FLGooner

US Drivers License counts as Photo ID when getting off in locations where Compass says you need picture ID. However last 5 times we've done this they've never checked it. If I'm going on a private trip we take Passports, otherwise they stay in the safe.

Totally agree, used to enjoy the old "spice-themed" menus but the MDR on our recent Oasis cruise was really poor, so we ended up using the specialty restaurants more than normal. Fairly sure that's the intention. Been loyal RCL customers for years but we are now seriously looking at other lines.

Did Empress out of Tampa last September and doing Majesty this year, both times doing the overnight in Havana. As others have said, not the amenities of the bigger ships but still a great cruise. We loved Havana as very different to most other ports - anyplace that does NOT have a Diamonds International, Hard Rock, etc is fine with me

We have a friend (also a Brit Ex-Pat) that used to work as a dealer on the ships, most of her stories are great. We've always heard that the crew have more fun than the passengers. Thanks for the blog, great read. And someone's already beaten me to the Scousers and Hub caps comment :)

Thanks for the info, it's not showing anywhere on our reservation and our TA knew nothing of this, although she seem to be that way on most things. I will toast you all as I enjoy my lunch in 4 weeks time

We are on Oasis in March with Central Park balcony and not getting any of this stuff??? Time to bitch and moan......

Always lots of food trays lining the corridors after people have had room service delivered and eaten. It's possible that on occasions one of these trays may have mysteriously appeared in our room and allegedly then used to bring food from the WJ to our room for consumption on our balcony. Just saying..............

Better not be gone.....I really don't want to listen to her indoors moaning about it all week, it's one her faves

Mariner was the first RCL ship we ever cruised on so think a reunion with her is in order, looks good.

Just had a frustrating call with AAA travel regarding our March cruise on Oasis, obviously I've cruised many more times than her and thanks to these boards and the interweb thingy appear to be considerably more knowledgeable. Evidently according to AAA you can't book My Time Dining!! At this point I gave up and told them not to bother and I'd do reservations myself. I've always booked onboard and handled all reservations myself in the past, including re-booking when prices dropped, but was persuaded that the free bottle of wine and $100 OBC was worth transferring our booking to to an agent. As others have said, there's good and bad in every profession so would welcome any input on any good TAs.

Already made final payment so looks like I'm out of luck

If you booked direct with RCL do they honour these prices drops??, as my next cruise has just gone down nearly $300 :)

We've skipped the MDR for various reasons, mainly been out all day and the wife can't be bothered to do hair/make-up/etc for the MDR. Must admit the food can be really good and I always try to hit WJ when it's Indian food as they do a great job and I love a decent ruby.

Why take a chance, just get passports.

Our Sept 2018 to Cuba is still showing as Empress

Just got off Empress out of Tampa and Chops was 20% off the night we were docked in Havana.

We live in the Tampa area and have sailed Brilliance on a few occasions. My wife's office directly overlooks the port so she enjoys seeing one of her favorite ships on a regular occasion. Great ship and certainly still looks good. You're correct on timing from Airport to Port, 30-40 minutes at worse - probably 20 minutes outside of rush hour. I find Tampa to be a lot easier and less chaotic for getting on/off than Port Canaveral or Lauderdale. Let me know if you need more info.

No brainer for us.. I hate the idea of the big bill at the end of a cruise, plus if I feel like a drink I can grab one without running a mental tab all day. By the time, I've had a couple of specialty coffees in the morning, a few beers in the solarium, a cocktail or two before dinner, wine at dinner and then a few drinks at a show/club we know we save - or we could just be a load of English drunks :)

If you really want to be cost efficient look at the Tampa/Brandon locations for all the major chains. Not in the middle of town, but only 15 minutes to the cruise port and many offer a shuttle. All the normal restaurant chains in that area too for food/drinks, as not all us locals love Ybor.

No problem with specific smoking areas on the ship, HOWEVER we never go into the Casino because of the smoke in there so you have to wonder how much revenue is being lost through allowing smoking there. Interestingly, Hard Rock casinos have opened specific non-smoking areas in some casinos and early indications are that this is a revenue-driver, so don't be surprised if Cruise lines follow this practice.

Plenty of hangers in our last JS, if you need more just ask and they appear.

Never rented a scooter but we've taken our Harleys down there on a few occasions. Roads are horrible on a big bike so dread to think what they are like on a scooter, lots of potholes, traffic is a nightmare and the whole Duval St area is full of drunk tourists stepping out in front of you :) Other than that, it's great fun!!!

Just paid final payment for our October cruise to Cuba so now getting excursions sorted. Been to Key West loads of times so will just have lunch then wander back to the ship. Any comments on the Heritage Walking Tour appreciated, we prefer to explore by ourselves but think this may be a good way to get an overview of the area. TIA

Traveled with the in-laws who are just as bad as teenagers!!! Agree with the above, use the phones in the rooms and have pre-agreed meeting places - Solarium bar at 10am :)

Carry on all day long, as others have said do you really want two bottles of red wine all over your clothes? Interestingly, last cruise I had 4 bottles of wine in my carry on and security just asked how many in our party, I said 2 suites and they said ok and waved me through, without asking for any documentation :)