CruisingKat(Kathy)

My first cruise experience was a blessing from heaven.   Being a performer in Miami, our group played many of the clubs around the area in the mid 70's.  Our agent booked us NCL ships for the summer...The Skyward, The Sunward, The Seaward, The Southward.  We transferred between each ship when coming back to Miami.  Was a wonderful experience.  After leaving the "music" business, I knew that I would always want to be "at sea".  Of course, everything was paid for including food/passage and we were paid to boot!    After that season was over, I knew that it would be a while before I would ever be able to afford that kind of luxury.  Now I can go on a cruise as much at the retirement budget will allow...and I would be aboard at every opportunity!   Nothing like the "good old days" at sea,   

My first time was a 4 year enlistment in the Navy on the USS Yosemite (AD19) 1974-1978.  Two Med cruises, 2 Caribbean and up and down the east coast.  Of course it wasn't the same but I liked being on the water.  After that my first was my honeymoon on a Carnival in 94.  Don't recall the boat but had a good time.  Took to 2012 to get to Royal, my wifes brother (Diamond Plus) talked us into the Oasis.  Been on a death spiral ever since.

I have found the pillows to be great but I'm not particularly particular about my pillow.
 
I would suggest that it isn't necessary to bring your pillow unless you really need YOUR pillow.

My first sailing was on the Enchantment, an after thought to my trip to the Kennedy Space Center. I never did much research or planning, other than enough to choose Royal over Carnival. Point is I didn't know what to expect, I went in knowing nothing.
I was completely blown away, the crew, the food, the entertainment, it was all very impressive.
But for me the big thing was the freedom. On our other land vacations we had to rent a car (no drinking) and spent much time going from attraction to attraction, very busy. But on the ship I had no keys in my pocket, no phone, and even no wallet! There was many things I could do onboard or even in port if I choose. I felt free to do what I want when I want. I could even get separated from my wife if desired (shhh).
 
So what was it for you?

I give $3 to $5 when getting on the ship as all I do is stop, give bags to porter and go on.  Getting off the ship I give a little more as they pick our bags from floor, put on cart and get us near the front of the customs line, so like that part.

I usually tip 5 as well but will tip more if the porter seems very sociable. I appreciate someone with a positive attitude. Sometimes on embarkation day I'll tip a little more than 5, but 5 is my usual amount so nope, you are definitely not being cheap ;)

Perhaps I'm cheap, but if I have to take my luggage to them or the luggage bin, I think a $1 per bag is more than sufficient especially if I have to wait.  If they come to me and collect my bags, then that's another story.

Glad to hear that, Kat.  I would have expected the old Voom package to correlate to the Voom Surf + Stream package.

Nailed my philosophy

Minimum of $5 total, but $1 to $2 per bag. I am a little more generous if we use them to disembark and they get us past all the lines and straight to customs. I am interested to see what other say as I am hoping I am not being cheap.

Anyone here that has met/talked to me, obviously knows,
I am getting very excited for my upcoming cruise, on the largest ship I have ever been on, Allure of the Seas!!!
I have been searching my condo, ever since we moved Dec/15, for this one picture, of my very first ever cruise in 2006, on Royal Caribbean's, Enchantment Of The Seas, of my husband and myself.
 
My Last Royal Caribbean Cruise I took was 2007.
I tried a few other cruise lines, and they were just okay.
I realized for my 2016 cruise, it had to be Royal Caribbean, or nothing!
 
I definitely wanted to find my first ever Cruise picture,
to bring with me, on Allure of the seas!!!
 
I Finally found it in a box, tucked in the Garage!!!!!
 
Just Had to Share my excitement, once again!!!
My fellow cruise Addicts, will get it!!!
 
âš“ï¸Loyal to Royalâš“ï¸

Anyone here that has met/talked to me, obviously knows,
I am getting very excited for my upcoming cruise, on the largest ship I have ever been on, Allure of the Seas!!!
I have been searching my condo, ever since we moved Dec/15, for this one picture, of my very first ever cruise in 2006, on Royal Caribbean's, Enchantment Of The Seas, of my husband and myself.
 
My Last Royal Caribbean Cruise I took was 2007.
I tried a few other cruise lines, and they were just okay.
I realized for my 2016 cruise, it had to be Royal Caribbean, or nothing!
 
I definitely wanted to find my first ever Cruise picture,
to bring with me, on Allure of the seas!!!
 
I Finally found it in a box, tucked in the Garage!!!!!
 
Just Had to Share my excitement, once again!!!
My fellow cruise Addicts, will get it!!!
 
âš“ï¸Loyal to Royalâš“ï¸

Nice find Kat! Soon you will have me looking for our first cruise pic from 1999 on NCL. At the time all guest seemed to be twice our age and we just had an "okay" time. We tried Carnival next and it was full of kids and drunk college students. I talked my wife into trying one more cruise. We got a last minute deal on Royal's Splendour of the Seas. We found OUR cruise line and have since been loyal to Royal.
Our last cruise was on Enchantment with our adult sons and we had a wonderful time. 
 
Edit: Found pics.
 

Cute picture Kat! I remember that same excitement from our first cruise. Still get that excited, but usually blow right by those photographers now.... More important things to do, like get that first roast beef sandwich. I have my priorities straight right?

Nice Kat.
 
We will be on Enchantment for the first time for our anniversary in November. Looking forward to it.
 
Debating between the beach loungers or getting a cabana. Got the lounger when we sailed Majesty and really liked it. Just thought we'd kick it up a notch for our anniversary.

First time on Enchantment.
 
Navigator was my first ship and like you I was hooked after the first time.

Anyone here that has met/talked to me, obviously knows,
I am getting very excited for my upcoming cruise, on the largest ship I have ever been on, Allure of the Seas!!!
I have been searching my condo, ever since we moved Dec/15, for this one picture, of my very first ever cruise in 2006, on Royal Caribbean's, Enchantment Of The Seas, of my husband and myself.
 
My Last Royal Caribbean Cruise I took was 2007.
I tried a few other cruise lines, and they were just okay.
I realized for my 2016 cruise, it had to be Royal Caribbean, or nothing!
 
I definitely wanted to find my first ever Cruise picture,
to bring with me, on Allure of the seas!!!
 
I Finally found it in a box, tucked in the Garage!!!!!
 
Just Had to Share my excitement, once again!!!
My fellow cruise Addicts, will get it!!!
 
âš“ï¸Loyal to Royalâš“ï¸

Anyone here that has met/talked to me, obviously knows,
I am getting very excited for my upcoming cruise, on the largest ship I have ever been on, Allure of the Seas!!!
I have been searching my condo, ever since we moved Dec/15, for this one picture, of my very first ever cruise in 2006, on Royal Caribbean's, Enchantment Of The Seas, of my husband and myself.
 
My Last Royal Caribbean Cruise I took was 2007.
I tried a few other cruise lines, and they were just okay.
I realized for my 2016 cruise, it had to be Royal Caribbean, or nothing!
 
I definitely wanted to find my first ever Cruise picture,
to bring with me, on Allure of the seas!!!
 
I Finally found it in a box, tucked in the Garage!!!!!
 
Just Had to Share my excitement, once again!!!
My fellow cruise Addicts, will get it!!!
 
âš“ï¸Loyal to Royalâš“ï¸

Anyone here that has met/talked to me, obviously knows,
I am getting very excited for my upcoming cruise, on the largest ship I have ever been on, Allure of the Seas!!!
I have been searching my condo, ever since we moved Dec/15, for this one picture, of my very first ever cruise in 2006, on Royal Caribbean's, Enchantment Of The Seas, of my husband and myself.
 
My Last Royal Caribbean Cruise I took was 2007.
I tried a few other cruise lines, and they were just okay.
I realized for my 2016 cruise, it had to be Royal Caribbean, or nothing!
 
I definitely wanted to find my first ever Cruise picture,
to bring with me, on Allure of the seas!!!
 
I Finally found it in a box, tucked in the Garage!!!!!
 
Just Had to Share my excitement, once again!!!
My fellow cruise Addicts, will get it!!!
 
âš“ï¸Loyal to Royalâš“ï¸

Actually it's Coke. Regardless of flavor says the adopted southerner

Thank You so much!! I can't wait to share my experience on Allure of the seas, with others.
I'm very thrilled to be going on this cruise. My countdown is now in the 30's, so I'm getting really excited!!!

Hi Shelly 
It is live streaming video. In essence you can watch someone Periscoping from whatever adventure/situation that they are showing you, such as someone being on a cruise ship. You can hear, and see, in live time from the periscope. When you follow someone, it gives you notifications, when they come on to air a periscope. If you happen to miss it, does stay up for 24 hours, to playback and view.
 
Here is a link to check it out.
 
https://www.periscope.tv/#share

Let's put this in perspective ....
 
IT'S A CRUISE!!!!
 
My first Cruise was on the sister ship Sovereign of the Seas .... same floor plan, same itinerary, different ship ..... The ship is a lot bigger than you would think, especially if it's your first cruise because you really have nothing to compare it to ....
 
There are a ton of things to do on board, and if there's one thing I've noticed in a lot of the comments, having a smaller ship means your not packed in with the masses.... which, in my opinion, is a good thing ...
 
Relax, he will have a GREAT time, Royal Caribbean will not let you down, even though the focus is on Quantum and Oasis Class ships, they never took their eye off of the other classes.....
 
Just walk on board, grab a Pina Collada and relax...
 
Oh, and later this year, I'm taking my wife on her first cruise, Grandeur of the Seas (Vision Class), a little bigger than Majesty, but not much so I have as much at stake as you on this one, but knowing Royal Caribbean, I'm not worried (I just wish I could control the weather) -- I'm going to let her set the pace and let the fun sink in without me forcing it .....
 
Walk on board, grab a drink, get a bite to eat at the Windjammer, and just let the fun happen, he (and you) will be just fine ---

I downloaded Periscope yesterday just so I could watch Matt's periscopes. I don't really understand the technicalities of the app yet and have yet to watch a live one but I'm very excited to watch more and to watch some from actual ships! This sounds like a good way for me to find more!

Also, I'd like to point out this service https://katch.me - I haven't used it (too shy to Periscope) but apparently it "catches" Periscopes and allows for future viewing.  I think this might be a great way to build up a collection of videos about RC ships.