Riley

She should like the Udon noodles with steak. It's a nice product and they use tenderloin.

Another thumb up for the udon noodles - they are really good.

Jumping in, Mallorca has - depending on which space you dock - the longest exit walk I've ever encountered.... but once you do finally leave the terminal there is a Hop On Hop Off stop directly across (small side) street that offers a good flexible tour.

Side note that could be important, depending on your heat tolerance - the odds are things are going to be HOT like, dangerously so; especially Greece and Turkey. Plan on bringing sunscreen, an umbrella for shade, cooling cloths or at least a washcloth from the ship to wet down for your face/neck, and as much water as you can carry.

In most states kids cannot physically sit at the bar - or be in the area without a parent/guardian present - but I'm going to guess RC decided it's too big a hassle to enforce that particular alcohol-based law...

With the status match I've booked our first two Celebrity cruises and looking forward to checking out the differences. I'm also eyeing MSC (yay, status match there!) and we might try NCL for a Northern European cruise in a couple of summers, as they go places the RCL folks do not.

Look at long-term parking options along the CTA Blue Line (the Rosemont and Cumberland stations charge $11 per day if you book online). Both lots are right off I-294 and you are just a stop or two from O'Hare.

You can cancel onboard up to 48 hours prior to the excursion, but they really mean that 48 hours.

*laughter*

How are you getting to the port? Car hire from the airport should make it simple. If you have mobility issues I would not recommend the train - there is a ~$3 shuttle from the station but it can be a LONG walk through Rome Termini station to the correct train.

Diamond level you get free drinks as well, which you can use for wine. if the per-glass cost is over the free drinks limit they charge you only that.... I drink a lot of $3 glasses of wine that way.

Yeah... your room steward will give you a corkscrew but it's one of those really cheap plastic ones, and they often don't really do the trick without massive struggle. Good corkscrews are often confiscated by TSA if you're flying, so it can be a pickle, but any liquor store (or Walgreens) sells decent corkscrews so in the past we have picked one up the night before, along with a couple bottles of wine. $10 well spent.

Vortex lounge and/or the dance halls. It is just not my style...

Just no tambourine shaking - I'm trying to sleep

Agreed! Once I'm on ship I'm RC's problem, but O'Hare is our home airport and I always book to fly out the night before; two nights in Winter and three nights (usually including the overnight flight itself) for Europe.

Have not done Altun Ha but the Chaccoben tour is lovely.

This is a fun thread! Jumping in late but we really like Cedarbrook Lodge near SEATAC and the Seattle Express shuttle from the Lodge to the terminal on departure day - they are awesome. If you have never flown through Charlotte hope for a good connection: the airport is laid out on a hub-and-spoke pattern where invariably I land at the very end of one spoke and have to get through the hub and all the way to the end of the opposite spoke to catch the next flight. It can be a 15 minute or more walk, moving briskly. We've only driven across the WA/BC border (friends and family on both sides) but the crossing can take a really long time so a short flight may indeed be your best option if the train won't work. Enjoy!

Years ago I had four young (mid-20s) guys on my team and after a big project finished I took them out to a celebratory lunch at the nearby Old Country Buffet. It was like watching the Vikings sack Rome....

The Dearly Beloved and I have both gotten the amenities when we have been in different cabins, so it may vary by ship. If the cabins don't each get an amenity ask Guest Services on board - they may send it up.

If they add Minnesota (I'm looking at you, Duluth!) I will be able to drive to port.

We stayed at Home2Suites by Hilton at the airport and really enjoyed it. Nice hotel with a free shuttle from the airport (Note: it's in a lousy location restaurants-wise so we bit the bullet and got dinner at the airport ahead of time... Newark has a surprisingly good "food court" option and we loaded up) and an easy cab ride to the port the next morning. If we go out of Bayonne I'll stay there again.

RCL also started paying its dividend again last week, which lowers cost basis over time.

Have been to Greenland on Jewel twice in two years and highly recommend it - yes the showers are tiny (if you drop the soap forget about it until you exit....) but the MDR is fine (note: "tenderloin" one Day 2 is pretty much the same as a Filet) and Greenland itself is amazing even when fogged in.

After you get on board stop by the main dining room (either deck four or five, ordinarily) and speak with the Maitre'D. They should be able to set you up with a "same time every day" option.

When asked where I'm from, I always say "Chicago" and get one of three responses: "Michael Jordan" "Mobsters" or "Blues Brothers!"