Don

we are Serenade of the Seas, a new one for us! We really need the vacation this year, so I want to be well prepared for it.

we are on Serenade next Spring-- would appreciate your feedback!

Now I'm jealous Don it's probably going to be 10 months before I get my next Chops fix.

Not to worry, I'll describe the experience on Enchantment in Dec. & Serenade (May 2014) in detail so you don't forget what you're waiting for. Don't forget, in cruise time 10 months is next week! It will be interesting to see if quality of food & service is comparable across the fleet-- I'm confident the answer is yes. Our Rhapsody meal this Spring was same as you described on Independence & Matt on Freedom. Also agree with you that Windjammer quality & fare is best afloat with only sister company Celebrity being very similar & comparable.

Next cruise was May 2014 Serenade, a long wait for dinner at Chops; especially after Matt & DarkCabbie Chops description reminder. Booked a quik 4 night get away to the Bahamas, Enchantment of the Seas, Dec 2013. We have done this route several times -- easy drive to Port Canaveral, love the long day/night in Nassau and the private beach party at Coco Cay is a great day at the beach. A sea day/night to relax and enjoy the ship on the way back to port. Chops filet & lobster is only 6 weeks away -- tolerable!

Friday 25th October

Well sadly it's here our final day of the cruise and we have had the most amazing time whilst on board. Every day has been a full day whether ashore or at sea and we have lots of fantastic memories and loads of pictures and video. Whilst on board we have made a lot of new friends and had some hilarious times and we hope to meet up on future cruises. The service and food has been phenomenal and although most of the staff may not read this we would like to say a massive THANK YOU for making us so welcome and giving us so many good times :) WE KNOW HOW HARD YOU WORK AND THE LONG HOURS YOU DO TO MAKE OUR VACATION AMAZING.

Today we are having a sleep in and then going for lunch in yep you guessed it the Windjammer again and then spend most of the day just walking around and enjoying our final hours on board. Later on we will choose our dinning venue for the evening and are then going to hit the casino one last time and finish our evening having drinks with friends in the Crows Nest.

WE ARE REALLY GOING TO MISS THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE SEAS BUT WE WILL BE BACK.

THANKS FOR EVERTHING RC AND SEE YOU SOON :) :) :) :)

Thanks again for spending the blog time and taking us along for the ride! Can't wait for our next Chops dinner-- May 2014 on Serenade.

So what are everyone's thoughts on RCCL dropping Samana? I see the podcast cruise on the Quantum of the Seas was impacted. I have not been to Samana but always look forward to seeing a new port of call. I am also not sure how I feel about docking in Labadee the afternoon prior to our scheduled day in there. Looks like an extra day at sea and an overnight in Labadee?? Thoughts??

They diffenently need to work on the itinerary. It now looks like a lot of crusing without going anywhere. Price and ports aren't presenting an attractive deal. For us getting to sail on a new ship isn't worth it.

Appreciate DarkCabbie taking the time to take us along for the ride!

Great updates from the Independece. Chops is my all time favorite.

Many thanks Matt and Don, really appreciate your responses.

We have booked the Chefs table package ( just looked so good for foodies) and will pre book premium drinks package and I'm thinking as its our first cruise we will also pre book RCI Shore Excursions even though there is lots of chat about it being cheaper to book on the dock. Thanks

On boarding day in May they off ered a specialty dining package, as I recall $59 per person for one visit each to Chops, Giovani's, & Izumi -- great deal. Price went to $99(?) if you included Chefs table. We chose to not include Chefs table as I could not drink wine at the time. All 3 of the specialty venues are remarkable. Filet Mignon & Lobster (they will do both) in Chops was perfection. Hot stone table top cooked steak was great in Izumi's. Giovani's fare is served family style for sharing -- one of your desserts must be Tiramusa. In the speciality venues and MDR, if you can't make up your mind on menu selection try multiple items -- they will be pleased to accomodate. Apple pie ala mode is always a great alternate choice in the MDR. Any questions, just ask. Enjoy your trip.

We were on Rhapsody 13 days this May. Found entertainment to be comparable to other Royal Caribbean ships. We find Celebrity entertainment best afloat, with Royal Caribbean only a tick down. Matt is right, the entire ship is alive with live entertainment every night all over the ship. Just got off an RCI competitor line Saturday -- 7 nights to NE / Canada. Entertainment was OK, but pales in comparison to RCI. Food in all venues; MDR, Speciality, and especially buffet was mediocre compared to RCI. Passengers seemed to be in the way of and a distraction to the crew all over the ship. RCI crews excel at making you feel special & the center of every thing they're do, far beyond what you expect or deserve. We sail 2x / year & have sailed with 7 lines. Last weeks trip, 1st not on RCI in past 3 years, was a reminder as to why we favor RCI -- they are simply best of class.

Last I heard Royal Caribbean was offering other excursion ideas due to the closure.  

 

If no one can help you Don, I'd suggest checking Yelp and TripAdvisor for other ideas in Bar Harbor.  It's a beautiful town but I haven't been there in probably 10-15 years now.

Thanks Matt

Will be there next week. Govt shut down Arcadia Nat Park probably not going to happen. Looks like a day to stroll & enjoy the town. Who has been there? Where should we go for morning latte and best lunch in town? Feedback please!

www.travel.state.gov

 

Service of U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs.

 

U.S. 1.888.407.4747

 

Outside U.S. 1.202.501.4444

 

Every thing you need to know before stepping off-shore, or if you need emergency assistance while outside the U.S.; lost or stolen passport, crime victimization, disasters, financial support, etc.

 

Country specific travel information and listing of all U.S. Embassies and Consulates.

 

Also check out the Help & Contacts tab upper right corner of home page

 

Recommend don't leave home without checking it out.

Where are you sailing to and which ship? I'm down to 36 days on the Oasis to Eastern Caribbean (first cruise ever).

New England & Canada 5 Oct -- it's with a RCI competitor so I choose not to talk about line or ship on the RCI Blog, Back with RCI 12 May 2014 on Serenade -- Spain, France, Italy, etal , can't wait. I know you'll love your 1st cruise -- enjoy

Oh, by the way, if you can't make up your mind about what menu item you want, try more than one! I always describe crusing as; "the toughest decision you have to make all day is what you're going to have for dinner & if you can't decide you can have one of everything". That includes the dessert menu -- my suggestion, Apple Pie Ala Mode + Cherries Jubilee, + a side of Tiramisu OR whatever esle strikes your fancy.

MDR will typically be open for breakfast & lunch with open seating -- hours will be posted in your daily bulletin & your waiter will most likely give you the next days schedule (ask if not) at the end of each evening meal. Enjoy your dining!

Our next Giovani's tiramisu encounter is 6 months out! With your vivid descriptions, taste buds should peak at embarkation.

Not much of a techie so can't help much. Did use a 60 minute plan, I think it included 10 extra minutes, on Rhapsody this Spring. Good access every place I attempted use with my Samsung Tablet -- Cabin, and several public areas.

Next May on Seranade out of Barcelona was on the list, but now off since booked. Next is British Isles, Northern Europe, OR Greek Isles for 2015.

We, ve been able to take advantage of these super last minute deals 3x. Retired & within driving range to Canaveral is great. Never get tired of the Bahamas.

Pack bags, take the week off, get to Port Canaveral, board Monday 16th, Enchantment, Bahamas, 4 nights $101! Coco Cay is calling!

The time of year we went to Tulum was October and although it was hot I wouldn't say it was brutal and as Don said the buses were modern and air conditioned and our guide also had cold beers waiting on board for us.

I have fond memories of our visit there. The local people we met were lovely and the views from the cliff where one of the ancient sacrificial structures rises up is stunning as you look out across the ocean. It really was a fantastic tour and we would definitely do it again if we go back.

I've been a fan of Mexican dark beer ever since. Agree with you about the views-- Most incredible Caribbean blue water you'll ever see.

Also allow time for a short fish taco lunch at the concessions outside the gate-delicious!

It can be rather warm. Buses are modern and well air conditioned. Our guide had a trash can full of iced down beer when we go back on board at Tulum -- priceless. Even though warm it was one of our best ever tours!

Found info-- 1bottle no corkage if consumed in state room, others ( no limit ) $15 corkage fee. Google (cruise line) wine carry on policy.

Princess allows carry on wine. Can't relocate info but just saw it in some pre cruise info. As I recall limit on quantity and $$12 corkage fee. Must declare upon boarding. Will send if I find info.