cindyscruise

You will have a great time. I always bring a highlighter so I can highlight the compass for the next day with the things that I want to do. You can limit how much is put on your child's seapass card. I have done that with my grandchildren. Remember you cannot get into your cabin right away so if you bring any carry on's you will have to drag them with you. I would suggest your children wear bathing suits under their clothes as they may want to get right into the pools. Towels are provided on the pool deck. I try to only carry a small backpack with my camera, meds and wallet. If you intend to buy any ship pictures that will be applied to your seapass. The only cash I ever do on the ship is to tip room service or sometimes a bartender. But most of all - relax. You don't have to try to do everything. the Explorer is a great ship. Have you checked in online? Have you printed your setsail pass and luggage tags? I would show your sons pictures of the ship especially the kids pool area that you can find on this forum also show them the deck plans that you can find on Royal Caribbeans site. This may take some of the anxiety from them. Also I am sure I don't need to say this but try to keep any worry out of your voice when you talk about the cruise. The library on deck 7 is also a quiet place and I believe they have games there and if they still have a Viking Crown Lounge it is usually very quiet during the day. Not sure if this goes for all the ships but they have stopped making announcements constantly all day long. Enjoy

Let your conscience be your guide. I would not accept this but that is me. Yes it may be a loophole but you need to do what you feel is right.

you also use your seapass card to purchase drinks. Lemonade and I believe fruit punch is served with lunch.

Let us know how your baby is?

As another gamecock fan, I would pick the Oasis. there is so much to do. Your little one will enjoy the kids pool area. Rock climbing, flow rider, zip line for the older ones and dh. As you saying that it would be over 14,000 for 2 cabins on the Allure? Wow that is expensive. a balcony and inside might be the better way to go if you decide on Allure. The ship is a destination in itself. I love the Oasis. We are going in June and again in Sept. Whatever decision you make you will have a great time. Enjoy

Since I am assuming you are flying from the UK. It is a drive from Miami to Port Canaveral. Definitely rent a car or fly into Orlando if that is possible. I would think hiring a limo or some other type of shuttle will be very expensive. I believe Orlando is about 1 hour from the port.

loricfam

to answer you question about the diamond, diamond plus etc. they are the different levels of the crown and anchor which is royal's loyalty program. after you first cruise you can enroll inthe C&A. As you go up in levels there are perks that you get. the first level is gold but this is not the same as the gold card you will get for being in a suite. Make sure you enroll after your first cruise. You will enjoy the Liberty. It is one of my favorite ships

I really try to limit my carry on - usually carry a backpack with meds, camera and things like that. I have seen people dragging suitcases all around with them until the rooms open. Most times I wear my bathing suit under my clothes so I am ready for the drink and sunning. Drink package starts immediately upon boarding

Search boards for compass from the enchantment and it will give you an idea of what is going on when. Here is one I found but a little old as it is from january 15

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2152649&highlight=enchantment+compass

Thank you for posting the article.

Since you won't be able to get into the cabin right away (usually about 1PM) check in your luggage. I usually keep a small backpack to carry a bathing suit, meds, purse and camera. everything else gets checked in. I have seen people dragging suitcases around with them while trying to get lunch in the windjammer or Park Cafe. Too much trouble for me to do that. Enjoy. I too love to plan ahead. Seems like they are only letting you check in 90 days before the cruise now. Make sure to do all your entertainment online as soon as it opens. Especially the comedy club. As others have said look for current compasses on the Allure. she is a wonderful ship. Do you have your passport? When you get to the port there are plenty of people to tell you where to go. They board by deck. Most times they don't start to board till 11-11:30. As for cash, don't forget to factor in tips for taxis, drivers for shore excursions and tour guides as well as porters at port and airports. Everything on the ship will be on your seapass card (which also serves as your room key) At the end of the cruise if you are using a credit card it will automatically be charged to the card. You may also want to tip your cabin steward extra. when you sign for the drinks you will notice that the tip is already included. Don't try to bring a travel iron - it will be taken from your luggage and given back at the end of the cruise. I hope that you have a wonderful time. We love cruising. I laughed when I read the comment from your Mother as I too don't swim well and afraid of deep water. Never did I ever think that I would go on a ship. Do a search for posts about packing lists. For me - a formal dress, casual dresses, sundress, , swimsuits, shoes, otc meds such as aspirin, first aid kit, small sewing kit. duct tape, prescription meds, wrinkle release, lotion,sunblock,tide to go pen, sunglasses, hat, post-it notes,pen, highligter, (for the compass) refillable water bottle.

I definitely agree. We keep getting emails to book for our Sept cruise but when I go there it says 90 days in advance. I like getting the online stuff done early. Makes the cruise a reality for me then I start a folder with all the paperwork etc. But I understand why they want to wait until final payment now. people cancel cruises and this way they don't have to remove the information from their system. Everyone is unique and I wish others on this board would understand that. I don't NEED to print my stuff early I just like to. Others are last minute people and wait until the end. To each his own. What right would I have to criticize anyone for what they like to do. Hey - Hard for those on this board to believe but some people even hate cruising.

Enjoying your review from a first timer perspective.

We love the Liberty. It had our favorite waitstaff of all our cruisers. The bartenders were great and so much fun especially in the Viking Crown.

Kei, i have never had children in the kids program but from what I heard they have a blast. Read reviews but remember reviews are subjective. some people are never happy. As I once read, when people go on a cruise they all of a sudden become a food critic. You will enjoy and the change will make you feel like you are on a first cruise all over again.

twindaddy, you will love the Oasis. the service we had was great. I am glad dd has been changed as my granddaughter was really looking forward to the same wait staff each night. she loves that experience that they remember what she likes. She loves baked potato and they had one for her each evening no matter what the menu.

Not sure why you are nervous. I have been on the Enchantment and enjoyed it. A cruise is always what you make of it. I have never sailed Carnival so cannot compare. Each ship and each cruise line has its own personality and I enjoy the differences. Let us know your concerns so we can speak to them and hopefully make you less nervous.

Sometimes we just need a change. Actually I thought I was through with cruising then I took my grandchildren. It made it a new experience for me. perhaps finding someone who is a first time cruiser to go with you may put excitement back. Perhaps just a change in itinerary would help. But I do agree the service is not what it used to be. Maybe too many changes for the staff and the reduction in staff can account for this. Food definitely is changing. Have you tried river cruising? I heard it is great. We may try that next. I think all the major lines are catering to the masses and new cruisers. We may feel it more on Royal because I believe they did have a superior product to begin with. Have fun no matter what you decide to do.

Sabor is great. My dh and I split the dinner sampler. It was a lot of food.

I did not know that. Beer, wine and soda only. I assumed drink meant all types of drink

You will have a great time. I agree with the poster who said people don't research their ship before they go or they don't read the compass. all the food options and cost are listed there. Prebook your shows to avoid standing in lines or being disappointed if the time you want to go is full. There is so much to do. There are also many little nooks and crannies where you can find quiet time if that is what you want. explore the deck plans before you go so you don't waste time locating things. I love the bigger ships and I was one of those who said "I will never sail those big ships". Actually I was one of those who said I would never cruise. Have a great time.

Please notice I did not say the cl or the dl but the suite lounge on the Oasis It does indeed serve during the hours I mentioned on the Oasis and I am sure the Allure will be the same after her drydock.

The answer really depends on how much you drink. On Oasis the suite lounge serves free drinks from 11:30am until 11:30PM. But you cannot take the drinks out. I too, wasn't sure what to do. Decided to get the package. The sun deck had a full bar where I purchased my drinks. For me it was worth it. We always have a shooter after dinner. A deciding factor for us was that we were going to Labadee. We definitely got our money's worth there.

I remember when the Oasis and then Allure came out. What negativity about Oasis - too big and all the comments about "I'll never sail her service terrible, no one knows what they are doing" etc. I didn't think I would ever want to sail on one that big but here I am 2 cruises on Oasis and 1 on Allue and another Oasis planned for June 2015. Not sure if I will try the new ships. Haven't experienced dd for myself yet so I will hold my opinion. I can always make a reservation for the same restaurant and probably could request the same waiter. Will have to wait and see for that one. However, the last few cruises I have been on the dining room had so many empty seats with people going to the specialty restaurants or the windjammer, apparently many don't eat in the mdr. RC, carnival, princess are mass market cruiselines and as such cater to the masses. I believe the smaller ships will remain traditional so this way there is something for everyone.

i cannot believe they tried to say the pictures were a fabrication. why would the OP post fake pictures. I was in that cabin before it was complete and the pictures are what I saw minus the tv, and deck furniture. And I am not making that up.

Actually when the project manager took us in that room, he called it an aqua suite. I told him on the website it was classified as a grand suite. His plans call it an aqua suite. doesn't look much different from when I saw it. It has a couch and a bed. Looks like someone forgot about balcony furniture. the least they could have done was take the padded lounges from deck 17 for the balcony. But the view is great. I would want to see the cabin on deck 14 before I booked it. The room is supposed to be smaller and so is the balcony.