SeaTeach

Sorry to hear that your cruise experience was not up to par. I've been trying to talk myself into cruising on this ship for the 20 day Caribbean cruise. You are not the 1st to report such an experience. So I'm rethinking a "Royal" cruise.

True... cruising is not for everyone. Convinced SIL and BIL to do a B2B with us. They hated it. They're the kind of people that like to spend time in a city until ready to move on, and utilizing a guide book, renting a car, checking out the sights is an ideal vacation. Not so for me.... Put me on a ship!!

Thank you sooo very much for this wonderful report. This is my favorite itinerary thus far and this vicarious experience is prompting me to do it again.

I just leave the bathroom light on and bring the door to, but not closed. Less packing lol

Likewise!!

Add me to the list of those that use their foot to flush, and never mind the fact that I darn near lost a shoe a time or two. Now, that would have been a sight to behold for the next user. Back to the OP: some folks are just plain nasty, in more ways than one.

Oh my!! Not good, not good!! I might rethink that whole cabana thing.

Love, love, love PacSafe products...own a city bag and the shoulder/backpack bag. I carry large bags, thus no problems with size. In fact they are a little small for me.

Doing a B2B in San Juan on Celebrity in 2014. How does this work? Do you have to pack anything or just leave it in cabin while you go through customs. Do they take you through customs as group and then you reboard? Also do you have to go through boarding process again? Thanks.:)

Did a B2B on RCL in SJ. Thinking it should be about the same. Prior to sailing I called the consecutive department to alert them about B2B, but if a TA was utilized he/she should call. Notification of a meeting for consecutive cruisers was left in the room a day or so prior to turnaround day. There the process was explained to us. We reported to customs at the designated place and time. A time was also given to meet at the top of the gangway (where you actually step onto the ship) on turnaround day. We walk there, handed over the old seapass card, received the new which was dinged, all without stepping on land. The old account was closed and a new started, with nothing carried over from one week to the next. If you are remaining in the same room there isn't a need to pack. The room steward will assist you (ask) if there is a room change. He/she will move hanging and bagged items.

Enjoy the B2B!!

I totally understand your plight. We cancelled an October B2B because we had an immediate family member in the last stage of T-cell lymphoma. As final payment date approached, a decision was made to reschedule (a 6 month time span). After her passing I spent a copious amount of time lurking on "those" roll calls. Bit by bit that changed as I stepped up my research for the cruise at hand. Now I have tooooo much info (if there's any such thing) that needs to be organized. So, maybe you can become "addicted" to researching everything about the Quantum i.e. menus in all venues, entertainment, staterooms, deck plans, strategic sail away spots, ports of call, etc. Another approach to dealing with a rescheduled cruise.....giving back. Oftentimes, we help ourselves while helping others.

Hopefully, you will be able to find what works for you.

By the way, enjoy that Quantum cruise...you've earned it!!

Just finished reading "Live from The Royal Princess". I enjoyed reading the positive and negative reviews, thus can take from each in order to make a balanced decision about the ship. Thanks to all contributors for taking time to keep us well informed.

My ratings, and happy cruising!!

1.Dominica- unspoiled, hot springs, cold pool (Emerald Pool which is a hike through a rainforest),waterfalls and streams all in a lush, green, mountainous setting. Very picturesque.

2.St. Lucia- volcano surrounded by greenery, not touristy, fishing villages, Jalousie Beach right at the Pitons which are a set of twin mountains, among many others, reaching straight up. Gorgeous island.

3. Antigua- great beaches with, some being less crowded, which was a great place to enjoy the water and do some segwaying.

4. Tortola- beach at Canes Garden Bay is small, serene and less developed. Neat little area. Also mountainous.

5. Barbados- can get a chance to commune with the turtles, enjoy one of the many beaches but don't swim on the east which is very rough (if I remember correctly). Sights to see/visit are Botanical Gardens, sheep ranch, Gun Hill Signal Station, and chattel houses. A more developed island.

6. St. Croix- a different beach experience where cacti may be the backdrop perched on a hill. Drive through a beautiful rainforest or drive an ATV in the hills and through a park. The 2 towns (Christiansted and Fredricksted) are about 30 minutes apart. Tour a Great House and the grounds with outbuildings and sugar cane mill paraphernalia. A horse may cross your path from time to time.

7. Curacao- Beautiful beaches, colorful houses, floating market and floating bridge (Queen Emma). Multi cultural history ( i.e. a museum about slavery and the oldest Jewish synagogue in the Western Hemisphere which has a sand floor littered with coins).

Haven't been to the other 2 islands....yet. Hope this helps.

Just absolutely too many:-(

Iluvcruising2, thanks for the fantastic review (witty and factual). The pictures were absolutely awesome. I'll always be on the lookout for your reviews.

Not from experience but from observation it is possible to eat in a specialty restaurant on formal nights. By the way...WELCOME to Royal Cruising.

Really loving your review, and the pictures tell a story of their own. Waiting for more, more, more.

What a bummer you guys were not able to go to the game. Maybe you'll have better luck during our sailing.

I love that you and Felicia let the inner kid come out (on the slide). That would be something that I'd do, while DH waited for me with a scarlet face.

Debi

We started our journey through the Canal from the Caribbean side (Nov.). We were mid ship in D422 which was great. There was neither a problem seeing nor being "exposed", but with wet rumps. Our chairs and loungers were wet from sea spray most of the time. Being on the 9th deck was a little too low for maximum balcony usage if you didn't wish to explain why you were wet. LOL

Toooo looooong!!! I need one now...I'm jonesing.

Be positive, not sweat the small stuff, and try a "new food"

I'll be reading a mystery of some sort on a Xmas gift---iPad.

You are correct in surmising the newer the ship the higher the price. The newer ships mentioned can be viewed as destinations. The Freedom is not a small ship but just not as massive, and has a lot to offer.

Sorry to hear that your travel agent isn't of great use.

If I were in your shoes (as a newbie) I'd opt to get as much as possible for the least amount. Next, I'd research the ports in order to determine my favorite itinarary. Going into the port review and members cruise review areas might help. Looking at the deck plans will help with desired room location i.e. shying away from rooms under a club. Category of room dictates size and/or location.

Hope this snippet of info will start your journey, and you'll be able to ask more specific questions. There is a ton of info on the CC Boards. Read, take notes, and digest a little at a time which will be less overwhelming.

I got this catalog in the mail today from www.bostonproper.com WOW!!!! If I was a size 10 and 20 years younger, I would want a lot of these outfits! They are HOT!! Sadly, I'm not.:rolleyes: Not sure how I got on the mail list, but thought maybe some of you young "fashionistas" would enjoy!:)

Thanks for sharing. There are several warm-ups and a tunic (to be used as a cover-up) that I'll order during the week. I really need those warm-ups for cool nights in L.A. after the cruise.

Does anyone know if garments run relatively close to size?

What's the quality of clothing?

How is their return policy? I'd hate being stuck with ill or none fitting pieces.:(

Thanks in advance for your responses.:)

I would love to experience cruising to new islands on a RCI ship. If they continue the present trend it will be necessary to do what I've done....not be so loyal to Royal.

Indiana71 are you my clothing clone?

I love clothes and I love to cruise. Put the 2 together, and that'll be me. I have cruise clothes but not the typical "cruisewear". I started with everything new for my first cruise, and now I replace a few pieces/shoes each year. The only things that remain in the "pool" longer are evening gowns. Gowns are Old Hollywood style, thus changes are usually accessaries and shoes. Each outfit has designated undergarments since I'm a size 10 woman with big girls and an apple. Every outfit is staged before packing. The process saves me a copious amount of time once the vacation starts.

For a 7-9 day cruise I take 1 large and 1 medium case since we usually spend 5-7 days in the port of embarkation. For 10-15 days, another case is added.

What can I say except ...I love fashion, hence clothes. Even as a young child there are pictures of me digging in the dirt outfitted in frilly shorts and strappy sandals.

I love the research and planning aspects of cruising. I have copious amounts of notes from various forums. Now, I need to organize and enter the data on the computer. It's the perfect time to do so...snow, snow and then some more snow.

P.S. The one time that I deviated from my pattern (planning), resulted with 2 cruises(both for 14 days) being booked simultaneously.

You are not alone. I don't care for chocolate desserts but will eat a small piece of dark chocolate with 85% cocoa content for health reasons.

Come to think of it, I don't like sugary desserts of any flavor.