RubyDog08 Posted December 2, 2013 #1 Share Posted December 2, 2013 Our next cruise is coming up in 6 days - sailing Freedom of the Seas in the presidential family suite. So here's a question or two for you. I have been tossing around the idea of doing a review in a "semi-Live" format, and I am wondering whether or not anyone would actually read it. Is it worth your time and mine? Let me back up just a bit before you decide. I am not balcony/suite snob, nor am I wealthy, so this review will not be heavy on room features, etc. That's just the room I booked. I'm just a regular person - an old lady who celebrated a major birthday this year (I'm not about to tell you that I'm 60 now, so don't even try to get it out of me!) That said, my family decided this trip would be a pretty cool present, so I had no choice but to accept their kindness. (Stop twisting my arm, already!) :D We have been cruising since the late 80s, and all cruises but one been with Royal. We have lived through a great many changes in the cruise industry over the years, and I am a very flexible person; easy to please. I just roll with the changes and always have a great time no matter what is thrown at me. It's a vacation like no other, no matter how you slice it. Changes in turn down service candy, menus, pillows, itineraries, smoking and formal night policies...it's all good! I am only considering a review because I think it will offer something a bit uncommon in the world of cruise reviews: This will be a four-sided (square?) review. In addition to myself, three others have agreed to provide their input for the project. Those participating with me are my DH, my DD and my DDaddy! The review will be presented from all four points-of-view from three generations. From me, you won't read any serious complaints or criticisms. What you will get is just an honest, daily rendering of what one genuinely silly old woman did on her family vacation. It will be sprinkled with what it is like traveling with MS and a degenerative nerve disorder. From DH's point of view, you will hear all about being the only "normal" person in a group. (Ha!) DD, a young adult, will offer an extremely unique take on cruising with autism, mental challenges, Tourette's, juvenile diabetes and sensory integration disorder. Finally, DDaddy will throw out his unique senior (cranky) personality when describing his experience traveling in a wheelchair. While all of this might sound depressing, it is actually quite the opposite. We choose to make the most of what we have, and we have fun doing it! The plan is to present a written review on a live basis, and present our photos when we return. I do feel a certain debt of gratitude to the CC family for providing invaluable information and guidance in our family's planning process, but I'm just not generous enough to spend the time required to post pictures from the ship. Sorry, but I can be greedy with our holiday time! So how does all of this sound? Should we do it? Is it worth it? Ultimately, would you read and benefit from it? Take the poll and let me know. :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LMaxwell Posted December 2, 2013 #2 Share Posted December 2, 2013 If it personally makes you happy to do that on vacation, do it. If it doesn't, don't. It should be about what brings you joy, not about what a group of strangers wants. We all obviously are here to get information and see trips from various perspectives, but decide for yourself if that is how you want to spend your time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare DragonOfTheSeas Posted December 2, 2013 #3 Share Posted December 2, 2013 I have found that doing a review adds to my enjoyment. so, have at it!!:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Realtor at Sea Posted December 2, 2013 #4 Share Posted December 2, 2013 Personally, I think this sounds like an interesting cruise experience. Please share! Have a wonderful time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelerThom Posted December 2, 2013 #5 Share Posted December 2, 2013 I voted "Yes, I would enjoy reading it" Posting pictures would also be great if you get a chance. There are probably lots of pictures of the Presidential Suite out there, but not that I have seen. When I do B2B, between occupants I often roam the ship to check out various room types. A number of times I have started to come in the door of "big" suites; see the steward cleaning up; say "excuse me" and have the steward say "come on in and look around". But the Presidential Suite has always been locked up tight as a drum. Enjoy your 29th birthday cruise;) Thom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beeg612 Posted December 2, 2013 #6 Share Posted December 2, 2013 I'll be in that room the week after you celebrating my grandfather's 90th! I've been looking for reviews and such as you describe leading up to this trip but haven't been able to find any. So, I think what you're suggesting would not only be beneficial to people about to board but also to people wanting to see what it's like spending a week in that room. Enjoy your week of festivities! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vitality08 Posted December 2, 2013 #7 Share Posted December 2, 2013 I think there will be plenty of people who would enjoy it. I personally don't read long reviews. My favorites are the bullet style reviews. Short and sweet. But if this is something you want to do and will enjoy it, I think you should. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevinsgirl88 Posted December 2, 2013 #8 Share Posted December 2, 2013 I'll read it :D Sent from my MB886 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
voyager89 Posted December 2, 2013 #9 Share Posted December 2, 2013 Yes; I would read it. Sounds like a very interesting cabin; I would like to see what am I missing on my cheap interior cabin LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCruisers Posted December 2, 2013 #10 Share Posted December 2, 2013 Certainly! I would very much enjoy reading it! Have a wonderful cruise! :D LuLu ~~~~ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clagmeister Posted December 2, 2013 #11 Share Posted December 2, 2013 Rubydog08 Go ahead and write your report. We had the Presidential Suite when I took my family away in the summer for 14 days in the Mediterranean on IOS. It was a fantastic experience and one we will all cherish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retired1951 Posted December 2, 2013 #12 Share Posted December 2, 2013 60 is the new 40 ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
campbell51 Posted December 2, 2013 #13 Share Posted December 2, 2013 Looking forward to reading your review and seeing your pictures Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
critterchick Posted December 2, 2013 #14 Share Posted December 2, 2013 I'll read it! But as a woman of a certain age myself, I resent the notion that 60 is old.:p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evelyn51 Posted December 2, 2013 #15 Share Posted December 2, 2013 (edited) I'll read it! But as a woman of a certain age myself, I resent the notion that 60 is old.:p Same here from Canada! I prefer to say I "resemble" that remark. I'm olderrr then OP too. ;) (Just a bit!) Edited December 2, 2013 by evelyn51 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeamH Posted December 2, 2013 #16 Share Posted December 2, 2013 If your review is anything like your opening post then I think we'll be in for a great read! Loving your humour already :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ladyslipper28 Posted December 2, 2013 #17 Share Posted December 2, 2013 I'd love to read it! I have a teenage daughter with some sensory issues and other challenges similar to autism and have wondered how she would handle this sensory/people-heavy environment, so I'd particularly love to hear your daughter's perspective! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joand452 Posted December 2, 2013 #18 Share Posted December 2, 2013 Same here from Canada! I prefer to say I "resemble" that remark. I'm olderrr then OP too. ;) (Just a bit!) I resemble that remark, too! Also older (but just a couple of years) :cool: We'll probably never cruise in a suite like that (we have done junior suites), so I'll be interested in reading it. Happy Cruising! I'll be looking forward to your "live" thread! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenfromjersey Posted December 2, 2013 #19 Share Posted December 2, 2013 I will read it for sure (when WE get back from FOS, as we are on your sailing, Ruby :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aldeya Posted December 3, 2013 #20 Share Posted December 3, 2013 If your review is anything like your opening post then I think we'll be in for a great read! Loving your humour already :D My thoughts exactly! You have a great writing style and a sense of humor! A combination for a very interesting review!:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
05mak05 Posted December 3, 2013 #21 Share Posted December 3, 2013 I'll read it! But as a woman of a certain age myself, I resent the notion that 60 is old.:p You beat me to it! I was thinking exactly the same thing … we're not old! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drarill Posted December 3, 2013 #22 Share Posted December 3, 2013 Love Live Reviews!! I will read it!:):) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubyDog08 Posted December 3, 2013 Author #23 Share Posted December 3, 2013 Wow - Thanks for the encouragement. It looks like a review will, indeed, happen. First, please accept my apologies. I guess it wasn't very nice of me. I didn't mean to offend anyone by referencing the advancing numbers on my human odometer. I was only talking about myself, but I promise to not bring it up again. :p (Note to self: Do not say old anymore.) Jen - I'm so glad you popped in. Congratulations on your wedding!! I'm looking forward to meeting you guys and everyone else from our insane roll call. :eek: ***** Just to get the feel of things, I'm going to start here with a prequel to our travels. Me: Cleon is giving me fits right about now. I'm trying to figure out how to follow the track of the storm. We cannot fly due to DD's sensory integration disorder, so we have to drive 1000+ miles to get to the port. Unfortunately, that includes a drive smack through the predicted "ice" portion of winter storm, Cleon. (They dug pretty deep for that name...I mean, most people probably aren't even familiar with Pericles, much less Cleon - but that's not the point, is it?) Our original plan was to leave first thing Friday morning...now it looks like it might be some time on Thursday evening...or earlier. DH: Is the laundry caught up? Don't pack my toothbrush this time. Last time, I had to dig through my suitcase to find my toothbrush. I will pack my toothbrush when I'm ready to pack it. When is the ice supposed to be here? Yes, dear. I know you're not a meteorologist, but when is it going to be here? Can't we just drive straight east then go south? Can't you find a route to the port without going through the ice? Is Ice Road Truckers on? Me: Dear Lord, I don't think our suite is going to be big enough! DD: How much longer until we leave? Do I have to go to school Thursday? What if there's ice? I bet they'll close school. Can we leave now? Me: Dear Lord, ditto. DDaddy: (On the phone) When are you going to come pack my stuff? This storm thing could be bad, you know. I'm going to need another suitcase. You never give me the big suitcase. Are you going to bring me another one, or am I going to have to buy a whole set just to get what I need? I don't know why you refuse to give me the big one. Just because I'm (don't use the word old) doesn't mean I don't need the big suitcase. Are you still there? I said I need another %$@* suitcase.... Me: Dear Lord, ditto, again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aldeya Posted December 3, 2013 #24 Share Posted December 3, 2013 Can't you find a route to the port without going through the ice? Is Ice Road Truckers on? DDaddy: (On the phone) When are you going to come pack my stuff? This storm thing could be bad, you know. I'm going to need another suitcase. You never give me the big suitcase. Are you going to bring me another one, or am I going to have to buy a whole set just to get what I need? I don't know why you refuse to give me the big one. Just because I'm (don't use the word old) doesn't mean I don't need the big suitcase. Are you still there? I said I need another %$@* suitcase.... This Is. Hysterical!:D:D:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jasp 0401 Posted December 3, 2013 #25 Share Posted December 3, 2013 You have me hooked on your every word. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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