Royal Caribbean Cruise - Some lessons to learn...

I'd hit a dolphin

Crakeur..be careful while swimming with dolphins...I've heard they are the only other mammal that initiate sex just for the fun of it.

At least he can't get pregnant...

reply to post by Gazrok


Going on a cruise with wife, kids, friends and family? Now there's your problem.

Try one of these.....alone!!

bluescruise.com...

Wonderful!!!

Originally posted by Crakeur
I'd hit a dolphin

sorry..just had to quote that. Making sure you didn't edit it later...

Dolphins make tuna taste better...




KIDDING!!!!

Originally posted by Gazrok
Dolphins make tuna taste better...




KIDDING!!!!

OH! That was soooo baaaad.
:shk:

reply to post by Gazrok



Now how is the Disney cruise at keeping the kids busy? I have heard that they are very good that way. In fact, I have heard they are actually more adult friendly just for that reason, because there is so much for kids to do.

I have been on about 8 cruises now since 2002 and loved every one of them.We have mostly cruised with Norwegian and although they aren't the top rated line I have sure enjoyed them.They have mostly all new ships now.The last one we were on,The Gem we caught in Barcelona Spain ,went around the Med some and ended in New York.We had 6 days steady at sea from Spain to New York.They had 13 restaurants but half or more are specialty restaurants and there is a cover charge so only went to a couple.The rest was great no complaints.The Cruise lines make all their money on drinking and casinos.I don't do much of either so they can be quite cheap.Have paid as little as $380 for a week with an inside room.One of the other writers said he had an inside and with the rocking had the best sleeps ever ,and I agree.I love cruising.There have been some little bits of bad service but mostly its been great.

I wonder how Crakeur is doing on his cruise.

Actually, I really wouldn't mind one right now, boring or not.

Now how is the Disney cruise at keeping the kids busy? I have heard that they are very good that way. In fact, I have heard they are actually more adult friendly just for that reason, because there is so much for kids to do.

From speaking with couples who had children on the cruise, they said it was great...barely even saw or heard from their kids most of the trip, lol...

Disney just always strives for perfection, and it was very evident on the ship. Everyone was nice and friendly, and helpful, never saw anyone on board (crew) that didn't look happy to be there...

Oddly enough, when we came back, an organization my wife belongs to is planning a cruise for this same time, next year...but unfortunately with Carnival. I've heard mixed reviews on them, but they are generally said to be the "budget" cruise line. (even our nicer room on Royal Caribbean though, was less than $500 per person). Still, can't really change it, so guess we'll be giving these guys a try next year. At least it will be someplace other than Nassau...for some variety. (Cazumel, etc.) And a day on a cruise is STILL better than a day at work, any way you slice it!

just got back. lots to talk about, and I will, when I get the chance, put it up on the blog and possibly more here.

my experience wasn't too bad. I expected absolute hell so there was no way the cruise would be as bad as I thought.

reply to post by Crakeur


I was wandering if you had gone and how you found it

Cruises aren't my bag, been on 2, for work conferences, and kinda couldn't wait to get off.
One was the Queen Mary 2, and beautiful, but dunno, just not my thing, but everyone is different.
I look forward to your blog.

Here is my travel blog (sorry for the spam Gaz) for slide show torture
www.belowtopsecret.com...

[edit on 19-2-2010 by zazzafrazz]

Gaz, you prepped me well, except the food part. I found the food to be on a par with airplane food. The lack of flame on the boat results in an electric kitchen and certain foods simply cannot be cooked without a flame.

here's the link to the first part of the trip, for anyone interested

flooginmcnoogin.blogspot.com...

Sorry on the food, were you on the same cruise line I was? I know you had an additional day and stop than I had on mine.

Most of my comments on the food on my ship were for the actual onboard restaurants, not the buffets...(and I have a tendency to get really lucky and get the one thing everyone else wishes they ordered).... I do remember nobody being happy about the Caesar salads though (I got a nice lobster bisque instead).

On the buffets, I tended to focus on the beef and potatoes with gravy, as I'm definitely a gravy guy. If you liked fruit, there was plenty, and I do, so I guess this is why it was better for me. I also tended to concentrate on the burgers, and managed to usually catch this just as they were being put out, so still nice and hot.

The midnight buffet was a complete disaster due to weather...and a very scarce amount of meat involved. (I assume there was going to be more, as a guy was stoking some coals by the pool, but then the wind kicked up, and some extinguishers needed to be brought into play... ) At least there was a lot of fruit though.

Sorry your food experience was much worse. Our wait staff was really part of what made that part enjoyable. That was about the only thing there (service-wise) on par with a Disney cruise.

[edit on 22-2-2010 by Gazrok]

reply to post by Gazrok


majesty of the sea. the lobster bisque was a hit with my wife and kids and the caesar was, in my opinion, one of the better options. I'm a bit of a food snob so my issues should be taken with a grain of salt.

Same boat I was on!

Ahh... I can appreciate really good food, but I can tolerate a lot more too. I'm not fat (I can still buy clothes off the rack, and not in a specialty store), but I'm not skinny either...so I guess I may not be as picky as some, hehe...

Mostly, I know what I like, and in a buffet, I zero in on those things, and then just eat those. I do remember the pancakes looking rather grim on that breakfast buffet though...I wasn't going to chance those... When I got my eggs, they were just put out and looked (and tasted) good, but when I was at the buffet the next day, they weren't looking as appetizing...so maybe had been out longer. The lines were what I didn't like.

On the Disney ship, we could even be seated for breakfast if we wished (and unlike the others, didn't have to pay for soda)...And Pollo's (Disney onboard restaurant) rivaled one of the best meals I've ever had (Emeril's). They don't tell you, but for those who know, right when you board the Disney ship, go to the nightclub area. There will be a small table with a person there, taking reservations for that restaurant. It's an upcharge of about $15 per person, but well worth it. It isn't advertised, at all, so you just have to show up and reserve your spot. It will be out of your normal dining rotation, so best to do on like a 5 day cruise, so you can experience each restaurant on board. (no casino on Disney ships though, if you like that, but MUCH better shows)...

A little tip (which I should have told you, if I didn't already)...if you like water, iced tea, lemonade, coffee, and orange juice...there is no need to purchase soda on Royal Caribbean, if you can make do with all of those. Most cruise lines charge about $7 a day for soda if you get a special cup and stamp, or you're paying about $2 a pop for it. (On Disney though, soda is included).

[edit on 22-2-2010 by Gazrok]

reply to post by Gazrok


I did the soda package for my wife and myself. they never checked the cards after the first day, instead, giving everyone at the table sodas.

the dining rooms were open for seated, waiter service breakfast every day, we never woke up in time for it and my mother in law always wanted to go to the buffet. my favorite food was the breakfast ham. it was gray and scary looking and it reappeared at lunch as another type of ham.

reply to post by Crakeur


uurrrgghh, yuk. the ham

I am finding this very interesting from a work perspective...keep talking and reviewing!!!!

I remember the sausage, on the first morning, it was actually pretty good. On the second day and out, they had turkey sausage (no thanks)....

I don't think I was up early enough for breakfast either then, as I don't recall the option...but then, I was usually up to about 1am or so....

We also smuggles a LOT of liquor on board...so we had liquid entertainment...in addition to purchased, frozen drinks...not something you can do with the kids as much though...

How was the kids program on board?

[edit on 22-2-2010 by Gazrok]

reply to post by Gazrok


the age groups for the kids club made it impossible for us to utilize it. my son would have been alone, as would my neice. We did participate in the scavenger hunt/trivia contest, winning a beach towel and some hats.

We also won the name that tune contest, pocketed a key chain on that.

The best part of the evening entertainment was the juggler. rockstarjuggler.com the guy was amazing.