RobInMN

Forgot 1 other item worth mentioning. Captain Rumen said that their are 3 levels of command. Con, Navigational Command, and Full (Bridge?) Command. Full command is never given up, but the Panama Canal is the only place where the pilots take Navigational Command. This means that if anything happens, they take responsibility. Anywhere else, while the pilot has input, the Captain maintains responsibility.

Navigational Command has Navigational override. 

At the Captain's Q&A on Radiance, I asked what the status of Project Discovery was. Captain Rumen said that Project Discovery is still in design phase, and looking like 2029/2030 (not sure if that's a build start or complete).

At the Captain's Q&A on Radiance, I asked what the status of Project Discovery was. Captain Rumen said that Project Discovery is still in design phase, and looking like 2029/2030 (not sure if that's a build start or complete).

Wrong thread

From Guest Services:

2014 passengers

Captain's Q&A (and hotel director):

Only 29 kids.

Didn't give numbers or percentage, but said that the Noro counts were "not severe"

Project Discovery is still in design phase, and looking like 2029/2030 (not sure if that's a build start or complete).

Delay on entering first lock was multiple pilot delays followed by a worker shortage for the locomotives(mules). Went slower than normal in the lake so that when we reached the Pedro Miguel locks, we could go right in without waiting again. 

2 hours ago, 3red7s said:

how far out do you think I should book?

I'm not sure there's too far. If you've got your flights and hotel, try reaching out. I think I contacted them 5 or 6 months out?

Some ship pics:

The Puerto Vallarta port is pretty compact for fitting 3 ships:

"Outbreak" may be a stretch, but enough cases that they did make an announcement and have implemented precautionary protocols. Reminders to wash hands. Pushing the sanitizer. Serving things for you in WJ, as well as MDR (rolls/butter, salt/pepper). 

No actual numbers.

I've heard of a couple people that had it. They both said it ran it's course in about 24 hours.

We have 2014 passengers. Not sure of crew. 3% of 2014 is 60.42

On 4/18/2024 at 8:55 AM, RobInMN said:

Discovered a new tip:

If you order a BBC (Banana Baileys Colada) in the MDR, the galley bar will make it with real banana! Yum!!

If you like it with the banana liqueur, you'll love it with actual banana

9 hours ago, SilkySal said:

I made a note on our upcoming September cruise to ask for that BBC in the MDR! Yum! Thanks!

So..

After posting that, the BBC in the MDR changed. Tonight I asked the bar server if he would ask if the change was intentional or a different bartender or what, but the last 2 I had were definitely different than the many I had previously. Now they tasted just like what I get at Schooner or other bars.

He came back and said it was entirely due to a change in the banana liqueur. They ran out of the previous brand. He said they did not put real banana in it the previous nights.

I'm not sure I believe that. I don't think a change in liqueur brand alone would account for the change in texture. Not only was it a drastic change in the level of banana flavor, and I swear it tasted like real banana (not fake banana flavor), but it was more smoothly like, which also would have come from using a real banana, and not explained just by a change in liqueur brand.

Also, the MDR one tasted different than any other bar I've gotten a BBC at in many cruises. Why would the MDR galley bar have a differ liqueur than any other bar on the ship (and many other ships). I've heard that if you can find a banana and take it to a bar, they will use it in a BBC, but I've never done it.

I don't know what to believe. 😞 and don't want to steer anyone wrong. 

I don't know. 2 nights left. Not sure if I'll try again. 

This thread says either 2-3 weeks or no more than 2 weeks

This is possibly a stupid question, but who does the CC charge show up as? I have a Delta AMEX. Delta purchases have higher rewards. If I use A2S and use my Delta AMEX, is it a Delta Charge? Royal Caribbean, or A2S?

19 hours ago, KEG21552 said:

We used a group called Galveston Saltwater Moms. 

You can only find them on Facebook.

In the Gulf Coast Departures forum (I linked to earlier in this thread), there's many positive reviews for GSW, We used them in September. For those (like us), that don't do FB, there is a number you can text. I put it here:

We seem to only be able to book Allure and Symphony, so our exposure is limited, but between the 2, our favorites are Symphony. LOVE Hiro! Hairspray is done really well (and I am not a musicals fan and really just go to keep my wife company), and the ice show 1977 with the projection mapping and drones is really good.

Discovered a new tip:

If you order a BBC (Banana Baileys Colada) in the MDR, the galley bar will make it with real banana! Yum!!

If you like it with the banana liqueur, you'll love it with actual banana

7 hours ago, ONECRUISER said:

Was on last Fall's Radiance PC and Ducks were overkill, one Passenger alone said she brought 200 to spread around. They are Kinda rare on this sailing...

We found 1 "Normal" duck a few days ago, and re-hid last night. But yeah, I've not heard of many ducks this cruise. 

1 hour ago, Teeara said:

 

This one is right next door to us, and we are "Rob and Karen". 🤣

Learned something new. I thought the escape rooms were only on Oasis and Icon class ships, and that they are all different. Turns out, Navigator, Mariner, and Spectrum have them also and there's only 5 different ones.

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-activities/royal-escape-room

Look at the cute mini ducks my SIL and her husband found!

13 hours ago, Teeara said:

Did they roll you onto the ship? 😉😁

 

If that had been me, I’d just be waking up now. 😉😁

This was an on-ship activity, in the pub. 🙂 

I captured the full transit from my balcony with my GoPro. And since I had no idea where else to put/share it, I uploaded my very first YouTube video! It's just the raw camera video, no music, no post production, no graphics.

16 hours ago, jimbo5544 said:

We are doing AMA Budapest to Nuremberg Christmas highlights in November 2025 with both pre i2 nights in Budapest) and post (3 nights Prague).  Would love to hear more on ow you enjoyed the Prague add on.

We did pre-cruise 3 might extension in Prague with AmaWaterways a year ago. First post covers Prague. However, I tied in with a Christmas Markets cruise, I suppose things might be a bit different. Certainly colder, and not as nice for walking around. And not sure if their Christmas Markets will have started yet?

My wife and I loved Prague, and would happily go back.

Taste of the Caribbean Tasting Experience

Pre floater

post floater

2 hours ago, Teeara said:

Thank you!  Can I share that information when I get around to doing my Panamá Canal video for my YouTube channel?

Sure!

11 hours ago, Jimbo said:

@RobInMN Make sure after you go through the last lock, run to the back of the ship and try to get  a shot of the sea level you left behind after getting dumped into the Pacific.

 

It should be a real cool picture if you get just the right angle from the right deck.

13 minutes ago, Teeara said:

Missed it due to dessert in Chops.  😉😁😢

Not to mention, way too dark for anything descent. I honestly forgot about trying to do that. Pretty exhausted and got too much sun today. Went back to the room for a bit and then went out to get the Bridge of the Americas pictures.

2 hours ago, Jimbo said:

What time was this picture taken?

 

Should take 8 to 10 hours for the full transit....

7:08 PM

From my picture timestamps:

9:31 AM - Went under the Atlantic Bridge

9:59 AM - Reached the end of the pier at Gatun Locks

11:08 AM - Lower lock doors open

11:52 AM - Doors to second lock open

(went to lunch)

12:25 PM - Still in second lock

1:12 PM - in third lock 

1:20 PM - Leaving the third lock

1:36 PM - Cleared the Gatun Lake pier of the Gatun Locks

4:44 PM - Row boat brings guide lines to ship at the end of the Pedro Miguel Locks pier
4:49 PM - Lock doors open

(went to dinner)

6:03 PM - Lock doors close

6:27 PM - reach end of Miraflores Lock pier

6:36 PM - Lock doors open

7:15 PM - Fully inside lock

7:35 PM - Lock doors open to lower lock

7:58 PM - Fully in the lower lock

8:10 PM - Lower lock doors open to the Pacific side

9:05 PM  - Went under the Bridge of the Americas

So yeah, if you count from the time we entered the harbor area between the sea walls, pretty much 12 hours. for something that should take 8-10