Tylor

Mine too. I wouldn't be surprised if Royal announced "Shrek - The Musical" as one of their onboard Broadway shows on an upcoming new ship.

I think Wicked would be awesome because #1 it is a great show and #2 Kristen is the Godmother. Hello, what a perfect combo. Royal could get her to guest star in the show for the first few weeks. It would be perfect. Even if it isn't Wicked, I still think Royal should really try and snag that show for one of their ships!

Exactly! I don't spend thousands to go on a cruise and worry about a hundred I might spend on alcoholic beverages!

Is there still a "drink of the day" special? I don't pay attention to that because I order the same drinks whenever I'm onboard.

It would depend on what expensive means to you. A pina colada is around $6.25. Beer ranges from $4 to $7 depending on what brand it is. Frozen drinks range in price from $5 to $12 depending on size, whether or not you can keep the glass, as those drinks are more expensive. A martini is normally $8 or $10. If you want top shelf liquor it will be more expensive. Also you'll be charged a 15% bar gratuity automatically on top of the drink price.

Sometimes alcohol can be purchased for cheaper on an island than onboard the ship. But the same rule applies, if you buy onboard or on an island it will be kept and delivered to your room on the last night of the cruise for you to take home.

I don't know, but expect Broadway shows for all of those ships and probably every new ship from now on. Rumors I have heard for Quantum is Wicked. I don't know the exact procedure for selecting an at sea Broadway show. Currently, the shows being performed have closed on Broadway or are on a revival schedule. Not shows that are fresh on Broadway, but shows that have a good following.

All I know is that if I once lived in Florida I would never leave. I would trade Michigan for Florida any day, and cruising would just be the icing on the cake!

For that price I want a very thorough tour of the ship. I want to see everything, not just a few areas. For a week onboard 1 fare sometimes is less than $700 and they want half that for just a behind the scenes tour? I agree, I would rather spend my money on something else.

Ok, just wondering. Well at least you got to experience it. I went on Oasis in December and the ship was full (6,189) but I never really thought it was crowded. Yes there were times when the Royal Promenade was packed, but you get that on any Royal Caribbean ship with a Royal Promenade at certain times of the day. I was always able to find a chair in the Solarium and never had to wait long for anything really. Yes the shows have advanced booking, but you can still get in to see them without reservations. Maybe try again once the Quantum class comes out after all the excitement dies down over Oasis class, if it ever does. So did you get to see any of the shows? They are all amazing, I'd cruise again just for that and the dining options!

This is a great article explaining the increased smoking bans on cruise lines. http://www.cruisecurrents.com/2013/09/09/smoking-on-cruise-ships-a-hot-topic/

I agree. I doubt many remember Genevieve from her days on Trading Spaces. When I think about it, I would never sail on a ship designed by the designers from that show. But style has changed over the years and I believe this new class of ships will all the more amplify the signature look that is uniquely Royal Caribbean. Maybe the Quantum Class will all tie in Television/Musical Celebrities? First Kristen Chenoweth, then Genevieve Gorder, and who will be next?

Bryce you have a point. The program should include repeat cruisers, critics, media (People like Matt) and people like you Bryce. You're obviously a man of good style. :)

Maybe you could add other TV shows from YouTube featuring Royal Caribbean ships here? There are several others on YouTube like the Smithsonian Channel Oasis documentary, one on Freedom and Independence, which I'm sure you're already aware of. ;)

CruisinTexan, You didn't like your Oasis cruise?

Don, The split up is just business operations in the UK. Instead of grouping all three companies under one UK management team, they will each have their own separate managing director, commercial, marketing, and sales teams. The three brands are still owned by Royal Caribbean International and current company US based CEO's will still be in charge. The UK operations change is exactly how operations are currently set up in the US. The split up will have no effect on the Royal Caribbean Visa Signature changes announced last week and rewards which will now be available to the Celebrity and Azamara brands. The split up also makes changes to guest service call centers in other countries, not the US.

Exactly!

I think the majority of the cruising public are non-smokers. But when a drastic change takes place you have the few that cause an outcry which makes it seem like there is a larger number of people opposing the issue, when there really isn't. I have never smoked, and can't imagine being addicted to breathing off something on fire. I don't hate people who smoke, I just don't understand why they do it. It just makes no sense to me. On my Freedom of the Seas cruise, my wife and I would walk outside on deck 4 all the way around the ship several times a day for exercise. Smoking is allowed on the port side of deck 4. When we were walking on that side, there were always tons of people out there smoking. They all looked completely miserable. It doesn't seem like a fun habit to have, not to mention expensive. My wife works in public health and says the majority of people who use tobacco fall into certain social economic groups. The whole thing is really interesting.

That is true. In Michigan the corporate owned casino brands in Detroit as well as the tribal owned casinos throughout the state are exempt from the state smoking ban.

Not just back either, but sailed Oasis of the Seas in December of 2012, reunion cruise of 10 people from Michigan, Arizona, California, and Illinois. Had an outstanding time. So many entertainment, activity, and dining options onboard Oasis. I could pack my bags, get onboard and never leave! The ship still looks brand new, the crew was always happy and willing to help when needed. Our dining room staff was amazing, as always. Stops included St. Thomas, St. Maarten, and Nassau. Having been to these ports multiple times, I didn't find anything I hadn't seen before. Except for that naked Orient Beach we stopped at on St. Maarten! :ph34r: Overall great cruise and I can't wait to go back!

I would suspect in the years to come that most areas will become non-smoking. I'm actually surprised that it has taken this long to make most areas smoke free. In the United States most hotels, restaurants, bars, and other public areas have been smoke free for years!

I have cruised twice during hurricane season and thankfully I was never met with a storm or any other weather related situation while onboard. I agree that you really can't beat the prices for cruising in the fall. Julie, have you ever cruised before? The ship does move even in calm seas and you probably will feel movement. I took a cruise from Cape Liberty, NJ to the Caribbean in May and the coastline has a lot of rough water. Going to and from the Caribbean the water was very choppy which made for a rocky cruise. It was the worst cruise I have been on when it came to movement of the ship. I didn't get sick, because motion doesn't really bother me. But I did see a few people falling over while walking and I did see vomit bags out by the stairwells. It was a surreal experience, but an experience that wouldn't scare me away from cruising. At no point did I feel my life was in danger, it was just all part of being on the high seas. Sometimes you can forget you're even on a ship because you barely feel it move. I like to feel the rocking, the constant reminder that I'm sailing! ALSO: Remember cruising during hurricane season it is very hot in the Caribbean. The weather is 95 - 105 degrees daily.

Hey, deal or no deal on cruises, Florida is pretty fab in December. Especially if you're vacationing there from Michigan! ;)

haha That is what I told her. I told everyone that she really ordered two, even though she didn't. She would never eat two desserts, however, I would! :D

Curious about Desserts from Chops Grille? This is Passion Fruit Mousse. So good and so light. The waiter brought my wife the wrong dessert, but insisted she keep it along with the right dessert. We had a good laugh about it!