FLUFFLULA

We've stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn Airport Cruiseport several times before cruises and we're staying there again before a cruise in August. It is close to the port and provides a free shuttle from the airport and another to the port (for $6-8/person). There is a good and resonably priced restaurant on site. It is also across the street from a mall. The rates are usually around $100/night, but we haven't stayed there in the winter so the rates may be higher then.

Allure is a fabulous ship IMHO and there are many different activities for children and adults. Royal Caribbean is my favorite cruiseline and Allure and Oasis are my favorite ships becasue there is always something for everyone to do. The parades alone (2 or more per week) are unbelievable. There are also the Shrek characters and the merry-go-round and games in addition to the kids area. I hope we can take our 4 y/o granddaughter on one of these ships soon. For adults, there are musical performances in Central Park, lots of food chocies, and many other activities--but one can also sit in Central Park and enjoy the birds, flowers and greenery. Although some people say the ship is crowded, we did not have that experience at all, except when the theater lets out, for example.

I hope you enjoy whatever you choose.

Thank you! I just got my crimson and houndstooth jacket and sunglasses in time for the trip

 

Think I should get an "A" for my door?

 

RTR

We have a circular magnetic disk with the UA emblem that we use every cruise and makes it easy to find our door. I also have a UA lanyard and DH has several shirts with the "A" or elephant. Great conversaton starters.

My time,

Love your avatar! RTR!

Thanks Fluff..you've set my mind at ease!

I appreciate your posting!!!!

I'm glad the info helped. I've learned so much from CC members that it's good to be of help to someone else. :)

So, based on what everyone has said, we should forget about choosing the "best cabin" based on the cabin categories assigned by the cruiseline and just choose the one that fits our needs best, taking into account location, amenities and etc. Funny, because that's what we've been doing but I thought we were missing some "well-kept secret" for cabin selection! :p Thanks for clearing that misconception up for me.

We had a cabin in this area on deck 9 on the Oasis and liked it so much that we chose a cabin in the same area, but on deck 8, when we cruised on Allure. The area is much more quiet than some decks, the area is near the elevators, and Central Park is very close--just down the steps or elevator. If you are in one of these cabins on deck 8, you can just walk to the elevator area, out the door on the right and go directly into Central Park! There was also a small room with computers for internet access near the entry to these cabins. It was great not to walk down LONG decks of cabins to traverse the ship. When we go on either of these ships again (sooner rather than later, I hope!) we will choose a cabin in this area again. I agree that being on the end of the row might be more noisy than in the middle of the cabin rows, though. :)

Thanks for the helpful information.

We have been on a number of cruises but we still don't know how the cabin categories are ranked (best to least). I saw a post recently on CC that said the first letter is the location, such as I for Interior, and the second letter is the cabin rank starting with A (highest), B and etc. which seemed to be the case when I looked at cabins on Princess. But when I looked at RCI, cabin categories started at K or L. So, I'm confused. How does the traveler know the best to the least desirable cabin category? :confused:

Thanks in advance for your help!

We have been on a number of cruises but we still don't know how the cabin categories are ranked (best to least). I saw a post recently on CC that said the first letter is the location, such as I for Interior, and the second letter is the cabin rank starting with A (highest), B and etc. which seemed to be the case when I looked at cabins on Princess. But when I looked at RCI, cabin categories started at K or L. So, I'm confused. How does the traveler know the best to the least desirable cabin category? :confused:

Thanks in advance for your help!

Favorite ships: Allure and Oasis--no other ships even close, but then I do

enjoy mega ships the most--so much to see and do!

Can hardly wait for Quantum!

What are you looking for, quiet areas, action areas, evening entertainment, live music, late night nightclub, areas to smoke?

We have found that there are often special areas on other ships that are not well-known to cruisers new to the ship, for example, a quiet area, one with a special view, best deck to read a book, or a less known area that only a few cruisers know about and enjoy. If it helps, we are in our early 60's and we've been on a total of 12 cruises on RCI, Carnival, Celebrity and Princess (this is our third Princess cruise).

We're on CB in August and wondered if there are any secret areas or special things on the ship that we should be sure to see or do. We've seen lots of posts about food which we are looking forward to trying, but not much about the ship.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!:)

We've stayed at the Hilton Garden Inn in Dania Beach several times pre-cruise. The hotel is very nice with a good restaurant on site and a mall with shops and restaurants across the street. There's also fast food within walking distance and the area seems very safe. The hotel's airport shuttle is free and there are shuttles from the hotel to the airport for a reasonable fee (about $6-8pp).

Sandigojoe, love the Snoopy picture--I'm a Peanuts fan too! :)

Interested to know if you were upgraded on this cruise. We're scheduled for 8/16/14 on the CB and hoping for an upgrade, but doubtful given the late summer sailing to the caribbean.

Thanks for your very helpful comments and perspectives about Jewel. DH and I will make a decision this week--we hope!

Thanks for all the suggestions. Canada New England seems to be the winner. DH and I will try to decide this week.

we did them both last year and you're right--they were great, but DH doesn't want to repeat either of them this year.:(

My DH can only cruise mid August this year. We've cruised on Carnival, RCL (my favorite), Celebrity and Princess. DH is not particular but I really enjoy the large ships. In our time frame there are a few choices in the Caribbean (Getaway, RCL Jewel, Caribbean Princess), but it's HOT there in August. DH enjoyed Canada New England last year, but the only option in our time frame is HAL Veendam or Maasdam, older and MUCH smaller than we're used to and the reviews are very mixed (either love or hate usually), so we can't decide what's best. BTW we are early 60's.

Thanks for any thoughts you have!:confused:

Thanks for the information. Sounds like we'd be fine since we've had no issues with smoking on RCCL.

I've seen several reports that there is lots of smoking on Getaway becasue ot isn't limited to certain areas. Is there lots of smoke in common areas? DH and I are sensitive to smoke so it would be a deal breaker for us.

Thanks for any info you can share.

Trying to decide on a cruise in August to Caribbean. We like RCI ships and Jewel is the only RCI choice in our time frame. Reviews of Jewel are mixed--some say it is very good, others say that the ship, service, food and etc. are not good. Jewel is smaller than other RCI ships we've sailed, but this cruise is port intensive (5 ports) so maybe the ship itself is less of a concern?

What to do???

That's quite a selection. It sounds like you love the big ships. Have you considered Oasis or Allure of the Seas? In my opinion, those 2 are at the top of the competition.

 

But between your choices, I would book in this order....Getaway, Breeze, Caribbean Princess. Of those 3, the only ship I haven't set foot on is Getaway. Breeze isn't typical Carnival because they got away from the usual hideous Carnival interior designs. Caribbean Princess...nothing stood out as unique or different. But looking at what Getaway offers, that ship appeals to me the most out of those 3.

Yes, we (me mostly) like the big ships and thoroughly enjoyed Allure and Oasis last year, but DH wants to do a different ship this time. Getaway does sound like a great new experience especially since we've never been on an NCL ship--just those pesky same old ports . . . Good info about Breeze too.

Thanks.

My DH and I (early 60's) are unsure which cruise to take in mid-August to the Caribbean. We know August is HOT but my DH teaches online courses and doesn't want to worry about accessing the course while traveling. We've been to St. Thomas, St. Marten and Nassau many times, but a new ship--Getaway--would be fun to try. Breeze and Caribbean Princess have similar itineraries with a couple of new ports, but we were on Caribbean Princess last fall, in Canada/New England. Breeze is also newer and we like Carnival, but we are't sure Carnival is the best choice for us.

Thanks for all the helpful info.:)