Kova15

I grew up with Parents who taught simular things as DrD is suggesting. I had an allowance weekly that if I didnt do my chores I wouldnt get my allowance. If I wanted a toy or something special I had to save my money to buy it. IF my parents would have taken me on a cruise as a kid or teen I wouldnt have wasted all my money in the arcade. I might have bought something from the gift shop but thats about it.

But I had to work for my money and wasnt given anything. I saved enough to buy a car at 16. I also got a cell phone in the 8th grade (2001) that I paid for by cleaning my grandma's house every 2 weeks. If I didnt have the money my cell phone service was cancelled and I didnt have a phone.

I would assume that they have 2 different wait lists, the first is for people who have not yet booked a cruise. These people get a higher prioirity since they have yet to spend their money with RCC. Then people who already have booked a cruise. who get second priority since you have already committed your money to the cruise you are lower on the list. but this is all IMO!

I have a slightly off topic story for you all.

I lived in Sweden for 3 months durning college. Love it! While I was there I bought my dad a little keychain nail clipper that had a swedish flag on it. I threw it in my bag and flew home with it in my carry on. I get home and give it to my dad and he opens it up to find a knife along with the clippers! I had no idea, but this little pocket knife made it on an international flight and then again went through security for my domestic flight home. this was all after 9/11.

I guess TSA should hire some cruise security people!

I did this excursion in April 2012 (so about 2 years ago) and it was OK. the people were really nice and if you wanted something they would get it for you. the beach seemed nice, but it rained the ENTIRE time we were there so we really didnt get to enjoy the beach. My DH loved the food but I wasnt impressed. The rum punch was pretty watered down but the beer was good. I think I would have enjoyed it more if mother nature was a little bit more cooperative.

They tried to lift up the mood considering the rain, there was a little old lady who really got into the dancing and was really fun to watch. and the other thing I really remember is a stray cat pooping on the beach. YUCK!!:eek:

I dont remember a VIP area. Not sure if that is because it wasnt built or because we were all huddled under the same area because of the rain.

We are going back to Jamaica next year and I dont know if we will book this again.

My son will be 2 and a half when we are in Jamiaca so I would also like your suggestions.

thanks!

I cant use the search function so I appoligize if there is already a thread about this.

Does anyone know when the Summer 2015 Cruise Iteneraries get announced? My DH agreed to let me book a cruise for June 2015 and I am too excited to wait much longer. We are debating on trying RCC who already has their new iteraries avail for their Oasis, Freedom and Indepence ships.

Thanks for sharing any information you have!:confused:

Its been almost 2 years since our curise and I still remember our table waiters very clearly. My DH and I talked with them everynight. They were the nicest guys. They get paid very little. the Assistant waiter Dejon said that his first 2 months of work goes to pay for his plane tickets. They work 7 days a week 12+ hours a day for 8 months straight. He said he rarely got off the ship at ports because they are always doing something on the ship. We tipped them very well on top of the auto grat they recieve.

Boyle- Your daughter will be fine in Europe. I went when I was in college I lived in Sweden for a semester and it was the best time in my life! Just remind her to always be aware of where she is and the people around her and she will be fine! Good Judgement and awareness goes a LONG way.

Every vacation not just cruises my DH doesnt bring enough Tshirts or unders. He always figures that he will buy a few tshirts on the vacation and he always ends up wearing dirty sweaty shirts the last few days. I usually pack 3-4 extra undies for him otherwise we would be wearing gross ones of those.

Also on my one and only cruise to date, I didnt bring any Aunt Flo items as it wasnt supposed to be that time of the month. WELL Aunt Flo decided to crash in on our vacay and I had to buy some from the ship. Very Expensive and not the kind I usually get. So if you are traveling with a lady make sure she brings some JIC!!!

Well this thread has been my entertainment for the morning! I am 26 years old and I have a 10 year old step daughter (and a year old son). So it wasnt all that long ago that I was a teenager and I am about to have one here shortly.

I think that it completely depends on the child. When I was 10 years old I was able to roam the mall with a friend by ourselves. And when we went on vacation my brother and I were able to roam the campgroup (we didn’t cruise) or walk over to the store by ourselves, roam around state fairs pretty much do whatever we wanted as long as we checked in. I had A LOT of independence. More than I would probably give my own children. My parents were leaving me home alone at 8. However, this independence made me who I am today.

Do I plan on giving my step daughter the same independence? No, but here is why. My step daughter is sweet and smart. But she does not have common sense (turns out common sense isn’t so common!) I would give her a little freedom getting Icecream or running to the room to grab something, then increasing her independence as she gets more comfortable and more aware. We are planning a vacation next year with Friends who have a daughter her age and I would allow her to roam the ship with her friend for a short amount of time maybe 30 minutes. But I trust the 2 of them together. DH and I would not let her roam free in port. The point of family vacay is to spend time with each other.

I think each child is different, and each parent is different. We all decided to parent our children different ways. Just because a parent allows their child to roam at 12 doesn’t make them a bad parent. Nor does the parent who bubble wraps their child. As a parent we do what we think is best for our children. Everyone will not agree with us and that’s OK! Having a 1 year old I have been on a lot of baby forums, people argue about vaccination their child, Co-sleeping, breastfeeding, cloth diapering, making your own food. We all have our own opinions on these subjects and we will always have them, but it’s not worth the argument.

“Our job is not to toughen our children up to face a cruel and heartless world. Our job is to raise children who will make the world a little less cruel and heartless.” L.R. Knost

This is really awesome! I have a very Mini version of this. but I will be using this from now you.

THANK YOU!!!!

Hi there! Loved your review! I am debating on taking my son on his first cruise next month. But I have been hesitant about it because he also has a milk protein intolerance. If we do end up going it will be the week after he turns 1 so I am not sure if we would test to see if he still has the allergy until after we get back. Which finally brings me to my question. Did you find it hard to have food for your son to eat? I am constantly worried he wont have food to eat. I make all of his food at home. I just wouldnt want him to get sick on board.

Thanks for all your help. this does put my mind at ease. My son is currently 1 so if we go within the next year he wont be able to do the kids camps anyway.

My son has an allergy to milk and he cant have anything with milk products- so I have to read the label of everything he eats. I would love to go on another cruise but I am concerned about what he will eat. Has anyone had experience with something like this and CCL? Do they accommodate people with food allergies?

Thank you!

Not sure why you are being so judgemental on someone else's vacation. What this person decides to do on their vacation is up to them an no one else. I am also a mother and I would never want to go on vacation without my son. Have an awesome time on your cruise!

Thank you all for your help! I really appreciate all of your input!

Through my research on CC I think we will pick which ever ship is cheaper as they are so similar I don't think either will make a big difference. Although I have read that the Allure might do a summer tour in Europe before it drydocks that Sept so the Allure might not even be an option.

As far as booking goes I think we will look into a travel agent. Not sure if we will go through one but its good to look at all the options.

Again thank you all for your input!

Hi All!

I am so excited to be posting with you all. You seem like such a great crowd as I have been leerking around for the past few days.

About me, well I finally got the OK from my DH to book another cruise. We went on our first in April 2012 on Carnival Freedom. It was quite a memorable cruise as this is when my DH proposed to me. Fast forward 2 years 1 marriage and a baby WOW that all happened fast:eek:! And we are looking forward to our next cruise! After talking with MANY people we have decided to try out RCI. We will have 4 of us traveling Myself, my Dear Husband, My 11 year old Step Daughter and my 2 and a half year old son.

We are looking to book for June 2015 on either the Oasis or the Allure going on the Eastern Side. I know I am a little early to book but I think this is a good thing as I am quite the planner. I am already driving my DH crazy trying to figure out the options.

My main questions are. When is a good time to book and how do you get the best rates? (newbie question here)

Ocean view balcony vs an inside balcony. Is it worth it to save the money on an inside balcony?

Oasis or the Allure is there really that much difference between the 2 of them? Which is truly better?

Eastern or Western? Right now we are leaning towards Eastern