michelle

These have been reviewed as some of the top 5 apps.  I have not tried them out yet, Anyone else have?
Stole this from another site.  ;)

1.  Ship Mate App - is often hailed as the number one app for cruisers and for good reason. The app has all you will
need to plan an amazing time onboard and off. Organize your cruise itinerary, daily excursions, deck maps and you can
even reach out to fellow cruisers through their roll call function.   Available for free on iTunes and Android. 
 
2.  Deck Director -app is for those cruises with absolutely no sense of direction.  Containing detailed maps of
decks plans from all ships in a variety of fleets. You will never be late for group dinners again.  iTunes $4.99.
 
3.  Cruise Guard Control - app is useful for keeping control of spending while sailing. Let's you create
expense categories, double check bills for accuracy and cost compare with past cruises.  iTunes $0.99.
 
4.  Cruise Camera - let's you virtually connect to daily cruise life through various webcams installed on
nearly 100 ships on a variety of cruise lines. Additionally the app gives you access to more than 150 port cams
around the world. iTunes $1.99.
 
5.  Sea Sickness -let's cruisers overcome the dreaded sea sickness while onboard. The health app let's ill cruisers
use the touch motion sensor to display a virtual shore line or horizon, which is thought to cure sea sickness.  There are
different shore line themes and users can switch from day view to night view.  iTunes  $.099.

The 3rd and 4th passengers free is also back, which I think is a better deal if you were planning on having 3 or 4 people in your stateroom.
 
Regardless, you should look at re-pricing any existing cruises to see if this deal benefits you.

I was on the ship last year and liked it a lot - no its not new but it has some classic things
about it like the Great Gatsby dining room that is very nice - I think for a first cruise a mega ship would
be overwhelming - This one is easy to get around and has some of the newer features like
the Solarium Park Cafe that is nice.  Chops and Portofino are more intimate.  Its all about
you making the most of your trip!  email me if you have more questions.

cool going to try this one as well, thanks
www.ripple-connect.com

I was on the ship last year and liked it a lot - no its not new but it has some classic things
about it like the Great Gatsby dining room that is very nice - I think for a first cruise a mega ship would
be overwhelming - This one is easy to get around and has some of the newer features like
the Solarium Park Cafe that is nice.  Chops and Portofino are more intimate.  Its all about
you making the most of your trip!  email me if you have more questions.

also look at www.shoretrips.com - I use them over cruise lines all the time
smaller groups and very reputable as well.

Welcome to the boards- depending on my flight time home, I have both pulled my
own luggage off the ship (walked off) and have used the ship number system as well
Also depends on the port - in FLL its so close to get off the ship and to the airport
I take my time - In Orlando- I get off quicker, cause its an hour to the airport, etc
 
Also they give you a letter in your cabin the night before you disembark that explains
what to do with numbers, or if you are walking off

I agree Matt - blog post for sure

These have been reviewed as some of the top 5 apps.  I have not tried them out yet, Anyone else have?
Stole this from another site.  ;)

1.  Ship Mate App - is often hailed as the number one app for cruisers and for good reason. The app has all you will
need to plan an amazing time onboard and off. Organize your cruise itinerary, daily excursions, deck maps and you can
even reach out to fellow cruisers through their roll call function.   Available for free on iTunes and Android. 
 
2.  Deck Director -app is for those cruises with absolutely no sense of direction.  Containing detailed maps of
decks plans from all ships in a variety of fleets. You will never be late for group dinners again.  iTunes $4.99.
 
3.  Cruise Guard Control - app is useful for keeping control of spending while sailing. Let's you create
expense categories, double check bills for accuracy and cost compare with past cruises.  iTunes $0.99.
 
4.  Cruise Camera - let's you virtually connect to daily cruise life through various webcams installed on
nearly 100 ships on a variety of cruise lines. Additionally the app gives you access to more than 150 port cams
around the world. iTunes $1.99.
 
5.  Sea Sickness -let's cruisers overcome the dreaded sea sickness while onboard. The health app let's ill cruisers
use the touch motion sensor to display a virtual shore line or horizon, which is thought to cure sea sickness.  There are
different shore line themes and users can switch from day view to night view.  iTunes  $.099.

Welcome to the boards- depending on my flight time home, I have both pulled my
own luggage off the ship (walked off) and have used the ship number system as well
Also depends on the port - in FLL its so close to get off the ship and to the airport
I take my time - In Orlando- I get off quicker, cause its an hour to the airport, etc
 
Also they give you a letter in your cabin the night before you disembark that explains
what to do with numbers, or if you are walking off

I agree Matt - blog post for sure

WELCOME to the boards
Agree with matt too I like the extra room ocean views give you over insides as well. and on the Grandeur
it will be noticeable.
 
Normally you will here the noises most right before and during dining but I agree with Matt if you can find one
a little better area, try that, but I would stay aft if you are going soon - during hurricane season I would be
mid- to -aft on a ship in case of weather, but that is just me.   Have a great time.

Have run into this a few times.  I use www.shoretrips.com to book beach days or
you can sometimes call hotels, located on the beach you want, and some will give you
day rates to use the hotel - without you having an actual room - and yes if the shore tour
does not include food - I would not book it.
good luck

totally fine with this- I cannot imagine how many towels go "missing" each cruise

Like matt said check to see if a meal is provided if not bring cash for this
Most places in Cozumel take US dollars if you do not have Pesos.
 
I have done the Mayan ruins and all I can say is take bug spray.  my guide had it
We ate in a small place my guide referred to us that the locals eat in, but I did a
tour with www.shoretrips.com and not RCI.
 
Dunn's River I did not really need cash except to maybe tip the driver, etc.
Caymans' you can easily use debit/credit cards in most stores, bars, etc here
so I did no need cash per se.
 
hope this helps

Bars onboard do have times posted in the Cruise Compass when they will close. Like others said some are listed as "late" with no specific time listed. I guess it would depend on the ship and demographic of people onboard. I've only sailed on newer ships with a lot of younger people, so the bars stay open later. On Oasis, the Rising Tide Bar was open way past midnight when there was a parade/concert going on in the Royal Promenade. And it was packed too.
 
Also on Oasis several mornings you would get "wake up bloody mary's" at the pool bar starting at 8am! I've also seen midnight martini's in the Viking Crown Lounge.  :P

What I do is everytime I book anything, be it a drinks package, restaurant or shore excursion prior to embarkation I PDF up the receipt. I add all receipts and documents associated with that cruise to iBooks and take it with me on the cruise. In doing this if there are any issues you can get them sorted right away onboard the vessel.

ATX yes that is what I find interesting too - people that have never been "assume' they
will not like cruising for one reason or another - they will get sea sick, or will be bored, etc
but I find that once people try it, they do like it.

good question - my husband is up about 6am he likes to walk the deck before its crowded - then he meets up with people - gets breakfast and coffee
I typically get up and try and do a class or go to the Gym and work out, it gets busier on sea days.
 
Many times they have good deals at the Spa so I have done that, and lots of activities - I have never been bored
Actually I almost find I'm more busy - on Sea Days cause I really get to see the ship
Go to shows for sure on these days and I like to eat in the Main Dining room and save
specialty dinners for days in port.
 
others?

good question - my husband is up about 6am he likes to walk the deck before its crowded - then he meets up with people - gets breakfast and coffee
I typically get up and try and do a class or go to the Gym and work out, it gets busier on sea days.
 
Many times they have good deals at the Spa so I have done that, and lots of activities - I have never been bored
Actually I almost find I'm more busy - on Sea Days cause I really get to see the ship
Go to shows for sure on these days and I like to eat in the Main Dining room and save
specialty dinners for days in port.
 
others?

I think what is interesting is how similar some of our reasons are and then how different
It still amazes me that 80% of Americans have not cruised and price or location to get
to these cruises in one factor - still my favorite way to Vacation - love being on water

Glad you are going and she will love it - I too have Type I- diabetes and like matt said I use a white board or notepad
on the cabin to leave messages- I have not taken walkie talkie's but I know the crew has them and can use them
for emergencies I'm sure - but I also buy internet minutes in case we have to turn our phone's on and use them
then the kids have some money -etc.  Have a blast

Have run into this a few times.  I use www.shoretrips.com to book beach days or
you can sometimes call hotels, located on the beach you want, and some will give you
day rates to use the hotel - without you having an actual room - and yes if the shore tour
does not include food - I would not book it.
good luck

I ALWAYS use the Gym and attend classes while sailing - I have lots of clients and friends that this is a very important part of any trip they take so I am very picky about how a ship's Gym is set up - The Oasis class ships are amazing and have some of the best gyms at sea for sure - Many stretching classes are free in the early morning but other Gym classes like spin are a nominal charge, like $10.    And the food/smoothies are great @ Vitality Café.  Freedom class also has really good gyms and classes as well.  
 
Spa - I do love to have a pass to the Spa at least once but spend less money on ships here.  They are amazing though and top notch compared to those on land.
Love the daily specials -   Couples Massages and Kids Spa programs are becoming more popular each year too.

I ALWAYS use the Gym and attend classes while sailing - I have lots of clients and friends that this is a very important part of any trip they take so I am very picky about how a ship's Gym is set up - The Oasis class ships are amazing and have some of the best gyms at sea for sure - Many stretching classes are free in the early morning but other Gym classes like spin are a nominal charge, like $10.    And the food/smoothies are great @ Vitality Café.  Freedom class also has really good gyms and classes as well.  
 
Spa - I do love to have a pass to the Spa at least once but spend less money on ships here.  They are amazing though and top notch compared to those on land.
Love the daily specials -   Couples Massages and Kids Spa programs are becoming more popular each year too.

super excited to see this spreading

Yay those are great