TheCalicoCat

Maybe choose based on the ports instead of the ship or the duration or the fact that you can get a better cabin on one than the other...

I find the 2 to be very similar.

Since you have already traveled on Carnival maybe the returning guest perks are worth considering...

Vegetarian does not necessarily equal healthy... (High in fat, sodium, etc.)

Any opinions on how "healthy" the RCCL vegetarian options are? (Or should I stick with my steamed vegetables & plain baked potato request?)

Also quite late in the game (within 1 month of sailing) our TA was able to have our reservation flagged on line. SO check you reservation & if it is not flagged, you can still get it flagged.

I contacted the special needs & they explicitly told me not to try Windjammer - they can't control the passengers causing cross contamination.

Other than that they are willing to work with my dietary needs - pre-cruise. I leave on the 21st of January, so I have not come full circle yet.;)

Wouldn't it be nice to see Celebrity offer cruises out of Baltimore? :cool::cool:

If they did then maybe I would try their line, as it is, I'm not willing to travel just to try another line.

As far I as know, Pride is being pulled because Carnival could not get a waiver for the new emission requirements. They are planning to put a ship back (maybe Pride, maybe a different one) in Spring 2015. I did read that Carnival is having problems selling in NYC, but I have never seen anything about how Pride sells year round. Does anyone know if she usually sails full throughout the year, or just during the summer months, holidays, and school vacations?

We sailed on Pride twice in the "off" season & the ship was full both times.

Maybe if she keeps selling out they will decide to send us a Radiance class ship :).

Would that class of ship fit under the bridges? I've heard that the key & bay bridges are what is the limiting factor on the ship sizes leaving Baltimore.

This is the tour that we chose for our upcoming cruise. (Leaving Jan 21 :D) I have no idea what we will do for our free time. Just playing it by ear.

great question. My first RCCL cruise started & ended in SJ & from my recollection there wasn't anything "right there" worth getting off for...

If it is just a night stop (we arrive at 4 - I think) & from what I am assuming from above they stop somewhere else...

I might need to rethink my "not bothering to get off the ship" plan if that is the case.;)

Since my son is 5, I did not read about the under 3, but:

"All children participating in Adventure Ocean activities are required to be 3 years of age, 100% toilet trained and diaper and pull-up free."

The carnival one looks prettier - better prepared & the dark chocolate ganache on the Carnival cake is classier IMHO. (not a cheerleader, I've been on many lines, I cruise for the best itinerary at the best price in my time frame.)

I'm glad to hear this the Royal cake is moist - we already ordered one for my birthday.

Ditto the previous. You will get it in time to pack it, you should bring bubble wrap (But I have seen bottle shaped packing items - not sure what they are called or where you could buy one.)

Not sure where the best prices are...

You do need to carry it on to the airplane - reason number 1 or 2 why we are sailing out of our home port - Baltimore. We only have to get it to our car.:o

Wow another great day. I just saw that Aerial show on youtube - trying to get a sense as to whether or not my 5 year old will like it. He said, "if it too loud for me, we can go to our cabin.":rolleyes:

My son, 5, is about to go on his 5th cruise. There is plenty for youngsters to do.

Caveat, this will be his first Royal cruise. (I know you are not the decision maker, but on Carnival they will change a diaper - I have read that they won't on Royal.)

Many Adults will steer you towards only eating the Windjammer - this is your choice, you & your children can eat in the main dining room & the specialty dining areas. (The 4 year old can also eat with the Adventure Ocean group.)

good question

The one on carnival was very pretty. Chocolate cake with chocolate "ganache" & elegant white script & decorations.

I am having a birthday on Grandeur & hope that the cake is as nice as the Carnival cake.

ok - as I said, it might have been a dream. :D

Is there a place outside of our room where we can store our bags during the cruise?

Thanks we are SOOOOO ready

I booked our excursions quite some time ago (not sure how far out, but pretty far - we wanted to pre-pay for as much as possible - possibly after final payment was due. We held out paying in full so that we could take advantage of price drops - twice for us!) & within the last month booked specialty dining - we leave in 11 days. (YIPPEE!)

Not all cruisers are on cruise critic & not all of those on cruise critic join the roll calls & not all of those who join the roll call are active.

50/50 (Either you will or you won't.);)

my reservation is already updated!

 

I also have a bonus video where I edited the 2 angles together for a complete experience:

My son liked this video. (He is 5 & means no harm in his word choices) But he noticed that the one dancer changed from being dark skinned to be light skinned. I had to explain that it was a camera trick. (Very well edited!)

I'm sure he will be welcomed but I have to say, he'll probably be bored! You may find yourselves not staying for the entire party. ;):)

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Good point, but at the Carnival party they had juice & he likes juice... Also it is novel... But we are flexible.