Jump to content

Introduce yourself!


Matt

Recommended Posts

Hello all!

Amanda and Lam here! Been reading and absorbing the thousands of hints, tips, insights and reviews on this blog.  This is by far the best forum for cruising I have come across and so glad its RC specific! (Matt and team: you rock!)

Cruising Anthem on Nov 25th with our 3 year old son. It will be our first cruise and the threads here are what helped us pick our ship, dates, departure port, etc. We have done the all-inclusive thing but never cruising. I like to plan (like a lot of you on here) and make sure we can get the most bang for our buck. The advice you have all given has saved us over $2000 in "First Cruiser" mistakes- no joke. It really is easy to let the price get away from you. Things like the insights on if drink packages are worth it and rebooking stuff in the cruise planner when there are sales have been game changers that we would have not known about if we didn't learn it here from you wonderful ppl! ?

The live blogs are my favorite posts on here. They are informative and help scratch the cruise itch by living through others. My goal is to pay it forward with a live blog once I am on the ship. Its an 11 day cruise and my first one with our 3 year old so it might be a lofty goal but I am going to try!  From what I have seen Anthem tends to have an older demographic (hope this doesn't offend anyone but its honestly a top reason we booked the ship) so hoping a family with a young one provides a different perspective. 

Thanks again to everyone! We hope this is the first cruise of many to come!

Amanda and Lam

Link to comment
Share on other sites

First off, welcome aboard Amanda and Lam! Happy to have you join us!

22 minutes ago, CruisinUngs said:

Its an 11 day cruise and my first one with our 3 year old so it might be a lofty goal but I am going to try!

Sounds like you're doing the Southern Caribbean run. Awesome first choice, and with six sea days you'll have plenty of time to explore the ship and see everything she has to offer!

24 minutes ago, CruisinUngs said:

My goal is to pay it forward with a live blog once I am on the ship.

As someone who just took his first cruise ever a few months ago, believe me when I say don't feel obligated to live blog or to post every single day. Allow yourself to enjoy the trip and the experience, and let the blogging come later if it needs to. Believe me, we'll all be here, and we're not that picky about the timing of "live". ?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just now, JLMoran said:

First off, welcome aboard Amanda and Lam! Happy to have you join us!

Sounds like you're doing the Southern Caribbean run. Awesome first choice, and with six sea days you'll have plenty of time to explore the ship and see everything she has to offer!

As someone who just took his first cruise ever a few months ago, believe me when I say don't feel obligated to live blog or to post every single day. Allow yourself to enjoy the trip and the experience, and let the blogging come later if it needs to. Believe me, we'll all be here, and we're not that picky about the timing of "live". ?

Thanks so much for the kind words! I will def not feel pressured so hope it works out that I can post every few days. ?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

38 minutes ago, CruisinUngs said:

It will be our first cruise and the threads here are what helped us pick our ship, dates, departure port, etc.

Welcome aboard you guys.    My wife and I were instantly hooked after we took our first cruise which quickly became an annual vacation for us.      Tons of great info here and don't be afraid to ask if you can't find what you're looking for.   as someone who's asked plenty of questions myself,  this group has been great at providing answers without all of the drama of some of the other cruise forums.     have fun!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 

11 hours ago, Todd W said:

Welcome aboard you guys.    My wife and I were instantly hooked after we took our first cruise which quickly became an annual vacation for us.      Tons of great info here and don't be afraid to ask if you can't find what you're looking for.   as someone who's asked plenty of questions myself,  this group has been great at providing answers without all of the drama of some of the other cruise forums.     have fun!

Ah yes the drama- you nailed it lol.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hello Royal Caribbean Board Members!

I am a cruise and travel lover, and want to be always exploring new places! I will be sailing on Symphony of the Seas at the end of July, and am lucky enough to be doing a back to back sailing for a grand total of two weeks on what seems to be an amazing ship. I plan to be doing a (Semi)live blog about my adventures on this board, and would love to have others follow me. 

Ever since I set sail in the Caribbean on Adventure of the Seas, I have fallen in love with the water, cruising, and sailing in general. This addiction has let me fuel my traveling needs, and am always to suggest a cruise for a summer vacation. I live in the Great State of Texas with my two parents and my faithful dog named Chewie (yes, Star Wars).

Please don't hesitate to ask questions about me or about cruising in general! This an amazing blog and board community, and we are all privileged to have a great team to do this, especially being exclusive to Royal!

-Carson 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hello all!

I love cruising and am excited to have found this blog. I'm on the June 28, 2018 Symphony of the Seas sailing. I'm hoping to find some advice here on disembarkation times and tips on the ship. 

This is my 3rd Royal Caribbean cruise, my 11th cruise total. 

A little bit about me. I'm a romance novel author. I tend to travel as a group of 4-10 (this group is 10). We're a mix of ages -- youngest 8 years old, oldest in late 60s. I usually book one suite and put everyone else in a regular balconies. I book most of my tours independently. 

This is our second European cruise. Our first was on the Navigator of the Seas in 2013 (Med cruise). Loved it. We stayed in the AFT family suite.

Feel free to ask me anything and I hope I find some answers here as well. I'm not a die hard who has written everything down, but I'll share what I know.  Thank you all in advance.

Ruth

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 8/6/2013 at 2:06 PM, Julie said:

Hi everyone!

 

We live in Michigan and have been cruising with RCCL for years now.  I think our first cruise was on Mariner of the Seas and we try to go once a year.  Next cruise is on Allure and we are sooooo excited

Hi Julie, I will be sailing on Mariner of the Seas in October. I am excited to see the improvements that have been made. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

28 minutes ago, lanny68 said:

Aloha! My name is Lanny and I am from Atlanta, GA. I took my firt cruise on NCL's Pride of America this year. I feel in love we cruising. I meet so many wonderful folks aboard. I will be sailing on Royal for the first time in October on Mariner of the Seas. 

Lanny 

Hi Lanny!  Welcome to the message boards.  A few people here are sailing Mariner in October.  Should be exciting with after the changes!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Welcome @lanny68! Hope you enjoy your first cruise aboard a Royal ship! If you haven't read it already, a great article for your to read from Matt is this for first time Royal cruisers! https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2018/06/14/first-time-cruisers-getting-ready-your-first-royal-caribbean-cruise 

Hope you enjoy it, we really do love Royal!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hello everyone! My name is Alex and I'm from King of Prussia, PA (Philly metro area). I have been lurking here for about a month now (and have a 3 page compilation of tips/ideas gathered in google drive to prove it)  but decided that I should probably finally create an account and introduce myself.

 

I will be going on Allure in May of 2019 and because I LOVE to plan and research, I have already started plotting and reserving. This is my first cruise as an adult, but I have been on 2 cruises when I was a kid - one with Royal and one with Celebrity. I was shocked to see how much cruising has changed since the late 90s and my parents have finally convinced me to go on one with them. Because there will be 3 grown adults in one room, we decided to spring for a junior suite - though you can bet your ass I will be looking out for an affordable upgrade/upsell to grand suite. Does anyone else feel like just the very act of planning and researching for a vacation seems to extend it in some way in your mind? It's honestly one of my favorite parts so this place is like heaven! 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

43 minutes ago, spiralqueen said:

Does anyone else feel like just the very act of planning and researching for a vacation seems to extend it in some way in your mind? It's honestly one of my favorite parts so this place is like heaven! 

Hi Alex!  Welcome to Cruiseaholics Anonymous (aka the message boards) where we all understand and get what you just stated above ?

Allure is a great ship.  Definitely keep an eye out for upgrades.  It would be worth it on an Oasis class ship.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, spiralqueen said:

Does anyone else feel like just the very act of planning and researching for a vacation seems to extend it in some way in your mind? It's honestly one of my favorite parts so this place is like heaven! 

you've found your happy place among others just like you.    I've already been building my research "stuff" for my Harmony cruise in 2020.  been doing that since i was 700+ days out and doing the same for my Liberty cruise which is still a year away (which i started doing a year ago) as i know many others here do the same thing.    Welcome aboard!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 hours ago, spiralqueen said:

Hello everyone! My name is Alex and I'm from King of Prussia, PA (Philly metro area). I have been lurking here for about a month now (and have a 3 page compilation of tips/ideas gathered in google drive to prove it)  but decided that I should probably finally create an account and introduce myself.

 

I will be going on Allure in May of 2019 and because I LOVE to plan and research, I have already started plotting and reserving. This is my first cruise as an adult, but I have been on 2 cruises when I was a kid - one with Royal and one with Celebrity. I was shocked to see how much cruising has changed since the late 90s and my parents have finally convinced me to go on one with them. Because there will be 3 grown adults in one room, we decided to spring for a junior suite - though you can bet your ass I will be looking out for an affordable upgrade/upsell to grand suite. Does anyone else feel like just the very act of planning and researching for a vacation seems to extend it in some way in your mind? It's honestly one of my favorite parts so this place is like heaven! 

Welcome, I grew up around that area.  Brookhaven, Aston area..  Been on the Allure, big boat..  Have fun..

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
On 6/21/2018 at 12:00 PM, spiralqueen said:

Hello everyone! My name is Alex and I'm from King of Prussia, PA (Philly metro area). I have been lurking here for about a month now (and have a 3 page compilation of tips/ideas gathered in google drive to prove it)  but decided that I should probably finally create an account and introduce myself.

 

I will be going on Allure in May of 2019 and because I LOVE to plan and research, I have already started plotting and reserving. This is my first cruise as an adult, but I have been on 2 cruises when I was a kid - one with Royal and one with Celebrity. I was shocked to see how much cruising has changed since the late 90s and my parents have finally convinced me to go on one with them. Because there will be 3 grown adults in one room, we decided to spring for a junior suite - though you can bet your ass I will be looking out for an affordable upgrade/upsell to grand suite. Does anyone else feel like just the very act of planning and researching for a vacation seems to extend it in some way in your mind? It's honestly one of my favorite parts so this place is like heaven! 

I do it all the time. The best way to go. Been on Allure twice.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Hi Everyone!  I'm Jill and I live in Missouri.  I love cruising and currently have my #13 and #14 sailings scheduled. I have a long cruise wish list and dream of seeing the world via cruise ship.  I anxiously await Wednesdays when I get the notification that a new Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is ready so that I can geek out about RC.    

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just now, FindingJillian said:

Hi Everyone!  I'm Jill and I live in Missouri.  I love cruising and currently have my #13 and #14 sailings scheduled. I have a long cruise wish list and dream of seeing the world via cruise ship.  I anxiously await Wednesdays when I get the notification that a new Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is ready so that I can geek out about RC.    

Welcome Jill!

Totally understand the geek comment.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

8 hours ago, FindingJillian said:

Hi Everyone!  I'm Jill and I live in Missouri.  I love cruising and currently have my #13 and #14 sailings scheduled. I have a long cruise wish list and dream of seeing the world via cruise ship.  I anxiously await Wednesdays when I get the notification that a new Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is ready so that I can geek out about RC.    

Welcome Jill!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

20 hours ago, FindingJillian said:

Hi Everyone!  I'm Jill and I live in Missouri.  I love cruising and currently have my #13 and #14 sailings scheduled. I have a long cruise wish list and dream of seeing the world via cruise ship.  I anxiously await Wednesdays when I get the notification that a new Royal Caribbean Blog Podcast is ready so that I can geek out about RC.    

Welcome aboard, Jill!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi guys, Happy to find this forum, as my experience has been these types of boards are the best way to plan vacations! I'm sailing on Allure in April 2019 with my fiance and my two teenagers (13 and 15). My kids have been fascinated with cruising since they were little, so I decided this was a good time to take them on an adventure. We are avid travelers, but typically stay off the beaten track (with the exception of our annual pilgrimage to Disney). Cruising will be VERY different for us! Hoping this trip will combine the best of those two worlds! My fiance and I have both cruised before -- but way back in the day when ships were much smaller. Hit me with any newbie tips you think I should know -- and thanks in advance for all the great advice. I have already learned a lot!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...