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hollygtn

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Posts posted by hollygtn

    Excursion suggestions for July 9th Sailing Allure - Saint Maarteen

    in St. Martin/St. Maarten

    Posted

    The reason I picked Captain Bob is that you only have a 15 minute leisurely walk to/from his dock. It convinced me to try an independent excursion for the first time.

     

    After reading horror stories of traffic in Nassau I stayed with a RCL excursion. So I'm not all that comfortable with independent bookings.

     

    Captain Bob entertained my what if scenarios. I even asked what if the Engine died he said the boat has two. But worst case he has multiple boats which could aid in getting everyone back.

     

    My girls are 11 and 15 and I wanted maximum snorkel time. This excursion is like combining 3 RCL excursions in one.

     

     

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    Snorkeling - Rent or Purchase and bring your own?

    in Ask a Cruise Question

    Posted

    I bought my mask 19 years ago and counting. I replaced my snorkel 8 years ago to upgrade to a dry snorkel. Took them to a dive shop yesterday while buying snorkels for the kids. Dive master says they are still good. My point is they are an investment that lasts. And we rent the rest of our gear so we don't have to pack them. Plus it grosses us out to rent something going in other mouths.

     

    They were less than $50 each.

     

     

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    How strict are they on ages for teens club?

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    Thanks for asking the question. My 11.5 year old and 14 year old are very close. This is a family vacation and should they want to go to the club I think they'd have more fun if the 11 year old goes the 12-14 activities then the other way around. I guess I'll know the answer in a week. My DH is not convinced that he even wants them to participate at all.

     

     

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    Next Cruise Booking - Alaska - Is RC the Right Cruise Line?

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    I sailed Radiance and absolutely loved the views with all the glass. I was in an inside cabin to save money and never missed anything. Some people will say a balcony is a must for Alaska. All of my dinner table-mates had balconies they did not use due to the chilly weather. Some will say the upper outside decks have better views and save the extra money for excursions. Whatever you decide, you will enjoy Alaska.

     

    Another another note, I flew to Seattle for 3 days - had a blast! Then I took the train to Vancouver ($31) for 2 days - had a second blast! Then I sailed from Vancouver to Seward. You see the trend - blast 3x.

     

    Enjoy!!

     

    I appreciate that perspective. I will keep the balcony thought in mind as had been persuaded it was a must. What about flying out of Seward? I use SWAirlines miles typically. Told DH he'd have to find a credit card w/ miles that works for other airlines in preparation for this cruise....if we flew to Vancouver. I didn't realize the train to Vancouver would be so cheap which means flying to Seattle might be an option. I guess renting a car in Seward then driving to Seattle. Wonder how far that is.

     

    We had an inside room on Hawaii cruise. Saved money for excursions. We literally did two a day and collapsed in our room after dinner. Didn't do a single night time activity. Only other cruise I've been on I had a window. Oasis will be my first balcony.

    Next Cruise Booking - Alaska - Is RC the Right Cruise Line?

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted · Edited by hollygtn

    So I've been researching all day. I want to do the glacier cruise so it seems that Seattle is out. And unfortunately it had my ideal room scenario. I don't want an across the hall inside as we are too protective of parenting style for that. So it seems there are some family ocean view rooms that may not be visible online. Not my first choice as I want a balcony. I don't see family size rooms with bunk beds AND balcony. So it seems I have to save enough for adjoining balconies (grrr) or go with a different cruise line or settle for no balcony and put my nephew in our room so they let us book it. At least this helped me decide that things are up in the air enough that I don't need to buy everyone next cruise while on board. If anyone has other ideas please let me know.

     

     

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    Next Cruise Booking - Alaska - Is RC the Right Cruise Line?

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    LOL. Like minds. I feel so rushed. I've got everything done for this cruise except packing and cleaning house. Need to go work on laundry. I work so 2 weeks is not that far away in terms of having prep time. So squeezing my normal amount of research for a decision like this is kind of exciting but a stressor. I have no idea which itinerary. I need a primer.

     

    Why port side? I'm suspecting something to do with glacier view? Sounds like I need to meet your wife!

     

     

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    Next Cruise Booking - Alaska - Is RC the Right Cruise Line?

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    We are sailing July 9th on Oasis. I just found out that DH has agreement from his parents to reserve an Alaskan cruise if we save some money.

    • I think we can only save a couple of hundred at best? So, why do it?
    • I will ideally want a balcony that joins an inside or ocean view. I understand there are only 4 rooms like this on the ship. So, I think we would just buy a certificate and then wait for 2019 schedules to be released, and be ready to pounce? Is this usually in March?
    • I think our second choice would be a family room Would they let us book the room w/ separated bunk beds for only 4 people?
    • Is Royal the right cruise line? Are their pools heated? Any other things to be looking for specific to Alaska?
    • Am I limited to what I can buy for family? Would likely be buying two cabins for us, one for in laws and one for BIL, possibly one more.

    I only have two weeks to decide if I want to buy anything while on board. We'd probably want to give everyone 2 years lead time to save money.

    Oasis Self Disembark to Go to Disney Park

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    Getting through customs should not take anywhere remotely close to an hour. You don't even have to fill out customs forms at Canaveral anymore.

     

    Here's a recent disembarkation report from someone who used self-assist last week...

     

    http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=53344243&postcount=39

     

    "After breakfast, we got the bags from the room, hopped in the elevator (no wait), and met my parents in the promenade on deck five. There you scan your Seapass card for one final time, and walk down the gangway. We did so approximately 7:15. Once inside the terminal, there was a long line to get through customs, but it moved very quickly. If you have not heard, at Port Canaveral you are no longer required to fill out a customs declaration form. In addition, our bags were not scanned. He literally looked at our I.d., and waved us through. We were promenade to curbside outside the terminal in 10-15 minutes."

     

     

     

    How new is this customs process change. Maybe this is why the info is so conflicting? I'd love to get an extra hours sleep!

     

     

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    Oasis Self Disembark to Go to Disney Park

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    I figure the only way we make it to the park at rope drop is if we are in line by 6, off the boat at 6:30, through customs by 7:30, "normal traffic", 15 minutes to drop bags at hotel and ten minutes to park. Maybe have our driver wait for us. And that doesn't seem likely. So I may have to get used to the idea of getting there between 9 and 10.

     

     

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    Oasis Self Disembark to Go to Disney Park

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    I was planning to self disembark as early as possible. What is the earliest you can get in line? Not in a suite. If we hired a car to take us to drop bags at hotel near HOllywood Studios what is the earliest we could get to the park that opens at 9:00?

     

    Will the ship let us off if we get in line or do they only let you off to catch a flight?

     

    I already paid for the park thinking 3 hours would be plenty of time. Now I'm reading other posts and wondering.

     

    I'm committed so I'll get my family in line early unless there is some reason we can't?

     

     

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    Shark Bite Incident

    in Bahamas

    Posted

    Does anyone know where in the Bahamas and what beach the shark bite happened at last week?

     

    All they said was she was a cruise ship passenger snorkeling at a reef in the Bahamas.

     

    I'd like to know time of day, was there feeding going on, type of shark, etc.

    Family Ocean View 11528

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    Here is our video of 11528 from our most recent cruise on Allure over Memorial Day.

     

     

     

    That is a nice room! We booked adjoining boardwalk balcony rooms for our family of 4 but that would have been a great option. I can't remember price comparison to this. I think I wanted the second bathroom as I have two girls.

     

     

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