cruisealot54

Hi all. Like Shogun, we are also sitting in our hotel getting ready to board the Ruby. We flew in Monday from Los Angeles. We had a layover in Toronto, fortunately 3 hours, because it took us about 1-1/2 hours just to get from one gate to the next gate. Up an escalator, down another one, etc. Wow! We have been staying at the Hilton and have a city view.

We had a great time wandering around the city yesterday. This Southern California girl has had enough cold though. Brrr! We had started out our adventure using a map but eventually put it away because there were so many places to wander around to and see. Lots of history here.

Had a 10 minute walk to the Frontenac last night for a pre-cruise Meet & Greet with some nice CC members. Looking forward to our larger Meet & Greet on our first sea day.

Janet, hope that you guys have a great trip. I look forward to reading the live review

I was just questioning the size of the balcony. I thought we were booking the cabin with the larger balcony ( maybe I messed up). On Princess we always book on the Caribe Deck and it has a much larger balcony. So I just wanted to see if the balconies were similar. I appreciate that there is no obstructed view, chairs and table (disappointed about the footstool). But I am thankful for a balcony and a cruise booked.

It is crazy, we are so lucky to be able to go on cruises yet we are so picky. I am sure that When I board the NOS I will be more then pleased.

The balcony wall looking out to the sea has clear glass.

Thank you for your response. You are very good at filling in the "blanks" for cruisers. I appreciate your knowledge and help

We recently booked a cruise on NOS and are not familiar with RCI ships (usually go on Princess). The question is we booked cabin 9654 (D1) Is anyone familiar with this cabin? I know it is towards the back of the ship, But do the balconies have the clear pexi glass siding or the metal siding (looking out to sea). Also, I believe that this balcony is a little larger, do they have recliner chairs and table? Can you get foot stools? Is there any blockage of the view?

Thank you for any information

We pack things like nuts or jerky to take on shore to tide us over if we will be out past lunch. Otherwise, we find plenty to eat on the ship.

No it's free. You just have to sign a waiver and get a bracelet before getting in line. The staff really help you as well.

Thank you for your quick response. I may have to go out of my comfort zone and try it out. Well that is as long as I can lay on the boogie board and ride it down. :)

Navigator now has a FlowRider!! My hubby is very happy about that.:D

Stupid question, but is there a charge to ride the FlowRider. It looks like fun

Whales, flying fish, goats, seals, migrants, other ships, sunrises, sunsets, a bale of weed, mountains, a police chase, pier runners, glaciers, bears, pilot boats, thunder/lightning storms, stars....the list goes on and on. I've seen a lot of interesting things while sitting on my balconies.

Ditto to what they said................I was going to post these same things and found out you did it for me :)

IDK - I think I'd rather some people have gross feet rather than their butt cracks hanging out, armpit hair over the buffet line, and other guys thinking they're all that with their Speedo banana hammocks......choose your battles carefully.

I hear you on this one. Basically, it your vacation and you are there to enjoy yourself, but really people, there are times you should cover up :)

I completely agree! It seems like you can't get reasonable airfare anymore unless you book WAY in advance. I never plan a vacation WAY in advance so that never benefits me! It's definitely cheaper to drive myself than to fly, rent a car, and pay for that gas.

 

I always try to get a good night's rest the night before and it really doesn't seem that bad to me.

 

Ashley

We compared the estimated expenses to drive to Galveston versus airfare and car rental; the difference was $30. I would take behind the wheel over flying whenever possible. Like others said, we break it down, take rest stops and just enjoy each other and the scenery.

Hi everyone,

 

From your experience after a cruise, do you think we will be too tired after the cruise to drive back from FLL to Atlanta?

Thank you!

We often drive 6 hours after a cruise - since we are able to sleep the night before, it is not a hard drive. You could ask for early disembarkation and you could be off the ship by 8:30-9:00, so you could still be home by 5 or 6.

We have booked a cruise for next year and we will be driving three days there and three days back From Central California to Galveston- I know many would think we are crazy. But we are retired and decided to add a road trip to our cruise. Thought it would be fun to see a little of the US plus enjoy a fabulous cruise.

Enjoy your cruise in September.

I finally finished the video for our family cruise last month.

 

Thank you so much for sharing your video and family vacation. Really enjoyed it. Looks like you all had such a great time. This put a smile on my face. Well done!

I have read rave reviews on Sabor's, we have it on our list. I really appreciate all your help. I told my husband when we get on a Princess ship it feels like old home week, they are all pretty similar and a nice comfortable feeling settles in. This next cruise being on RCI it will be like the first time all over again. Looking forward to exploring this beautiful ship and enjoying all she has to offer

.

Thank you Bob for your quick reply. I know that from the pictures, the ship looks amazing, but there were some things I couldn't find out for reading reviews and deck plans. thank you

We are sailing on the Navigator next April. Although we have sailed on Princess annually (2 cruises short of Elite), we have not sailed on Royal Caribbean since 2001. Questions that I have:

1) Is there a grill where you can get free hamburgers and hotdogs - or do you need to go to Johnny Rockets

2) Is there an outside screen for movies at night?

3) Is there free ice cream or do you need to go to Ben & Jerry's

3) Are the "broadway" Shows and Ice Shows free, or is there an additional charge. To you need to reserve in advance?

Is there anything else I might need to know about RCI vs Princess. I truly appreciate any help that you can provide. Thank you so much.

I am sailing on the Emerald in 10 days time, a friend has just left the Emerald a few weeks ago. I got them to leave a towel, 2 books and a Princess bag on my favorite deck chair for when I get on next week. It is ok to do this isn't it.

That's funny, but almost true. We are early raisers and when we get to the solarium after breakfast there are towels everywhere. I swear they set their alarm clocks at 4 in the morning to go lay out towels. But then they must be more important then me

Mine was in 1999 on the Grand Princess. I had no idea what to expect. The ship was delayed for many hours because of a Coast guard inspection. I didn't care but a bunch of people were upset and wanted some compensation:(. Never understood why people are so grumpy when they are on vacation. I fell in love with cruising in 10 minutes after getting on board. Still love Princess to this day:D

Your post reminded me of our first cruise on the costa 1999 our 25th wedding anniversary(previous post) we were next to the Grand and thought WOW, will we ever be able to sail on a ship like that. Now celebrating our 40th and many cruises later we are sailing on the GRAND out of SF to Hawaii. Kind of a special memory for us

1999 on the Costa Victoria to the Carribbean. It was for our 25th anniversary. My husband did not want to go and our children "shamed" him into taking me. On the third day we were sitting at the back of the ship enjoying a drink when he turned to me and said, Never knew how much I'd love this. We have been cruising ever since. We are celebrating our 40th anniversary on board the Grand in April for a 15 day Hawaiian.

It's Funny that this post showed up today. Our travel agent will still print our docs off and hand deliver them to us. But when we got them today, my husband said, this is it? two pieces of paper!

I remember the day when we couldn't wait for the release of the excursion book to come in the mail, then we would go to 'DOC Parties" at my travel agents home. Now...........2 pieces of paper, LOL

I can in a little over 3 weeks...we're taking the Grand to Hawaii on April 13.

We will be cruising with you. Can't wait.

you will love it, that is all that we have booked for the last 10 years. We love the bigger size and that it is partially covered and partially not covered. That way we can have the best of both worlds. We leave in 22 days for a 15 day Hawaiian cruise and you can bet we will be enjoying my Caribe balcony.

Have fun on your cruise and enjoy

Lucky You!

Our April cruise is still stuck departing from the warehouse...

I was hoping when we booked this in 2012 that the terminal would be done, but oh well. I am so excited for our April cruise it is just 27 days away. WhooHoo

Thank you for sharing your experience - we are leaving on the Grand in a month and were planning on taking our own shampoo and soap. I already knew I needed to take my leave in conditioner. We had concerns about the liquid soap and I never could use their shampoo.

Your comments "sealed the deal", our bath soap and personal shampoo will find it's way into our luggage.

Anyone know if snorkel vests are provided at Chakanaab (Cozumel) and Tabyana (West Bay, Roatan)? We're bringing our own snorkeling equipment, but don't own vests. Cost?

Don't know about Cozumel, but I rented a vest at Tabyana-don't remember the cost, but it was not much. I am not a strong swimmer so I was so thankful. I gave me the confidence I needed to go out by the reef.

Prices dropped on my Hawaii cruise in April. Called Princess and they were so great about changing the reservation and lowering the price. This is the 3rd time this has gone down. This has been a great day so far as I also saved on my HAL cruise in March today!

did you get it even after final payment? Our final payment cut off date was yesterday for our April cruise