mikechass

I have a 12 and an 8 year old.

We did our first cruise on Freedom this summer.

The one thing I wished someone told me was to RELAX and have faith in the way you raised your kids.

I was much like you, asking questions and hoping to not annoy or offend the other passengers.

I came to see VERY early on that most of the issues and problems we had came from the ADULTS on the ship. Adults behaviour in the buffet was awful, the fact that people would shove my children to get at the pop machines etc... it was overwhelming to try to explain to the kids WHY these grown ups were acting so terrible.

The most entitled people we saw, both on the cruise and in Seaworld/Busch Gardens were the grown ups who gave up their morals and values to cut in front of my kids who were patient and well behaved.

Go away, enjoy your family and have faith that they will be very well behaved. But please remember, they too are on vacation so little allowances should be planned on.

Staying up later then usual, having pizza or dessert at 11 pm just because they can, watching movies you maybe wouldn't allow at home, bringing a book or their ipods to dinner so they can have something to do as a "Reward" for the first hours good behaviour.

Enjoy your trip!

Chass

There is a couscous salad in the WJ that I adore. I always take some back to the room, and put it in the fridge for later that night. LOVE it.

Also, there is something yummy about a plate of taco chips, with chili, cheese and sour cream in the afternoon around the pool that just can't get any better...

Chass

Any update yet about AOS's drydock?

We are looking at booking this in Jan/Feb 2015

Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks everyone!!!

Mel&Ken

I'm sorry to read all this.

I was interested in reading right up to the end to see how it turned out....I'm sorry it hasn't ended at all yet...

I did want to tell you we forgot wallet in the Freedom safe last month, I realize it is Royal and not Celebrity but still. I waited over 2 hours for the wallet which was in the cabin we stayed in. It was INSANE

After we got the wallet and got home, I emailed RCCL to explain my frustration with several aspects of the incident. Mainly that 1. it took sooo long, and 2 that they had several people "verify" that the wallet had no money in it when they found it. I was over the top annoyed that it took so long to bring down and they had the time to have that many people check check and recheck.

Anyways, I got a response a few days later with a sizeable discount on an upcoming cruise for all my troubles.

They do offer these things, make sure you stay on them and insist that they compensate you accordingly.

I am not one to expect something for small silly things, but this is neither and I think their behaviour and lack luster response is unbecoming of a company such as this....

Good luck PLEASE keep us posted!!!

Chass

Thanks so much for this.

I am looking ahead... WAY ahead... Thinking of doing the Southern 7 Days cruise out of SJ

February 2015.

We just got off Freedom, and I have done 6 other RC cruises.

We aren't into small quiet ships, but I looove these itineraries.

Was gonna plan a B2B for my family.

I'm wondering if there is a drydock plan for the ship in the coming year

and if you thought after having done Freedom and Oasis if this ship is just to small and "quiet" for a busy family with kids who would be 13.5 and 10 at the time??

I know Freedom was "Oasisized" and wondered if anyone knew if that was the plan for all ships.

Thanks everyone I appreciate your time and expertise.

Chass

Thanks so much for this.

I am looking ahead... WAY ahead... Thinking of doing the Southern 7 Days cruise out of SJ

February 2015.

We just got off Freedom, and I have done 6 other RC cruises.

We aren't into small quiet ships, but I looove these itineraries.

Was gonna plan a B2B for my family.

I'm wondering if there is a drydock plan for the ship in the coming year

and if you thought after having done Freedom and Oasis if this ship is just to small and "quiet" for a busy family with kids who would be 13.5 and 10 at the time??

I know Freedom was "Oasisized" and wondered if anyone knew if that was the plan for all ships.

Thanks everyone I appreciate your time and expertise.

Chass

I am wondering if anyone knows about the Jan29th Sea of Cortez evening?? I can't get a hold of my TA till October, she is on a leave... thanks.

So great, looking forward to seeing and reading more.

Welcome Home and Congrats on the retirement!!!

I was diagnosed 5 months ago, just came back from Freedom. It was great. There are TONS of low carb options.

Also, if you take a minute to talk to the waiters when you sit down, they will work with you to keep your meals all under a certain number of carbs.

They have a sugar free dessert every meal

and sugar free ice creams too.

Still carbs in those of course but its an option for someone like me who is still getting used to no real sugar

I was allowed juice boxes with me on the planes, and once there if you are finding the wait difficult then ask for a chair.

I had priority boarding so we were in quick but they are VERY helpful at the pier as well.

There is a small fridge in the room, you can store your insulin in there. The only thing I can't know for sure is that when your off the ship if your meds need to be with ice? I would pack a thermal lunchbag, and get the room guys to freeze a few icepacks to keep things cool in the blazing summer months. Hope that helps. Anything else, let me know.

What a wonderful way to spend a Sunday!!!!!

We are changing our booking from Allure to Freedom and so I decided to do a search and see what people have to say.

I will admit, this is the FIRST and ONLY thing I have read and it was PERFECT

Thanks soooo very much for taking the time to write it.

My kids LOVED the pictures and we had fun reading it during the day.

I even had my soon to be 12 year old down here looking at the pictures and if you have ever been around 12 year old boys, the LAST thing they wanna do is sit with their mom and look on the computer!!

Thanks again!!! We will go back and reread this one a few more times before our August cruise!

Chass

REALLY enjoying this review.

While we had -30 *c here in Winnipeg this morning, sitting with my tea and reading from the beginning has warmed up my day!

Thanks so much for taking the time and effort to do it.

Can I add, that the way you refer to us as "friends" is so sweet.

You have a big heart.

Enjoy your trip and SAFE TRAVELS!!!

Chass

You will love this ship.

We never had a single time we couldn't find a chair where we wanted.

WE aren't early risers but would go up there about 1030 or 11 and never had a single time that we didn't sit where we wanted.

To be honest, the Solarium was a favourite place for the hot afternoon sun as well.

But by the pool, in the sun there wasn't an issue.

Eclipse is amazing, we are looking at Med itineraries on this EXACT ship just because we loved it.

We have done 10 cruises, and have NEVER done a repeat ship so that should say something.

HAVE A BLAST!!!!

You will loooove it.

Chass

Enjoying this so much! Kids went back to school today, found this first thing this morning, now planning on following it all week, or until your done.

Thanks for taking the time to post all this!

Really enjoying it!

Chass

My kids and I enjoyed reading it and seeing the pictures.

My hubby and I did the Oasis ship this past January and are excited to take the kids on Allure next August.

Thanks for taking the time to post this.

It was wonderful to read.

Chass

Cute thread, I have the Oasis of the Sea's "Mighty Ships" on PVR just so when it is blowing snow and miserable outside, I can put it on while folding laundry and dream about our upcoming trip.. that noise always give me chills. My hubby and I talk about that sound ALL THE TIME! Thanks for the info, this was a fun read...

Safe Travels.

Chass

All I can say is that I HOPE my couple weeks on Oasis in January don't go as fast as this week seemed to have gone for you Radio!! Thanks so much

I haven't been to Cozumel in years either and can't believe all the changes. Sooo excited to figure things out for excursions and what not.

Thanks again for the time and energy you have put forward to getting this all on here so we can "travel" along with you.

Safe travels home!!

Really enjoying your trip. Had to work the last few days, glad to be all caught up and ready to read all about Cozumel. Safe Travels Radio and Thanks again!!

So anxious to read about Jamaica from you Radio. I am nervous about that stop as I host a group (30 people, some seniors) and their safety and ability to get on and off the ship is always a concern. Also, I am excited to see what is available for them ONCE they do get off. Thanks so much.. have a WONDERFUL day!!!

Thanks for taking the time and energy to do another live from thread. I am thrilled they put you back on the RCI board as I am heading on Oasis in Jan and would have not likely gone into the Allure sticky...

Looking forward to your week, I must admit, I just got glasses for the first time in my life and your live from thread was the first one I have read... with absolute clarity!! Can't wait to keep on reading...

Thanks again and SAFE TRAVELS

Chass

I always like to bring a pad of post its, it is great for leaving messages for friends, reminders and "where I'm heading" notes to my hubby.

I also always bring my water shoes from home, as well as a mesh bag to take to the beach, the nice big ones that have zippers and what not are good for shopping but the sand NEVER comes out of them.

We saw a double rainbow one day on Jewel of the Seas after what I think I remember to be 15 minutes of rain. Actually, for a few minutes it had a third part too but I couldn't get the picture in time.

This was off the ship while leaving from San Juan. One of my all time favorite pictures.