cookingyo

Symphony, Symphony, Jewel, and Anthem

Symphony, Symphony, Jewel, and Anthem

Symphony, Symphony, Jewel, and Anthem

Symphony, Symphony, Jewel, and Anthem

Symphony, Symphony, Jewel, and Anthem

Symphony, Symphony, Jewel, and Anthem

Symphony, Symphony, Jewel, and Anthem

You can never go wrong with Oasis class

I am on team Baltics. (as long as it isn't over 4th of July ?)

Sovereign of the Seas was my first.  I would sail on her just for old times sake.  Of course she would need a head to toe rerurb.

Sovereign of the Seas was my first.  I would sail on her just for old times sake.  Of course she would need a head to toe rerurb.

With respect, that is International man of mystery...

The Freedom New Years GC is going to be EPIC.  A lot of our cruising friends are booked.  I think half of the aft is RCBlog folks already.  It should be one hell of a party on an awesome ship with a great itinerary.  As others have said you can do as much or as little official group activities as you want. You will find out a lot of unofficial events pop up, and some times we even close down a bar... or three.  For example, pub crawling is fun with your friends... Pub crawling with 60 friends can be down right silly. I have done Onboard Broadway shows, cabin tours, game shows, pod cast, slot pulls, sail away parties, private events in some really awesome cabins, photography talks, cake and beverages, private lunches, welcome events, good bye events and much more all while group cruising.

The best part is you will see some people on group cruise after group cruise and friendships blossom.  You will soon see that on non group cruises that a lot of time people you sailed with are on different cruises and sailing the same time as you.  It's always nice having someone on a ship you know.
  Trust me, there will be tons of ship talk.  Give it a try.  Come hang out with the cool kids!

The Freedom New Years GC is going to be EPIC.  A lot of our cruising friends are booked.  I think half of the aft is RCBlog folks already.  It should be one hell of a party on an awesome ship with a great itinerary.  As others have said you can do as much or as little official group activities as you want. You will find out a lot of unofficial events pop up, and some times we even close down a bar... or three.  For example, pub crawling is fun with your friends... Pub crawling with 60 friends can be down right silly. I have done Onboard Broadway shows, cabin tours, game shows, pod cast, slot pulls, sail away parties, private events in some really awesome cabins, photography talks, cake and beverages, private lunches, welcome events, good bye events and much more all while group cruising.

The best part is you will see some people on group cruise after group cruise and friendships blossom.  You will soon see that on non group cruises that a lot of time people you sailed with are on different cruises and sailing the same time as you.  It's always nice having someone on a ship you know.
  Trust me, there will be tons of ship talk.  Give it a try.  Come hang out with the cool kids!

We did SO64 the Akrotiri ruins and Oia Village.  It was a 4 1/2 hour excursion but you only got an hour in Oia.  The ruins were an interesting site but no where near Pompeii.  When I go back, I am heading right to Oia. You want to go to Oia!  It is the village were all the famous pictures you see on Santorini are taken.  Fira is where you want to be at the end of the day to take the tram down and get the tender back to the ship.  

 

We did SO64 the Akrotiri ruins and Oia Village.  It was a 4 1/2 hour excursion but you only got an hour in Oia.  The ruins were an interesting site but no where near Pompeii.  When I go back, I am heading right to Oia. You want to go to Oia!  It is the village were all the famous pictures you see on Santorini are taken.  Fira is where you want to be at the end of the day to take the tram down and get the tender back to the ship.  

 

We did SO64 the Akrotiri ruins and Oia Village.  It was a 4 1/2 hour excursion but you only got an hour in Oia.  The ruins were an interesting site but no where near Pompeii.  When I go back, I am heading right to Oia. You want to go to Oia!  It is the village were all the famous pictures you see on Santorini are taken.  Fira is where you want to be at the end of the day to take the tram down and get the tender back to the ship.  

 

That was Wonderland

I'm hoping Matt and his MEI partners are patiently waiting for RCCL to release the Europe 2020.  My gut tells me they have a few itineraries on a dream sheet and a decision will happen very quickly due to limited inventory and wanting to get the best price to bring a larger volume of cruising friends.  Interest is high and Europe gets real pricey if you wait too long.   I know my family is 100% ready to put a deposit down as soon as they are released and join a 2020 RCBlog European Group Cruise.

I wonder if next year the USA Today cruise awards will have a new category for "Best Cruise Line for Sex".  Knowing USA Today Carnival will get it...

On a side note, the Spa Jr Suites are great cabins.  

You're starting to sound like @KLAconQueso

I went in May with my family.  Also Billy from CruiseHabit.com went on the same trip with his lovely bride.  Read his live blogs at http://www.cruisehabit.com/cruising-cuba and https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/category/category/empress-of-the-seas-live-blog
I also took some pictures and blogged a little at http://www.cookingyo.com/cuba/

I went in May with my family.  Also Billy from CruiseHabit.com went on the same trip with his lovely bride.  Read his live blogs at http://www.cruisehabit.com/cruising-cuba and https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/category/category/empress-of-the-seas-live-blog
I also took some pictures and blogged a little at http://www.cookingyo.com/cuba/

RCCL is far from perfect but if you know how the system works there is value and savings to be had.  Booking early, cruise fare promotions, kid sale free, price reductions etc. Then there are drink and dining package specials i.e. Sip and stream, or BOGO specialty dinning and excursion sales, etc.  A vacation can be tailored to each family's budget and needs. You can pay up front or you can pay as you go but no matter which cruise line you choose, you will pay. Each class of ship in the RCCL fleet is different, some have better technology than the others or more amenities.  Proper due dilligence would alleviate any misconceptions or inadaquancies in one class compared to another.
No one should have to regret a vacation, but then again one should be informed and do their homework before booking and shelling out their hard eaned money. I wish you luck with Disney.