dacsmom

I didn't know that you could get the same staff/table with myTime, I thought each night you were seated at a new table, etc

In Feb I made MTD reservations at different times based on the ports and shows. We had the same wait staff each night.

What a great surprise, congratulations on your upcoming wedding. You should have no problem, she will probably not have any idea until you open the stateroom door. Just do not let her see the cabin number and the deck plans before the cruise.

I think it depends on the port you are sailing out of. I have put a 12 pack of water in a suitcase in both Tampa and Port Canaveral and had no problem. The official policy is no water but for that little bit of money I usually try it.

Welcome to Cruise Critic, many people here are a great source of information.

It is a toss up because both options have their pros and cons.

If you book through RC you can take advantage of price drops if they occur and you have total control over your reservation.

If you book through a TA (I use the one advertised on CC) you can get some great perks. For my cruise last Feb I got pre-paid gratuities, dinner for two at Chops, and $125 in OBC, and 1/2 price on travel insurance. I usually do not get the insurance but my daughter was coming from upstate NY in Feb. so I did not want to take a chance.The downside is if there is a price drop most TA's will not honor it because it cuts into their commission. You also cannot use a RC savings certificate in most cases. For my cruise in October on the Allure it was better for me to book directly through RC but that is not always the case. What I do is call both the TA and RC and get all the information and then make a decision as to which is the better way for me to book.

As for the ports, you have two choices; Eastern or Western. Both are very good but different. It depends on what you are looking for. On the Western itinerary I really like Cozumel, I could skip Falmouth, not a favorite. On the Eastern side CoCo Cay (RC's private island) is a favorite and I also love St. Martin. There are some really good things to do on both the Eastern and Western.

We did it through the ship because it dropped us off at the airport after. I want to do it again because there was a cold snap and it was 37 degrees. We still had a great time and it was so worth it.

There is another thread about this too. It seems some people are getting this e-mail and they do not have a cruise booked. I got it and am not sailing until October.

Another vote for Sea Bands. They work well and do not have any of the drowsy side effects of the pills or patches.

It looks like you got a good deal on deck 6. Even after months of planning you may have chosen the same stateroom. Maybe there is something to be said for deciding in one night. Have a great cruise.

If you only drink two drinks per day it would not be worth you buying a package. For your husband it depends on how much he drinks. Thank you Clarea for that great link.

My only reservation with deck 3 would be if it is directly under the casino. Then I would probably find something else. If not I would save the $200 and take a deck 3 stateroom

Every morning watching a beautiful sunrise with a cup of coffee in my hand.

Guests are not allowed to bring beer, hard liquor or non-alcoholic beverages onboard for consumption or any other use. Guests may bring personal wine and champagne onboard only on boarding day, limited to two (2) 750 ml bottles per stateroom. When consumed in any public area, each bottle shall be subject to a corkage fee of $25.00. Additional bottles of wine beyond two (2) bottles that are brought onboard or any alcoholic beverages purchased in ports-of-call or from Shops On Board will be stored by the ship and delivered to your stateroom on the last day of the sailing. Alcoholic beverages seized on embarkation day will not be returned.

I have always brought it in my carry-on, but I see no written policy anywhere stating either way.

I got one too and my cruise is in October

I like to spend many months obsessively planning and driving myself crazy. Here are some main points:

Deck 4 - Casino, Studio B

Deck 5 - Promenade, Sorrentos pizza, cupcake cupboard

Deck 6 - Hot dog stand, Carousel, Donut shop, Johnny Rockets

Deck 11 - Library

Deck 14 - Adventure Ocean

Deck 15 - Kids pool, Arcade, sports court

Deck 16 - Zip Line, Flowrider

Sorry I cannot be of more help but I have not sailed on that ship. The only definite thing is if you choose My Time Dining you have to prepay gratuities. On every RC ship I have sailed on there are plenty of trivia games, I am a trivia nut too.

I am on the Allure in October and I chose Deck 9 because there are cabins above and below (less noise) and you can walk to just about every other deck and not have to wait on an elevator.

Now I am confused :confused:

Each person has to decide for themselves if it is worth it but the fact that they have removed the requirement that all members of the stateroom must but the packages has made it more attractive. For me it is absolutely worth it. Google Royal Caribbean drink packages and there is a link to the Royal Caribbean blog that shows what is and is not included. It also shows what you have to consume to make each package worth buying.

Martinis are INCLUDED

Shots are INCLUDED, although certain uber-premium brands, like Patron, were not included.

All beer is INCLUDED

Mixers are INCLUDED (including Red Bull)

The only spirits not avail are any Scotch over 12 years old Cognac VSOP and above

Ultimate Vodka, Belvedere. chopin and Grey Goose are INCLUDED

Patron is NOT INCLUDED

House wine are INCLUDED (although we've heard the included house wines are not very good)

Drinks on Private islands are INCLUDED

Virgin (non-alcoholic) mixed drinks are INCLUDED

Package does not include room service or in-stateroom purchases, specialty coffee, mini bar items, canned sodas, bottled water / juice and souvenir glassware, specialty beers as listed on bar menus, or super premium category beverages.

Officially, all beers $6.25 and under are included. Here are the beers we've found not to be covered.

Sam Adams Imperial White

Sam Adams Double Bock

Foster's Oil Can

Grolsch Premium Lager

Chimay Blue 750ml

Have you tried Johnny Rockets for breakfast. They do not advertise it much but it is no extra charge for breakfast and is very good.

Do they have the mystery dinner on the Explorer? That is another option if you like to do things like that. I love the cheesy show and dinner is in one of the specialty restaurants. I had the filet in Portofino's last time and it was wonderful. Just to throw another idea into the mix.

Thanks for the wonderful review so far. I was on the FOS in February and loved every minute of it. CoCo Cay is one of my favorite stops. I booked the Freedom because of the outdoor movie screen and I was not disappointed.

Wow thanks for the help everyone, some very valid points. Wanna stay with RCI as I've been on the Oasis and Liberty and loved both, so I would be happy with either class. The Independence is what I am leaning to right now because I haven't explored that part of the Caribbean before. Flights won't be a problem as I have southwest points to use and they let me change and cancel flights as much as I want without any fees! I may give RCI a call and ask what they have right now price wise compared to the web. Thanks again everyone!

That is a good price for the holiday on the Independence. I think that itinerary will be my 2015 cruise.

but, you could get 3 full deserts in the MDR.. we were charged $7.50 each on top of the standard service charge for a couple of coffee drinks. seriously?

But you would have been charged the same $7.50 in the MDR also. It says on the Chops menu that the specialty coffee drinks are extra. I like to book one Specialty dinner per cruise but I know people who eat there every night.

Welcome, I have never has any problem bringing a 12 pack of soda or water on board. Some people have said there is no problem and others have said it was taken from them, so I guess it just depends on the port. I have had no problem in Port Canaveral or Tampa.

I vote yes also, the steaks are wonderful and the sides are rather large. I had to take some in a to-go bag. Everyones tastes are different so I think you have to judge for yourself. Give it a try.