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If you want to sneak alcohol on board, here's a good way to do it...bribe your cabin attendant to bring some onboard. They're allowed to bring alcohol onboard, and they can bring it up to you. It's strictly forbidden, but everyone does it.

Having worked on a few ships, and roomed with a few Casino techs...here's a tip for slot machines. Play the ones closest to the main doors...they're actually programmed to pay out more. Sit outside the Casino, and wait to see if someone plays one of those machines for a while without winning. When they leave...jump in there and win win win! It really does work. Most Casinos do that to encourage people to come in and gamble...because if they see people winning when they first get there, they're more than likely to put down money and play. Also, with Blackjack...play the table minimums until you lose, then double up until you win it back...and then start betting the minimum again. You usually need about a $1500 float to do this safely on a $5 table...but if you play that way...you'll never lose. Some casinos won't let you play that way...but some will. You won't win big...but you'll always end up with more money than you started with.

Chichen Itza is amazing...but it's too bad the ship isn't docking in Progreso. Tulum is nice, but it'll be packed with gringos. Maybe do the tour in Belize, since Belize City is such a garbage pile...and this will give you a chance to get out of town. Also, if you're going to Roatan...be sure to stop by the pizza place in West End. My parents used to own it, and I spent a few winters slinging pies for people...good times. Roatan is amazing, and you'll love it. The reef at West Bay beats anything in the Caymans and Belize. It's one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen...and being in the water will save you from the sand fleas (no-see-ums). If you go to Anthony's Key...be sure to say hi to Julito for Brenda and Dan!

I live 15 minutes away from the dock, and see the ship every weekend on my way to work. Plus, I used to work on the Radiance (sister ship) when it was up in Alaska for 3 seasons...so I have a pretty good understanding of the climate. Basically, the weather here is so all over the place that it's almost impossible to predict. It was hot and sunny yesterday, cold and rainy today...and who knows what it'll be tomorrow. People here say "If you don't like the weather, wait 10 minutes". It works. So, bring layers...that's the best advice I can give. Layers...and something that will keep you dry. You may also want some good hiking shoes, since Alaska is best appreciated off the beaten track. There are great hikes in Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway (the Dewey Lake hike in Skagway is amazing...but not for the timid). But, it can also get really hot...but this late in the season, it's not likely (but it is possible). Also, be forewarned that the immediate neighbourhood in Vancouver where the ship docks is HORRIBLE. It has the highest HIV rate in North America, has the lowest per-capita income of any neighbourhood in Canada, and is a place where you can see people shooting heroin and smoking crack out in the open. It's really too bad the RCL ships don't go to Canada Place downtown, because that is a far nicer place to start and end your cruise. It's the third world, basically...so don't go wandering around or else you may find yourself in a position you didn't want to find yourself in. It's really that bad... Hate to bring people down, but you'll be really glad when the ship pulls away...it's like a third world nation right near the docks.

NO worries...glad you liked the video! It's been viewed over 600,000 times on YouTube, and if you look up "Panama Canal" on YouTube, it's #1! Also, if you do a google search for "Panama Canal"...it's in the top ten. I've done a few other videos like this, but this is the best one. I also have a sail in to Hong Kong harbour, and a few SkyTrain videos like this...but I still like the Panama one best.

I used to work on the Radiance of the Seas (Jewel's sister ship) and took this video when the ship went through the canal back in 2003. It's a timelapse video that shows the entire trip in less than 2 minutes! Enjoy! http://revver.com/video/278842/panama-canal-timelapse/

There are less now than there used to be. The exchange isn't great right now, and the wages haven't gone up in the cruise industry since 9/11. Royal Caribbean froze wages the week after, and they still haven't moved one cent.

It's a lot of fun for someone who has no ties to a particular place. It does matter what position you're taking, but the choices for Americans are pretty decent. It's hard work, but it's good experience...and a great way to see the world.

The Bilderberg Group was calling for oil prices to reach $200/barrel last year as part of their worldwide depopulation agenda. They're very pleased with the prices we're paying right now, and they will continue to rise until the middle class is entirely wiped out (along with the third world). This is all part of a plan, and we've got front row seats! In other news, why are Bush's impeachment articles getting little to no coverage in US news? Clinton had headlines for months... Look up: - Peak Oil - Bilderberg Group - Georgia Guidestones - PNAC - Cheney Energy Task Force - 9/11 Truth - WTC 7 - Operation Northwoods The shell game will continue until there is nothing left for us regular people. Look at the US economy...it's in a world of pain, and none of the moves by the Federal Reserve Bank are doing anything to help. Cruise ships are more likely to be used as prison ships in the future than vacation ships. They'll just tie them up, and they'll become FEMA prison camps to those of us not lucky to be born with a last name like Rockefeller, Rothchild and Warburg. I've been trying to warn you good people for years...maybe one day someone will listen. Sorry Jason...I just can't help helping people see the light in this time of darkness.

A lot of Canadians are buying up US goods, property, etc...it's really good if you're spending money...not so good if you're making it. I didn't think this was going to happen this fast, but back in 2000 when Bush got appointed, I remember saying that our dollar would be even before he left office. I also predicted Hillary Clinton to be appointed in 2008 back in 2002. Seems like that might happen too! Personally, Ron Paul seems like the only hope for your country...but I don't live in the bubble...so I'm not sure. Maybe Giuliani is your guy...

I didn't lose it...I chose not to go and make US money.

Well, the US dollar has dipped lower than ours (and then some), and I can't afford to take this job anymore. My rent and expenses keep going up, and my wage with Royal Caribbean just keeps going down! So, I'm not going to take the contract...but I'm still working on the TV show. I will insist that I be paid in Canadian dollars though ;) What is going on down there? What is happening to the USA?

Jacketwatch...yes, I've been on the Adventure of the Seas. I never worked on it though...I just took a tour while it was docked with us (I was on the Radiance) in St. Maarten. Pretty amazing ship! I did work on the Voyager though. Oh, and it looks like I'll be there through Christmas and New Year's. They extended my contract until the middle of January...so I'll have to contact Sailingrose.

I'm pretty sure I'll be home by then (NYE), I really hope I don't have to work over Christmas this year! Head Video Tech. I'm in charge of ALL onboard television. Everything you see in your staterooms, in the lounges, in the theatre...all of it. It's a really fun job, but a lot of work! Tracking satellites when you're moving at 20mph isn't easy. Television is just one of those things we all just take for granted...even on ships. But, it's a lot of fun when everything is working!

I had already worked on this ship for over a year, so I'm excited to go back! Great run, great ship...and I'm really excited to get back out on the water! I'll keep ya posted! If anyone is going to be onboard the Radiance between Nov/Dec, let me know...and I'll make sure you get in the cruise video!

I just got offered a 6-week contract on the Radiance of the Seas as the Head Video Tech! It starts in a month, and I think I'm going to do it. I need some sun (and some money)! Plus, being on the ship is going to give me all the b-roll I'm going to need to build my promo reel for the Cruise Television show I'm developing! This is great! Maybe I'll see some of you there, and I think I'm going to make a new Panama Canal video (like the one I have on my website). It's about time...the old one was getting a bit stale, but it's got almost 200,000 views on YouTube! PS: Somehow (was) got left out of my subheader...whoops!

That Segway tour looks cool. I thought that would be a good thing for Vancouver during the summer...so people could check out Stanley Park. Nice to see it working somewhere else!

I love San Juan. I've been there so many times I can't even begin to count. During the day, I liked going to El Morro in Viejo San Juan (Old San Juan) to sit out on the grass and just soak in the atmosphere. I also just enjoy walking around the cobblestone streets and checking out all the amazing Spanish Architecture. I went to the mall a couple of times (Plaza De Los Americas), and wandered around Condado where all the hotels are. Kind of like Waikiki...but with way less people. I also went to 104 Calle La Fortaleza, the birthplace of the Pina Colada..for those of you looking for a liquid excursion. The drinks are great, the atmosphere is awesome, and the staff is a lot of fun. At night, walk along the seawall to El Morro...for anyone who likes cats, this is heaven...there are thousands of them down there...for some reason! I also like just walking around and checking out the bars & restaurants in Old San Juan. It's a great city...very historic and beautiful. I would link to a few photos I have on my site, but cruise journals . com is still blocked...so you'll just have to go check them out yourself.

All depends on how fast you go ;)

Before I moved to Canada, I lived on Oahu. I lived in Kailua, and went to school there. I have been back many times, and I love it. So, I'd love to help you out, but I have a nasty habit of killing threads on this site...so I hope someone posts after me, so that other people even bother to open the thread. Here are my tips: Okay, you're staying in Waikiki. Here's what I would do in Waikiki/Honolulu: - Count the ABC stores...it's a full day adventure. - Visit Ala Moana Shopping Center. It's awesome! - Rent a surfboard and try the waves...they're really nice and mellow there. - Try not to trip over tourists on the beach, it's harder than it sounds. - Go to "Dukes" for a drink. That's a full day adventure. - Park your car in the Japanese parking lot near the International Marketplace. - Don't buy anything at the marketplace...unless you like being ripped off. - Don't let a local tell you to go to Hotel Street. It's the ghetto. - Don't let anyone call you a "haole". It's racist...lots of Hawaiians hate tourists. - Sing some karaoke! There are many small bars that are lots of fun. - Go to Hooters right beside the ships in the Aloha Tower complex...haha. - Get a parking validation from them, and you can park there overnight. - Walk to the Waikiki Bandshell, it's a nice park. - Climb Diamond Head - The Ice Palace...go ice skating in Hawaii...now there's a unique tour. - Get out of Honolulu, the rest of the island is SO MUCH BETTER. - Shave Ice...mmm Leeward side: - Go to a luau...all of them are the same. Touristy and overpriced...but fun. - Go to the Aloha Stadium Flea Market to buy the things you saw at the "I.M.P." - Go to Pearl Harbour, knowing that the US knew the Japanese code weeks in advance - Drive through the island to the North Shore. - Shave Ice...mmm. North Shore: - Waimea Falls...so beautiful you'll want to stay there. - Ekuhai Beach Park, the home of Jack Johnson and the Banzai Pipeline - Turtle Bay Hilton, visit it while you're up there. - Shave Ice...mmm. Windward Side: - Polynesian Cultural Center, the #1 tourist attraction in HI...run by Mormons. - Crouching Lion: a very unique rock formation that looks like a...you guess. - Chinaman's Hat...made famous in "Along Came Polly"...try to spot it in the movie. - Rent a boat and go out to the Kaneohe sand bars in the bay...so nice. No tourists. - Visit the dump, in between Kaneohe and Kailua...it's still America. - Nuuanu Pali Lookout: An amazing cliff that overlooks the entire shoreline. - Go into Kailua, to see how the locals live...it's a nice suburb. - Visit my school, Kailua Intermediate School! - Check out Kailua Beach Park (near the canal). - Lanikai Beach Park is very nice, and is very quiet. - Enchanted Lakes is also very nice...and is a sacred site. - Drive through Waimanalo, one of the most authentic Hawaiian towns - Visit Sea Life Park. - Shave Ice...mmm. Island Snow in Kailua is the place for that...best in Hawaii. South Coast (not Honolulu): - Sandy Beach Park, for some bodysurfing - Hanauma Bay for snorkeling. - The "Toilet Bowl" is around the left side of the bay, and is not to be missed... - Hawaii Kai is a nice town, and driving along the inlet is pretty...nice homes - Shave Ice...mmm. That's a whirlwind around the island. It's a beautiful spot, and I have hundreds of photos of all of these places if you're interested. I would love to be useful to this group for something other than tax law and politics, so hopefully this post doesn't kill this thread! Aloha & Mahalo (the longer you pronounce the "o" in aloha, the more respect you show)

I worked on 2 ships that went there, and I lived there for 2 years when I was a kid. It can be a very dangerous place...I'm not going to lie to you. - Don't go up to Shaw Park alone. Go in a group. - Find a good taxi driver, ask the JAMAICAN bar staff if they know anyone good. - Avoid eye contact...use your peripheral vision. - Be streetsmart. Don't carry cash, documents or passports. - Don't tell people you're american, and don't try to look american. - Take off the jewelry...all of it (especially gaudy wedding rings that give you away). - Don't be afraid...be aware. Paranoia helps nobody. Be aware and smart. - Don't let people push you around, or tell you that you owe them something. - Don't veer off the beaten track...you WILL get robbed. I guarantee it. - Pay for a beach chair, and tell people who heckle you to get lost. - If all ese fails, go to Port Antonio, a town that hasn't been ruined by ships and tourists. That's where the real Jamaica is. It's not in Ocho Rios. If you want to see the real Jamaica...spend your day there instead of that horrible place that I spent far too much of my life in. Everything I learned about the dark side of people, I learned there. My family was almost killed on my 10th birthday, in front of all my friends...the cops won't help you. - If you get busted for anything...buy tickets to the Policeman's Ball...it's a bribe, but it'll work. They're just that corrupt. Sorry to bum you out, but the last time I visited Ochie, my best friend had a knife scar across his entire face from a robbery at Turtle Towers (right beside the ship). Go into Jem Palace and ask for Dilip if you want to see for yourself. Say hi from Jeff in Canada (who lived across the street in primary school). Or...do what I do when the ship gets to Ocho Rios...stay on the ship. Eventually ships will just stop going there, and it'll pull itself out of hell.

One thing that always got me about guest rooms (as opposed to crew rooms), was the lack of any real storage. I know you're only on the ship for a short time...but the average cruise passenger brings more luggage for 1 week than a crew member brings for an entire contract. We have loads of closets in our cabins, and we even have computers in the new ships. It would be nice to see guest cabins have more of that.

That's a good point! I just work with computers, so a vacation for me means NO COMPUTERS! But, I can see the appeal. I can't wait to be editing the Cruise Television show from my balcony...hehe. Life is good.

I would just leave it at home...with your cellphone. You're on holidays!

I am so entering this...I still have all my LEGO from when I was a kid, and I used to always build cruise ships out of LEGO. This seems like a lot of fun!