lrn2cruise

Cozumel:eek: We are beach people, snorkle people.

There is so much to do in Cozumel. We went to Xel-ha. It is a great water Park but far from the port.

http://www.xelha.com/

This is where I would like to go next time we get to Cozumel

http://attractions.uptake.com/blog/xcaret-water-park-playa-del-carmen-mexico-6638.html

It might be far from the port too. Not sure. We passed it as we were heading to Xel-ha

In all honesty, we might just head to a beach day at:http://www.cozumel-watersports.com/excursions/MrSanchosWaterPark.html

I guess when our next cruise is a reality, we will decided.

 

 

 

We’re now up to Wednesday, Day #4 of our cruise…and we’re docking in St. Thomas, in the United States Virgin Islands. America's Paradise, as it's known. I had a wake-up call for 7:00 am, as I wanted to continue with the 7:30 Stretch classes I’d been enjoying the last few days...except for when I grab the wrong color mat and cause Arnold Schwarzenegger's twin to have a meltdown...

 

But today would be DIFFERENT! I would know better! Nothing would get me down today!

 

Ha.

 

Little did I know.

 

I arrived at the gym at 7:20 am, which gave me a few extra minutes to hang out…and I began watching the Body Conditioning class, which had started at 7:00 am, per the Cruise Compass. (Which will be posted later...so you will have PROOF) It was being taught by the Cameron Diaz-twin who had been our instructor the FIRST day of Stretch Class. I wasn’t really sure what “Body Conditioning” class entailed, so I was curious…and as I observed it, I began thinking, “Hmmm…it’s not all that different than Stretch Class.” Meanwhile, while I was waiting, about a dozen or so other people arrived, all obviously waiting for the Stretch class to begin.

 

At 7:30, the students in the previous class began gathering up their mats…and I walked over to grab a BLACK one so I’d be all set for Stretch. Yay, me. One of the ladies recognized me from the last few mornings, and she says, “Oh, THERE you are! Did you realize that this was Stretch class? That we just finished?”

 

Um, no.

 

No wonder it looked an awful lot like Stretch Class. It WAS Stretch Class.

 

I said, “Well, that’s weird. It said in the Compass that Stretch wasn’t until 7:30…just like it has been all week.”

 

The lady said, “I noticed that, too – and tried to point that out to Ms. Cameron Diaz-twin here – but she didn’t believe me. She insisted that Stretch was to begin at 7:00 am. Period.”

 

Well. Ms. Diaz-twin was wrong, according to the Compass. Several of us who’d been waiting for the 7:30 Stretch class walked over to the instructor, who was gathering her own stuff and walking off.

 

“Excuse me,” I began…somehow having been elected the leader of the Stretch Class Rejectees Who Thought Class was at 7:30….”It said in the Cruise Compass that Stretch Class is at 7:30 today.”

 

IT’S TIME FOR STRETCH CLASS, DARN IT!!!

 

 

She looks at me, narrows her eyes, and says, “Do you have a copy of the Compass?”

 

Well. She had me there. And she knew it. I mean, really??? Who brings a copy of the Cruise Compass with them to a 7:30 am Stretch Class???

 

When I couldn’t produce the physical proof of the error, Ms. Diaz-twin shrugged and walked off, saying, “Well, I have a Spin class at 7:45.”

 

Wait, what?

 

:eek:

 

No apology. No explanation. No remorse. I had just been DISMISSED.

 

I couldn’t believe it!!! I am not quick to anger…and I’m pretty easy-going…but this…THIS…was just downright insolent and rude. The dozen or so of us standing there all looked at each other in shock at the attitude we’d just witnessed. Wow.

 

:mad:

 

Did I do anything about it? Nope. I wished I’d gone and filed a complaint right then and there…but I didn’t. I should have at LEAST gotten a free cruise out of the deal - or an upgrade to a Suite...right?! So, as far as I know, Ms. Cameron Diaz-twin is still being rude to guests who dare…DARE…to point out that she might have been mistaken about the time of Stretch class. And I’m sorry about that.

 

Needing to blow off some steam, I hit the walking/jogging track…and walked no less than SIX laps. I must have really been mad. Six laps on a broken foot! When I was finished, and since I just “happened” to be already on Deck 5 – the Promenade – I decided that only an iced Chai tea and a white chocolate donut would make things better. It’s amazing what delicious flavors can do for your soul…not to mention a smile from William, my favorite Chai tea maker.

 

William had seen me coming and had it READY for me when I reached the counter, and greeted me with a cheery, "Good morning, Miss Sherri! Here's your Chai! And your chocolate!"

 

Now THAT, Ms. Diaz-twin, is how it’s DONE. ;)

 

 

 

Moral of the story:Take Crusie Compass to stretch class. Taking notes. Thanks Sherri

Loving your review! Looking forward to more

I am originally from La Grange Ill! My family originated there from Germany in the 1800's and I have distant relatives buried at the German Luthern Church there.

I am in Texas now, but La Grange is my roots!

One line that you forgot! The infamous "TOWEL LINE" Talk about long and a bite in the bee-hind!

Anyway, love your style of writing. I am LOL!

Prejudice? Racism? I find that so odd! Money is green and if one has it, they can get on the ship. Geeez!

I am really sorry that it happened. It is a problem with the other person, not your DD.

Glad you had a great cruise. i really want to get on Oasis/Allure but I need more "green"

2nd pic didnt work

Try this one

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We stayed in 8412. We could look out great! There is structure there though. Didnt bother us at all.

Let me know if you want cabin pics.

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Now since this was our first RCCL cruise, I can't comment on "new" vs "old" menu, but I do love me some good food porn in a trip report.....

 

Tonight's dinner theme is MOJO and it is considered Casual. At first I was somewhat appalled when I saw people wearing shorts and flip flops to dinner! But as the week progressed, I realized that it really was "casual" and I attributed it to the first night and some may not even have all their luggage yet. So I cut them some slack.......

 

We met our server Glen and our assistant server Vuk. I was NOT happy at all with our servers this first night. Glen was very stiff and formal. Vuk was inefficient.

 

It didn't dawn on me until after dinner that FIL was about 15 minutes late to dinner and that throws EVERYTHING off when they are trying to serve their whole station at the same time. And I just think that Glen was very stressed and rushed this first night, because after that, we was the BEST server we've ever had! I guess we all have rough nights, and for whatever reason, he had his on our first night.

 

Reading the menu, I noticed escargot was available each night. So after Vuk got our wine order, Glen came around to take our food order.

 

"I'd like to start with the escargot please."

 

Glen: "I'm sorry we don't have any escargot due to a worldwide shortage."

 

Hmmmm, yes, I see that it says on the menu that it may not be available for that very reason but I was bummed anyway. I love me some snails!!!!

 

I asked Glen what he recommended and he assured me he'd bring me something good.

 

Ok?

 

He ended up bringing me bay scallops prepared as escargot. Not the same, but good effort......

 

For my entree I had the Mojo Marinated Grilled Pork Chop.

 

 

Jeff had the Slow Roasted Prime Rib

 

 

Both were good but here's where DCL wins. The food on Freedom was never bad. But it was very basic. PapPap called it "corporate banquet" food and I think that is spot on. Disney does a lot more with presentation and sauces. The food is more elegant, rich, and adventurous. For us this give an edge to DCL, for some that prefer the basics, they might prefer RCCL. But I'm giving a point to DCL for this.

 

Ally didn't even attempt to be adventurous this first night, her BIRTHDAY night!!!!!

 

 

Ally had begged me all day NOT to have them sing to her. She does not like to be the center of attention. She was so nervous and actually asked if she could leave early to meet her new friends Jenna and Colby (who had my-time dining and ate earlier). We allowed her to head out early and gave her the "talk" - you know, curfew, use your head, don't go below decks, stay in public areas, etc......

 

And she was off!

 

After dinner Nana and PapPap decided to call it a night. The first day is so full and exhausting! So we said goodnight and Jeff and I decided to enjoy our quiet evening to ourselves.....

 

 

We stopped for a drink and just chatted about how the vacation had begun. We were already convinced this was going to be a GREAT cruise!!!!

 

Point for DCL for food.....

 

Total:

 

DCL 6

RCCL 6

 

OMGoodness!!!!! We were one of the groups that looked like, well? Not good at the MDR the 1st night! I was very embrrassed!:o We did NOT have a luggage by dinner time! Bless the Stewards hearts though, they were working HARD. We would walk by and see our luggage but were not able to take it.

Next cruise, I will pack shampoo/extra clothes, etc OR......Just go to the WJ for dinner. We had pool hair (cant miss the pool!!!!!) sweaty clothes from all day. I did pack our swimsuits, but more clothes need to be packed in the day bag

Thanks for not judging our "No lugges by dinner time" group:)

We went on FOS in 2011. My son was 11 at the time! He is 13 now. I am enjoying your review!

I was so excited to see that you got the infamous "pole" AFT room on deck 8. We were just a few cabins down from you in 8412. The "pole" cabin can be tough to book but you managed!

My son LOVED H2O Zone too! 1st day, we ate at the WJ, then I found my deck chair right by the H2O Zone and let my son play. I loved the waterfall wall and that far pool. A bit scary for parents with tiny ones though. That pool is deep. Grateful that I didnt hve to keep my eyes so peeled on my son.

I will keep reading

Thanks for your review! I hope to get on Oasis/Allure someday!

Comment:Please do not be judgemental of what people wear in the MDR on the 1st night. Our luggage was not in our cabin by our 6pm dinner. We had swam all day and been to Muster Drill on Deck 4 in the heat. Our waiter said to come on in to eat. I was so embarrased, but if we do not have our luggage ever again, we will hit WJ and call it a night.

As far as the Families from Mexico, I think any kids from any country can get unruly. I live in South Texas and I see many families from Mexico at the beaches here in Texas, etc. Many of the rich Mexican famlies have maids and the maids take care of the kids. So maybe the maid didnt make the cruise with the family?????? I have a Mexican family that live a couple house down from me and yes, they have a maid(from Mexico). The maid takes on a lot of the child care. Not to make excuses, but many times the parents stay up all hours of the night, sleep really late, lay out and smoke, while the maid does the work.

When we were on FOS the kids all played on the elevators. Pushed all the buttons. It really didnt bug me. They are kids. They were upsupervised too. They were a friendly bunch and we would just chat with them, then move on

IMO Manners matter more than dress.

 

My DS wears dress pants and dress shirt on formal night, no tie, he was fine. He does not own a sport coat and would not keep it on for long anyway so whats the point.

 

On other nights he tends to wear dress shorts and polos. He looks nice and no one has ever looked twice.

 

IMO kids get a pass on dress code. I would rather have a happy comfy boy than and uncomfortable, whinny boy.

 

His sister has more dressed than days so she makes up for him :-)

I am actually with you. The style right now IS the dress shorts. Little boys are wearing the dress shorts to outdoors weddings in the summer. I live in South Texas and it is HOT. We put our little boys in dress shorts. I think little boys are fine in dress shorts. My DS wore navy chinos and Abercrombie shirt.

We are cruising on Freedom of Seas may 27th. Had a question about the dress code for children. On regular nights, my boys will be wearing dress pants and a collared shirt. On formal nights, is a dress shirt/tie and pants acceptable or do they also need a sports coat?

Perfect! Try not to worry too much. I worried so much that DH got really upset. It took some joy away from the cruise planning. the Formal nights are the nights for pictures, so think what you want your family pics in. I am not good at matching eveyone up. Some people are better at that.

You did not say what age your boys are, but you dont have to take them to MDR. You can feed them, then take them to AO and drop them off and you two can have a nice quiet dinner.

Just dont wear shorts and you are good to go. You may find that you dont do MDR every night. I think it was cozumel, but we got on the ship AFTER our 6pm dinner time. We showered and went straight to the WJ. Our waiter the next night told us that we should have come late. Huh? Didnt quite understand? It is your vacation and you are forking the cash over, so RCI is very flexible

You can order Room Service on your TV. Dont use the hang card.

It does take around 30 minutes. Order an early time so you have time to eat.

Just for fun, we would order milk, cookies, the spinach dip, etc at might before bed. Loved room service.

I wish I had room service right now at my home. I dont want to have to cook dinner:mad: Shoot, I would walk to the WJ right now also:)

Three beautiful, confident ladies! Enjoying the review so far! So fun to see a review from people who actually enjoy life! I see God shining through you ladies!

We were in 8412 FOS. Here is a pic of the white structure from our balcony. We were very happy with our balcony and view.

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I have to say that you pics are AMAZING!!!! I think you should be hired. You could sell a cruise with those pics!!!!

We had an AFT cabin on the FOS. People complain on this board about the walk, but it did not bother us in the very least!!!! I bet the FOS is bigger than the AOS too. We loved our balcony too.

The only thought that I will share is if the ship is heading west, you will have the sun beating on you in the morning. Opposite, the other way. When the ship headed east, we had the sun bright late afternoon, but you will have a beautiful sunset as the evening continues. Get some wine and room sevice item and enjoy!!!!

I have more pics S.Carol.... I will share them when I have more time.

It is a great cabin. Dont listen to the people who say the AFT cabins are a long walk. It took us about a minute or so to get there. My son ran down the hall with his Sea Pass card and would beat us to the room.

My son loved the bunk!!!

Freedom of the Seas 8412

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The FOS does not get into ST.T until 11am. We leave at 7pm. How are the afternoon ferries? If we need 3 hours back, we would leave at 4pm

We have our own beach umbrellas and take them to our local beaches. They are a pain in the "bee-hind" to get into the sand. We take a huge drill bit to get it into the sand really deep, then the wind blows them.

I am looking at the same package. We are going out on RCCI in July