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My First RC Cruise!


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I'm taking my wife, oldest daughter and her friend on a 7 night Western Caribbean Cruise that leaves June 2017! This is to celebrate my daughter's high school graduation! We had normally taken 10-12 day trips yearly to Walt Disney World but after the constant price increases and the desire to do something new for our daughter's trip, we went cruise shopping. I'd always heard RC was about equal to the Disney Cruise Lines except where it mattered: price! haha I just couldn't get myself to pay DCL prices!

 

Now to somehow get these 415 days to pass quickly. haha

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I'm taking my wife, oldest daughter and her friend on a 7 night Western Caribbean Cruise that leaves June 2017! This is to celebrate my daughter's high school graduation! We had normally taken 10-12 day trips yearly to Walt Disney World but after the constant price increases and the desire to do something new for our daughter's trip, we went cruise shopping. I'd always heard RC was about equal to the Disney Cruise Lines except where it mattered: price! haha I just couldn't get myself to pay DCL prices!

 

Now to somehow get these 415 days to pass quickly. haha

 

I went on my first one last year and was completely blown away.  Y'all are gonna have the biggest time!

 

I loved it so much that we're taking our second this weekend!  It's 50 degrees here in Charleston this morning, but I'm 

wearing my Caribbean shirt that I got in Ste. Maarten last year!!  

 

 

It'll seem like years before June '17 gets here...

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I wouldn't say the two cruise lines are equal, but for the price difference they're close enough. Disney is a bit more inclusive and has better and more extensive kid and family programming. I also like the dining a bit better on Disney. However, these differences have not led me to book Disney in the last few years as I find Royal to be a better value overall.

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I wouldn't say the two cruise lines are equal, but for the price difference they're close enough. Disney is a bit more inclusive and has better and more extensive kid and family programming. I also like the dining a bit better on Disney. However, these differences have not led me to book Disney in the last few years as I find Royal to be a better value overall.

I could see that. I'm just not going to spend that much more on a Disney cruise. I'd probably grab a quick 3 day DCL cruise if it was a decent deal. I'm within 6 hours of Port Canaveral, so not too far to do a last minute trip.

 

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Our (my wife and I) very first cruise was on the Disney Wonder back in 2004 (honeymoon).  We were blown away with the service, cleanliness and atmosphere and naturally have always compared our subsequent cruises with that first experience (of course it holds a special place in our hearts). 

 

Our last 3 cruises have been with RC with our 4th RC cruise was just booked on Allure for April 30, 2017 (Western Caribbean too!)... we have (knock on wood) yet to be disappointed with Royal Caribbean.  One day we will cruise Disney again, but for us the huge price difference and severely limited cruise itineraries (just four ships compared to RC's 24+ ship active fleet) have kept us away.  

 

We've loved everything on RC from the entertainment/broadway shows, dining/specialty dining choices, CASINO, on-board activities... on and on... and for the kids and fun adults :) they have all of the Dreamworks characters (Shrek, Puss in Boots, Penguins of Madagascar, etc.).  They have by far the newest, largest and probably the most innovative ships in the industry right now.  If size matters, I believe RC has the 9 largest cruise ships in service (Freedom, Quantum and Oasis classes)... If your not necessarily a fan of big, then they have 15+ smaller ships in the other classes (Voyager, Radiance, Vision and Sovereign)!  They also lease/own not just one (Disney: Castaway Cay), but 2 islands (Coco Cay in the Bahamas and Labadee in Haiti).

 

Bottom line, I'm confident you will have an amazing time!  For us, RC is the best bang for the buck without any sacrifice (Carnival, NCL, etc.) bar none.  Many of the other competing smaller cruise lines have not launched a new ship in years!

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I'm taking my wife, oldest daughter and her friend on a 7 night Western Caribbean Cruise that leaves June 2017! This is to celebrate my daughter's high school graduation! We had normally taken 10-12 day trips yearly to Walt Disney World but after the constant price increases and the desire to do something new for our daughter's trip, we went cruise shopping. I'd always heard RC was about equal to the Disney Cruise Lines except where it mattered: price! haha I just couldn't get myself to pay DCL prices!

 

Now to somehow get these 415 days to pass quickly. haha

Not sure if this is your first cruise or your first cruise on RC but not wanting to sound like a broken record I always like to warn first cruisers about having the right paperwork(IDs) and Dont be late embarkation day or coming back from the port stops....I m sure you will have a wonderful time!

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I believe you will like Royal, but it is different. If I could recommend anything to someone who has cruise others lines it would  that some things will be different, better, and not as good. But don't micro judge the cruise or the line. Take your cruise, know it will be different that other lines and just enjoy the cruise and what it has to offer.

 

Overall once the cruise is over and you are back home you will have lots of time to look back and compare. Royal has lots to offer and many things others cannot offer and never will. No line is prefect but overall Royal is a very good choice, enjoy your trip.

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Not sure if this is your first cruise or your first cruise on RC but not wanting to sound like a broken record I always like to warn first cruisers about having the right paperwork(IDs) and Dont be late embarkation day or coming back from the port stops....I m sure you will have a wonderful time!

I've been on a cruise but it's been a LONG time ago. Like 15 years haha but if there's anything I do, it's prepare. I'll have our passports and such for sure and I'll be at the "dock" as early as possible. I loathe being late! haha

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I've been on a cruise but it's been a LONG time ago. Like 15 years haha but if there's anything I do, it's prepare. I'll have our passports and such for sure and I'll be at the "dock" as early as possible. I loathe being late! haha

Looks like you have it all together.....good luck and remember you can never have too much fun

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My first trip too--Majesty of the Seas out of Canaveral - Cococay and Nassau. Got passport, Know I can check in online. What other paperwork is there? I have a statement that says I'm paid in full. I booked with an agent on the phone.

Print your "SetSail Pass" online, take that and your passport to the checkin, along with the credit card you used when doing the online checkin (if you set up your onboard account).  That's it !!!

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We are doing our 1st Family vacation on a cruise also June 2017 (Allure Eastern). Wr vacation WDW alot also, maybe twice a year a lot! The kids are ready for a change and we thought this might be perfect.

I believe you chose wisely!

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I believe you chose wisely!

Well Matt, I can never make up my mind. Due to the pattern I have figured out going into our 2nd summer of high school sports workouts, I moved vacay 1 week. Not wanting to give up itineraries, we jumped ship... paid more and are now on Harmony. Wish I had made this decision the 1st time and gotten her prices when 1st released. Oh well - this is our once in a lifetime since the bigs are leaving us soon anyway. I know it's still the right decision and now we get to play with all the new toys a year after all the kinks have been worked out. :) YAY

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We are down to 89 days before my family and I head to mostly everyone's first cruise.  We booked ours July 2, 2015.  I have been counting down the days.  Now that we are at 89 I have booked shows and  see I can start the online check in.   Once all that is done I don't know what I will do with my time.  LOL 

June 2017 will be here before you know it!  We are also going on the Oasis.

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We are down to 89 days before my family and I head to mostly everyone's first cruise.  We booked ours July 2, 2015.  I have been counting down the days.  Now that we are at 89 I have booked shows and  see I can start the online check in.   Once all that is done I don't know what I will do with my time.  LOL 

June 2017 will be here before you know it!  We are also going on the Oasis.

We just got off the Oasis of the Seas and I still dream about her. :-D I imagine I'll walk over to the Windjammer for breakfast and then I realize I'm at home and can't do that! Oasis is a grand lady we look forward to seeing again in April 2017. Can't wait!

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I have never sailed on Disney, no casino, no fun for me. My TA keeps trying to get me to do a 3 or 4 day cruise but way to expensive. I can get the same thing on RCCL or Princess and have my casino.

 

We probably spend only an hour, sometimes less, each night in the casino. But it is absolutely a key ingredient to our cruise experience. No DCL for me.

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