PRC

If its a family situation (kids old enough to make choices). I would suggest giving everyone an overview of all the possibilities and let everyone voice their top 3 "must do" items.  

After your first cruise (if you have joined C&A) you are Gold.  

 

Follow this link, scroll down to the benefits section,  and you can click on the various levels to see that the perks are, both pre cruise on onboard.

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/cas/

That group charters a full ship every year.  

In 1971, Dave Scott, Commander of Apollo 15, fought for and won approval for a "stand up EVA" where right after landing on the moon he would open up the top hatch and take a look around.  His argument was that you need a good view of the "big picture" so that the details will make sense later.

 

Take time to just enjoy being there.  As I mentioned in the thread Gears mentioned, be sure to enjoy the sea from the ship, not just the ship on the sea.  The memory of that big picture will likely last longer than a lot of the little details...

Don't worry, you'll get there!

I have never taken my passport ashore.  It goes in the safe as soon as I get to my room.

 

I do have images of it and my Global Entry card on my Google Drive so that should (heaven forbid) something happen, an embassy/consulate can get me another fast.

Radiance Class ships are still my favorite!

http://www.royalcaribbeanincentives.com/full-ship-charter-faqs/

They currently list a full ship charter of Oasis Class at 6.5 to 11 million!!!!!

Last thanksgiving on Serenade I was in Chops.  They did have the traditional holiday offerings in the MDR, and in Chops & Giovannis they had giant birds being carved with stuffing and added to anyone's table that wanted.

Brightline (Florida high speed rail) will start operations later this year between Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, and West Palm.  Phase two (likely 2018) will extend northward up to the Orlando Airport (MCO).  It will be a three hour trip from Miami to Orlando or vise-versa.  There is also a stop being planned here in Brevard County, just south of Port Canaveral (and just north of me!)  They are currently targeting 4 trips per day from each end.

 

While Canaveral is a 20 minute drive for me, I think this is going to be great for getting to Port Miami and Port Everglades!

 

Any one else considering this?

 

 

Yeah its been really blowing here on the coast for a few days now...

Oh!  I wasn't aware of Costa Maya having that capability!

Just because something is printed in the Cruise Compass doesn't mean you have to do/attend.  Don't plan and over schedule yourself.  Take time to find a spot away from the crowds (especially at night) and enjoy the sea from the ship, not the ship on the sea...

After living in Tejas and sailing from Galveston plenty of times, I have to agree that it is not the best running port I've sailed from.  I was amazed when FLL actually hired the guy who made most of Galveston's mess to run their show!

 

An Oasis vessel would fit on paper, but I would think the bridge crew would be sweating it.  One miss-parked jack-up rig and you've got a mess.  Also, the terminal is a mess with a Freedom class ship...bigger would be a joke!

 

Another issue would be where to sail to?  Coz and Falmouth are fine, as the O ships do them now.  But that's it.  All the other ports that are reachable from Galveston on a 7 night run ( Cayman, Roatan, Belize, Costa Maya, Progreso) cannot fit a ship of that size.  Cayman and Belize are tender stops and therefore cannot be done, the others have navigational limitations.  

I'll be on the 11nt Thanksgiving sailing on Serenade.

Figures they would start getting their act together after I leave. 😜

Did Christmas on Majesty about 10 years go. The shi was well decorated, with the highlight Being a tree for each country represented in the crew. They were decorated with items and traditions of that country.

 

There was caroling with guests and crew, with "snow" falling in the centrum.

 

Santa found us, wandered the ship Christmas morning and made his way to the theatre, where he had a gift for every guest 17 and under.

 

It was a great time hope to do it again one year!

OSJ is full of fabulous places to eat. Inside, sidewalk, rooftop. All very safe and walkable in the evening.

 

Last September we had a fantastic dinner at Barrachinas and then strolled the streets and parks. Great evening!

Sheraton OSJ is great!

There is a simple solution to the single supplement problem: take more cruises!

That's right.  Straight from RCCL's website:

Single supplement cruise fare reduced to 150% from 200% for members that have 340 or more cruise points

One more sailing...one more sailing...one more sailing...

I've only done inclusive hotel and transfer in Alaska, but as stated above, most likely that info will be available a check-in. They may not set the exact time until they have a final headcount, etc.

I'm re-visiting Serenade this Thanksgiving for 11. ðŸ˜

The world would be a much better place if it had more Radiance Class ships in it... ðŸ˜

Key West is always a blast! Now that I've migrated to Florida, I'll be thinking of all kinds of reasons to drive down!