MandyMooToo

I am rather fair and though I will tan it takes quite a bit of time in the sun (several days) and usually some burning before I ever tan. I use a ton of sunscreen because I do not want skin cancer and my deem says that I am very susceptible due to my skin (and my father has had it). I spray tan all summer long and definitely before I cruise. The best way to cut down or eliminate fading while on vacation is to bathe and wash off the salt water/chlorine and then moisturize. Using a good gradual sunless tanner as your lotion will moisturize your skin and help keep the glow. I have never had streaks from a fading tan while on vacation and because I spray tan so often we finally bought a professional airbrush tanning machine so my husband can spray me at home. Large upfront investment but definitely saves me money in the end as a good professional spray tan in my area can cost around $40. My favorite solutions are Norvell Venetian and Paradise Bronze. If you are worried then get a spray tan before the cruise and use a good gradual tanner for a week to see how it wears on you.

How did you get there and what was the cost?

We booked a private tour through Peat Taylor and paid $40pp for the whole day, which included Doctor's Cave Beach. I am sure you can book transportation only through them for a lesser rate (we did previously for airport transfers) or even get a taxi from the port (just be sure to get a legitimate taxi, a JUTA taxi).

Sheesh, I love Royal but they drive me bonkers with these issues! It is crazy that the members of CC know more about their policies and programs than their staff on board do!

they had bragged they were taking rum runners on board & RCI management had been watching there posts

:eek::D

We drive from Ft. Lauderdale to Kingsport, TN, before and after our cruises,which takes around 12 hours each way. Last year we were off the Oasis by about 7:30am and on the road approx an hour later. No problems!

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Thanks everyone for the suggestions. The only reason I needed them is for location of my dad and son. I agree it's vacation but with a ship as big as Allure. It's almost impossible to look for them. With myself, my son 25 and my dad 70 we don't like the same things and I was looking for the easiest and quickest way to see where they were and for meet up. I will check with Verizon in regard to text but unfortunately my dad doesn't know how to text.

Hi, we had the same concerns last year on Oasis with two 17 year old boys. We used post-it notes and meet ups. We met at the beginning of the day and gave everyone a rundown of our plans (if known) and then met before dinner. Everything in between was done by post-its on the doors! Worked well for us :)

Glad your daughter was able to continue to enjoy the cruise! It is always great to hear stories with positive experiences such as yours!

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We were on Oasis last year and they were showing The Croods and Oz the Great and Powerful. Those movies came out in February and March and were showing in June so maybe you'll get lucky!!

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Rum cream! Sangster's rum cream is the best stuff ever and I cannot find it anywhere stateside. There are other run creams but none come close to Sangster's. We bring back several bottles every trip.

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We have had balcony cabins and still spend very little time in them. You say the cabin means little to you for others a balcony means little to them. So what is your point? There really is no need to build up your own preferences by knocking someone elses.

^^This :)

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A week to ten days.

Same here. My son's points (after his first cruise) took about two weeks to post.

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It always seems like people who have inside cabins always say they don't spend much time in the cabin so they think a balcony is a waste of money. If I was in an inside cabin I wouldn't spend much time in there either!! Why would you...it's like a cave, and you know the ocean is just outside the door and a few decks away!

I've heard this type of comment many times before regarding those of us that sail in inside cabins. It kind of rankles me really, as though we are pitiful cruisers trying to find anywhere to spend time to get out of our hovel. We cruise for the ship, activities, ports, not the room. Balcony or not we would never spend much time in our room. This became apparent to us when we booked a penthouse suite at resort in the Caribbean. We booked this gorgeous room with a huge balcony, suite amenities, etc. and we never even used the darn balcony! Not one time! Again we spent all of our time by the pool, watching the shows or on the beach lounging. The day we packed up and left I walked out on the balcony and thought, "Huh, this fancy room was a waste of money for us. Won't do that again." Not everyone who books an inside room avoids it because it is "like a cave." Some of us just spend our time differently than others.

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Easy choice for us, we always sail inside (husband has to have as much darkness as possible to sleep well). So I would say more nights at sea!!

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God bless you all

Thank you for the review! We are on Allure in August :)

What's the song my niece keeps singing from Frozen? Oh yeah, "let it go, let it go....."

Dad has been berated, stitches are comin' out, lessons learned all around.

No negotiating but if you delay much longer the LE discount will go away. They only allocate a minimum number of those and when they are gone :( Book any way you wish - it's your choice.

^^This

The police discount has been the best discount we've been able to find.

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Sheesh people, give the guy a break. He's not perfect, neither am I, neither are any of the other posters on CC. I believe he realizes the outcome was a blessing and I sincerely doubt he'll encourage/not discourage/whatever again. What's the saying about a speck in my eye, a beam in yours? Obviously paraphrasing but the point is no parent I've ever met or spoken to has made all the right decisions 100% of the time. I appreciate him sharing the story so the next cruise we are on I'll know the staff is competent. That way I won't feel so bad when I let my son bungee jump into the pool, blindfolded, with hands behind his back....wait, my parental senses are telling me that isn't a good idea. How dumb am I?! He'll need his hands free to untie the blindfold :D

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Thank you so much for this review! On Allure in August and cannot wait!!! Trying to hold it together till vacation so your review is very welcome :)

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Reservation Number: XXXXXXX Purchased on 25-Jun-2014

Ship Name: Freedom Of The Seas

Departure Port: Port Canaveral, Florida

 

2015 Sailing Date: 29 Nov

Stateroom: Promenade Stateroom No. 7609, View Deck Seven **

 

Total Price*: $47,406.51 USD

 

RCL IT dept. at it again.

Looks like you are buying into a cruise ship time share :D

I was checking our August Allure cruise yesterday to see what the end of the sales would bring and the price for an inside was down to $799pp but a couple hours later it jumped to the current price of $1200pp. Wow. Glad we booked when we did and were able to take advantage of the police discount. Because of that discount we do not expect to see the prices drop below what we paid or get close enough that we would pay for an upgrade but I still...can't...stop...checking...:o "Hi, my name is Mandy and I'm a price checking addict."

We were on the Freedom a few weeks ago and had no problem bringing a clothes steamer on the ship. We have had the steamer examined by security when boarding other RCCL cruises, but it has always been allowed. The security guy mentioned that they don't allow steamers with metal plates...ours is all plastic.

The one I brought on board was a plastic wand type steamer with no metal parts.

Yes...you may bring a steamer...but NOT a "steam iron"...big difference. You may bring your hair appliances, like flat irons...you might be able to erase a crease with that!

I guess that's why mine got through, it was just a handheld steamer, not a steam iron.

I assume you mean a clothing steamer? I took one on Oasis last summer not realizing they weren't allowed...I think it was a last minute idea as we were packing. Since that time I've been told it's hit or miss.

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I am rather surprised that no one has been on this excursion. Either that or no one feels like commenting and sharing their experience! :D

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