oo7 Bond!

On the Navigator now! What a hoot to travel with a large group of Texan's. I brought my Seahawk Champion shirt... Do I dare wear it?

The internet in Falmouth is great!

We found that our daughter prefers RCI. We sail on both lines, but when DD joins us, we sail RCI with her. The exception is when we go to Alaska. HAL has better Alaska schedules than RCI.

I too like HAL.... And RCI & Princess & Disney & NCL to name a few of my favorites.

Your cabin should be ready as soon as you board. You are allowed one free bottle at wine at embarkation, any others incur a corkage charge. I don't know if HAL had "Luggage Direct" in 2009, but for quite a modest fee you can leave your luggage outside your stateroom the last night of the cruise and not need to deal with it again until you get to your home airport.

 

I'm sure quite a few changes, keep an eye on this forum and ask questions to uncover the things we forget.

 

Roy

What a nice posting. Your glass must always be half full. I hope our cruise paths cross someday.

To the OP. Change is good.... Don't get discouraged with the negative comments and have a great cruise.

Zaandam to Alaska in July...

 

We have two cabins, each with a $300 OBC.

 

We want to book the White Pass Rail excursion.. which is on sale until the end of February (not a huge amount.. but between 4 people it is close to $100....). If I book now.. must I pay for it or can I use my OBC to cover it?

 

Thanks

To simply answer your question... The on board credit is for on board purchases. Yes, you have to pay cash / credit if you book the excursion prior to the cruise. Have fun!

I usually find the actual port web sit will provide great information too.

Maybe they will bring her in early?

Partly cloudy and mild this afternoon. High temperatures will be in the mid-60's. Look for easterly winds at 5-10 mph. It will be partly cloudy and cool tonight with some fog possible. Low temperatures will be in the upper-50's. Expect southerly winds at 5-10 mph. Sunday should bring partly to mostly cloudy skies and mild temperatures with areas of fog. High temperatures will range from near 70 on the Island to the low-70's inland. Expect southerly winds at 10-15 mph. It will be mostly to partly cloudy and mild on Monday with periods of fog. Winds will be from the south at 10-15 mph. High temperatures will range from the low-70's in Galveston to the mid-70's on the mainland.

I hope you are wrong!

If the cost of lessons is in your budget, DO IT!! I took the lessons with my daughter and it was a memory of a life time. Take videos too... They will be fun to look at for years.

Glad to hear I wasn't the only one. I'm currently on sick leave due to surgery last week, and this has been one source of entertainment (thank goodness for the Olympics!). I'll go back into withdrawal next week when I'm back in the office! At least, I can check it on my lunch hour, so that will help with the withdrawal symptoms.

Wishing you a continued speedy recovery!

A lot of good reasons to leave home at least 1-day early.

Did anyone else go into CC withdrawal yesterday?!:D Or was it just me?

I sit and chuckle just thinking about how some folks who appear to frequent here on a 24/7 basis must have reacted.

And, when you factor in tech skills, I bet there was pure panic setting in...

I was glad to see everything up and running this morning.

Hope you have travel insurance. Especially with all the recent weather delays. Maybe... summer travel would be worth the risk.

Take a look on http://www.voyager-class.com, I think that there are some pictures there of the RS that you can review

Ron -

Thanks! That was a very helpful link. See you on board?

Hello Fellow Cruisers!

 

Here is an inside look in the Royal Suite on Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas. The cabin number is 1620, which is on deck 10. I hope this helps someone in their decision to book this suite. I will be happy to answer any questions you may have. I do want to point out that this particular Royal Suite does not include a hot tub on the balcony. :( Other than that, the suite is wonderful!

 

Check out my photos: :) Navigator of the Seas - Royal Suite :)

 

Happy Cruising,

Are your pictures still available online somewhere? The link does not seem to work. I get to a photo hosting site, but cant locate the pictures.

Thank-you,

You are talking of two different things.

Suite Lunch is only for Suites.

Embarkation Lunch is for all Mariners.

 

Oh, just learned something new. Where and when are Suite Lunches held? I have been on HAL several times and always in a Suite, but never knew about a suite lunch.

Thank-you!

I thought the first day lunch was a "Mariner" lunch, not just for Suites. Maybe HAL should change it to just a "suite" lunch???

As some previously stated... Thanks for posting this reference. A good read!

The indoor Hydro Spa is a must do for me. There is a fee, but so very relaxing.

Two people that had originally been at our fixed seating table but then left for most of the cruise returned to join us one night. They brought full wine glasses with them' date=' and mentioned that they had brought it from their cabin. Unfortunately, the lady tripped, and spilt the wine all over the table. I just missed being splattered. I felt badly for the steward who had to clean up the mess, especially since the corkage fee hadn't been paid.[/quote']

I recall reading that never happens by someone here. I unfortunately don't recall who specifically. I recall the posted said the people who are bringing full glasses of wine just purchased them at the bar and carried them in. I wonder if they were in error? Glad to read that you were not spattered on.

Chocolate Melting Cake is one of the Top 3 reasons to cruise on Carnival. Give me a few minutes and I will come up with two more reasons to sail CCL

Very interesting. Thanks for the information.

I stumbled on this when checking the Port of Galveston parking information

TABC to Begin Collecting Taxes at Texas Seaports

On January 4, 2014, cruise travelers disembarking out of the Port of Galveston will need to pay the tax for alcoholic beverages and cigarettes imported into the state that were purchased either on the ship's duty free store or at a foreign port of call. TABC currently operates 20 ports of entry collection facilities along the Texas-Mexico border where the tax is presently collected.

During the recent legislative session, the agency was appropriated funding to begin tax collection of imported alcoholic beverages and cigarettes from seaport facilities. The Galveston Port facility will be the first seaport location where this tax will be collected with plans to extend to the Houston-Bayport facility in the fall of 2014.

Section 107.07 of the Alcoholic Beverage Code, in effect for over 40 years, requires that each adult (21 years old and over) importing alcoholic beverages into the state for personal consumption pay the state tax and an administrative fee of $3.00. The law limits personal importation by an adult to once every 30 days with limits of: 1 gallon of distilled spirits, 3 gallons of wine, and 288 ounces of malt beverages (24 12-ounce containers). Persons importing alcoholic beverages must personally accompany the product as it enters the state. View our detailed list of the taxes for both cigarettes and alcoholic beverages

Tax Rates Table

Tax Rates Effective September 1, 2011

(including $ 3.00 administrative fees)

Distilled Spirits

Miniatures (2 oz. or less) (50 ml or less) $ 3.25

Half Pint (200 ml) 3.25

Pint (500 ml) 3.50

Fifth (750 ml) 3.50

Quart (1 ltr) 3.75

1/2 Gallon (1.75 ltr) 4.25

1 Gallon (3.5 ltr) 5.50

Beer

6 12-ounce containers $ 3.25

24 12-ounce containers 3.50

Malt Liquor

24 12-ounce containers $ 3.50

Wine

Fifth (750 ml) $ 3.25

Cigarettes

Carton (10 packs) $ 15.00

Pack 1.50

Good Point! I have been on the allure and Oasis 4-times and don't recall a port landing ever. But, you are correct, there must be a time to check the life boats.