RestingBird

I just booked Oasis 2yrs out, but included gratuities in case they go up by the time I'm actually on board.

Do you mean actually booking a cruise? Or dinner, shows, drink pkgs, etc for an already booked cruise?

You're totally right Doc, the cubicle rooms make it all go faster, but since they own the room building company they save a few bucks in the process. It was super cool to see the rooms being set into place with cranes and whatnot. I wish I could remember where I saw it.

We used it from Orlando to Boston. I think my wife called though. I liked having it linked since we flew in embarkation day (will try to fly in day before from now on).

Saw a quick video on it somewhere online. One of the ship builders actually owns the company that builds the rooms, so they save a little money...supposedly.

If I remember correctly, Solarium Bistro is part of your fare, no extra.

Asylum of the Seas...lol

I decided to stick with RC once I had a great first cruise (Enchantment) and heard about C&A. Why bother spending my money elsewhere on a similar or worse experience? Only 4 cruises so far, but our trip on Freedom was our favorite.

Tried doing a muti-room quote as well and it did get annoying, so I will go through a travel agent when the actual planning takes place (not til next year). It's been said on here to try and find a cruise specific TA. Good luck! Let us know how it goes.

I'm sorry, but I actually laughed a little reading this. I can picture it in a movie or something. Glad you're safe.

You shouldn't have to set up MTD if you chose it during booking. On our first night we go to the dining room and ask for a spot at 5:30 that night. They set us at that time all week, but tell us we can change it whenever we want. The whole point of MTD is to have a different time to eat each night if you want, depending on each day's activities you have planned (or not planned), to be able to walk up and say "we're ready to eat". We try to help the staff by just setting the same time all week, and we'll call them if we won't be there or want to change times. Sorry if that was no help, or more confusing. Maybe someone else can help. I'm looking to book Oasis for next year :-)

First 2 cruises we took I already had my vacation weeks set in stone (I have to pick them the previous year in Nov, based on company seniority), so we were kind of stuck on getting a decent price and whatnot. Then I started looking at the RCI website all the time (2 cruises and I was hooked) and realized I could book super far in advance. So the next 2 I chose for the following year, before I chose my weeks at work, hoping I'd be able to get the weeks I wanted. I got the first week, second I got bumped by higher seniority co-workers and had to rebook for a week earlier, oh well. Ended up working out better that week. Trying the same strategy for 2018 (none in 2017 due to our new baby).

Now, could jlwinkle try to go through the group chartering and keep their cabin? Or even try rebooking it again through RCI (or is it some sort of closed booking?)? Would it even be worth the headache? Just curious. I'm not against chartering a ship, but this was definitely done rudely on RCI's part.

Great detective work! So far 8 people are going (according to FB).

Wow...I would be beyond upset.

Thanks for sharing!

March is typically the windy month from my observations (I worked for a landscaping company for 5yrs, so we were outside all he time), at least in Brevard county (port Canaveral).

Bring (and actually wear or carry) a waterproof watch. I'm not a watch guy...I've tried, but they're just annoying (no jewelry either, save my wedding ring...which is silicone, Qalo brand). I normally use my phone to tell time, but that pretty much gets turned off while on board, so it's back to a watch, but I'm so glad I have one (didn't on our first cruise and hated it).

Not trying to be nosey/cross a line, so you don't have to answer...but I'm just curious how many people showed up to the big party by Jim & Jim, lol.

In Portland we did a lighthouse tour and loved it! Also tried a whoopie pie, and a lobster roll. Bar Harbor we did another lighthouse tour (on a boat), lunch at Stewman's (a haddock sandwich which my wife, who doesn't eat fish, loved), then a bus tour into Acadia. The boat tour was fun, but I probably wouldn't do it again due to the length (loved it though!). St. John we did a bus tour of some kind which was fun and informative, and took us to the reversing rapids. It dropped us off in town (optional I think) which gave us a nice walk through town back to the ship. Halifax we did a bus tour to Peggy's Cove (probably my favorite stop of the cruise. Loved the cliche fishing village look, but most of all I couldn't stop staring at the lighthouse, knowing that if I headed out from that point I could head straight to Antarctica via the ocean. Mind blown for me.), then to the graveyard where a majority of the Titanic victims are buried. Also tried a semi-local beer in 3 out of the 4 cities. Overall a great cruise. It's on my "cruise-it-again" list.

I'm assuming (yes, I know what it makes you and me) you'll be on Serenade. We were on her this past October, and overall we couldn't complain about the food. Had 2 servings of scallops one night...1st was awesome, 2nd awful...who knows why. We ate at Rita's Cantina 1 night and enjoyed it (though not as good as Sabor, which Serenade does not have). Windjammer is pretty bland for breakfast (though we go there every morning...), but for lunch it's pretty darn good, for a buffet. Never had a Windjammer dinner yet.

Depends on the port, I think. If I recall correctly, the ship's staff will tell you if it's needed. I know sometimes we took them on our excursions thinking we'd need them to get back onboard, but we didn't. Hopefully someone else can give you a better answer.

Agreed. I need some odd # to reach Platinum, so I booked a JS for our 5 night next year (plus the extra space will be really nice. Had a regular balcony room last cruise and it was a little tight), which will put us over what we need, yays.

Mobile view is how this website comes up on my Android phone. At the bottom I click "Full Version" to see the full site.

Chocolate factory tour was fun in Nassau.