idamae3218

I'm sorry. That stinks. I'm not a lawyer, but I've done this three times, bringing my two sons friends on different cruise with us. Two on Royal, last one on NCL. NCL required a form signed by both parents, that's a pain. Couldn't get dad to cooperate, so mom came. No issue. However, Royal only required a notorized letter from the primary parent. One time it was a married couple, but the other time was a single mom. No issue boarding. See their website link below. I think you'll be fine with a notorized letter from his mom.

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/customersupport/faq/details.do?pagename=frequently_asked_questions&faqId=2702&faqSubjectId=322

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Forums mobile app

We cruised a lot with our 2 teen sons. Most of the time they were not in the same age group. They made friends easy though. As someone else said, we had rules about where they could be., public places. Also, they had a certain amount of time to get back to the room after the last activity at night, or mom & dad would come get them. Fortunately for them, we never had to do that. Soda package, no spending (until older); not sure it's the same, but we were able to add cash to their card for the arcade. That way we didn't have to be there. Once it was done it was done. Hope this helps. Have a great cruise.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Forums mobile app

I love Freedom & was ok with sailing Liberty the summer of 2015. However, the prices are insane. Even with the 50% sale, it's way too high. Instead of $3200 for 2 in an inside cabin, it's $2700. Yes, I know Explorer had similar high prices & I refused to pay it for that ship. Oasis is a thousand less & is the best ship they have (Allure included). NCLs Breakaway is across the river, I don't prefer it, but for half the cost, I think a lot of people who don't want to fly, will cruise it. I hope enough people don't pay the high cost of Liberty, & RCL gets the message.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Forums mobile app

Ok. Poll done. We have a group of 20 that was anxiously awaiting the Quantum summer 2015 dates, we live about 90 mins from Bayonne. So disappointed with the move. But, we would have been happy to book Liberty if the pricing wasn't so ridiculously high. It's cheaper to fly to Fort Lauderdale & sail Oasis. So, no Quantum or Anthem for us. I hope Royal gets real about Liberty's rates. I love Royal, I wasn't impressed with NCL Breakaway last year. But doesn't mean I would rather pay double for Royal.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Forums mobile app

Thanks. Can someone post a link? Or where would I find it if on my pc?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Forums mobile app

I'm on my phone. Is there an actual poll somewhere?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Forums mobile app

Snappy, us too! Oasis August 2015 was half the price of Liberty.

To OP, it's hard to choose. We've been on both. But if price is the same, go for Oasis. It's an unbelievable ship. The airport situation mentioned earlier is a good point. Because FLL is so close, we could get an early flight. With Freedom, you have an hour drive/shuttle to the airport.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Forums mobile app

We read about on here in 2012. No one else was out there. Stop telling everyone about it! :)

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Forums mobile app

One suggestion, if you can't switch the rooms. We had a similar situation, two boys too young to leave alone a few decks down. My husband stayed with both boys in the one cabin, it was a quad. I stayed alone in the double. I just let my cabin steward know what cabin my son was in, so tips were transferred to that cabin. So there was me & my younger son on the reservation, but he never stayed with me. This gave me & my husband a cabin for privacy during the day. After they were out of the youth club, usually late, dad joined them for the night. It's an option if you can't get cabins closer. Hope your cruise is great.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Forums mobile app

I read about them before my BA cruise. But it was the real lobster roll from ocean blu waterfront that I wanted to try, not the bakery! Hubby got the bakery lobster roll by mistake, I tried it anyway. Like a canolli to me. Got the ocean blu roll later, absolutely delicious!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Forums mobile app

To the OP, I agree RCI is cutting back. Yes, they are all doing it, but I don't think we should accept. Royal didn't lower their prices, but lowered the perks. There use to be coupons for freebies, like a 8x10 photo, free drink. Now it's either a discount or buy one get one. Royal is my favorite line, but I looked forward to the little things, like cookies and sandwiches at the promenade cafe. NCL didn't have a place like it BA. We missed having a late sweet (free) snack after a show. I hope our cruise next year on RCI still has that. The overall product quality is coming down. If it continues, what will distinguish them from other similarly priced cruises?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Forums mobile app

To the OP, we love Labadee. Last time 2012, loved the upgrades. The zip line, roller coaster, permanent slide. First went in 2005, liked it then. It's only gotten better. Great having a pier instead of tendering. Now we let our teens sleep in & go back for them. The local vendors can be pushy, but to me not worse than cancun. I love to negotiate, so it's fun for me.

Been to Falmouth twice. First time, 2011, I thought the vendors in the square were crazy asking $10-12 for a t shirt. We went outside the gated area & got a good deal. You do have to be aware of where you are on most islands. I grew up in the city, so wasn't nervous. But I also wasn't alone. Second time we did Martha Brae slow rafting. Nice excursion. Very close to port. Came back to port, friends wanted souvenirs, again square vendors high. Went outside again to get a deal.

Hope that helps.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Forums mobile app

I have to agree bingo 3. On other cruises I would go up or down a deck to avoid the smoke in the casino, couldn't do that on BA. It's casino design is a problem. Just trying to go to a restaurant required breathing smoke. Some people think if they weren't affected, no one is affected.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Forums mobile app

To the OP, no acces to the bow like on Explorer or Freedom. Oasis had the same rule. Only got out to her bow due to a sailaway party for Platinum crown & anchor. Otherwise, it was restricted. Besides, at night I bet the bridge crew saw some weird stuff. If I thought of it, I bet someone more daring did it. : )

Restriction may be due to design (more tripping hazards on Oasis) or by Captain preference, not sure.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Forums mobile app

Agree with other posters, no passport needed, its a US territory. See official statement at link below http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppi/ppi_5751.html

I agree about the pier. If possible, NCL should put out money and build one. Waters can be too rough for a tender, but the beach & amenities still enjoyable.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Forums mobile app

Hi setsail. I don't post much, but read a lot of reviews, especially Breakaway, as we are sailing on her in 2 1/2 weeks. I don't think anyone can dispute your experience and how the issues made you feel. However, for me anyone, I think when a reviewer makes statements that seem unreasonable, I don't give as much credence to the validity of their experience. I have been to GSC (long time ago on Norway), different captains & different lines have different policies. Personally, I would question RCL for choosing to tender. Fortunately it turned out ok, but could have easily been a problem. Or perhaps their tenders do a better job against the rough seas, you never know.

The MDR menus on RCL have mainstays with other items changing daily. I have seen the Breakaway daily menus, someone posted them, they change daily with mainstays consistent.

I've never had an issue with my cabin being made up promptly, but had one that was never around when I needed something. This lack in service was reflected in their tip. You can adjust the service charge.

I know sometimes when we have a bad experience it colors everything else and when you look back on it later, it may not seem as horrible as it did at the time.

I hope you can sail sometime soon on a ship that meets your expectations and have a memorable positive trip.

No adults can be listed on the balcony reservation. It must be linked to a suite reservation with adults on the suite reservation.

Just curious, I thought at least one adult (over 21) had to be in a cabin? I ask because I booked two cabins for my family of 4. NCL said they had to put me on one res with one child and my husband on the second with the other child. On RCL, they allowed two children on same res if they were next door, NCL wouldn't do that for us.

Link to documentary. I recommend watching before forming an opinion.

http://vimeo.com/m/54089463

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Forums mobile app

4c is not 4 cups. 4c is like crystal light. It flavors the water. I would suggest watching the documentary before making any judgments. The studies show fasting contributes to lower risk of several diseases, including cancer, lower cholesterol & decrease risk of alheizmers, to name a few benefits. Two low calorie days a week has been proven scientifically to be beneficial. The author did a lot of research and also went through the same process. All his blood work was improved after doing this, including the indicator for breast, colon & prostate cancer.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Forums mobile app

I watched the documentary and read the book. I already fast for my faith, so I was already familiar. It's nice to know science is now proving that it's good for you. In three weeks I have loss 6 lbs and in two weeks my husband has loss 11. My second week I guessed at my dinner calories and only loss a few ounces. So, now we do a low cal breakfast (oatmeal or 2 boiled eggs), water with 4c (no cals) and sugar free gum until dinner. Dinner for now is healthy choice or lean cuisine so we know our calories for sure. My cholesterol has been too high for a while and my body fat too high. So I'm interested in a long term results in my overall health. I don't feel it is really a diet, but a change in how we view food and hunger. I tried weight watchers and atkins, neither worked for me. This is something I can sustain long term. Once I get to my goal weight, I'll switch to 1 day a week.

Best wishes to everyone trying it.