05mak05

http://grapevine.is/culture/food/2012/05/09/exploring-icelandic-coffee-culture/

Scroll way to the bottom. There are two coffee shops that offer decaf.

Thanks so much! How long until you get the bag of clean clothes back from this special? Is the next day or should I expect it to be longer?

It seems to me that laundry bags are delivered midweek and returned 2 days later. I always ask for them the first day which seems to confuse to room steward for some reason. Our dry cleaning has been returned the next day but not the laundry.

I'm tagging along, too. Have a great trip!

I do not think children will be an issue on a Royal Caribbean cruise. The ships are so big with such a spacious feel that you never even notice little ones. We've cruised during Christmas break, in the spring and summer and have never had problems at all with any of the age groups.

I'd definitely pick Royal Caribbean! You will not be disappointed. We like the Western Caribbean itinerary and especially those that include the ports of Cozumel and Costa Maya. We avoid Jamaica. You children would probably enjoy Grand Cayman, too, as the Stingray Tour with Captain Marvin gets rave reviews. (See the port section of this board.)

Thanks very much for posting this as I missed the news "last week."

"Grease" is a great choice. Now wishing for "Jersey Boys!"

OH! I didn't realize Carnival has a Freedom. That is confusing! I feel much better knowing Royal's Freedom wasn't the problem. :D

Both the Carnival Liberty and RCI's Liberty of the Seas will be in port in Galveston at the same time. Cab drivers should have fun with that!

Years ago I read a blog that said RCI ships were broader in width which made them seem more spacious and less crowded. For some reason, that thought has stayed with me, and I think it's a keen observation. (Let me say that I have no earthly idea if it's true or not. We've only been on two Carnival cruises and both ships were small and old.)

I want to shout a big "thank you" for all who took the time to reply to my questions. As it turns out, a group of our friends are joining us. We all love the Mexican ports and have booked the Liberty of the Seas out of Galveston. We all love going to Mahahual, and I agree. Regardless of the ship, there is nothing like cruising! Again, thanks and I'll hang on to the information.

Thanks! Some time ago, I posted a question on the Carnival board and people were so helpful. Again, your information is appreciated and that clears the fog.

We've been on two Carnival cruises and both were on the older, smaller ships.

We like to cruise with friends out of Galveston in the spring but I'm not familiar with any of the ships. Rather than do a bunch of research, I thought it would be much easier to ask for advice on this forum. We'll book midship balconies and want to avoid Jamaica. Thanks!

I'm prone to motion sickness, and it's no fun! We now book only midship. Ask your travel agent to give you the website that shows all available staterooms. It's a very handy tool. I'd keep pestering your agent. What category stateroom are you in? I'll check for you, too.

I'm really out of the loop it seems. I feel sure there have been numerous posts on when the May 2017 itineraries open. When I "search," I find Celebrity but not RCI. Help???

We have made quite a few trips with friends who remind me of Lucy and Desi. She booked a cruise as a surprise about 10 days ago and a few days later left town to babysit grandchildren. She was gone all of 24 hours when RCI called to thank them for the booking. He freaked, called her saying they were victims of identity theft. In our many years of cruising never once have we gotten a "thank you" call. And I bet after listening to the hysteria that this agent never again makes another.

From what I can tell from the new suite program brochure, the GS will have everything that the JS has. A couple of additions to the JS, such as bottled water and dinner in Coastal Kitchen, also apply to the GS.

. Does the bottled water in suites apply to JS's fleet wide? Thanks!

Look at the Freedom deck plan, and you'll notice a midship "bump out" or the "hump." The D2 staterooms on deck 9 smack dab in the middle are already booked. Next best would be 9622 or 9320. However, I think we'd pick an E2. There are quite a few available on the "hump." 7338, 7340, 7638, 7640, etc.

Those staterooms are sandwiched between two passenger decks and are very quiet. You won't hear any noise from elevators or stairwells at all. I hope this helps. If you opt for a suite, I'd again pick midship ...

The D staterooms are tight! I'd absolutely upgrade! (Look at the layout of JS on the RCI website as compared to the Ds.)

It's been 2 years since we've cruised. Do the JS's on the Liberty still have coffee makers? If so, are they 4 cup or 2 cup? Thanks!

They replace window coverings and carpeting as needed. I've also seen new sinks.

What I'm hoping for is a total re-do of curtains. bedspreads,,carpet. Anyone know?

I'm wondering if dry dock renovations include fresh stateroom decor? I'm reading recent reviews that say the cabins are dated and rather shopworn.

I was shocked at the price of hotels in Galveston! I gulped and managed to find the Hampton available for one night for our 2016 cruise. We've stayed there in the past. It's across the street from Walmart which is convenient as we always forget something it seems. The breakfast was all white high carb so I hope they've added some egg choices.

We are looking at Liberty 10/9/16 and we are coming from Boston.

. Houston Hobby is the closest airport.

Google shuttles from Hobby to Galveston, and you'll find several. This should be a start. Let us know if you need more info. Gulf Coast departures is a great source ....

Thanks very much for all of your replies! I now feel comfortable about perhaps switching to a GS on Deck 10 (Or hoping for that elusive update from a JS. We've sailed with RCI for many years and are way past due as we've never had a nod from the fairy!)

We're booked in a JS on Deck 9. We're thinking about upgrading to a suite on Deck 10. I'm very sensitive to noise and would appreciate comments from those of you that have stayed on this deck. Was the noise a factor?

I order the crab cakes as my main dish. I'd also love to have the recipe.