Northumberland

My vote is for Boss Underwater adventures in St.Thomas as well. We did that one in April and found it to be one of the best excursions we've ever done. Lot's of different types of sea life that the divers encourage to interact with customers, a ship wreck and the fun of operating an underwater scooter. Afterward, there is time to go snorkelling if you choose.

As I recall the bus trip from Playa Del Carmen to Chichen Itza is about 2 hours each way. You get about 45 minutes at the site.

So, the total time to and from your ship is about 6 hours.

Had I realized most of your tour is traveling, I would have chosen a different tour.

The first thing I thought after reading this adventure was whether or not you had purchased a drink package.

FYI.

Had seen some posts regarding RCCL disallowing power bars of any kind. So, I enquired with them as we are booked on a cruise in March. They responded that power bars are not allowed. Doesn't seem to matter what type they are.

Or just fill out the form

https://secure.royalcaribbean.com/allaboutcruising/guestSpecialNeeds.do

I agree with the comment above.

RCCL will provide an extension cord and distilled water at no extra charge.

I also sent a written request about bringing a basic power bar, but haven't heard back yet.

We've done both RCCL & Princess. Our last cruise was the Royal Princess and our next cruise will be Serenade of the Seas. We enjoyed both and wouldn't hesitate to travel with either one. Others have indicated age differences and that is true to a point. Time of year and itinerary can dictate the average age for some cruises. Summer holidays, spring break, etc. To us, what we like about Princess over RCCL is the self serve laundry on each of the decks with cabins. It's especially convenient on longer cruises as you don't have to pack as many clothes or pay the higher prices for laundry service. Wash an dry per load runs around $12.00.

As we enjoy exploring and experiencing new places, we like to choose cruises that have at least some places we've not been to before or haven't been to in awhile. That said, budget does play a part in decision making as does the length of cruise. As we have to fly to where the cruise ports are, it doesn't matter which cruise port we choose.

Not going to happen. They still make more money charging for them washing our clothes then if had self serve...

Although, I can see where they make lot's of money charging $35.00 a bag to do laundry, how many actually take them up on that service. I know we never have and never will. Where as I saw tons of people doing their own laundry on our last cruise.

We love RCCL, but wish they would redesign the ships to incorporate self serve laundry like Princess does. We were on a 10 day Princess cruise in April and were able to utilize this service during a sea day. It cost $12.00 to wash and dry a load. This convenience was cheaper than the current RCCL practice, gave us control of washing, drying and ironing and allowed us to pack fewer clothes and therefore, less luggage had to be dragged around. We'll be on an 11 day cruise with RCCL in March and will have choices to make in packing or utilizing the RCCL laundry service. Based on the Princess footprint, it would only take 2 inside staterooms per deck and I would think would generate more revenue each day than they would make by booking the staterooms.

Just got home from our cruise and wanted to give a big "thank you" to all who attend our little event. By my head count, we had 75 attendees along with at least 5 officers who dropped by to show their support for our little group. It was a pleasure to meet you all.

Also, a big "thank you" to 63 Super Sport & seagypsea for organizing the slot pull & gift exchange as part of the M&G.

It was a joy to work with you to make this event a big success.

I retired 3 years ago, but my wife just retired yesterday after 44 years with the same employer. We'll be on a plane Tuesday and get on a cruise ship on Friday. Yahoo !!!!!

We haven't been on a Princess cruise in 18 years and that was the one that hooked us on cruising.

However, we have cruised with RCCL & MSC.

We were very happy with the food on the RCCL cruises generally.

MSC was a different story. Not so much that the food was terrible, but it was tailored more toward european tastes and therefore not to our liking.

We will be on the Royal from March 30th till April 9th.

After reviewing the comments, both pro & con, I think I'll go on this cruise with 0 expectations.

That way, there will be less chance of being disappointed.

Hi Pooh,

 

We're on this cruise on March 30. When are the formal nights?

 

Thanks for your posts.

Hi GotRum?,

We're on the 30th cruise too.

Don't see you on the roll call.

We're having a Meet & Greet, slot pull & gift exchange on Sunday April 1st.

Would love to see you join up and join us.

First cruise we ever did was the Ocean Princess (P&O Oceana). Loved that ship and it hooked us on cruising.

Haven't been on Princess ships since. However, going on Royal in 2 weeks.

I'm going to be optimistic that she will be our new favourite ship.

Where do you request the water/cord in the CP, please?

For Princess it's in your cruise personalizer under medical & dietary requests.

There you can request the distilled water.

For an extension cord, I called the toll free line and made a direct request.

I've always filled out the surveys more for the benefit of some outstanding crew members or to point out the short comings of some other crew members or point out a failing of the cruise line.

I never expect a response from the cruise line.

Was just told by doctor I need to use a CPAP machine. I have gotten the machine, now wondering, do you put in your checked luggage, or hand carry onto the ship with you. Is there an outlet close to bed in order to use the machine. Do you leave the machine out during the day, or pack it up and being it back out at night. As you can tell, first time bringing CPAP on cruise. Looking for other CPAP users to get idea on how and what to expect.

 

Thanks

I've used a CPAP machine for the past 5 yrs and carry it on the airplane separately from other carry on luggage. As a medical device it's not counted as carry on.

Same applies to the ship.

Just carry it on.

Arrange distilled water and an extension cord with the cruise line.

There is no charge for this.

I leave my machine hooked up as I would at home.

Our room steward has never messed with it.

Does anyone have any insight into Captain Rick Nash on the Royal Princess.

We'll be on board for the March 30th cruise.

Our first cruise was for our 25th wedding anniversary.

We sailed on the Ocean Princess in Feb/2000. It was the 5th cruise after she went into service.

We did a Southern Caribbean itinerary starting in San Juan with 6 ports in 7 days.

It definitely hooked us on cruising.

The Ocean Princess now sails out of the UK as the P&O Oceana.

Wouldn't mind going on her again.

The more you cruise, the more you'll find that cruise lines are one measurement, the itinerary is another measurement and also the ships themselves can sway you. So much depends on what your looking for in a cruise. Some like to party, some like to explore and others like a little peace & quiet.

We've sailed on Princess, RCCL & MSC.

We've done Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean & Southern Caribbean.

In the future we want to try the Mediterranean, Hawaii and maybe Alaska.

For us, the more ports the better. Others prefer more sea days.

Loved Princess & RCCL, but our favourite ship was Navigator OTS with 3900 passengers. We were also on Oasis OTS with 6300 passengers which is the third largest cruise ship in the world and actually has more to offer than Navigator even though it's the same cruise line, but we found it too crowded.

We have a cruise coming up on Royal Princess which is about the same size as Navigator.

Really looking forward to trying Princess again.

We NEVER get in a hot tub Hot tub every day, sometimes more than once

We NEVER get in a pool Seldom get in except to cool off

We NEVER get room service Only once on our first cruise. Haven't since and our 7th cruise is a month away.

WE NEVER go to Specialty Restaurants or pay for specialty coffee/dessert Never have. MDR good enough.

We NEVER eat breakfast in the MDR Have MDR breakfast once or twice per cruise.

We NEVER get soft serve ice cream Eat maybe one ice cream per cruise.

WE NEVER go to the Comedy Club Only been on one ship with a comedy club. Seen comedians at other venues.

We NEVER watch TV or use the internet services Watch TV every day; never use internet onboard

We NEVER watch anything on the horrid Big Screen Haven't yet. Upcoming cruise has MUTS with blankets & free popcorn. Might try it if there is a good movie.

We NEVER go to a TALK Only once. Never again.

We NEVER learned how to fold towels They fold the towels for me...

We NEVER take a TOUR Did a galley tour once. It was fun.

We NEVER go to the Spa Can't justify expense. Daughter-in-law a massage therapist if I need one.

We NEVER got a temperary tattoo Only once in Hawaii, but not on a cruise.

We NEVER go to an Art Auction or Jewelry sale Never, never would do either of these

We NEVER walk the track or jog or work out I like to walk the track & do stairs. Makes it easier to keep from gaining weight on cruise.

We NEVER care to eat at the Chef's table Never have.

We NEVER go to the Captain's reception Not yet.

We NEVER play shuffleboard, mini golf or go down the slide Enjoy the mini golf if it's not crowded.

We NEVER stand in line at Guest Services to complain Never felt the need, thank goodness

We SELDOM buy anything in the shops Only once when I needed sun glasses and some liquor to bring home when we needed to use up OBC.

We SELDOM go into the Casino We go every night, but have a $20.00 limit.

We SELDOM play bingo Only once, never again.

WE SELDOM go to any activity on the list except for trivia games NEVER!!

I hate to say it but we USUALLY buy pictures Only on our first cruise. Not any more.

We ALWAYS buy a few Drinks daily Depends on how much OBC we have.

We ALWAYS go to a dance club for a little while Very seldom.

DW ALWAYS buys a Soda Card Never

We ALWAYS go to the Love and Marriage Gameshow Nope. Live it every day. Don't need to re live it.

We ALWAYS take an afternoon nap Not very often.

We ALWAYS lay out on deck for an hour each day Depends on the day

We ALWAYS go to the Welcome Back Party No. Never have.

We ALWAYS go to the Show, when there is one. ALWAYS. Good entertainment MAKES a cruise for us

We USUALLY go to some Kareoki We've been twice. Only saw one performance that was worth listening too.

We USUALLY see the sunrise and the sunset. Ditto

We ALWAYS have pizza out under the stars before going to bed. Not very often.

WE ALWAYS love every minute and feel that every day is busy and full ! Usually the case.

See my post above (#6).

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Yup...

That's the news report I recall reading.

Pretty disgusting.

Our first cruise was a Southern Caribbean and we had a balcony.

We only had one sea day and chose to have room service for breakfast on our balcony.

After that, each morning I would go out on the balcony and watch and video as we approached our next port.

One morning I was able to video a pod of dolphins surfing in the wake of the ship as we approach Martinique.

Since then we have booked inside staterooms on subsequent cruises.

However, on our upcoming cruise, we were upgraded to a balcony and we're really looking forward to it.Inside staterooms are OK for economics, but I love the natural light, fresh air and convenience of enjoying the scenery without having to run up on deck.

I have to confess that I had never heard of these until the last couple of months.

 

We are doing a short cruise to the Caribbean with just 3 stops, the Princess private island, US Virgin Islands and St Maarten. Do I really need these shoes or can I manage with strong walking sandals. I have terrible feet and the walking sandals suit me better than the more flimsy type or even flipflops.

I recently read an internet news story about some Caribbean island beaches having parasites that can burrow under the skin when coming into contact with unprotected skin (bare feet).

My wife picked up a pair of Speedo water shoes at Costco that lace up like regular sneakers, but are waterproof. So, they are good for on the beach or in the water.

She loves them.

On our very first cruise, we did a cruise line snorkelling excursion in Martinique.

On our return to the ship, our tour boat captain decided to take a detour past a topless beach for a laugh. This made us about 20 minutes late getting back. The ship waited for us to return, but they were none to pleased with the tour boat captain.