RestingBird

Thanks for the input. My daughter picked BW over CP so that's fine with me. Good point about the noise if on deck 14. I scooped up a deck 11 room. Super stoked. 😊

Don't make the mistake in Costa Maya that far too many people make.  Don't stay in the compound !!
 
To be fair, Costa Maya has one of the nicest compounds you will find in the Caribbean.  It is new, clean, big and has the big swimming pool and swim-up bar.  But if you choose to stay there you will never discover the beautiful beach at Mahahual and you will pay waaaytooo much for everything. 
 
Just grab a cab and drive the 7 minutes to Mahahual. We always go to the Krazy Lobster but there are plenty of other restaurants with the same amenities.  There are nice beach chairs, tables, loungers, hammocks with $1 Coronas and delicious food at a reasonable price.  It's not a luxury resort but if you want a nice day at the beach for literally nothing, that's a good way to do it.
 
They also have massages on the beach which are heavenly !  But beware !  If you decide you want a massage, arrange it yourself.  Do not allow someone else to arrange it for you or it will cost you double the price !  There are massage tables set up all along the beach.  They are easy to find.  Just approach one of them and tell them you want a massage but make sure you're talking to one of the masseurs...(they are usually female but I have seen a man or too on occasion).  We have ALWAYS paid $20 for an hour massage.  They will ask for more, but just tell them you always pay $20 and they will accept it...but if you do get a $20 massage, you should give a generous tip if you want to be fair.  That is an incredible price and it is worth EVERY penny.  I usually end up giving them an additional $10 so it comes out to pretty much what they ask for in the first place.
 
The single problem with Mahahual beach is the roving peddlers.  They are everywhere selling their trinkets.  They are not aggressive though.  Just politely tell them you are not interested and they will move on....but it's a constant onslaught.  I will freely admit that.
 
Costa Maya is one of my very favorite ports and one I actually continually look forward to visiting.  I cannot say that about all of the Caribbean ports.

Who needs facts when internet rumors and overheard conversations with staff will suffice?
 
FWIW I don't think Anthem would be home-ported in Galveston.  It's too new and shiny.

You guys are sending my head spinning, I need facts!

Building new smaller ships has been debated before, most think it won't happen and if it does they will be under the Celebrity name.
Myself, I'd like to see them be built. Small ships offer many things and experiences that big ships can't, less crowds, different ports, better service, ect.
One thing smaller ships don't offer is a as high of a profit to the cruise line, so...

Or they leak stuff after they get a buzz....

According to Matt's podcast about the Icon class (both his own and one he did with The Cruise Dudes), the passenger capacity of this first Icon ship will be slightly less than the Oasis class. Estimate at the moment for Icon is about 5,000 passengers.

Vision is going to Galveston for 4-night's to Cozumel, then I heard Anthem is coming to Galveston from someone on one of the recent RC Blog Periscope sessions. 

The Anigua-Barbuda tourism minister just wrapped up a bunch of meetings with cruise executives, including RC.  You can read about it here: http://www.caribbeannewsnow.com/topstory-Antigua-Barbuda-tourism-minister-presents-cruise-facilities-masterplan-to-cruise-executives-33385.html
 
Of interest, was this paragraph
 
 

Possibly. If this rumor is true, I will be very interested to see which ship they put in Galveston.  It's worth noting Galveston is RC's test market, where they put new features first (Navigator and Liberty's refurbs saw first ships with various new features).

I did; I got older.  
 
Actually what happened is I was selected to be a 'consumer expert' at the Miami Rum Renaissance Festival in April, and they needed a headshot and bio.  The old pic was from 2010 or so, so I figured it was time to update my avatar with the new photo.

I really really really wanna do the Salty Dog cruise with Flogging Molly one of these years. This year it's on Enchantment!
I'm gonna try to follow along with you if I remember. Have a blast!

OH i would agree, i just wish RCL could figure it out, they arent terribly difficult, even frozen ones can come out well.

To be fair, I feel Waffle House makes better hash browns than a vast majority of diners I have been to in the northeast United States.

Over the years, we have had people share their Royal Caribbean experiences during their cruise on these message boards and it has been a very helpful and fun way for everyone to follow along in the cruise experience.
 
I want to encourage others to do the same, so I have created a dedicated forum specifically for live blogs.  I believe live blogs are extremely helpful for those following along, and fun for the person on the cruise too.
 
My hope is that more people will share their cruise experiences while they are onboard, or shortly after returning home. I love reading live blogs, and I know many others do as well.
 
Some of you may be concerned about writing style and how interesting (or not interesting) your posts would be.  Let me be the first to say these live blogs need not be Shakespeare quality in the least bit.  It's really a summary of what you did, what you liked (and did not like) and photos always do a great job of telling the story too.
 
I cannot wait to read the next live blogs that I know many of you will be sharing!

Holiday Inn by Jetty Park (had a small lazy river and water slide last I heard).
Jetty Park is the closest beach and would probably suffice (there may be a small fee. Has showers and bathrooms).
Cherie Down Park, on Ridgewood Ave (has a shower and bathrooms).
Cocoa Beach Aerial Adventure.
Golf & Gator.
Escape Cocoa Beach (escape room).
Grills Seafood Deck & Tiki Bar.
The Radisson Resort in Cape Canaveral.
Rusty's Oyster Bar, if you're into oysters.
Any beach will work, they're all the same (I've grown up on them). Most close to the port don't have showers or bathrooms. Some people enjoy the Cocoa Beach Pier, never been myself.
There are a few kayaking tours in the area.
Airboat tours can be fun as well.
Have fun whatever you end up doing!

The only time I ever witnessed a rush, was right after Muster ..... rushing to the bar for another drink ..... It was hysterical, everyone did a bee-line for the pool bar, we went for the Solarium Bar..... no line..... BOOM!!! "Mic Drop"

Looks like we will be visiting the Next Cruise office on our Harmony adventure on April 1st to book our Alaska or Norway Fjords Cruise for 2018!!!

Was hoping northeast would open up in time for me to book onboard in March, maybe get a little OBC, and sure enough, they got it scheduled for the very first day after I get off! Oh karma, thou art a heartless - nevermind, new dates! Woo!

I love documentaries on cruise ships.  
 
Couple years ago I booked a cruise on Brilliance of the Seas solely because I was watching a documentary on it and wanted to try it.

Watched this during my lunch break. Was actually surprisingly interesting, and kind of cool to learn about the developments in mechanical / structural engineering and other systems to take us to where it's possible to make cruise ships like Independence, Oasis, or Quantum.

https://youtu.be/N3qh0SBH9EU
 
Dated at this point with Oasis, Quantum, and other classes, but a fun watch about Independence of the Seas.

I generally book out as far as I can so I can pay for the cruise over time. My next cruise is only $58 a paycheck. Very affordable. Plus, every time they deposit a check, I get a little email reminding me of the fun to come.

My husband wears a tux and I wear a long evening dress. Whether we cruise Caribbean or Europe. I'ts all part of the highlight of our cruise to dress up.

Even if I didn't want to join in the formal night and use the Windjammer I would never go in shorts/ flip flops. I wouldn't go out for a pub meal in the evenings dressed like that ! Always a smart dress or trousers and top - not T shirt.