Ret MP

The corkage fee doesn't have anything to do with opening a bottle of wine with a corkscrew, twist top, or a box <LOL. The policy is about where you consume the wine. If you consume it in a public space, it's subject to a corkage fee. For general consumption: I don't care if you have ever paid a corkage fee or not, it is subject to the fee, that's all I am saying. So be forewarned, that is all.

We were put on the list in mid-August and were officially notified that our couple's apartment was vacated on October 16. It was the first time they had a waitlist for a couple's apartment. I don't know what it looks like now. I don't think there is now or has been a waitlist for a single apartment, but I don't know that for sure. Go to AFRH.GOV and give them a call and maybe set up a tour. That's what we did and it solidified our decision to make the move even with the unknown wait. The list of needed verification documentation and medical evaluations (this is a government-run entity, after all) was quite extensive and took about a month to do. They evaluated it, and they said it could take up to 5 weeks to hear back. But, we were accepted about a week after submitting all the documents and evaluations. So, my point, it takes time just to apply and be accepted, then you are either put on the waitlist or they will assign an apartment when you are accepted into the facility. EDITED IN: BTW, we were #1 on the wait list from start to finish.

No. 1, not be in the Bahamas. AND, some entertainment other than eating, drinking, sunning, etc. Not that there is something wrong with any or all. Just not for me, except the drinking and eating part. But, if that's all there is, it's boring, FOR ME! And it is the luck of the draw as to how crowded it is. If a Q class and an O class ship are there at the same time, and both are at capacity or close to it, it's a disaster, as far as I'm concerned. I believe, meaning it's my opinion, that the island and it's public access areas are way too small for the crowds, and with more and more itineraries including CocoCay, it's only going to get worse. I don't think the new beach will help, much. Ya, I think entertainment for those who don't especially like sunning and swimming for an entire day would make a world of difference. At least Labadee has a zip line and a rollercoaster. However, I'm talking about things to do for old farts like me. Thrill Water Park is out of my desires. I think CocoCay is great for young people and the young in general, and I'm sure that there are many old farts that like CocoCay, too. It just isn't for me <my opinion.

SMH

On Rustbucket Cruise Lines (has nothing to do with rust) they allow you to take your carry-ons if you purchase their "Faster to the Fun" program.

Avoid Corkage fees, bring boxed wine! Humor!

Well, some of us have a lot to be thankful for!

I am generally not affected by motion sickness but don't rule out the possibility. However, my question for those in the know is, is Bonine a preventative or does it help after the onset of motion sickness? I really don't like taking ANY medication or OTC stuff unless needed.

Damn, all I said was that I prefer the old system and why. I didn't ask for a life lesson. I don't need a lecture about risk. My life, literally, is/was full of risk. My use of "unequivocal" was in response to a couple/few folks who want to use their lack of personal awareness of cards being stolen or pranked as IF it was a near fact that it doesn't happen. I'm sure it has happened and it will again in the future. My risk is that if it does happen, will Royal credit my account if I go to customer service and let them know that I didn't find my card where it was supposed to be and there are/were charges on it? My secondary risk is otherwise unnecessarily having to go to customer service, and probably having to wait in a long line for service.

"I will concede" that the bartenders have pictures on their terminal of who's supposed to be associated with the card/account. But, are they really looking, is it just a formality, are they too busy to really look, etc etc etc? I could go on and on with story after story of who I've busted for stealing s*^& that had absolutely no value to the thief. I can not and will not justify the dumb s%#* pranksters and criminals do. IF I did take a card from the mailbox at the door of the cabin, I'd go very quickly to the busiest bar or retail shop. Chances are, they are too busy other than to ring up the sail. Again, I'm not saying that it happens to everybody, every day. Just that it is possible and I'm very risk-averse when it comes to my money and the safety of my family and friends. I personally love excitement and danger. But, that's a whole other story.

Well, it's been a busy few weeks. We sold and closed on our home in Oxford, AL. On the same day that we closed on the house, we received an email that the apartment had been vacated and the move-in date of November 28th is official (they are going to completely refurb it). We have received a few move-in questionnaires and the apartment #. This is so exciting, so exciting we booked another cruise out of Canaveral on another cruise line. As I've said, this could get financially dangerous for me. Life is good!

True/correct. I have no desire to go there either.

It's an opinion! Eat what you want for YOUR reasons, and I'll eat what I want, for MY reasons.

I never said, nor did I offer quantitative statistics, that it is a guarantee or high possibility that everyone would experience a nefarious situation with the cards sitting in the mailbox at your cabin door. As a retired security professional, I was just pointing out the possibilities and I'm sure that there are some folks, out there somewhere, who have fallen victim to pranksters or criminal activity. So, NO, this isn't made up. It's just an observation of a very real possibility. Can anybody state unequivocally that a card hasn't been stolen or pranked from the mailbox at the cabin door? Yes, some people look for reasons to complain about something. But, that ain't me! It might help to read the words as typed. My post wasn't a complaint, it was an observation of a possibility based on expertise, and as a discussion on this discussion board.

First, you obviously missed the intent of my post. It was to agree with you about the lack of research by some. Second, I don't understand your comment about my lack of commitment! I always state my feelings, and opinions of things AND I am committed to those feelings and opinions. I just happen to understand and so state, often, the other sides of things. For example, I support the change to the Solarium for 18-year-olds and older only. Just because I stated that I understand and have an inner dilemma because of those fare-paying passengers who have behaving kids who would like to take their kids to the Solarium, doesn't mean that I'm not committed to supporting the 18+ rule, I am. Also, I've stated that I don't care for CocoCay but I understand that many people love it. But, I'm committed to my feeling/opinion of CocoCay but I'm not looking to take anything away from anybody else. BTW, I never attack or engage in name-calling, belittling, or falsehoods unless attacked first. This and other discussion sites are a form of entertainment and some information for me, I don't take anything personally. Even those with whom I have the most spirited debates, I hold no animus towards, except one person, anybody here. I'd be happy to sit down with anyone here, again, except one, and have a beer with them and discuss how we would change the world.

First I will repeat that I'm all for discussion and I believe that discussion is the purpose of this site and others, and I have said that "over and over" LOL. But, it always makes me smile when people come here and ask questions of the most basic type and so easy to find on this site's search feature, RCCL's own FAQ, and sometimes just a Google search. But, I NEVER complain or say that their question is dumb or searchable or make fun of the questions or those that ask them. Again, it is a discussion, as far as I'm concerned. I do respond, when I do respond, with a cut and paste from the source document. How many times a week or month have we had new threads started about "formal nights", "gratuities", "parking at this port or that port", and a bunch more? My point, research seems to be a chore for some folks, and find it easier to just come into this site and/or others and ask the question(s) and rely on total strangers to provide them with 100% factual information, over the Internet.

Can you please provide me with a statistical review of how many times I've said, "I like to play devil's advocate". I don't seem to remember saying it more than MAYBE 2 or 3 times out of almost 5K posts. I don't try to create arguments, I like to further or create discussions. After all, this is a discussion board, is it not? I find that there are a few folks who like to misinterpret my discussions and like to debate or they just seem to take things personally. And yes, I do like a good debate.

The question is, how often do they actually go off on time? The perception is, RARELY! On the other hand, unless they cancel/postpone it the night before or very early the morning of the launch, traffic will still be a problem. My last cruise from Canaveral had a scheduled launch that was canceled late the night before, many didn't get the word or didn't believe it (eye roll) and the amount of people trying to make U-turns on the causeway was amazing and dangerous.

Yes ^^^^, I would like to think that I/we have done our due diligence in cost comparison, apples to apples/oranges to oranges. We have found that even with the cost of a Star Class cruise, the cost/fare is equal to or very close to the same amenities at a 5-star hotel in a resort area. With some big downsides, at the resort hotels, no Ports of Call, cost of meals, cost of entertainment, and a whole host of other things. Also, have to factor in the cost of getting to the hotel/venue, airfare, if flying, or gas and hotels, if driving to the venue, and all expenses associated with travel. That's not to say that the same isn't true to get to the cruise port. When we cruise Star Class, we pay the fare, taxes, port fees, and whatever else (Gratuities, Internet for all in the suite, specialty restaurants, all drinks (up to a certain ceiling for each drink), bridge tour, a Genie which is our own amenities and cruise planner, and a few other things that I can't think of right now, are included in the fare). We always get at least $750.00, minimum, and as much as $1,800,00 in OBCs and RCCL pitches in a little OBCs as well. So, when we debark the ship, we just walk off and we leave with no other expenses on our C.C. account. In fact, we usually have a little more cash than we started out with. We try to book our Star Class cruises at least a year in advance to lock in the lower prices and have more suite choice availability. Oh, the tip we leave for the cabin steward comes from the OBCs that we cashed in. We actually dig into our pockets to tip the Genie cash, usually a very good tip if service and attitude is very good. We also tip any service providers (wait staff and bartenders/servers) cash above and beyond the 18% they automatically get (Yes, in $2.00 bill(s) if I can get them).

I've been to Labadee a few times and I don't remember the food being either great or bad, just okay. But, port days isn't a search for the perfect dish for us, that's not saying that it is for you or others. I don't trust, for the most part, 3rd world food anyway. Yes, I know that CocoCay and Labadee have food taken from the ship and mostly prepared and served by the ship's crew. So, when we do get off of the ship in places other than CocoCay or Labadee, we shy away from the local cuisine, especially the little shacks, trailers, less-than-permanent-looking venues, or venues that don't have refrigeration but just ice coolers. We have no idea what their food safety, preparation, storage, and service standards are. Yes, I was thinking of you and a few others when I said that there are those who love CocoCay. That's your choice and I respect that.

That is definitely one of the upsides to CocoCay! LOL If I ever purchase an itinerary that includes CocoCay, again, that's my plan. I may go ashore for a few minutes in search of that wonderful food that many talk about. On my one successful visit (weather prevented docking on one other cruise) to the island, I was underwhelmed by the food.

I'm in the Camp that doesn't care for CocoCay. However, I'm fully aware that there are many folks that absolutely love it there and wouldn't have a problem with every East Coast and Gulf port itinerary include CocoCay in their itinerary. I'm not advocating for anything other than having more itineraries that include the likes and dislikes of almost everyone. Yes, I know it's impossible to please everyone. But, I know that there is a significant number of folks who have expressed their dislike of CocoCay and/or preference for other Ports of Call, on this site and others. In fact, I don't care for the Bahamas in any way, shape, or form, for many personal reasons. But, CocoCay isn't for me because I'm not a beach, pool, or Cabana person. This is intended to be a discussion, this is a discussion site, after all. There is no intent to be a personal attack on anyone.

Not for me, I have this weird aversion to volcanos and as I get older, I don't much care for cold weather, either. However, I don't think I'd do well in Russian territory.

Yep, that's what I though. Thanks for confirming.

Apparently, some folks don't know about the Diomede Islands.