MD_Dan

The Potomac is not deep enough for a cruise ship of any size.

On 3/26/2024 at 7:27 AM, Pomc99 said:

Was this the bridge that was too low to allow larger cruise ships access to the port of Baltimore?
 

If so, build a new bridge taller to allow the larger cruise ships out of Baltimore. 

I feared it was too soon to comment about this but I'm glad you started!  The TWO limiting bridges were this bridge and the Cay Bridge.  They both had a clearance of 185' and 50+depth in the channel.  Unless they had a drawbridge I don't see it happening.  The Bay Bridge is usually a "white knuckle" experience the first times (and for some, every time) one drives across.  I can't see Maryland and Delaware folks adding much more height - this area is very flat.

Fun Researcher,

    Thanks for this review.  We are in the same position ... all but one sailing on Royal (our first was Disney when DD was preschool).  And we're very curious about trying a X cruise. 

    From your review, we certainly want to try an Edge class ship.

    Our problem is very different from most.  DW and I enjoy a good meal but several issues have limited our diets.  How is X with passengers requesting off-menu items - modified or completely replaced printed dishes?

Thanks again!

I got these from tripadvisor.  I suggest you do some homework before booking anything!!!  But these will give you an idea of what is available:

-          https://www.facebook.com/p/Greys-Island-Excursions-Come-Experience-St-Kitts-with-Us-100063478989907/?paipv=0&eav=Afbnnx4YccUXCMSEWJ8dkPbkfuC8HhMAXBzq3cvkrrpAMio0O5jEsjdQLoUyHOLAW9Q&_rdr

I can tell you that I tried the volcano hike and couldn't keep up.  I can also tell you that there is a recently built house on the site of the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton.

(I don't know if this was helpful but I just had to answer a Maryland Basketball fan's post!)

We planned on flying into MCO; Uber/Lyft an Orlando hotel (close the action); and getting a shuttle to PC.  The trouble with that plan is that the best (and most affordable) shuttle services pickup from MCO and the airport hotels.  So you will pay Uber/Lyft (both ways) - no matter if you stay at a airport hotel (and Uber/Lyft to/from the action) or closer to the action (and Uber/Lybft to/from the airport hotel/MCO).  We planned on staying at the airport hotel, assured that the shuttle would visit the hotel in the embarkation morning with fewer chances of glitches.  But either way will work! 

It also matters how many are in your party.  The shuttle charges ~$30 pp from Orlando to PC.  For more than two people, I'd look into a one-way car rental to PC.  The Uber/Lyft is per car so you probably wont recoup the rental cost on two Uber/Lyft rides.  But you can get a one-way rental for less than $90.

https://www.goport.com/cruise-blog/orlando-hotels-with-shuttle-to-port-canaveral/

https://portcanaveralconnection.com/shuttle-from-orlando-hotels-to-port-canaveral/

https://www.orlandoshuttleservice.com/transportation-services/hotel-and-port-canaveral-shuttles

https://www.cruisecontrol-transportation.com/

Just note that some only go from MCO to PC while others pickup from some airport hotels.

To answer the OP's question, I prefer to stay in Orlando.  You have to pay the shuttle to get from MCO (or Orlando) to Port Canaveral so the only question is when!  Some prefer a very quiet evening before the cruise, while others (like us) prefer to do something fun in Orlando (and then take the shuttle to Port Canaveral in the morning of the cruise).  If you'd like a list of fun things to do in/near Orlando, we can provide that list also!

Build smaller ships so they can sail out of Baltimore!!

15 hours ago, shof515 said:

with the allure doing the short 3-4 day cruises, they may not be enough time in the day or schedule to do two different shows. when it was sailing 7 day cruises, they was more time to do more other shows

We did a B2B four weeks ago on Allure and it was the same Blades show both cruises.  I agree, this was one of my least favorite ice shows. 

We're RCL diamonds and considering some X sailings.  And we're very interested in reading your comparisons and contrasts.

- Much faster embarkation!  Complete the set sail documents online and include a picture.  Have QR code and passports ready

- Muster Drills are much easier!  Report to muster station and get a personal demonstration of how to put on a life vest.  No more waiting shoulder-to-shoulder at the muster station while they call cabin numbers.

- Download the Ap.  You can use it to chat but the person you are chatting with will have to routinely check their phone.  They are getting away from paper Cruise Compasses but you can request them.  Most of the event info from the Compass is located on touch-screens near the elevators.

- Odyssey has a strange quirk ... the elevations were configured with touch-less buttons.  Don't stand near the panel unless you want to light up all the buttons!  Elevators are very slow on the first day while many learn this lesson.

I smelled pot several times on our early November 2023 B2B (Allure and Odyssey).  I don't really care until it is blatant.  One guy made me laugh though ... The ship was moving so he opened a pool deck side window.  He stood right in front of the window but the air was blowing in.  He would have been better on the aft section of running track.  It amazes me that they think nobody detects the smell of pot.

But I imagine a day the RCL has a pot smoking section.  That would make two reasons to avoid that area!!

1 hour ago, SilkySal said:

We have seen The Book ...We enjoyed the show but we're old; some kids may enjoy it and some may not.

Likewise with adults

12 hours ago, HxFx said:

Was this the 11/6 cruise, afternoon showing of Mama Mia? We had that happen. They were sitting very close to us (balcony). I couldn't believe how long it took to take the baby out of there. I felt really bad for the actors.

On 11/22/2023 at 3:34 PM, MD_Dan said:

One show in the theater featured a crying baby for a good 10 minutes.

 

Yes!  It wasn't the baby's fault.  Adult(s) cannot expect to take a baby to a long show and stay quiet.  But the real offense was in delays in implementing (for so long) the obvious solution of taking the baby out.  They must have been new parents because seasoned parents would have known better.

I've watched RCL's Momma Mia three times now.  It really is a great show.  I never thought I would love it but I was wrong.  I believe it was that show that several chatty people sat behind me.  They were mocking non-professionals attempting Broadway shows.  When the curtains fell, they couldn't stop talking about how amazing the RCL show was.  RCL made believers out of snooty theater-production critics (and I said all that without mentioning a certain US city)!!!

I especially like how those without lines acted.  But it amazes me even more how they go out there (show after show) and give 120%.  They are professionals in every sense!

We saw many of the actors (daily) on the running track.  And after show pizza was also popular.  My DW was star-struck at every encounter.  You'd have thought she met Tom Hanks!

3 hours ago, schooner_Drinker said:

That comedy show was brilliant 

If you are talking about the Woman front row to the left of the stage.

She was absolutely wasted 🍷 

This was the 4 night portion 11/6 Day 2 8:30pm show 

 

The way both comedians went off script and managed to still put on an excellent show was worth the entry fee

 

The nice thing then was when they did the big show in the theater, we got to see new material not repeated 😉

 

Nancy

Yes, that was the show!  I was the guy the comedian called "a Republican".

3 hours ago, RD64 said:

What cruise ship show (ever) lasted 2.5 hours? Asking for a friend.

Momma Mia was 2.5 hrs including an intermission.

12 hours ago, CruisinCrow said:

Here are a couple of pictures of our cabin - 8172, ocean view balcony.  I highly recommend the location...

 

 

 

We also had a Deck 8 balcony (8556) on that cruise.  Our bed was near the balcony window.  Both had that same blue thing above the bed.  But we didn't have the 3 seat couch - just a one seat without arms.  But I wouldn't trade for your room without A/C for a night!

We sailed on a recent 3/4 night BRB.

1. The 3 and 4 night cruises have considerably different crowd from the 7 night cruises we are used to!  They tend to be younger and many with children.  One show in the theater featured a crying baby for a good 10 minutes.  Asking a small child to sit quietly for a 2.5 hour show is not realistic and rude to fellow passengers.   We are parents and that was unacceptable then (and now)!  With the lack of sea days, time to chill was reduced.  We saw more people very inebriated!  A lady in the comedy show made a fool of herself - even without the comedian saying a thing!

2. We enjoyed the balcony - especially with the hammock we brought.  The lame patio furniture on Allure needs an upgrade.  Anthem pulled up next to us and they had the chair/foot-rest combination.  I'm requesting a comfortable balcony seat - is that too much to ask?

3. The entertainment is what differentiates RCL from other lines.  Momma Mia was still great (we saw it again on both sailings}.  Blades (the Ice show) was less impressive than other RCL ice shows but still entertaining.  Blue Planet was only shown on the 4-night sailing.  The Aquatics show is always great!  And the comedy shows were excellent (better than previous comedians).  We thought Conner the the Schooner Bar was not as entertaining as the guitarist in the pub.  Maybe it comes with repetition, but we were less entertained with Love and Marriage; Battle of the Sexes; and the Quest.  (I'm sure others may disagree but this is our opinion).  And even trivia had many repeated questions.  We stopped playing because of the advantage was unfair to others.  But before the repletion, we won a highlighter!  Most prizes were highlighters and cozies but we saw two single-team winners take away RCL plastic drinking cups.

4. We had an excellent cabin steward and MDR staff.  We had special medical dietary needs and both the Windjammer and MDR exceeded our explications.  We bonded with our table-mates - even in the short sailings.  The bagel lady at Central Park Cafe knew exactly how I like my bagel and told me I was the only one who liked it that way(lox and cream cheese on a toasted ET bagel; open face[ with tomato and capers but the lox on top).  So the shortened cruise didn't affect the excellence of the staff.  Much has been written about the reduced RCL food quality.  We saw none of that.

5. We didn't see signs of age but Allure needs to be amped!  Her sisters Harmony and Symphony are more dressed. 

6. The temperature in the hot tubs has been reduced.  It allows you to stay longer but I wanted more than a hot bath.

33 minutes ago, danv3 said:

No prizes on Liberty earlier this month.  While the prizes are nothing special, I do think they make it just a bit more fun.  

Agree totally!  Usually the daily trivia contests get smaller prizes but the 'Progressive Trivia" (totaled scores over the length of the cruise) winners get larger prizes.

This is an emotional moment.  People (like me) have made rash statements here.  I, for one, will try to take a step back and take a more thoughtful comments.

The Today show today reported that Rhapsody has loaded the evacuees and headed for Cyprus.

21 hours ago, reallyitsmema said:

 

Oasis sailing from Bayonne sometimes uses Terminal 6 for its port of call since terminal 1 is in use by a ship homeporting in Port Canaveral.

Nice catch mema!  The OP did say Port Canaveral was a "stop."  And the OP is from NY state.

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/driving-directions-port-orlando-canaveral-florida

Oasis Class ships are usually at Terminal 1:

Cruise Terminal #1
9050 Discovery Road
Cape Canaveral, Florida 32920

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Cruise+Terminal+1+-+Port+Canaveral/@28.4069125,-80.6147634,608m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x88e0a6382666bc5d:0x605da222cd947d11!8m2!3d28.4069078!4d-80.6121885!16s%2Fg%2F11f03nrvx4?entry=ttu

We're on Allure in 26 and 29 days.  In mid-September, I was able to reserved seats for Momma Mia (don't miss it - its much better than you first imagine), Blades (ice shows are ALWAYS good), and Aqua Aria.  We Chose not to reserve the comedy show.  Check after midnight or the very first thing in the morning.  Use the phone ap and not your browser.  Check under "entertainment."

But the kicker is that we were only able to reserve shows on the first sailing.  We still cannot reserve the second sailing shows.

I don’t know if your sailing is 3 or 4 nights but here are the 3 night choices:

  * Momma Mia - Day 1, 8pm; One other that we didn’t choose.

  * Blades - Day 1, 8:15pm or10:15pm; Day 3, 7pm.

  * Ocean Aria - Day 2, 10pm ; One other that we didn’t choose.

  * Comedy – We did not book.

  * I did not see Blue Planet for the 3 night sailing.

47 minutes ago, soremekun said:

Bottom of the Seas

Too soon?

Some of us remember the TV show!

13 hours ago, MD_Dan said:

  * Momma Mia - Day 1, 8pm

  * Blades - Day 3, 7pm

  * Ocean Aria - Day 2, 10pm

  * Comedy - did not book

I faked a cancel reservation and found some more dates/times:

  * Blades - Day 1, 8:15pm or10:15pm; Day 3, 7pm.

It wouldn't let me do this for the other shows.

24 minutes ago, CruisinCrow said:

 

Is Blades the ice skating show?

Yes!  I didn't see a time for this show but 30-45 minutes is the norm.

Momma Mia in a 2.5 hour show.