Erwin Family @ Sea

Royal Caribbean has signed a Letter of Intent with the Government of the Bahamas to purchase the Grand Lucayan Resort on Grand Bahama, according to The Bahamas Weekly. The government purchased the property about a year ago for $65 million and is selling it at that same price.

The purchase will see Royal Caribbean and partner ITM, who have successfully collaborated on projects in the past, invest in upgrades both to the property as well as the surrounding areas. A large part of that investment will go towards revitalizing Freeport Harbor. The eventual goal is to turn the harbor into a choice port of call for cruise ships.

Minister of State for Grand Bahama Senator Kwasi Thompson said, “The $195 million investment earmarked for the first phase of the project over a twenty-four month period will include the purchase price of $65 million and the creation of approximately 2,000 jobs.” This will come as a huge boon for the local economy and will open other opportunities for locals as the destination continues to grow over the coming years.

According to Thompson, in addition to the redevelopment of Freeport Harbor as a cruise port of choice, the venture will also transform the Grand Lucayan resort into a theme park. The park is set to feature water-based recreation activities as well as dining, gaming and five-start hotel accommodations.

The attire people wear varies widely, and dress suggestions are not enforced, so you can wear whatever you want.

Did this answer your question??

More formal trust me.

the howling may keep you up at night.

Yes and Yes. Keep an eye out for our Serenade review, sets sail this Friday April 7th!!

Yes, we have always purchased the total photo package and will again this week. The rules are that only those staying in your cabin or your children under 18 staying in another cabin are included in the package. However, you will get every photo that either you or a member of your cabin is in. So, as long as one of your faces shows up you will get the photo. Case in point. We have two teenage daughters, that had several photos taken of themselves and the group of kids they meet on the cruise ( I don't even know these kids) all of those photos came home with us.

Some of those legs should clearly be covered!!

As a parent of two teen daughters 14/16, let me encourage you to have them go to the open house. It's usually around 4:30- 6:00 (just after sail away). Then have them go to the meet and greet that night. You know how kids are, it's amazing how they bond that first night and that carries throughout the cruise. We always have late dining, we usually just ask that ours make an appearance that first night to say hello and meet table mates. Then they are usually off to Sorento's or otherwise. Hope this helps

My family ( Wife and two teen age daughters) and I set sail on the Serenade next Friday April 7th on the 10N. We will be live posting as well as a periscope or two :}

I too shared your concerns. It's been a few years since we sailed on a "smaller" ship. Have generally stuck with Oasis and Freedom Class lately, most recently on Oasis last March. I am sure we will be making some comparisons between the two with regards to offerings etc. Keep an eye out.

House of Rajah Jewelers is our go to place when in St. Thomas..

They usually offer a live nightly (10:30p.m. ) $2 - $5 no limit game. And of course the daily tournaments. Both the live games and the tournament will be posted on the daily compass, take a look at a recent one for current times. Hope that helps.

We had a Owners suite on Jewel a few years ago. In addition to those items listed above, the Concierge went above and beyond for us by helping my wife set up a cocktail party in our suite. Wine and horsd'oeuvre's were served with out charge!

We tipped very well that week!!

Two hours is pretty standard. However, many are in and out in far less time. You should have no problem. Just let your wait staff know and they will get you out.

We have never eaten at a specialty restaurant! We always intend to make a res. once on board, but we usually have such a great time in MD we don't. I can not tell you how many table mates have cancelled other dining and had some laughs in the MD with us. Yep, we are usually "that" table;}

What! WJ, may be the most liked ( or least flamed) venue on RC. Its a buffet! Not fine dining, And we know a little about buffets

here!

Did the 9N on Oasis this week last year. No college groups to speak of. Several college age passengers but with families. Again, the longer the cruise the fewer "spring breakers".

Speak with the right rep and it should work out in your favor. We have had a couple of the years that have gone above and beyond.

Sailing on April 7 ours was posted 3 weeks out. Seems reasonable.

This is very disappointing. My first cruise is coming up and I was looking forward to having all of these services available. Free room service being one of the highlights.

 

My wife was not keen on booking a cruise, so I've been trying to sell the concept to her.

 

Now, I feel as if I'd made a mistake and that the cruise will nickel and dime me to death. I may not book a cruise again, or maybe not RCCL.

If room service is going to be a highlight you may want to reconsider..

Thanks for the replies, I thought you guys might find this interesting. I like to wear khakis and a nice shirt, formal nights the same. Formal nights are outdated, sorry.

Outdated Really, Yes the decline of western civilization.

$250.00 What am I missing? At $7.95 you would have to take every meal on a 7N in your stateroom and tip $4.55 every meal to get to that number. Unlikely!

I have been known to return "forgotten" towels to attendants. Sometime when feeling very helpful, I may help recover several..

Another great one Andrew! Keep em coming!

Whats with the pic of puddles? Lol

This may qualify for thread of the year! Too much OBC, Have you no imagination,man?

Here is the Press Release:

Royal Caribbean to start charging for room service

15Mar2017

Royal Caribbean has made a policy change in its room service offerings, where it will charge guests a fee of $7.95 for room service for the All Day Menu and the American Section of the breakfast menu.

Continental breakfast options will remain complimentary, so guests can still take advantage of room service without additional fees in the morning. The $7.95 fee will be charged for each room service order.

Guests in a Grand Suite stateroom or above will retain complimentary room service.

The change goes into effect on sailings after March 27, 2017.