DDemuth

… and the last thing on your checklist should be to not to get bent all out of shape if you forget to pack something on your checklist.  Check?

1 hour ago, SpeedNoodles said:

Ooooh, good one. I forgot to bring them last week on Navigator, and I was PISSED!  I even like them out at sea - never know when you'll spot a whale, dolphin, interesting sea bird, or Kraken.

You won't need binocs to see Kraken.  Visit any bar and view the stuff up close and personal...

Recently, I spotted a few yellow duckies lurking in the vegetation in Central Park on Harmony.

1 hour ago, Ogilthorpe said:

Last time in Nassau (Feb 2019), we needed to have photo ID in Addition to our seapass cards to get back to the pier area from town. 

Yes!  We needed a photo ID to re-board in Nassau.  Check the Cruise Compass; it will indicate what you need to get back on the ship.

Hmmm.  For Allure next July, no discounts for dining, but drink package reduced to $57 from $60.  No thanks.  We paid  $46pd on Freedom earlier this month and the same for Oasis last November.  Will keep looking but so far, not impressed.

On 2/9/2019 at 11:29 AM, Matt said:

I think you're referring to the guitar player in Central Park in the evening.  If so, yes, that is always a relaxing and enjoyable start to any evening.

I would agree that the guitar player in Central Park is what the OP is probably referring to, but the Polish performer Wojtek Kozikowski performed several sets on various days in the Schooner Bar on Freedom during our cruise earlier this month.  He was excellent and if you have a chance to attend one of his shows, do not miss.  

A recent experience.  We sailed on Nov 3, 2019.  Left the hotel in a Uber at 11AM, arrived at the port at about 11:15, checked in and walked right on board at 11:30. 

There are many nice hotels near the port since the Convention Center is adjacent.  The area is full of restaurants, there is a nice waterfront walking/cycling path or you can book a float plane tour and see the local countryside (very scenic mountainous region.  Do a Google search and I'm sure that you will find something that meets your needs.

My only caution is this:

We reserved a similar type of excursion from Port Canaveral only to find out during the cruise that it was cancelled due to insufficient participation.  Left us without anything to do but more importantly, no  transportation to the airport.  Have  plan B if you want to do this.  

4 hours ago, PatsFanBrian said:

You shouldn't have any issue.  I'd suggest that you book the other two nights as soon as you get on board so you'll have more times to choose from.

Second this.  As soon as you board, visit a specialty restaurant and inquire about your night 1 (or 2, depending) reservation.  You can change that if you wish and also reserve the other two nights.  We have never had problems getting our venues and time of choice following this approach.

1 hour ago, Danish vikings said:

 Last year my family went on my first cruise going on the Harmony, and although we absolutely loved it I remember the first lunch was so stressful especially at lunch time. This year I am going on the symphony and we are boarding as early as we can as we can’t wait for the cruise to begin. Lunch time will undoubtedly be hectic again, so just wanted to find a reasonable quiet place.What other option do I have apart from the Windjammer? Not interested in going any fancy places as we will be sitting around the pool, and don’t want to change into fancy clothes. Where could I go and do they cost extra?

Park Café in Central Park, Deck 8.  Try the Kummelweck roast beef sandwiches.  Solarium Café is also another option.  Neither requires fancy dress and are usually less crowded than the WJ.  That said, it can depend on what time you board.

On 9/24/2019 at 8:53 PM, Skatepunk said:

I bought my wife and I the drink package for our upcoming Navigator cruise and she bought this. lol

 

Nice necklace...

22 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Hmmm...I think I had a confirmation number immediately the last time I used A2S (Feb of this year). Seems like it was in my booking confirmation. 

Right you are!  Should have looked there first. 

48 minutes ago, davelliott said:

After Air to Sea sent me the Delta confirmation number, I contacted Delta and paid a little bit to change the class of ticket to one that was up-gradable. 

When does Air2Sea send out confirmation numbers?  After final cruise payment is made?

On 9/17/2019 at 6:26 PM, vanelli56 said:

***warning... I have been drinking tonight..... (cough, cough).... I mean... training for next week, so my typing may be a little off****

… and so have I.    Your typing look fine, at least those parts which are in focus.  Please concentrate more on typing in focus so that the west of us,... I mean rest of us, can enjoy your post...  And you should see a doctor about that cough before you depart.  

24 minutes ago, Matt said:

FWIW, James Van Fleet commented on the effect of hurricanes which surprised me...

 

Van Fleet's comment is correct that the hurricane season is generally characterized by high pressure and calmer seas, but his comments don't address the effects of the storms themselves which can really churn up the seas.  The National Hurricane Center has had large swell warnings up for the Bahamas, Bermuda and parts of the southeast coast USA on a fairly regular basis during the past several weeks due to the series of storms that have track through the vicinity.  If you go here and click on the North Atlantic region, you can see the effects of the recent storm:

https://www.oceanweather.com/data/

Symphony is likely expecting to encounter swells from hurricane Jerry.

For me, it's more fun to buy the equivalent number of beers and just sing the original beer song....     

We did this on Oasis last year on a sea day and really enjoyed the morning.  Met in Izumi at 10AM and made 3 different types of Sushi.  The chef is always available to assist and provide tips and your finished product becomes your lunch for that day.  They did not allow us to take unconsumed sushi out of the restaurant, so it was a big lunch and many could not finish all that they made.  Overall, I would recommend.

What do you call a thorough review of all excursions in Colon?

... a colonoscopy....

On ‎7‎/‎26‎/‎2019 at 5:18 PM, Skid said:

...and Celebrity Summit got the fifth. The Royal ships with perfect scores were 

• Enchantment of the Seas (July 12, 2019)
• Anthem of the Seas (June 11, 2019)
• Brilliance of the Seas (April 6, 2019)
• Rhapsody of the Seas (February 9, 2019)

See article here

See all inspection results here

...and many reviews of Enchantment mention the poor maintenance of the ship, noting the rust stains and other visible wear.  Good to see that the crew is concentrating on the really important aspects.  But maybe I'm in the minority; some rust stains and railing finish don't really impact my overall experience.

Well, hopefully RCI is beginning to recognize that rules and policies mean nothing if they are not enforced.  Imagine the uproar if formal night or "dress to the nines" was enforced at the MDR.  

18 minutes ago, kittysoul said:

I am just letting youtube videos about cruises run in the background... it's what i do now instead of tv shows , at least part of the time..... lol   This one lady, in her tips video, said that her family always makes up a gift bag gift to leave for their room steward on the first night....   does anyone else do this.... is it common...?  

Not heard of that, but my guess is that cruise staff would appreciate cash tips much more than a gift bag.

3 hours ago, RickinSTL said:

I was just diagnosed with PCE.. as of right now I’m unable to travel. The doctor said it may get better in the next 43 days, I have a follow up appointment on September 8th with Doctor HOTS . please help me through these trying times.. Pre Cruise Excitement is a disease lol

Good news is that PCE is not fatal and typically spontaneously resolves.  Remedies such as that suggested by @JLMoran are sometimes effective in treating the symptoms but really do nothing to address the fundamental cause of the ailment.  Currently, there is no cure for PCE, but those afflicted can still lead a productive life with appropriate group counseling and some physical therapy to address any contusions that arise from pounding on the floor with your fists screaming "there's still 42 (or how ever many) days before embarkation".  Hang in there; and pay no attention to the naysayers who might say "Oh geez, is that a tropical storm forming in the Eastern Atlantic?".  

2 hours ago, ChessE4 said:

There should be some sort of excursion with airport drop off  For example, my recent Harmony cruise had options for the Kennedy Space Center with dropoff or "The Real Airboat Adventure" with airport transfer.  If you buy them online in advance you can save $$ on the "sales" which pop up.

But be careful with this option.  We purchased this excursion for a Saturday return and on Thursday received a note in our stateroom that it was cancelled due to insufficient participation.  So we not only lost the excursion but had to scramble to arrange a shuttle back to MCO.

One way car rental back to MCO.  Put the luggage in the trunk and stop for a ride on an airboat on the way back.

https://www.airboatridesatmidway.com/