livsea2

http://abcnews.go.com/US/200-passengers-aboard-royal-caribbean-ship-stricken-stomach/story?id=51829904

 

 

Not many people really... At this time of the year with over 4,000 people on the ship you would expect quite a few to be sick.

I was on the Independence 12/11sailing. I assure you there were many many more than 220 sick. I read a report on AOL that stated 320... much more than that I assure you. Hallways closed and detoured. elevators closed for cleaning. Blowers drying restroom floors. My wife and I were both sick for a day. Food poisoning. Some people had Noro some food poisoning but they are lumping all together and under reporting the number to the press. Good news was many seats available for shows etc. by Thursday night. One side of the windjammer was closed yet plenty of empty tables at 6:30. Room service waits of up to 3 hours one guest told me. So what does that indicate?

Anyone on Freedom of the seas recently and can tell me if they have Zumba classes on board. And how often? Thanks in advance

Every store will have signs that say so many $ US AND so many pesos. In the tourist areas US dollars are almost exclusive. You wont see many pesos anywhere except as change because the short change you that way. Most taxis dont have meters they just quote fares ( ask in advance ) fares will be quoted in dollars unless you ask in fluent mexican spanish.

If you are staying near Port Everglades pre cruise, Kelly's Landing on Cordova Road is excellent for New England style seafood. Small place but great food and Service.

Nearby in the Harbor Shoppes where Publix is, there's a small but wonderful Itailian place called Giuliano's is was formerly called Angelo's and the Sunshine trolly driver told us about it. Looks like an ordinary strip mall pizza joint but the veal marsala is to die for. No canned sauce here everything scratch made to order. Not fancy but great cheap Italian favorites and the pizza ain't bad either.

Some ships wont even open the ones that can be opened. We tried, had friends in the next balcony and the steward said he had strick instructions not to open the connecting door becaus ethey are so hard to get back closed properly.

These folks will bend over backwards for their tips. Whatever you want just ask. If room service is serving breakfast to anyone, suite, the captain, anyone then room service will deliver hot breakast to anyone who asks. They are looking for tips to live on and will do anything in their power to secure them. If you ask anyone on the ship anywhere, anytime for a service within their power to fill they will do it, unless they have been told by a superior that they will be fired for filling such a request. Giving out a hot breakfast to a guest who asks in a reguar cabin will be accomodated they just don't advertise nor do they put a menu in your room. Been there done that.

We have a substantial amount of on board credit for our up coming cruise. Does anyone know if I can use it to purchase a premium beverage package?

Once you show your passport at embarkation, you put it away for the duration of the cruise. Sorry but it doesn't get stamped anywhere. Also "the border" such as it is between the Dutch and French side of the island is an unmanned marker no oneto stamp it and you don't even need to take your passport off the ship in fact I would recommend you leave your passport in the safe for the duration of the cruise for safe keeping.