Tylor

Just please get a passport. It is an official document that everyone should really have.

Just please get a passport. It is an official document that everyone should really have.

I agree. There ARE larger ships afloat besides Oasis/Allure. It is obvious that the larger ships make the company more money. So it seems that the company will be building larger ships from here on out. Also I think the larger ships provide more value and options to the customer, which is what people want. I look forward to all the great things Royal Caribbean is doing for cruising. I constantly think, why would anyone sail with anyone else?

My first cruise was in 2005 on Explorer of the Seas. I didn't know anything about cruising, wasn't a member of cruise critic, had never seen photos of the ship, deck plans or anything. I do a fair amount of planning, now, but when I first sailed I didn't plan anything, we just got on and went with the flow. And I will have to tell you it was an amazing experience, obviously, since I'm still cruising nearly 10 years later.
 
As I said before, I do plan things more now, but I don't over plan. I've been a member of cruise critic since 2005, and have read many posts about people planning every single detail of every minute of the day, and honestly, I think that is silly. It is a vacation after all, and yes some planning is involved, but not required, so just have fun with it. If you do too much it ends of feeling less like a vacation and more like work!
 
My advice for first time cruisers or newly repeat cruisers is to go with no expectations and just know that you're going to have a great time. Otherwise depending on your comfort level you might be disappointed. Treat the staff with respect and they will do the same to you.

I doubt Oasis/Allure is the largest we will ever see. I do think value proposition may be at slightly smaller but soon enough the envelope will be pushed again.  Especially with ports upgrading to accommodate much larger ships around the world.

I feel like both offer something different. Eastern is certainly the most traveled path. You'll most likely end up at islands with lots of other cruise related traffic. But that is not to say that you won't see another ship while doing the Western route either.
 
Having been to St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and Puerto Rico many times, it was refreshing to do the Western route for something different. I really liked Grand Cayman. It had a totally different feel to it. I could tell there was a lot of money (major Caribbean banking center) there, as there were lots of fancy cars around and most of the locals had jobs and were working during the day.
 
Mexico was typical and what I saw was what I had expected, only the charm Mexico can provide. Although I still feel that parts of Mexico can be very dangerous to go to or travel through. And I will say that danger lurks on all the Caribbean islands (and throughout the world) but some feel safer than others.

I've never been disappointed with my meal at JR's. I've eaten there on every ship I've been on.

For me it is not a holiday if it's not at least 7 nights. The more 7 night cruises I do the longer I want to be onboard. I'm slowly working my way up. I could stay onboard for 35 days, but my wife would miss the cats. *rolls eyes*

Bryce,
 
Check out Texas de Brazil in Detroit on Woodward Ave. That place is amazing, even if you don't eat meat, they have a huge salad bar and the desserts are awesome too!

The doghouse concept is odd to me. I understand people enjoy hotdogs (I really don't) but does it really need a dedicated space just for that? If you're going to dedicate a space that sells one specific thing why not make it soup, baked potatoes, cheesesteak, or something more interesting that might appeal to more people. A hotdog seems like something you would be able to get a Park Cafe. I will say I did enjoy the options at Park Cafe, good selection and moved people through the place fast.
 
I haven't eaten at Rita's, but from what I've read the food is less than stellar. Which I cannot understand because Mexican is easy to make and can't you locate staff from origin countries to staff the place and cook the food? Or is that wrong? All the Mexican places in my town are staffed by barely English speaking nice Mexican/Spanish people. They do a great job making great food!
 
Both of those concepts seem like a big miss to me. Also what is the status of Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville rumor replacing Rita's and Seafood Shack. Also heard similar comments about greasy not good food from Seafood Shack. On Oasis the place was basically empty each night. 

For me it is not a holiday if it's not at least 7 nights. The more 7 night cruises I do the longer I want to be onboard. I'm slowly working my way up. I could stay onboard for 35 days, but my wife would miss the cats. *rolls eyes*

I have never seen anyone famous on a cruise except for Micky Dolenz from the Monkeys. He was the entertainment on the Liberty cruise I took back in 2008. I sat next to him on the tender to Labadee. Very nice, down to earth guy.

I have never seen anyone famous on a cruise except for Micky Dolenz from the Monkeys. He was the entertainment on the Liberty cruise I took back in 2008. I sat next to him on the tender to Labadee. Very nice, down to earth guy.

Right around the corner from me!

For me, it depends on a couple of things. #1: I check the menus each afternoon after lunch is served to see what peaks my interest. If I see nothing that is really appealing, then I will book a specialty restaurant. Unlike most people, I don't book specialty restaurants in advance. And to my surprise I normally can get in just by reserving the same day.
 
#2: I've taken cruises where I opted to not participate in formal night activities, and didn't pack a suit. So on formal nights my wife and I ate in specialty restaurants. Nor surprisingly most people eat in the main dining room on formal nights because of the special entertainment, menu, and or formal night activities. Probably us repeat cruisers that know the routine and know what to expect have and done formal nights over and over again opt for something different.
 
Having been on 5 Royal Caribbean cruises I look for certain menu items that I enjoy eating on Royal Caribbean cruises and will pick and choose nights to eat in the main dining room based on when those menu offerings are available. Still mourning the loss of the vidalia onion tart! 

Hello, my name is Tyler and I'm from Lansing, Michigan. My wife and I love cruising and cruise normally once every two years. I'm a "loyal to Royal" and keep up to date on everything that Royal Caribbean does. We love to travel but love Walt Disney World and cruising the most!

Getting checked in and onboard early enables you to:
 
1. Avoid lines at check in and at lunch venues onboard the ship
2. Eat lunch at peace and on time
3. Explore ship while others are eating lunch
4. Make specialty restaurant reservations before others do
5. Change your dining room table assignment if you're unhappy with its location
6. Swim in the pool or hot tubs before others do
7. Take photos of the ship before it fills up
8. Put your clothes away (after you've done all the other things, obviously)

Gotta be there early just to avoid the lines.  The first cruise we took we showed up at like 1 and the lines were crazy.  We read to show up in the morning and tried it and it was much easier.  

And your vacation starts a day earlier!

I use a TA as well. She is a close personal friend, and I like doing business and sharing my business with people in my home town. Obviously if you book directly with Royal Caribbean you're giving them the commission you would otherwise be giving to your travel agent.
 
Like Matt said, I also use a TA because they take care of everything for me. I don't have to call Royal Caribbean, or any of that other stuff. My TA takes care of that, and her agency give me nice perks for coming back as a return customer, i.e. onboard credit, specialty dining certificates, free hotel nights.