WhiteSoxFan

Explorer has suffered from a propulsion problem since the end of August. I guess this will solve the problem.

The second part of #2 is good to remember. ALWAYS stay on ships time! Make sure you have a watch or other time keeping device that will not change to local time. On our first cruise the cruise director said at the show the night before we pulled into Cozumel, "Do not ask a local what time is is or you will become one."

We took a 4 day cruise on the Jewel out of Tampa a few years back and I made a point to be out on deck when we went under the Sunshine Skyway bridge. I do not remember any announcements being made. We just researched about what time it would occur and made sure not to miss it. We chose the top deck at the very front. On the Grandeur it would be deck 10. It was really cool to see because the Jewel didn't have a lot of clearance under the bridge. It looks like the clearance under the Chesapeake Bay Bridge is 186' while the air draft of the Grandeur is 170.5' so it may not be as dramatic. Here is a video of us going under the bridge:

We would always sail at spring break when my daughter was younger. We had justt gotten off the Explorer a few months prior and knew the following year she would being going on a school trip to Disney so I booked for the year after that the day they opened the bookings. I did so because I wanted the deck 7 corner aft.

I have experienced the same thing recently. When checking a cruise my daughter booked the first screen would show interior cabins staring at $189.00. However, when you clicked "Book Now" and proceeded the lowest price was $318.00. This happened a few times to me on different sailing and different ships.

Our last cruise we just got them at the pier. My daughter just sailed on the Vision last week and did the same. Both times all bags in our room by around 2:00PM. Either RC has just really improved baggage delivery or we've just been lucky because on our last four cruises we have always gotton our bags very quickly. Of course we are checking in before 11:00AM so this helps. When we sailed the Jewel we went to our room when they open the corridors at 1:00PM and found our bags already in our room!

Only 10 months? I booked the Freedom 22 months in advance :o .

That works if you follow everyone's good advice about flying in early. Same day flights, not so much :)

If you are flying in and do not want to bother with hauling tape or a stapler to attach your printed luggage tags you can just get luggage tags at the pier. The porters will have them and will write your cabin number on them.

As far as I know, only the Allure and Oasis allow you to reserve your shows in advance. We have had to get tickets for the ice shows on the Voyager and Freeedom class shipd, but they were handed out on the ship. The time was posted in the Compass.

One of the great perks for Platinum and above is the balcony discount, but Matt is right, Diamond and up is where it's at. We are just 6 points away from that illustrious status Luckily our next cruise is in a suite on the Jewel so we will still get great perks and we will be 8 points on the good side of Diamond! :)

Ripple app looks like a winner. The only problem is I don't want to carry my phone around all day on a cruise ship. I assume the cruise ship network is unsecured.

Last trip to St. Maaten we did a tour with Bernards's. Very good as we got to see a lot of the island, including Maho beach where we saw an Air France A340 some in. Another great excursion, we've done ti twice, is the America's Cup Yacht racing. It is really a good time, plus some work if you want it to be.

You can do self debarkation in which you would be responsible for taking you bags off the ship. Otherwise you will leave your bags outside your cabin the last night. They will arrange them in groups where you can find and retrieve them after you debark. You will collect your bags prior to going through customs. There should be porters there to help you with your bags if you need assistance.

Although obvious for some, low and mid-ship is best because you are closest to pivot point of the motion, therefore, less physical motion up/down & side-to-side. If not there, mid-ship and higher is better than fore/aft and low. We have sailed twice in aft cabins and twice in high cabins near the aft on the Allure and, in my opinion, the forward part of the ship move more than the aft. When we were in the aft cabins on the Freedom and Mariner the motion was different that other cabins we have been in. More of a shimmy, more vibration. I attribute this to the proximity to the propulsion.

I always recommend that new cruisers use a travel agent. A travel agent can help you pick the right cruise line, itinerary and cabin. If your not a local, fly in at least a day early. This is especially important when flying from regional locations where there may not be as many flights per day. Cull the many cruise web sites for as much informations as possible. Don't believe it when they tell you to get to the port and 1:00PM or 2:00PM. Arrive early and start enjoying your vacation as soon as possible. Alway take a carry on with your electronics and a swimsuit so you can enjoy the pool without having to wait for your luggage. It is important the you DO NOT place any valuables in your checked luggage. If available on your ship, look for alternative dining locations to the Windjammer when you first board. They are usually less crowded. Solarium Bistro on the Oasis and Allure is an excellent location for lunch the first day. Don't be afraid to book independant excursions. Do your research and go with a reputable company. You usually get a lot more for less $$.

There is no way my daughter would not take a straightener with her. I'm sure we have brought one on board multiple times.

Regarding the Quest, at 18 they are adults and I do not think that anything at the Quest is really that bad. However, this is subjective and dependent on your level of converatism in these matters.