I cover Hotels, Flights and Cruises giving you the most honest reviews I can on each!
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I'm glad your family enjoyed it. I sailed on this ship a few weeks ago and agree about the slow elevators and the efficiency of the cruise terminal. You may take issue with this, but I am offended by you posting a video on RU-vid with other passengers without their consent.
I ask for consent of everyone that is posted for longer than 2-3 seconds and in many cases they end providing interviews which I have used in other cruise videos. The belly flop competition, for example, doesn't show everyone because I wasn't able to ask everyone.
The spa shakedown would rub me the wrong way! Good that they had crowd control at the buffet. Ridiculous tech bathroom doors! Stages look good. Very good looking ship.
Thanks, Rick. I'll be cruising with VV in both January and May...Cozumel is a port in May. I appreciate your review of this "beach club"; it is def one I'll skip. What I like about your channel is that you not only show positives of the subject matter but the negatives as well. Very helpful! 🙂
@@rhondalyn100 Thanks Rhonda! I think most of my experiences with travel are positive. It's a balance trying to be truthful and just enjoying yourself on vacation. Can't wait to hear how your Virgin cruises go. I can't wait to go on one again
@@laughremixsquad thanks for the kind words! Hope you have a great sailing. Often the attitude and people with us are more important than the cruise itself
Hi Rick! Thanks for doing the review. We are leaning towards Ritz for hour honeymoon in November 2025 for 7-10 days primarily due to it being a newer property and having more to do. Would you recommend any of the 2BR overwater villas in the main circle? Noticed there were two that may be worth looking into based on the map
@@matthewhampson2022 we stayed right next to one of the 2 bedrooms. If you can get the northern side of the loop, you will have unobstructed views of the ocean. I belive it was unit #329. The one on the southern side has some islands in their views nearby. Not as private. They are huge. I assume you are referring to the Ritz 2 bedroom villas
Virgin is your favorite cruise line ???? How can you even compare it to this? I couldn’t find one comfortable place to sit anywhere on that virgin ship.
Platinum, Titanium and Ambassador. There's an AMEX Marriott credit card that gives you Platinum access. If you travel often it's good to have. The card has a high annual fee but comes with other benefits
Amazing review! Overall, would you say the St Regis is cheaper than the Ritz? Im still deciding wich one to go for my anniversary next month. Ambassador elite member here. Thank you!
@@pedrovidalpacheco7360 we were offered an upgrade to a 2 bedroom overwater Bungalow at St Regis as Titanium and the buffet is incredible. Your status will go further there. The Ritz-Carlton buffet is not as good and you will pay for it. The service was more personalized at St Regis. The wow factor for me was bigger at Ritz-Carlton and for a longer stay I think there's more to do at Ritz-Carlton. I love the crystal clear water of the lagoons there and for that reason I alone I prefer the Ritz. You can also get to the Ritz much quicker. You can't go wrong with either property. If you like Jungle island vibe pick St Regis. If you want something that resembles a Cancun beach pick Ritz.
@@RoadWarriorRick we decided to go with the Ritz Carlton. We are flying Etihad First class Apartments on our way to Abu Dhabi and then Emirates First Class from Dubai to Male. Super excited about this trip. I'm also using 6 Suite Night Awards for the 2 bedroom overwater villa. Hopefully it will clear. Thank you for all the information provided!
@@pedrovidalpacheco7360 that sounds like an amazing trip. I forgot that you can now apply suite upgrades at Ritz. That wasn't the case when we went. Hope you have a great trip and upgrade 😀
Someone needs to ask the Latin bands what they were told when they were hired. The majority of them play like they're playing for 100% anglo audiences doing the 14-day Panama Canal sailing Contrast that with Carnival where even their two-piece Latin bands on smaller ships have flavor
This was by far the most informative and well filmed vlog on independence of the seas I've seen! Thank you for the insider experience! This is what I want to see in a review!
Join us on the Norwegian Encore for an Alaska Cruise in May 2026. Register below or email at Ricky.Oneill@Cruiseplanners.com for more info. twr.tampacruiseplanners.com/GroupRegistrations/view/124458
Dude, your dad is out of control in a fun way. I have never been on RCL and I have cruised 6-times since December '23 on Virgin Voyages and NCL (2-Caribbean, 2- Mediterranean, Alaska and a Transatlanctic) it is so inexpensive. I have traveled on mostly new ships and I agree the 2-older ships are boring and everything begins closing down at 10p. -- However, they have the 10+ days port intensive iteneraties enabling guest to emerse themselves in the experience. Besides the private beach what excursions and local food did you experience as the ship menus and food depited did not look appealing? I'm on NCL Encore for the 2nd time in January '25.
Hey Monique! If you were hosting a special group dinner on Norwegian Encore or Norwegian in general, where would you do it at? Im taking my parents on our first Norwegian in December and then the Encore in 2026 and need a recommendation. We didnt do anything outside of the private beach and we ate all our meals on the ship. I usually always do scuba in Cozumel. I would love to do a transatlantic one day but it's difficult to get away for that long at the moment and I would love to do on Virgin and just eat all day..haha! You have a favorite cruise line?
@@RoadWarriorRick While you did not mention the number of folks you're hosting. As of today...I would recommend the Manhattan for a large group. If you're thinking specialty dining Cagney's has large tables and so does Los Lobos. I do not recommend Moderno ( it is no Fogo de Ciao). Keep in mind -- Norwegian Cruise Line has announced a significant drydock refurbishment of the Norwegian Encore ship, scheduled for a 2-week drydocking this year (November 18 to December 2) so the ship layout may change once or twice b/4 2026. All the best!
@@dmoniquerenee This is for a Group Alaska cruise in 2026. Im planning to host a dinner for everyone in attendance. Right now we have 7 cabins (14 people confirmed) It will be around 30 people for dinner. Norwegian will provide a free happy hour but that seems like a waste, when everyone has the Free at Sea drink package already.
@@RoadWarriorRick That is so cool. Happy Hour is not a perk when everyone has free at see. However, if just 10 -people in your group get FAS+ (that 5 cabin that is 10 bottles of wine / champaign / mamosas at every restaurant meal (breakfast, lunch and dinner at main or specialty dining.). To elevate the experience. Which I recommend never eating at the buffet.
Do you feel much motion when in your room? I booked a room on the forward side and I’m hoping I don’t feel too much motion since I experience motion sickness
@@dearmepa1 appreciate the comments. I try to be as informative as possible but this is a rare family trip so I like to include as much as possible for when my parents are no longer around.
So happy to see your experience was great. I'm going solo on Independence for Halloween, very excited. Can I ask you how you got the window table? Did you talk to the maître' d when you got on board, or did it just work out that way?
@@sweetauntbuddy it worked out that way. I did notice all the solo people were assigned at windows tables so if that was done intentionally, then big kudos to Royal. It won't hurt to go talk to Maitre'd though or check your table as soon as you board
@@AndrewGarcia-nv7qj they have them all throughout the ship at most bars. The best ones were made at Schooner Bar. I had them from other bars and the mix wasn't quite as good. Probably has to do with bartenders
Join us on the Norwegian Encore for an Alaska Cruise in May 2026. Register below or email at Ricky.Oneill@Cruiseplanners.com for more info. twr.tampacruiseplanners.com/GroupRegistrations/view/124458
@@bodyloverz30 Lowes is usually booked up every time we visit with the Saints football team staying there before games. I want to try it one day hopefully
Thanks so much for making this video….I was looking for answers to exactly this question….Ritz vs St Regis. Only thing holding me back from pulling the trigger on the Ritz at the moment is the diving….clearly snorkeling at the St Regis is way better…I’ll need to investigate if that goes for scuba diving as well (where I’d take a boat to nearby dive sites)…..really though, thanks for the video….super helpful🙏
Wow! This is the first video I've seen that showed a night club. That entrance is pretty cool! We go in November...do you know if the nightclub is open on weekdays? We are there Sun-Thurs. in the preferred club double.
@@RoadWarriorRick Thank you! We are looking forward to it- going for my birthday w/a few friends and I will definitely be sharing your video with them. One more question (or two)- Did you venture outside the resort? Do you know if the area is safe?
@@Danielle-k9q We didnt since our trip was short but as long as you go to nearby Playa Del Carmen, there's plenty of people and considered pretty safe as long as you keep to main parts. Tourists are protected in Mexico, contrary to reports of violence in the area.
Great video! I am a female solo traveler and my first solo cruise was Disney Alaska cruise out of Vancouver. Boy was I nervous but I had so much fun. I’ve cruise on Disney many times solo and feel very safe and comfortable. I guess it’s time to try other cruise lines but again I’m nervous.
A very informative video, thank you. We are choosing between the Ascent and the Symphony of the Seas and are choosing the former. The only worry: Is there "enough" live music (and other forms of entertainment) on the Ascent to make it a worthwhile choice?
The Ascent sailing I went probably had the most entertainment of any ship I've been on at night. I'm not sure how much of that was due to the cruise director at the time Luigi but we are going back to that ship next year.
@@RoadWarriorRick Good to hear that! We need a vibe and are trying to avoid a Holland America-like experience. HAL have beautiful ships and some good music but nearly not enough, which is a pity.
