bcarney

I keep clicking my heels together and saying "there is no snow in the Bahamas…there is no snow in St. Thomas… there is no snow in St. Maarten…" LOL On a past visit to St. Maarten we were docked next to a HAL ship, and an elderly lady (had to be in her 90s from the look of her) in a wheelchair came off the ship wearing an oxygen mask, being pushed by her butler/assistant that appeared to be in his 60s. He was completely in uniform, black outfit and everything. They got off the ship, paused for a moment, she waved her hand in the air, and they returned to the ship. It was at that point I decided it would be four or five decades before I sail on HAL...

Just run the numbers - let's say you have a preference for a certain $8.50 drink. $385 divided by $8.50 = 45.25 drinks. That's six and a half drinks per day, each day, for the week… drink up.

I was planning on picking up an open booking NextCruise certificate on my April 5th cruise. I'm not able to book a certain date this far out. For a $100 OBC it would have been worthwhile…for $25? I'm not going to bother.

I'm in the process of going through my online check-in for my April 5 cruise. When I got to the form where I had to select my date of birth, the oldest year that was possible to select was 1900. Why is Royal Caribbean discriminating against 114 year olds? I certainly plan on cruising when I'm that age. Looks like I'll have to find another cruise line when I'm a centenerarian-plus. Holland America (aka "God's waiting room") perhaps? :)

Derek409 - we're on the same cruise as you!!! :-) Spent last night watching every YouTube video on Oasis there is… Can't wait!!! "The Real" Bill Carney

When we first started cruising it was itinerary. I like "collecting" ports. After that it was co-ordinating flights and trying to minimize costs and travel stress. On our first two cruises with kids, finding the right staterooms was a concern. On one we booked a rear corner on Adventure that was a wider but shallower room, which worked out well for having space for the crib. On another we had a Family Suite like your recent Navigator cruise; it rocked, and we were lucky as they usually don't let those out for families of 4. On our April 5 cruise we're going to "wing it" in a standard balcony room w/pull out sofa bed on Oasis and see how it goes. Now on the Oasis cruise, the difficulty is here is excursions. Partially finding ones that appeal to both myself and the kids, and partially finding one in Bahamas that fits that weird 7am-2pm on a Sunday stop. All this said, if this is "difficulty" to suffer through, I guess I am truly blessed. :) "The Real" Bill Carney

Gosh, for $450 I think I'd just pony up the extra money and book a suite, and then ask the concierge if they could arrange having the the photographer at the right place and right time. And then you've got the suite to celebrate in! Get photos if you can - I proposed to Emily at sunset on the top of Brockway Mountain (way up at the tip of the upper peninsula). While the images are in my head, it's a bit difficult to have extra prints made for friends and family, LOL. I hope Jake doesn't peruse these message boards, otherwise the surprise will be spoiled! ;) Enjoy your proposal and treasure the moment. :)

My first was on Carnival, so no… ;) Our second was on RC's Monarch and we found it was a better "fit" and have stuck with the brand. I'm sometimes tempted by other cruise lines (with 2 kids now the 3/4 passenger rates do make a differenece) but so far, we've stuck with RCL. So far my best cruise is either my last one, or my next one, depending on where I'm at in the booking process! :)

Take a bunch of people at the mall, lock the doors, and keep them in there for a week. A similar number of people are going to get sick, only they'll call it "the flu" and just go home. Do the same on a cruise ship, and (gasp!) it's NOROVIRUS!!! (gasp again) and it's all over the news for a week or more. I think RCL did what they had to do in this bad situation. There's not really a lot of options. At least it's not a self-inflicted issue like mechanical problems due to lack of upkeep, etc...

Were either of these follows still in the crew on Enchantment? (Click the images for full size photos) This is Richard Binuha, our assistant waiter in Nov 2011. Really nice guy, always sought us out in the Windjammer and basically treated us as if he was our own personal waiter. This is Dondon Villagomez. He was an assistant waiter in a nearby section, and he took a shine to my kids, and they to him. I hope they've both been promoted; they definitely earned the WOW cards that RCL passed out and "made" the cruise for us. :)

I don't think I've heard of a nation asking a cruise ship not to stop there due to illness aboard the ship: St Maarten Health Ministry Advised Royal Caribbean Against Cruise Ship Call http://www.caribjournal.com/2014/01/27/st-maarten-health-ministry-advised-royal-caribbean-against-cruise-ship-call/

On my past two cruises (first w/kids) Royal Caribbean had a program where the children would sit with us in the main dining room and have an expedited dinner, then the Adventure Ocean staff would come and get them after 30/45 minutes and take them to AO so the parents could finish their dinner any more relaxed manner. Highly recommended by me. :)

Wow, I wish I would have investigated this more back in the past… I could have saved some serious coin. I've looked at other cruise lines and have been tempted (particularly NCL with their considerably-lower 3/4 pax rates, which would help keep costs down re: my kids), but I keep coming back to Royal. I should probably just "put a ring on her finger" and purchase the NCC on day 1 on Oasis, LOL!

I was going to say something along the lines of "is there such a thing as a bad cruise?"… and then I remembered Carnival's recent "issues. :)

I only discovered this over the weekend, but there is a dining package on Oasis. We're just going to do the main dining room this cruise ($$ reasons), but there is the "Oasis Choice Dining Package" - from the website: Enhance your vacation and save money with Royal Caribbean's Specialty Dining packages. These packages offer the opportunity to visit several of the most exciting restaurants onboard more economically than booking them individually. The Oasis Choice Dining package includes dinner at four of the ship's most spectacular venues: Solarium Bistro, Chops Grille, Giovanni's Table and Izumi. How to Reserve To reserve the Oasis Choice Dining Package in advance and save up to 20% off the normal cost of dining at these outstanding restaurants just: • Purchase the Oasis Choice Dining Package online through our Pre-Cruise Planner(RoyalCaribbean.com/PreCruisePlanner). • As part of your dining package purchase, you will select your dining time and dine in Solarium Bistro on day 1 or day 2. Once onboard you will reserve Chops Grille, Giovanni's Table and Izumi once onboard the ship. If you reserve additional restaurants online you will be charged for this package and also for additional restaurant reservations. • Once onboard you'll be able to add your reservations at Chops Grille, Giovanni's Table and Izumi on evenings you choose. • You may also purchase the Oasis Choice Dining Package onboard by visiting Solarium Bistro, Chops Grille, Giovanni's Table or Izumi before 5 pm on boarding day. About the Restaurants Solarium Bistro: Let the starlit ocean sky set the mood after dark, when the Solarium pool transforms into a fine dining destination. Explore a menu of inspired, sumptuous dishes that embrace healthful living through healthy eating. Chops Grille: Royal Caribbean's popular signature steakhouse, featuring grade-A premium cuts of steak cooked to your specifications, plus fresh seafood, hearty side dishes and signature desserts in an upscale, contemporary setting. Giovanni's Table: A casual Italian trattoria with indoor and al fresco seating, Giovanni's Table offers rustic dishes with a contemporary flair, including toasted herb foccacia, pastas, braised meat dishes and stews, served family-style. Izumi: The traditional Asian dishes at Izumi will impress you with their pure, delicate flavors, freshness of ingredients and impeccable presentation. Diners can choose from popular sushi rolls, sashimi, our Hot Rock (Ishiyaki) Plates, sukiyaki and more. Where You’ll Find It The Oasis Choice Dining Package is available on Oasis of the Seas. Dress Suggestion We suggest smart casual attire in all three restaurants – jackets for men, dresses or pantsuits for women. On formal evenings onboard, formal attire is also appropriate in the restaurants, including suits and ties or tuxedos for men and cocktail dresses for women. Serving Hours Giovanni's Table: 5.30 pm to 9.30 pm Chops Grille: 6.00 pm to 9.30 pm Solarium Bistro: 6.00 pm to 10.00 pm Izumi: 6.00 pm to 10.00 pm Other Information Guests under the age of 18 should be accompanied by a parent or guardian. IMPORTANT: In order to reserve the Oasis Choice Dining Package online you should book ONLY Solarium Bistro on the first night of the cruise. Reservations for Chops Grille, Giovanni's Table and Izumi will be made onboard. If you reserve Chops Grille, Giovanni's Table or Izumi online you will be charged for those restaurants in addition to the Oasis Choice Dining Package. Cancellation: Cancellations made within 24 hours of the dinner reservation will incur a charge of $10. [send us all your money button]

I've been booking my own flights since my third or fourth cruise; not really sure why I go through a TA for the cruise booking other than it's habit. One time she got us a Family cabin - usually requires 5+ people, but she was able to get it for us w/4 people - but other than that it's been standard "here's the price" service. I think I'll get a NCC on the upcoming cruise and book direct from now on.

Tip noted and placed into the proper folder in my email client. :)

I check out message boards like this one and Cruise Critic (though some people take the word "Critic" far too seriously), commiserating with people that have the same affliction I do - an addiction to cruising. I also use Google Earth to check out the islands ahead of time so I have an idea of what the layout is and where I'll be going on the excursions. The other thing I do is go through my old notes regarding what to REALLY pack. It's helpful to remember I really don't need 14 pair of socks for my 7 day… :) Actually, by doing this, my wife and I are down to two pieces of luggage and two carry ons for the two of us and the 2 kids. Helpful for flights on Delta where you pay by the piece.

When our TA made our reservation, back in early September, she said that MTD was the only time available. This is not the first time where we booked a long ways out and found that MTD was the only thing available. I'm starting to suspect that commissions are based on a percentage of the total bill and on MTD you have to prepay tips, so…but I don't know that for a fact. Anyhow, we prefer Traditional dining (it seems less rushed to us) so we switched at the first opportunity.

Credit card points cashed in, Final payment made, switched from MTD to 6PM Traditional, and booked some excursions. Except for figuring out what to do in Nassau, cruise planning for Oasis on April 5 is done. Now the daily countdown begins! :D

I've done this one three times - it's fabulous!

I'd rather have it as an OBC; if I don't spend it all, I'd get it back. Not that me not spending it all would ever happen. :) In fact RCCL would benefit as I'd be more likely to splurge … repeatedly.

I checked…. Spirit out of DTW flying out the morning of Jan. 13th of and returning late in the evening the day the ship returns is $271/pp plus Detroit's outrageous parking fees of several million $$$ per day. Damn this is temping… but I'd have to pull the kid out of school for it, so it's not happening. :(

Found it - on your front page (blush…). By 'last minute' I was thinking/hoping this month (next three weeks) when I have some unscheduled time off and could drive to FL...

Whoa…where you seeing that price?