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AO programs are available every day, including at port. If you choose to leave your kids onboard while you do an off-ship excursion without them, you can do so, but make sure you leave more than enough time to get back on the ship! After 10 PM (I think that is the time), you have to pay a small fee to keep the kids in AO, but they tend to have really fun activities, so it's fun now and then. They also will take your kids to AO for you if you do the early dining. They meet at the entrance to the dining room. Our kids always beg to go to AO - the activities are fun.

The DreamWorks experience is also fun. On some of the ships they will have a breakfast you can sign up for with the characters, and they have photo ops that will be listed in the Compass. Plus some of the ships have the movie theater that shows DreamWorks movies. It's not as in your face as the Disney experience is, but we enjoyed it.

As an aside, the cruiseline excursions sometimes limit what you can do with the kids are far as excursions, but we have booked many excursions through private companies with our kids - they had the best time. You can check out the Ports of Call Board for ideas.

I've always found the first night in the MDR is the worst, as the servers are getting used to a new round of passengers' likes and dislikes, etc. After that the waits for meals seem to be better. I also found that if I tell our servers we have somewhere to be they've always been accommodating with getting our food out quickly. There are so many specialty dining options on the Oasis, it's nice to pick one or two to try....they are really good. However, to answer the Windjammer question, we ate there for dinner or a snack at night a couple of times on the Allure and found it to be relaxing. I wouldn't hesitate to eat there for dinner again. There are a lot of options and it was never too crowded for us...I think we went a little later (after they had been open awhile).

It all depends on when your cruise is leaving. If it's one of the 7 AM-2 PM cruises (e.g. Allure), I would say it's not worth it. The waterpark doesn't open until 10 AM, and you need to leave early enough to allow time to get back to the ship. The Dream left later (I think 6 PM). We had plenty of time to get to the CS, check in and walk across to Atlantis, have a wonderful day at the waterpark, and still have time to get back to the ship. It was not crowded when we were there in late November, so we got on everything with no problem. I also got a rate at CS that was less than the daily pass at Atlantis, so it was well worth it for us. It is definitely worth comparing the rates through the cruise line, day pass at Atlantis, and CS, then decide whether the cost is worth it for you.

The cost can vary greatly depending on the time of year you are going. We went the week after Thanksgiving two years ago and Comfort Suites was the cheapest option by far. In the summer, though, maybe not.

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We did Blue Lagoon on the Allure in March/April and there were many on our excursion...I'm sure it will be added to the excursions list. There's still plenty of time. With the time in Nassau, I would want to book through the cruise line anyway to make sure there aren't any issues with getting back. We didn't stay for lunch, because it was the one day on our trip that the weather was chilly and overcast, but it was still a nice stop.

I'm so sorry for your loss. When we moved in 2006 to another state, we could not bring our dogs, and they found a new home with family that LOVED and spoiled them. They have both passed on, but we knew when we visited them on trips home that they were loved. You found a good home for your dog (which is more than most do)...try not to feel guilty. We also put one of our cats down recently, and it is never easy. It was the best, most peaceful choice, and I'm sure you'll see him someday. My thoughts are with you.

You are making me miss our Disney Dream cruise! We did a B2B on the Dream the year she came out (since 7 day itineraries weren't available yet!) It was the only time on a cruise we've done a one day spa pass, and the Rainforest Room was very cool...the loungers were VERY popular though. Next time you should definitely try Palo - it is amazing. I hope you got to ride the Aquaduck at night and see a show or two!

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Do all the water slides have these min/max weights or only the drop slides? (do you have to get weighed for EVERY slide??)

Thanks for all the great info!

I have read in other threads that only the free fall slide has the 99 lb minimum weight requirement.

Really great review, as usual. We all appreciate the time and effort. One of the first things I do when I check my computer in the morning and you are in the middle of a review is look for updates. I'm sorry it is ending!

these are the itineraries for Quantum! hope it helps, none of them say Bermuda but who knows! http://www.royalcaribbean.com/quantumoftheseas/meet-the-ship/itineraries/ ALSO LOVING THE REVIEW GAMBEE :)

Through April 2015, at least. I think they are going to add to this, based on what I am reading. She is scheduled to call in St. Maartan every two weeks starting in May 2015, which coincides with the 5 day Bermuda/9 day Caribbean-Bermuda run that Explorer does in the summer.

Also, some are reporting on the Countdown to the Quantum of the Seas board that she is scheduled to call in Bar Harbor, Maine in August, September and October, as well as Portland.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1855411

Gambee I am pretty sure Quantum of the Seas goes to the Bahamas for 7 day cruises and then Eastern Caribbean for 9 day cruises and then Southern Caribbean for 11 and 12 day cruises. The itineraries were just posted today. Also how much did it cost for the jet skis and where should I go to sign up to do them?

These itineraries were only posted through April 2015...it is being highly speculated that Quantum will take over the Explorer's Bermuda route in the summer of 2015.

Hi Gambee,

I am loving your review so far. I have a few questions when you get a chance...

1. Having sailed with other cruise lines, how much do you notice the space taken up by the Haven and suite-only areas on the Breakaway? The slides and ropes course look great, and I'm sure my kids will love the kids clubs, but do you notice the decrease in space compared to the other ships you've been on? I don't think we will be able to afford the Haven and I'm worried a bit about this....

2. It seems like the ropes course, in particular, was open for only a couple of hours at a time. Did it (or the slides) get crowded? Were the times too limited? It seems like there might be more planning involved than I would expect on a freestyle cruise.

Thanks!

Did any of the other slides or ropes/zip line have a minimum weight?

Loving your review!! I was so excited when I saw you had already started, and the info on Bermuda is awesome. Thanks so much for the time you spend....

I'm curious if any of the aft S6 or forward S7 suites have pullmans, or are they all just sofa beds...

Just got off the Allure yesterday, in cabins 10711 and 10713. Although a lot of the noise was drowned out when you lock the door I was surprised how much still came through. There are quite a few nights that there are late shows or movies going on. It didn't bother the kids at all, but I am a light sleeper, and with kids under 10 you generally don't stay up until midnight on ships. It is not easy going to sleep when there is a basketball game playing on the Aquatheater screen and people are chanting and screaming. I was definitely kept up that night. However, that being said, we were so tired at night that I was often able to fall asleep even when there was noise. I don't think I would choose these cabins again, however, because of the noise. It was more than I expected it to be. But if the option was boardwalk balcony or interior cabin, boardwalk balcony wins hands down.

I believe you sign up for the tour at guest services.

Thanks for the review! I loved it and can't wait to see everything first hand. We are leaving today to drive to Florida to get on the Allure tomorrow! I suppose I should finish getting the car loaded and get the kids up instead of trolling CC for last minute info!

I am also considering the Breakaway. I'd love to go back to Bermuda (on a cruise or not), and the ship looks great, especially with kids. If you can swing the suites, I hear NCL suite perks are some of the best out there. I'm also interested to see if the Quantum winds up in Bayonne and how she will compete with the Breakaway, if they are doing the same itinerary.

How many 6 year olds are 75lbs? My dd is 9 and does not weigh 75 pounds... so I guess this means she is not going to be able to do the Zip Line? She will be bummed...

Yes, I hear they are pretty strict with this. We go on the Allure on March 31, and my DS (who is also 9) just hit 74 lbs, so I am sure he will be OK after another month (DS 7 won't make the weight, but he doesn't want to do the zip line). It is an excuse to book another cruise, if she doesn't make it! If your itinerary includes a place you can book a zip line, the shore excursion zip line companies are often less restrictive.

We chose connecting BW balcony rooms 10711/10713 for our upcoming Allure cruise in march. The kids (7 and 8) are so excited to have their own space, it was cheaper than a JS, the kids will have their own beds, and we have more privacy, an extra bathroom and more space. Way more important to us than extra c&a points.

Were you able to watch the shows from your balcony? How was the noise?