FloatMe

I have never been to Baltimore but most RC home ports open the doors around 11am, start boarding 12 or 1230.

I agree with WAAAYTOOO. cost and comfort, I think it makes more sense to do two balcony cabins. We have some very good friends and family members that we love to cruise with, but being able to relax in our own space is a large part of our cruise experience. If having the extra perks from staying in a suite is important, the Grand suite is the least expensive and although it doesn'thave two bedrooms it has a full curtain separator giving some sense of privacy?

I wouldn't be the slightest bit aggravated if we weren't doing cozumel/costa maya/cayman the following April. Practically the same cruise in 5 months.

It looks like that is Allure's new alternating route starting with our cruise.

So, in our relatively short cruising life (4 sailed & 2 booked) we are pretty particular about the itineraries we pick and try to go to islands we have never been to. Hence we were really excited about our October western caribbean trip on Allure which was to visit Labadee, Falmouth Jamaica, and Cozumel. We had only been to Cozumel before. While checking for price drops I noticed the itinerary has now changed to Cozumel (been there), Nassau (been there) and Costa Maya (going there in April 2017). I understand having to make changes on the fly due to weather or political strife in a particular region, but they really changed the trip.

Initially I was pretty angry, and then I remembered that I will be on a cruise, and all is good on a cruise. That said, I have yet to be notified by RCCLor my TA about the change? Wil they offer us any compensation ($100 OBC or anything) for changing the vacation we wanted to go on.

I have also had some luck on YouTube.

Royal caribbean locks in their prices so all outlets will be the exact same price. We book through a Travel agent because you can usually get additional incentives like OBC in addition to what RC is offering.

I would expect the price to increase moderately moving closer to the cruise.

If not on an oceanview balcony, I would save the money.

It's Feb 17, 2017, 9 nights going to the ABC islands. From what I hear many people signed up already, should be a blast.

One of the problems of booking so early. I would have chosen the group cruise had I not booked April already. I hope Navigator is doing that same itinerary the following March/April??

Ya know, if you really want to try a southern 9 night navigator trip you could join us on the 2017 group cruise, just sayin.

Last April We had already booked Freedom April 2017. When exactly is the group cruise?

This may get moved to news & rumors, but as I wait with anticipation for the 2018/19 release of itineraries, I enjoy looking at the current itineraries as a possible guide. I was wondering if anyone had any real clue if Navigator would continue to do southern Caribbean out of Miami and if explorer would continue to do south pacific routes? 9 nights on Navigator sounds heavenly.... Daydreaming

Fountain guns at the bars have water and I believe freedom has coke freestyle machines which also have water.

I wouldn't choose to dine at Giovanni's multiple times during a cruise mostly because we enjoy traditional dining so much, BUT WOW were we impressed with Giovanni's on Adventure last spring. Hands down the best meal I have had on a cruise ship.

Actually, if you book 8 cabins, you get one "berth" (passenger) free.

 

Assuming you have a mix of cabin types (inside, outside, balcony, suite) booked, the free berth will be based on the cabin type with the most cabins booked.

This is exactlywhat we were awarded and how it was presented to us.

I do $2.50 /bag. I probably spend an extra $10 /cruise for the convenience of not carrying a pile of one dollar bills.

Not that all TAs aren't above board, but technically, I believe the free berth is awarded to the TA not the party. Our TA has always given that to us. Interesting to see if your TA will be on the ship with you??

Someone here will give you a better answer, I'm sure. But when we did our wedding g cruise in april, we needed 8 cabins. I think we got one free berth.

Cafe Promenade is Always our last stop of the evening. Pizza and desserts on the cabin balcony perusing the next day's compass. SIGH......

I have one in my toilet kit that I bring all the time.  I do not carry on or have in my carry on backpack.  Just put in suitcase and should be there when you receive them.

I think enforcement of their policy is a bit random. As mentioned above, my best man had to retrieve his luggage from the naughty room on the first night of the cruise because he had packed his pocket knife.

They confiscated by best man's pocket knife, which was a groomsman gift, from his checked bag. And my sister had her swiss army knife confiscated from her carry on. Both were retrieved after the cruise.

GROUNDHOG Day! Early February is a great time to escape Ohio, and if I were lucky I would have a bill murry-esque experience and get stuck repeating the day endlessly!

We have done New years and honestly, I would not choose to do it again. High prices & endless Christmas music. We are doing Halloween this year... I let you know.

I'll book another one and let you know when I find out.

The 2 adults purchased a drink package.  Are you guys telling me that in addition to the $12.95 each per day for the 4 of us that I should be tipping the bar tender just so I can get a decent drink?

No, they have already added an extra 18% to the cost of your drink package ;) or to each drink purchased individually.so no need to tip them personally. Bartending and cocktail service are not included in the daily gratuity.

In round numbers the gratuities per passenger are broken down to $8 per passenger per day for wait staff in restaurants and $4 per day for cabin attendants. All other services and products like drinks come with an addition gratuity paid (added to our bill) at the time of purchase. It seems to me that $8 tip split amongst the various wait staff over at least three meals is more than reasonable for child or adult. Likewise for the cleaning service.

Most cell carriers off an international package that includes cruise ships for around $25 which can reduce the roaming cost per minute. I believe going this route, you can send text for less than $.20 and receive for less than $.10 depending on carrier. That said even though the ships do have thier own cell "tower", the service can be spotty. Also you have to be REALLY careful to know which islands you plan includes and to turn your phone to airplane mode when pulling into ports that are not included.

We (only the DW and I) do buy the internet package and use the texting app "whatsapp". I can see that might be cost prohibitive for 8 people.

I'm probably not your best bet to answer a running question, but I would venture to say it's not what you are thinking for running. Labadee is just a section of Haiti that is closed off to the locals. When you go up the zip line (via crazy bump ride in a truck), you see one of these security check points with locals trying to get in (maybe to do work?). Leading up to this, there is just one main stretch of sidewalk/ road that is extremely busy. Everything is off of this main drag. From the ship to the end of the main road is 1 mile, tops. So there's not a "perimeter" per se. I'll see if I can upload a pic of the map when I get back.

Thanks. I have a pretty good idea of what the area is comprised of and it's limits in regards to running. I just wasn't sure about the size. I know I'm not going to get a nice 8 mile loop, but a mile to and from the ship, repeated a few times, is much better than endless circuits on the ship.

love Chef's Table but its almost over kill !  but cool experience.  Interesting on activities but

I can see that if you are a "Disney person".  Let me know how you like Entertainment

I tend to think RCI has the best next to Disney.

Labadee is amazing  - Enjoy

Going to Labadee for the first time in October and we are really looking forward to it. I do have a question however. I like to run in the morning. If i were to run on Labadee, how far might it be around the perimeter and is there a suitable path around the perimeter?