Pancake16

I'm on this cruise and watching all the tracking sites. Tonight I created art! This represents wind speeds at 2 PM on Monday. I wish they would tell us the plan so we can make our plans.

We used Park Port Canaveral for NYE cruise 2015. Liked that the lot was fenced in and secure. Location was great. Parking and check-in were great...right on to the shuttle.... and then ... "we're going to go pick up some people from our other lot." OUR lot was a "stones throw" from the ship; the other lot was ALL THE WAY through town at a hotel! We arrive to find the family of "many" were not prepared. "Mom" was MIA... after various family members took turns searching and calling, she shows up with Starbucks in hand. A long drive back through traffic dropped us at the pier right in the middle of peak drop time and chaos (about an hour and half after planned arrival!). Grrrrrrr! We self-debarked at end of cruise and the shuttle was right there and dropped us right behind our car in no time. I would probably try them again as I think the need to go pick up at the other location was a fluke.... but I was not happy!

Just be aware that the guide that is in the tube with you generally points you towards the outside of tube where the photographer is - you might not get very good pics from someone in the waiting area.

Good to know. Thanks!

I just did this on Anthem with my son. They let people in and out of the area- my son went first and I took video of him. I waited outside the chamber with a few others who were also flying and taking pics/video of people inside. Once everyone inside the chamber flew, they opened up the door and we switched. I HIGHLY recommend getting reservations the first day of the cruise- the machine was either broken or no appointment times were available the rest of the cruise. I booked it on the app once we got on the ship the first day.

Thanks! I plan to use the app when we get on board as we booked the cruise late and all online reservations are already gone!

Either way would work, If you go on the same session simply find someone else to take the pics.

Thanks. We aren't cruising with anyone we know. Though we are friendly and will meet and mingle...was not sure how the phone/camera "pass-off" works? If DH can take a pic while I'm flying and then switch when he is flying? My impression was that the participants cant take anything with them and that photographers need to be "outside" of the staging area. Handing off electronic equipment (phones lock and need pass codes) to a stranger and asking them to wait while we suit up, get instructions and wait our turn seems a lot? I'm certain I'm overthinking it? ;p

My DH and I are cruising Anthem in late September. We are both interested in participating in IFly. Since we cannot be assured that a photographer is there during our reservation, would it be better to reserve different times? My impression is that if we have the same time, we will both be suited up and not able to take a camera/phone to switch off taking photos? We would be fine to have separate times and be able to capture pics/video as a bystander. Can anyone confirm/deny the scenario?

The best item I have brought for a cruise is an over the door shoe organizer. The clear one. We hung it on the door in our tiny bathroom. Awesome for everything. Sunscreen, sunglasses, medication, make-up.

+1 I hand it on the outside of the bathroom door and store all that little stuff that usually lays around on the small desk area. Easily accessible to bathroom too!

Only ever had a balcony. We are those people who spend more time in our cabin on our balcony than at the busy, loud, hot, congested pool area. My kids had an interior on our NYE cruise (right across from us)... it was so dark and no view... I would NOT be a fan. Like everyone else, it depends on what you want and value.

Rang in 2015 of the Freedom! It was a lot a fun! People really did seem to take advantage of "formal" night. Royal provided party hats, headbands, beads/leis, noise makers. There was a "big band" type event with the captain and other cruise elite on Deck 5 and a more "informal" party on the pool deck. They had cameras and big screens to keep everyone connected! Free champaign was flowing (and spilling) everywhere starting an hour or so before midnight! There was a balloon drop and Auld Lang Syne at midnight. Had a great time and looking forward to New Years on a cruise sometime again in the future.

This confirms our decision to use Uber next month. :D

Not to muddy the water, but I use a "retractable clip" for my out-of-sight, not around the neck, my clothes don't have pockets carry of the SeaPass. I had one with a previous employer's logo on it (we had to wear badges at eye level (lanyards or pinned to shirt)). I purchased a set of 4 non-logo clips from an office supply store when we took our tweenagers on a cruise. It was perfect for everyone!:D

When the cruise director is throwing "bound up" t-shirts in the crowd - Don't reach out to catch it! Straight to the medical office (doctor and nurse waiting at the door because they had been notified by another crew member and it was after-hours), numbing shot (didn't really help with the next action), finger "re-located" and set in a brace, OTC meds for pain (seriously?), x-rays and doctors notes along with contact information for the ship and the cruise line ...absolutely NO CHARGE! I guess they felt responsible since a crew member threw the shirt?

I also had a follow-up the next day (last full day of cruise) with the doctor to ensure that finger was doing ok. I had to follow up with an orthopedic doctor once I got home but the care on the ship was very good.

We were in a forward cabin on the Allure a few years ago and were chasing a hurricane with 12 foot seas. I loved it! The rocking of the ship was gentle and put me to sleep. We didn't have noise from the engine, propellers, etc. The walk to and from everything is REALLY not a big deal... I mean, your on a ship...it's not like its a mile away.

To be fair, we were on the 8th deck so higher up could be different for movement. Also, walking through Central Park to go everywhere was a beautiful and time saving activity.

I've cruised twice (Love it!)! Once on Allure and the second on Freedom (New Years Eve Cruise!) ...

Tip for sea pass (especially women cause you don't always have pockets and DON'T carry a purse).

Take a "retractable badge holder clip" (office supply store if you dont have one for a work badge) that I attach to my sea pass. It clips on my shorts or spaghetti straps or to my book cover or beach bag! I stop by customer service once on the ship and ask them to punch a hole in the card to attach. It is more descrete than a lanyard and I had a few laying around from work badges, etc.

Have taken two cruises and these are the ships! First Allure and then Freedom... Agree with EVERYTHING said here. I will also add that the shows and "events" on the Allure we way superior to what we encountered on Freedom. I missed the Park Cafe and Solarium Bistro (breakfast) on the Freedom. We had a balcony on both but agree that its harder to see water from public decks on Oasis class.

Enjoy!

Sailed Allure in September 3 years ago. We were chasing a small hurricane (Kirk?). Hit all our ports. Weather was beautiful (except rain in Nassau ... No loss). The 12-14 foot seas rocked us to sleep at night. Would do it again in a heartbeat!

Trip insurance is a must. The cruise line will sail around dangerous weather. It's all good!

Order spinach & artichoke dip from room service for mid afternoon snack...yum...can't remember which restaurant serves it but was free through room service. Enjoy on your private balcony or take it to quiet outdoor venue.

Just got back from NYE cruise on FOS. Our first night at dinner was at a table for 10. Then they asked if our group would mind splitting up (we were 4, 4, and 2 who were assigned to the table) to accommodate a family of 11. We were put at two tables next to each other and enjoyed the smaller table.

NOTE. Our waiter was telling about a lot of changes coming and confirmed Dynamic Dining to be added on FOS during dry dock (happening now). With the addition of restaurant style eating venues, I would be interested to find out what group sizes they will accommodate.

We just returned from the NYE cruise on Freedom (Dec 28-Jan 4). We were in cabin 9262 (two decks below forward hot tub, starboard side). Our room was not any bigger (that we could tell - as it lined up with the rest of the doors along that side of the ship). Our balcony WAS slightly deeper (as we were the exact center of the "mini-hump."

We had a tint on the glass that did reflect. Not a huge deal for us as we were standing or enjoying the gentle rock of the ship. I rolled up a couple of pool towels and placed in one of the chairs that gave me the effect of sitting on a bar stool and was able to see over the railing. For me, was even more comfortable.

My husband said that he liked the hot tub a few decks up which offered a break from the sun at times.

Germaphobes will love RC!!! They have hand sanitizers everywhere and crew whose only job is to get you to use it:p

"Washy Washy."

My first cruise they said this at the head of the line befor exiting the waiting room in the port terminal. Hand sanitizers were right there. At the bottom of the stairs...washy washy, more hand sanitizer. Stepping on to the gangway, washy washy. As we stepped on the deck of the ship, washy washy. We headed to Park Cafe where the attendants were standing next to the door AND SANITIZER...WASHY WASHY! I thought if this is how it's gonna be all week...it's crazy!

I appreciated the dillegence.

Maybe try refreshing, mine definitely says the 28th and has the western ports posted.

 

 

DAY PORT ARRIVAL DEPARTURE

Sunday Port Canaveral, Florida 4:30 p.m.

Monday CocoCay, Bahamas 7:30 a.m. 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday At sea

Wednesday Montego Bay, Jamaica 9:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m.

Thursday George Town, Grand Cayman 7:00 a.m. 2:30 p.m.

Friday Cozumel, Mexico 10:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m.

Saturday At sea

Sunday Port Canaveral, Florida 6:00 a.m.

I hit refresh several times and then called. At first she said. Nope. Then all of a sudden she said that this was the schedule! I think it is BRAND NEW! Breaking news!!!!! @lol

FYI - Just noticed that Royal Caribbean posted an updated itinerary for the 28th:

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/beforeyouboard/itineraryUpdates.do?cS=NAVBAR&pnav=3&snav=10

Nope. That's the Dec 21 sailing itinerary. Still waiting on Dec 28...

I am on the phone with RCCL right now - 10 am ET Tuesday morning 12/23. CS agent says - and she also checked with supervisor- that no updates for the 12/28 Freedom sailing are available right now. She has no indication of when any update may be available - but she did say and I quote - "prior cruises have been given OBC due to problems with this ship. "

 

I expressed my concern that getting information out over the next 2 days (holiday) may be difficult. She validated my concern, stating there would be fewer CS reps in the call center, and executives would also be on holiday. But she did say cruise operations would be running as normal - however information/updates about our 12/28 itinerary might be slower to appear.

 

She was nice and polite. I was too. Just waiting it out. Hope we find out something soon so I can change our excursions before we leave home. NOW - back to wrapping, cooking, cleaning - and oh yes PACKING - I haven't even thought about that yet......ok maybe a little.

Thank you for the update. I was about to start booking our excursions after having made final decisions over the Thanksgiving holiday. I've held off hoping to feel better about what time and ports will apply. I REALLY hope we get some kind of confirmation soon. The Dec 21 cruise heard about their port times on Tuesday or Wednesday before their sail date. Fingers crossed!

So it's fair that another person paid significantly more for the same room than what you paid? It's the same room. Going to the same ports. Same food. Same service. With discounts, TAs, sales, "status" etc., we all paid different money for the same product. Hardly seems "fair" but RCCL said this is the price and we all signed up.

RCCL is reacting to all this "hub bub" and "complaining" calls, letters, emails. That's why some weeks got while others didn't! It is what it is. Seems ridiculous to keep berating the issue. IMHO.

Before the backlash to me...I'm on the December 28 sailing. I paid WAY to much, have a little OBC and really just want to KNOW what the anticipated ports and times will be. Anything else is gravy!

Does anyone have a menu, and prices for drinks from Starbucks?

Thanks,

Cruiser20145

It's been two years since we sailed but recall the Starbucks kiosk had everything you would find in any Starbucks. Prices seemed very comparable to what we had on land ( a little higher considering there was an added gratuity).

My favorite drink is a soy, no water chai tea latte...they didn't even blink...:)