cruise-y

I just posted this question on the main board. Should have looked here first. The last time I was in Jamaica was 13 years ago. I've been 5 times to many different locales but never to Falmouth. I've always loved the culture, food, ambiance and people, even if they were a bit aggressive at times. In fact, I've spent weeks there, traveling all over the island. Never bothered me a bit and I made some great friends. I don't know if things have changed in the last 13 years or not, maybe so. I have an excursion planned to Mystic Mountain in 2 weeks and I'm going to be bummed if it gets cancelled. I do not want to spend an extra day in over-commercialized Cozumel. Will RCCL notify me? I haven't heard anything.

As of today, some of the other boards are reporting that RCCL is pulling out of Falmouth. Does anyone have any insight on that?

If you have overlapping treatments, just tell them when you check in and they should accommodate you. Any good spa would do that; they want your business. As for tipping, RCCL adds 18% automatically. If you think the service was great you can add an additional 5% or 10% or whatever you want. In the past, I thought the spa folks kind of stood over me and watched while I signed, expecting me to add more, which kinda bummed me out. Not because I didn't want to do it, but because I thought it was pressure. I usually tip around 25% for land-based spa treatments, but it is because I want to, not because somebody is watching me and expecting it. In the RCCL case, I caved and was sorry afterwards, because the average treatment didn't warrant the extra amount I felt pressured to add. I finally learned to grow a backbone. When they are standing over me watching, I circle the 18% gratuity line before I sign to show that I recognize that they have already received a tip. If they don't put that pressure on me, I add a generous extra amount.

Bermuda is the northern-most Caribbean island and it is northern-most by a lot. I wouldn't swim there in mid April, but I live in Texas so I like it hot. Years ago my sister (who lives in northern Montana) and I were meeting in Paris in late February/early March. The forecast was mid 40's. When we discussed this, simultaneously, my sister said "OK, I'm not bringing a coat" while I said "I'm bringing a coat." So there you go.

I guess I'm the curmudgeon of the group, but I just don't get why you'd want to pay extra to eat a low-quality JR burger that you can eat at home any day of the week. There's too much good free food on the ship.

Everyone has different preferences. Brian probably likes the Western Caribe for great reasons, but personally that is my least favorite. The cruises always go to Cozumel, so it gets repetitive, and it's really commercialized and geared for partying. I agree with Tiny that the Southern is the most interesting, with out-of-the-way stops and unusual venues. The water and beaches are gorgeous. But again, it's all in what you want and everyone likes different things. The good thing about the Western is that you can leave from ports that are an easy drive from many states. No need for a flight. Flying nowadays is stressful, delayed, cramped and you risk losing your luggage. So we usually end up in the Western just to make it easier. We can leave the house at a more leisurely pace, take our time driving down and so on. And, there are great Mayan ruins in parts of the Western. Grubby, I'd give my right arm to be so close to so many different European stops. I guess the grass is always greener....

Well yes, I was speaking of Caribbean cruises. If you are in New England, it will be different of course.

This is a good question and actually I think it is a bit on the warmer side on purpose. If you're out lying by the pool, or out on the decks watching the ocean, or walking around the track, or playing miniature golf or rock climbing, you are probably a bit damp and dressed rather skimpily. You don't want to walk into an ice box to run to your room for something, or to grab a soda or a snack from the Windjammer. You are on a cruise, after all. It is more "office temperature" on the Promenade deck and in the lounges and dining rooms where you are fully dressed. I never remember feeling cold or hot, truthfully, and I always wear a sundress when I'm not in a bathing suit.

On our last RCCL cruise, we booked reservations for MTD every night at 8. Sometimes that wasn't convenient. Shore excursions or naps or spa time or we're-hungry-earlier-than-we-thought or we'd-like-to-see-this-show-at-7:30 or anything else for that matter often got in the way. When we arrived at 8, we were seated quickly but noticed a lot of empty tables around us. This time we're just going to go when we want (usually around 8) and see what happens. The My Time Dining website that Matt provided says the wait for a couples' 2-top shouldn't be that bad. With a same-time reservation every night, you get the same waitstaff. They probably treat you better but also expect an extra tip (over the 18%) at the end. Envelopes were left on our plates on the last night. With no reservations, I assume we'll get a different crew every night. That could be good or bad, not sure.

You can also call RCCI customer service (there's a number on their website) and they can make those changes for you. That will save you the time at the port and give you peace of mind that all is ok. You can even check back online and make sure those changes are in. I've called them for lots of changes (like shore excursions, spa times, etc.) and they are always very fast and helpful. Yes, it should be much easier to do these things online!

Has anyone done this tour? Would love to know some specifics. Thanks

Truly, Uber is great for your situation. You download the app and put in your credit card. When you want to use it, pull up the app and type in your destination. You are shown the rate (and a picture of your driver, his name and the make of car) and you can accept or decline. If you accept, a car is there in minutes. Super simple. Upon arrival, you hop out of the car and you are done. No paying the driver, no tipping. I know people who have never tried Uber might be afraid but I use them all the time (woman alone) and have never had any issues. Airport pickup happens in mere minutes. I've left hospitals at 3 in the morning and had a driver in minutes. It totally beats renting a car or waiting forever for a cab.

Actually, you haven't even begun to do the Caribbean. You've just done the baby Caribbean, especially with 2 private islands, Cozumel and a U.S. port. The Southern Caribe is where you'll find really exotic ports and the Eastern Caribe has some extremely beautiful (although fairly Americanized) locales. It depends on what you are looking for in itineraries. Hiking? Ancient Ruins? Shopping? Music? Interesting Food? Snorkeling? Waterfalls? Every island has something great to offer, IMO. I had one of the best nature hikes of my life on Dominica, enjoyed the most beautiful swimming cove on St. John, traveled to fabulous Mayan ruins in Belize, had a super high-end luncheon on St. Barts, did an informative sugar cane plantation/rum factory tour on Barbados..... I once took a smaller-ship cruise that left out of Granada (now that was an interesting port) and went to some amazing islands way off the beaten path. I never tire of the Caribbean.

If it's any consolation (which it shouldn't be, because constant website breakdowns for a company of this size are unforgivable), the more upscale Oceania website is even worse.

Yes, I think people dress a bit more formally on European and even Med cruises because formal wear just isn't comfy in warmer climes. But here's the deal: Please don't wear shorts, t-shirts and flip flops in the MDR at night. But also - do not feel compelled to EVER wear a tie or a tux. Or even a jacket if you don't want to. On RCCL, business casual is perfect for any night. In any clime.

FManke is right on. Collared shirts and Dockers are definitely OK for formal nights on RCCL.

This may sound obvious but if you plan to use your phone by your bed (in my case to read Kindle books at night) bring a long USB extension cord for your phone charger. There might not be an open plug right by your bed. If you are doing Caribbean shore excursions that involve walking along a wet, rocky area then bring water socks. You can't get by with flimsy flip flops. If you are planning to snorkel, invest in your own equipment. It's not that expensive, it doesn't take up that much room in your suitcase, and you really don't want to use a community snorkel because it's gross.

The last time I cruised RCCL (late 2015) I was issued a sea pass upon check in and it took maybe 15 seconds. They take your photo and the card is produced right there, almost instantly. I had already checked in online with all of my passport information.

I've never been on the Anthem, but the Solarium on other RCI ships has a covered area with lounge chairs and plexiglass walls looking out on the ocean. It's a great place to read or do a crossword puzzle and watch the rain pelt down on the water (while you are dry). One of the most relaxing days I ever spent at sea, and the least crowded. Walk down to the WJ, grab a buffet lunch and bring your plate back to your lounge chair. Have a fruity rum drink or two. Everyone else will be in the movie theater, ice skating, gambling, shopping or hovering around in the bars.

Probably nobody cares at this point, but I have eaten a lot of British bacon and it is really more like a cross between Canadian bacon and American bacon. It is like very thin, salty, dry ham but with some threads of fat. I like it much better than either American or Canadian bacon. I wouldn't compare it to a thin pork chop. I have seen it in the WJ on occasion. If you travel to Europe or South Africa it is the only bacon you will be served.

Case in point, I have two friends (one a sister) whose husbands-to-be told them their honeymoons would be surprises. Why they agreed to this I'll never know. They both packed for Hawaii. One went skiing to Colorado and one went to Europe. OK, both great trips but all the wrong clothes. Don't. Do. It.

A surprise upgrade is one thing, and that is what JLMoran is talking about. That's fine. But I'm going to use this opportunity to post here that no woman likes a total surprise trip. Ever. There's a lot of stuff that has to be taken care of around the house and office before a trip. I won't list it all for the uneducated. But it also includes proper packing. So don't even think about it. Ever.

Doc is right, I've only seen the soup in the MDR. But it was really good and I had 2 servings. I think it was on a cruise that stopped in Jamaica if I remember correctly. I fear these kinds of interesting things are going by the wayside.

I've done Sting Ray City in Grand Cayman (long ago) and I don't recall any of the rays having barbs on their tails. In fact, I remember noticing specifically that the barbs were missing and wondering if the tour organizers had pulled the barbs off. I realize this is open ocean and rays can come from anywhere, but that is my recollection. At any rate, I felt perfectly safe. My son was also young at the time (maybe 11 or 12) and he leaped right in. It isn't deep and really is a lot of fun. They are so over-fed they never bite/suction anyone. I put food right into a ray's mouth. Recommended. You will love it.

I love curry and always seek it out in the small side section where it is served in WJ. Alas, usually there is only one offering and very often it is veggie. I've found that cruises with lots of Brits have more curry dishes offered, in both the MDR and WJ. I also really like grilled tomatoes for breakfast. So.... you Brits come on down and get aboard Liberty sailing out of Galveston on July 16. I'm counting on you to save me from the mundane! I'll even eat your baked beans for breakfast, but not the blood sausage.