coneyraven

My wife had the spiney lobster --- Loved it. The place has a bar, gift shop, often times, love music, along with restaurant.

Seems to me that when we were in Bermuda last month, they were offering up the specialty restaurants at a discounted rate. I specifically remember it being at Chops -- We didn't take advantage of it though.... We ended up having a fantastic meal at the Frog & Onion Pub (5 minute walk from the ship) while we were there.

I'm loving this Live Blog ...... A Very Dry Sense of Humor --- Perfect.

So that was Tino doing the MIchael Jackson ..... Before going to Serenade, Tino was on Grandeur, and on his very last night before going to Serenade, there was a Michael Jackson tribute ..... I had absolutely no idea that was him ..... Bravo!!!

Well done sir ..... Thank You for providing a forum for RC fans to share experiences, learn new tricks of the trade, and overall, enhance their cruise/vacation experience. Mark

We absolutely love My Time Dining..... It's like my wife says, we're on vacation, we shouldn't have to live by a schedule. Even though they recommend making reservations with MTD, being just the two of us, we don't bother. We just show up in the MDR and we're seated. I think the longest we had to wait for a table was two minutes. Now, if we were a party of more than 4, then I would recommend getting a reservation, but just the two of us, never an issue.

Are the drink packages a good value? That's up to you. If you plan on drinking 5-6 drinks a day, EVERY DAY of your cruise, that tends to be the break even point for the most part. Keep in mind, you CAN'T use it when you get off the ship EXCEPT Labadee & Coco Cay. So, for many, if it's a port intensive itinerary, it may not be a good value, that's up to you ...... plus, can you maintain the pace? It's one thing the be an alcohol rock star at the beginning of the cruise, but will "drink fatigue" set in near the latter half? Again, not knowing your drinking habits, only you can be a true judge.

So glad to hear that it all worked out ..... even to your advantage with a slightly lower price ..... I've said this before and I'll say it again, the customer service team with Royal Caribbean is some of the best I've ever had the pleasure to do business with. Have a fantastic time on your cruise, we all know you will. Welcome to the RCLBlog family. Mark

I'm sorry that you're having to go through this "hell" -- A vacation is supposed to be something to recharge your battery and have a moment of stress-free living.... I think what amazes me the most is that you weren't able to transfer it to someone else..... Unless, of course, you're only a few days away, then it's not a Royal Caribbean thing, it's a Homeland Security thing..... Try to relax, hopefully the insurance company will be able to take care a lot of the "red tape" while you're gone ...Oh, and Happy Anniversary. Mark

Sounds exactly what they did with Grandeur earlier this year ..... mostly internal, below the water line, things done ...... The one thing that I noticed when I was on her a few weeks ago, a new paint job. Outside of that, no real changes from what I could see. I would assume the same will probably be the case for Serenade.

I feel like a Proud Papa ---- OUR little girl is getting married to her Prince Charming ....... So incredibly happy for the both of you.

I'm the old man --- I DO have a daughter who is 27 (Katie)

You are not alone on that one ..... I think we're all cyber-stalkers of our favorite ship ..... I know I am, guilty as charged when it comes to Grandeur OTS.

Good question ..... First of all, Celebrity doesn't go out of Baltimore (point goes to Grandeur) --- In all honesty, I never really gave Celebrity a thought. I would be curious, perhaps, to get a book of itineraries in order to familiarize myself with them and their ships. I think I'll order one. Thanks for the idea.

We absolutely love the ship .... for us -- it is absolutely perfect .... the kids are grown so we don't need a lot of those " bells & whistles" that the newer ships have, plus, we just love how you become part of a "family" of crew and passengers. We've met so many great people, some of which we cruised with last year and will be cruising again with in the future. To us, Grandeur is like the Goldilocks of ships --Not too big, Not too small ---Just right. Mark

I wouldn't call it weird at all -- Bermuda can't be experienced in one visit ---- For example ..... Visit #1 (2016) -- Horseshoe Bay and Dockyard Shops --- Visit #2 (2017) -- Crystal Caves, Hamilton and Dockyard Restaurant (had a fantastic meal at the Frog & Onion pub) --- Visit #3 (2018), Since now we'll be in Bermuda for 2 nights with a Full Day in between, we're going to devote that full day strictly to St. George and everything up at that end of the island. As for the other two days, who know, we may go back to Horseshoe plus we want to try the Anchor Restaurant, we may do that the first night we're there. Bermuda is gorgeous .... it's worth going to repeatedly, and for those that haven't been there, you're truly missing one of the gems of the Atlantic.

That's awesome ..... I think what amazed me more was the fact that the average depth was 40 feet, yet, you could clearly see the bottom ..... Plus, there are no fish in the lake. Also, it is ocean water and rises and falls with the tides.

Anthem --- The "Where's the Viking Crown Lounge?" Ship ----

Brace yourself for this one ....... You do realize I'm laughing again ..... it's just too pathetic .... I'm just glad it tasted good --- An artist I am not. Needless to say, you should know which one was mine and which one was from my wife, the perfectionist. Although, you know, I could always blame it on Jose

Come join us for the 7-nighter NEXT October ---- 3 Sea Days and 3 Days in Bermuda --- We'll be on the ship for Halloween which should be a lot of fun.

Here ya go...... Crystal Caves ...... Here's what's really amazing.... the AVERAGE depth of the lake is 40 ft.

I wish, stupid me, I completely forgot that I had packed my Old Bay Seasoning just for this.

Soarin? That ride is awesome .... and I agree, there's no time for pictures, JUST GET IN LINE!!!!! As for doing nothing ...... we became masters at that last week on Grandeur thanks to Jose....... and it was incredibly relaxing ..... Who knew that doing nothing became everything? I didn't. That's a lesson I'm glad I learned. Have fun, I know you will, Mark

I am so happy for you ...... I can imagine that the waiting and the anticipation has been pure torture. You WILL have a GREAT time. It looks as though the weather will cooperate..... Enjoy, and ..... don't try to do EVERYTHING on the Cruise Compass .... unless you can bend the time-space continuum, then, go for it .... Just be sure to give yourselves time to just relax and chill and savor in the joy of cruising. Mark

How could you NOT have a good time when you're on a cruise ...... I believe the real trick is allowing yourself to be flexible with whatever comes down the pike. Those that are real rigid with their plans would've had a lousy time on this one ..... Nothing went according to plan, not even the belly-flop contest, (CANCELED!)