ShellinTX

Thank you for this information @Galveston Cruiser. Much appreciated!

We will be coming from Houston on I-45. Based on information on the Mardi Gras site, the parade begins at 1:00pm and the route crosses Harborside at 20th. Therefore, if we take the route suggested by RCI in the email above - Broadway to Harborside - we would need to cross the parade route. For those who live on the island or are more familiar with the pre-parade lineup, Mardi Gras traffic and closed streets, should crossing the parade route around 10am be troublesome? The other option, which is not what RCI advises, would have us driving on Broadway (through town) and turning onto 14th to reach Harborside and terminal 10. This route does not cross the parade route but has driving through town. 
 

We’d appreciate any advice about what we can expect for traffic and which route is best!

-Shell

On 1/31/2023 at 4:27 PM, BecciBoo said:

As Keto, I can say it's difficult in the extreme...in fact they've cut the amount of sugar free stuff this year.  I take my own sweeteners of course, even take Skinny Girl Simple Syrup with me.

@BecciBoo I’ve thought about bringing this on the ship, but I’m not sure how to make it work. Do you ask the bartender to make your drink without simple syrup and then just mix Skinny Girl syrup in yourself? 
It would be so nice if there were more sugar free or diet cocktail mixers available on the ship. 

@brillohead and @Ozark_KidThanks for your wonderful information! Sounds like a great time. 
 

Have you noticed any “diet” cocktail mixers on Allure, besides Coke Zero, etc.? It would be awesome if they had diet tonic, diet ginger beer or sugar free simple syrup! I know, I know, it’s vacation so I shouldn’t worry, but those mixers are chock-full of refined sugar and that’s a no-no for me. 
 

Chelle

Perhaps there is an omelet station at Allure’s Solarium Bistro? That would be nice, but maybe that’s crazy dream? 😊 

We checked in last week right at midnight the first day check in opened for our upcoming Allure cruise and the earliest time available was 11am.  Of course, I’m only guessing that many didn’t check in ahead of us. Perhaps they have made the hour later a permanent change now? 

Would be even more splendid if they traded Cozumel for somewhere else. Key West, maybe?

@Ourusualbeach How does this itinerary work out for New Years or early January? 
 

Michelle

@psmarkle Hoping you and your group have a wonderful time! Looking forward to a report of your experience. Wondering if the VIP is worth the extra cost for a smaller group. 

7 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Oops.  George Bush. 

Hey, Ken! Welcome to Texas.
Too bad you’re way up there near IAH. Best BBQ toward Galveston is in Pearland, Killen’s Barbecue. 

Have a great time! Get those bartenders ready for us in February. 
Michelle 

 

Hello! Thanks @Rmyoungfor providing information about your experience on Liberty this week. I welcome more information about passenger numbers and protocols as we hope to sail next week. Hope you have a wonderful cruise!

Not here for debate about protocols and hope this thread doesn’t get axed because you are the first I’ve seen reporting live from Liberty 🙂

Thanks for the pic!!

The shelf looks a little empty. Leave some for us!! [emoji854]

Enjoy your cruise!

If anyone has any other questions I'll try to answer. Or if you have other drink suggestions throw them out there. I forgot night 2 menu but I had the beef tenderloin. There's was seafood linguine and pork shank on the menu also.

 

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Love this review! Could you snap a few pics of the scotch, whiskey and bourbon selection? I’ve seen some menus, but the most recent posts have been from bigger ships.

We will be on Freedom soon and we have the drink package.

Thanks!

Love this idea!

I’m wondering, should you try a different drink at each bar? Most have theme drinks, correct? So, for Sabor a margarita or something with tequila would be appropriate.

For bars without a theme or speciality, it could be your choice or (even better) the bartender’s choice.

You won’t know until you board what matches will be shown.

 

 

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Most matches are on Fox Sports 1 and Fox Sports 2 in US, with Sports 1 being the easiest channel to come by. I don’t know if RCI has Sports 2. With Barca playing at the same time, I’m not sure yet which will be on Sports 1. Best bet is to use VOOM to catch it, just in case it isn’t broadcast on the ship.

In the US, I use Fubo TV to keep up with all things European soccer. (And I completely understand your concern with this match!) You might be able to use a Fubo TV free trial while onboard to stream it with Voom, if it’s not going to be broadcast on ship.

Edit to add that I didn’t check which port Jewel is sailing from or the itinerary. My advice is just if you’re sailing in US or Caribbean. Sorry to distract if that’s not the case.

We did navigator a few months ago and had purchased chops lunch on embarkation day, we were in a grand suite, concierge meet us when we entered chops said it was a free perk and gave us a credit for the lunch. I believe this is somewhat of a new perk, lunch was great

Thanks! We will give it a try on Freedom.

And for all Classes other than Oasis & Quantum: http://www.royalcaribbean.com/contentWithHero.do?pagename=enhanced_program_for_suite_guests

For embarkation day on Freedom, is Chops lunch included as a suite perk? I’m considering purchasing Chops lunch, but will hold off if it’s a suite perk!

On Liberty a couple years ago, Chops was used as overflow seating for Windjammer for suite guests, but I don’t believe Chops even served lunch in those days.

Thanks

As far as I know it’s the same, we got the dining package. They did say something about buy one get one

I’m interested to know how the package goes for you since there aren’t too many specialty restaurants on Freedom. Did you get the ultimate package?

I have the 5-night package for the same Freedom itinerary at the end of April. Being from South Texas, we aren’t too keen on Sabor so I steered clear of the ultimate package. I’m sure Sabor is popular with many, but I can’t see paying that price for Mexican food - no matter how good it is!

Considering doing the wine pairing dinner in Vintages one night. If you can unearth any recent info about that, I’d appreciate it.

Have a great cruise!!

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding and have a fantabulous cruise! :D

Thanks!

Actually, you can take 2L each (which is why many bottles on board are 1L instead of 750ml). But we've reported 5 bottles once and they didn't even bat an eye. Remember, all you are paying is the extra tax, not that it's illegal to bring more in.

 

As for packing, we've never had problems packing them in our bags and letting the baggage handlers take care of it. Bottles of wine, vinegar, olive oil, booze- nothing has broken. Just pack it in the middle.

Yes, we are flying out of FLL.

We will take your advice, and other posters, and taste a variety. If we find some to our liking, we’ll buy more. We’ll just have to see how many bottles we can manage to get home.

I suppose there’s all types of souvenirs. Some prefer art, some jewelry. I’m looking forward to shopping and bringing home a few bottles to serve as memories of our wedding cruise. [emoji3]

Try Dufry Duty Free at Port Zante on St. Kitts as this shop has a good selection of rum at reasonable prices. It is just to the left when exiting from the gate structure of the pier area.

 

Typically I don't buy higher end rum so I am not sure about those here but they did have lots of variety. I got two 1.14 litre bottle of Puerto Rico Bacardi white rum for $18US for both, so $9 each, but had to buy two to get that price.

 

We're Canadian so we're allowed to bring back that larger bottle but IMO it wouldn't be a problem for US residents.

 

On St. Maarten you likely do better in downtown Philipsburg on Front St (Voorstraat) than at cruise port.

 

I always check out the second street (Speetjens), just west of the Diamond Casino which is on Kanaal Steeg, the first street, when walking into town from the cruise port. There is a shop run by an Indian couple on the west side or the right, about three shops down from Front when coming when approaching from that street. It will be on the left when coming up from the boardwalk/beach area.

 

They have several displays of liquor bottles outside in front and usually have a sign with that day's specials which typically only go until noon.

Thanks for the specifics!!

Can you get more than one bottle?

 

 

 

Find the Ron Zacapa, for sure. But keep you eye out for other special rums- in San Juan, you can get some very nice special Don Q rums at a store Casa Melaza- http://casamelaza.com/ - they have their own special bottle of DonQ.

 

 

 

St Kitts has its own local Rum, too.

 

 

 

Basically, taste as much as you can, and get what you like. All the islands have their own special way and taste for rum, and it's quite interesting.

Yes, I would love to buy more than one bottle. I’m concerned about getting them home, however. We plan to use luggage valet and our plane doesn’t leave until 2ish. We will have to see about carrying them. Maybe I can pack a bag to use for this? We each can take 2, 750ml bottles through customs, correct?

Thanks for the recommendation [emoji3]

My fiancé will like to purchase some cigars, as well. What are the rules for buying tobacco? Can you take cigars bought in port on the ship with you? Or is the process similar to alcohol purchases?

I’d love it if you wise folks could help me find a nice bottle of rum to celebrate my wedding on my upcoming cruise. I’m looking for something along the lines of Zacapa Centenario XO (typically $100-$125 stateside). Another brand would be fine, too. I’m looking for something similar in quality.

I’m traveling to St. Kitts, St. Maarten and San Juan. Which port would be best and do you have recommendations for a particular shop?

(In an effort to keep this thread from going awry: I plan to follow RCI rules for purchasing alcohol in port!)

Thanks!

Thanks to both of you!! :)

Appreciate it. Please email wicruiser54173 at gmail.com

Anyone able to post the new MDR menus for 8-day Freedom?

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