bcarney

Did you know that Royal’s website doesn’t work on your iPhone or iPad? Try doing a search – none of the dropdowns work. Skip even trying and just go to the NextCruise desk if you are looking for info on a future cruise.

Last year when we sailed, Voom had a problem where you had to log in every single time you used your device. They’ve since fixed that issue. The internet is still incredibly slow, though; I wasn’t able to watch any Periscopes or Facebook Live videos onboard, at any location. EDIT: Wifi calling did not work either; I tried calling my parents to wish them a Happy Thanksgiving, and was unsuccessful in having an audible call.

Speaking of beer, if you like craft beer there is a place right at Port Seraphine in St. Lucia called Antillia Brewing. They have a great IPA and a stout worth trying.

If you like craft beer from bottles, go into the pub (Duck and Dog on Adventure) and go all the way to the bar. Look to the right and you will see a little hallway that goes to a staff area. Look down that hallway, and on the left will be a chalkboard with the names of all the off-menu beers available on that sailing. Note, however, that many won’t be available on the first night, as luggage has distribution priority over the beer. I managed to enjoy Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA several times during the sailing (though it did run out by Thursday).

Just got off Adventure. Rather than write up a full review, I’ll post some thoughts here as I remember them.

I just got off Adventure on Saturday. Right now she's sailing out of Puerto Rico, as she's done every fall through spring since 2002. I'm actually sad that she's moving to the North East; she's my favorite ship thus far, and we've sailed on her 6 times out of my 16 cruises. Was hoping for one more cruise on her for our 140 point crystal ship cruise, but the NE itineraries do nothing for me (I'm Caribbean-oriented) so it looks like next year's 11 day on Serenade gets that honor. The ship is fine; the last refurb was interrupted by a hurricane, but it should be finished in January IIRC. I was on it last November right after the refurb, and there were a lot of half-finished projects on board. All of them have been completed and much of the carpets etc in public areas have been replaced. The staterooms kind of need a refresh, though. Seafoam blue and pink carpets, coral colored doors, etc. make it look a bit dated. If you enjoy the ports you're sailing to, I'd say go for it!

I'm a rum collector, and just returned home with 5 bottles of rum (and 2 bottles of a special-to-me beer that was obtained especially for me by a friendly staffer on catamaran Fan-Ta-Sea in St. Kitts). We just wrap the bottles in tightly with the clothes, and pray. Haven't had an issue yet, and have been doing this ever since we stopped being allowed to bring it home as our carry-ons. If you buy from the local stores instead of on the ship, some will pre-pack them in boxes for you, and you can put the boxes in your luggage. You kind of have to trust the gods when you are packing a $600 bottle into your luggage, but the alternative is not being able to bring any home...

I'd be happy with either, but speaking as a northern mid-westerner NoLa has a much stronger draw for me, even though it's a 140 mile longer one-way drive for us.

If it's true either Cuba is more popular than RC expected and they need a larger ship, or it's much less than anticipated and it's better to just unload the ship again.

I wonder if Rhapsody has been sold or will be moving as well? I don't see Brilliance, Majesty, AND Rhapsody all sailing from Tampa.

I wonder why all the hate for New Orleans from RC?

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They do, my daughter loves it with the fries.

The grapefruit habanero daquiri in the Schooner Bar is quite nice. And spicy. :)

I can see it now - they'll weigh you when you board, and again when you disembark, and then charge you a "gluttony fee" for every additional pound you exit with. In the past I would have broken even, but with drink packages and middle age creeping in I fear I'll have to cough up the fee. It's coming via the airlines anyway... https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/02/forget-your-checked-luggage-this-airline-is-weighing-passengers.html

LOL, I have a buddy from Spain that brought back three (3!) suitcases full of rum from a cruise we were on together (we toured a bunch of distilleries in the southern Caribbean on Adventure OTS last year). Since each bottle was different, the just let him through since they figured he wasn't reselling/serving them at a bar. If you're ever going to Madrid let me know as I know of a bar with a large rum section. :)

For those sailing with stops in the US Virgin Islands, if you buy 1 liter of liquor produced in an insular US Territory (like the USVI), you are allowed to bring 5 liters back in total duty free, from anywhere - as long as 1 of the 5 is from the USVI. I'd recommend what @arebee purchased - Bone's Rum from St. Thomas IIRC. I had it last year at the Miami Rum Renaisannce festival and quite enjoyed it.

In the Main Dining Room all you have to do is ask for more than one of whatever you desire. I frequently get an app or two, a soup, 1 entree, a curry, and generally I get a dessert forced upon me even though I'm stuffed. :) On lobster night some people order multiple tails. Not that I've done that personally, LOL. For the specialty dining options like Chops you get a bunch of apps and sides, one steak or main entree, and a dessert (or more than one if you ask for it). Places like Giovanni's, well, if you leave there hungry you are doing it wrong. :) They bring out so much food you risk physical harm to your internal organs if you eat it all!

@JaeBoogie, we did guarantee rooms twice on RC. Our first RC cruise was a guarantee Balcony, and we wound up with a handicap accessible balcony. Basically, a bigger bathroom. The cabin may have been bigger than other balconies, but it was out first RC cruise (and only our second cruise ever) so I had nothing to compare it to. Our second was guarantee was on Enchantment, and we wound up with a room directly above the speakers mounted to the ceiling in the theatre. On the first and I think second to last nights the room literally vibrated from all the noise until past 11pm. Most time it wouldn't have been an issue but we had our 5 and 3 year olds with us, and it kept them up too late. So basically it's the luck of the draw. Now that the kids are older I may try a guarantee again. Maybe.

Based on my experience, Tampa is second only to Baltimore in terms of ease of getting on/off the ship. When we sailed from Baltimore we parked in the lot right next to ship. Not a parking structure, an actual parking lot. Couldn't have been easier. In Tampa you can park across the street. As mentioned, if you fly in it's only a half hour or so from the airport. And if you overnight downtown or in Ybor City there is the trolley that runs right to the embarkation location, and many hotels have complimentary shuttles. I have to say, next to San Juan Tampa is my most favorite place to sail from, and I've started going there for non-cruise trips as well.

Why teachers?

I haven't been here yet (I'll be visiting in about 30 days) but this place https://www.facebook.com/Antillia-Brewing-Company-411999235629088/ has highly rated brews. Naked Fisherman St. Lucia India Pale Ale and Aphrodisiac Ale (a stout) are supposed to be great. I'll imbibe and report back. :)

I like both styles; I tend to go for IPA and such in the summer/fall, and stouts in the winter. I just recently acquired a taste for porters when I tried one at a nearby brewpub - it reminded me of drinking dark, cold coffee. To me the NEIPAs taste like orange juice.

This isn't beer related, but in 2016 I was part of a rum group cruise. We hit Topper's in St. Maarten, Brinley's in St. Kitts, Antigua Distilleries in Antigua (where I scored a bottle that was distilled before I was in high school, 1981!), St. Lucia Distilleries, and St. Nicolas Abbey and Mt. Gay in Barbados. At Mt. Gay we actually got to blend our own rum. Had a lot of great experiences, and now have a few people that will be friends for a lifetime - that's priceless. In 2018 we're doing the same, only swapping out Grenada for St. Maarten, and adding Puerto Rico. It's an 11 day on Serenade out of Ft. Lauderdale. DM me if anyone has interest in joining us.

Way to go, Tplanav1! We're on the sailing right before yours - I'll leave the ship tidy for you. :)