cruisebear84

Correct. I think it starts around 8am.

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If you do early self disembark, you should be okay with the 11:30am bus. Port Authority is a 10-15 minute walk from the port itself on 8th Avenue, so you wouldn't even need to take a cab if you didn't want to. Taxi stand is right outside the port as well, expect to wait on a line.

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This was also a few years ago, but they allowed after hours drop off. We went with Hertz. Took a shuttle there but had to take a taxi back to port because it stopped running at 6pm I think. It wasn't too much money, or at least i didn't feel like I was being robbed. The guys at the rental desk gave us the number. Payless is less expensive but there were mixed reviews at the time so we stuck with the more expensive one.

I found all my info about rental cars at the Ports of Call board for Port Canaveral. I bet if you post this there you will get more info. Good luck!

Thank you for your perspective! I am thinking of booking the Getaway and gathering information. I'm hesitant because of all the policy changes in such a short time span, and the effects they are having one customer experience. This may be a cruise I experience far into the future when hopefully things settle down.

Thanks again!

We didn't go to SeaWorld, but we rented a car and drove to Downtown Disney. Go to the Port of Call boards, got a lot of great advice there about rental car places close to the ship terminal. We took a shuttle from the terminal-- I believe several rental places do that. We used Hertz as they allow drop-off after hours, and then take a cab back to the terminal. Not sure about the DL mentioned by the PP, I don't recall it being particular difficult to get on or off the ship. But I do agree with the poster above that an excursion to any of the parks is not worth the time or money. Wouldn't get to the parks before 2pm, have to be back on the ship by 8pm which means leaving the park around 6pm. Too much money for a four hour tour, IMO. We did Downtown Disney for the shopping and free parking. Had a nice lunch and picked up some Christmas presents. Lucky enough not to experience any traffic going there or back, and we spent much less for a nice day in Orlando.

No way would i cancel. Cruising really is still the most affordable way to travel. As I have said many times before it seems like the people that are most upset are the veteran cruisers. Us newbies are still in awe of of everything.

I'm actually a newbie myself-- only one cruise under my belt. I would feel the same with any business that operated this way. You start raising costs and changing policies every few months, and I'm going to start wondering how much I can trust you as a customer. JMO.

Honestly thinking about canceling myself.... It's not just the constant change in prices (although it is not so high). I really don't like all the changes being made in such a short time span. Makes me trust the company less. May rebook sometime a long time from now, after there is a proven track record with these changes, and once they settle down a bit and we can go a full year without raising costs [emoji19]

Oh what total rubbish.

 

 

 

So you base your liking of balconies on things that are AVAILABLE IN EVERY OTHER PART OF THE SHIP?! :) Do you really believe that pax who book insides are handed blindfolds and earplugs and solemnly told they are NOT ALLOWED to 'feel connected to the sea'? Did some cruise line tell you this to make you feel better about the premium you paid?

 

 

 

Nothing wrong with balconies, and of course some pax will need to book them - large families, health issues etc. What IS very wrong is snobbishly telling people they must book a balcony as its the only way to cruise 'properly'. Price IS a factor though, when you pay £800 for a balcony through the fjords (stunning) which you step on half a dozen times max, and the nice couple next to you at dinner paid £350 for their inside.... well, it makes you think. Next cruise I saved a fortune on an outside cabin I was hardly ever in.

 

 

 

So you didnt feel there was anything to look forward to in going back to your inside cabin? Err, what exactly do you look forward to about going to your bedroom at home? All the best memories of my cruises - the view of the wake from the MDR! The helicopter the buzzed sailaway! The 180 degree turn through Olden fjord from the prow of the ship! The blood moon from the sky deck! The submarine that appeared on the starboard side! The late night stroll right round the prom deck in the St Petersburg White Nights! - have all been out of the cabin.

 

 

 

Conversely on of the most boring was waiting for a tour to depart and being stuck on my balcony with a view of the container port because I was on the 'wrong' side of the ship

 

 

 

I notice you seem to be somehow connected to the cruise industry, and have put a link to this thread in a post on reasons to avoid the MDR. I cant decide if this balcony big-up is prompted by a desire for commision, or an intense social phobia? :D

I just had to come back here and stand up for Al! I'm happy for you that you enjoyed your inside room, Sea Green, but it is not everyone's cup of tea, and definitely not that of the ones who have posted on this thread. Those who disagreed did so in a respectful manner, whereas you are coming off as patronizing and sarcastic-- ironic, as you are calling Al a snob :eye roll: I'm not rich by any means, and I've only taken one cruise so far. I don't judge anyone who doesn't care to stay in a balcony. My experience was amazing and had the dolphins and the fresh air and all the other things Al has mentioned. We spent the bulk of our time in our room to get away from noisy kids, to talk, to relax in our own shade. We woke up on restless nights and just stared at the sea from the comfort of our room-- no need to even leave the comfort of our space. It really was a little piece of heaven, and I can't wait to save up so I can do it again (I'm HOOKED). But that's ME, and that's a lot of others on this thread. So we ask that you don't JUDGE US either. It doesn't make Al a snob to share his opinion, and I'm not a fool for choosing what you wouldn't have. We are just different. The negativity is unwelcome here.

Really hoping you are just a troll, or perhaps that there is some misunderstanding of tone... Happens a lot on the interwebz! Good luck and cruise well, regardless!!

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Subscribing to this thread just to read how everyone reacts to this... I'm sure there is another thread dissecting the matter, but will be interesting to see how it plays out now that it's out...

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I was really nervous after reading bad reviews as well, but like you am so glad that it turned out amazing. I read reviews for lots of things, but I too learned that with cruising it's best to experience it for oneself.

I was pleasantly surprised about the food quality people complained about. Also, we found plenty of places to sit on public decks. The service was excellent as well. I'm so glad my first cruise was aboard this beautiful ship! :)

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How does one pronounce Sinan's name? With what does it rhyme? Is the emphasis on the first or last syllable? When I read it, I always say it like it rhymes with grinnin'. haha Or is it SiNON, like non-dairy creamer? Or SinAN, like kick the can?

The joke he had on the BA in December was that his name is Sinan-- you SEE ALL, but I SEE NONE (Sinan). I couldn't stand him. Not my style I suppose ;) Hope that helped!

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If the OP is referring to the main pool, she must have been on a sailing filled with different types of people that we are. I have not seen any of that here!!

Nothing like that on my BA sailing either, but experiences always vary.

Clarifying that there is an ENCLOSED smoking section by the pool. Otherwise I wouldn't be there either, I can't stand the smell too long!

OP seems to have a great attitude and will have a great holiday :)

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Here are some pictures. Just got off the Getaway. Amazing trip!

 

Kind of new to posting pictures. Hope it works.

 

 

 

David.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next image is the KIDS AREA:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, this is the pool for all passengers (kids included):

 

 

 

Great pics by the way!! :)

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I was on the BA in December and I don't remember the main pool being an adult only pool. In fact, there were kids in both pools, which surprised me because the main pool is so deep and there is no lifeguard on duty. Then those two little boys drowned tragically in February :( My guess is that they just became adult only recently, or if they were always adult-only, NCL is pushing to enforce the rule now. Concerns about loungers are unnecessary-- there are loungers by both pools, although there are more by the main one than by the kids/family one I think. Not sure if it's different on the Getaway. The kids/family one is not so far away from the main pool that you wouldn't be able to hear music-- it's not like they are on opposite sides of the ship, from what I recall.

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I have sailed now on 6 cruises. soon to be 7

I think bear's response was very helpful. I had a BD on deck 13 and really liked it, but there were only two of us in the room, I did have some motion sickness concerns (hence the need to book midship), and it was my first cruise so I can't say that the balcony size was a big deal to me. I visited the huge balconies on our cabin crawls and, while great to have all the space, was still not a deal breaker for me since only two people were using our cabin... You could throw a little party on some of those balconies! Our room was also across a crew access door but we never heard noise from there. I guess it depends on what's happening in the crew area though, ours seemed like a luggage sorting area or something.

I think if you don't care too much about the balcony size, you'll be fine. Being near an elevator is a big win in my opinion, especially if you're going to take them up to the pool decks on 15. I would question as bear said where your balcony is overlooking though. As for the perks, the fact that they even added $100 OBC with everything else is great since they didn't have to, so i would be grateful happy camper. As I learned from these boards, get all the written confirmation you can! Enjoy your cruise!!

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What a great idea for a thread, thanks xenagurl! I wish I had taken more care with my photos, but I don't have nearly the needed skills to compete with these wonderful photos so far. These contributions will have to do, both from the Breakaway in December 2013. Subscribed and looking forward to seeing more wonderful pictures :) :D

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Definitely don't go see Rock of Ages. Second City's earlier showing and the lunch mystery ($20 fee) should be fine. Burn the Floor is awesome and good for kids as well, unless you have a concern about the dancers' outfits (you won't, they are pretty tame). Howl at the Moon will probably depend on how late you are there, I'm sure it is a little rowdier after 10pm, but I didn't go to the show so I can't be sure. In general, as long as you attended early showings of the shows, it should be fine for kids.

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Not sure when you sailed. On our sailing, Spice was kid-free when we visited, which was early afternoon (1:30-2pm until about 4:30pm). It's an open venue after 6pm. Plenty of chairs and two hot tubs. I was grateful that I didn't have to pay for the few Vibe passes available. Lo actually would recommend it. When are you sailing? Our sailing was full but in December so probably less kids than a summer sailing.

Edit: also, exhaust smell? No idea about that, I didn't smell a thing outside the casino area...

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We drove down to Downtown Disney on our own when the BA stopped at Port Canaveral in December. It took us about 1hr15min each way. I would not bother paying the cost of an entrance to the park for the day. Unless this has changed, the BA gets to the port at about 12pm and then leaves at 8pm. By the time we picked up the car, even rushing off the ship as soon as they gave the all clear, we did not hit the road until about 1pm because we had to wait on line at the rental place. Then we left downtown Disney at 6pm to make sure we could drop off the car and take a taxi back to the ship by 7:30pm (most rental places there will let you drop off after business hours but then the shuttle won't be operating and you're on your own). You could book the excursion through NCL but I didn't think the cost was worth it at the time. We had fun and enjoyed a great lunch at Ragland Road, but 4hrs is NOT enough for me to spend in any of the parks. Even with the NCL guarantee transfers, I would be too stressed to enjoy myself, plus I'd be on a line all day. I feel like Disney World is really a place you don't want to run in and out of that way. My personal opinion of course, YMMV...

Edit: ship leaves PC at 9pm! Sorry about that! Doesn't change anything in my experience, we wanted to avoid any traffic jams, which was why we aimed for 7:30pm.

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S I'll need to go with the teenagers to the ropes course. Does the slide need one too?

Everyone has to sign a waiver for the ropes course but there was no waiver for the water slides, unless possibly it was included in the same waiver as the ropes course. I didn't read it too closely, to be honest.

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I don't know the answer to this question as I didn't use it to reserve anything. I don't think you could get spa passes with it, though; I only recall attempting to change my reservation for a show, which didn't work... I ended up just going down to guest services.

Maybe try searching for the proper name for the app-- iConcierge?

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From the article linked by David...."Finally, Royal Caribbean says Quantum of the Seas will be the first cruise ship with a hot dog stand, known as the Seaplex Dog House. There is no charge for the hotdogs, or the onions, mustard, relish and sauerkraut you’ll want to pile on top of them"...

 

Total rip off from Norwegian's Hot Dog carts on the Breakaway! :rolleyes:

 

...I'm off to buy more NCL stock. ;)

Hahaha my eyes were wide when I read that too :eek: ... So funny! "Well YOURS is a hot dog CART, and OURS is a hot dog STAND, so :P"

Whatever, all I read were free hot dogs :D

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Looks like I could now cruise a Quantum Class ship.

I thought the same. I was thinking of Quantum for my next cruise but was unsure how I would feel about traditional dining and formal nights as I so loved NCLs casual atmosphere. Now it seems RCI is going Freestyle with their newest ships. Or "dynamic". Whatever. And it's leaving from the NYC area? As soon as the price is right, sign me up!

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I wonder how this is going to compare to specialty dinning. However, some of the restaurants will be complementary.

 

 

 

Enjoy

 

 

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/quantumoftheseas/dining/restaurants/?ecid=em_4663697&rid=569863257&emsc=&empf=&emct=GOLD&lnkid=QUANTUM_LEARNMORE#prettyPhoto/0/

The discussions on the RCI board are interesting. There are people questioning how the tips will get divided if they don't have the same server every night. I thought to myself, now where have I seen this discussion before? :)

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Just to clarify, when I was talking about smoke and the casino, I was referring to nearby places rather than the casino itself. You can certainly smell smoke in the actual casino, but I've not noticed it in places like o'Sheehans which some people have said that they do.

 

 

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Ah yes, then I totally agree with you. Thanks for clarifying.

Also noticed an error-- the beau was NOT green when trying to wean off bonine during the trip, just dizzy. So he stayed on it.

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