Floski

Lots of suite talk in this thread...must be close to Valentine's Day.
 
 
WHERE DA PICS???

Lots of suite talk in this thread...must be close to Valentine's Day.
 
 
WHERE DA PICS???

They are not always available and I'm not sure what the criteria is for them to show up.  Possibly they oversell a certain cabin type long before final payment date knowing some people will cancel.  
They are also not always the best deal, it all depends on sales trends and inventory available. Here is an example for the Symphony TA for balconies:

The GTY or "We choose the room" is more than picking a cabin yourself.  I've been watching this nearly daily to see if I can score a better cabin.  Options come and go.  Somedays only GTY are available, other times you can't choose a GTY booking.

Laughing out loud for reals!  See if an oar has my name on it.

I'm two weeks behind you, so I'm really looking forward to your blog!
 
Not Diamond or UltraPlatinum class, but I did get an e-mail saying that they just got in a new shipment of oars, whatever that means....
 

Dr. Strangecheese. Or, how I learned to relax and embrace the Sorrentos.

The question was always, "Ginger or Mary Ann?"  Then one day you suddenly realize there was a third choice and now it looks pretty good!  
 

Absolutely!  We got back from the tour and hung out in Phillipsburg for a good while - it's a wonderful little town to walk, shop, and eat/drink.
There are a lot of tiny bars right there on the boardwalk, about 25 feet from the beach.   There is also a nice shop on the pier (well, there used to be  ) that has a lot of liquors you can buy if that's your thing.  Below is a pic from the spot downtown where we grabbed a bite and a drinky (it was actually 4/2015).  We loved St. Maarten and St. Thomas so much in '15 that we went back again in '16!
 
I've added a pic from the water taxi that gives you a good idea of the boardwalk.  So nice...
 

Absolutely!  We got back from the tour and hung out in Phillipsburg for a good while - it's a wonderful little town to walk, shop, and eat/drink.
There are a lot of tiny bars right there on the boardwalk, about 25 feet from the beach.   There is also a nice shop on the pier (well, there used to be  ) that has a lot of liquors you can buy if that's your thing.  Below is a pic from the spot downtown where we grabbed a bite and a drinky (it was actually 4/2015).  We loved St. Maarten and St. Thomas so much in '15 that we went back again in '16!
 
I've added a pic from the water taxi that gives you a good idea of the boardwalk.  So nice...
 

Absolutely!  We got back from the tour and hung out in Phillipsburg for a good while - it's a wonderful little town to walk, shop, and eat/drink.
There are a lot of tiny bars right there on the boardwalk, about 25 feet from the beach.   There is also a nice shop on the pier (well, there used to be  ) that has a lot of liquors you can buy if that's your thing.  Below is a pic from the spot downtown where we grabbed a bite and a drinky (it was actually 4/2015).  We loved St. Maarten and St. Thomas so much in '15 that we went back again in '16!
 
I've added a pic from the water taxi that gives you a good idea of the boardwalk.  So nice...
 

Probably not exactly what you're looking for, but we're going on a Bernards SXM Tour when we go to the island in a couple weeks. It takes you around both sides of the options and I think one of the tour variants offers a beach stop. When they drop you off, you have the option to stay at the downtown area rather than go back to the ship so you get a bit more time to explore on your own. They have great reviews, but I'll be happy to share my own feedback once we go! 
http://www.bernardstours.com/

I'm also doing some preliminary research on this cruise.  
 
My wife has been a good sport for our first three, all to the Caribbean (where I'd happily go every time!), but I think she would really love to see New England and Canada.
I'd love to go in the late summer, but with us living on the SC coast, I'm a little concerned about a hurricane heading this way and not being home.

I'd love to get a ship in Jacksonville. I don't see why RCcouldnt put a smaller ship here. I have ZERO desire to ever sail Carnival. Several friends have sailed on the one out of Jax and it was just "gross."
If they'd move our terminal closer to the ocean, we could take bigger ships.  We already are a full fledge port that brings in container ships almost as big as Oasis class. The cruise port however is further down the St Johns river and they've got to go under a bridge and the river is not as deep. 

crossed my mind

As a newbie who's first cruise is in Nov this year, i can honestly say this site has not only been a massive help but has also and maybe more importantly made the prospect of cruising less stressful. Simple things such as what time we can board ship, information regarding dining procedures or even the fact that disney is better for sailing if you want lots of sex , any question that is asked is answered in a friendly manner .  
Should RC do something to help Newbie's settle in? definitely!!! Not every newbie will find or even look for this blog  

Went there last week; it was such an easy and pleasurable experience. 
Nice place, but the weather wasn't super - overcast and the surf was pretty cool.  
We weren't hassled at all by any vendors, which was a very welcome change.

Went there last week; it was such an easy and pleasurable experience. 
Nice place, but the weather wasn't super - overcast and the surf was pretty cool.  
We weren't hassled at all by any vendors, which was a very welcome change.

This one belongs in the "you know you're addicted when"...
...you consider moving to a certain location just because it's closer to a cruise port....

Pretty much all my life, I was fed the whole "NJ and NY suck" thanks to Baretta and Kojak, etc.  Nothin but bums, winos, hookers, and litter-filled streets.  
 
Man, was I dumb.  Get away from the city and NJ is beautiful.  I saw more different types of animals in NJ during my couple of days there than I've ever seen here.
 
And NYC blew my mind.  We stayed in Weehauken, and took the ferry over to the city and it was wonderful!   
 
Very good people up there, too.  More like "Friends" than "Jersey Shore".

But did you like my ALF costume???   I made it myself!
 
Oh....and how about next year give out some name brand candy?   Sheesh.
 

Reaction 1: YAY! A new live blog from @twangster! More awesome pictures! More balm for my "wanna cruise NOW" problem.
Reaction 2: DAMMIT! There goes my work productivity, I'll be looking for new posts every 5 minutes!

 
Seriously, have a great trip! Fingers crossed for glass-smooth seas that will let you tender into Coco Cay.

Sometimes, when you guys get to talking, I feel like this

 
I feel like such a noob...

Here's a copy of the Cruise Compass from @CGTLH cruise: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/cruise-compasses/oasis-of-the-seas/sun-2018-01-07-0000