksgiving or Christmas.  We'll be on board Icon for my son's 15th birthday!  Royal does a great job helping us to celebrate.

@tonyfsu21 So excited to see the new ship.  All of us should do a Royal Caribbean Blog message boards meet-up!

-Emme

On 7/16/2023 at 5:05 PM, Bonzey said:

I am also going with my wife.  
 

Less than one month out, getting excited!

Glad to meet you Bonzey! Are you driving or flying to port?  We are driving, just prepaid parking last week. Excited to see the new Royal Caribbean terminal in Galveston.

E

Congratulations to Matt and Marissa, and as they say, "fair winds and following seas"!

Any cocktail that costs more than the value stated as included, you will simply pay the difference (if you want a Lava Flow with premium rum, simply pay the $3 difference in price).

@Markrich0726  a big group!  It's just me and my fam (3 of us).

Anyone else on this sailing?

Galveston, TX - Puerto Costa Maya - Cozumel, Mexico