JoeRum

350 plus days a year at home with the internet. Skip it for a week and enjoy sailing the seas.

JoeRum

Perfect time for a back to back cruise!

JoeRum

I travel a lot for work. I use TSA locks all the time. A lock will keep honest people honest. If they want to get into my stuff they can easily break the lock. But from the time my bags leave my sight I will know if my belongings have been messed with. Also, you can lock things in your bags that will not fit in the safe.

Enjoy your trip.

JoeRum

Not an island tour but we had a great time with Robinsons boat tours. 2 snorkel stops, lunch on an island and ended the day just off Maho beach watching the planes land.

 

http://www.boat-charter-stmartin.com/

Captain Mike is the best guy there. Here is a link to a you tube video of the tour. Such an awesome day!

Enjoy your Cruise!

JoeRum

That what does not kill you will make you stronger.

JoeRum

Our last cruise in March of 2016 I brought a 6 pack of Coke zero in bottles aboard with me. No issues, if they took it away I was only out 3 bucks.

JoeRum

Hardly a sin to explore elsewhere. Variety is the spice of life. I want to do a Panama Canal cruise, Royal has very limited offerings, so I shall go elsewhere.

Enjoy your cruise!

JoeRum

I have Verizon as well. I turn off my phone throw it in the safe and forget about it till I get home. Pretend it's the 80's before we had technology!;)

Enjoy your cruise!

JoeRum

I used to go to Mr.Sanchos all the time and loved it.

 

Over the last few years they have been on a steady decline.

 

No more music, no ice buckets, and prices have increased a lot.

 

Also service has dropped, we had to keep getting up and tracking down our server each time we needed a drink.

 

They focus more attention on policing the water toys to make sure there is no kids without the wristbands playing on them.

 

We now go elsewhere.....

We were there for the first time in January of 2017. Not overly impressed. We have been to Nachi too and see no need to go beck there as well. Where are you going now?

We did the Bar Hop in March of 16 and had a blast. We are going back in Sept. again. But I always like to have a different option for future cruise trips.

JoeRum

Any room with a view has to be better than an inside room.

Enjoy your cruise!

JoeRum

Go old school. leave the phones in the safe. Leave notes on a dry erase board. Just go to breakfast, plan your day out maybe meet for lunch then dinner at a set time and enjoy your cruise!

JoeRum

We are sailing on Freedom on Sept.11th out of Port Canaveral. Best of luck booking a cruise!

JoeRum

Devils advocate here. Let's say you land on time to make it to the ship. But, your bags don't make it? You have no time to shop for anything you might need. If you fly in the day before you have breathing room.

On our very first Disney cruise we were booked to fly in by the travel agent to Orlando the morning our cruise left. Any delay could have ruined it. We changed to a flight the night before getting into Orlando after midnight.

While sitting in the airport they shut down Chicago. If we would have stayed with the original flights we would have missed our cruise. We always fly in early.

Our first cruise out of San Juan is in Feb 17. We are flying in a day early.

Enjoy your Cruise!

JoeRum

We rent a car from MCO to Port Canaveral and then on the return as well. Always works out great.

JoeRum

We have had an Aft Balcony on deck ten on Brilliance and on Navigator. Yep, its a little longer walk to your stateroom. But you have a really nice big balcony. If you have an awesome cruise board of active people you can have a deck party on a sea day. On our Navigator cruise this last March our cruise board group had 4 aft cabins and we had one heck of a party. Great view, no wind and a quiet place to get away from everything if you want.

Happy sailing!

JoeRum

Renting a car is the easiest way to do it. We rent from Budget, always a decent price and they have always been nice helpful and reliable for me. We stay at the Holiday Inn Express just down the road from the cruise port. Again, decent rooms and a decent price.

Congratulations on your 50 years!

Happy Cruising!

JoeRum

Great place we had dinner at in January called Coconuts. Its at 429 Seabreeze Blvd Fort Lauderdale. The menu changes throughout the night based on the catch of the day. Most amazing seafood dinners we have ever had.

JoeRum

Feel blessed you have a family that you want to spend time with and enjoy being with. I don't have a family, just a bunch of relatives that don't know anything about cruising and think we are wasting our money.

But, we have met many great people though here on the boards and have enjoyed cruising with them again and again.

Enjoy your trip, its only money and you cannot take it when your gone anyway.

JoeRum

Last trip I had a case of water, a 6pack of Coke Zero and some "other" beverages. All were delivered safe and sound to my stateroom.

JoeRum:rolleyes:

Maybe check the sailing board. Sometimes folks still chat afterward and share photos.

Good Luck. Or I guess you have to do another sailing and relive it!

JoeRum

In my experience the weather is better in February than in March. I also agree with many of the other fine folks here in that the longer the cruise there will be fewer kids.

No matter what you decide you will have a great trip!

JoeRum

Been on both ships twice. Love them both. No matter what pizza aside you will have a great time!

JoeRum

Enjoy your trip. I love both ships! Have you done the Cozumel Bar Hop?

JoeRum

I made a photo copy of mine and brought it with on each sailing we have done. They have never asked to see it.

JoeRum

I'd pick Freedom. Not sure what it is like going out of Miami. But Fort Lauderdale is the easiest port. Last but not least you are going to St Martin! Love that place and we go on a boat tour with Captain Mike from 7 Marine charter.

No matter what both trips would be great!

JoeRum