Jerel

That's a better way of handling things. When it happend to us our bag just didn't show, we had to ask around just to find it. When we got sent to the room they were supervising the owners dig through their bags for them, saying they won't touch them. I like your experience better, in most cases it was just water and a waste of cruisers time.

You can take on as many bags as you like, just keep in mind you will be handling them untill you get your room at about 1:00. And in order to be 'carry on' they have to fit through the scanner at security. Never pack your wine, always take it in your carry on bags. If you pack any liquids you will need to go to the 'naughty room' to open your bag in front of them and verify it's not alcohol (besides your 2). They won't open your bag without you, they'll make you come down and do it in front of them. The garment bag they will take care of, no need to drag that around. Personally I'd tip the porter to make sure it gets handled well.

Also make sure to check out the podcasts, link at top of screen. Great for the drive to work, or if your too lazy to research online it's nice to have the option of just listening. I'm sure there is one about the Independence, if not there is many on the different aspects of cruising.

Or that Saint John is so boring that it doesn't even register on a map.

Good point about including experience for credibility. Next time I'll tell them I'm a Insider and I know Matt Hochberg, lol.

I don't like the thought of a bribe tip either. Although I'm guilty of it, that or guilt is my main reason for tipping. If a bar is busy I'll tip in order to be able to get his attention next time, Total bribe. If my waiter is just ok I'll still tip just because I don't want to be 'that guy'. I do tip because I'm amazed at the service, it's just rare, normally it's guilt or bribe. Personally I believe the best way to tip is to give them a wow card or really talk them up in you survey through Royal. My last cruise I was really impressed with the eagerness of my assistant waiter so I typed up a long statement on how she impressed me and on how it improved my cruise. I can only hope these things go on to help their career.

My plan is to always keep Febuarys clear for group cruises, that way my scheduling doesn't get screwed up when Matt announces one. That said, I think some folk would like February moved to March break for the families. If that happens I don't know what to do, I'm a winter cruiser and March is almost spring here. May need to move to September group cruising, but then again thats the end of the summer. Life is so hard!!!

I did this for Mason befor and can say he payed for the model and postage very quickly, no funny business. It would be great to see his impressive collection be complete. I'm going on Anthem on Dec 9th, then on the Navigator mid Febuary. I'll drop a line just in case you haven't gotten any by then.

On a side not I'd like to see them go ferther with this technology. Maybe tracking the movements of all cruisers to see what areas of the ship are utilized and what ones arnt, or analyze how well crowds disperse after a show. I think a no brainer would be to be able to track if someone went overboard, and if so being able to track them in the ocean would help find them. I think cruising is safe but the possibility of these bracelets making it safer is there.

Just wanted to jump in and recomend one of Matt's podcasts that was really good (arnt they all), it did a good job of comparing Disney to Royal. http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/podcast/episode-50-royal-caribbean-versus-disney-cruise-line

Another thing to keep in mind about Royal is their entertainment is amazing. They take the shows very seriously and do a good job on all ships. But the Quantum and Oasis class have state of the art venues capable of some extra special shows, like the Aqua Theater or Two70. Also these class of ships sure will WOW the kids, yourself too.

MEI is the travel agency that runs the group cruises for this blog/message board. Good advice though if your organizing your own group.

When I did the blog group cruise back in febuary there were 4 MEI agents in total on board, althouh I think 2 were there mainly to learn about Royal. It doesn't matter if John is there or not you will have a team of agents at your disposal. I was really impressed with Annette and the other agents, they were always working and never on 'vacation'.

#2 Many times on cruises they offer excursions after you disembark, they will take you and your luggage around town then drop you off at the airport. This may be a good option for you. In my case it was a very good price for the tour, especially considering the fact it's a ride to the airport with bags.

Just to add... At 150 they serve an amazing cucumber martini, you gotsta try it. My package covered me for drinks upto $12, because the drink was $13 I got a $1 charge on my card.

I hear they are on Anthem at cafe Two70, can't wait. I recomend trying a few with their horseradish, also good.

I'm on the Anthem in december aswell (9th). I haven't tried dynamic yet so I don't know what I'm missing. Classic would of been our option though, we like having the same wait staff. One thing I tend to gripe about that I'm going to do again now is not having a traditional dining room. I like the large grand looking dining room with the large chandelier, open traditional concept. I was very disappointed on the Allure to have it broken up into sub dining rooms, it just felt like I was in a restaurant and not a dining room. I associate the large 'dining room' with cruising, not restaurants. Without having that experience I'd rather just go to the windjammer, their food is good for diner and we can do it when ever we want. Without that experience we love I don't see the point in spending over a hour to eat.

I'm a very schedule oriented person, always in a rush trying to make good time. Not on a cruise though, I can sleep in (still don't though) and get up and do what ever we want, no worries. I can't say the same about land vacations. We tend to have rented cars (no drinking) and a list of things to do and see. If we wanted to plan a lot of things to do on a cruise we could, but prefer not to. Gotta take it slow.

The worst place for being pushy is the straw market, they out right BEG you to buy. Even getting mad at us for ignoring them. Funny thing was they all sell the same stuff. When we were in Nassau we took a cab tour for cheap, they will give a high quote but can be talked down easily. He took us to a few nice areas but for us the highlight was the poor areas. I know that sounds bad but it was very eye opening. These people were in a real bad spot, garbage piled many feet high on the street, people with buckets lining up to get water from a dribbling tap. The driver explained in detail how the people get nothing from the government. Garbage collection very rarely, very low hourly rate with expensive gas and milk. The things he said in the ways people get the shaft was amazing, especially considering the wealth of city. They make massive amounts of money off of cruise ships and tourism (home base for Royal) without giving essential services to their people... Paradise island looks nice though. After that tour I can totally understand why sellers are so pushy. If I were in their position watching happy rich people on vacation, I may resort to begging to buy aswell.

We went with the Ramada for our December cruise at 109 CAD, so it should be well under 100 USD. Like you we will have to take a cab or Uber though. I'm guessing it will be around a 40 dollar cab ride, less for Uber. The thing I like is its at the airport pretty much, so we won't have far to go. I realize what iv said helps you in no way, just felt like sharing.

Uber is an app on a phone (or tablet) where you can order a ride from a average Joe. You pay through the app so no cash changes hands. I believe you can even track the car through the app on a map, and also get a phone number of the driver if needed.

I haven't tried it but just looked it up, I aswell would be interested in what people thought of it. They sure seem to pack in lots of activities, I can see how it could be overwhelming. Very reasonable price though, considering all that's included. http://www.royalcaribbean.com/shoreExcursions/product/detail/view.do?sourcePage=shorexByPort&ProductCode=FYE4&DestinationCode=

I love swimming at night and do it often. No one around, no sun burns and cool neon lights everywhere. I don't really think you need a adult pool (solarium), the main pool is normally dead. Hot tubs may have a few people but not much if any. I'm normally asleep at 10 so I can't really say how late it is open, but I would guess very late.

It may be worth wile asking the opinion of a travel agent. Royal can be very acomidating to people with needs, not sure why they arnt here. A agent may know better what channels to take. I'd be concerned about the muster drill aswell, if your muster point is on deck it can get very hot and crowded, they pack you in tight. I'd try and get them a indoors muster point, like the theater.

Makes sence to me, in order to make the packages worth wile. As it stands right now I can't even justify the soda package. Im not a pop drinker but i enjoyed the options, i probably never got my moneys worth but i didnt mind. My cruise in december I'm going with no package and seeing how it goes. I'll just bring a refillable bottle to fill with water, lemonade and such. I'll live. I wouldn't be suprised if more people go cold turkey, this cold be the shove they need.