05mak05

We're just off the Navigator. It took 30 of my 60 free minutes just to get my account set up for email. I did manage to sent off a quick message to friends and family letting them know all was well. I didn't get around to this until day 3 or 4. It was painfully slow, and I simply didn't have the patience to deal with it. I wondering if I should have taken care of the installation process before setting sail??? Or do you have to be underway. Hope there is a techie out there who can make some suggestions.

We've just returned from a family cruise on the Liberty. We missed Fox News and would have also enjoyed a different ESPN channel. However, our concern was the video arcade leading into Adventure Ocean. We were shocked at the violent video games not to mention the ear deafening noise. The games are totally inappropriate for young children … all I saw was heads being blown off, a barrage of bullets, etc. Even if you don't have children, take a stroll down the main corridor leading to the rear Adventure ocean rooms. It makes you wonder about the youth program as the judgement is questionable. By the way, we never once saw a single child playing these arcade games which is saying more for the kids than for whoever installed these money grabbers!

I didn't know about the sale either and do not get promo emails from RCI. Last night I noticed that the Dec. 20 Christmas cruise on the Liberty was about 50% less than what we paid on the Mariner 2012 and this was for 3 staterooms rather than 2. So, I patiently sat on hold this afternoon for over 30 minutes which is also highly unusual for me as I usually hang up. Our regular outbound agent wasn't in so another nice gentleman helped me. I assume he thought I knew about the sale as he didn't mention it. It wasn't until I got the invoices that I saw BOGOHO. For our group, it was an extremely good deal saving over $2000.00 ! I'd book additional cruises, however, Dec. 20th is the only time the Liberty goes to Costa Maya in 2015. It's our favorite port … we have no interest in Jamaica, Belize, Labadee, etc. Personal preference, I suppose.

Our last cruise was May 2013. At that time, half of our in-room breakfast menus included hot breakfast while half did not. I wrote in "scrambled eggs, etc." and had no problems. Since it's been a year and since I haven't kept up with boards and since "search" displays way too many results, I wonder if someone who has cruised recently would let me know if hot room service breakfasts are still available. My favorite part of the day is sitting on the balcony drinking coffee and refueling! Thanks!

We are also anxious to hear ...

Unless you are in a very rural area, a hotel can usually get a doctor to come to your room. I've used this type of service in Orlando, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. A hotel in Thunder Bay, Ontario arranged for an emergency dental visit for me as well.

 

 

Autocorrect responsible for most typos...

It never occurred to me to call the front desk for a physician. That's very good information …

If I was that ill, no way would I consider a vacation!

I'm surprised at the responses. It seems we're in the minority. Some years ago, I apparently picked up Noro on the flight from Texas to Honolulu. Knowing what I know now, there is no way I'd proceed with vacation plans if I suspected Noro. We always have trip insurance. The huge problem would be getting to an Urgent Care Clinic for certification of illness for insurance claims. I was so sick that I could not have even managed to make it to the hotel reception area to get a cab to the hospital. I was sick for 2 or 3 days before it hit in full force. Then so sick I couldn't walk for 3 to 5 hours … after that I slept for 2 days. Since then, we've cancelled a much anticipated cruise.

Ignore my post. Jmorgania just posted the same thing I was saying … (I think, but am not sure, that the pink connecting interiors have a pull down from the ceiling as "sitting area" is not stated.)

Aw, I didn't even think of that. Thanks

All of my life, I've been an early morning driver. I wake up early so there is no way I'd want to get on the road around 4:30 (assuming customs goes quickly.) Are New Jersey/New York hotels already pretty full because of upcoming Super Bowl? Is RCI offering to hotel with hotel arrangements for those that need overnight accommodations?

Thank you very much for posting this information! When I see price drop, I click :-) !!!

Seems funny that that many people got sick so quickly. Maybe it was something in the food. I know I got sick once on the Explorer after dinner. Of course I was better the next day, but sometimes the food poisoning lasts longer.

 

Anyway, I sure hope they get it contained quickly. Must be an awful way to spend a vacation.

 

Gwen :)

The folks on the Crown Princess thought the outbreak was directly tied to the crew and not to passengers. In some areas of the world, people don't wash their hands. The salad bar was highly suspect. On winter cruises, I stick to hot food. Just my theory …

It usually causes a delay in sailing while the crew does a massive cleaning of the ship. That ship will be cleaner than its ever been after that virus outbreak..LOL.

When we were on the Mariner Christmas cruise out of Galveston in 2011, I had an allergic reaction to the sanitizing solution and ended up with a miserable sinus infection. However, none of us came down with Noro so things could have been worse. After and during Noro, the ship is slathered and lathered with disinfectant - tables, elevator buttons … everything. Everything is just a bit off as the crew is exhausted and passengers just a bit on edge. I agree that one out of ten having Noro is pretty significant.

I would call Royal Caribbean and ask them. The 5 of us are booked in 3 staterooms (each one only accomodates 2 people), and I think we may end up only using 2 rooms. The booking agent never mentioned that this would be a problem at all. To be on the safe side, you may want to keep all life jackets in your room.

I don't think they keep life jackets in the room anymore. They are stored on the deck in the lockers by the lifeboats, I believe.

A nice waterproof ID/money box on a lanyard. We used to call them badeboxes, but I'm sure you can find them both on board and online.

Some are small squares about the size of a deck of cards, others are more tubular. I tend to keep my seapass card, a few dollars and a charge card in mine and loop it through my shorts belt loop, or my bathing suit strap and tuck in in or wear it under my shirt the entire cruise. I hate carrying a purse if I don't need to. It's just right for keeping your valuables on you while swimming.

We ordered them years ago under the name of "Witz Box." http://www.amazon.com/WITZ-Waterproof-Badge-Holder-Clear/dp/B001P5Y08C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1390603811&sr=8-1&keywords=witz+case I think these are my #1 favorite cruise item and also the handiest. I stick one in my handbag and put it around my neck as we check in at the cruise terminal. That way I don't misplace the SeaPass card before we get to the room :-)

Adventure beach has plenty of room for a small inflatable pool. It's completely separate from the main pool. There's always plenty of open chairs (and we went on Adventure during Spring Break!). If you want to bring it, it will be fine. It also has this "thing" almost like an outdoor shower that doesn't even have standing water (ignore my daughter on the slide - look to the left)

 

Well, this is new to me, too. Does anyone know if the Navigator refit will have it?

We're putting together goody bags and have included Energizer Tap lights from Target (http://www.walmart.com/ip/Energizer-Tap-Light-2-Pack/17048215?srccode=cii_5784816&cpncode=27-273661943-2&wmlspartner=pricegrabber.com&adid=csepg00000000000000000000000000000101&veh=cse), a waterproof case for Seapass card (http://www.thewaterproofstore.com/clearcase.html), a small travel alarm clock, highlighter, post-it notes, etc. For our daughter, I bought a very small Baggallini with cross body strap to use in ports. I'm packing these items in a large artistic beach tote bag (http://shopsunnsand.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=712) We're driving so weight isn't an issue.

We used to order Chocolate Flourless Cake on the 2nd formal night. It was just as good as the Carnival Lava dessert. Then they switched it to one of 3 desserts on the "Sampler" again on lobster night. Lately we've missed it entirely and don't know if it's because we're in a speciality restaurant or if it's no longer on the menu. Does anyone know???

You'll see folks speaking not so well of Falmouth...and I don't disagree...but I also feel that way about Nassau on the eastern route. So, that's a wash in my opinion.

 

Personally, I prefer the Western route, mainly because of Labadee. Also, Cozumel is, in my opinion, a better excursion port than St. M and St. T.

Of all the ports mentioned, Cozumel is our favorite. We also love Nachi Cocom. Ports in Jamaica are just awful & so is Nassau.

We always feel 100% safe in Cozumel and have been many times. In fact, it's one of our favorite ports. The people are friendly and food is delicious. The shopping is the same within the cruise port as it is in the downtown area which is a $4 cab ride (the default drop off location is Diamonds Int'l which is in the same complex as Pancho's Backyard.) If you want to enjoy a fabulous day at the beach snorkeling, eating and relaxing, take a look at Nachi Cocom. This all inclusive always gets rave reviews (see Ports of Call http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=210) Other all-inclusives also have very good reviews, however, we've only been to Nachi Cocom. The taxi fare is a set rate. I believe it was $14 the last time we went. The drive is on a lightly traveled 4-lane divided highway that runs parallel to the beach. Nassau and Cozumel are a world apart. You're in for a treat ...

Here is the link to when the actual itineraries by region for 2014-2015 were released last year http://creative.rccl.com/Sales/Royal/Deployment/13032659_2014-2015_Deployment_Opening_Schedule.pdf

Thank you! This is the link I couldn't find. Because we need connecting staterooms, we book early!

I've missed the threads on when the Spring 2015 itineraries will become available on ships other than the Allure/Oasis ??? Thanks!

I am also wondering about DreamWorks. I believe I read that the Navigator was not getting it but would appreciate verification.

The D's are really small and the layout is awkward. Are any D4 connecting staterooms available? (I think those that connect are D4s … not positive.) Normally, I'd balk at shelling out an extra $1000. However, I really think people in one of these staterooms would be way too cramped.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Saint-Valentines-Day-Hearts-17-Kitchen-Refrigerator-Magnet-Set-/370983915723?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item56605d50cb Dollar Tree has Valentine's refrigerator magnets in stock!

I went by Dollar Tree this morning to see if, by chance, they had Valentine's refrigerator magnets. They do! The ones our local store had were the hearts and the monkey holding a heart. There are several varieties … here's one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Saint-Valentines-Day-Hearts-17-Kitchen-Refrigerator-Magnet-Set-/370983915723?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item56605d50cb