In Toronto

We did a B2B on Jewel last November and moved just about 5 cabins down for the second leg. Told our first attendant and then talked to our attendant for second leg. We were told to pack everything that was not hanging and they would move it.

However, the second cabin was obviously vacated very early and was made up for us by about 8:30 or so. We found a hotel cart and moved all our belongings ourselves. SO easy!

Needless to say they were thrilled! We were packed, moved and unpacked before we had to meet to leave the ship for the 5 minutes to have the ship get to zero count. No problems at all.

This year we are again doing a B2B on Indy but no change of cabin so even easier. LOVE B2B!

Enjoy!

Ellen

We were on that cruise with you and met you and your wife at the informal M & M. Glad you had such a "good" time! Funny story!

Ellen

Thanks, Bob, for the info. Too bad though. I think a little snack food would be great!

Ellen

Does the solarium on Independence have a snack bar?

That is so kind of you, Karysa. I have copied and pasted this info for reference on our cruise.

Ellen

Thanks, Bob.

I think that is what we will do - buy a couple of bottles in San Juan (1st cruise), they can take them, return to us for 2nd cruise.

However, just thought - We are in San Juan on Thanksgiving - wonder if stores are open?

St. Maarten might be a better place to buy - any thoughts?

Ellen

Some ships are catching this for consecutive cruisers.

Really? Because it doesn't seem quite right. RCI considers a B2B as 2 cruises so you would think that I could receive my confiscated wine and then "bring" it on for another cruise.

If I bring on 4 bottles for the first cruise, I understand they will take 2 from me and return it the last night of my first cruise and I can use for my second cruise. Is that correct?

Would really like to carry on only 2 for first cruise and buy for instance in San Juan and have them for second.

Thanks.

Ellen

Thanks. You are very helpful.

Ellen

Yes, we got off the bus just after the McDonalds. And, yes, we walked along the small road from Karakter past Mary's Boon leading to the main road when leaving. We had actually asked the bus driver on the way there, but he didn't seem to know where Karakters was.

So, this time we will ask for either Karakter or Mary's Boon as our spot to get off.

Normally we are fairly good walkers (although both of us are in our 70's now) but the bus was hot and then not knowing if we were even close to Karakter's was stressful.

Loved the beach and restaurant. Although, thinking of possibly going the other way toward the French side (Orient, Grand Case) this time. Busing that way might be easier. Knowing that we really enjoyed Karakter, do you think we would enjoy that area?

Ellen

Thanks. We actually got off the bus long before Mary's boon and walked along the road for awhile, then walked down to the beach. It was so hot and I was ready to give up and just go back to the ship. My DH convinced me to go just a little further and, thank goodness the next building was Karakter. We loved it and may return on our next stop.

We had asked a couple, who were walking along the beach, if they knew where it was. They were tourists who had spent the week on that very beach. They had never heard of it. However, followed us out of curiosity and they ended up spending the rest of the day there.

On the way walking back to the bus stop, we went past Mary's Boon so I think we will aim for that unless someone knows of a closer stop.

Ellen

We visited St. Maarten last year on a cruise and will be stopping there again this year.

We took the bus to Simpson Bay and plan on doing that again. Only problem we had last time, we got off the bus too soon for Karacter and had quite a long walk along the beach. Would like to avoid that this time.

Where would we ask the bus driver to let us off - perhaps Mary's Boon?

Also, is there likely to be construction along that route come November?

I had read in earlier posts that Karacter is closed on Tuesday. Is that still true?

Thanks a lot.

Ellen

Our D category balcony on the Jewel had a wonderful big table. We often picked up lunch at the WJ and ate it with a glass of wine on our balcony. Fabulous. This year we are sailing on the Independence and will have to make do with that tiny table!

Yes, I would check out the dining room and look for a table you like. We were on the Jewel last November. We had MTD and requested a table for two each night.

The first night we were escorted to a table right up against a partition and were not really thrilled at first. But after the first dinner, we subsequently requested the same table the next night and then spoke to the gentleman assigning tables (Roy at that time - such a nice man) and asked to have it each evening. Very private rather than all the tables lined up side by side. It was on the right side of the ship (as you enter the dining room) behind the partition.

Loved the Jewel, by the way. Beautiful ship. Loved the elevators looking out to sea. Huge windows everywhere so you really do know you are on a ship. Enjoyed the Centrum with the dancing every evening, great bar service, fun 50's and 70's parties. Loved Carly, CD, and Elvis, assistant. Captain was a very interesting speaker.

The Jewel was our first RCI cruise and we are now booked on the Independence.

Enjoy!

Ellen

Just a heads up! We also received a letter saying we were entitled to a 10 percent of our present cruise discount on our next cruise because of inconvenience. We were pleasantly surprised.

Finished our cruise, returned home, forgot about it and 6 months later while booking our next cruise, thought of it. Found the letter in which it stated we would receive a voucher within 6 weeks. Had never received it.

Called RCCI and they said that it had never been issued as it should have been. So, very nice of the ship customer service to give the discount to us, BUT, make sure you actually receive the voucher because you have to send it to them before final payment.

Makes you wonder how many of these are not issued by the cruise line and forgotten by the guest.

Perhaps I am being cynical but happy to be using the extra discount on our upcoming cruise.

Ellen

Have greatly enjoyed your review! We sail the IOS in November for a B2B and this was very helpful.

Would you mind telling me your cabin number. We are also in a D2 on the 8th deck.

Thanks.

Ellen

Thanks for doing this. Looking forward to the rest of your posts!

Ellen

Thank you for doing this review!

Video is very interesting. Thanks for posting.

Depending on how high you are, you can see the skyline of the coast all the way to Miami. There is a state park near the exit of the port, plus you get a look down the intercoastal (I think that is what its called) waterway, lots of boat traffic.

 

Well, like the sound of that!

 

Ellen

The sail away from Ft Lauderdale is the shortest of any sail away in Florida. It takes about 5 minutes and you are in open water. So don't worry and keep your cabin.

Well, that is good to know. Yes, I will not go to the considerable trouble to find another comparable cabin.

We can always go on deck for the first sail away and see if we are impressed or go back to the comfort of our balcony.

Thanks.

Ellen

Looking forward to the rest of your review.

Thanks for doing this.

Ellen

Darn! Thought so!

What is the view on the starboard side?

Currently booked in a balcony stateroom on the starboard side of the IOS for a B2B. So, sailing out of Ft. Lauderdale twice.

It has been many years since we sailed from Ft. Lauderdale and I can't remember if the view is better from the port side. We like to be on our balcony with snacks and wine for sailaway. Is it worth the hassle of changing our stateroom (a bit of a problem when we want to stay in same room for both cruises)?

Ellen

Thanks for the info.

Is there usually a long lineup? Should we plan on getting in line much earlier?

We are on B2B so I would guess the show is the same on both cruises (8 day and 6 day), so if we miss getting tickets for the first cruise, could do the second one.

Are reservations required for the Ice Show on Independence of the Seas? I noticed a reference to that on the board.

Thanks.

Ellen