michelle

Good question? if its gets double points I'm going to try and find one of these

Another thing you can always do is call the cruise line - while they may not lower your rates, they do have the ability to upgrade you to a room sometimes that is At the Current cost you are paying. So if you paid $600 for an oceanview but now that is what the balconies are selling at, ask for them to move you into one. based on availability again and within a few weeks of sailing but have done this many times.

Welcome Stephanie and I love the idea of the American Grill as well which is what I selected - I too am super excited to see the Quantum as well

Love this have never met anyone that has sailed in these. What is the Cabin number in case I get the chance? Hope you have a great cruise again this year

Hi They do have rooms though where the Bed faces the couch and is larger so there is not curtain - what cabin number are you in? You can always call and ask an agent to read you a room description sometimes they have notes.

Hmm Not a fan of Cats and I agree its not very relevant. And I did not like RCI's version of Chicago either Do wish they could do something else.

Hey what RCI ship are you sailing on? Agree its hard to beat some of the fun and service on Disney but I have had great times on many RCI ships too

Hi - Best Romantic and worth a look is "THE PILLARS" hotel. On the inter-coastal and they do offer shuttles etc to get to the Port. Very nice staff and they are central in the beach area and a great romantic hotel check them out. I often go south as well to stay at the WESTIN down off the AIA more in Dania Beach. Easy, but not cheap is the Embassy Suites - nightly happy hour and great breakfast and you can buy a shuttle pass day of your cruise for about $8 per person as of last year. Also right around the corner from the Embassy Suites is a Total Wine shop, we walk to and pick up wine before boarding. Holiday Inn Express, off 17th street is one of the best values.

Disney just has the system down and the customs people there just clear Port Canaveral in general pretty well. I have not found issues though on other ships myself - I have cleared very easily in the past year in NYC and FLL with being pretty much allowed to walk off the ship at a designated time - I do often take my own luggage though and walk off too, cause of early flights.

I was at the Explorer on a tour and visited last year ( before the floods in Dec 2012) and the port is easy to get in and out of and if I were you I would park at the PIER and not use an off site parking lot (albeit cheaper). Others may post otherwise but when I was there, these lots filled up so fast and the buses were having issues getting the people to the port on time!! I actually picked up and drove some people myself to get them there. So I suggest getting to the Pier earlier and parking right there. Labadee is one of my favorites, with lots to do and very relaxing, cabanas are great. Worth asking a few days before you go about upgrading to a balcony - there are people that cancel last minute and sometimes cabins do open up - so I would try and call and check on that as you get closer

Sounds totally amazing - I would love to see Milford sound as well = may have to put this one on my bucket list - thanks for posting - not often I look at the longer cruises but the older I get....the more they appeal to me

wow these all sound great! would love to hear more about your most recent trip? what ship was this on?

Sounds great - I really like the Allure - best gym at Sea! that's a big deal to me, lol

Ziplining in Roatan Honduras. This was booked through www.shoretrips.com which has smaller group sizes than a lot of the cruise line groups and some great packaging of shore tours you can do for various ports.

Matt - its a big ship - join me!

I agree I would not do it either - I do get off in Nassau and take a cab about 2 miles down to some local shack huts that serve the best fish fry's but have not gone to Atlantis in years - super pricey and worn down over the years. Ship will have lots to do

First cruise was in 2005, I took my then 4 year old daughter on the Ecstasy to Baja Mexico. The ships photographer followed her all around the ship and took pictures of her - she loved it. Each day she took a nap in the window ledge in our cabin. I would not sail again until 2011 when Disney offered rates of $39 per person, just to get people to travel after 9/11 Since that cruise I've been on about 25 ships/cruises and love it.

Love the Mariner - one of my favorites still in the RCI line up Next for me - 2 night Oasis (kids free offer!!) for Aug 30, 2014 then the Quantum in November, can't wait

Matt- Have a blast! I'm sure there will be lots of reveals ------------------------ Michelle :D

Good thing is even if you do show up to port without tags, but have your cabin number you can ask the porter to give you a tag for the luggage Did this on the Allure last year without an issue. Great tag holders Matt will have to get me some of these. YOU will like the Oasis a lot - so much to do - and lots to see - make sure to go to the Gym, amazing for a cruise ship. Bon Voyage and the weather should be great for you :) ______________________ Michelle