Skid

It is not about beating a dead horse or about being politically correct. It's about human beings showing some respect and sympathy for parents who lost a child under tragic circumstances. It is baffling to me how some people don't get that.
If it's supposed to be a family here on RCBlog, I guess I've been disowned by some. Oh well.

Some of the comments here belong on the "other" board. Some things should just plain not be joked about. Do not want to hear how I should lighten up or get a sense of humor---"it's not me, it's you".

Some of the comments here belong on the "other" board. Some things should just plain not be joked about. Do not want to hear how I should lighten up or get a sense of humor---"it's not me, it's you".

@ellcee , I was absolutely not referring to you. You stated a simple thought which you have every right to do. I know from your posts that you have never been offensive or sarcastic.

It's sad that at age 24, this young man felt he needed to make such a tragic choice.  

Jane--what a beautiful family picture. And what a great feeling when we can bring such a great smile like your daughter's to our children's' faces.

I don't know actually.  When we cruise, hubby drives to the airport and I sometimes don't even bring my driver's license.  We travel with as few cards as possible.

We leave it in the safe unless the Cruise compass say that a certain port requires photo ID. If so, then we bring it.  

Jane--what a beautiful family picture. And what a great feeling when we can bring such a great smile like your daughter's to our children's' faces.

So I did one periscope but my cruises are about absolute relaxation!   So no voom, no live blog and not a ton of pics.  But I had an amazing time with my husband and 15 year old daughter (who I pretty much only saw 1 day lol).  
   I had not been on a cruise until 2015.  We did 3 cruises in 2 years and then we hit Disney (the other obsession!)  I can't even describe how much I missed being on a ship.   This was the 2nd time on freedom.   I did like the cruise terminal at port Canaveral better than port Everglades but embarkation was super easy... under 40 minutes for sure and drinking my first lava flow (with kraken rum) by 11!
   We had an ocean view... plenty big enough for the 3 of us. Our stateroom attendant suzanna was wonderful and we loved our 4 towel animals! 
  The 6 days was too short (Joe took my extra day for his 8 day.  Freedom alternates 6 and 8 day cruises right now) but we still hit 3 ports... grand Cayman, Costa maya and cozumel.  The biggest disappointment of the trip was that it was so windy in grand cayman that they canceled all excursions to stingrays city.  I was very bummed but we still got to swim with lucky the dolphin and buy lots of pics!   In Costa maya my husband did one of the ruins while my daughter and I shopped and enjoyed the one day we could get near the pool (chair hugs were awful and i sure wish rc would enforce their policy).  In cozumel we went to nachi.   Since there were a ton of ships in port I'm glad we went.   We got in so early we beat all the employees... got a beautiful beach spot!  We enjoyed it... the food was excellent!
   Speaking of food,  we ate...a ton!  Sabor was excellent (service not great though)  and I loved the tuna tacos and the guac.  I tried all 3 margaritas (goes love the drink pkg) and liked the cucumber jalapeno the best.   Chops was so good (and the service great)  that we took the 25%off and went back the next night.   The my time dining was mixed.... the service was fast (almost too fast)  but the tables for 2 were right on top of each other and the food was good,  but not amazing.   I'm glad we tried my time but not sure we will do it again.  And then....CHEFS TABLE!   the chef was amazing, the wine was amazing,  the food was amazing and the dessert (the world from wonderland)  was ever moist AMAZING thing I've ever eaten or watched!!  This was our 2nd chefs table and we will definitely do it again. 
   RC lost money on my drink pkg for sure.   Most days I parked myself on my sky deck chair with my book... read,  eat,  drink,  repeat.   We also had a mocha or latte every morning, wine with dinner (loved the bartender at vintages... she never steered us wrong and one of her suggestions was served at chefs table) and after dinner drinks.   My daughter was probably a wash in terms of cost...we got her the refreshment pkg and she was over a few days,  probably underused more but it was nice to have it paid for before the cruise.
   The ship never felt crowded and traffic flow was great.   It's really a perfect size... not too big and not too small.   For what I do (loaf in a chair and try to thaw)  it works well.   I'd love to try oasis class for the dining and the shows... someday lol!
   Precruise we stayed at the Hilton marina.   We had an amazing corner balcony that had views of the intercoastal waterway as well as the port.  Their pool area was a perfect way to unwind precruise!  We ate at cheesecake factory on Las olas and that was fun.   Post cruise we stayed at the W hotel and got upgraded to a 2 bedroom suite...amazing!  I could sit on the balcony staring at the ocean and the waterway!.  Both were absolute splurges but we decided to yolo book them!
   And so now I'm over 400 days till my next ocean cruise.   I thought about a 5 night navigator next spring break but we really need to save for our summer 2019 cruise...12 night Mediterranean/ Greek isles out of Barcelona on vision of the seas.   It will be the trip of a lifetime and with 8 ports we will spend a 5 night cruise amount just on excursions.  We also have Paris this summer to link forward to (we have never been to Europe and will be going on a viking river cruise!)  Both are very different from our Caribbean cruising!
   So that is my freedom trip.  I wanted to share more since I love reading everyone else's blogs but I was too busy reading and being lazy!   Let me know if you have any questions!   Jane

Sorry, I couldn't Help myself
help myself!!

Yes, then definitely the ATS for sure! 
You have found a great community to help you out with any questions.  There are a few regulars here who have done Star class and are quite knowledgeable about it.  Everyone is so nice here.  And there are tons of people here who will be able to answer any cruising questions you have.  CC is hit and miss.  I read threads over there and I'm on the roll calls for my sailings.  Same with FB.  I use it mainly for the sailing groups.  
I'm also afraid there is truth to this.  We have done pretty much everything from interior to suites but never Star class or Deck 17.  It is hard to give up suite benefits...no clue how I'm going back after next March.  I met someone on Anthem last month who tried SC for the first time and they already have their next one booked.  First world problems.  I know.
Which Anthem sailing were you on last month?
@WAAAYTOOO has done type of room many times.  She can provided specific info when you are ready to ask those.  @CGTLH has also been in this type of room too.
There was a similar thread a few days ago and some good info was provided.  Here's the link:
And here are a few more from the past about SC:
And here are links to live blogs that @WAAAYTOOO has done/is doing while staying in that type of suite:
She's doing this one right now:
Happy reading!

Those who know me from CC know that I run the CD List and help out with the info on the AM List, but I am done helping with the latter one. I provided an update there yesterday (poster had been inactive for nearly 3 weeks on there). The regular poster on that list then came back today and ignored some of the updates that I added to the list, and the new version is once again full of grammar errors. Will not be helping that list again. 
However, I will happily run the show for both CD's and AM's on here. Please provide me with any updates if you get them. :)

Whew,  I was not looking forward to lugging around a cup for a week.  Thank you.

I've had some cruises where entertainment was available way before 119 days and then there were those that were closer to 90 days out. Basically, you cannot predict it. It varies by ship and sailing. You just have to keep checking your cruise planner. Usually by the 6 month mark, I start checking daily. 

The cups you get with the package are for use in the freestyle drink machines. These machines dispense a wide variety of drinks. There is a chip in the cup that activates the machine. If you don't want to carry the cup, you can still get sodas at any bar or venue.

Wishing a Happy Easter and Happy Passover to all here that celebrate!  

@toodle68 I agree with Matt.  There are lines at times everywhere.  And keep in mind that I likely ran into spring break crowds.  The ship was sailing at full capacity.  However, I will say that I have cruised all 3 Oasis class ships, two of them in the height of summer and they never once felt as crowded as Anthem.  And on Anthem, it wasn't just certain times that was crowded.  It was always.  @twangster has been on Anthem 3 times and he mentioned that he did not find it too bad so it just might have been the time of year.  IMO, the worst areas on Anthem were the Esplanade and the WJ.  Also any event in the Sea Plex usually picked up huge lines.  They did have the fastest check in ever though...
When are you going?  A 5 night to Bermuda sounds wonderful!  I have never sailed that itinerary.  It's on my list.  Hubby and I just watched a vlog last night on that exact sailing.  It's really well put together and documented.  They sailed in May.  It's by @CruiseLifeRick and Our Two Suitcases and their squad.  Here are the links:
 

Check your cruise planner folks. Got an email today and there is, again, some pretty decent pricing--$18pp/pd refreshment package, $42pp/pd deluxe package and some good (some not so good) excursion deals. Remember, if you already booked anything at higher prices, you can cancel and re-book. Anything previously paid by OBC will show back in your account immediately. Credit card refunds will take a few days.  Hope this helps save my fellow cruisers some money. Happy sailing!

When you look at an excursion and want to see the time(s) that are available, click "add to cart". This will bring you to a screen that allows you to see the date and times of that particular excursion.  Don't worry about it accidentally becoming a purchase.  It takes many steps to finalize. 

This was posted somewhere on Cruise Critic.  Not sure where it came from but it's awesome!!
It's drink packages explained and for those that "already know this stuff" it's noted that any changes to the RCCL Drink policies are noted in red in the article.  This document ALSO contains Harmony's Bar Menu and Drink Listing WITH prices!! 
 
LAST BUT NOT LEAST...the last 4 pages documents the names of special drinks and how they are made so you can make them at home for yourself OR you will know what to order on your next cruise.  I love this pdf and wanted to share with you all.  Enjoy!!!
 
 
Cruise News Harmony 2019 Drinking.pdf

Interesting - DH got the email (but not me ), but our potential upgrade price is $350-- maybe different price for different sailing? We wouldn't mind the upgrade, but we currently have connecting OV balcony cabins, which we need (connecting), because 2 DD's are in the other & although both are adults, one is severely handicapped, so at least one of the 3 of us needs to be with her if she's in the cabin, & if it's because she's sleeping, we're going to want to be in the connecting cabin so don't have to worry about keeping quiet or having the lights on.

Approximately 20 Royal Cruises and we have never received a call offering us an upgrade.

I agree, if you end up doing the upgrade and don’t get the double points I would call a few weeks after the cruise and say you didn’t get the points. I wouldn’t mention the upgrade just the cabin number and that you were in a suite.

I talked to someone at C&A today about adding the upgrades to my preferences since you can't do anything on the new site now. They did confirm if you get "upgraded" to the Jr. Suite you do not get the 2 points per day because you are not paying the "suite" rate, but getting an upgrade, even when paying a little for the upgrade. If the price was right we would upgrade, but we did book a Jr. Suite for a cruise next year because the price difference between the balcony and Jr. suite was so minimal that we decided 4 of us in the JS as opposed to 2 rooms.