sandyh85

Hello all!

I'm booked on the 2nd Breakaway trip to Bermuda of this year - 30 Apr 17! Having been somewhat recently on the Escape, I found it tough to find a lounge chair on sea days. Now, while I realize that weather can be tricky so early into spring, anyone have any experience with deck chair availability on the BA? In April/May?

Thanks to any and all responses - I know I may come down to a day-of decision based on how nice the weather is in NYC that day!

PS - my first choice was a spa pass - can use in any weather! But sold out... Bummer :(

Hi,

 

We are first time cruiser's and will be going in November and stopping at St. Thomas. It looks like we are docking at Havensight. We are NOT doing an excursion there and will be with another family so it's a total of 8 of us.

 

Can we walk to the shopping area from the port?

Blackbeard's castle....anyone been there and is it worth it?

 

Shopping.....what alcohol are we allowed to bring back to the states? My son is wanting some beer from one of our stops. :D

 

Thanks!

 

Kristy

There is a beer local to St John sold in St Thomas and it is quite good! I suggest the Island Hoppin IPA. I brought a 6 home, it was worth the weight!

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It's wonderful to hear she looks good and has a fantastic crew! The last couple reviews have been a little down on her.

 

Can you let me know how busy the pool is on sea days? And if many lounge chairs seem free? Are there just the two hot tubs?

 

Enjoy your trip! I'll be in your shoes in six days!

 

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There are 3 hot tubs all grouped together on the center of the pool deck. Yesterday was the first season day and by about 12:00 it was a bit crowded. You could get an odd empty chair but that was it. I generally find a spot in the pool and camp out there. The good thing I noticed was we don't seem to have chair hogs - people come and when they go they take their stuff so you stand a chance of getting a poolside spot. There were plenty of seats at chairs and tables so that's an option as well.

Thank you! Hopefully folks are just as polite on my sailing next week!

 

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It's wonderful to hear she looks good and has a fantastic crew! The last couple reviews have been a little down on her.

Can you let me know how busy the pool is on sea days? And if many lounge chairs seem free? Are there just the two hot tubs?

Enjoy your trip! I'll be in your shoes in six days!

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I've done both inside and balcony solo. I do p refer the balcony but yes, cost when solo can be an issue. I'd rather cruise twice :)

The best part of a solo balcony on carnival is not having to share the chairs. If I recline the one, I can lay flat and nap on my balcony :) Can't always afford the aft with the loungers but I make do!

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I've always wondered when/if/how the ship makes the call to go into your room and check for your passport. I hear here (!) that if you leave your passport in the safe, they will leave it on shore for you. But are there any cases of that passport passing you in transit?

The one story of the author left in the Bahamas comes to mind and his wife told ships crew he had money and a cell phone. But he didn't have a passport at all.

I've always been curious. I'm from Canada, so naturally require a passport to travel on a US-departing cruise. I carry my passport off because I'm used to carrying it. I regularly go to concerts/games/dinner in the states (deteoit) and there is no safe to put it in :)

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Thank you!

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And to really save money, if that's all you are planning on doing in Miami:eek: and the weather is nice, you can walk there. I wouldn't suggest this if you had luggage and were boarding, but it is doable. Just watch traffic getting out of the port itself. Once you're on the bridge. it's a piece of cake.

Not the OP, but someone else thinking about walking to Bayside. Which bridge do you walk over? Google maps shows two, street view makes it look like I walk on the miami - bound side if the road. This would mean I have to walk quite a ways into miami before crossing the road and entering Bayside.

Is there a way to cross and walk the other side of the bridge? Street view is unclear. Anyone with experience?

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Hi Everyone,

 

Our cruise is Feb 2017. When should we do our online registration? Does it matter if I go ahead and do it now or wait til the cruise is sooner?

 

Thank you!!!

As long as your info won't expire or change there should be no issue. I once had to wait until I renewed my passport.

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Today is a prep day. I have a very busy schedule this week so please be patient with me. Hope to post more tomorrow or Thursday. :)

I hate to be impatient, but tomorrow or Thursday was yesterday or today!

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Op is looking for 2017 cruises.

Oops! I misread! Well, I still suggest the Empress next month! Airfare has been cheap the last few weeks and the cruise price can't be beat! Take a shot on a (somewhat) last minute trip!

Apologies OP, I don't usually book short cruises so far out. Have fun in the planning though and good luck!

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I was all carnival until I started shopping around for short cheap cruises for mini getaways in between longer trips.

This empress trip I picked up for $500 canadian, solo, including taxes and grats.

It hits key west and Cozumel.

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If you are open to line jumping, Royal Caribbean's Empress 9f the Seas is doing nice little five days in October - fantastic prices too. I've booked one for the end if the month.

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Last I saw, one 24-hour period was $20 for one device surf level.

Darn....thanks for the info! I have some decisions to think about.

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The minimum you can purchase is a single continuous 24-hour period of unlimited internet.

Thanks for the quick reply! I'm not sure that would work for me. Like I said, I'd get drawn into using it too much. Maybe on my last sea day though...hmm, do uo7 know how much?

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Can anyone tell me what the pay-per-use options would be on board? I don't really want unlimited internet (Approx $60 CAD for my 5 day) as I know I may get sucked into using it too much. I'm on vacation! For me that means books and social interaction, not WiFi (not judging others, it's your vacation!).

I will use WiFi in port to check in a home, just thinking I may want to check in for my flight and send a few messages to see if all is well on my 2 sea days on ship.

Any help would be appreciated.

So glad to see another Jamman review! But I'm kinda disappointed to be catching it in it's infancy...I want to read it all at once!

Thanks for doing these!

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Whats worse is actually getting it booked and then getting a call from Royal Caribbean telling you ...so sorry it was a glitch we are not honoring the reservation.

 

Happened to me twice.

Wow, after booking? That's unimaginable! I can only imagine the disappointment. I love a good deal!

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So, Mom, Dad and young child come in and sit down. Young child now needs to use the rest room, you would send them alone?

Of course not, I also said I liked the idea previously mentioned of the family coming in together and leaving in ones and twos.

I said that immediately after my first thought, lol.

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Normally, zero, but with some IT glitches, or special promo (or high C&A status) maybe.

I only wish the IT glitch carried all the way to the payment page!

Someday I will be high enough status, but for now I love line-hopping. Until then, I will save my pennies for the special rooms and sail interior when I can't wait that long!

I feel you can't save more seats then you have members of your party that are there. IE, 1 person can save 1 seat, 2 people can save 2, etc. I liked the other idea of sitting down first as a whole party, then leaving in ones and twos for the bathroom/drinks/snacks/etc.

I'd love to go to the theatre just to see a single flip flop on a seat though...

Today, while checking prices on my upcoming 5 day Empress cruise (like they could get any cheaper), I noticed the suites were no longer sold out. Curious, I tapped the "Suites" button, entered my applicable discounts (Military, Ontario, C&A Member) and hit update - the price stayed the same, somewhere around $1300 CAD. I hit the "1 Guest" button, and then "Update"....

...$203 CAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Plus $140 in taxes. $343.00CAD for a Junior Suite! Solo!! Thinking I didn't want to tie up the cabin by continuing the booking, I excitedly called to see if I could upgrade. I did my best to keep my hopes low, thinking it was likely only for new bookings. The wonderfully helpful woman on the phone finally was able to see the price, but couldn't get it to apply - finally I tried to "book" it online, only to find out....it rang up at the end as $1300CAD. I did a mock booking on an OV and an Interior - both initially came up as $203 until the end as well. A computer error. Disappointing, but completely understandable. What are the chances of a JS being cheaper for a single than for two? After a moments commiseration with my helpful RC Rep, I hung up and carried on with my work day.

But for one short moment, when I thought I had a balcony on this upcoming solo getaway, I was ecstatic at the thought of being back listening to the sea in my private oasis with a book and a glass of champagne.

Original post from the OP you're all so busy criticising. Lobster isn't really important to someone who comes from Australia.

Just change all the "lobster" to "steak". There.

I've only ever paid on board for something I wanted, never needed.

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Keep in mind, many of the single rider lines miss the best part of the ride - the line itself! If you do decide to go (but honestly, was worth a proper trip - just book another cruise that starts at Port C!), take the single rider lines but remember to go back and do the "Castle tour only" line at Hogwarts. You can't miss the amazing work they've done!

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Great review! I just booked the empress today for a western trip next month. I haven't cruised RC in a year and a half and your review reminds me of what I enjoyed on my last trip with them!

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