UkuleleCruiser

I treat it the same, regardless: I estimate how much I will drink on a given cruise, using generous restaurant drink pricing. If my total indicates the drink package will save me money, I'm in. If it doesn't, I buy the drinks as I go. Incidentally, since my wife and I enjoy the art auctions on sea days, we always can factor that in with the free "inexpensive" champagne they provide.Royal Caribbean can jack with the prices all they want: My spreadsheet never lies.

I'm in! For me, it's the Navigator. But probably after Christmas -- All my funds are going to my Liberty cruise right now! Live like a pauper now, cruise like a king!

I'd like to see this available on Liberty of the Seas.

Here I am enjoying the best pizza in the world! 

We have wound up never buying the photo package. As a frequent cruiser, we get a "2nd picture half off" deal or something like that, which we almost always use. If I had a group of 4 or more in our travelling party, I'd consider this package. But for the wife and I, we use or phones for most of our photographic needs. (Note: I am imagining myself 20 years ago, hearing the phrase "we use or phones for most of our photographic needs" -- freak out) (2nd Note: On our just concluded cruise, they were training Chinese photographers on the ship. They always insisted on taking individual pictures of just me or just the wife. Does anyone ever buy those?) (Final note: here's an example of my poor photographic skills for your consideration and support or abuse)

This will be a useless post because I've never cruised with that big a group, but my wife and I rarely pay for excursions. We get off the ship, wander amongst the little trinket shops, find a place to get local fried seafood and a local beer, and get back on the ship. We are exciting people.

This will be a useless post because I've never cruised with that big a group, but my wife and I rarely pay for excursions. We get off the ship, wander amongst the little trinket shops, find a place to get local fried seafood and a local beer, and get back on the ship. We are exciting people.

I would love that! There's also a re-positioning cruise to Barcelona. It's just that I can't be gone more then 7 days at a time. Hello, Retirement? Can you hear me calling?

This will be a useless post because I've never cruised with that big a group, but my wife and I rarely pay for excursions. We get off the ship, wander amongst the little trinket shops, find a place to get local fried seafood and a local beer, and get back on the ship. We are exciting people.

This will be a useless post because I've never cruised with that big a group, but my wife and I rarely pay for excursions. We get off the ship, wander amongst the little trinket shops, find a place to get local fried seafood and a local beer, and get back on the ship. We are exciting people.

I won .15 once. They gave me a keychain. That's about it for my high roller experience! Good luck!

@jce2 @UkuleleCruiser Galveston and Liberty have become my go to, it's an 8 hour drive for me, but it's fun getting there. We were on Liberty in 2017, Roatan, Costa Maya, Cozumel, have one book this year in July, Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Jamaica, probably book another in 2019.
As stated above I like the laid back simplicity of the Galveston Island, I kind of correlate it back to the 17th street corridor in Fort Lauderdale, except not as busy.
Of course I haven't been stranded by fog yet either.

Agreed again.  Unless they put a brand new ship there (cause that's my weakness), I cannot justify the cost of flights and distance to the pier to cruise out of Galveston.

Ferry explosion in Playa Del Carman. Canadians among those injured.
Video included in the story
http://www.khou.com/article/news/ferry-explosion-injures-25-in-playa-del-carmen-mexico/285-521662657
 
UPDATE....Americans among the injured, but no deaths.
http://abc13.com/18-injured-when-mexican-ferry-explodes-after-docking/3120258/?sf182708964=1

We use clothespins from the dollar store. Cheap and we won't be heartbroken if they get stolen. 

Never been there before but I booked The Hampton Inn (Cruise Port North) for my July cruise. It has a shuttle, free breakfast and is next to a strip mall (food, liquor store). 

I'm "sure" it's safe if it's an RCI excursion -- I think it's a great idea.

It's always such a mob scene. My wife's primary reason for advancing in Crown and Anchor is to skip some of these lines....

First-time cruisers on Freedom of The Seas in March and we are really excited! This site and podcast have been a tremendous help for our planning. I did want to ask if anyone has done the Shore Excursion in San Juan, Puerto Rico called "Give Back to La Perla Community" it sounds like something encouraging to do but wanted to see if anyone knew more about this.  Thank you!!

Ah yes, the Carnival Pride ...... Good for knocking down gangways

Judging by all the jackets, that looks like Cape Liberty.
Regardless, stick me in that mess any day if that means I'm getting on a cruise ship shortly thereafter!!!!

Saw this on our local news site. It was from a Carnival cruise in Australia. Sounds like the brawlers were American. How embarrassing....
http://www.khou.com/article/news/nation-world/violent-brawls-transform-carnival-trip-into-cruise-from-hell-passengers-say/520080386

This was our first time on the Empress. We liked it, the cozy feeling of the smaller ship, the layout of the theater(night club like). The Loyalty Ambassador Justin(lady from Philippines), acted as the Concierge throughout the trip and did a great job. 
Least favorite was the layout of the Viking Crown lounge. Had a small gym overhead and open to the lounge. It was loud at times with treadmills and such. Strange layout.
The picture is on the aft deck/patio connected to Boleros Lounge. The Diamond and up sail away party was there.
This is a pic of the theater.

Since I do everything you suggest, I will go buy the luggage tag holders. I do sometimes learn from others. I don't always have to pee on the electric fence for myself! :-)

Since I do everything you suggest, I will go buy the luggage tag holders. I do sometimes learn from others. I don't always have to pee on the electric fence for myself! :-)