krwillia Posted January 9, 2019 Report Share Posted January 9, 2019 On December 19, 2018 at 3:42 PM, WAAAYTOOO said: This is our exact itin starting this coming Saturday !! How was it? Last minute thoughts on adventures or cool eats at port? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted January 9, 2019 Report Share Posted January 9, 2019 10 hours ago, krwillia said: How was it? Last minute thoughts on adventures or cool eats at port? The cruise was wonderful. Great holiday cruise. We didn't eat in any of the ports so no info there. Sorry. On Antigua we did the Catamaran Cruise with Lobster Lunch. It was very good and I highly recommend this excursion. They took us to 2 beautiful beaches and the lobster lunch was really good. Some of the most beautiful beaches I have ever visited. On St. Kitts we did the Scenic Railway. I will have to concur with Matt on this one. It was a "meh". The history of the railroad was interesting and there were some beautiful views but it was WAAAYTOOO long. ...AND it didn't help that we got totally drenched immediately before boarding so I was cold and uncomfortable the entire time. I'm glad we did it. I had been thinking about doing this excursion for a long time and now it's done. I can mark it off my list and won't worry about it anymore. On St Maarten we did the Phillipsburg by Trolley Train (there is a theme to the excursions if you can't already tell). I enjoyed this one. They dropped us off at a local straw market and for the first time in YEARS, I did some shopping. When Royal lost our luggage in Galveston last year, Dan lost many of his favorite Caribbean shirts so we took the opportunity to replace many of them in St. Maarten. The vendors seemed to really appreciate our patronage. One sweet lady just gave me a big, long hug. It was a good decision to stop. On St. Lucia we also did a trolley train. This one I won't recommend. It took you through the uninteresting and crowded streets of town and b/c of the design of the diesel "engine", all we did was inhale diesel fumes the whole time. It took us to a beach but I was just ready to go back to the ship. I didn't care for this excursion at all. We did not get off the ship in St. Croix but on a previous visit we did a tour of the rum factory which was well worth it. I mentioned in another thread that we had the Ultimate Dining Package on this cruise and 12 days is WAAAYTOOO long for an ultimate dining package on a ship that just has 3 specialty restaurants. Since we had 8 sea days, we had 21 meals to eat at specialty restaurants and though I love Giovanni's, Izumi and Chops, I was DONE with eating at any of them by about day 7 (but we continued to eat at them anyway !). We did have a stroke of good luck regarding the dining package though. I had purchased the package when it was first offered at $288PP. Almost immediately, it fell to $216PP so I cancelled the first reservations I had made and rebought at the lower rate. On about day 9 of our 12 day cruise, the manager of Chops (who had seen us about 300 time since the cruise started...as we ate every breakfast there (suites breakfast) and many lunches and dinners) told us that we had purchased 4 dining packages so he had cancelled 2 of them. I told him that I thought he was mistaken...and explained about having purchased, cancelled and rebought....but he insisted so I thanked him and we finished our cruise with all of the remaining specialty restaurant meals. When I got home, I checked my credit card account and just as I thought, the only charges for specialty dining packages had been the first 2, which were correctly cancelled and refunded and the second 2, which had subsequently ALSO been cancelled and refunded (by him). So basically, we had 21 delightful specialty dining meals for free ! Not expecting that to ever happen again !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloridaCruiseGirl1210 Posted January 10, 2019 Report Share Posted January 10, 2019 Hello! I don't know if I've ever introduced myself. My name is Bridgette and I am based out of Central Florida. I went on three cruises when I was in high school, but once college happened timings got difficult. My previous three cruises were on CCL and NCL. My NCL cruise I was spoiled, inaugural sailing, pent house suite, private butler. The works. I convinced my boyfriend last year to go on his first cruise and have now gotten him hooked, SUCCESS! We went on a 3-night Mariner sailing to the Bahamas and loved every second minus getting off. I simultaneously booked an 8-night cruise this October when booked our last cruise, and we are EXTREMELY excited for it. In my free time, I enjoy the Theme Parks, Photography and Videography. I'm also into reading and working out (partially so I can fit into my cruise clothes, lol). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted January 10, 2019 Report Share Posted January 10, 2019 Nice to meet you, Bridgette. Welcome to the <no help> cruise obsession recovery program. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted January 10, 2019 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2019 Welcome Bridgette! I see you're in Central Florida. We have an Orlando Royal Caribbean Blog meet up in a couple weeks that you are invited to join! https://www.facebook.com/events/275209570009792/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lori B Posted January 13, 2019 Report Share Posted January 13, 2019 Hi Everyone! I will be cruising on Oasis of the Seas, 7-night western Caribbean, leaving March 17. This will be my 2nd ever cruise. I'm part of the 20th anniversary Club Scrap group. I've been visiting this blog and watching Matt's videos on YouTube for a while now. I've gotten so much good information and I'm taking Matt's advice and trying to, perhaps, connect with people ahead of time. I'll be busy with workshops the 1st two days at sea, but the rest of the time is mine. I'm bringing a non-scrapbooking friend as my roomie. This will be her first cruise. We're both so excited!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted January 13, 2019 Report Share Posted January 13, 2019 Welcome, Lori !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted January 14, 2019 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2019 Welcome Lori! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firefly Posted January 28, 2019 Report Share Posted January 28, 2019 I’ve been following for a long time, but finally came out of lurk mode and registered. I’m Katrina and my husband Eric and I have recently fallen in love with cruising (and Royal Caribbean). Our first cruise with Royal was this past June on Allure with our two tween boys. We followed that up with an Oasis cruise last month without the boys and currently have 2 more cruises booked. (1 with the boys, 1 without) Thank you for all the great info and tips. Thanks to this blog I have booked Maya Chan for our Brilliance cruise in December and we couldn’t be more excited! Lovetocruise2002 and Matt 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spiralqueen Posted January 28, 2019 Report Share Posted January 28, 2019 @Firefly Welcome Katrina! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted January 28, 2019 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2019 Welcome Katrina and Eric! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted January 28, 2019 Report Share Posted January 28, 2019 Welcome, Katrina !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlbertoV Posted February 1, 2019 Report Share Posted February 1, 2019 Hello all, new joiners to the forum, we are a family of 4 from Italy, my wife, myself and two daugthers almost 18 and 13. Never had cruises so far and to be honest never tought about seriously. This until last summer when we were having our holidays in Aruba and happened to park the car just few meters from the harmony of the Sea docked there. We were just "WOW that's insane!". I tought "if I have to cruise sooner or later I want this big toy!" Then went home, little bit of googoling and, guess what? found something which would have fit in our vacation planning. So, to make a long story short, we will be sailing out of Fort Lauderdale on the Allure of the Seas next August (I know, not the best period but this is what we have) as central part of our Florida trip. We cannot wait to be there, we are soooooo excited!!! We are busy finding information and planning and this blog and forum, and you all guys, are amazing. Lot of incredible info here! Still lot of time to go but what is better then planning this amazing holiday when out of the window is snowing :) Alberto and family JasonL, Fuzzywuzzy and Sweety 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted February 1, 2019 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2019 Welcome Alberto! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted February 1, 2019 Report Share Posted February 1, 2019 Welcome, Alberto ! WOW...you are going in style. Allure is a WONDERFUL ship. It's a monster ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiny260 Posted February 1, 2019 Report Share Posted February 1, 2019 1 hour ago, AlbertoV said: we will be sailing out of Fort Lauderdale on the Allure of the Seas next August Welcome, I just got off Allure, my 3rd time sailing her, you will love her. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonL Posted February 8, 2019 Report Share Posted February 8, 2019 Welcome Alberto, I know your family will have a great time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiAMiA Posted February 15, 2019 Report Share Posted February 15, 2019 Hello Everyone, Not new to Royal Caribbean Blog, but new to the forum. My husband and I have been cruising with RCL for years and consider ourselves to be true veterans, actually we believe this is the only way to vacation... We are super excited about exploring more and more on the blog and receiving all the updates and need to knows that you provide... You are doing an excellent job and we can't thank you enough for the wealth of knowledge you bring to our lives on a weekly basis... Serous & MiA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twangster Posted February 15, 2019 Report Share Posted February 15, 2019 Welcome Serous & MiA! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiAMiA Posted February 15, 2019 Report Share Posted February 15, 2019 Thank You so very much!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nay Posted February 15, 2019 Report Share Posted February 15, 2019 Hi MiAMiA Welcome to the blog. I am new to cruising, & joined this blog several months ago. going on our very first cruise in about a week. so excited, can't wait to get started. love traveling & I've had so many questions answered here on this blog, its a great way to get info JasonL 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiAMiA Posted February 15, 2019 Report Share Posted February 15, 2019 Hello Nay, Thank You for the warm welcome.. I have been cruising for some time, but the blog has a wealth of knowledge and I’m learning more and more and have a ball doing so.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted February 20, 2019 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2019 Welcome @MiAMiA ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jedi Jason Posted February 20, 2019 Report Share Posted February 20, 2019 Hi, My wife, Sacha, and I have enjoyed Royal Caribbean and cruising dating back to 2012 when we first sailed on Explorer of the Seas. Currently we are Diamond members after 15 cruises and all but one with Royal Caribbean (the other on Celebrity). We have sailed on a variety of ships and itineraries. We have been on an Alaskan and Mediterranean cruise in addition to our numerous Caribbean cruises. We slowed down a little on cruising to have two kids because they didn't have nurseries widely available then. Since then our kids (Logan almost 7 and Makenna 9) have enjoyed the adventure ocean program. Our kids enjoy cruising as much as we do now and ask about when is our next cruise. We are looking forward to our couple's cruise in July on Mariner and our family cruise in October on Harmony. The blog, podcast, live cruise blogs, live broadcasts etc by @Matt and others have had a positive impact on my cruising. We now have 4 future cruises booked (a record for us). We live in the Orlando, Fl area so cruising is a great vacation option for us since we don't need to fly to the port and have multiple ports within a reasonable drive. We enjoy visiting Disney World when we are not cruising and we are annual pass holders. Jason Peterson Fuzzywuzzy, JasonL and Matt 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Colonel Posted February 20, 2019 Report Share Posted February 20, 2019 Hello everyone. My wife and I have been on five cruises so far and they have all been Disney Cruises. We are Disney annual passholders and frequent visitors. We are thinking about a RCCL cruise in 2020 on Adventure of the Seas from Ft. Lauderdale to Southern Caribbean. I know the other cruise lines do things a bit differently than Disney and at first glance it would seem they are about half the price. But I'm sure there are some hidden charges to to make up some of that difference. I'm looking forward to getting some good information from these boards. Thanks in advance. Ray Fuzzywuzzy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted February 20, 2019 Author Report Share Posted February 20, 2019 Welcome to the boards @The Colonel ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fuzzywuzzy Posted February 23, 2019 Report Share Posted February 23, 2019 On 2/20/2019 at 12:02 PM, The Colonel said: Hello everyone. My wife and I have been on five cruises so far and they have all been Disney Cruises. We are Disney annual passholders and frequent visitors. We are thinking about a RCCL cruise in 2020 on Adventure of the Seas from Ft. Lauderdale to Southern Caribbean. I know the other cruise lines do things a bit differently than Disney and at first glance it would seem they are about half the price. But I'm sure there are some hidden charges to to make up some of that difference. I'm looking forward to getting some good information from these boards. Thanks in advance. Ray You have come to the right place Colonel. As you can see I was in the same boat. (pun) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jedi Jason Posted February 23, 2019 Report Share Posted February 23, 2019 On 2/20/2019 at 12:02 PM, The Colonel said: Hello everyone. My wife and I have been on five cruises so far and they have all been Disney Cruises. We are Disney annual passholders and frequent visitors. We are thinking about a RCCL cruise in 2020 on Adventure of the Seas from Ft. Lauderdale to Southern Caribbean. I know the other cruise lines do things a bit differently than Disney and at first glance it would seem they are about half the price. But I'm sure there are some hidden charges to to make up some of that difference. I'm looking forward to getting some good information from these boards. Thanks in advance. Ray You would have a great time on that cruise. There aren't hidden costs that are going to make up that price difference. The only additional cost would be sodas are not included on Royal. Otherwise, enjoy the value the you will find on RCCL and book that cruise. MiAMiA and Fuzzywuzzy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graduate86 Posted February 25, 2019 Report Share Posted February 25, 2019 First time on RC. Have cruised on Princess, Disney and Carnival. Looking forward to our first RC cruise on the Freedom of the Seas October 27. The Cruise Junkie and WAAAYTOOO 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted February 25, 2019 Author Report Share Posted February 25, 2019 Welcome @Graduate86 Graduate86 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ama537621 Posted February 26, 2019 Report Share Posted February 26, 2019 Hello, Our next family cruise will be our first in Royal. We have been on 2 other cruises thru Carnival and when I found a good deal on HOS for the end of April I decided to give it a try. Ross Matt and The Cruise Junkie 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted February 26, 2019 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2019 Welcome Ross! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Cruise Junkie Posted February 26, 2019 Report Share Posted February 26, 2019 Welcome Ross Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janderson Posted February 26, 2019 Report Share Posted February 26, 2019 My name is Justin. Found this site after signing up for my wife and I's first cruise in November of 2019. I hope to gain knowledge of things to do, places to eat, and what I should be prepared for on this upcoming cruise as neither of us have been on one before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovecruising!!! Posted February 26, 2019 Report Share Posted February 26, 2019 Welcome Justin! What ship are you going to be on ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janderson Posted February 26, 2019 Report Share Posted February 26, 2019 5 minutes ago, lovecruising!!! said: Welcome Justin! What ship are you going to be on ? We are going on Navigator of the Seas in November of 2019. lovecruising!!! and CazV 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovecruising!!! Posted February 26, 2019 Report Share Posted February 26, 2019 Awesome man I hope you enjoy. navigator just got a very nice upgrade. I haven't been on it, but it looks very nice ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
janderson Posted February 26, 2019 Report Share Posted February 26, 2019 It looks like a lot of fun! I have seen the pictures posted on this website from the dry dock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CazV Posted February 27, 2019 Report Share Posted February 27, 2019 Hiya... just found this section of the site! Been too busy checking out the Navigator thread lol I've been following RCBlog on the various platforms for a while and often direct people to various articles on the blog, but only recently noticed there were these forums here. So, I'm Caz. I'm from Scotland and a solo traveler. I've been on two NCL cruises and now very much looking forward to my first Royal Caribbean experience on Navigator of the Seas in April. Can't wait to hear Matt's views and see his photos after the shakedown cruise. Keep checking Periscope hoping to find something to watch but nothing lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Cruise Junkie Posted February 27, 2019 Report Share Posted February 27, 2019 Welcome Caz CazV 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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