marys350

To counter, my experience on Enchantment at the beginning of February was excellent. WJ was the best I've experienced recently, and the MDR was very good to excellent.

Our experience with food and service on Enchantment of the Seas during the Feb 20-24 sailing was also very good to excellent in the Windjammer and the Main Dining Room.

Newbie here. :) We are going on a 7-night cruise on Oasis in April and I have some questions on disembarkation in general.

 

I read that disembarkation can take hours. It sounds painful and chaotic. We have a toddler and would like to avoid having to endure hours staying in lines if at all possible. I am curious - how are the 'priorities' for disembarkation determined? Are they by cabin classes, decks, family with young kids, disabilities, or else? What are our options if we want to get off early?

 

Question #2:

Can someone explain how self disembarkation works? Is this a better option if we want to be off the ship as early as possible? Also in general, how long does self disembarkation take?

 

Thanks!

What airline are you flying and what time is your flight home? I'd suggest that you check with Royal Caribbean to see if "luggage valet" service is available for your cruise. In April, 2016 we cruised out of Port Canaveral and had an early afternoon flight home on Jet Blue and were able to use luggage valet service. For a reasonable fee, they printed our boarding passes and luggage tags, and handled our luggage from the ship to the airport and we didn't have to touch our luggage until we picked it up at baggage claim when we arrived at our home airport. We were able to disembark the ship early, and going through customs and getting out of the terminal was much quicker, since we didn't have to look for our luggage in the cruise terminal. It was well worth the cost and we will always use luggage valet service when available on any future cruises.

We will fly in to FLL on a Friday' date=' mid-day. I can find hotels in the FLL area we like, with free airport-to-hotel shuttle. But then what are my best options to get to Port Miami Saturday morning? We are a party of 8 - 2 adults and 6 kids.

 

Alternatively, what about getting from FLL to a Miami area hotel for the night? Would that be more/less economical?[/quote']

Our party of 8 ( 4 adults and 4 children ) just returned from a cruise on Enchantment of the Seas. We stayed at the Best Western Airport/ Cruise Port hotel in Fort Lauderdale and hired a private van through QLS to take us to Port of Miami on the morning of the cruise and also to transport us from the ship to Fort Lauderdale airport after the cruise. The cost was $145.00 plus gratuity each way. The cost of their shared shuttle on Saturday is $12.00 per person each way, but we felt that it was well worth it to pay extra for private service. We were happy with QLS. The drivers were on time in picking us up and drove safely. The company provided excellent communication from the time of reservation through service delivery.

I start periodically checking my cruise planner around 149 days before my cruise because I have had several cruises when I was able to make dining reservations that early.

Antigua Conclusion (Day 4)

 

I really enjoyed this excursion and antigua! To me, it's the perfect way to see the island without doing one of those boring city tours. The highspeed boat will keep you awake, get your adrenaline going! The stops are well planned and I think the price per person is very fair, considering this is an ALL day tour with lunch and the sting rays! The staff were wonderful and did a fantastic job, would HIGHLY recommend this company! And if high speed isn't your thing, do the Eco Tour!

We did Eli's Eco Tour and I can also highly recommend this company.

On Royal Caribbean, lunch is served in the main dining room on sea days only. Breakfast and dinner are served in the dining room daily. We cruise both RCCL and Celebrity. We thoroughly enjoyed our Pacific Coastal cruise on RCCL in September, 2015. Enjoy!

On our last 4 cruises we have found the waiter staff in My Time Dining to be a better experience then MDR. We changed from MDR to My Time on our cruise on Legend, because most of the waiters were new to the ship.

I think RCI is trying to make this an extra, to make more money on. If you request MTD when you book, automatic gratuities will be add automatically. If you cancel the auto gratuity you go back to MDR timing

 

 

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Pre-paying gratuities in advance is no longer required for My Time Dining.

Hi everyone. Just found a great deal on a flight into FLL but it arrives at 110PM and the ship departs at 4pm. We are sailing the Harmony of the Seas end of April. Would love your feedback.

 

Thank you!

There is no way that I would book that flight. There is no wiggle room at all for anything to go wrong, such as flight delays, longer than expected time to retrieve luggage at baggage claim, traffic, and time to check in at the cruise terminal. It wouldn't be a great deal for the flight if you miss the ship. It's much better to fly in a day early, or if that's not possible book a flight that arrives in the morning.

I called the Avis number and was connected to the MCO counter. Spoke with 2 different reps who told me i would be charged an additional $35 drop fee. Fr those who have not been charged a drop fee which rental companies did you use/ Did you book directly? So far the best one way prices have been on priceline.

We booked one way with Budget on their website and had no drop off fees. Sometimes I can find car rental discount codes on http://www.mousesavers.com

I don't think that you can book any family cabin on Royal Caribbean's website or any travel website. Instead you need to call Royal Caribbean directly to inquire about availability.

We're cruising in February. My daughter originally booked two inside cabins for her family of 5. When I told her about family cabins, she called Royal and switched her reservation to the only outside family cabin available for our sailing on Enchantment of the Seas. The cabin includes a separate sleeping area with two twin size beds and two upper berths, and two bathrooms.

In April, 2016 we had a rental car and spent $2.00 in tolls one way from MCO to Cape Canaveral. We made sure that we had $1.00 bills and change. It's a good idea to check the toll road website to make sure that tolls haven't increased since then.

While they are big windows, you still don't have a "panoramic" view....the windows are for letting in light..not so much for seeing OUT of...

If you do a google search for "Brilliance of the Seas deck 3 outside cabin photos" it will bring up many photos where you can see the difference between the large round windows on Deck 3 and the small portholes on Deck 2. They are big enough for letting in light and for looking outside.

Here is a link to some reviews on Tripadvisor of different transportation options to get from Fort Lauderdale to the Port of Miami:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g34227-Activities-c59-Fort_Lauderdale_Broward_County_Florida.html

Shared shuttle service companies often mentioned on Cruise Critic include: QLS, SAS, and Jiffy Jeff, to name a few. For our upcoming cruise in February, we chose QLS. You might want to check out their website. They will pick-up at a number of Fort Lauderdale hotels, which are listed on their website. They also offer shared shuttles from the Port of Miami to Fort Lauderdale airport after the cruise.

Today Southwest extended their schedule through June 2,2017.

What????

 

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My thoughts, exactly.

OP- It would be helpful if you could reword your post so that readers could understand what you are asking.

Yes Junkanoo was fine. We've been there many times and its a quick easy walk. No need for a taxi unless you have mobility issues. Its no more than a 15 minute walk from the ship. We used to go to Cabbage Beach but like you we figure the taxi fare isn't worth it.

Thanks for your feedback about Junkanoo. Your photo review of your cruise is awesome.

Did you enjoy your time at Junkanoo Beach? I'm also wondering if the walk seemed safe and if there were taxis available at Junkanoo.

We are cruising on Enchantment in February with 4 adults, 3 teens, and a 10 year old and are thinking of going to Junkanoo Beach for an inexpensive beach day. Some of us have been to Cabbage Beach before and it doesn't seem worth spending the money for Atlantis since the ship is only in port until 3:30.

Thanks,

Mary

Thanks Marys350 for the info on a shared shuttle. Are they pretty prompt? How early did you make your reservation for a shuttle? I was concerned about the cab/shuttle fare from FLL so I went with MIA because I am traveling solo. I'm new at traveling solo so I felt more comfortable going to the nearest airport.

I don't know how prompt the shared shuttles are. We have a party of 8 for our cruise in Feb., 2017, so I booked a private van through QLS instead of using the shared shuttle. I called them on the phone before making my reservation and they were great about answering my questions. I made my reservation at the beginning of November.

Here is a link to some reviews on Tripadvisor of different transportation companies in Fort Lauderdale (QLS, SAS, Jiffy Jeff, etc.) that you might find helpful in making your decision whether you want to fly to FLL and use a shared shuttle service:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g34227-Activities-c59-Fort_Lauderdale_Broward_County_Florida.html

When is the best (cheapest) time to book a flight from Philadelphia to Miami? My cruise leaves Miami on May 6 so I have plenty of time. I'm just not sure to book it now or wait a couple of months for more airlines to show their schedules & fares. I don't see any of the cheaper flights yet. I only see 1 nonstop airline now American Airlines.

 

Also, I know the taxi's are about $27 to the port from the airport but I am traveling solo. How do I find out or book a shuttle? I don't know anything about Uber so won't use them.

We are cruising from Port of Miami in February and flying from Philadelphia. When researching flights we found that it was cheaper to fly from Philadelphia to Fort Lauderdale than it was from Philadelphia to Miami. There were also more airlines flying to Fort Lauderdale, including American, Spirit, Jet Blue, and Southwest. It's worth checking it out.

There are a number of reputable shared shuttle services recommended on these boards (QLS, SAS, Jiffy Jeff, etc.) that can transport you from Fort Lauderdale airport to Port of Miami. FLL airport is approximately 45 minutes- 1 hour from Miami. After checking out Trip Advisor, we chose QLS. It would be $15.00 per person for a solo in a shared shuttle. They also pick up at certain Fort Lauderdale airport hotels if you decide to fly down the day before the cruise instead of the day of the cruise. We didn't want the stress of flying in the day of the cruise and we found Fort Lauderdale hotels to be less expensive than Miami hotels.

http://www.qualitylimoservice.com

Did you check out the Florida Departure board? There are lots of good threads about Fort Lauderdale and Miami flights, hotels, and shuttle services.

Our party of 8 stayed at Homewood Suites on Gateway Village Circle, which is a few miles north of Orlando airport. This hotel was very nice and reasonably priced.There is a free airport shuttle and hot breakfast buffet included. There are several restaurants (IHOP, Long Horn Steakhouse, etc.), within walking distance to the hotel, with sidewalks that are easy to navigate with a wheelchair.

We used Happy Hour Shuttle, which is based out of Cape Canaveral and were happy with their service. We paid $110.00 (one way, plus gratuity) for a private van for 8.

http://www.happyhourshuttle.com

I have high blood pressure and cruising on Dec 3rd. Is the low-sodium menu the same menu? Do they just make dishes low sodium or do you get new menu? Not sure whether to request it a head of time on preferences.

There is no separate low sodium menu. You order from the regular menu and they make the dishes low sodium for you. It has worked well for me to request low sodium diet pre-cruise under preferences and then speak to my waiter on the first night.

Why are people swelling from the ships water? Does anyone have more info or pictures of the food from the low salt menu? My parent's are joining us on the freedom in January and he has to limit salt due to a heart issue.

Thanks for the info!

I have high blood pressure and try to follow a low sodium diet at home. I've also had problems with ankle swelling and fluid retention while cruising. In the past, I've been reluctant to request the low sodium diet while cruising because I was afraid that the food would be bland and boring. For my last three cruises, I have requested "special meals (low sodium)" pre-cruise when I made my reservation. I've been very happy with my meals and will continue to choose the low sodium option. I also speak to my waiter and Maitre'D on the first night. As others have mentioned, each night they will show you the regular menu for the following evening and take your order. There is not a separate low sodium menu. I have not bothered to speak to a waiter in the windjammer or main dining room about a low sodium diet for breakfast or lunch, but just avoid things that I know are high sodium for those meals.

Although everybody's medical situation is different, from what I've read about fluid retention while cruising, it's not necessarily just from drinking the ship's water. I think that it's a combination of heat and humidity in the Caribbean, salt in the food, alcohol, and not drinking enough water. Flying can also contribute to swelling.

We've been to Flower Forest and Hunte's Garden and enjoyed both. Hunte's Garden was our favorite.

We enjoyed our stay at Homewood Suites on Gateway Village Circle, which is a few miles north of Orlando airport. They offer free airport shuttle and a nice free breakfast. The hotel is also walking distance to several restaurants. It's highly rated on Trip Advisor.

Chip and his wife are the owners of Stingray Sailing which offers tours to Stingray City on their catamaran Far Tortuga. Here is their website:

stingraysailing.com