MD_Dan

Use this site (https://www.lyft.com/rider/fare-estimate) for Lyft. Wait until the time of day you expect to arrive in Orlando and enter the exact address of your destination.

We're no experts but have been on three Oasis class sail aways. I'm not familiar with Galveston but I watched a few videos, And I looked at the maps. And I'm assuming you are on Allure. I have a few options: - Since you don't have a balcony, pick a spot on the pool deck where you can hear the music but along the railing. I'd pick the starboard (right side as the ship goes forward). I like to wave to the land lovers as we sail away. There is a band on the pool-deck and it is a party atmosphere - It looks like the ship will sail east so the back of the ship may be that place for a sunset photo. Check the times for this because you may want to get dinner first. One option may be the Solarium Bistro. It is an upcharge but it way be the perfect time for it - I love the side hot-tubs on the Oasis Class Ships. This may not be the best time for it but that may also be cool. And you have to remember that dinner closely follows sail-away.

M-A-R-Y-L-A-N-D

As Bruce said, cost and quality of hotels is a factor. Things you may want to do the day before is a factor. Traffic on 528 (on embarkation day) is not really a factor. If you stay near MCO and your group is three or less, stay at a hotel listed on https://www.cortrans-shuttle.com/ It is $30 per person and will save money (and hassle) over a rental car.

Agree! Although a rising contender is the rice pudding. It is warm with raisins.

Agree also. After a few days of the same breakfast, its nice just to get a lox and cream cheese bagel (with tomatoes and capers, of course).

I'm also watching the Marriott on N.Campus Way. They are developing that area (Dania Pointe) with nice hotels; restaurants, and entertainment. I'll be watching this (and listening on the board) for how it turns out. There appears to be a lot of construction there now.

The OP defined "drinks" as cocktails. But I must opine on my memories of drinking a Bass Ale in the pub. Its no longer available in the US. But that won't stop me from requesting it from the bartender. Maybe someone will get the message!

Hello, In November we are flying into Orlando; staying near International Drive; and and cruising out of Port Canaveral. I've found two good options: - Flying in and staying closer to the airport and getting Uber/Lyft to International Drive for the day The main benefit of this option is that trip to Port Canaveral is much easier. The trip starts with a $10 Uber/Lyft to an "Airport North" location. Then you take an Uber/Lyft ($35 each way) to International Drive. The beauty is that the Cortrans Shuttle will pick you up at the Airport North hotel on their way to the port ($30 per person). - The other option is better for doing things on International Drive but more difficult to get to Port Canaveral. From MCO, take the Uber/Lyft to International Drive ($35 each way). The trouble is that you have to get back to MCO to catch the shuttle to the port. That bus only leaves twice each morning. The shuttle companies I researched are Cortrans-shuttle, Cruisecontrol-transportation, goport, and porttoportshuttles These options work for us because we are just two people. If your party is larger, I'd rent a car for Orlando and a one-way rental for the trip to Port Canaveral. The Uber/Lyft from International Drive to Port Canaveral will be closer to $95. Rental cars will cost you that each day. If you go with rental cars, airport car rentals are more forgiving about one-way rental fees. Let us know what you find!

You mentioned Allure and Odyssey, We're doing both those ships on a side-to-side in 7 months. We know (and love) Allure. I never thought I'd be singing in the aisles at the end of Momma Mia but I agree it is RCL's best show. We've been on all the other Oasis Class ships except Oasis (not a fan of Cats). Could you compare and contrast your cruise on these two ships?

We too experienced lost ports in a November 2022 cruise due to tropical storms. While I am certainly no expert on the topic, but I can tell you that you are approaching this mind puzzle wrong. The cruise line can not put any value on what OUR loss is. What they can tell you is FROM THEIR side of the books, what $$$ they WILL NOT receive by missing any particular port. This is the amount that will be refunded to you. Buried in the paperwork you signed are clauses that give them this right. If you think about it, it cost them extra fuel by missing a port. They took us away from the storm and we had nice sunny days at sea. For our cruise, they knew at embarkation and gave us the option to cancel right there without penalty.

I don't get it! Is the Comedy Club closing too? From the amp on Page 2, the comedy club was closer to the Casino than the jazz club. We've enjoyed several of the jazz shows on Oasis Class ships. The musicians were top notch. The clubs were crowded. We've also watched jazz at Dazzles (a much larger venue). That was a little more complex because the band had to decide between improv jazz or dance music. So some were disappointed. All of these cuts add up to less value for us. What will they cut next ... the ice rink?

A few years ago, my wife (a carnivore) wanted to go to the Samba Grill at the Solarium. We paid for one but I (a pescatarian) wanted to keep her company - not intending to eat anything but maybe having a beer. I was offered the salad buffet for free and I accepted. When the waiter took my wife's order, he asked me and I told him the story. He asked if I would like a fish dish (not on their menu). He brought a nice piece of salmon and a cauliflower dish - both were delicious. He must have walked to another specialty restaurant. My wife remarked that they made more of a fuss over me and not her - the paying customer! We certainly tipped well that day.

I also agree with the timing answer. We will sail out of Port Canaveral in the fall and we've stayed before near the port. If you have to make that Uber/Lyft/transfer down 528 anyway, staying in/near Orlando and staying near the port is an even comparison. We'd rather begin our vacation immediately and stay in/near Orlando. I'd like to go back to International Drive because we haven't been there in a while. Orlando has better restaurants and more things happening after dinner. The port has the ocean.

I really enjoyed Bar Harbor a few years ago out of Baltimore. I rented a bike and biked Acadia NP. The tender was a pain but it was well worth that inconvenience. I still dream of Acadia! But Halifax was my favorite followed closely by Portland. St John was the worst port, IMHO. I'd like one day to sail (one way) from Baltimore to Quebec. That sounds like fun.

I don't understand the change. What was broken before this change? Did these changes fix whatever was broken? At what cost? We've sailed on about ten week long cruises. I'm a prescatarian. My only allergy is to shellfish. I choose not to eat meat. In other cruises, I could order an Indian vegetarian entree. And I enjoyed that because the same Atlantic salmon offered every meal became boring. Dinner is a social event and I enjoy conversing with fellow passengers. And I don't want to go to the WJ - even if their food selection is much more inviting to me. RCI is making me want to bring WJ food into the MDR.

BirdTravels, Perhaps I wasn't clear. What I was trying to say is that I PERSONALLY would wear business casual to a restaurant or the MDR. I wasn't trying to give advice. I was describing me ... PERSONALLY. I thought my advice was to wear what you feel comfortable wearing - whatever that may be. And I think this is the right advice for anyone. I wasn't trying to throw stones - just read my first sentence.

Ive seen too many similar posts turn into flaming sessions. And I don't want that for this question. My answer is to dress in what makes you comfortable. PERSONALLY, business casual is a good target. The MDR is like a nice restaurant and this is how I would dress if that restaurant was near my home. You will see suits and ties; jackets and button-down shirts; jeans and polo shirts; shorts and Hawaiian shirts; sleeveless shirts; etc. Rarely, you'll even see a tux. If you plan on posing for pictures, wear nice clothes. Don't judge people who dress differently than you. You do you!

Dee, I enjoyed your posts and pictures. Thanks! Enjoy your Norway cruise and safe travels!

We want to extend our November 2023 cruise with a 3 night and a 4 night on Allure. Interesting that both the 3 night and the 4 night cruises have ports in Nassau and Coco Cay. How does that work on a 3 night cruise? But my real question is whether any of the short cruises have Broadway and ice shows? I can't imagine there would be enough time .... but hoping I am wrong. And my last question is on a back-to-back. We'll have two different rooms but do we have to leave the ship? How does it work? Thanks for this helpful group for answering our questions!!

DW and I are in our early 60s. We've enjoyed sailing on Symphony and Allure. We're planning a Fall cruise and it comes down to these two wonderful choices. Please advise! I have to say that the Odyssey cruise is a 8-day Southern Caribbean (Aruba and Curacao). But just focusing on the ships, which would you choose? Thanks!! Dan

Oh no she didn't! You had me with the Branzino and now you show me Moroccan Tuna with smoked potato soup? I'm a pescatarian and always get the Branzino when my DW enjoys her steak at Chops. But where did you find the Moroccan Tuna? Keep the fish pictures coming! I'm also interested to see how you find Aruba. I'm looking at Oydyssey in November 2023 to Curacao and Aruba. That ship is docked in Aruba until 11pm. Any evening activities in Aruba that you'd suggest? Great job!!