FloatMe

We have done two very different southern itineraries out of San Juan on Adventure and Love, Love, Love it down there. We will be on Navigator for the 9nt on April 13th and Super excited! 

If I were to rent a cabana on Barefoot beach on Labadee as a suite guests are we allowed to invite non suite guests to join us? And if so, do they actually have to be "in" the cabana or will they be able to utilize the beach chairs and umbrella on the beach?

I used to ponder some of these same questions, but as I have been blessed to travel more and more, I have learned that is no shortage of people who do not think twice about plunking down $10000, $20000 even mor for even 7 night itineraries. Seven seas world cruise can cost up to $60000 per passenger for its lowest category of stateroom and it fills up in a few days. I've been on the gaming floor at Caesars in Vegas and watched $5000, $10000 buy ins on the craps table on a regular basis and it's gone in the matter of minutes. These are things I will never be able to afford, but I do keep my eyes open for deals and splurge for a GS on older ships when the opportunity presents itself. We often can get a GS on Radiance Class, Voyager class or Freedom class ships for similar cost as a balcony state room on the newer ships.

We have settled on Embassy suites. It is just too conveniently located near restaurants,  grocery and drug stores.

On 11/13/2017 at 4:08 PM, NeonD7 said:

Regarding the Concierge tip, depending on how much we used them, we usually give $20 to $30.  I have no idea of the RC pay scale to know how the concierge compares to the rest of the crew's contracts.... maybe someone knows?    

 

Thanks Neon, in the absence of of corroborating evidence,  I will go with your recommendation. 

Fantastic blog! I Love the pictures. I believe  I saw you taking the photos up on deck 12 yesterday as I was running on the track before sunrise. We should do quick RCblog meet up somewhere on the ship.

Mark A. Swisshelm on FB

@m_swisshelm on twitterTwitter

When people ask me how the cruise was, I'll just send them this link to look at your photos?

Adventure is barely smaller.  I believe Freedom (Liberty) class ships are 3800 passengers at double occupancy and Adventure (voyage class) is about 3200 at double occupancy.  Liberty is essentially a stretched out version of the same ship and I doubt you will notice much of a difference in size or crowd. Additionally!  I believe adventure will have the slides by then if they don't already. Adventure also gives you the option of the 8nt itinerary assuming it falls on the correct week. We are also sailing in April 2019 on Adventure due to my sister being a teacher.

So, although we have stayed in a suite before, we had never utilized the concierge services and we had barely darkened the door of the lounge. This cruise however, we have used the concierge quite a bit and we have been so impressed with the service we have received. I feel a bit stupid for not using it on previous cruises. My question is; what is an appropriate tip to leave for her?

Thanks in advance,

Swisshelm

On 10/4/2017 at 10:22 AM, guittech said:

1 month away!!!!!

 

So, I have had a long fight with myself regarding weight loss/dieting.  It's  a whole thing.

 

Anyways, with 1 month out, and my weight still being a little "up" I am going to diet for a few weeks to create a "Buffer zone" for the cruise.  If I can lose 5 pounds, I won't be in such a panic when i put on 10 during the cruise!

 

Anyone else do this?  Or am I just crazy?

 

Not crazy at all!! One of the many things  that I most look forward to while on Vacation (especially cruises) is eating with no guilt. Although I don't eat until I'm uncomfortable like I did when I was younger, i do not think twice about grabbing an extra snack at the cafe promenade or having two desserts at dinner. So loosing a few pounds precruise is always part of my SOP.

We were invited for a bridge tour on Adventure as grand suite passengers in 2015.

I have never sailed from Barcelona, but I think you are asking if you need to pick up your luggage from baggage claim at the airport in Barcelona and take it with you to the cruise terminal? Yes, I think you do.

These are the cases of soda (w/luggage tags) delivered with the rest of our luggage to our stateroom on Allure. We are 4 for 4. That being said, I have stopped doing this (as of our las cruise in April). We always get the soda package so the soda we brought on board was so we didn't have to find a bar late after returning to our cabin or 1st thing in the morning. After doing the Math I probably save about $26 for me & $20 for my wife and that doesn't include the cost of an Uber if our hotel isn't close to a grocery store. We finally decided the extra hassle, luggage & weight isn't worth the savings. We now have our state room attendant bring us 6 at a time to keep in the fridge.

This was our JS on Freedom this past April on deck 9

I personally think it is great. There are many reasons why people are not exposed to swimming as a young person. I was fortunate as a kid back in the "good old days" but I had lots of friends and acquaintances that due to financial restraints, geographical situation or other family interests who didn't know how to swim. I had friends who had their 1st motorcycle by tne time they were 5, their parents didnt find it at all odd that  i didn't know how to ride one. Regardless of the reason someone has not had such an opportunity, I would commend the parent who, while their child was literally surrounded by water, might want their children to learn to swim on a cruise.. Yes my parents threw me in the lake when I was 4. Then they signed me up for swimming lessons, tadpole thru lifesaving. I don't believe my parents were looking for a baby sitter, they wanted me to be an expert swimmer, able to enjoy surfing, waterskiing, cliff jumping, etc. Blessed and grateful they did. 

I personally think it is great. There are many reasons why people are not exposed to swimming as a young person. I was fortunate as a kid back in the "good old days" but I had lots of friends and acquaintances that due to financial restraints, geographical situation or other family interests who didn't know how to swim. I had friends who had their 1st motorcycle by tne time they were 5, their parents didnt find it at all odd that  i didn't know how to ride one. Regardless of the reason someone has not had such an opportunity, I would commend the parent who, while their child was literally surrounded by water, might want their children to learn to swim on a cruise.. Yes my parents threw me in the lake when I was 4. Then they signed me up for swimming lessons, tadpole thru lifesaving. I don't believe my parents were looking for a baby sitter, they wanted me to be an expert swimmer, able to enjoy surfing, waterskiing, cliff jumping, etc. Blessed and grateful they did. 

I also hang everything including tees and shorts so I always pack 10 wire hangers in the suitcase. Secondarily the wire hangers make much less noise than the wooden ones while at sea.

As Matt said, WiFi speed on Navigator will be the limiting factor. If one were really determined to try, it think a roku player would be the best (affordable) player because it has a "hotel" or "dorm" setting allowing portal without a browser. Additionally you would need a universal remote control or a phone/tablet with ir blaster and the samsung peel app to usurp the input limitations. I have done this on extended business trips, but it has proven to be about the challenge of getting to work more than I ever actually utilized it.

Watching closely, as we are cruising out of Miami in April.

If by casual dining you mean the windjammer (buffet), deck 11 aft.

My father and I did the tour on Allure last November and we both thoroughly enjoyed it. I recommend booking it in advance just to assure you get the day and time you prefer. As I recall they offered it on at least two of the sea days, twice each day. Although it wouldn't pay to do it again, it was absolutely worth it. 

Yes, I believe you can. It is courteous to let your waiter and tablemates know that you will not be at dinner on that given evening. 

On 8/11/2015 at 10:16 AM, michelle said:

If you want to take the RCI transfers, then staying by the airport makes sense, but there is not much

around there to do - You have to choose one or the other really, the airport is about 15-20 min away

from the Port of Miami, unlike the FLL port

Holiday Inn Port of Miami, I agree is convenient is right across from the port and easy to take a cab the next day

I have also stayed at the Marriott and Hilton right near the ports, and while they are more pricey the

location is great, and views and you can walk around to do things. 

Hi Michelle, which Hilton near the port did you stay in? How did you enjoy it?

I'm with dejagatkins, we love sea days. And Doc is correct, if you are looking for port intensive itineraries in the Caribbean you will have to do southern routes out of San juan. 5 ports in 7 nights usually on both Adventure and jewel.

Mario Salcedo "Super Mario" over 1000 cruises only 18 days on land per year, lives on RCI ships. For cruising

The "Red Rocker" Sammy Hagar. For stories, and yes I was even a Montrose fan.

Bill W. 

I like my cruise dinner conversation to be light, sans politics, and personal. I have a host of intellectuals and historical figures that I would love to have dinner with, just not on a cruise.