trainer.stan

Hi my name is Stan and I live in Canberra Australia.  I found the best way to holiday and that was cruising with RCI.

Coming soon...
http://www.kroooz-cams.com/quantum/quantum1.php

I want to see it sailing into Sydney Harbour.. :)
 
For me its the technology. The easy check-in, baggage tracking etc..

Hi, my name is Michael. I live in Oklahoma but am a proud Texan (irony I know!). My wife and I first cruised for our 4 month belated honeymoon Sept. of 2009 on the Enchantment. We were enchanted with the Enchantment. 5 years later we're finally able and going again August 31st aboard the Navigator.

My name is Theresia from Oregon. I went on my first cruise with RCCL last November on board of Allure of the Sea headed to Caribbean. I enjoyed it so much and decided to take another cruise which will go to Eastern Mediterranean/Greek Isle on June 16th, 2014 on board Serenade of the Seas. This time the ship is much smaller that Allure of the Seas and there is not much entertainment on board, but the shore excursions are the highlight of this cruise. And this time I plan to take shore excursions in all ports that the ship will docked.

Hello, I am Jason from Texas. After working in Galveston for almost five years and watch the ships come and go I finally booked my first cruise to spend my honeymoon on. I am going on a seven day on the Navigator of the Sea. I am hoping to learn a few thing from the experienced cruisers here.

Hi - I have been cruising along since 1989, mostly with RCCL - most recent was May 2014 on Allure of the Seas.
 
If there is anything that I can help with, i.e. new cruisers, etc - feel free to ask.
 
I am a dad of a wonderful 19-yr old special needs young man, a retired police officer, and a battler of cancer (which I find that cruises are therapeutic). 
 
I have stayed in an assortment of staterooms from Jr. Suites on down. I prefer balcony on most cruises and am currently a C&A Platinum member about to be raised to Emerald - with my in-laws at Diamond, I am trying to catch up with them as fast as I can. 

Just booked another B2B.. Explorer OTS Repositioning Cruise Singapore to Perth, then Perth to Sydney via NZ South Island (26 Nights in total)... Bring on 2015 :)

If you're a frequent Royal Caribbean cruiser, then there is no doubt that a dish you loved is probably no longer on the menu. For me, it was the Blue Cheese Tortellini. Served in the MDR, I had this on Liberty in 2008 and Freedom in 2010. Rich and full of flavor, cheese tortellini topped with a cream sauce and crumbled, melted blue cheese.
 

Blue Cheese Tortellini MDR

Post your food photos here! If you haven't noticed I enjoy food, especially dessert. Well, okay I really enjoy tiramisu.
 
If you're sailing on a Royal Caribbean ship that has a Portofino specialty restaurant, you should really have dinner there. Each year the number of ships that have Portofino goes down as they are converted to Giovanni's Table. Giovanni's is good, but serves more casual Italian cuisine family style. Where Portofino is a fine Italian dining experience.
 

Tiramisu Portfino, in an edible chocolate cup. From Matt's Portofino reivew, found here: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2013/03/12/restaurant-review-portofino
I love this photo Matt, you've got mad photog skills.
 
On the hunt: Tiramisu is served in other locations onboard. Italian night in the MDR offers tiramisu on the dessert menu. Although it lacks in presentation when compared to the Portofino version, it is still good. Giovanni's Table also serves tiramisu which is made in a large tray and scooped onto a plate. Again, not as fancy, but good. Sorrento's Pizzeria also has a number of dessert cups which include a tiramisu dessert cup. It is a must try portable version. You won't be disappointed.
 
 

Tartufo al Cioccolato Portofino: Presentation is key with the desserts at Portofino. This is good, but I'm biased and nothing will overrule the tiramisu for me. Photo credit: RCLBlog member Marc
 

Portofino also has a great bread basket and selection of tapenade for spreading. Royal Caribbean serves kalamata olive tapenade in Portofino as well as in the MDR when lunch is served.
 

Passion Fruit Mousse Chops Grille, light and refreshing.
 

Chops also serves a number of heavier desserts like NYC Cheesecake and Chocolate Mud Pie, both pictured above. There's something guaranteed to suit your fancy on the Chops Grille dessert menu.
 
Now, don't just go to Chops or Portofino for dessert. The food is excellent at both. Even if you don't eat steak, Chops has chicken and the side dishes (served family style) are amazing as well. You'll find everything from steak, chicken, seafood, and pasta at Portofino.

Oh man that looks perfect!

Rekkie point that RC INTERNATIONAL is the point. Let's buy a ticket, fly to Hong Kong, enjoy Quantum, enjoy the World. It will be a uniquely different World experience than FLL & 7 days Western.

Hey all! I'm Stacy and love everything Disney but when I'm not doing Disney I'm planning a Royal Caribbean cruise.  I've only sailed once on RCCL - FOS but I have 2 cruises booked right now: Indy in Nov '14 and FOS Mar '15. I've been enjoying the podcasts, gathering the tips/tricks, and getting excited for the cruises!

Hello friends of RCCL, my name is Dirk and I am from Cologne / Germany. I did my first cruise with Royal C. back in 2012 when my wife Claudia and I sailed on the Mariner in the East Mediterranean Sea. Now we are looking forward to cross the atlantic on board of the Serenade (from New Orleans to Barcelona) in April  :)

Being that it is Royal Caribbean International I am very happy to see them mixing it up finally and sending their premier ships to all corners of the world and not just the USA. Great decision for cruisers, great decision for RCI and I look forward to maybe one of these beauties visits Australia in the near future.

Next year will be our third year in a row sailing on Independence of the Seas for spring break. It also marks a milestone birthday for my friend with whom I've been cruising.
 
Last year, we had the Ben & Jerry's "Sweet" which was fun. For those who don't know, it's a unique Promenade cabin (6305) that's above the Ben & Jerry's shop on the Royal Promenade. It's only on the Freedom class ships.
 
Because of the cows that overlook the shop on the Royal Promenade, you have an obstructed view from the cabin's window that overlooks the Royal Promenade (you get to look at cow butts!). In exchange, you get a room that's decorated in a cow theme, free Ben & Jerry's ice cream for the cruise, plus access to the "Cow-cierge" Lounge.
 
I'm glad that we managed to get it again next year. It's a lot of fun, and Concierge Lounge access is pretty cool, too.
 
You can see a YouTube video tour of the cabin that I made last year here: Ben & Jerry's "Sweet" - Independence of the Seas (March 2013).

OMG I love Izumi.....on our last cruise we ate there 6 times hahahaha Addicted very, but you're hard pressed to find anything comparable on land.

Thanks Stan it was wonderful. Unfortunately it ended way too soon.

The dress code isnt enforced regularly so you will see someone wearing shorts one night whereas on another night someone wearing shorts would be denied entry to the MDR. The inconsistencies are frustrating.

Just thought Id post links to our photos for the cruise we just did. It was a 33 night circumnavigation of Australia. The cruise also took in New Zealands South Island and Bali.
 
Bottom End (17 Nights)
Sydney - Picton - Wellington - Akaroa - Dunedin - Dusky/Doubtful/Milford Sounds - Melbourne - Adelaide - Esperance - Albany - Perth
Gallery
 
Top End (16 Nights)
Perth - Geraldton - Port Hedland - Benoa - Darwin - Airlie Beach - Brisbane - Sydney
Gallery
 
The photos are best viewed in full screen mode... 
 
2 Ports were missed
 
Admins: If this isn't the best place to post this feel free to move it.

Okay so there have been several rumours about the Australian Market. Id like to know if anyone else has heard anything about what ships will be based here in the future.
 
Rhapsody is heading off to the middle east, that's already in the pipeline. (not a rumour)
 
- A freedom class ship will be based in Australia
- Radiance of the seas will not return after the 2014/2015 season and will be sent to Europe
- Anthem/Quantum 3 will be based in Sydney
 
These 3 rumours seem to be floating around, does anyone know if there is any truth to any of them? Have your heard anything similar?

My name is bob. I'm from central new York state. I'm a big fan of rccl, and am looking forward to time on the Vision on April 29th - May 3rd!

Hello!  My name is Angela and I am booked on my first RCCL cruise for this October on Freedom of the Seas!!  It will be me, hubby, our two boys (ages 11 & 14) and a daughter (age 7) .  I'm a life long Disney fan and this will be our first non-Disney family vacation in 14 years!!  We've done 2 cruises on DCL and lots of trips to WDW!  Can't wait to learn more about RCCL from all the experts here :)

Hey! I've been reading this blog for months and I'm excited to be a member. We are from Alabama and our upcoming cruise on the Allure will be our 15th with Royal Caribbean. I look forward to getting to know everybody better and keeping up on the latest news. :)

Hello fellow cruisers. My name is Jim? I live just north of Dallas TX. I have cruised a couple of times before. Both times were with Carnival. I will be making my first RC voyage this Sunday, February 9th on the Navigator Of The Seas. Have heard many good things from friends that are very frequent RC cruisers, and can't wait to experience it for myself. My wife has one RC cruise under her belt. It was a cruise with her family when she was just 16. Our daughter will be joining us this weekend for her first cruise, and just happens to be 16 like my wife on her first cruise.
 
Hope to meet some of you on future cruises.