Freedom from the Polar Vortex... The GDF family sails RCCL

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

How funny would that be if you were both on the same cruise, and yodagirl was one of the kids you were probably complaining about?!?!

 

Yodagirl said she was on a trip with her band her junior year.  These kids had just graduated High School.  They were all getting served alcohol in the bars on the ship.  It made for some good people watching, but it's not something I would want any of my kids to do.  This was in the late 90's.  I know DCL won't serve anyone under 21.  This was the old Big Red Boat.  They had much lower standards.

 

Loved your comment about the Jamaican culture in that last update.  Good one.

 

I approve of your do-it-yourself excursion for your Jamaica visit.  That is my kind of excursion.  A beach and some cold beers.  Heaven.

 

And major respect to Jason for wearing a Fort shirt on the island.

 

TCD

[GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799]

The red beans and rice looks good!  And Red Stripes....the best of Jamaica, brewed in Pennsylvania!  (although I would hope the ones you got there were actually brewed there). 

 

The red beans and rice were delicious, as was the fish, but the standout was the chicken. It had just the right amount of heat. The Coronas in the states are also brewed in the states, but the ones in Mexico are brewed there. I didn't think to check the Red Stripe bottles. I thought you would call Jason out on the Heineken in the picture. 

 

Yodagirl said she was on a trip with her band her junior year.  These kids had just graduated High School.  They were all getting served alcohol in the bars on the ship.  It made for some good people watching, but it's not something I would want any of my kids to do.  This was in the late 90's.  I know DCL won't serve anyone under 21.  This was the old Big Red Boat.  They had much lower standards.

 

Loved your comment about the Jamaican culture in that last update.  Good one.

 

I approve of your do-it-yourself excursion for your Jamaica visit.  That is my kind of excursion.  A beach and some cold beers.  Heaven.

 

And major respect to Jason for wearing a Fort shirt on the island.

 

TCD

 

Royal also requires you to be 21, but obviously the islands all have their own laws. You also now have to have someone 21 or older on every reservation. I'm glad about that. There were about 10 kids from my school on our cruise, but they were awesome kids that I didn't mind seeing. 

 

Glad you liked my Jamaican culture comment. Did you catch my Josh reference? 

 

Glad you approved of our DIY day. We spent about the same or less than the crappy RCCL excursion and had absolute paradise with a dozen people. It truly was heaven. 

 

Jason loves to rock the Fort shirt everywhere. Somewhere inside him is a Disney fan. I just wish it were cheaper (or gas were cheaper), so I could convince him to go more often. 

[YodaGirl 13]

You should go on another cruise! One without 100 unsupervised high school kids! (but I bet you enjoyed that one too)

  

Haha. Yeah, it was fun. LOTS of stories (that my parents will never hear).

Hey, when was your cruise on the Big Red Boat?

 

On our last cruise on the Big Red Boat, we had a huge group of High School kids who had just graduated.  Holy Smokes, that was a bad idea!  What were their parents thinking?

 

TCD

 

Spring Break of 98...I think it was some time in April.

I'm going with they weren't thinking. In my mom's defense, she thought we would be supervised. Each group of 4 kids had 2 chaperones. Our chaperones didn't want to be tied down with kids. Everything went well until we almost missed the boat back to the ship. We got lost in Port Lucaya trying to get back. It ended up involving a concrete wall almost all the way up to a drop in the ocean. We spider-manned it around the end of the wall trying not to fall off the edge, then we ran. Good times.

How funny would that be if you were both on the same cruise, and yodagirl was one of the kids you were probably complaining about?!?!

Lol That would be pretty funny.

[YodaGirl 13]

Yodagirl said she was on a trip with her band her junior year.  These kids had just graduated High School.  They were all getting served alcohol in the bars on the ship.  It made for some good people watching, but it's not something I would want any of my kids to do.  This was in the late 90's.  I know DCL won't serve anyone under 21.  This was the old Big Red Boat.  They had much lower standards.

 

TCD

That they did. One of the guys managed to score some alcoholic drinks. Another girl turned 18 on the cruise, so her mom (who was on the cruise) got her drunk.

Did I mention how attentive our chaperones were?

[YodaGirl 13]

Nice update!

The food looks fantastic. Good beach area, too.

[h2odivers...Ray 952]

Both times we cruised to Jamaica it was to Montego Bay. And we went to a beach without a bunch if cruisers also. And loved it.

Falmouth looked cleaner/nicer than Mo Bay.

The beaches are just as beautiful.

Did I read correctly that Z scored another older women using his beach toys? He's the man!

[AC in A2......Aaron 693]

The beach there looks gorgeous and beer is always tasty.

The food looked good too.

[Beckers 1,136]

Wish I was on that beach now!!

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

 

 

Glad you liked my Jamaican culture comment. Did you catch my Josh reference? 

 

 

 

 

I know that "feels crowded" is a Josh reference, but I am not as huge a Josh fan as you, so I don't know what's so funny about it.  I gather from the context, that he posts that along with a photo of something showing no crowds.  Is he making fun of Disney geeks on other sites?

 

Also, while I'm asking questions, I have one about Johnny Rockets.  Did your beverage package cover the cost of the beer there?  What if you don't have the beverage package-does the $5 cover charge cover beverages too.  I doubt it, but wanted to ask.  The $5 charge doesn't seem so bad considering that you can eat all you want in there.  I wouldn't mind paying that.

 

  

Haha. Yeah, it was fun. LOTS of stories (that my parents will never hear).

 

Spring Break of 98...I think it was some time in April.

I'm going with they weren't thinking. In my mom's defense, she thought we would be supervised. Each group of 4 kids had 2 chaperones. Our chaperones didn't want to be tied down with kids. Everything went well until we almost missed the boat back to the ship. We got lost in Port Lucaya trying to get back. It ended up involving a concrete wall almost all the way up to a drop in the ocean. We spider-manned it around the end of the wall trying not to fall off the edge, then we ran. Good times.

 

 

So close.

 

The cruise I'm thinking of was in early June, 1998.  We must have had the same itinerary.  We visited Port Lucaya (Freeport) too.  There wasn't much there in those days.  I think there's a big Atlantis-type resort there.

 

I can't remember where the High School kids on our cruise were from- but it was someplace like Kentucky or Tennessee.  They all had southern accents, and a redneck vibe (no offense).  As I said, they had a blast.  But, I'm sure most of their parents would not approve.

 

TCD

[YodaGirl 13]

So close.

The cruise I'm thinking of was in early June, 1998. We must have had the same itinerary. We visited Port Lucaya (Freeport) too. There wasn't much there in those days. I think there's a big Atlantis-type resort there.

I can't remember where the High School kids on our cruise were from- but it was someplace like Kentucky or Tennessee. They all had southern accents, and a redneck vibe (no offense). As I said, they had a blast. But, I'm sure most of their parents would not approve.

TCD

We might have. We also had a stop in Nassau first.

Lol. I'm sure they did have a blast, and as long as you didn't hear banjos or something, it was all good.

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

We might have. We also had a stop in Nassau first.

Lol. I'm sure they did have a blast, and as long as you didn't hear banjos or something, it was all good.

 

Yup- we went to Nassau too.

 

There were no banjos.  The drunk High School kids didn't bother me- I thought it was funny at the time.  Of course, now that my kids have lived through that age, I don't think it's so funny now.

 

TCD

[GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799]

Nice update!

The food looks fantastic. Good beach area, too.

 

It was a perfect day for sure!

 

Both times we cruised to Jamaica it was to Montego Bay. And we went to a beach without a bunch if cruisers also. And loved it.

Falmouth looked cleaner/nicer than Mo Bay.

The beaches are just as beautiful.

Did I read correctly that Z scored another older women using his beach toys? He's the man!

 

I thought cruise ships went there, but I wasn't positive. RCCL has put a lot of money into the port area. There aren't a ton of beaches in Falmouth, but we found a great one!

 

Yes, Z got another lady. This one was fairly close to his age though. And then his teenage girlfriend randomly showed up. I kind of wonder if he told her where we were going. 

 

The beach there looks gorgeous and beer is always tasty.

The food looked good too.

 

It was all YUMMY!

 

Wish I was on that beach now!!

 

Me too!

 

I know that "feels crowded" is a Josh reference, but I am not as huge a Josh fan as you, so I don't know what's so funny about it.  I gather from the context, that he posts that along with a photo of something showing no crowds.  Is he making fun of Disney geeks on other sites?

 

Also, while I'm asking questions, I have one about Johnny Rockets.  Did your beverage package cover the cost of the beer there?  What if you don't have the beverage package-does the $5 cover charge cover beverages too.  I doubt it, but wanted to ask.  The $5 charge doesn't seem so bad considering that you can eat all you want in there.  I wouldn't mind paying that.

 

 

So close.

 

The cruise I'm thinking of was in early June, 1998.  We must have had the same itinerary.  We visited Port Lucaya (Freeport) too.  There wasn't much there in those days.  I think there's a big Atlantis-type resort there.

 

I can't remember where the High School kids on our cruise were from- but it was someplace like Kentucky or Tennessee.  They all had southern accents, and a redneck vibe (no offense).  As I said, they had a blast.  But, I'm sure most of their parents would not approve.

 

TCD

 

Yes, Josh is making fun of the other sites when he says that. It's usually when they've predicted huge crowds, and there aren't any. Or he's poking fun of people who go in the off season and claim everything was crowded. Josh doesn't post as much anymore. I miss him. 

 

The beverage package does cover drinks there (it basically covers everything but room service). If you don't have a package, drinks are extra.... which I disagree with. $5 isn't a crazy price, but I just find it weird because I could order 10 burgers from room service and not pay. But the bacon fries and sundaes do make it worthwhile. And Z really enjoyed the dancing too. 

 

Yup- we went to Nassau too.

 

There were no banjos.  The drunk High School kids didn't bother me- I thought it was funny at the time.  Of course, now that my kids have lived through that age, I don't think it's so funny now.

 

TCD

 

Tell me about it. It's interesting what we don't find funny once we're parents! 

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

 

The beverage package does cover drinks there (it basically covers everything but room service). If you don't have a package, drinks are extra.... which I disagree with. $5 isn't a crazy price, but I just find it weird because I could order 10 burgers from room service and not pay. But the bacon fries and sundaes do make it worthwhile. And Z really enjoyed the dancing too. 

 

 

 

Thanks for the info on the beverage package.  I still prefer DCL's carry-on policy, but I think I'd have to go with a beverage package on RCCL too.  I'm sure the reason the cover charge at Johnny Rockets doesn't cover drinks is because they want guest to buy the beverage package.

 

Don't y'all have Johnny Rockets around Atlanta?  There's one in a mall in Tampa that we've visited.  They do the dancing and such there.  $5 a head to go to one on a cruise isn't a bad deal.

 

TCD

[GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799]

Thanks for the info on the beverage package.  I still prefer DCL's carry-on policy, but I think I'd have to go with a beverage package on RCCL too.  I'm sure the reason the cover charge at Johnny Rockets doesn't cover drinks is because they want guest to buy the beverage package.

 

Don't y'all have Johnny Rockets around Atlanta?  There's one in a mall in Tampa that we've visited.  They do the dancing and such there.  $5 a head to go to one on a cruise isn't a bad deal.

 

TCD

 

I've been to Johnny Rockets on land before, but I can't remember where. Maybe there's one in Atlanta? I bet you're right about why drinks aren't included. 

[GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799]

Wednesday, April 2^nd continued

 

Once we got back to the ship, we took showers and formulated a plan. It was pirate night in Adventure Ocean. Since they parade the pirates down the Promenade, you have to be there by a certain time, or you can’t participate. We didn’t have a ton of time, so we decided that we’d feed Z at the Windjammer, and then Jason and I would eat dinner in the main dining room and go down for the parade.

 

He had pizza, pasta, and about 4 desserts.

 

 

Selfie of parents about to have a dinner date

 

 

We dropped Z off and headed to the dining room where we got a table for 2. Even with a different table size and a slightly earlier dining time, we still had our same waiters.

 

 

Caprese salad

 

 

I had shrimp as my main course

 

 

I couldn’t decide between desserts, so I ordered both.

 

Bread pudding which was fantastic

 

 

And creme brulee which wasn’t

 

 

It was missing that crispy top, so that ruined it for me.

 

Picture of the dining room

 

 

Before we knew it, it was time to head down to the Promenade for drinks and the pirate parade!

 

I found this guy at the stairs to the casino

 

 

After I posed with him an employee asked me why I posed with it and explained that people had been all day. I explained we were huge UGA fans and that I knew there were a lot of folks from Georgia on the ship.

 

Here’s Café Promenade…. All the sandwiches, cookies, and other goodies are included in your cruise fare, but the Starbucks drinks are not. Yes, the devil is everywhere. We found it handy to grab some cookies and bars and put them in a ziplock bag in case Z got hungry at random times.

 

 

Yet another Promenade shot

 

 

We staked out a spot and…. The pirate parade was coming!

 

 

Someone was excited about being a star!

 

 

They taught them some chants and hand gestures. It was pretty funny but some of it was kind of bratty.

 

 

I was surprised they were able to teach it all in a short time.

 

 

Overall, Z really liked pirate night. Not many kids dress up, but some did have pirate shirts on and I think one or two was in costume. They did decorate their bandanas and got to keep them.

 

After the kids left, I took a selfie with Puss in Boots.

 

 

We went up to see the Reggae band that plays at the pool most days. They’re really good, but the seats close to them are empty because it was pretty loud.

 

 

We didn’t stay very late because we needed to get Z to bed.

 

When we arrived in the room, this guy was waiting on us!

 

 

We hung out on the balcony again; it’s a tough job but someone has to do it. Tomorrow is Thursday April 3^rd and we’re heading to Grand Cayman. It’s a tender port, so I was curious about how that would go. 

[CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547]

I hope you got to see some of Jamaica's beautiful countryside on the way to the beach.

 

Z makes a great pirate!

 

Only four shrimp on your entree?  I would have had to ask for triple portions at least.  The asparagus looks really good.

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

Well, RCCL's pirate night doesn't quite match-up with DCL's.  But, it looks like the kids had fun.  And Z walked in holding hands with an older woman.  He never quits, does he?

 

That Puss in Boots has a creepy expression on his face.  Dislike.

 

No burnt top on the Crème Brule?  Fail.  Dislike.

 

I am interested in hearing about Grand Cayman.  We were supposed to go there on our Disney Magic cruise, but the seas were too rough for us to tender, so we ended up having a sea day instead.  So, I still have never been to that island.

 

TCD

[GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799]

I hope you got to see some of Jamaica's beautiful countryside on the way to the beach.

 

Z makes a great pirate!

 

Only four shrimp on your entree?  I would have had to ask for triple portions at least.  The asparagus looks really good.

 

We didn't get to see much because it was a short ride, but I will remember that little slice of Jamaican paradise we got to experience for the rest of my life. Sadly, they're closing before we get to go back. I'm wondering if Falmouth is growing, so they develop it into something more commercialized. 

 

Yep, 4 shrimp. Obviously I could have ordered seconds, but I *might* have snacked a bit in the Windjammer when Z was eating dinner. Plus, I knew I was ordering 2 desserts. 

 

Well, RCCL's pirate night doesn't quite match-up with DCL's.  But, it looks like the kids had fun.  And Z walked in holding hands with an older woman.  He never quits, does he?

 

That Puss in Boots has a creepy expression on his face.  Dislike.

 

No burnt top on the Crème Brule?  Fail.  Dislike.

 

I am interested in hearing about Grand Cayman.  We were supposed to go there on our Disney Magic cruise, but the seas were too rough for us to tender, so we ended up having a sea day instead.  So, I still have never been to that island.

 

TCD

 

You're right... it doesn't compare at all. The RCCL night is really just for the kids under 10. He enjoyed it though, and it was fun for parents to watch. 

 

They make up for the total creme brulee fail later in this cruise. Sadly, they serve that crappy version every night in the main dining room. No wonder the waiter suggested something different! The bread pudding was delicious though!

[GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799]

I have a goal…. I’m not big time like TCD and the Troll, but I want to beat the stats of my other trip reports and get over 250 comments. So come on and speak up; I’ve seen a lot more of you reading than are commenting. We’ve only got 3 days left! To those of you who have been reading, commenting, and asking questions, thank you!

 

Thursday, April 3^rd

 

Thursday started like many of the days before, with a call from room service that breakfast was on the way. We arrived in Grand Cayman at 8:00 AM. We had an excursion through RCCL planned that day. My mom had gotten Z a dolphin encounter and sting ray swim for his birthday. We had to meet in the port area at 10:00 AM.

 

The Navigator was already here.

 

 

Z got his bathing suit on and decided to eat breakfast on the balcony. Crazy morning hair!

 

 

It was a pretty day!

 

 

A Carnival ship was also at Grand Cayman. Coincidentally, it’s the same ship that Jason and I had sailed on before when it was the Destiny.

 

 

After eating and getting ready, we got on the tender. There was no line, and boarding was easy. I had been worried that things might get backed up, but the tenders are pretty big, and they send them regularly. We might have had a different experience at 8:00 AM though.

 

 

Z used the jewelry flyers to show Daddy what they should buy me. I wish!

 

 

Bye for now FOS!

 

 

You can really see how blue the water is here.

 

 

We arrived in the port area.

 

 

It had some shopping, etc. but was nowhere near as nice as the new port built at Falmouth. We needed to meet our excursion under a red tent, so we found that and waited. This is where you could really feel the crowds. We waited and waited. It’s annoying that people don’t show up on time.

 

Finally, everyone was there, and we boarded the buses.

 

We arrived at Dolphin Discovery Cove.

 

This sign is kind of weird. Is it a threat?

 

 

We started with some birds.

 

 

Z thought it was cool that he got to hold one.

 

 

 

It was decided that we would go see the sting rays first, then do the dolphin encounter.

 

This boat left before us.

 

 

Here’s our boat. Nothing fancy, but adequate.

 

 

The water color amazes me.

 

 

We got some bad news once we got to Sting Ray City. It was busy AND the tide was high. Usually, the water is only waist deep, but not today. They said a storm was coming from the States.

 

 

There were some good size swells coming in too. Bummer. This wasn’t the experience we’d read about and were hoping for. It was no one’s fault really, but it kind of stunk.

 

Sting Ray

 

 

Because of the depth and waves, getting out of the boat was a bit challenging, but we made it. Usually Z would be able to touch on the sandbar, but not today. Luckily, we’d brought his froggy life jacket.

 

We held a sting ray.

 

 

And kissed it.

 

You can see how deep it was that day in this picture.

 

 

Another sting ray.

 

 

All in all, it was an OK experience. It wasn’t the people’s fault that the water was high and kind of rough, but it definitely lessened the experience.

 

Well, that’s probably a good place to stop. Next up, we meet some dolphin friends. 

[CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547]

I have a goal…. I’m not big time like TCD and the Troll, but I want to beat the stats of my other trip reports and get over 250 comments. So come on and speak up; I’ve seen a lot more of you reading than are commenting. 

 

Kelly, I'll try and do my part to get your stats up!  I know how discouraging it is when people just read.

 

Sorry your experience at Stingray City wasn't so great.  I've never been there when the water was over waist high.  Did they tell you why all the stingrays come swimming up to the boats?

[GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799]

Kelly, I'll try and do my part to get your stats up!  I know how discouraging it is when people just read.

 

Sorry your experience at Stingray City wasn't so great.  I've never been there when the water was over waist high.  Did they tell you why all the stingrays come swimming up to the boats?

 

I know people are reading though because I see their names at the bottom of the screen when I'm updatign. I'd just like to hear from them!

 

I'm assuming they come because they're fed. Honestly, our driver wasn't that great. Other people had been before and got to feed them, etc. 

[Helmsey......Todd 134]

Finally getting caught up after missing a page or two. Too many comments so I'll just say I'm enjoying all the pics. 

[momof3kids-Yvonne 596]

We had a nice large ocean view room when we cruised. I could get used to a balcony though.

We also ordered room service each morning, but usually just pastries, coffee and juice.

The guys would head to the Windjammer a bit later for a more filling breakfast, but the small breakfast worked for getting something into the girls before they went to the kids club.

[YodaGirl 13]

Looks like fun. The water is one of the things that sticks out in my mind from our cruise. So pretty.

[DaveInTN 3,247]

That water color is spectacular.  I'd love to stay in a place on the water somewhere with water that color....like Bora Bora.