crisndeefromde

1 hour ago, Milwaukee Eight said:

There is a Full Ship Charter on Brilliance December 3-10. High Sea Rally. No word yet on go or no go. I would say the Bikers will say go and no masks. 

Floggin Molly group is either before us or after us  but our vendor had 5 charters starting the last week of October.  No clue as to when they are being moved to yet as they are apparently awaiting on Royal to see where they are going to position ships at.  

We were scheduled for a charter on the Brilliance in November and Royal is working with our vendor of this charter to get moved till next year.  The vendor had 5 charters in a row on the Brilliance.  Our Country Cruising was one of them affected.  We have a 12 nighter on the Anthem scheduled in December...fingers crossed but the caribbean has to be ready to take tourists and will they at that point? who knows...

2 hours ago, Iamcruzin said:

I agree and the flights for me from NY where cheaper to San Juan than to Ft Lauderdale.  The cruises are cheaper only because you and I are part of the few who book. Many complain that there are too many locals boarding which I have never seen. I'm from NY there are more of everybodies locals here than there.

I totally agree.  We did many b2b out of San Juan on the Adventure of the Seas thanks to great advice from several members here on the boards for advice.  It was so much cheaper to fly from Phillie to San Juan then from Phillie to Ft Lauderdale or Miami. Miss those days...have been doing the 11 nighters on the Serenade...sure miss that ship...miss any ship right now...have several cruises starting in October and hope they happen...

3 hours ago, Dennis#1 said:

Disagree.  I do not consider Fox News or CNN to be entertainment.  Both Fox News and CNN provide informative news.  I watch both, but prefer Fox News.

Same here...see you have Ashburn in your status...our son lives in Ashburn as well...great area...miss my grandchildren....

I just really wonder how a medical note at the age of 70 and above is truly going to make a difference.  Neither of us have hit that mark yet but in a few years for sure,  We are knock on wood healthy, however, a medical issue can hit you at any age at any time and then what...make everyone have a note from their doctor  that at that time of signing the paper the passenger was in good health to sail?  I like the idea of temperature taking...that might solve some noro or other things that come on board but the note?  not sold on that one yet either.   Heck who is going to sail the longer cruises?  Just my thoughts.

anxious to see what you think of all the dry dock improvements.  I follow Mr. Blair on FB and have enjoyed seeing a drydock in progress.  We enjoyed this ship when we were onboard two years ago.  I would rather be on this one then the anthem..great crew

we were on the Edge week before last.  My second Celebrity cruise but we have done over 40 on Royal and also a NCL and 2 Carnival.  Booked this the day it was available and then watched the price almost triple in a few days.  Yes the demand was high for the new infinite balcony.  If you take away the four perks being offered right now to book this ship you would have a reasonable enough priced cruise for me to consider again.  We had classic drink package on this and onboard credit for booking while on another ship.  Pros and cons to this ship. It reminds me of the Quantum class on Royal but that is more affordable.  Couldn't quite get over the sewer smell found around the pool and other areas of the ship.  Talked to so many that said one and done.  They loved other ships and peaked our interest about booking more on Celebrity but not the Edge.

19 hours ago, Hoopster95 said:

 

I wish to add, having stayed in Panama City 3 nights and toured through the Colon side twice, that if you are the type of cruiser who is not adventurous and expects to walk off the ship and stay around the port for a couple of blocks, Colon is probably the very worst port in the world for this. You will see and do nothing within the port area. You must do an excursion to the Gatun Locks, the Embara Indian Village (AMAZING!!!!) or Chagres and Fort San Lorenzo (another great day into the countryside combined with a couple of hours at the Gatun Locks)... there are likely many other choices. LIke Merion_mom says, excursion opportunities from Colon are awesome.

 

Panama City itself is fantastic for a day visit, and for those who are not savvy, adventurous, and simply just do ports to walk off the ship, Panama City would be best. A short taxi ride away, Old Town Panama is much like walking around San Juan and the newer Embarcadero area is very impressive

 

 

 

 

 

wow great pictures...trying to decide about Panama Canal and whether to do a version that just goes in the lake or a full transit.....best direction to go and so forth.  great info...thank you

Just got off this past weeks sailing,  and yes AC is fixed now.  We didn't have ac first two nights.  Three cabins in our area of deck 10 affected.  We were on same deck at Rarett last cruise and went down to see his cabin attendant and thank him for taking great care of him and his guests, sadly a couple that was on first cruise and after a few days never again.  I reminded myself the first two days after stepping out on the balcony and it was so so cold and windy..wow it feels great in here.  Then at 3am I would be saying a few choice words to myself and looking at the thermostat at a set on 68 reading and room temp 75 and occupied on.  I think the choices Royal made for compensation were horrible for previous 12 nighter.  Totally unacceptable and hope those affected keep up the fight.  

We have been interested in Hawaii also but can't decide between the May or the September voyages or the ship.  We have enjoyed the Anthem...so the Ovation would be great but we love the radiance class ships.  So to Frank...thoughts ??  Thank you for the great information about no longer having the ferries.  I thought I had read there were but apparently from out of date material.  We are coming from Delaware...so plenty of options for airports

59 minutes ago, cindersdad said:

i was on the anthem when the person jump off the back of the ship and wasnt found

we were with you...very sad....  not looking forward to this cruise tomorrow.  Royal really messed up with this.  Our friends have been in an inside virtual cabin with over 80 degree temp till last night when it went down to 74.  But the temps outside much cooler.  

we received email from Royal stating that we were to be at the port at 1130am for boarding and we would be leaving at 4pm instead of 3pm.   Not excited that the air conditioning hasn't been resolved.  Our friends are on board now down from where our cabin is located...at least the cooler temperatures have helped some of the cabins but not all fixed yet.  

Very sad to read of his passing....great man!  Rest in Peace Jim

I believe many have already stated that an Oasis class ship can't get under the bridge either

Amazing! Glad all are ok. What a decision the Captain had to make.

never thought to try for dinner but as we could never find a place to sit in the windjammer for breakfast we so enjoyed coming to the SB for breakfast...great offerings.

Interesting...just off the Anthem last week and the price of items were ala carte. and reasonable. We used our bogo coupon for milkshakes and got a half and half order of french fries and onion rings. No cover charge.

we got off yesterday. Was a great week, however, this was our 27th cruise and was the worst debarkation we have ever seen and we wee on Anthem last year in March. There were only 5 customs agents working the windows, and one of those was only taking people who used porters so they didn't have to wait in line. The ship made several announcements that the gangway was closed due to congestion in the terminal.

 

Our luggage was #27 and we were "scheduled" to be off at 7:50. At the time our number was called, the debarkation line for the gangway was back to Two Seventy and lopped back around to Jamie's. We did not get off the ship until almost 945am and through customs until another half hour later.

 

A really bad taste in our mouth at the end of an otherwise great trip. I know that the customs agents are the responsibility of the port authority and not RCCL but they did not do a great job controlling the chaos on the ship. Hoping this was a one time issue as we would like to sail her again but more problems like this at customs.

 

Looking forward to your reviews!

totally agree with yesterday's chaos....one didnt know what the other was doing. lots of folks around us on first carry off that couldn't find sea pass to get off or passport etc..My hubby's card didnt work. took them quite a few minutes to key him in which i thought was strange. then our family member used her capitol one card for on board purchases...notified all paid...goes to get off...nope you owe money...goes back to guest services to which she is in line with several hundred people. Finally several hours later I get a security guard to get a guest supervisor for me. This great person took a pic of my cc and went right up and solved the issue and brought her right down to the front of the line which now only had two custom agents and then though the doors to us. Capitol One wouldn't run the charge again as royal had put 10 holds on her card for 10 purchases and had authorization numbers for her to give to the desk...nah they didnt care...the chick supposedly went to a back room with the info and acted like nope not happening. well the guest relation supervisor handled it in a minute. I heard while on the phone with our family member people yelling and screaming. Many folks had drink packages and were charged for each drink. No one could solve the issue...just an off week apparently and many new crew members also.

Very sad for this person's family and friends on board. The captain did a great job keeping us informed as well as the cruise director at the evening events. We dont know what was going through his mind or his reasons but I pray his family will have the strength to get through this tragedy.

I use a belt that I got in a dive shop that I also put money, ids cc etc in a loksak envelope and put in this belt...where it under my bathing suit top...

love the pictures...In the one on the bridge with the people count...what does the MES? stand for...

Sam so sorry to hear of your loss. I am at a loss for words to comfort you and your family during this time. Please accept our condolences.

oh been there with a broken elbow and arm years ago and my biggest fear was someone bumping into me...fast forward this last cruise on serenade. Passenger fell in boston before departure and had cast on her arm...in packed elevator and she just went off on all the people trying to cram in the elevator. I was trying to protect her from getting bumped and had to say...you have to wait..injury in the back here...oh the looks...happy healing and enjoy your cruise. some great ideas on here with the shower stool...and room attendant can get you some bags to put on to shower also...$$$$ goes a long way

That would be 4pts/nt, right?

I think only three but Bob will correct me..

for casino perks you have to have EARNED the status at MGM. I am pearl at MGM but Platinum card due to RCCL diamond plus status. Until I earn that status at MGM I can't get the additional benefits. Sadly I am a Harrahs fan and like the benefits they offer me more then MGM when it comes to gaming. Live two hours from AC and I would rather fly to Vegas personally. That is just me. Now what I do like that we received on Granduer and also on this last trip a few weeks ago on the Serenade was the certificates for dollars off next cruise. 2400 points is a free cruise. I had 1200 on nine day Granduer in June and got quite a bit off cruise we booked for Feb. I have a 200 off sitting here from Serenade I need to use or not use lol before the end of 30 days. Every little bit helps now that reduced deposits are gone from Next Cruise on board....talk about some empty space not being used...