RoyalLaker

2/2004 I was on the Mariner we skipped Labadee because of the political protest and ended up in Nassau instead. 

RCI pays Haiti a tax on each person who visits Labadee, So I'm assuming a small refund of the port tax will show up on his/her seapass account for missing the port. 

Happy New Year! 

Happy New Year! 

Ya they can bring Mariner of the seas back to La any time. She would be a perfect ship to Sail to Hawaii from LA. 

I would like to see RCI return to California and sail to Hawaii, Mexico, South America, Pacific Northwest, and Alaska from Los Angeles, Sand Diego and San Francisco as homeports. :)

Less than a year! 3 more months and I'll be looking at purchasing my airline tickets. I'm not to sure about a red eye the night before the cruise or fly in a full 48 hours before the Cruise :unsure:  :unsure: ? First round is on me Matt!

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).

As you probably read, Explorer of the Seas is going to the UK in 2015.  
 
I emailed my Royal Caribbean PR rep about the move and if it had anything to do with Adventure of the Seas' recent propulsion issues.  
 
Their response was....
 
Sounds to me like there's something else to be announced.  
 
Thing is, Adventure and Explorer are both Voyager class ships and both will have been refurbished by summer 2015.  So why would Explorer have to replace Adventure?
 
In the words of Yoda, meditate on this, I will.

As you may or may not know, we are organizing a group cruise for readers of this blog & listeners of this podcast aboard the brand-spanking-new Quantum of the Seas for March 21, 2015!
 
Please head on over to our Group Cruise Information Page to get more info and how to book!
 
We also have a Facebook Event page so we can start putting faces to names and "meeting" all our new friends before we step onboard!

Jewel Pac Coast is on RCI & others web sites -- Sep 26 & Oct 3 2015, 7 nights with overnight in SF. $599 Inside.

Waiting on the wife to verfiy a date.
 
Try flowers and chocaltes or jewelry always works.

Will look into it Matt, see what we can do.

You ought to move your 2015 cruise up one week and join us for the group cruise!

Transportation is always usually charged per person. There will be large vans too. You can always arrange in advance transportation for a larger group. Lots of limo type transportation companies will pick you up at the port. Many have small buses, vans, limos, etc.
 
The Hyatt House transportation was a small bus. If your group all plans on staying at the same hotel, I would recommend the Hyatt House. It offers 1 and 2 bedroom suites. Each bedroom has their own bathroom. It was very convenient for my group of 10 and was cheaper since I only needed 3 suites verses 5 separate rooms for 10 people.
 

Hyatt House Ft. Lauderdale Airport & Cruise Port - 2 Bedroom Suite
 

I agree with Bryce port days are sometimes Best time to enjoy the ship and prime locations. 

Hello All!  
 
I'm Michael from Knoxville, TN.  I am what you call "Loyal to Royal"  I've sailed on 15 cruises and the last 13 have all been with RCCL. I try to cruise every 3 to 4 months, if I can find a DEAL!  
 
I'm a big fan of the podcast and many of you might have listened to my Pre & Post Oasis Podcast with Matt.  
 
I look forward to talking Royal with everyone. 
 
Michael. 

Port days are some of the BEST days to enjoy the ship. You get some PRIME lounge chairs by the pool, and it feels like you have the entire ship to yourself. 
 
*cough* Nassau, Bahamas *cough*

While the ship is in port the casino and merchant stores will be closed. There will also be no bingo. However, there is still plenty of things to do. There will be spa specials when the ship is in port. The pools and gym will be open. If you are sailing on a ship with a Flowrider, it might be open for select hours. The rock climbing wall might also be open for select hours. Check the Cruise Compass for exact open hours.

Schedule is out
 
http://www.creative.rccl.com/Sales/Royal/Deployment/2015_2016/14037156_Deployment_Opening_Flyer_FINAL3.pdf

I'm down to one also.  Going to grab another next week.  Can't have too many!

I only have the new ones, I purchase 2 of them on every cruise. Im down to 1 now since I used 1 for the
  RoyalCaribbeanBlog.com Cruise aboard Quantum of the Seas   :D

Our home office desk book shelf top displays our minature flag collection from States, Countries, & Country Provinces we have visited on our conquest to see the World. We will add 8 or 10 more from Western Mediterranean trip this Spring. Photos are a quick recollection of travels. It aways surprises me of the flash backs a single photo can bring. One of my favorites are the sunrise & sunset photo safaris around the outside ship decks. We are always on the lookout for unique local art work from places visited. Local Carnival & Festival stumble on pieces are our favorites. That's on our shopping list for Old Town Nice France this Spring. And I would be remiss if I didn't include unique jewerly. My wife can tell you with vivid detail where every piece was acqiured and why & what memories of thoses places they bring.

Possible Jewel itienarary out of LA 2015 
 
 
Pacific Coastal Cruise


                   Date Port/City Activity Arrival Departure
9/26 10/03 Day 1 Los Angeles, California 4:00 PM
                 Day 2 Santa Barbara, California Tendered 7:00 AM 5:00                                                                                    
                 Day 3 San Francisco, California Docked 2:00 PM 
                 Day 4 San Francisco, California Docked 8:00 PM                                                                                              9/30 10/07 Day 5 Monterey, California Tendered 7:00 AM 4:00 PM
                 Day 6 Catalina Island, California Tendered 12:00 PM 8:00 PM
                 Day 7 Ensenada, Mexico Docked 8:00 AM 5:00 PM
                 Day 8 Los Angeles, California 7:00 AM
 
I got this info from Celebrity Century Pacific Coastal cruise itinerary. 
Red dates indicates the ship is on the port schedule. It seems to add up!

The RCKRZR itinerary would be fantastic if you have never had the opportunity to visit the California coast. Two nights in "THE CITY" (SF) is a fantastic opportunity to visit this beautiful City --and you can walk the Embarcadero, Fishermans Wharf area, and take cable car to most sights you would want to visit. I'll volunteer for honorary RCI PR spokesperson to promote.