taxgal

Lovin' the review [but this post is also to bump it up:D]

There is really no question for us, the Southern ports are the best choice as we do not feel safe in Jamaica; haiti is just a beach day at a limited beach and if two ships are in port, a very crowded beach; and we dont really like either coast of mexico (yes we have done them both, carib more than once).

Must be a Texan thing as we do the same!:D

We get on our balcony and I send DH for drinks and snacks, he actually enjoys roaming the ship w/o on these 'chow runs', just love my Marine.

Oops forgot about Nassau...a beach day if nice weather and the 6 yr likes the beach is good....cant dig too much sand.:D If the weather is not so great, a horse carriage ride is fun and though it is a little cheesy, if the 6 yr old likes pirates, the pirate museum[ an easy walk past the straw market which is always cool for kids] is fun too.

The Eco tour on Coco has had great reviews because it is so kid friendly.

They often have starfish, lobsters, urchins, sea cucumbers for a hands on display.

My DH, kids [now 20 somethings] and I have taken over 20 cruises and found Buck Island to be less than inspiring. We took a week vacation to St Croix just to go to Buck Island and really it was not as good as many of the areas around St Thomas, BVI and Aruba. We still had fun, but it wasn't the greatest snorkel trip ever as it was advertized.

We love the Embassy Suites by the airport: short walk to the beach and many rest for lunch and dinner; free drinks in the evening; full breakfast; Outback Steakhouse on site; free form pool with waterfall....the separate bedroom is also great when traveling with kids.

My DH just covers ours with clear packing tape, punches a hole and attaches them with zip ties. He keeps the tags & ties in his carry on.

Like ehfl said, we always put a piece of paper inside the bag and in an outside pocket with our name and room number....just in case.

Have to disagree with SConnolly....Last July on Jewel the waiters in the schooner all but ignored us even though we were there almost every afternoon. The bartenders were great and never experienced a problem with them, just the waiters. In fact, at the lobby bar, where we bought the package [not in advance so we could use our large OBC, we have the RCI VISA:D] we got really good treatment and suggestions to try many drinks we would not have considered without the package.

It does not really matter port or starboard....shade on the balcony is important so my DH reviews the itinerary and determines which side has more afternoon shade on the sea days.

Our first cruise in 1991, we had a key, looked just like a regular house or hotel key from the time period, sea pass card did not have a magnetic, encoded strip and it was very important to review your room charges as mistakes were very common.

How was the sun/shade on the balcony? I have read that it can be almost full sun. What was your experience?

Loving this so far....my DH is just not sure if he wants to go on such a large ship...this is helping him change his mind.

Minors don't count; but, if you book one adult per cabin then you can have 2 per room:D. Done this before and switched keys once on board and another time at checkin.

My DH and I love balconies; however, by staying inside we can cruise TWICE a year! :D:D As much as we love our private sun deck, twice a year is better than once a year.

I was beginning to wonder if I was the only one who felt obeying the rules was the right thing to do. If it says crew only, then passengers should stay out! I wonder how many who vilolate these rules would object if we went into their employees only or private areas in their work space. Years ago on Carnival [yes, dif line but same corp] a family was warned if they could not keep their teenagers out of crew spaces, they would be put off the ship. Their girls kept going thru crew only doors to crew lounge, pool, helo deck etc.

International Cafe gets great raves for the chicken salad but my DH and DDs say the eclairs are great. Some ships have fresh cookies and milk on the pool deck in the afternoon...still warm at the choc-choc chip are wonderful!

Some people say the beds are too hard, see many other posts for that issue (we have never had a problem), so if you dont like a firm mattress request and egg crate mattress topper, separagte threads on that too.

If you want the ultimate ship tour or chef's table sign up as soon as you get on board.

Enjoy!

Secret doors are one thing, going into crew only areas are another. I many people do this all the time with no adverse effect, but it is a violation and could have adverse conequences.