Taylors

Hi all! We've not been to Key West since we were kid free. That was a much different experience than we will be having this time around! We'll be going with kids aged 11, 9 and 5 this time. Looking for some ideas about what to do while there. We were thinking possible kayaking, we will have extra adults with us, so can pair each kid with an adult. But wanting some other ideas to explore more options. Not many things offered through the ship. So looks like we will be booking on our own.

Thanks!

I booked an excursion through the ship a little more than 10 years ago. It was fantastic! We visit again in early May and our ship shows only 2 excursions ( 1 rum tour and 1 beach transfer) so looks like we're on our own! We were hoping to take this tour again with our kids and friends traveling with us. And seems all I can find either do the Turtle farm or Stingray City. Would love to know if you find one that does both!

Hi All!

We are traveling as a group, 14 of us plus 2 babies. We are looking for the best way to get from the airport to the cruise terminal. Uber/Lift is out because we do not want to have to bring car seats to store in out rooms. I know public transit, limo's, ect we can get around the carseat law. We have done a limo from Houston to Galveston before, and it worked out very well. Does anyone know of any limo companies that do a 1 way transport? Google is not being very helpful, I'm either getting towncar services or limos with 3 hour minimums. Neither of which is ideal. 

Looking for tips!

Thanks!

My travel theory is to just go with the flow. At home my kids are horrible sleepers. But all the being on the go when on vacation just wipes them out and they tend to just nod off as needed. I know I'm lucky that they do that. But my point is that kids will surprise you sometimes. Be flexible, but also expect to be surprised too.

Looking forward to more! We leave on the 30th. We have been on 5 Carnival cruises over the last 10 years and have been really happy with them, although things were better in the "old days". But we got the same kids sale free deal and couldn't beat the price so we jumped on it! We booked 3 weeks out.. so super last minute for us. Our kids are almost 5 and just turned 1. First cruise with the baby, and second with our oldest. So our cruising experience will be much different than years past!

We are also booked on Grandeur for the 13th., and are concerned. We have friends on there now heading for Nassau. Why Nassau ? It's no better there that Bermuda. They should have headed north not south into Florence. Doesn't anybody at RCCL look at NOAA hurricane center data. Florence is getting bigger and stronger my the minute. We survived the a cat. 4 hurricane on Anthem Feb.6, 2016 and would not want to put anyone through that again. I served in the Navy years ago and they have the right idea. Tomorrow they are planning to put the fleet to sea out of Norfolk to ride out the storm. The problem with changing Grandeur's itinerary is it still must exit and return one way, Out the mouth of Chesapeake Bay. Florence will be there Wednesday and Thursday if the track doesn't change. It seems they can't win no matter where the ship goes.

Yes! Got a text from my nephew stationed in Norfolk this morning that they were heading out on Emergency Underway orders. I'm relieved that they will be away from land when it hits. We are from California and this is his first hurricane!

What did you end up doing? We have an upcoming cruise with a 3 yr old.

We ended up doing an island tour in an open air train/trolley thing. I believe it was around $20pp (our son was free) We made a few stops along the way. There were free drinks, and it ended at a nice beach. Unfortunately we didn't have much time to spend at the beach. The island was beautiful!

We didn't pre book anything, but joined one of the many tour vendors in the cruise bubble. When we got off the ship we explored the port area, and ended up finding the tour. I believe we were approached by the driver with the details, but I could be wrong I wish I could remember more details about it! But we've sense gone from a family of 3 to a family of 4.. and anyone who has had a baby knows those little buggers suck our brains!

I'll see if I can find some pictures or if my husband remembers more details and report back!

Now that your cabin has been assigned you can switch to any other available cabin anywhere on the ship as long as you choose the same cabin category. If you want to change do a mock booking to see what is available in your cat and call your TA and give them a actual cabin number you want to move into. It is a perk for living on the North American side of the globe. Your cabin will not be noisy at all but when you open the door you will be looking straight through the elevator foyer and seeing the cabin on the other side of the ship. This would never bother most people but I would change to another spot.

Good tip. I did attempt a mock booking, and didn't see any more rooms available. But its worth a call in the morning. Worse case there isn't anything else. But no harm in asking just in case!

The only thing you are likely to hear is grumbling by people who haven't figured out that when you live on Deck 7 aft, you have to know whether you want starboard or port. You can't cross over at the elevator lobby. You must get on the correct side on the deck where you begin. Otherwise, when you exit the elevator, you must either go up one deck, cross and go down again to 7, or go down one deck, cross and go up again to 7.

 

(The sign for the Boardwalk hangs over the space between the elevators on Deck 7 and blocks the way)

Well that is annoying! I'm sure we will make that mistake a time or two. At least!

When my son was 2 and we traveled with Tegu blocks. They are pricy, but come in a small travel case. They are magnetic wooden blocks. They were a big hit!

https://www.amazon.com/Tegu-Pocket-Magnetic-Wooden-Natural/dp/B018KHA702?th=1

Hi all! Heading out on our first cruise as a family of 4! Baby will be 1, and our son is almost 5. We cruised when he was a bit over 2 years old and we used a puddle jumper in the pool (was already potty trained) and in the ocean. He wasn't quite to the 30lb minimum limit, but it fit him fine. My daughter is a peanut. She's only 19lbs and wearing a size 9 month. The puddle jumper is way too big on her. I'm wondering what people with little ones use in the ocean? I've seen a few different devices, but wondering which is best?

Thanks!

There is actually quite a bit of distance to the elevator lobby. You should not be bothered by elevator noise.

Great! Thank you

Just got our room assignment. We ste right across from the elevator. I know this is a risk with Guaranteed room. And it was a risk worth taking in this instance. We could have totally gotten a much worse assignment, and I'm thankful to have guest rooms both above and below. But wondering now if the elevators nearby will cause a lot of noise and if it's worth calling and asking (pleading) for another room because of a light sleeping baby.

Unfortunately, we don't have Sam's Club up here.

 

How much is Vanilla in the US right now?

I bought Vanilla at our Sams club around May. It was $24 for an 8oz bottle! Prior to that I bought it on our last trip to Paris. Half as much, larger bottle and tastes so much better! How is the Vanilla from Cozumel? Do you have somewhere you suggest getting it? We will be there in about 3 weeks. So I would like to pick some up.

How about vanilla beans? Making your own extract is supposed to be inexpensive and you can control the taste. But it takes several months unless you have a pressure cooker. Then its just a few weeks. But single beans here can be $10 each!

I can only speak for Doctors Cave. We went 3 years ago and had a great time! Changes our opinion of Jamaica which had been fairly unfavorable based on previous cruises there. We will also be in Falmouth in a few weeks and considering going back. But I'm wondering if the drive is too far. Traffic was fairly congested when we went from MB last time. So I can only imagine it'll be worse to and from a farther port.

Looking for ideas to do in Falmouth at the end of the month. This is our first time here, we have previously been to Montego Bay and to Ocho Rios. On our last trip we went to Doctors Cave and had a great time! We were hoping to go there again. But it seems quite a distance from the port. Is it reasonable to head that way? Is a taxi the best way?

Actually everything seems to be far from Falmouth port.. Is there anything nearby to do other than walk around the cruise terminal? We are 2 in our 30's and an almost 5 year old and just turned 1 year old.

Hi all!

We just booked our very first cruise on RCI. Prior to this we've only ever sailed on Carnival. We are so excited to branch out and enjoy the RCI experience!

We leave in 25 days!! On the Oasis from Port Canaveral Incredible last minute deal we couldn't pass up. $1,550 for our family of 4! Myself, my husband and our 4 year old son and just turned 1 year old daughter.

I've got a few questions for all the RCI veterans.

1) We are in an OV balcony guarantee. Any idea when we may get our cabin assignment? We've already gotten the email with our cruise documents, but I'm wondering if I should wait to print them out when we get an assignment, or will we not until we check in at the dock?

2) What is the situation with bringing beverages on board? I know we can bring 2 bottles of wine, which we will. But I'm more concerned with bottled water. I see that I can pre order some to he room. However I can not stand the taste Evian. The tap water on Carnival is horrible and I'm not sure what to expect from RCI. I'm reading that officially we can't, but that it is not always strictly enforced. Whats been your experience?

3) What is the room storage situation like? We will have 2 suitcases, an infant car seat and a booster car seat. Is there room under the beds to store the suitcases? I'm trying to decide between traditional suitcases or rolling duffel bags that will store flat.

4) Are the showers equipped with Shampoo, conditioner and body wash? Or do we need to bring our own?

5) How many outlets are there typically? And is there a clock in the room? We want to travel as light as possible and don't want to bring the travel alarm clock and small power strip if not necessary.

6) Our room has a double sofa bed. Is this made back into a sofa daily or will it be left as a bed? If left as a bed, does it take up the whole room? Our daughter will sleep in bed with us, and my son doesn't need a full double to himself. Has anyone just had the couch made into a bed without pulling it out?

I think that's it for now! But would be much appreciative of any other tips anyone is willing to share!

Thanks!!

I did Doctors Cave with my 2 year old a couple years ago. It was fantastic. He had a blast floating in the water. Which was clear and calm. We are hoping to go again on our next trip!

It's hard to judge based on agr if a baby, toddler, or even child is potty trained. My son was fully potty trained at 20 months. My daughter just turned 1 and is about 90 trained. She is in dispers because she will pee if I miss her cues. But she hasn't pooped in a diaper in nearly 3 months. Meanwhile my friends 6 year old crapped his pants in the slide at Chick Fil A. Didn't tell anyone and kept playing. Only found out because his brother came out of the slide covered in poo.. so a seemingly young child could be trained and fully fine, whereas a seemingly trained kid is not.

Now I'm not condoning taking a non potty trained child into the pool. But I have, And will take my 1 year old into the splash area at least.

You say a cruise next month, as in October 2018? Is it a sailing from the Going, Going, Gone sale?

 

http://www.creative.rccl.com/Sales/Royal/Multi_Dest/Special_Offers/rci_sales_event.pdf

Technically the end of this month! September 30th from Orlando on the Oasis. Called this morning after I posted and they had the same rate and room category for the same price. So we booked!!

Only 27 days to go!

Edited the post! Sorry 😊

Hi all, we are new to RCL. Found a great deal on the Oasis for next month. Deal is on a 3rd party online website. It is $300 more booking direct with the cruiseline. Plus they don't have the same category (ocean view balcony guarantee) only a non specific balcony, and we do not want to end up with an interior balcony. I have kids that will need to nap during the day.

I've always booked Carnival (so excited to try RCL!!) And always booked direct because they guarantee the lowest price.

Does RCL?

Has anyone booked from a 3rd party before? Were there issues?

Sitting in the traffic now.. trying to figure out where to go to drop bags and check in. It's such a mess.. no signs. Nothing! I've driven by the Conquest and the Dream 3 times now trying to figure it out. We need to check in part of the group. Then take our rental back. We stupidly thought this would be easier.. nope!

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I got pack and play offers in Oct. I'm booked on two. There were many cruises included between Oct and May. Included were the first two Vista cruises and one Alaska. I could book as many as I wanted. This is the third time I've received these offers within a couple months of my last cruise. This time instead of $50 for cruise and $50 OBC it was $75 for inside and $50 OBC. I am not a big gambler. It always takes me till night 6 to get 1500 points and the drinks on us card.

What do you have to do to get the points? Tables or slots? Is that the "magic" number? We've never gotten any special rates. My husband plays more than his fair share of Craps onboard!

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Also, we arrive 2 days prior to departure. Is having a rental car a good idea? We are staying at a rented condo near the airport. I've heard there is a trolley into OSJ?

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