HACKT

We have done 5 HA cruises inc 1 to Alaska last September. We normally prefer RCL but chose HA for the itinerary out of Seattle. We were very disappointed in HA this time. The ship was boring and the dining room food, which in the past was always good on HA, was terrible. Our daughter, 24, went with us and did not enjoy the ship. So we prefer RCL with Norwegian as our #2 choice. I'd only recommend HA If their itinerary was unique.

We cruised on the Magic in December. Early dining works best for kids and the shows. The theater shows have 2 times each night so both dining times can make one. But the Pirate Show with fireworks is during late dining. Late dining might also be tough on your kids if they are worn out from fun during the day. Nice thing with shows is they are on room tvs so you can watch late shows in your room if you are tired.

Similar situation on our September 2015 Allure sailing - we were given early dining as MTD was full. So our TA wait listed us for MTD. A few weeks later, I called RCCL to see what was up, the agent there updated our Emerald Status saying it would help us on the waitlist. A few weeks later (early March), the waitlist went away and we are now shown as MTD. So make sure your TA puts you on the wait list for MTD and you'll probably get it in a few weeks or so.

We cruised on freedom twice last year. It's one of our favorite ships other than the small solarium where you need to go early to get loungers. We ate at both spec restaurants each time - chops and portofinos. They are putting giovanni's table in place of portofinos soon. We liked portofinos both times, thought it was worth the $20 charge. Chops was ok but not worth the $30 as you can order their filet mignon in the mdr for $15. Any night is good but we prefer to eat in mdr on formal nights which are days 3 and 6 i think (sea days). Shows on freedom are ok but not anything special so don't worry about missing them as spec dining takes 2-3 hours

Meant to add that we did a Disney cruise and their MDR food was far better than anyone else's now. However we didn't like their buffet. It was like a cafeteria line so both RCCL and NCL had better buffets.

Going to sound repetitive but we like RCCL MDR food better than NCL. And we like NCL buffet food better than RCCL. Been on 7 RCCL cruises and 2 NCL. NCL buffet is less crowded, better layout, and more choices. Still going on both cruise lines this year. NCL is a great bargain and we took their UDP so have free spec restaurants every night. But RCCL has better ships so doing Oasis and Allure this year too

Here's our view from the top. Postcard moment. Little nervous here but quickly went away as we started down. Very smooth ride, about 50 mph max but you are busy sightseeing. Highly recommended!

The beach under the zip line is cleverly named Adrenaline Beach. Almost the whole 1/2 mile of the zip goes above or in front of this beach. Plenty of loungers there. Not best swimming as it faces the ocean so can be rough. Best to get chairs on other side and then go watch the zippers and then go back to calm side.

Trick when taking photos of your family is to identify them as they come down. Helps to have them wear bright colored shirts. I ended up videoing about 4 groups in order to get my family members

Its not scary once you get going. Very scenic and smooth ride.

I did it twice, last time in June 2014. It was a blast! Takes about 1 1/2 hrs from equip fitting, practice run on small zip, then going up the 500 ft hill for dragons breath. Cost $95 and is only booked thru cruise line as Labadee is their owned beach.

I recommend you book early to get morning time as it books quickly. Afternoon times are usually open but it may be much hotter and windy then. Ride is exhilarating but not really scary. Very scenic too.

We are on Oasis of the Seas in June and booked the Whale Shark Encounter. Takes about 9 hrs to go to Cancun and swim with them off Yucatan then return to ship

Has anyone done this and do you have any feedback or advice?

Possible correction. Downtown is def closed, we saw that. Just read another thread that says a new Hard Rock opened by international pier. It's about 2 miles south of downtown where large ships dock, esp RCL and Carnival. So if you are on big ships it should be right there. If you dock downtown like Norwegian or smaller Disney, take a taxi for $5 or so to Int Pier

It was near the downtown cruise pier, Punta Langosta. Two months ago our disney ship docked there so we just walked across the street. Also a large shopping area as well with Senor Frogs. However Hard Rock was closed, as so many are now (Grand Cayman closed too).

Speaking of disney, wife and i did first disney cruise in dec as they offered a special rate. Had a great time, food and service prob best we've had recently, but overall we still like rcl mostly due to stuff on ships

We like disney but it can be alot of "in your face" after a while with singing and characters etc. great with young kids but back to rcl this year (oasis and allure) with cheap ncl at end

Funny thing is our fellow disney cruisers did not understand why we'd go back to rcl. They are disney lifers!

I agree with comments that the low-to-mid priced cruises (carnival thru rcl inc ncl, maybe disney depending on sale) aren't as "wow" as when we started cruising 20 yrs ago. Food definitely not as good or varied, service not always great, etc. Ships are cooler though except more crowded

But there's a good reason - cost. In our 18 cruises so far, all good, i think the most expensive was the first one! The prices continue to amaze me with how low they are! Unf you get what you pay for so to get better food, service you should do spec rest or suites or higher cost cruise lines. No such thing as a bad cruise, just bad experiences on that cruise, imo.

We are cruising on Oasis of the Seas in June 2015 to Cozumel. Only Oasis and Allure are there long enough to do the Whale Shark excursion which takes about 11 hours, mostly travel time to Cancun, but includes swimming with the whale sharks off the Yucatan. A lot of travel for hopefully a real great time! Unfortunately there are few reviews on this trip.

SO, my question, has anyone done this excursion off either Oasis or Allure and what did you think of it? Also any recommendations would be great, like "don't get eaten" (they eat plankton). Thanks much!

I agree with Allure or Oasis of the Seas as your best choice. In December they should be alternating east & west Caribbean. You'll want whichever one is going to west Carib that week as it avoids Nassau. Goes to Labadee, Jamaica, and Cozumel. These large ships are a lot of fun, especially for your age group. Entertainment on them is the best with large-scale productions in the main theater plus an ice skating & high diving show, also an intimate comedy club. Beware the ships are huge and can be crowded at peak areas so you should plan ahead. You can book the show times (all 6 shows) online 60-90 days out, then book your specialty dining if you desire. Lots of dining options, both free & pay, also many lounges & bars. Lots of fun - we've cruised on Allure and are doing Oasis soon and then Allure again.

Thanks again. Can you confirm there are no customs or immigration lines in barcelona when you get off?

Thanks for help. Do you know what is best way to get to barcelona airport from cruise - taxi or transfer shuttle?

We are on Allure in september 2015 out of Barcelona. Wondering what the earliest departing flight we can comfortably make - 1145am or 2 pm?

Hope someone who did Oasis last summer in europe can advise. We cruised Allure out of FLL and the line to leave ship took 2 hrs due to imm and customs. Hoping the europe cruise may not have that as cruise is entirely in EU. Thanks for any help...

Having done the oasis to west carib and fos to east carib, we'd do oasis. In fact we are booked on it in june! We prefer west carib to east as weather is better - warmer as you are farther away from atlantic

I disagree with comment on cozumel safety. Cozumel is a very friendly island and easy to get around. Some pushy shops which are easily avoided. Plenty of water activities.

Jamaica you will want a booked excursion or you can shop in their port shops. You don't want to go outside the gates by yourself. But there are great excursions as well

We haven't done getaway but do like ncl occasionally, esp lower prices. But the east carib itinerary is worn out, esp nassau. We didn't enjoy st maarten last time either as its too crowded with ships

Final comment is labadee is better than coco cay since you dock there wheras coco is tenders. With oasis you'll want to get off ship early and get your lounger at best beaches as 6000 people fill it up fast. Also get in line early for the lunch as it gets crowded

As was said #1 priority is to book all entertainment in advance. They have 6 great shows per week inc main theater, comedy club, ice skating, and water show. So you'll want to book 1 per day at times you prefer. We go for shows close to 9 pm but they have early ones too. You can book online 2-3 months out

After that you plan your dining times. Great ships lots to do BUT there will be crowds at times. So plan ahead and be flexible. Enjoy!

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