lildawgscottFL

Remember that you have until your "Final Payment Date" (which I believe is 45 days out) to completely cancel your cruise. You may need to cancel and re-book, but that's unlikely. We just call, and if it's before the Final Payment Date, they'll just give you the lower price. If you have to cancel and re-book, you'll risk losing any OBC (on board credit) or reduced deposits you may have received on the initial booking.

A lot of it looks the same, but I'd say at least 25% of it is different. When I say "the same," I mean exactly the same. For the differing ones, some parts of the item may be the same. For instance, they had cod, but it wasn't miso-crusted. Are you hoping for something specific?

I like to use the "lowest common denominator" concept, like we learned in grade school. Take any sale, promo, special, etc., and reduce it down to the price per day before taxes, port fees, etc. That way you're comparing apples to apples. If you come to... more than $80/day for an inside stateroom - keep shopping! (you're a newbie) less than $70/day for an inside stateroom - you've got a fair deal, but you should keep checking back (amateur hour) less than $60/day for an inside stateroom - you've got a good deal, and checking back won't do much good (solid player) less than $50/day for an inside stateroom - you've got an exceptional deal, go do something else with your time, like planning another cruise (pro cruise planner) less than $40/day for an inside stateroom - you've got a steal and beating that price will be very highly unlikely (you've got mafia-style connections) less than $30/day for an inside stateroom - if you didn't book it, consider seeking psychiatric assistance (you're nuts! tell me where you found it so I can book it) Obviously these figures move up for the more expensive rooms, but it's the same idea. I find people spend too much time, effort, and worry, trying to get THE best deal possible, and they're too competitive - don't worry about what someone else got. If you're paying, for example, $60/day for 3 square meals (and we all know 3 is a joke! it's more like 10!), hotel accommodations, entertainment, and so on, you're getting an extraordinary value for the money spent. Where can you do that on land? So am I saying not to shop around? No, and yes. I'm saying that, if you're comfortable paying a certain price for goods and services rendered, then maybe yes, stop shopping around and creating anxiety. It's a vacation! It's not supposed to create stress - it's supposed to alleviate it. However, if you can't shake that nagging feeling like you could have done better, invest a little time. Just remember the law of diminishing returns: at some point, you're investing way too much to get way too little, and time is money. I don't know about you, but after 40 years on this planet, my time is far more valuable to me than my money. #rantover ;)

I sure do, but this thing only lets me upload 241KB of files. This isn't 1985. 241KB is half a picture! Suggestions? I could link to them, but I think it would be more valuable to your blog to have them live here.

It was definitely not something I would recommend. Check out my review here: http://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/boards/index.php/topic/1148-cruise-review-freedom-of-the-seas-october-18-2015/?p=10470

I was on Freedom last week. Feel free to ask me about specifics and I'll verify. Also, post the link to the menu and I can take a look.

I'm beginning to feel like a fool. I have the darn shipmate app! I had no idea it does that!!! ARGH!!!!!! :angry:

I'm all over this CruiseFish thing now! Thank you, sir!

Okay! That's what I'm gonna do then! Thanks!

Congratulations! :D How does one "watch deals everyday" because I have to start doing that obviously!?

This is the review I posted on TripAdvisor for Soualiga Destinations Boat Tours in St. Maarten ********************************************************** After we did our Speed Boat/ATV/Jungle Trek excursion in Belize, we didn't think anything would ever again top that experience. We've had to wait nearly 10 years for something to compete. The Soualiga Boat Tour has done just that! On the morning of October 22nd, we walked down to Dock Maarten. Captain Bob was all business at the dock, but he has been nothing but professional and helpful from beginning to end. He had a lot to manage that morning, so I can easily overlook any curtness. Besides, from all the reviews I've read, he was a fabulous captain back in the day. And that's okay, because we had Captain Mike and he was great! Before I go any further, I have to say that the lunch they provided was one of the best meals we had during our entire cruise vacation. I really didn't know what to expect, but the creole mahi, red beans and rice, and salad were delicious! (Even if the city was hosting a protest that day. A little unnerving, especially if you bring the little ones. Of course, there is no way I'd ever hold Soualiga accountable for that. Just mentioning it, because you always need to remember that you're entering a foreign country with their own ways of doing things. Stay with the group and you'll be fine.) Back to the trip.... Captain Mike's boat was awesome! He told me that his type of boat is what the government agencies (DEA, FBI, etc.) use because they're powerful and sturdy. We were flying! And bouncing! But, when I pulled him aside to ask him about the power and ability of the boat, he said she was doing about half of what she could handle. He said that he needed to throttle it back so we wouldn't get hurt. It was a rush! I wish we could have gone faster. The 14 other people onboard with my wife and I all had a blast! The boat was also clean and well cared for. I even saw Mike maintaining the hull while we were anchored at Pinel Island. Very fastidious! Along with providing an amazing vessel, Bob and Mike also provided everything we would need to enjoy our stops: snorkel equipment, floating noodles, etc. Plus, there was plenty of cold bottled water, soda, and beer. As for the stops, they were paradise. Pinel Island was probably my favorite, but that might be because it was the first stop, and the most leisurely. The snorkeling at the other stops was fantastic! We saw turtles and all sorts of fish. The waters were clear and warm. Mike also pointed out a lot along the way, like St. Barts - home to the rich and famous! We also saw King Kong island. And, of course, we made the quintessential stop at Maho to see the planes! What an experience! I'd say that seeing it in a boat is better than on land. True, you can get closer to the plane standing on Maho Beach, but Mike had a surprise in store for us. As soon as we saw the landing, he swooped around to the other side of the airport so we could see the takeoff! That may have been more amazing, because that plane had no room for error - it would have hit the mountain! What a sight! As you can tell, we loved this experience. We highly recommend it! I don't write a lot of reviews, but I was too impressed not to say something about the Soualiga Destinations Boat Tour.

Blasphemy!!!! Matt who? :lol: ;)

DocLC, is there really ever enough I can do for Matt? ;-)

Hey all! I'm Scott. The Queen (a.k.a. my wife) is Laura. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of this wonderful community, full of people who love what we love - Royal Caribbean Cruises!!! The Queen and I were both born and raised in New York (Laura - East Meadow, Nassau County, Long Island; Scott - Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, and then Plainview, Nassau County, Long Island), where we lived for 20 years. We next lived in Atlanta, Georgia for about 5 years, and are now living in Orlando, Florida for the last 15 years. We've been a couple for over 22 years. I was smart. I didn't want to have to remember a new date for everything, so... We started dating on July 19, 1993. We got engaged on July 19, 1995. We got married on July, 19, 1998. See? Smart! ;-) Laura and I both work for Disney. She is a server at the new Jungle Skipper Canteen in the Magic Kingdom. I am a bartender at the new Dockside Maragaritas (formerly Captain Jack's Margartia Bar) in Disney Springs (formerly Downtown Disney). We're Labrador people. We love our babies! We do not yet have children, and may never. We're Harler-Davidson bikers. I ride a big touring bike. She rides a Fat Boy! (yup, she's a bad ass!) We're beginner land travelers, but quickly becoming professional cruisers. Booked: 14-Apr-2017 Navigator Of The Seas 7-Night Southern Caribbean Planning some other cruise to fill in the gap - perhaps the Majesty out of Miami. A year and a half is far too long to wait! Even if we're heading to NY in January, DC in May, and the UK in the autumn. Previous: 18-Oct-2015 Freedom Of The Seas 7-Night Eastern Caribbean 14-Sep-2013 Oasis Of The Seas 7-Night Western Caribbean 03-Sep-2007 Sovereign Of The Seas 4-Night Bahamas 24-Mar-2007 Legend Of The Seas 7-Night Western Caribbean The Queen and I both have a love for all indulgences. We're foodies. Wine enthusaiasts. Beer snobs. I'm a Scotch fanatic. She's a gin girl. Obviously, we love all sorts of tourism and travel. Anyway, that's us in a nuthsell. Thanks again for having us. Looking forward to sitting at the R Bar with each and every one of you!

Allow me to clarify: I love the MDR EXPERIENCE. I would choose the MDR over specialty dining anyday, but if the food quality continues to decline, we may try to get our tablemates to join us elsewhere. It's all about the tablemates and the staff in the MDR (and, to a lesser extent, the atmosphere), and that chemisty can make us overlook the food. But, if we can have our cake and eat it too (like maybe the Dynamic Dining Classic will allow for), then we'd be completely satisfied. If it comes down to a choice between mediocre food with amazing chemistry vs. great food by ourselves, we'll choose the party at the MDR! After all, there are still so many options for eating throughout the day. And my gut could surely skip a meal (which I would never dare do!).

DocLC, done and done! I couldn't figure out how to make it stick on Cruise Critic though. I think they don't like me advertising for Matt. :angry: :( I did, however, find a way, albeit an ugly way, to get it into my TripAdvisor profile! :) :D :lol: Matt, hopefully that's another few drops in the ocean. Speaking of the ocean..... cruise planning here I come....!!!! (gotta love living in Florida, where one can get last-minute cheap cruises!!!)

DocLC, I like it. I'll edit my signatures where applicable.

Did you enjoy my post in triplicate? Lol. Just covering my bases! ;-)

Done! It ain't much, but I hope every little bit helps. After all, every ocean begins with a single drop of water. Speaking of oceans, I've got a cruise to plan! ;-)

Jerel, is that even a real question? Duh! We had our next cruise booked before we left for this cruise! And we may be planning another to help pass the time between them! ;-)

Whoever is going on the Freedom of the Seas (or if you're on there right now), you must go to R Bar, ask for Alok Sharma, and ask him to make you the Bombay Smash! It should easily be one the drinks of the day. DELISH!!!!

We bought the unlimited printed photos package. The Queen (a.k.a. my wife) has been scanning like a mad woman! ;) :wacko:

A glimpse into our fun-filled, relaxing cruise vacation on the Freedom of the Seas​.... https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10206607849229037&type=1&l=891edf958b

MATT!!!! SABOR WAS AMAZING!!!!! I can't believe I almost didn't listen to you. I'll never doubt you again, sir! We had it for lunch on an unexpected sea day (Coco Cay got cancelled due to rough seas). The guac was freaking fantastic! And the margaritas was delish! And included in the premium package, as you said they would be. Plus, you forgot to mention the desserts! Holy cow! What a fabulous experience! You are so right to demand that we all try it. No, do not suggest it. Do not recommend it. DEMAND COMPLIANCE!!! It's that worth it! (And to you cynical skeptics like me, it is not just typical Mexican at sea. It ain't a floating Taco Bell.) Thank you, thank you, thank you! We'll be Sabor fanatics forever!

Hey Matt! Hey everyone! We're just back from our fabulous RC FOS cruise, and, of course, we loved it! Matt, you and I had some previous discussions, and I was to report back to you about a few things (one of which was about the Murder Mystery Dinner Theater). I believe what follows covers it. What I have done is simply copy and paste what I wrote to Royal in their cruise follow up survey. I look forward to all of your thoughts, input, and feedback. *********************************************** First, let me say that we are "Loyal To Royal." We have never sailed with anyone else (with the exception of when I was a small child on a family vacation on NCL, but I did not have a say back then). So when I offer some criticisms, please know that it is with the best of intentions to help improve something I love: Royal Caribbean Cruise Vacations! That said, the Murder Mystery Dinner Theater was not up to the standards I know you have for your company. The whole production, from the start in the Star Lounge to the finale in Gionvanni's Table, was flat and boring. After seeing the rest of the week's performances, I know that the fault does not lie with the performers. However much they may have tried to bring the show to life, they failed. Which was very disappointing, because we were excited to be starting out our cruise vacation with a bang! The show was scheduled for the first night onboard. What a way to kick things off! Or so we thought. Though let me state clearly, in no way do we allow the show's failure to cast a shadow on Giovanni's Table. The food and service met our expectations for quality, even if it did not meet them for style. Somehow Giovanni's Table is far superior on the Oasis of the Seas. Contrary to Giovanni's Table, Sabor ROCKED!!! I had absolutely no intention of going to a Mexican restaurant on a cruise ship (and we skipped it on the Oasis). But, I was cajoled into at least trying the guacamole and margaritas. So in we went. I got turned around 180 degrees! Now I will demand that everyone go to Sabor! It is an absolute Royal Caribbean MUST DO! And we are so fortunate to have Sabor, as well as the other specialty dining options, because the food in the Main Dining Room has declined to the point that we will no longer be going there, but will instead opt for the Windjammer or just about anything else. What the heck happened!? I cannot say that we were ever blown away by the food in the Main Dining Room, but we have never been this disappointed. Out of the few dozen items presented throughout the week, there may have been 2 or 3 that were enjoyable. 2 or 3!? Is that the Royal Caribbean standard? I do not believe it is. I sure hope not anyway, because we love the atmosphere and the service there. The staff is always exemplary, and Edwin Santos and Olivia Chiriac were no exception. Which brings me back to the service we received at R Bar. As I said in the earlier question, Alok, Cookie, and Heidi were fantastic! I wanted to take them everywhere with me as my personal staff. What I really wanted was to take them home with me! The fact is, Royal Caribbean's crew is 99% perfect. There is an oddball here and there, but it is so rare, that I am quite sure it goes unnoticed. But, these three were the crème de la crème! As was Casey Pelter. He is the best cruise director we have had so far. Not much else to say on this point - just wanted to give him some credit. And that takes me to the entertainment. I have already stated that the production crew was top-notch. That cannot, however, be said for all of the headliners. Mark Cordes was fabulous! He had the entire room rolling. And John Caponera should take lessons from him. Mr. Caponera's attempt fell far short of the mark. And it was not just his style of joke telling. He simply was not witty enough to pull it off. The same could be said for Karen Grainger. While her singing ability cannot be denied, her act was in desperate need of professional help. I think that she is on to something, but it just is not fully baked yet. Which is more than can be said for Drew Thomas. His "magic show," if you can call it that, is little more than theatrics mixed with the same old routines that have been around for a century. A magic act is a hard thing to sell, so if you are going to try, the act had better be cutting-edge. It had better WOW the audience. There was very little head-scratching in that room. What was WOWing was the behind-the-scenes crew. That ship, as is every other Royal ship, was immaculate! It is so impressive that something that size, and something that is now 11 years old, could look and work that well. The art was wonderful! We stopped to look at everything. We did notice though that some of the music choices were odd. I am not sure what you are going for in the Promenade. Or, for that matter, in the Bull & Bear pub. What is up with Sam Collins!? Was he put there to help the seniors take naps? I love the British pub on the Oasis, but I only stepped into this pub to get a quick drink, then ran for the door! Which brings to mind one last criticism: why were you out of so many items ship wide? Several times a day, at several locations, this or that would not be in stock. At Boleros, it was the coconut rum. At Bull & Bear, it was the Spaten. At R Bar, it was glassware. At Sabor, it was one of the featured margaritas. At one of the pool bars, it was the strawberry puree for the daiquiris. At the Viking Crown Lounge, it was the sambuca. I could go on and on. I have never experienced anything like this on any other Royal ship. It was very strange. Fortunately, the wonderful crew at the bars did all they could to make up for the failure that was clearly being made way above their heads. The crew bent over backwards to try to please. Is there some officer who is in charge of such things? Where was he? Thank goodness for the crew! All-in-all, taking the bad with the good, the failings with the WOWS, the Freedom of the Seas still amazed. We loved our cruise vacation, and will continue to be "Loyal To Royal." In fact, we are already booked on the Navigator of the Seas for the April 14, 2017 sailing to the Southern Caribbean! We cannot wait! Thank you Royal! We love you!