Considering RCCL for the 1st time, 10/11/15 Cozumel, Belize, Roatan

[bighairtexan]

I was on the Nav. last month. Bubba Feathers played predominately country. Also Phil in the Schooner bar played quite a bit of country.

[Cuizer2]

Could you elaborate? What is different about the Princess passengers?

 

The Princess passengers are a little older and less active.

 

Look at the ships. Princess has no water slides and no rock climbing walls. All the Carnival, Royal Caribbean and NCL ships have either (or in some cases both) a water slide or a rock climbing wall.

 

Carnival, Royal Caribbean and NCL have lots of active fun events, such as the hairy chest contest and the belly flop competitions. Princess has more activities for the mind, including many classes.

 

As a result, the ships attract passengers interested in the kinds of activities that the ships provide.

 

It is possible, when school is in session, that a Princess cruise will have no children on board a one week cruise. I have been on several one week cruises on Carnival, Royal Caribbean and NCL during school time, and they all had at least 150 kids on board. During school holidays, Carnival, Royal Caribbean and NCL can have 800 or more kids on board.

 

The Princess ships can handle kids, but are not build for kids. The Royal Caribbean, NCL and Carnival ships are built with kids in mind.

 

As a result, the Carnival, NCL & Royal Caribbean passengers tend to be younger and more active. The Princess passengers tend to be a little older and more interested in mental activities than physical activities.

 

And yes, I have sailed at least twice on all four of those lines.

[jewopaho]

... Galveston likely isn't your best option. There's always a country band playing somewhere on the ship (often in places where you'd otherwise find "top 40" groups), and the piped-in music (generally in the Promenade before the days' activity begin) is 100% country. The featured nighttime deck party (usually sometime mid-cruise) is more of a hoe-down. On sea days, you can brush up on your line dancing to ... you guessed it.

 

We're not country fans either ... but living less than an hour from Galveston compensates for alot. The vast majority of passengers drive to the port, so you'll be surrounded by Texans (and residents of neighboring states), most of whom regard country music as an anthem. This is not to say that it's not a friendly bunch of folks ... quite the opposite. We enjoy their company, and have often met the same people on several cruises. We just don't talk about music, politics or religion, As you can likely surmise, I'm a transplant.

 

Don't get me wrong ... the ship continually sells out, and passengers, for the most part, are extremely pleased. Royal Caribbean is simply playing to the demographics, and has been incredibly successful ... so much so that there's a ship sailing year-round from Galveston. Currently it's Navigator, to be replaced in November by a larger ship (Liberty of the Seas). If it ain't broke ....

 

Your other issue may be the airport. Unless you can fly into Hobby International (predominately Southwest and JetBlue ... about 30 minutes from the cruise terminal) you're better off heading to Florida. Bush Intercontinental is the major facility in Houston, and is about 90 minutes from the Port of Galveston. Transfers are expensive (can easily add a few hundred dollars to your cost).

 

We cruise from Galveston at least three or four times a year, primarily because of the convenience and Texas resident pricing ... but if I were in your position, I'd head for Fort Lauderdale. Y'all have fun now ...

 

Al

Edited January 14, 2015 by jewopaho

[BecciBoo]

... and the piped-in music (generally in the Promenade before the days' activity begin) is 100% country. The featured nighttime deck party (usually sometime mid-cruise) is more of a hoe-down. On sea days, you can brush up on your line dancing to ... you guessed it.

 

Al

 

I am a native Texan, have sailed more than 12 cruises out of Galveston, 2 on Navigator, and the above statement, IMHO is totally not true.

 

I have never heard country on the piped in muzac system. I have attended many deck parties and they are themed, but have NEVER attended a hoe-down:rolleyes: I occasionally saw people on the pool deck on sea days doing line dancing, but it was not exclusive at all.

 

However, I do agree that the port of Galveston is hectic and with the problems noted in navigating from Houston airport to the island, etc. But if you're basing your decision on whether you will be bombarded with country music, it just shouldn't be an issue.

 

They were more current music or 70's or 80's themed. And the one dance class we took was Argentine Tango...????

 

Yes, occasionally you hear country, but it doesn't necessarily play to Texans only...country is extremely popular everywhere these days. I don't happen to be a fan, but I don't feel inundated with it on Galveston cruises. And I don't feel Galveston cruises play predominately country. In fact, I have videos of a group called 3 Seasons, an all girl string ensamble that played classical on the promenade on Voyager and Mariner on more than one trip.

Edited January 14, 2015 by BecciBoo

[jewopaho]

I am a native Texan, have sailed more than 12 cruises out of Galveston, 2 on Navigator, and the above statement, IMHO is totally not true. I have never heard country on the piped in muzac system. I have attended many deck parties and they are themed, but have NEVER attended a hoe-down. However, I do agree that the port of Galveston is hectic and with the problems noted in navigating from Houston airport to the island, etc. But if you're basing your decision on whether you will be bombarded with country music, it just shouldn't be an issue. Yes, occasionally you hear country, but it doesn't necessarily play to Texans only...country is extremely popular everywhere these days. I don't happen to be a fan, but I don't feel inundated with it on Galveston cruises. And I don't feel Galveston cruises play predominately country. In fact, I have videos of a group called 3 Seasons, an all girl string ensemble that played classical on the promenade on Voyager and Mariner on more than one trip.

Sorry, but I stand by what I wrote ... just sailed Navigator on 12/7 and posted my most recent memories. The "house band" is a country group. There are other musical aggregations, but they play in less popular venues at very limited times. The piped-in music in the Promenade is definitely country ... went for coffee each morning around 7:30 and that's all I heard, even during the Christmas season. The deck party is indeed country-themed. I didn't mean to imply that it's all country and nothing else ... but if I had to pinpoint the musical emphasis, it's definitely that.

 

We're cruising on Navigator again this Sunday ... if anything changes, I'll certainly post it here.

Edited January 14, 2015 by jewopaho

[matj2000]

Unless you have some other reason, you should sail out of Florida instead of TX.

[BecciBoo]

You DID use the term 100%. I don't think that is the case at all.

 

And if it is then things have drastically changed on Navi.

[NightOne]

The Princess passengers are a little older and less active.

 

Look at the ships. Princess has no water slides and no rock climbing walls. All the Carnival, Royal Caribbean and NCL ships have either (or in some cases both) a water slide or a rock climbing wall.

 

Carnival, Royal Caribbean and NCL have lots of active fun events, such as the hairy chest contest and the belly flop competitions. Princess has more activities for the mind, including many classes.

 

As a result, the ships attract passengers interested in the kinds of activities that the ships provide.

 

It is possible, when school is in session, that a Princess cruise will have no children on board a one week cruise. I have been on several one week cruises on Carnival, Royal Caribbean and NCL during school time, and they all had at least 150 kids on board. During school holidays, Carnival, Royal Caribbean and NCL can have 800 or more kids on board.

 

The Princess ships can handle kids, but are not build for kids. The Royal Caribbean, NCL and Carnival ships are built with kids in mind.

 

As a result, the Carnival, NCL & Royal Caribbean passengers tend to be younger and more active. The Princess passengers tend to be a little older and more interested in mental activities than physical activities.

 

And yes, I have sailed at least twice on all four of those lines.

 

Thanks for the detailed reply. You brought up some very good points. I've only been one cruise ever and it was on Princess. When I think back and try to remember why I picked Princess the only things I can remember was that there was an adults only pool, it was freshwater instead of saltwater, and that the reviews were very good at the time. I am guessing there were other reasons but I don't remember what they were at the present time.

 

I'm 59 days away from my first RCCL cruise but it is on Radiance class so I am not expecting it to be the same experience an Oasis/Freedom/Voyager class ship but being that it is during Spring Break I expect it to be somewhat more active than normal. Any thoughts on what to expect?

 

Just started reading Devils on the Deep Blue Sea (about 20% in) and essentially Carnival/NCL/Royal started from the exact same roots with people tied closely together. No mention of Princess in the book thus far but I am sure it is covered later. So that also makes sense that they would be the most alike. :)

[Cuizer2]

You DID use the term 100%. I don't think that is the case at all.

 

And if it is then things have drastically changed on Navi.

 

Who are you responding to? :confused:

[Cuizer2]

Thanks for the detailed reply. You brought up some very good points. I've only been one cruise ever and it was on Princess. When I think back and try to remember why I picked Princess the only things I can remember was that there was an adults only pool, it was freshwater instead of saltwater, and that the reviews were very good at the time. I am guessing there were other reasons but I don't remember what they were at the present time.

 

I'm 59 days away from my first RCCL cruise but it is on Radiance class so I am not expecting it to be the same experience an Oasis/Freedom/Voyager class ship but being that it is during Spring Break I expect it to be somewhat more active than normal. Any thoughts on what to expect?

 

Just started reading Devils on the Deep Blue Sea (about 20% in) and essentially Carnival/NCL/Royal started from the exact same roots with people tied closely together. No mention of Princess in the book thus far but I am sure it is covered later. So that also makes sense that they would be the most alike. :)

 

Carnival has an adults only pool. However, enforcement of that rule is very lax. Royal Caribbean has an adults only pool called the Solarium. Enforcement of that rule is better than Carnival, but there is still some room for enforcement. I'm not sure if NCL has an adults only pool. Disney has an adults only pool, and as I understand it (I've never been on Disney) the rule is properly enforced.

 

On the Radiance class, unless something has changed (since April 2008), the pizza is in the Solarium. So if the kids want pizza, they have to go in there to get it. However, they should eat it outside the Solarium. I'm not sure how well that works. Since the college students are over 18, they can go in the Solarium. How that affects the peace and quiet of the Solarium I am not sure (in general I do not swim in the adults only pools, as it is too quiet for me. I don't mind being splashed, given I am already wet from head to toe.).

 

There will be things like the belly flop contest out on the only big pool outside of the Solarium (there is also a smaller pool for the pre-school and lower elementary school kids), so expect a lot of action there.

 

The Radiance class ships have self leveling pool tables - if you want to give that a try.

[NightOne]

I'm not sure how well that works. Since the college students are over 18, they can go in the Solarium. How that affects the peace and quiet of the Solarium I am not sure (in general I do not swim in the adults only pools, as it is too quiet for me. I don't mind being splashed, given I am already wet from head to toe.).

 

Yeah, I'm not really looking for peace, quiet, and relaxation anymore and am more interested in fun, silliness, and adventure now. :)

 

Thanks again for your opinions.

[Checksmate]

Just did this same itinerary in late August to celebrate my younger daughter's 21st birthday -- a mom and daughter trip. I have lots of RCI cruises under my belt, and 3 Carnival trips. Will not sail Carnival ever again.

 

This is a fabulous ship, and a super crew. I think it's also a nice intro to RCI in general. The Voyager class is now their mid-size class, so you can get in idea of what the bigger ships might look like (Freedom and Oasis classes). There's plenty to do, great restaurant venues, and the drydock changes were really nice. The ship looks great.

 

We loved this itinerary, and had never been to Roatan or Belize before. In Belize we did a cave-tubing trip that we booked online (don't do ship excursions anymore, much easier and cheaper to book your own), and in Roatan we joined some fellow cruisers that we met on our Meet n Mingle thread and took a cab over to Bananarama beach and did a shore snorkel. The cave-tubing trip was one of the most unique and enjoyable excursions I've ever done. We felt perfectly safe on both excursions, and while I do agree that both islands suffer from poverty, I can't really say that it's any worse than say Grenada, Dominica or St. Lucia.

 

Book the cruise -- you'll have a blast! We did.

 

We will be on this cruise the 25th of January. Who did you book the tubing adventure with? The couple we are going with is very mobile but she is afraid that there is a big hill to climb down. Did you find it would be difficult for an older person to get into the tube. Thank you for your help.

[scorpluvsdolphins]

Bubba Feathers was the country band on my B2B. The played everyday by the casino.

Part of the days country music was played by the pool.

I agree it's not 100% country, but it was being played somewhere everyday. Definitely by the casino.

They played some country with the late night dancing.

Enjoy!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[BecciBoo]

Who are you responding to? :confused:

 

jewopaho

[jewopaho]

You DID use the term 100%. I don't think that is the case at all. And if it is then things have drastically changed on Navi.

I referred to the music piped in on the Promenade (and on deck as well) during the morning hours as "100% country" ... and it is. Nothing has really changed ... we've sailed Voyager and Mariner, as well as Navigator, out of Galveston for years (at least a dozen cruises), and haven't noticed anything different, other than the ships now being there year-round. We expect the same on Sunday and in November and December, when again board the Navigator/Liberty ... ships may change, but the theme remains the same. When the leader of the house band is named Bubba ....

 

My advice to the OP was to sail out of Florida, which would probably be more to their liking. I stand by that.

 

Al

[CaseyCip22]

Unless you're in Texas, try cruising out of Florida, more ports on the western Caribbean cruises!(4 vs 3)

Belize(tender port) is dirty and full of crime, do some careful reading before you go there!

We actually like the Carnival western Caribbean cruises out of Miami best. They have 4 ports, and some substitute Costa Maya for Belize!

We recently did a western Caribbean out of Miami on the MSC Divina which went to Jamaica(yuk), Grand Cayman, Cozumel, and Great Stirrup Cay. This was also a very good cruise, except for Jamaica!

RCL's Freedom out of Port Canaveral with Cozumel, Labadee, Jamaica(yuk), and Cozumel is pretty good, and a very good ship!

If you want to get away from young drunks, just cruise when they're in school!:)

Just our opinion!:D

Whatever you decide, have a great cruise!

 

I was looking at this cruise specifically because of the itinerary during that specific week. As far as I was able to see, RC doesn't have a cruise out of Florida at that time to those destinations and our whole point was to A) try RC and B) see Honduras and Belize.