fonemanbob

The photo packages may seem pricey but actually can be a great value. Watch for specials on them. Or have a camera with you and have someone take your picture everyday. That will give you extra options. We do it every cruise. More than once we have had ships photographers pictures taken only to find that none turned out. That`s another story in itself. Then again we have had some awesome pictures on our cruises as well from the ship photo shop.

Absolutely get those luggage tags from Amazon. I am not that prolific on the computer but go to Amazon and search for cruise ship luggage tags. We got them a few years ago and they work great. And as waaaytooo stated do your carry on luggage as well.

In a nutshell get the beverage package for the kids if they want soda. Get to the port by 10 a.m. Done that forever in a day. You get a good spot in the parking garage and you are on board in no time. Also do the carry off when you disembark. Saves tons of time. Being you are new to the ship and R.C. you can explore before it gets crowded . As our son found out you put on pants or nice khakis shorts and eat in the M.D.R. change after dinner and off you go. On formal nights he can wear pants and a polo shirt. As far as hotels the recommendations from this blog are spot on. Or check out trip adviser or cruise critic. Pack light also. You can wear the same outfit more than once. The fashion police will never know. You are not on the red carpet. You are on VACATION. If you drink wine you can bring two bottles on board. Don`t forget a corkscrew. Keep an eye on cruise planner as beverage packages go on sale. Welcome to Royal Caribbean and enjoy the cruise.

Just wait the only available reds will be Boone`s Farm and Ripple. I`m kidding . We get the deluxe drink package and its worth it to have to pay the extra couple of dollars to get a premium bottle of wine. And have found buying the bottle is worth it as long as you know you will be having a few glasses of that brand. We order a glass first and then if it is really good we get a bottle. It helps bringing on two bottles of wine also. And if you want to go out on a limb talk to people getting on and if they don`t have wine, ask them to bring 2 extra bottles on and give them a tip for their effort. Been their done that once. It`s not like you are smuggling drugs or a weapon on board.

Ladies and gentleman next time you are on a cruise walk around the the deck and count the number of lifeboats multiply their capacity times the number of life boats and then find out the ships capacity. You may be surprised at the outcome. Oh by the way retirement is what ever you make it. I am looking forward to going back to full time employment this fall after 7 surgeries the past 6 years. None were serious tho. I told my wife and sisters last fall that age is only a number, and I am going to write a book titled Born To Never Retire. Over 40 percent of retired people go back to work full time. And last the loops on the life boat are so if you are not in it you can slide your arm thru the loop and hang on to the boat. Dan welcome to the BLOG. I have found this blog to be beyond helpful and at times very entertaining.

I was a Boy Scout. BE PREPARED Like that one commercial used to say. Don`t leave home with out one.

Yes you should be just fine. We did that 3 years ago. To save some time we did the walk off and grabbed a porter to take our bags and got thru customs fast and into a cab and off we went in no time. Its worth the money for a porter as they get preferential treatment. Otherwise a later flight and no porter is needed. Docking on time and getting cleared by customs is a crap shoot.

Bring 2 bottles on board any way you want. Put your corkscrew in your suitcase and do not carry it on as it might be confiscated as a weapon. Don`t bring the bottle to the M.D.R. or any fee restaurant . On our cruise in Feb. we witnessed a couple across from us in Chops bring a bottle of wine to dinner and they were charged a corkage fee as well as a table across from us at dinner one evening in the M.D.R. got charged a corkage fee. Neither party was too happy but at least they did not come unglued. We hand carry our wine on board so as not to have the suitcase opened when it shows up on X ray. And mainly to avoid breakage in the suitcase and have a bag full of wine laced clothes.

We were in Cozumel in February and we were the 5th and last ship in port. We were booked at Mr Sanchos. That prompted a no brainer decision by both of us that we were not going to Mr Sanchos. It is first come first served . Best wasted $ 10.00 ever. Worse than trying to find a deck chair on a sea day. Seeing as to how you are the first ship in beat feet of the boat and get to which ever establishment you choose and enjoy the day and your cruise.

Just got back from Cozumel. We had signed up for Mr Sancho`s beach club but we did not go as there were 5 ships in port. We only forfeited a $5 deposit. For sure do Nachi Cocom like others have said it has limit on guests. We should have done Nachi Cocom. Live and learn Instead we went shopping etc . We would recommend Senior Frogs at the pier. We had a blast and got buzzed but we only had to walk up the pier to our ship. It is a fun place with good food and drinks.

We stayed at Hotel 1898 on Las Ramblas when we were there 2 years ago before and after our cruise. It is best described as excellent and will stay there when we go back. The service, staff, hotel all were excellent. All of their recommendations were fabulous i.e. shopping, dining and sightseeing and oh yes a dentist. I had a crown fall out on the flight over . Glad we got in a day before as we always do and they recommended a dentist who re cemented the crown back in on a 3 hour notice. We love Barcelona as I am sure you will also. We took a taxi and it was a 10 minute ride to the pier. The hotel is a bit pricey but worth it for the convenience. If anything stay in the Las Ramblas area. We also did a local tour that we saw on Cruise critic. It was wonderful and the guide was extremely knowledgeable and passionate. Enjoy Barcelona and the cruise.

Any recommendations where to stay when cruising from Bayonne NJ Port. Thank you

Has anyone had any issues with Diamonds International ? I purchased a bracelet in Cozumel in February and got a call that it was to ship next week. I asked what size was it and he stated medium. I re examined the receipt and and its supposed to be a large. Called DI back. A week and a half later still no calls and RC not much help either. This will be the third time in 5 years with issues. All with D I and John Hardy merchandise. Five years ago a ring took 6 months. Two years ago a bracelet took 4 months. It might be 3 strikes and your out or so it seems.

Hit every backdrop every day . The more you take the better selection you will have. We have had some great pictures taken both formal and casual over the years. With a large family it is worth the price of a package. They run a discount the first few days you get on board so by all means take advantage of it. We did a family cruise years ago and only did 1 photo shoot and the pictures did not get printed. They said some kind of bogus glitch. Found out it was a defective camera . Now a days they review each picture as they take them.

Did mine last Feb. and had it back under 3 weeks.

Do the rum tour and then see Reggie the wood crafter. His woodworking art work is beautiful.

We have been there a couple of times and we did an excursion tour an America`s cup yacht. You can participate or just enjoy the fun of being on a racing yacht. Looking forward to going back there and hope they still offer that excursion. Otherwise we enjoy roaming around or taking a tour that can be very informative.

Just got back on Rhapsody from Mexico. We had booked Mr. Sancho`s . We did not go as we were the 5th ship in port. Yes we had a reservation and only paid a $ 10 deposit. But knew if we did go that the place was going to be a zoo. We went shopping instead and had drinks and appetizers at Senior Frogs at the end of the pier where the ship docked. It was a fun and crazy time. If you are going to be doing any jewelry shopping in Diamonds International ask for Peter. He helped us and was excellent

Just got back from our cruise on Rhapsody. We booked a tour thru Native Choice and it was one of the best non ship excursions we have done and we do at least 2 or more non ship excursions on each of our last 4 cruises. The tour name is Mayan Experience. The guide Eric was excellent. We ate a fabulous lunch as part o the tour. The tour is 5.5 hours. Just look at the reviews on cruise critic and trip advisor. The ship docked at 7:30 and we got to the Native Choice officeat 8:30. Just a short walk from the ships port. We were back to the dock at 2:30. Our excursion in Belieze was cancelled the night before. We were going to do Mr. Sancho"s Beach club in Cozumel but went shopping instead as there were 5 ships in port. We ended our day in Cozumel at Senior Frogs and had a blast. If not the Native Choice tour that we highly recommend then do as as WAAAYTOOO stated the beach compound is very nice and lots of nice new shops. We don`t stress about not getting back to the ship ever as it is not worth it. Nor have we ever missed a ship and have not heard of folks missing ships. Feel free to contact me if you need any inf. Enjoy the cruise.

So we got to the port at 10 a.m. and waited 15 min. and then everyone waiting was on board in about 15 minutes. Very fast. They had a minor virus outbreak and were doing extra sanitizing. 7 people got sick. Also we parked the car right at the dock. Literally 30 yards away. We disembarked at 7:30 a.m. and were on the interstate at 8 a.m. All in all a really great cruise.

WAAAYTOOO and the others have me and the Mrs. convinced that on our cruise on Sunday we will become Diamond. We will definitely book enough future cruises to get us D Plus. But do agree that who knows where this will all play out. And yes if necessary we will plead our case if we have too. As far as the drink pkgs. We did it in Europe last year and it was worth it . This next cruise it would have cost $1500 and know way will we run up that high of a bar tab.

Got an email on Monday that stated don`t arrive before 12:00 for our cruise on Sunday. L.O.L. We will be there as always at 10 A.M. When we are told to be there or pick a time we will still arrive arrive at 10 A.M. We will claim must have been a senior moment or something to that degree. HA HA Picture taking is a wonderful idea. Now if I can only get a waiver for all of my replaced joint parts (knee, hip and shoulder) so I can get on board with out being dam near strip searched every time we get on the boat. At the airports I have an express pass but say I need to go in the scanner. That is always comical. But getting on ships at times is a real trip.

First and foremost enjoy the cruise. Second and so on RELAX. If this is your first cruise to pull up to a ship and see it for the first time is quite an experience. Our first cruise was on Enchantment years ago and thought that ship was big. HA HA After several cruises and visiting our son at several Navy ship yards the past 10 years it is amazing at the size of all the ships. Also stop at several of the photo shoots on board and have lots of pictures taken. I am sad to say we learned the hard way and saw only 1 photographer and the pictures did not develop to a camera issue. That was our only family cruise unfortunately. Lastly I know its repetitious but RELAX and ENJOY. We are so glad that we stumbled upon this site. The wealth of information is beyond incredible. WELCOME ABOARD and enjoy the cruise.

Thanks for the tip. Must admit I have not seen or heard of the Botanist. Then again living in Tennessee shelf space in stores is eaten up by numerous moonshine flavors and of course Jack Daniels. I will look for it on my travels over the holidays.

They just announced on the news that the Key West ship port is now open. Hopefully the other ports that were affected by the hurricanes will be able to re open at some point and time. Obviously not as fast as Key West. Mother nature has been very unkind this year. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of those that were affected both here and abroad. Just saw the itinerary update page and the next 3 RC cruises are going to Nassau instead of Key West..