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Despite what the OP entitled this thread, it appears that he is seriously mistaken and there has been no dramatic change in the number of visits to Labadee scheduled for RCI ships. No need to panic folks, just a bit of misinformation.

Based on the information in the Captain's thread, Captain Ole started his rotation on or about 7/7. If they follow the typical 10 week rotation, I would expect that Captain Stig should be assuming command sometime around the middle of September so you may see him on your Canada/New England cruise. No guarantees though as sometimes the Captains can arrange for longer or shorter rotations.

Interesting thoughts everyone.

I am not sure that the promenade will be a big seller for my husband and I but since I have not sailed yet on freedom, I really don,t know how we will feel about it.

 

Also being September and looking at Boston, maine,new Brunswick and Nova Scotia, the weather might be a bit cooler and enclosed solarium sounds good.

The weather could be cooler since we are heading into Fall, but so far September temperatures in Boston are in the high 80's, lower 90's and if we get a typical Indian Summer in October the temps again could be quite warm. Layers is the operative word but the climate-controlled solarium on Serenade will allow you to enjoy the pool regardless of outside weather conditions. Enjoy. We like all of RCI's ships, the ones with a Royal Promenade and those without but Radiance class ships are definitely our favorites.

Say hi to Clo for us and remind her that we will be sailing with her on the repositioning cruise from Boston to Tampa at the end of October.:)

Bill & Rita

The last time we were in Martinique which was a number of years ago, the taxi driver whose English was severely limited, had a taped English version of the tour which he played as we reached different parts of the rain forest, the village of St. Pierre, that was destroyed when Mt. Pele erupted in 1902 etc.

They want you off ASAP...you'll find that any and all service you've come to expect is conspicuously missing on the last morning. Few smiles, less talking...they want you GONE!

 

You will need to be out of the cabin by 8-8:30 am....so sitting in public areas is about all you can do. Breakfast is earlier than normal, so you can't linger there....

That has never been our experience. While they clearly want to clear the ship as quickly as possible so that they can get her ready for the next sailing's passengers, service, smiles etc. have never been conspicuously missing on the last morning. They again I can understand why the staff might be quite happy to see "some" passengers leave.;)

But who's doing the proofreading?;):):eek:

 

Seriously, thanks for all the info you have provided. Looking forward to our upcoming Oasis cruises.

I don't believe that RCI employs proofreaders if most of their printed materials are any indication. Their 2016-2017 cruise brochure references "Helsiniki" as one of their ports of call and veterans can remember when they appeared to indicate that Junior Suite guests had access to the CL

We had breakfast a several dinners in CK on Oasis last month and found that while service was spotty at best, the food was quite good especially breakfast.

No no no

 

The bit about excluding bar staff!!!!!

That is because the bar staff tips are not, and have never been, included in the basic tipping program which only covers the dining room wait staff and your room steward. (Not sure if the new butler service will be included in the tip package or will be handled separately.) Bar staff are tipped at the time of service when 18% is automatically added to the voucher you have to sign.

Doesn't look like too many are excited about Costa adding two new megaships.

How do you get to the port from the hotel? looking at Holiday inn express. Is a taxi the best way or are there shuttles?

What ship and what city are you asking about? Have you checked to see if the Holiday Inn Express offers a shuttle (complimentary or for a fee) from its property to the ship? If not, a taxi is probably your best option.

Sorry, but I refuse to waste time going through 62 previous responses when my question is simple...

 

It's FREE, why would you not go?

Free or not, if a show isn't enjoyable why waste your time when there are plenty of other things to see and do that will be more enjoyable. From the many reports of half-empty theaters after the intermission and the overall negative reviews from those of us who stayed through the entire performance, I think it is reasonable to conclude that very many do not enjoy this show.

We were able to use luggage valet for our flight home after our recent cruise on Oasis of the Seas. It was well worth the $40 charged for our two suitcases and we would do it again in a heartbeat. Made the whole disembarkation process and checking in at the airport (FLL) so much easier. Of course we had a direct flight so there was no connecting flight involved in case that makes a difference. Wish it was available for our flight home from Tampa in November but it isn't offered and even if it were, our flight is too early to qualify.:)

Marion Mom pretty well summarized the reasons that Quantum class ships originally received less positive reviews than some of RCI's other classes of ships.

We too have sailed on Quantum and fully enjoyed it, glitches not withstanding, and look forward to sailing on Anthem and any subsequent ships in that class. I think that you will find that the positive rankings of Quantum class ships will improve considerably over time and you should look forward to sailing on this class of ship rather than worry about others opinions. Their experiences won't necessarily reflect your own.

We've been there in early to mid-June and had no problems getting quite close but as others have said, weather conditions in Alaska can vary quite a bit. Later dates might inprove your chances but there are no guarantees

Again, go look at my older posts. Shame you judge so fast without knowing who you are talking too.

If your other posts are as inane as this one and you are that clueless of the basic rule against saving lounge chairs, looking at your other posts would be fruitless. You clearly need more help than most of us are able to offer you.:rolleyes:

Hi all, would anyone know the best beaches to go to at these destinations? Thanks.

Palm and Eagle Beaches are our favorites in Aruba. Blue Bai beach in Curaçao is a bit of a distance from where the ship docks but still only a relatively inexpensive cab ride away. Most of the closer in beaches are less desirable IMO.

Enjoy.

Clo! Capt. Stig!

So many great bar and wait staff!

Brilliance 2002 westbound TA was our introduction to the Radiance class ships and we have since sailed on every one in the class. Love what each class of ship has to offer but Radiance class ships are definitely our favorites.:)

I have come to accept that negative reviews seem to gain more attention than positive ones but I don't recall reading any, or at least a lot of, negative reviews of Serenade recently. I have to say that our repositioning cruise from New Orleans to Boston this Spring was among our very best cruise experiences. Serenade was the only Radiance class ship we had yet to sail on and that fact plus an itinerary that took us to New Orleans and Bonaire for the very first time, and ended in our home port of Boston was a significant factor in our deciding to book that cruise. We never regretted our decision and we could not have had a better cruise experience or been treated better by everyone on board. Next year the Serenade will be completing its westbound transatlantic cruise in Boston so we look forward to doing the Norwegian fjords and TA on her to be followed six weeks later by her repositioning cruise from Boston to Ft. Lauderdale. We enjoy what each class of Royal Caribbean ship has to offer but have to admit that Radiance class is our very favorite.:)

Yes, I agree, Freedom is a lot more manageable. While I technically would like to go on the Oasis, I believe it would be way too big even for me... I'' live vicariously through people's reviews for that class of ships :) at least for now.. :p

we were just on Oasis with friends and family including six teens and everyone had a wonderful time and none seemed to think the ship was too big. A few years ago we took our grandkids ages 4 to early teens and they had a fantastic experience. Youngest grandkid didn't want to leave Adventure Ocean. LOL So much for cruisers of all ages. Oasis class is definitely great for multi-generational cruisers.:)

Just yesterday, our TA said that RC charged about $25 for corkage fee in the dining room.

Is she misinformed? Actually, I have more faith in this board than her information.

She is mistaken. Even before they officially eliminated the corkage fee, I can't remember ever being charged a fee when we brought a bottle(usually one purchased from RCI before they allowed you to bring your own wine onboard) to the dining room. I may be mistaken or overly optimistic but I sense a new and more passenger-friendly attitude being exhibited by the line's top executives.:)

Thanks for the replies, the website is clear as mud. Have no clue what my preferences are. Guess I will call DP desk on my layover.

When you get to your room you should find a letter from the concierge outlining the specific perks that you will receive as a D+ C&A member. On Brilliance, D+ members have full access to both the Diamond and Concierge Lounges, special breakfast in Chops, and myriad other benefits. Depending on your point total you may also receive invitations to free bridge, galley and backstage tours, luncheon with an officer etc.

Interesting itinerary and quite different from their usual western itinerary. At least anyone on back to backs will see some different ports.

French toast with Bananas Foster in Coastal Kitchen on the Oasis…..amazing.:):):):):)

Agreed. Yum!

Looking forward to sailing with Clo O'Connor again on the Brilliance repo cruise from Boston to Tampa. She has long been our favorite CD and we have been fortunate to get to know her during numerous cruises on Jewel and Brilliance. In fact she was the CD on our very first TA in 2002 on Brilliance of the Seas when she oversaw a very moving memorial on the first anniversary of 9/11. Don't miss a chance to walk with her every day onboard. Others whom we have definitely enjoyed have been Joff Eaton, Carly Boileau, Keith Williams and Dan Whitney. Look up the word "pompous" in the dictionary and you will likely find a photo of Ken Rush.;)

IMHO, stay away from #9078 as it gets very noisy from the entertainment emanating from the Atrium. Yes, it has a large balcony, but we had to vacate after 3 nites to another cabin away from the Atrium as we could not get any sleep during or 12 nite Medit. cruise back in August, '13. The primary problem, is that when Serenade and other Brilliance class ships went for refurb, they added additional speakers to enhance the music from the acts in the Atrium.

9078 is our stateroom of choice on any and all Radiance Class ships. Perhaps we are nightowls but the music in the Centrum never bothered us as it usually ended well before midnight and the convenient location near the elevators as opposed to the lengthy walk to the aft section of the ship was another plus. Didn't have to make sure that we had everything with us when we left the cabin in the morning so we wouldn't have that long walk back if we forgot something. Since we always book 9078 or its equivalent on the other side of the elevator lobby, perhaps I should join the chorus whose negative comments may discourage others from blocking our wishes by booking that cabin.;)