L454S

On a port intensive sailing(almost a port a day like a Baltic sailing), I don't mind an inside cabin at all. Much less expensive even with the D+ discount. Would not get the use from the balcony.
We like a balcony on transatlantic or transpacific sailings though with several sea days.
Have tried suites a few times. The grands were very nice, but the perks don't justify the money. Junior Suites are nice too if you can find one a couple hundred more than a balcony(not very often). 

You can book flights as early as about 330 days out from your sailing. I would book as early as possible, haven't seen too many price drops. If you are looking for overseas flights, I would go to RCI website and search the Air2Sea website offerings. They can and usually do come in at a fraction of the cost. Domestic flights are usually not any better priced than you can shop for yourself.
Have also found that Air2Sea has cut back on its overseas flights. It now seems to depend on which CITY in the US you are flying into or out of.  We have always been able(up to sometime in 2018) to get from or to New Orleans and any European embarkation/disembarkation for between 3 to 5 hundred a person. Have been pricing for the past few months and it is well over a thousand PP on some future bookings. 
It seems now, you have to get a bit creative. We have found if we fly from/to Houston, Boston, Atlanta, JFK, Chicago, etc., the prices are back to $300/400 PP. Then we add a cheap SWA connector and we are just about where we would be in times past.
 

On a port intensive sailing(almost a port a day like a Baltic sailing), I don't mind an inside cabin at all. Much less expensive even with the D+ discount. Would not get the use from the balcony.
We like a balcony on transatlantic or transpacific sailings though with several sea days.
Have tried suites a few times. The grands were very nice, but the perks don't justify the money. Junior Suites are nice too if you can find one a couple hundred more than a balcony(not very often). 

Early riser here too. On Liberty you can go to the Cafe Promenade, port side just in front of the rear elevator lobby. Lots of seating early to have coffee and read a bit with your laptop if so inclined.

Early riser here too. On Liberty you can go to the Cafe Promenade, port side just in front of the rear elevator lobby. Lots of seating early to have coffee and read a bit with your laptop if so inclined.

On a port intensive sailing(almost a port a day like a Baltic sailing), I don't mind an inside cabin at all. Much less expensive even with the D+ discount. Would not get the use from the balcony.
We like a balcony on transatlantic or transpacific sailings though with several sea days.
Have tried suites a few times. The grands were very nice, but the perks don't justify the money. Junior Suites are nice too if you can find one a couple hundred more than a balcony(not very often). 

Agree with this. On Voyager and Freedom class ships, the corner aft on deck 7 are the most desirable for view and size.
On Radiance and Vision class ships, all the aft balconies have the view and that sound. Its like the sound of being on a balcony at the beach with the churning water. These balconies are larger(deeper) than a side balcony. People sometimes say they don't want an aft balcony because of the long walk to the elevators or anywhere for that matter. While this is true, we don't mind a bit.
 This is a deck 9 aft on the Brilliance(9658). Second pic is Serenade(7176)                                                                                                                                                                                                    

I don't mind repeating ships, we don't make an effort to do so however. Sometimes it just works out that way.
Been on Serenade 3 times and am going again in April. Always itinerary and price driven, not to mention when we want to go.
Been on Golden Princess 3 times in different parts of the world.

I don't mind repeating ships, we don't make an effort to do so however. Sometimes it just works out that way.
Been on Serenade 3 times and am going again in April. Always itinerary and price driven, not to mention when we want to go.
Been on Golden Princess 3 times in different parts of the world.

January -  Vision 7 night from New Orleans
April - Serenade 16 night T/A to Copenhagen
May - Serenade 7 night Baltic(B2B)
November - Pacific Princess 12 night Venice/Greece
December - Pacific Princess 17 night T/A from Rome(B2B) 
 

That's true , BUT, they kept advertising it as a stop even though they knew it would not be on the agenda. All while touting the pleasures of their island. 

New Orleans Airport is not that busy. You won't generally need a lot of time to get through security checkpoints at the concourse.
Yes , as you said, it is about a half hour cab ride and ride time depends on the day of the week.
All things going right and if you do a self disembark, you could make a 10 or 11 o'clock flight. Wouldn't want to guarantee it though.

My Jan.12 sailing on the Vision had CC replaced by Miami ! I will trade you Miami for Grand Bahama.

First time sailing on the MSC Seaside and in the Yacht Club.
First time trying the Empress OTS.
Completed the Radiance class with a 21 day sailing on the Brilliance.
First D+ cruise
First time on Grandeur OTS and port of Baltimore
First time in Amsterdam, Azores, Belfast, Waterford
210 crystal block 
 

First time sailing on the MSC Seaside and in the Yacht Club.
First time trying the Empress OTS.
Completed the Radiance class with a 21 day sailing on the Brilliance.
First D+ cruise
First time on Grandeur OTS and port of Baltimore
First time in Amsterdam, Azores, Belfast, Waterford
210 crystal block 
 

First time sailing on the MSC Seaside and in the Yacht Club.
First time trying the Empress OTS.
Completed the Radiance class with a 21 day sailing on the Brilliance.
First D+ cruise
First time on Grandeur OTS and port of Baltimore
First time in Amsterdam, Azores, Belfast, Waterford
210 crystal block 
 

First time sailing on the MSC Seaside and in the Yacht Club.
First time trying the Empress OTS.
Completed the Radiance class with a 21 day sailing on the Brilliance.
First D+ cruise
First time on Grandeur OTS and port of Baltimore
First time in Amsterdam, Azores, Belfast, Waterford
210 crystal block 
 

Agree with this. On Voyager and Freedom class ships, the corner aft on deck 7 are the most desirable for view and size.
On Radiance and Vision class ships, all the aft balconies have the view and that sound. Its like the sound of being on a balcony at the beach with the churning water. These balconies are larger(deeper) than a side balcony. People sometimes say they don't want an aft balcony because of the long walk to the elevators or anywhere for that matter. While this is true, we don't mind a bit.
 This is a deck 9 aft on the Brilliance(9658). Second pic is Serenade(7176)                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Agree with this. On Voyager and Freedom class ships, the corner aft on deck 7 are the most desirable for view and size.
On Radiance and Vision class ships, all the aft balconies have the view and that sound. Its like the sound of being on a balcony at the beach with the churning water. These balconies are larger(deeper) than a side balcony. People sometimes say they don't want an aft balcony because of the long walk to the elevators or anywhere for that matter. While this is true, we don't mind a bit.
 This is a deck 9 aft on the Brilliance(9658). Second pic is Serenade(7176)                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Agree with this. On Voyager and Freedom class ships, the corner aft on deck 7 are the most desirable for view and size.
On Radiance and Vision class ships, all the aft balconies have the view and that sound. Its like the sound of being on a balcony at the beach with the churning water. These balconies are larger(deeper) than a side balcony. People sometimes say they don't want an aft balcony because of the long walk to the elevators or anywhere for that matter. While this is true, we don't mind a bit.
 This is a deck 9 aft on the Brilliance(9658). Second pic is Serenade(7176)                                                                                                                                                                                                    

On Freedom and Voyager class ships, you are a bit removed from the ships wake on the aft balconies. However, I would book one anytime. This pic is from deck 7 corner aft looking down. You can see that we do have some view of the balconies on deck 6, but not a lot.

Amen, have to call this morning. JS we just upgraded to yesterday has dropped $150 overnight. Now the JS is only $140 more than the balcony we had booked originally.(9 night Canada/New England)

Amen, have to call this morning. JS we just upgraded to yesterday has dropped $150 overnight. Now the JS is only $140 more than the balcony we had booked originally.(9 night Canada/New England)

My Jan.12 sailing on the Vision had CC replaced by Miami ! I will trade you Miami for Grand Bahama.

My Jan.12 sailing on the Vision had CC replaced by Miami ! I will trade you Miami for Grand Bahama.