jce2

I have a budget spreadsheet that forecasts the next 2 years of my income/bills. When I book my cruise I simply add all the expenses of the cruise into whatever payday it will be needed by. This way I know I can afford the cruise and I know the impact of the cruise/hotels/travel etc. on my overall budget. Already have my April 2019 cruise fully budgeted out. I usually round up severely on things that are guessimates (air fares, excursions, drink packages) so when I do pay them I get pleasant little bumps in my available spend! For example, I currently have $1000 budgeted for 2 drink packages. I like getting things done as early as possible. Already have my Galveston hotel booked and will book my Denver hotel as soon as southwest releases their air schedule for next April (October 2018 is my guess). Only problem booking this far out is I run out of things to research and keep me busy until the cruise....

Now I know I am old...don't recognize a single group on that list!

Jimmy Buffet of course!

Just for fun I am tracking the "price" of a balcony room on the April 28, 2019 Liberty cruise to see how the various "sales" effect it. So far (prices include tax): DATE BASE DISCOUNTED OBC NET (DISCOUNT-OBC) NOTES Jan 28, 2018 $2523 $1797 $175 $1622 (This is what I booked thru an RC rep) Feb 11, 2018 $2598 $1872 $225 $1647 30% off

It is one of the interesting dynamics of this board, as well as the Cruise FBs I am on: The various economics of cruising. Some folks out here go on 4-5 cruises A YEAR and dont blink at discussions of $1000 genie tips, while for others a cruise is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure and every single tip is a serious consideration. I am just grateful that most out here are considerate of that dynamic. But back to Galveston; Having to clear the gulf is a pain, but the port itself is great. I found the folk of Galveston to be happy, helful and relaxed. The food at Fish Tales was excellent and the walks along the beach relaxing. Galveston Limo was perfect in getting us to and from the airport (Hobby).

Actually when I went thru customs they never asked if I had anything to declare, nor was I required to fill out a customs form like I have before on international flights. I did admit to the Texas authorities that I had a small bottle of rum cream and they did charge me the $3.75. I must admit I find it funny that folks throw money around like crazy on a cruise but have problems with $3.75. Yea, its kind of dumb, but in the big picture hardly a consideration. I really enjoyed my day in Galveston last month and look forward to returning to Lady Liberty next year!

The answer was always Mary Ann!

I remember my first day like it was yesterday......okay...a month ago! Got to the terminal (Galveston) around 10:15 and got checked in. Boarded shortly after that. Went up to the pool deck and immediately got drinks at the bar at the corner of the pool (wound up being my worst drink of the cruise (Mai Tai). Went to windjammers and on our way in saw a guy from Choppes. Got our reservation for FNDR set up with him. Next into Windjammer where i saw a person from Johnny Rockets...alas, no coupons. Got lunch in Windjammers, headed down and walked thru promenade. About this time they announced rooms were ready (1:15ish). Went to room, unpacked and got settled in....just in time for muster....after muster returned to room...MISTAKE...while wife was in restroom, I sat on couch and looked out balcony doors. That's when i noticed oil derrick outside was moving......only oil derricks don't move!!! we were moving! Yup! Completely missed Sail-Away! Oh well, explored ship for a while then had last dinner at Choppes (excellent) before heading back to room and enjoying the cold balcony as we watched the lights of other ships moving thru the gulf.

It looks like this has been discontinued as an RC excursion

I see the same thing for Liberty

I fully intend (as of now) to do the RC excursion in Beize, just trying to find more information about it. The title suggests Sharks and Rays but doesn't specifically say it goes to the alley. I am kind of guessing that one two different cruise lines have an excursion with the exact same name it is probably the same excursion. Carnival does this excursion and their description has more details so hoping it is right

This is an old post so don't even know if the OP is still around. was wondering what was meant by "right off the ship"? Do you mean you didn't have to tender to Belize City first? Or that you booked thru RC? I am considering The "Sharks, Rays, Barrier Reef Snorkle & Beach Break" currently listed in the planner. Has anyone done this? Does it go to "Shark Ray Alley" off of Caulker and Ambergris Cayes? Anyone know what local company is actually running this for RC?

I was attempting to be funny....I failed. Actually, I just completed my first cruise and it departed out of Galveston. We arrived in Galveston the day befor ehte cruise shortly before noon and stayed pretty much on the beach side of the island. I got to say I was pleased at the friendly, helpful, upbeat attitude of virtually everyone I met down there! It was a delightful day, despite the chill in the air and at least partially because of that we have booked our next cruise out of Galveston as well! Our only disappointment in this choice was the voyage outgoing and incoming thru the gulf as it was choppy, windy, and cold. Really couldn't enjoy above-deck much until we got in the Caribbean. Of course I have never sailed anywhere else so have no way of knowing if the Atlantic is similar.

Does it make any sense to meet the Maitre D on day 1 if you have MTD? Are you still assigned a specific table? We have MTD and chose the same time every day, except day 1 we have the FNDR

Colorado of course!! Then you don't mind when you are not on a cruise

What do I think? ........ Get the heck out of Texas!!!

Agree! I wrestled with reviews on "Blue Waters Beach Club" for over an hour yesterday before I quit stressing and just booked the damn thing. Some loved it, some hated it. One thing I have learned, if the review is 100% negatice on multiple aspects of a cruise/tour/hotel etc. chances are it is the reviewer and not the reviewed that had a problem

The average speed of a cruise ship is 20 knots (23 MPH) so Liberty should be out of Texas waters within an hour of departure.

Actually I dont think it is Texas law but rather the fact that RC would have to pay taxes on alcohol opened in Texas waters so they limit what they will open. And you dont have to wait till day 2 for a full drink menu. Soon as you get 12 miles out to see (about an hour into your voyage?) you should have full access.

So I just heard from my TA.....he recommends making a "placeholder" cruise......anyone hear of this? He makes it sound like I can make the rez onboard and he can change it later EDIT: Think he may have cruise lines confused..... PLaceholder Cruise seems to be a Disney concept

Yea, I was thinking of booking an Alaska 2019 cruise while on board in Liberty in January but now will price/itinerary shop the other cruise lines as well. This will be my first cruise so I don't fall into the "Loyal to Royal" category yet. Was 2017 a bad year for Royal? I remember when I first booked my reservation a year ago I would come out here and to the FB group and hear nothing but praise for RCCL, but it seems the last few months have been largely negative! Fortunately most of the negativism has been directed toward policies, and pre-baording stuff (web site, price increases etc.) and not toward staff, food, etc. on-board. Still excited for my first cruise in a week!

Absurd!! Hand my iphone to a fellow passenger...take the photo....buy them a drink....$12 done!!

Speaking of Gratuities, when you buy packages like "First Night Done Right", are the gratuities included?

NBC tonight reports the driver is being charged with Negligible Homicide driving at excessive speeds.

One article says the diver was injured and "taken into custody". Doesn't actually say they did anyting wrong so might just be poor choice of words, or standard procedure