BecciBoo

15 hours ago, alfaeric said:

to each their own

As you say, if we all rushed the ship, there really would be a problem, but we shall follow our original plan and get the first assignment and be sipping mojitos early.

We've stayed at the Intercontinental, Holiday Inn, YVE and on South beach at two different independent hotels right on the beach boardwalk.  They were all nice hotels, but I still hate it. That's just me.  And Port Everglades is my favorite port.  We've walked across the bridge onto the beach from the Renaissance and if I didn't know I wasn't in Miami I would think I was.  Feels the same looks the same.  But it's not the same.  Ft. Lauderdale is really clean.

I use them for all sorts of things around the house too, love 'em.

I loath Miami, one of the filthiest cities in Florida.  My first cruise from there, we went all over and liked the Bayfront mall but when I went in to use the facilities I was shocked at the filth, I couldn't bring myself to touch the toity at all and people had just thrown filthy papers and other stuff I won't mention all over it...from that day on, I've purposely avoided cruises out of there.  Yes, I had to go at times since Symphony and most recently now Icon are based out of there, but I still don't like it.  That and no one seemed to speak English there.  South Beach was better, but I still avoid it.

4 hours ago, pcur said:

"always wear clean underwear"

Or no underwear...LOL

 It's really nice to be totally unpacked at 2pm

We choose to check ours, I hate to schlep bags around, we always get the earliest arrival appt. times so I know our bags are first on the ship, hence almost always waiting for us when we enter the room...and we are always unpacked  by 2.  My BFF says they live out of their opened luggage on the couch and never pack or unpack, but with my OCD I must have a place for everything and everything in its place hidden away.  Our cabin is always neat as a pin.  I'm a bit strange like that....🙄

I take attractive ones usually available at T.J.Max.  I ordered a bunch of these for the luggage tags and I use them to attach all kinds of things, even works with the beach bag to attach the zipper to my lounger.  Not fool proof but way too undesirable to the casual thief.  I am never far from it.

We use an old Padi dive card  no need to pay for one

1 hour ago, GJustice said:

If it's like the old promos, you get points and can redeem them for OBC. Never seen actual OBC awarded since you have to have an active reservation to apply it to. Points are "generic"

we applied on Allure last Sept.  You had to charge at least $1000 which we did paying off our upcoming Voyager next week.  Then we got the points and converted them to the OBC which you assign to a cruise booking.  We put it toward ICON and were able to pay for our Supper Club reservation.  It's a great deal...go for it.

As they say, variety is the spice of life.  We wouldn't be able to cruise if everyone wanted the same ship.LOL  I hope ICON doesn't disappoint, I've been building such huge expectations.

Allure hands down, our favorite of all the sisters.  Symphony second.  We've been empty nesters since we started 25 yrs ago and still like the big ships better, much more to do and see.  Mariner was good (3 cruises on her) but nothing like the sisters.

Now I wonder just why you got bumped to way back over here when there are several threads discussing this matter still on the main page?   MMMMM?????

I would never cx a cruise because of this...we don't even get off in Labadee anymore, And I don't let that bother me when booking if it shows up on the itin.  No biggie.  I guess I just trust RCCL after 25 years to take care of me.  My bet for switching ports would be Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic since it's the same island and borders Haiti. In fact our Celebrity Ascent next April goes there. Somehow the Dominicans have got their sht under control.  This is a pic of the gates at Labadee, they park their vehicles in front of them to keep criminals from ramming them.  I wouldn't be afraid to go there, just don't want to go there.  Stay on the ship.

😉   My original post got deported to "Tales from the Caribbean"  and I never said they would I said I thought they might.

Mmm-mmm ...😉

1 hour ago, TravelBluebird said:

ere is the first tour, of Deck 6!:

Thx so much for showing that entry to the theater, since I'm in a wheelchair, that would be a great way to get there!

On 3/9/2024 at 6:58 PM, TravelBluebird said:

 It is TOO LOUD

I ordered two types of ear plugs for our cruise...I always complain about it.  This time we're prepared...one type is the sponge kind the others are plastic

And....hoping our cruise which starts on the 30th will eschew the spring breakers...

Skater Jordan was just there 3 days ago, all was well.

Looks like Haiti may be off the port list for a while.

https://www.foxnews.com/world/us-military-airlifts-nonessential-staff-embassy-haiti-bolsters-security-ongoing-gang-violence

1 hour ago, NJ&Ozzie said:

 

Guess we're more concerned about what if we are stuck on the ship or in a foreign country.  

There were ships full of people who got stuck onboard when Covid hit,  Yes, there was some hardship endured but most made it.  Is it that soon that we forget what actually happened?  It's out of our control in any event.  Maybe it would be good to look back in retrospect and some one here can relate what happened if they had to go through it.  Anyone?  Short of Nuclear war I can't think of anything worse than what happened 4 years ago,.

2 hours ago, Harrisonkid said:

Btw since we don't get our 'card' until about 2pm is there any way on the App to see our table number vs having to visit the Host (and stand in line) when we board?

If you go to the MDR as soon as you board there's really no line and they can look up your table assignment with your set sail pass.

2 hours ago, Harrisonkid said:

I have requested a location in the past..this trip is with DD/Sil and our 3 Grand children. I really don't care where we sit as long as it's together. Heck, it's the whole purpose of the trip.🙏

You too, just go right away.  I've requested a table for 16 before and we all sat together at two long tables in the back of the MDR.  So I would also email with the request and follow up as soon as you board.

19 hours ago, Harrisonkid said:

Yes ..rcldining!! Withe the sailing date and ship name. Their response was an auto response...I hope it works since we are with our grandkids...

Sent my request in yesterday to several different addies, got the auto response back and I had definitely put the date/ship/rez# etc in subject line, resent and got same response...things have really changed since last September...GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR  So will email my personal contact AGAIN and see what she can do.  My cruise is in 13 days

35 minutes ago, TravelBluebird said:

 

They were delicious…and I’m sure WE did not pronounce Natchitoches right! 😂

Can't wait to try them....it's pronounced Nach-i-tus.  These pies were originally native to Wales and Scotland and immigrants brought them here.  My Dad just loved them and tried them anywhere and everywhere he came across them.  I will be wrappin my lips around them soon!  Yeeha.

On 3/6/2024 at 7:19 PM, TravelBluebird said:

 

 

 

How were the Natchitoches meat pies???  And did they pronounce Natchitoches right! LOL

On 2/23/2024 at 6:36 PM, mz-s said:

 

They ask everyone and still I bet there are a certain number of folks every cruise who have a deer in the headlights look at the desk when they ask for their passport.

We carry everything around our necks in our passport holders