Jerel

Thanks for the pics, looks like a great place to relax. I'll definitely head out that way next time I go.

We had a real easy time in Canaveral. Stayed at the Radisson (affordable), lots of stuff around with a shuttle included, descent pool too. Good eats in the area. If you have the time to go another day earlier, the Kennedy Space Center is amazing. It took us a full day to do some launch pad tours and check out the exhibits, Atlantis was super cool. Even if your not that into space it's a must IMO. We rented a car for cheap a short walk from the hotel but there may be easier ways to get there.

Number 5 on the above list has some awesome food. If it were me I'd go to Fenway to watch the Red Sox loose, they also have some great tours for cheap. Even if your not into baseball it's worth doing.

They definitely look like they are having fun with it.

Spend a sunday morning watching cruise videos? No problem. I watched the first one and liked it, id call it a fun video.

Not a bad app, it been playing with it a bit today

My wife is into magnets too, even if we don't explore the island we have to at least go find a magnet. We also like the RC coffee mugs with the ships on them. For me getting a model is a must, I also like the souvenir glasses.

I read the title and knew exactly what you were going to ask, I too love my models. I'm going on the Independence in November, shipping might be a bit but I can send one for cost. I'll touch base before the cruise just to make sure you still need one. Too bad you didn't post earlier, a forum member is on the Indy now, and he lives in San Fran I believe.

I agree, the same thing happened to my wife. But Don raised a good point, you'll have to carry it around the ship for the day. Not Sure if that's worth it either.

The days leading up I don't think of the cruise much, way to frantic getting all my ducks in a row. Long days at work, preparing the house, getting the pets taken care of, making sure I got everything packed. I'm pretty frantic up until I have a coffee in my hand and am on the way to the airport, nothing left to worry about, aahhh...peace.

The Canadian dollar isn't helping. This time last year we were low 90's, now we're around 77 cents. Not the best time to be spending USD. We try to book long in advance to save money, it helps on flights too. It's still expensive though. This year we broke down and booked on short notice (for us) and seen a big difference. Paid 1300 CAD (for both of us) for 5 nights on Independence and 575 CAD pp for flights (wanted to save our points). We were very lucky to find those flights, most were very expensive. So all and all we ended up paying around 2500 for 5 nights, plus hotel for night before. We would of done much better if we booked 10 months in advance and kept an eye on deals. It does make you question if its worth it. Although I still find Royal a good value, when you add it all up (flight n hotel) I gets a bit much. But let's face it, it is a kick a$$ vacation. Staying in a hotel and paying for food for 5-7 days isn't cheap either, and not nearly as much fun. My problem is 'real life', it's getting way too expensive. Stuff keeps popping up all over the place and we're in the middle of much needed reno's right now (that will take a loong time to pay off). We even thought of cancelling a cruise, but screw that. I need something to keep me going, 'real life' doesn't cut it.

I'm paranoid about the treatment and prompt delivery of my luggage so I give 10 bucks in total. To me that's allot but they have me over a barrel, those are my bags! I didn't even know you should tip until they asked for it, how can you say no? Knowing my luck they'd deliver it late or kick it down the hall.

My wife wasn't too sick but was uncomfortable at times. We bought some drops (on ship $) that you put behind you ear. Sounds weird but she said it helped a lot, 'Motion ease' I believe, natural oils. I Herd people with problems get a prescription from doctor pretty easily, I'd do that just to have your bases covered.

Does this mean I can take a bottle from home and the main dinning room will take care of it for me? Much like when you buy one and they have that bottle held for you every night till its gone.

It might work if you carried on your bottles and packed the 'extras' in your luggage, but that's a big maybe.Last time I carried mine on while my wife packed hers, my luggage came on time while hers didn't. Because the x-rays picked up a bottle in her bag she had to go down and open it in front of the staff, there were many cruisers doing the same thing. I learned never to pack my liquids, even if they are legal you will have to go down and prove it, they won't open your bag and check it without you present. That said If you were willing to go threw that hassle, I doubt they would know you packed two bottles and carried on two, you go on board separate from your luggage.

Ok ok, now I want on the list. Nov 07/2015 Independence Feb 21/2016 Allure Nov 28/2016 Majesty Feb 18/2016 Harmony

Woohoo, waterslides!!! Its a no brainer really, I cant believe Royal took this long. My inner child likes water slides more than Broadway style musicals.

I cant believe I read the whole thing! You sure put up some long posts CelebrationFlCruiser. Im not complaining though, you raised some good points, im glad you took the time. Tipping is a age old debate that isnt going away anytime soon. In general im always contemplating whether or not to tip, many times I dont think I should and many times I do. Im not a fan of mandatory tipping, but I have to admit on a cruise ship I dont mind it, for a few reasons. First of all, tipping gives me a bit of anxiety. I never know if I should and I feel bad if I dont. I really dont want to feel that way on vacation, I like knowing they are tipped when they do me a favor. The last thing I want is a pocket full of ones and fives dishing them out whenever someone does something nice for me. If someone answers a question in detail or points me in the right direction I dont want to think they are fishing for a tip. With mandatory tipping I know they are not. Truth is those people would never get tips otherwise, only the room attendants and servers would. Good service comes from many areas, not just servers. I like to know there taking care of too. We can debate whether or not we are paying their wages, maybe we are. Iv always wondered what they get paid, I doubt much. Especially considering they spend months from home (low income countries) sending their family's home money. Tips are probably a large part of their income, but one way or another were going to have to pay their wages, whether its tips or higher fares. Atleast this way I dont have to worry about tipping them. I also doubt this enables poor service to go unseen. Iv always been impressed with the job they do, im sure they weed out the bad ones eventually. Someone at Royal told me once that if a employee is faking happy or just putting on a smile and playing the role, they wont last, you have to genuinely enjoy your job and be naturally polite to survive. I can believe that, in my past couple cruises they have gone above and beyond, its gotta be genuine. Like I said above, it tips were not mandatory only servers and RA's would get them. For me its the service from the little guy that leaves you feeling well taken care of. The last thing I want to do is dish out cash to everyone that I think should get it, this way I know they already did. After all a vacation should be worry free. Although I disagreed it doesnt mean I dont agree with much of what you said, just a different way of looking at it I guess.

I guess im indifferent, mainly because I havent tried dynamic dining. I was looking forward to it on the Harmony just to see what its like, but oh well, I like the MDR experience.

I cant say, but I do know they had a BOGOHO back in March when we booked. I remember because we had to get a balcony to qualify for the cheaper drink package. Sometimes I think us inside cabin people get the shaft.

Thanks for laying everything out so clearly, iv never seen Royal do that :) I wish I knew of half of them.

When I shop at Royal I put my country in at the top of the screen and then get everything in Canadian dollars, saves me from doing the math. I know thats probably not your problem but wanted to mention it, took me a bit to find it. The falling dollar can really hurt when buying internationally, it sucks. My guess is Royal still would hold its own compared to other lines, the low dollar would effect everyone. But you know this and are sticking with Royal. As for the no responses, its a really small forum, my guess is not many people are familiar with the Australian cruise lines. I like the small size of this place but there are some drawbacks.

Congrats on making it that far, thats allot of trips, they should be throwing you a party.

Got a t-shirt heading my way :) Going to add it to my cruise attire. Next will be a hoody, waaay too hot to be thinking of that now though.

That would be my buddy Ceaser at boatyard beach in Barbados.