Dick and Jane

Sorry, not completely true. The email invite we and several others received had rsvp deadline on August 29 to respond. So, more invites possibly will go out tomorrow or Saturday?? Hope that's true for those still waiting.

We are still waiting for our invitation. But, we are only baby pinnacles. Or as one frequent cruiser referred to us: pinnacle light.

Jane (from the duo Dick and Jane)

Chicago, Illinois

Guest relations gladly exchanged our boarding passes for our gold cards the night we reached pinnacle onboard.

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We have gone SCUBA diving - as a ship's excursion as well as on our own. If you are certified, the Palancar Reef is a must dive! We have done the Harley Tour ( one of you must have the correct driver's license for this one), and we have rented scooters just outside the port. Both were fun. I now pack my own head scarf just in case we take a ride so I can wear it under the mandatory helmet. The Cozumel Bus Bar Hop was so much fun, I have booked it again. We have also walked into town - about 3 miles - and enjoyed lunch and margaritas at a local restaurant. So much to do - so little time!

Jane (from the duo Dick and Jane)

Chicago, Illinois

For newbies to Port Everglades - please do not assume that all piers are within walking distance of 17th street! Only terminals 2 (Princess) and 4 are pleasantly walkable. Port Everglades is very large industrial port that lacks sidewalks in some places and has lots of truck traffic. Check out the Port Everglades map (http://www.porteverglades.net/includes/content/docs/MEDIA/PEG410_Map.pdf) and Google Earth (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Port+Everglades/@26.0940972,-80.1212307,2290m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x88d9006eb9c72e23:0x17714a5f043362d6) for more info.

We have walked to many different piers in Port Everglades. In some cases, we had to cross the street to remain on a sidewalk. We do a ton of walking, so even the remote piers are within walking distance for us.

Jane (from the duo Dick and Jane)

Chicago, Illinois

Budget has a location on 17th street that has a free shuttle to the pier.

 

 

 

I have used it multiple times, and it is quite convenient.

 

 

 

Just rent the car at the airport, and when renting choose the 17th street location as the return location. There are no drop-off fees at all.

I seem to recall that there was an additional charge if you did not return it to the same location where you picked up the car. Maybe that has changed. As I said in a previous post, we walked to the pier. It was about a mile from 17th St. to the pier, and there were sidewalks.

Jane (from the duo Dick and Jane)

Chicago, Illinois

Standing here waiting for muster on Indy. 15 minutes past assigned time and we can't start the drill due to people missing. Holding up whole ship!!!

 

 

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You composed this after the conclusion of the drill - Because responsible cruisers do not eat, drink, smoke, or use technology during a drill.

Jane (from the duo Dick and Jane)

Chicago, Illinois

It's still showing a $10 per person fee for my August 24th sailing.

 

 

 

Guest Resolutions advised it would take a few days for their IT Dept to remove the fee from the summer sailings.

We are sailing on August 3. I sent an email to request a refund. I'll give them a few days before I call. Thanks.

Jane (from the duo Dick and Jane)

Chicago, Illinois

Ok. I've never used that site. Not sure how it all works

I wasn't sure how to use the site the first time either. They give you excellent instructions at the Priceline site. I also did a computer search for how to use Priceline. That provided a wealth of information with great suggestions. It turned out to be quite easy.

Jane (from the duo Dick and Jane)

Chicago, Illinois

I definitely won't need a resort for my 1 night in SJU. I would like to explore SJU as I am there and I haven't been there since I was child (a few years back ;)). I was trying to find the hotel you suggested online, do they have a website. Also how do I find others to compare?

If you are not particular about the hotel or a certain chain (I.e., loyalty program), you might want to bid on Priceline. I have gotten some great deals on this site.

Dick and Jane

Chicago, Illinois

I am so excited to see this....I am the administrative asst/ records at our department and I have 12 officers and would love to get all of them a department t shirt from the local station there when we go!!! AWESOME!!!!

It is a great gift and souvenir! Dick has shirts from all over the world.

Dick and Jane

Chicago, Illinois

I actually heard back from RCI about this one (I sent an email a few weeks ago). They have decided to postpone the charge until Sept. 1, meaning that if you book the dining before Sept. 1, no matter when your sail date is, you will not have to pay the charge. We are on the Thanksgiving Allure sailing, and the lady I spoke with assured me that the dining for our sailing will be up prior to Sept. 1. Anyhow, it's not a complete victory, but it does help many of us who booked prior to the charge being announced.

Thank you for this update. I will check my reservation in August.

Jane (from the duo Dick and Jane)

Chicago, Illinois

We have done this all sorts of ways and on all different ships! We did the back-to-back on the Jewel in February and March. We did change staterooms between the two cruises, but it was an easy move. I love the relaxation of going to all of the different ports and having the ship basically to ourselves between the two cruises. We've done a side-by-side combination on the Oasis and the Allure several times. Royal Caribbean considered it a back to back, and they paid for the hotel stay at the Hilton between the two cruises. Unfortunately, I do not believe they offer this anymore. It would not hurt to ask! I did the side-by-side because I wanted the different shows and restaurant experiences. We only cruise with carry-on bags, so it was nice to reset our clothing at the hotel's facilities.

If you do the side-by-side, you might want to consider staying at the Sheraton convention center hotel. We walked there from the cruise ship. It was about a mile. There is a great view of the cruise terminal from the fourth floor infinity pool. We walked from the hotel to old San Juan and back. About 4 miles. There are plenty of transportation choices available if you're not interested in the hike.

Which would you rank more important: different shows and dining venues, or different ports? I believe that answer will tell you which way to go.

Jane (from the duo Dick and Jane)

Chicago, Illinois

There is a thread on the Celebrity boards discussing the "Carnivalization" of Celebrity. Here we are discussing how Royal is becoming NCL. Obviously the cruise industry continues to evolve and all cruise lines are fighting for your $$$.

 

 

 

Frankly we have cruised on all 4 of those cruise lines and they are more similar than different. Yes some ships have more activities, some are shinier or have more neon and some May have louder music in certain spots, but all promote a unique experience that has been successful for each of those cruise lines. It is a natural progression that each of these cruise lines would want to try to lure past guests from their competition over to their ships and they do that by making some items look similar.

 

 

 

I also have to believe that extensive research and feedback from focus groups has gone into these decisions. While Quantum isn't on my "must do" list at this time, the dining announcement would not scare me away....we enjoyed that concept on the Epic.

Well said!

Jane (from the duo Dick and Jane)

Chicago, Illinois

RCI............not a bad idea to try.

 

Hope the logistics go as you plan because your MTD plan now is NOT the greatest...........hope you think that you can manipulate the 4000+ people better than you handle many fewer on smaller ships

 

We will all be watching and I hope it goes well as we are stock holders

Stock is heading up today!

Jane (from the duo Dick and Jane)

Chicago, Illinois

I will try every restaurant venue! That will definitely take more than 7 days. Looking forward to it.

Dick and Jane

Chicago, Illinois

How many cruise points will you earn for this adventure?

Jane (from the duo Dick and Jane)

Chicago, Illinois

Did most passengers stay on the ship?

Jane (from the duo Dick and Jane)

Chicago, Illinois

On another thread I read that the concierge (no name given) was snippy in the CL. Any experience with this or more specifically with the lack of this is appreciated.

We were on the Serenade in December. No snippy concierges! It was Mario "good morning beautiful people!" Always pleasant, always happy and always remember hour names.

Jane (from the duo Dick and Jane)

Chicago, Illinois

Local, i.e., Honduran beer is about all that is sold on the island. Salva Vida is most popular. It's a lager similar to Bud and Miller. Not to ever be confused with a Sam Adams lager. Beer geeks would call it an adjunct lager. Same company also brews Imperial, a slightly pilsner style and probably the better of all the Honduran beers, Port Royal, an average draft style pilsner (although I haven't seen it on tap, bottle only if at all) and Barena, a light watery lager that, IMO, has no flavor--worse than drinking Corona or Coors Light. BTW the same company is the Coca-Cola bottler in Honduras.

Thanks! I wouldn't call myself a beer geek, but I do like to sample a local beverage when I'm in the islands. I'll definitely try one of the ones you suggested.

Jane (from the duo Dick and Jane)

Chicago, Illinois

Can you get a local beer with the free Wi-Fi?

This is a big time bummer. I have been trying and trying to add this to our reservation on the Allure of the Seas in May. I still can't find it on their website. I don't want my kids to miss out on it, but at the same time it doesn't seem like it would be worth paying $10 a person for. Do you pay for it when you make your reservation or when you get on the ship? I have never reserved anything that costs money before.

I found it listed under onboard activities. You provide a credit card number to be charged at the time you make a reservation. I believe you can change your mind up to four days before the cruise and cancel it.

Jane (from the duo Dick and Jane)

Chicago, Illinois

I have never done a character breakfast. I have read all the opinions expressed on this site. I don't know if it will be worth the additional cost, but I am registered and I don't intend to cancel. I doubt our family will be alone at this activity. If it doesn't fulfill my expectations, I guess I won't do it again.

Dick and Jane

Chicago, Illinois

I was also on the 2013 cruise, and I changed my cabin 5 times. I'm glad I booked early, and I'm glad I continued to monitor pricing both before and after final payment. I cannot recollect where we finally ended up on the ship. Great cruise, great ship, great itinerary, great people ....

Jane (from the duo Dick and Jane)

Chicago, Illinois

If your kids think their dorky or uncool, they won't wear them. Better to get them from the youth program so they can be like all their other new cool friends.

Jane (from the duo Dick and Jane)

Chicago, Illinois

I also think the Cozumel Bar Hop Bus is fantastic! Planning to do it again. Other options we have enjoyed: diving (some of the best SCUBA in the Caribbean) renting a big ol' Harley (pricey), and taking a scooter around the island ( I know, I know, the cruise ship warns you not to rent scooters). Cozumel has lots to offer. If you're up for it, you can also walk into town (about 3 miles - a good stretch of the legs). We have eaten at Casa Denis. Nice little restaurant.

Jane (from the duo Dick and Jane)

Chicago, Illinois