BonTXNY

Is it September already???? :D;)

Checked out both swimsuits. Awesome!

I was disappointed when I opened this thread. I thought for SURE Chrystal was on another cruise. Darn, I'll have to wait until September. The mark of a wonderful review is how long the comments last after the cruise ends. This is one of those reviews. Have a great summer and I really do look forward to your Allure review in September. Oh, by the way, the belt is fabulous!

Abe Hughes on The Rhapsody approx. 7 years ago. Sweet, accesible, sincere, funny, not alway "on" and so adorable I always wanted to ruffle his hair when I saw him. I hear he's working in Vegas now. Good luck, Abe!

That being said.....Rae and her husband are (tentatively) planning to sail the Allure with us this year. It would be a dream come true. Wesley and I have been wanting to vacation with them for years! :D:D:D

 

Last year when we booked the Voyager I just happened to mention it to one of my closest friends in NY, one I have known for approx. 30 years. She and her husband decided to join us and I cannot tell you what a wonderful cruise we had because they were with us. We laughed and carried on the whole time. Our upcoming Mariner cruise in Jan. will be the 3rd one together. I hope your tentative plans become reality. Nothing like being with good friends to share good times. And again, your review and pictures? Marvelous, fabulous, awesome. You think I like it? :D

Chrystal, love your review and pictures. How wonderful to share a special birthday cruise with your good friends. You all look beautiful and really seemed to enjoy every moment. How funny is it that not long ago I finished reading QTMichele's wonderful Allure pictoral review and now I'm in the midst of reading your awesome Liberty review with fabulous pictures. Why funny? Because, hopefully, your next cruise review will be of your upcoming Allure cruise and Michele's will be from the Liberty in November. Cool beans. Sort of like Radio and Trainman but female :D Keep having happy sails :)

Just because you're a TA does not mean you have the answers. Have you actually cruised on an Oasis class ship? Have you experienced this first hand? By the way, it doesn't take much to become a TA today. Just about anyone can take a course and call themselves a TA. One reason that I book on my own.

 

 

Not sure what the above comment has to do with this thread? Have we come to attacking professions now? I like the advice given by another poster. Nothing you can do about this situation. Take it up with RCI instead of getting personally insulting. Having never sailed on Oasis class ships, apparently I don't have the privilege of posting my opinion :rolleyes:

Just because you're a TA does not mean you have the answers. Have you actually cruised on an Oasis class ship? Have you experienced this first hand? By the way, it doesn't take much to become a TA today. Just about anyone can take a course and call themselves a TA. One reason that I book on my own.

 

 

Not sure what the above comment has to do with this thread? Have we come to attacking professions now? I like the advice given by another poster. Nothing you can do about this situation. Take it up with RCI instead of getting personally insulting. Having never sailed on Oasis class ships, apparently I don't have the privilege of posting my opinion :rolleyes:

Ok that settles it. I am shlepping DH and our friends to Shabbat services on the Mariner in Jan! I might even ask for a challah and candles at dinnertime. :D

Something is usually mentioned in the Compass for a Sabbath service. Not sure if Friday evening or Sat. We never attended but might go on our upcoming Mariner cruise.

Funny story. Friends cruised out of Florida. They had a table of 8, co-incidentally all Jewish and asked the waiter if they could have a challah and candles to bless the Sabbath at dinner on Friday night. Our friend brought her candlesticks to dinner and was amazed when she saw a beautiful large braided challah...... with birthday candles stuck in the middle!! To this day she can't stop laughing everytime she sees a challah.

This is the first time I stumbled upon one of SailorJack's reviews. I thought the goat trade for SailorJill was funny but THIS one made my husband call out from another room asking... "you're in there alone,what is so damn funny"? LOL

Now that I know where to go I will be reading all of your reviews. Funny stuff!

as his little sign said, “Ride my Ass – 5 Euros.”

 

Mark -

 

 

And then our second week ended and we had to get off for good.:eek::eek:

Not for good.. for now ;)

Huge mega ships like Oasis/Allure never held any attraction to me but after so many wonderful reviews, this one at the top of the list, it all of a sudden holds an.. ALLURE.

Thank you again! I did a "live" cruise review on Rhapsody out of Galveston a few years ago. I enjoyed doing the reports and understand the time out of your vacation to do so! THANK YOU for taking every ONE of us along. Maybe I can return the favor again some day!

 

God bless your rest and return ride home!

 

Until next cruise!:D

Sorry I missed your "live" thread. We were on the Rhapsody out of Galveston twice. Both wonderful experiences. Any way to archive these boards to pick it up?

Radio, continue to have safe travels home.

Allure of the Seas is greeted by a morning sunrise. . .

PURE PERFECTION.. SIGH

Did you encounter any large crowds/lines or was there a nice flow? I've heard how crowded the WJ gets even though there are many other eateries to choose from. I'll be sorry to see my virtual cruise come to an end tomorrow but I look forward to your Allure video. Have smooth sails for the rest of the day and into tomorrow AM and PLEASE let us know when we can cruise with you again.

Wikipedia explanation of jerk cooking:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamaican_jerk_spice

Thank you!!

Can someone explain to a novice foodie what jerk chicken is?

Loving this thread :)

I remember tendering in Labadee when we were there in 1995 on the Majesty. It was a lovely beach then, some shops, some speed boats but nothing like it is now. WOW, progress!

Is Barefoot Beach only for suite and diamon plus passengers or is that only for the cabanas which by the way look heavenly.

Radio, post on!

Going by your countdown clock, you will be in Cozumel on 1/10/12 and you will dock at the International pier. This is the pier that RCI uses. You will be in port with three other ships. I use Cruisecal.com to obtain my information of what ships will be in port. It does not give you the pier information though.

Thanks for the info! I thought RCI uses 2 piers? On the Rhapsody. we were docked at the pier (forgot the name) that is

directly across the street from all the downtown shopping. No cab necessary. VERY convenient :D

Radio, as many posted, thanks for taking the time to have us join you on your cruise. I notice you know where the ship will dock in Cozumel. Is there a link I can go to find out the same for my Mariner cruise in Jan? Also, is your balcony cabin a standard one? Thanks in advance and have the best time!

Bonnie,

You're right, we all have our opinions.

This is based on a prior post of mine. As a tour operator I spend over half the year on the road in hotel rooms, and it's tough, stale, and lonely. I dont get strong scents, I prefer light ones that smell like clean laundry. I tend to book balconies or jr suites so I have the space & the plug ins have a dial to adjust how much you prefer.

This was just a hint.

You gave your opinion, I gave mine. It's all good.

If you plan on bringing a glade plug in for your cabin to smell nice you need to remember this....

1. You will need the plug in unit plus a NEW glass bottle scented cartridge w/ cap. Make sure the cap is on tightly & put both parts (unattached) in a ziplock.

2. TSA will take it away, you must keep it in your luggage. The glass wont break, roll it up in a pair of socks or something.

3. It won't fit properly in the little outlet under the mirror vanity. You will need to bring a surge protector. When you plug it in make sure it sits upright! You don't want the liquid to spill. The back of the plug should swivel.

4. Be sure you store the cap to seal the cartridge when it's time to go home. ;-(. This way you can store it in your luggage & have it ready for your next trip! (I'm a tour operator remember?)

 

If you use the gel plug ins then you dont need to worry about spilling liquid, but I get the costco packet that comes with 6 refils, so Im used to them. I know this may sound like too much work, but it's so much worth it! ESPECIALLY when you are in a non-smoking hotel room that clearly does not smell like one!!! Plug it in, plug it in!

Our inside cabins never had a problem with cabin smell. I think a plug in would be overkill in such a small space. I just don't feel the need to have our cabin smell like the great outdoors. Just MHO. We all have choices.

 

I'm sure someone can do something much more fancy but for the moment... this is fitting I think lol ;):D

Beth, I love it but where is Jim's bread pudding:confused: After reading this thread I would be happy to not only meet Jim but anyone else who posted such compassionate, poignant posts.

I have one major criticism about this thread. It's going to end soon :(

Thank you, Jim, for sharing this emotional roller coaster ride with us, for allowing us to be part of your final goodbye to your beloved Carol. I hope our paths cross one day so I can tell personally what an impact you made on me and so many others. May the sun shine down on you and may your seas always be calm.

I just finished reading each and every post on this very emotional thread. You are a man of courage to undertake this solo journey to say goodbye to your beloved Carol. There are people who strive their whole lives to achieve the love you two had but never quite achieve it. You were blessed to have such a love and that's what makes saying your final goodbye so much harder. No thread ever brought me to tears as this one did and I will remember you and Carol always when I look at the sea.

If there is a chance to print out all of these posts and make a memory book of your final goodbye, it might be comforting. How wonderful you touched so many strangers with your loving story. I read some of your posts to my husband and he was so overcome with emotion he couldn't speak. It would be an honor to meet you and have you as our table mate.

And besides.... MY favorite Windjammer food is also the greek salad. :)