TrolleyGirl

I like the new logo and tagline. I think they are both fresh and clean, yet still retains a classic feel.

I anxious to use the UTRIP feature. I think it will be another useful too to get more bang out of our port time.

Personally, I appreciate the direction they are going. If companies don't try to adjust to changing markets, they will fail to thrive.

Too bad the presentation didn't come off as better rehearsed.

We too got to stay onboard on our last B2B. We went to the showroom as others have mentioned for about 40 minutes. After that we had the entire ship to roam nearly to ourselves. The cruise we were on the fitness center was getting all new treadmills. The new tread mills were lowered onto the ship via crane to the lido pool area. It was interesting to see how the ship handles these tasks we never even think about. From the aft pool area we watched the new shipments of food come aboard.

When we initially booked the B2B I thought I would feel as though I missed out on a cruise day on turn around day. But in reality I really enjoyed our turn around day. But I am a person who loves to know about the inner workings of any industry. I love factory tours and talking to people in all different vocations.

Yes, if you read Cruise Critic you know about the dollar tip but many don't know. So I am sure that those islanders know they are not going to get a tip from everyone. That dollar goes a long way and means a lot to the locals on a poor island so I don't mind.

I know it was an error on my part, I didn't research RCL's private island. I just assumed it would operate the same as the other 2 cruiseline's private islands we had visited. We all know the saying about assuming!

These people are cruise people and have been to other private islands this being their least favorite. I was surprised by their opinion and yes I know its only an opinion. We loved Half Moon Cay another private island and don't remember too much of COCo Cay.

As stated above all I'm looking for is nice water and sand....well maybe a cocktail or two:)

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We were very much disappointed with Labadee. We love Castaway Cay (Disney) and Half Moon Cay (Holland). Both of these ports had beautiful serene beaches with pleasant dining areas and beautiful water.

I thought the water at Labadee was murky and not as pretty a blue. The picnic BBQ was crazy crowded even at 1:00 pm without enough seating. (We were on the Allure). I think the thing that bother me the most and did not expect were the islanders waiting to set up your lounge chairs for you and then hovering over you for a tip. On the other private islands we had never experienced that. I wasn't prepared to tip as we hadn't brought any cash along with us.

These people are cruise people and have been to other private islands this being their least favorite. I was surprised by their opinion and yes I know its only an opinion. We loved Half Moon Cay another private island and don't remember too much of COCo Cay.

As stated above all I'm looking for is nice water and sand....well maybe a cocktail or two:)

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We were very much disappointed with Labadee. We love Castaway Cay (Disney) and Half Moon Cay (Holland). Both of these ports had beautiful serene beaches with pleasant dining areas and beautiful water.

I thought the water at Labadee was murky and not as pretty a blue. The picnic BBQ was crazy crowded even at 1:00 pm without enough seating. (We were on the Allure). I think the thing that bother me the most and did not expect were the islanders waiting to set up your lounge chairs for you and then hovering over you for a tip. On the other private islands we had never experienced that. I wasn't prepared to tip as we hadn't brought any cash along with us.

For me hands down, Grand Turk over Labadee.

Grand Turk offers both a quiet beach area and/or the fun of Margaritaville.

Labadee was the most disappointing cruise line private beach we have ever been too. We love Castaway Cay and enjoy Half Moon Cay, but not RCL's. Of course these are just my personal opinions.

The lido will be open so you can grab whatever you would like to hold you over or you can order something from room service and have it delivered. A room service cheese plate might be nice to nibble on while you get ready for dinner.

I maybe in the minority but I was disappointed with the portabella burger. I tried it twice. The first time with a bun and I thought the mushroom was overwhelmed by the big bun. So the second time I ordered it bun-less. Sorry to say, I still found it lacking. Portabella burgers are usually my go to sandwich. I thought these where undersized and overcooked.

Needless to say though, I hardly starved! So many other options.

Our PCC called me back today. We are booked on the Eurodam Tropical b2b Nov 2016. So excited, though it only feels like a dream. We've been waiting so long for the schedule to release.

Our sailing also included the Explore 4 package. I was quite surprised by that. We don't drink very much. But with the package maybe we will try out more cocktails, smoothies and specialty coffees than we normally would.

Anyway, it feels sooooo good to have a cruise booked again!

It's a good day.

OMG, the stars and planets must have aligned last night as the Fall 2016 Caribbean schedule is online!!!!

HAL here we come.

Stunning!

Thank you for sharing.

I have been told by the HAL representatives in the terminal you can bring commercially packaged food on/off the ship. I usually travel with granola bars in my carry on luggage to tied me over on long flights and there has never been a problem with them. Also we bought Mexican chocolate in Cozumel that was commercially packaged and we were allowed to bring it on and off the ship.

We did this excursion last Nov. The kayaks were the ocean type that you sit on top of and were 2 person. The excursion company teamed everyone that was a solo rider so we all had 2 per kayak. I can't remember the name of the company, but think it had something to do with turtles. I think their T-shirts had turtles on them.

DCL (Disney) is a close number 2 for me.

Why?

-beautiful & traditional lines and décor of their ships

-wonderful & energetic staff

-amazing adults only area

-fantastic entertainment

-dining rotation between 3 restaurants while keeping the same dining staff

What keeps them from being my #1 line?

-expensive

-limited itinerary choices in Carribean

We too are impatiently waiting for the fall 2016 schedules. We would like to do a 10-14 cruise in the fall. The late release of the schedules is preventing us from booking all our other vacations as we have limited number of days vacation. Our condos can be booked 13 months in advance. We would love to book our condo winter and summer vacations but don't know how many days we will have available depending upon our cruise length.

Maybe HAL thinks they are building suspense and more desire for their cruises by waiting to post their schedule after the other lines.

I've been checking daily since the end of May. Would be nice if we could take advantage of the Anniversary sale.

510Picker from your Eurodam Nov 2013 photos, it looks like they serve the strawberries and champagne even on the first day during sailaway time. Is that correct?

What a great way to christen a cruise!

Thanks so much for the link. I have been on 3 HAL Caribbean cruises and due to weather conditions haven't got to see Half Moon Cay yet. This November we are doing a b2b, 2 chances to get there! Hope it works out.

Does the city bus go by Smith's Cove?

To me it looks like the green bus on route 6&7 would go past there. But, I may be reading the map all wrong.

It does not matter if the charge is in advance of, or during the cruise. It does not matter if the charge is paid for via the passenger's credit card, on-board credit, or a gift from another person.

So long as the charge is attributed to that one booking number, it counts. That is consistent

I see your point.

That's what I suspected.

But it certainly doesn't seem consistent though does it, since pre-purchased excursions charged to a cc do count.

Oh well, thanks for the info!

I am wondering if the purchase of a future cruise certificate counts as your on board spending towards your mariner star status.

The reason I wonder is because you have to pay for the FCC with a credit card and not on your onboard account. However, purchases made prior to the cruise on a cc count, like excursions & indulgences.

Not that is really matters, but just curious. Anybody out there know?

You can ask at the front desk to borrow a fan. They keep some on the ship to loan out. My brothers family used DCL's on 3 cruises.

SeashineSunshine,

I see you are from N Dakota. I just wanted you to be aware that the horses in the Caribbean and not nearly as "fluffly" as our Midwestern horses. I am a very sensitive animal person and was a little saddened by the weight of the horses and by the fact they didn't have beautiful green pastures to live in, but sandy pastures. They horses were by no means malnourished or abused. But I just wanted to make you aware so you are so surprised like I was.

I think they do a fantastic job on whites especially. I have sent white capris and tees in and they come back white-er and crisper than ever. Wish I could get my whites that white at home!

Thanks for this post. I'm going to cancel my pre-order too and wait to do it onboard. Didn't know that was an option.