I´m totally loving your TR. I need to get ,y butt on one of those DCL Ships one day. So cool that you get to do it every once in a while and what an awesome way to celebrate your anniversary. Keep the fun coming.
A little piece of info about the ESSO pic: EXXON actually only exists as a gas station brand name in the US. ESSO is the brand name for the stations that belong to ExxonMobil everywhere outside the US (They use both Esso or Mobil).
I totally recommend the Disney cruises. They're amazing. Obviously or I wouldn't be so obsessed. LOL!
Interesting bit of Exxon info. My husband has worked in 3 of their refineries and I worked with them twice, once on a refinery project and once on an LNG terminal facility. Only ever heard the company referred to as ExxonMobil. I wonder where "Esso" came from?
Speaking from experience, it's really not that much fun
Understood. I've seen hurricanes up close and personal on land several times. I really do want to see one from the water. Strange, I know.
You're so sweet!
I don't think I took many pictures that afternoon either! I have to check!
The service wasn't a little slow, it was crazy!! We were there like 3 1/2 +hours! I don't remember ever thinking it was slow at the time, but later I did! I mean, come on! And I had to ask for every single one of the 3 cokes she brought me.
3. In 3 1/2 + hours.
I will say, I ate there a few nights later and the service was excellent.
Yes, that chocolate dessert was the highlight besides the company! I loved it!
You got some great detail shots! I love them!
Looking at Cuba and Grand Cayman toes! Woo hoo!
That barracuda would have FREAKED me out!!
I figured CG was either uncharacteristically slow or I was just that tired. I guess it was a combination of both.
The barracuda was nuts. After the shock and terror of the moment it really was a cool thing to have seen!
Loving your editorials. Too funny.
And for the taxi's...2012 they were granted a 9% fare increase.
Thanks!
Well, that explains the additional taxi cost. After the first ride I was pretty sure there had been a fare increase. The driver wasn't slow and he took the most direct route I know. After the second ride I was convinced. Still, worth it for fast, efficient door to door service. No waiting. Just get in and get out.
Holy crap that's a big 'cuda! Last year when we were snorkeling in the Keys, Toni started to swim towards one ( thinking it was a "nice" fish ), but that was a baby. I would have freaked out!
Great job on the pics! That carousel bar is very cool.
It was a huuuuge barracuda. Seriously.
I would love to see you go on a Disney cruise. The pics you'd come back with would be incredible. You'd be in photo-candy heaven!
I really enjoy your TR's, I normally just read and not comment. I do have a question, my hubby and I have talked about possibly doing a cruise when our girls get a little older and I see where a lot of folks say they order room service, do you have to pay extra for that or is it included?
All room service is free (food wise). There are a few items (like sodas) which you will be asked to pay for (unless you use the free soda machines on Deck 12). The prices and what is included is clearly listed on the menu.
But, as far as food...it's all free!
I'll add to that though, the food at Cabanas is also free, as is the food at Flo's and the snack bars (I'm using the Fantasy terms for these venues)...and all you can eat.
N/A drinks are free on Deck 12 and a few other places around the boat. Booze costs money, as do specialty drinks. Popcorn and sodas for shows (at the show venues) cost money, but no one stopped us from bringing in our own soda mugs filled up on Deck 12 at these venues on my trip.
The Room Service food is good (same level as Flo's, I think), but Cabana's is a step up, and if you go up there at night (something I didn't learn until towards the end of our trip, and I thank @
sweetpee_1993 for informing me!)...at night they turn Cabana's into a "full service" sort of experience. And the food is...REALLY good. They'll allow you to order and bring it down to your stateroom. MUCH better quality (almost on par, if not just as good as, the stuff they serve in the full service restaurants aside from Palo/Remy).
When we did it, they sent someone down with me after ordering to carry all our food for me to the stateroom (even though I didn't mind carrying it myself, they insisted). Fantastic experience!
Thanks @
TaraWdopeyfan ! I think @
englanddg pretty much covered the food stuff. Most food onboard is free including room service. If there's a fee or an upcharge you will know because it will be stated. You can also ask if you are unsure at any time. We keep an envelope of $1 bills in our safe strictly for room service tipping. Typically we give a couple bucks to whoever delivers it. On a 7-night cruise I bring 40 or more $1s. We like room service.
There's also a few things that are often available via room service that are not on the room service menu. If you know to ask, you'll get them. Mickey's premium bars, Mickey crispy treats, and "cake of the day" are the ones that I'm always asking for.
OK, reading along...I have to comment, props to Tracey for taking the Royal Court ceiling shot!!! Totally! You got a good man there. Interested to see how mine does on his first DCL cruise in February.
And yeah, your verandah is AWESOME. Might even rival my aft verandah on the Dream.
Tracey is a good fella, isn't he? I've decided I'm keeping him forever. He can't ever leave. I told him that before he actually married me, tho. I was very clear: I'll never be divorced. A widow? Sure. Not divorced. He was okay with that. Good man, I tell you. Good.
I enjoy the bigger verandahs. We had a deck 9 center aft verandah on the Fantasy in May. I loved the verandah. Wasn't so thrilled with the "ride". The one we had on this cruise was on deck 5, forward of the forward elevators. We were around the corner from the Buena Vista Theater and right by all the shops, etc. on deck 3. I found the location super convenient. If anything, I wish we'd been on the starboard side for the Castaway Cay view. But, given the choice between the aft-facing 05E and the side-facing 04E, both have oversized verandahs, I'd go with the 04E based on location and ride.
Two months tomorrow until home! I made the mistake of mentioning I might extend our lay over in NYC to overnight to check out the city.. mistake and major discord in the magical land of our relationship. Some people are so sensitive
Still trying to decide between getting married at the "cottage" (actually a house, really, on the Bras D'or Lake) or in Disney.. Disney is much less work, but cottage means everyone can be there. SO stressful! I wanted a NYE wedding ASAP when I got back.. then I could legitimze a WHITE SPARKLE WEDDING DRESS. Right!? Unfortunately, we're not allowed to do that because I don't get back until Dec 19.. details..
They kinda do - my friend Becca went to buy a jacket the other night and she bartered her down to 200RMB and then decided she didn't want it.. like, the girl chased her saying "okay, okay, for you 200" and Becca was like.. "nahh", and then she got verbally harassed "you stupid! you idiot!". I was home lesson planning but I'm sad I missed it a little.. a month ago this would have put us all in tears, but now we just laugh about it. How times change!
MORE TR
Awwwwww...why can't Mr.Magic join you in NYC????
LOLOLOL!!!!! "You stupid! You idiot!" I'd have turned around and said I was going to come back for it but not now...so who's stupid???? So funny!!!!
