tonyfsu21

It’s really not the greatest experience at all. Whether you decide to go or not, your not missing much (especially if the drinks are not a big deal). I personally don’t go to the diamond lounge even when not staying in a suite. I find it annoying & crowded. I’m glad they give you the option to get your diamond drinks at any other bar on the ship w/o having to deal with the lounge.

Diesel powered generator set up. Indeed a power plant generating electricity for the island.

It probably doesn’t need to be centered to completely destroy anything in the Bahamas. Let’s face it, island construction is sub par at best.

Cat 5 construction or not, Coco Cay might be wiped off the map w/ this monster rolling through! We dodged a bullet in Fort Lauderdale, that’s for sure. It has been a mostly sunny day here today. Hope this storms turns North sooooon!

Yes, exactly. They are happy with that. My mom was convinced RC was going to pro rate based on the shortened cruise offered but I don’t think that would have been right.

Update: parents called and were on hold for 2 hours but issue resolved. Calling was the way to go. Thanks to all

They already received the email and it leaves many loose ends. There’s no clear cut instructions on opting out.

So the Harmony will offer a Wed - Sun cruise due to the incoming hurricane but my parents are not going to be able to make it. What is the procedure for opting out? I know you could call but I think at the moment that would be a nightmare considering the volume of customers impacted and all calling in. Anyone who has experience, are there other options for them to cancel (website?). Do they automatically assume a “no show” since the itinerary was adjusted due to a natural disaster? Thanks for your help.

True. RC doesn’t compensate for airline?

I wish I was on the Allure right now. Seems like they will get some extra vacation time and won’t even feel the effects. I would imagine they have to cut the next trip short and will give refunds and onboard credit as compensation.

Anyone on Harmony that can confirm their location and if the rumor is true that it’s heading currently back to the Cape? Thanks in advance. Trying to help my parents who still think they are boarding Harmony on Sunday. ????

On that note, I’m going to go fill up my gas tank.

The entire state is within the cone so I wouldn’t put much emphasis on that. I can tell you w/ boots on the ground in East Fort Lauderdale that so far there is no panic. Yes, people are buying all the water from Publix but we have not gotten to the 1 mile long gas station line levels of panic and I don’t think we will. Hopefully over the course of the next 24 hours we get some more clarity.

Fort Lauderdale on Sunday should be no problem. Especially for a massive beast like the Allure! If the storm keeps tracking North we may see some bands of higher then normal winds but nothing that would derail your cruise. With that being said, I do hope your flying in early because any inbound hurricane will make the airport an absolute nightmare regardless of where it makes landfall in the state.

That seems about right for the “in season” pricing down here. It’s basically 3x rate increase during the tourist season. Check Dania Pointe (Dania beach area) and you might find some better rates.

Haha! That Key Master machine is pure entertainment. I could sit there all night watching people play it. I saw a single person win a $100 brick of singles once and that’s about it.

Not to mention CC has the largest swimming pool in the Caribbean. It’s actually pretty awesome.

I’ve lived in SoFL my whole life & this meme sums it up to perfection. The forecast means nothing down here.

My vote is to stay on the ship in Nassau. If you must get off, check out resort day pass for the British Colonial Hilton. The hotel is a short walk from the pier and it’s a pleasant beach day. I can’t speak for the two you mentioned but I believe you need to be brave enough to hop in a cab and trust one of those maniac drivers with your life (not for us). Good luck & enjoy.

Same ship IMHO. With that being said, anything in the Oasis Class is a great cruise experience. Each has their own identity (dining venues, lounge location, Abyss, Starbucks location). There’s other ships in the fleet we enjoy like Mariner, Navigator, Indy but we sail Oasis Class at every available opportunity because my kids love it (my wife & I do too!).

I’ve only been witness to a single alcohol fueled event on a cruise. It was a fist fight between family members during a chef’s table dinner. It was very entertaining & security stopped it after a few punches were thrown and the chef watched in horror. After security hauled off the family there was only 4 people left at the table. In a strange twist, RC bought us all multiple rounds of drinks before we ended the dinner.

never heard anything like this. Also, would be hard pressed to ever find a porter that was an RC employee, they all work for the county as bargaining unit employees (at least in South Florida anyway). I believe they are well paid and tips are just icing on the cake.

Anytime you are headed into or out of Miami there is a risk of major traffic congestion. With that being said, at that time in the late am on a Monday you shouldn’t have any major issues via I-95 from FLL to the Port of Miami. If you are in an Uber or Lyft by 11am you should be drinking your first cocktail by the pool at 12:30ish. Enjoy.

Agree with this. The bionic bar is a gimmick and absolute space. I do think wonderland is worthy or real estate just not as much as it currently has occupied on Symphony & Harmony. Hooked is deserving of some prime time space for sure.

I think Carnival has made some really great & strategic moves in the past few years with their ships venues. I think Guys Burger Joint is simply a grand slam! Same with the Blue Iguana Cantina & Alchemy Bar. They are playing catch up with the mega ships though for the most part. I think you will be disappointed overall in the Serenade since it’s an older & smaller ship (especially since you are comparing to Carnivals upgraded ships). You might get a better idea of RC if you sailed the Oasis Class ships. IMHO across the board there is no class of ships currently afloat that surpass the Oasis Class from RC in terms of activity choices, dining options, size, stateroom categories exc.