jce2

I think it is pretty clear from the OP's tone where the real problem lies here.  Thanks Twangster for you invaluable tips and views.  Your Alaska periscope VBLOG has been the singular best item I have encountered so far in my search from cruise knowledge

I think it is pretty clear from the OP's tone where the real problem lies here.  Thanks Twangster for you invaluable tips and views.  Your Alaska periscope VBLOG has been the singular best item I have encountered so far in my search from cruise knowledge

I think it is pretty clear from the OP's tone where the real problem lies here.  Thanks Twangster for you invaluable tips and views.  Your Alaska periscope VBLOG has been the singular best item I have encountered so far in my search from cruise knowledge

I think it is pretty clear from the OP's tone where the real problem lies here.  Thanks Twangster for you invaluable tips and views.  Your Alaska periscope VBLOG has been the singular best item I have encountered so far in my search from cruise knowledge

Sailing out of Galveston makes this question easy!!  Simply jump on the trolley ($1) and run down to the Walmart on the beach front and grab everything you need.  Last year we did just that....we packed with no liquids...took trolley down to Walmart and bought what we needed (and some we didn't), grabbed BBQ at an award winning BBQ hole-in-the-wall in front of it and headed back to the hotel.  easy-peasy!
For my sailing in 27(!!!) days i plan the same thing only this time we are also stopping at a sports store along the route to grab flippers (saves packing them!).

I am kind of hoping this doesn't affect Radiance.  Currently our plan is a whale excursion in Icy Strait and do no excursion in Juneau and head out to Mendenhall and the Salmon bake on our own.  If Icy Strait were replaced with GB we would need to cram a Whale Excursion into our day at Juneau

The National Parks Department awarded the next set of 10-year licenses for Glacier bay.....And RC got one!  It is believed the leases take effect this October.  It will be interesting how RC uses this.  I am on Radiance next June and won't be surprised if our itinerary changes to include it (probably at the cost of losing Icy Strait Point  ;(      )
 
https://www.nps.gov/glba/learn/news/glacier-bay-issues-new-contracts-for-cruise-ship-services.htm
 

The National Parks Department awarded the next set of 10-year licenses for Glacier bay.....And RC got one!  It is believed the leases take effect this October.  It will be interesting how RC uses this.  I am on Radiance next June and won't be surprised if our itinerary changes to include it (probably at the cost of losing Icy Strait Point  ;(      )
 
https://www.nps.gov/glba/learn/news/glacier-bay-issues-new-contracts-for-cruise-ship-services.htm
 

I have yet to be in an aft but logically cant reconcile the concept that aft rooms have  a more "limited" view!  quite the opposite should be true.  My balcony on Liberty is on one side of the ship.  I can only see what is out that side of the ship.  True, I can look a bit left and right but it is still the same basic view.  same holds true for the other side right?...so now let's talk aft....at the very worst it is like the sides, all I can see if out from my balcony and a bit left and right BUT I CAN see what is to both the right and left of the ship as well as straight behind it when leaving port.  seems like aft is ideal!  Hope I am right as I have the aft corner on Radiance in Alaska in 2020.
 

Only if you promise to behave.......seriously, you should have no problem getting a table for 5
 

Got to admit I am intrigued about this "other site".   I do love this blog.  Unfortunately one consistency I have found over on the RC facebook groups is weirdly overbearing admins.  There seems no rhyme or reason to their rules.  I am admin for several groups myself and have yet to understand why they do  what they do.  Feels much more "friendly" out here.
 

Got to admit I am intrigued about this "other site".   I do love this blog.  Unfortunately one consistency I have found over on the RC facebook groups is weirdly overbearing admins.  There seems no rhyme or reason to their rules.  I am admin for several groups myself and have yet to understand why they do  what they do.  Feels much more "friendly" out here.
 

Got to admit I am intrigued about this "other site".   I do love this blog.  Unfortunately one consistency I have found over on the RC facebook groups is weirdly overbearing admins.  There seems no rhyme or reason to their rules.  I am admin for several groups myself and have yet to understand why they do  what they do.  Feels much more "friendly" out here.
 

I think it all has to do with personal preference.  We have a nice pool at home season passes to the water park in our city.  Sitting out at the pool has 0 appeal to me.  I would rather sit on our balcony and watch the ocean than in the sun at the pool.  Sitting around is not why I go on vacation.  I’ve already written down stuff that I want to do every day from the Royal App schedule.  
Some of the things I think sound fun are line dancing, family karaoke, martini tasting, family feud, scavenger hunts, whiskey seminar, towel folding, and a diff show every night.

There is a whole lot of activities on-board that I don't understand why anyone would do them.  Not judging or criticizing, but for example, almost anyone can play bingo in their home towns, why waste precious cruise time staring at bingo boards?

I would take a past cruise compass......look at what's offered and make two lists...one of activities you could just as easily do at home, and the other activities that are unique to being on the ship (for example, many of us do NOT have easy access to pools, slides, and loungers!),  Then look at that second list for activities you think you would enjoy.

Agree with others...skip ALL the lectures about shopping, watches, art, jewelry etc....they are elaborate sales pitches.  Finally, they will CONSTANTLY have watches for sale...feel free to look and sure, if you see one you like and have access cash go ahead and buy it BUT if money is a bit tight....document the watch you like and look for it on-line when you get home.  I can almost guarantee you will find it for the same or better price.  Thats what happened to me.  Saw Invictas and fell in love but was skeptical that the prices they were showing were a rip-off..  Got home and did my research.  Turns out their prices were completely fair.......and the same price everywhere else.  In researching, I actually found an Invicta they didn't have on the ship and bought it instead.
 

Why board early?  Because once I start up that gang-way I know all the paper-shuffling and bureaucracy is behind me and i can truly start to unwind

As they enter the one end of the solarium, a stop watch will be started.  they have precisely 45 seconds from that point to traverse the length of the solarium IN ABSOLUTE SILENCE (Their time will be docked for every spoken word). Should they fail to reach the exit before the horn sounds they will be forced to consume an extra ration of vegetables with their evening meal!
 
 
 
JUST KIDDING!  They will be fine!
 

As they enter the one end of the solarium, a stop watch will be started.  they have precisely 45 seconds from that point to traverse the length of the solarium IN ABSOLUTE SILENCE (Their time will be docked for every spoken word). Should they fail to reach the exit before the horn sounds they will be forced to consume an extra ration of vegetables with their evening meal!
 
 
 
JUST KIDDING!  They will be fine!
 

As they enter the one end of the solarium, a stop watch will be started.  they have precisely 45 seconds from that point to traverse the length of the solarium IN ABSOLUTE SILENCE (Their time will be docked for every spoken word). Should they fail to reach the exit before the horn sounds they will be forced to consume an extra ration of vegetables with their evening meal!
 
 
 
JUST KIDDING!  They will be fine!
 

As they enter the one end of the solarium, a stop watch will be started.  they have precisely 45 seconds from that point to traverse the length of the solarium IN ABSOLUTE SILENCE (Their time will be docked for every spoken word). Should they fail to reach the exit before the horn sounds they will be forced to consume an extra ration of vegetables with their evening meal!
 
 
 
JUST KIDDING!  They will be fine!
 

As they enter the one end of the solarium, a stop watch will be started.  they have precisely 45 seconds from that point to traverse the length of the solarium IN ABSOLUTE SILENCE (Their time will be docked for every spoken word). Should they fail to reach the exit before the horn sounds they will be forced to consume an extra ration of vegetables with their evening meal!
 
 
 
JUST KIDDING!  They will be fine!
 

As they enter the one end of the solarium, a stop watch will be started.  they have precisely 45 seconds from that point to traverse the length of the solarium IN ABSOLUTE SILENCE (Their time will be docked for every spoken word). Should they fail to reach the exit before the horn sounds they will be forced to consume an extra ration of vegetables with their evening meal!
 
 
 
JUST KIDDING!  They will be fine!
 

As they enter the one end of the solarium, a stop watch will be started.  they have precisely 45 seconds from that point to traverse the length of the solarium IN ABSOLUTE SILENCE (Their time will be docked for every spoken word). Should they fail to reach the exit before the horn sounds they will be forced to consume an extra ration of vegetables with their evening meal!
 
 
 
JUST KIDDING!  They will be fine!
 

As they enter the one end of the solarium, a stop watch will be started.  they have precisely 45 seconds from that point to traverse the length of the solarium IN ABSOLUTE SILENCE (Their time will be docked for every spoken word). Should they fail to reach the exit before the horn sounds they will be forced to consume an extra ration of vegetables with their evening meal!
 
 
 
JUST KIDDING!  They will be fine!
 

As they enter the one end of the solarium, a stop watch will be started.  they have precisely 45 seconds from that point to traverse the length of the solarium IN ABSOLUTE SILENCE (Their time will be docked for every spoken word). Should they fail to reach the exit before the horn sounds they will be forced to consume an extra ration of vegetables with their evening meal!
 
 
 
JUST KIDDING!  They will be fine!