MD_Dan

I concur with cruisegirl1.  There is an electric hanukiyah in the Chapel.  I can't imagine they would deny you bringing your own but best to call first.

On 12/24/2018 at 4:34 PM, stevendom57 said:

I did the all access tour on the Mariner in this last November. We went in the galley, cold storage, engine control room, laundry, environmental control area, and the bridge. We spent about 20 minute on the bridge and the officer in command answered any and all question that we asked. It was very informative and I enjoyed it, but I would only do it once. It cost $89.

I signed DW and myself for a tour on Adventure of the Seas recently.  I was mainly interested in the Bridge and had very little interest in the Galley and Engine Room.  They had a window into the bridge so passengers could view (for free).  The blinds were closed most of the time but open when I watched as they pulled out of port one day.  They had displays showing the stations and a brief write-up on each.  I canceled the $89 (each) tours.

I noticed on our recent cruise (3 weeks ago) that the carry-on luggage fit nicely under the bed but the larger (checked) luggage did not.  I didn't try the idea from cb at sea.

In our home, a chair is a clothes hanger (especially for coats but there are no coats on a Caribbean cruise).  So the first thing I do is put the chair (from the desk) in the closet.  The chair is never used at the desk and it functions better (for us) as another shelf.  In the old days, when they had a coffee table, I also put that in the closet (as it was a needless piece of furniture in a small cabin).

I must admit that I never heard of pickleball before I googled it (after your question).  But it looks fun!

I didn't see it on any Compass (I have all but Day2).  The major thing (outside of the equipment) you would need is a net.  On other cruises, is the net attached to the basketball court or is it freestanding?  It would be much easier if it were freestanding.   I was on the sports deck during the soccer competition and they had two freestanding goals.  You may want to contact RCL to let them know there is interest here.

6 hours ago, karkee8807 said:

The Quest was on the second to last night. It was really funny. It was my first time seeing it how Mercedes did it, and we really enjoyed it. 

Karlee, we were on the same cruise and I totally concur.  She had so much energy - it just translated to all in the room!

Did you happen to catch the piano guy, Keith?  I'm hoping that someone got his last name.  It was his 1st RCL contact and 2nd cruise.  He was amazing.

And it was Marvin's last cruise of this contract.  I hope to see him as a CD soon!

Thanks for the opportunity to tell my Mount Liamuiga hike story.  The one word I would use is strenuous. 

I am not a hiker but I love exploring nature.  They drive you to a point that is 700' above sea level.  The path is rocks and roots so your attention is confined to looking down for your next.  Needless to say we climbed (the peak is at 2800 ') and I felt my ears pop.  Rests were frequent but very short 1-2 min.  The slopes got steeper and the footing worse. 

As people fell back, they were collected at the half way mark.  I passed that point (about 1800') but also opted to fall back (my pulse was fast and hard).   But a guide stayed with us (15% of the group).  It was here that we had a chance to discus the ecosystem of the vplcano.  The descent was less hurried and more informative.  I picked up a volcanic rock (basalt) and brought it home. If you are in good shape, do it.  If the group is small, do it.  But don't get mixed in with 30 year olds when you are almost 60!

You can carry off your luggage between 6:30 and 8 AM.  The main obstacles (at Port Everglades) is the escalators. We went to the Windjammer (it was pretty full) at 7 AM and left the ship by 7:45 AM.

1 hour ago, island284 said:

What time did you get in line to disembark and where to they have you line up?  I know it’s deck 4 but we’re you waiting in a particular lounge or dining room?  We have an early flight. Thanks you for any details you may share. 

Good questions!

All switched to local time.  And with the phone on Airplane Mode, it won't automatically update the time change.  We didn't get the wifi package so maybe it would update there.  We were able to turn the phones on in San Juan and communicate to home and each other.  RCL says you can call/text in Labadee for a RCL charge of $10.  But it is such a confined area that we didn't need it.

They list "Adult Dodgeball Competition".  They just list it's location as Deck 13 but the basketball court would be the ideal location for this.

24 minutes ago, Dett said:

We were on this cruise.  The ventriloquist was fantastic.  Too bad you missed it.  We did notice that the shows were not full.  Not sure the reason.

What did you do at each of the ports?

Labadee - We both had fun on the beach

San Juan - I toured both forts; sampled some local beers; and walked through the town.  DW did the Mofongo and Mojito excursion and loved it.

Saint Marten - DW did the foodie tour again and I went to the beach.

Saint Kitts - I did the Volcano hike and DW shopped.

This was our 6^th RCL cruise and 1^st on a Voyager class ship.  It was our first in 2 years.  These are my take-aways:

- The ship is in good shape.

- - We have now sailed on all but Oasis and Sovereign classes.  I would say that Freedom was my favorite, but Voyager was close behind.  It was large enough to have nice amenities but small enough to recognized people as you walked down the promenade.

- - We ate in the formal dining room most nights but honestly, the food was better at the Windjammer on some nights.  I would suggest you look at the menu on each day before deciding which to attend.  I always enjoy eating with the same passengers.  And would not attend all Windjammer during formal nights.

-  Our cruise was 8 nights and I took the advice of others on this board and did not dress excessively.  I wish I had brought fancier clothes.  If your cruise is 7 nights or longer, bring the tux!

-  The piano bar guy is really good.  This was Keith’s first contract and second cruise.  He played 3-4 hours a night (although he was not scheduled all nights) and never took a break!  The Schooner Bar was rocking all night long.

-  The CD was Mercedes and AD was Magic Marvin.  Both were suburb.  Mercedes shined during Quest and I expect to see Marvin as CD in the future.  This was Marvin’s last cruise of his current contract.

-  The shows were very good.  Even the comedians were good.  We did pass on the ventriloquist though.  We loved the ice show.

-  When they list height and weight limits, they mean it.  I was 4 lbs over the 250 limit for the slide and the RCL employee told me, “You’re too heavy.”

-  Chops is still amazing!  I am generally a pescatarian and married to a proud carnivore.   But I think I enjoyed our meal more than she did!

-  RCL embarkation and debarkation are extremely fast and efficient!  We were on the ship within an hour of arriving!  And we opted for self-debarkation and had no problems.  The taxi line was never more than 2 people while we were there.  Many more are taking Lyft and Uber.

I have Compasses and would be glad to answer any questions!

Hello,

    Its not a question exclusive to RCI but I don't know where else to ask it!

    My DW likes to sleet without fixed top sheets.  The bottom sheet is as most, but there is not top sheet.  At home, she has a comforter.  She tosses and turns so much, she rolls herself up in the comforter.  At home, we share a bed but have different sheet/blanket configurations.

    Any suggestions are appreciated!

Dan

The forums said I couldn't post so this is my way of determining if I've fixed it.  If this gets posted, you had to stay logged in.

Graham,

I'll not comment on the rumor until you corfirm/deny it.

But let me say how much we enjoyed you being CD on our Dec 2, 2012 cruise. Your stand-up was top-notch. I don't know who else could tell but you really played guitar in the "Rock Britannia". I know so many others would have just played "air guitar" but you are no fake. Your staff spoke of you with respect. The vast majority of passengers love you.

We don't know what is happening with your 23 year career at RCI. But it important to know that you have many fans you have. We appreciate you giving it all you have 100% of the time. I'm sure you have down days (sorry to hear about the loss of your peer) but you never let on to personal problems to the passengers on the cruise. I'm so glad you found someone to share your life with.

I would have loved a "Whose Line" show, You would make a great Clive Anderson.

You joked during that cruise that your supervisors took offense by your consuming a cupcake in a single bite. And the next day you make an off-the-cuff remark when the bear mascot fell into the cupcake. Your facial expression afterward told me that you knew you would hear more flak from management. I sure hope I am reading too much into this. Nobody helped sell more cupcakes on RCI Freedom of the Seas than Graham Seymour. We loved the cupcake dance.

You can't comment about any of this now. And, even much later, you are far too classy a guy to comment. But just know that your efforts as CD made our cruise so much better. We wish you and your bride many happy years together.

Dan