Royal Caribbean?

[Bay_Kat]

Got an early Christmas present, a cruise on Royal Caribbean. The cruise is in January, 4 nights, one stop in Cozumel. I've never been on a cruise before and a short one seemed like a good idea to start, plus it leaves from Tampa which is less than an hour drive for us. Anyone have opinions on Royal Caribbean?

 

[itsbob]

Got an early Christmas present, a cruise on Royal Caribbean. The cruise is in January, 4 nights, one stop in Cozumel. I've never been on a cruise before and a short one seemed like a good idea to start, plus it leaves from Tampa which is less than an hour drive for us. Anyone have opinions on Royal Caribbean?

What other Ports?

 

[BadGirl]

Got an early Christmas present, a cruise on Royal Caribbean. The cruise is in January, 4 nights, one stop in Cozumel. I've never been on a cruise before and a short one seemed like a good idea to start, plus it leaves from Tampa which is less than an hour drive for us. Anyone have opinions on Royal Caribbean?

Love, love, love Royal Caribbean. You will have a blast.

PLEASE have a passport to take on the cruise.

 

[Bay_Kat]

What other Ports?

Just Cozumel.

Love, love, love Royal Caribbean. You will have a blast.

PLEASE have a passport to take on the cruise.

Definitely have that, was in Cancun 2 weeks ago, loved it.

 

[Gummie]

DON'T DO IT!!! Cruises are like Lay's potato chips, you can't take just one!

 

[TPD]

DON'T DO IT!!! Cruises are like Lay's potato chips, you can't take just one!

You can't take just 1 for 4 days! Hell, even a seven day cruise is too short for me now. I've been on a cruise ship for a total of 29 days this year, more than 5 months in my lifetime.

Got an early Christmas present, a cruise on Royal Caribbean. The cruise is in January, 4 nights, one stop in Cozumel. I've never been on a cruise before and a short one seemed like a good idea to start, plus it leaves from Tampa which is less than an hour drive for us. Anyone have opinions on Royal Caribbean?

Royal Caribbean is a good starter, Jewel of the Seas is a great size ship and Tampa is a great port to leave out of. Spend the extra money one night and do a 'specialty restaurant' - well worth it in my opinion. If you like to drink, buy the unlimited alcohol package if available. Make the most of Cozumel - lots to do there. Oh yeah - it's not a real cruise unless you gain at least a pound per day!

 

[Nupe2]

You can't take just 1 for 4 days! Hell, even a seven day cruise is too short for me now. I've been on a cruise ship for a total of 29 days this year, more than 5 months in my lifetime.



Royal Caribbean is a good starter, Jewel of the Seas is a great size ship and Tampa is a great port to leave out of. Spend the extra money one night and do a 'specialty restaurant' - well worth it in my opinion. If you like to drink, buy the unlimited alcohol package if available. Make the most of Cozumel - lots to do there. Oh yeah - it's not a real cruise unless you gain at least a pound per day!

Just returned from a seven day cruise to the Bahamas and even though we were unable to disembark at the beach (Cocoa Cay) due to rough seas, we had a ball! One bit of advice is that you should research any available excursions and then book in advance. The good ones go early. Also consider getting a gym membership...no joke about that pound per day thing!!!

Can't wait to go again! Bring on those Bloody Mary's and Dirty Martinis!

 

[TPD]

Just returned from a seven day cruise to the Bahamas and even though we were unable to disembark at the beach (Cocoa Cay) due to rough seas, we had a ball!

Let me guess - you were on the same cruise I was? Enchantment out of Baltimore last week? Missing CoCo Cay was a disappointment, especially for my friend and his family since it was their first cruise. It is our favorite 'private' island!

 

[Nupe2]

Let me guess - you were on the same cruise I was? Enchantment out of Baltimore last week? Missing CoCo Cay was a disappointment, especially for my friend and his family since it was their first cruise. It is our favorite 'private' island!

Yes! WOW!!! We had breakfast one morning with a nice lady from lower St. Mary's County. She was amazed that I had heard of Ridge! Hahaha! This was our first cruise too but despite not being able to go to Cocoa Cay and the COLD in Cocoa Beach...we had a ball! I am STILL working off those extra pounds! LOL! I also learned that I need to brush up on my trivia! Hope you enjoyed the cruise as much as we did!

 

[DQ2B]

Was on RC Oasis 2 years ago. They practically had to drag me kicking and screaming off the ship when it was time to leave...

We got a good deal in Cozumel on a package to swim with the dolphins. It was a lot cheaper than places in the States.

I don't know if your ship has pre-reservations available for the more popular shows, especially where seating is limited i.e. comedy shows, but if so you may want to do that as sometimes they fill up for the time you want.

 

[TPD]

Yes! WOW!!! We had breakfast one morning with a nice lady from lower St. Mary's County. She was amazed that I had heard of Ridge! Hahaha! This was our first cruise too but despite not being able to go to Cocoa Cay and the COLD in Cocoa Beach...we had a ball! I am STILL working off those extra pounds! LOL! I also learned that I need to brush up on my trivia! Hope you enjoyed the cruise as much as we did!

There were 9 of us in our group and 20+ in another group from this end of the county that I know of. We had a lot of fun - a bad day on a cruise is so much better than a great day at home! I've still got 2 more pounds to lose, and I learned many cruises ago that I suck at trivia, karaoke, dancing, and napkin folding. The only thing I do well on a cruise is eat and drink!

At dinner last night, we discussed our next cruise with friends. Probably July or August going to Bermuda or the Caribbean....or we may do both...

 

[TPD]

Was on RC Oasis 2 years ago.

Oasis / Allure is on our bucket list, though I do prefer the 2000 passengers or less ships. When we do one of these mega ships, it will NOT be during a school break time when it is more likely to be filled with thousands of kids! lol

 

[animalluvr4life]

Oasis / Allure is on our bucket list, though I do prefer the 2000 passengers or less ships. When we do one of these mega ships, it will NOT be during a school break time when it is more likely to be filled with thousands of kids! lol

I went on my first cruise last year with my family . The only thing i didn't really like was our 1 rough day at sea where u could feel the boat going up and down and side to side but i didn't get sea sick or any of that just had a hard time keeping from being thrown from one side to the other when trying to walk that day and when in bed u could feel the boat bobbing even though they had stabilizers on the boat. The captain came over the boats pa system and told us all to wear shoes that you can walk in easily as it wasn't going to be a good day to be in heels or any of that.

I did a 7 day cruise with my family when i went and i went on holland america but i can't remember the ships name but it only held 1700 people and that included the staff on the ship too.

 

[TPD]

I went on my first cruise last year with my family . The only thing i didn't really like was our 1 rough day at sea where u could feel the boat going up and down and side to side but i didn't get sea sick or any of that just had a hard time keeping from being thrown from one side to the other when trying to walk that day and when in bed u could feel the boat bobbing even though they had stabilizers on the boat. The captain came over the boats pa system and told us all to wear shoes that you can walk in easily as it wasn't going to be a good day to be in heels or any of that.

I did a 7 day cruise with my family when i went and i went on holland america but i can't remember the ships name but it only held 1700 people and that included the staff on the ship too.

Unfortunately, one of the few times in life my bed rocks - when I'm on a cruise ship with rough seas, and that's when I can do some serious sleeping!

Did you enjoy Holland America? We have been with them a couple of times and love their service and sophistication - something you won't find on RCCL or NCL. The major drawback with HAL, in my opinion, is the number of whitetops aboard, but I too will be in that category some day.

 

[itsbob]

Got an early Christmas present, a cruise on Royal Caribbean. The cruise is in January, 4 nights, one stop in Cozumel. I've never been on a cruise before and a short one seemed like a good idea to start, plus it leaves from Tampa which is less than an hour drive for us. Anyone have opinions on Royal Caribbean?

Cozumel I was amazed at the water. From the top deck on the back of the ship you can see all the way to the bottom... Could have spent hours just watching the fish, in fact I think I did. Don't like ship excursions, but this is one place I'd stick with their excursions. we like to set up our own tours, and stay away from ship stuff. We're had a lot of luck doing our own thing, but Cozumel? Not comfortable winging it there.

This is the first place I've seen Armored cars with ads about armored limos, body guards and other security.

Felt safe the entire time we were there (we just got off the ship and walked around) but there were armed soldiers and police every block.

I wish we had done a glass bottom boat excursion...

 

[BadGirl]

Cozumel I was amazed at the water. From the top deck on the back of the ship you can see all the way to the bottom... Could have spent hours just watching the fish, in fact I think I did. Don't like ship excursions, but this is one place I'd stick with their excursions. we like to set up our own tours, and stay away from ship stuff. We're had a lot of luck doing our own thing, but Cozumel? Not comfortable winging it there.

This is the first place I've seen Armored cars with ads about armored limos, body guards and other security.

Felt safe the entire time we were there (we just got off the ship and walked around) but there were armed soldiers and police every block.

I wish we had done a glass bottom boat excursion...

Psssst. We've never been to Cozumel.

I'm not sure of what you are remembering, but I think it was that city in Guatemala that had the armed guys running and ruling the roads.

 

[itsbob]

Psssst. We've never been to Cozumel.

I'm not sure of what you are remembering, but I think it was that city in Guatemala that had the armed guys running and ruling the roads.

Are you sure?? I thought that was where there was the huge waterfront shopping district, and the truck of soldiers were fighting the Bee nest in the middle of the road.. and where you bought the beach dress, and guy tried to sell me the $300 dollar belt (reduced to $70 as we were walking out the door)..

And the cigars..

 

[BadGirl]

Are you sure?? I thought that was where there was the huge waterfront shopping district, and the truck of soldiers were fighting the Bee nest in the middle of the road.. and where you bought the beach dress, and guy tried to sell me the $300 dollar belt (reduced to $70 as we were walking out the door)..

And the cigars..

Coulda been, but I don't think so.

I should go check the itinerary to see where we went.

 

[Chasey_Lane]

Got an early Christmas present, a cruise on Royal Caribbean. The cruise is in January, 4 nights, one stop in Cozumel. I've never been on a cruise before and a short one seemed like a good idea to start, plus it leaves from Tampa which is less than an hour drive for us. Anyone have opinions on Royal Caribbean?

I LOVE Royal Caribbean!!! GREAT service, tons of food, activities, shows, etc. I was on Liberty OTS back in February -- amazing ship!!

 

[slotpuppy]

I would have to agree with most of the posts, Royal is great. We changed up and went carnival one time, they were not in the same class as Royal. If you get a chance, go parasailing, it is so beautiful floating up high and being able to see for miles around.