trixiegal

Very interested in your review. We are on the Sunshine in June. I'm on the fence about the steakhouse since we didn't have the best experience in the one on the Breeze last summer. Nice to hear you enjoyed the steakhouse on the Sunshine.

It's too bad that seafood place near Timbuktu closed. (Is that now Stained Glass Pub? Haven't been up there for a while.) We loved the crab cakes there; came up from Silver Spring a couple times to eat there.

If you're talking about Gunning Seafood, I was not happy to hear they had closed. Their food was very good and I liked them better than Timbuktu. Well, at least we still have G&M for good seafood.

What great info! I don't need it, but it was nice of you to share! The Pub you are talking about, is that the Stained Glass Pub? I went to their website and looks like a great place to have a burger and beer on Saturday night. Murphy's Law, the Orioles are playing my Yankees in NEW YORK during the day, so will miss the game on tv. We went on a Super Bowl cruise from SanDiego to MX Riviera years ago which happened to be the year the Giants were in it. Couldn't believe we were ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE COUNTRY when our team was playing the Super Bowl! :eek::rolleyes: Anyway, someone had mentioned a shopping center/grocery store near the ship. Do you know anything about that? That might be an option for anyone needing to pick up carry on allowables before boarding. :confused::confused:

Yes, there are several grocery stores nearby. Giant Food is in Elkridge and is easy to go to by taking 103 (same road that BW Elkridge is on) to Marshalee Drive, which is also adjacent to the fantastic bakery, Kupcakes and Co. mentioned a few posts up. Another grocery store is a few miles north on Rt.1, the main road in Elkridge, called Green Valley Marketplace. There is also a well-stocked liquor store in the same shopping plaza as Green Valley called Cindy's Liquors and a Rite Aid. I shop at both grocery stores and they both should have whatever you need.

Well, you guys got me curious, so I looked at the Stained Glass Pub to see if it's like the one we have in Silver Spring, a DC suburb. Apparently it's like the one I'm familiar with. I've only been there once, to eat and celebrate someone's birthday, but I found it to be a decent place - and no, it's definitely not a rowdy bar!

 

 

 

I also looked at Google Earth and there are a couple more restaurants not too far away, but I don't think they're within walking distance, and don't know if there's a bus that goes down there (or if you'd even consider a bus!) Personally, I would just stay at the hotel and eat at the Stained Glass Pub. If they take you to the port, that's great, and while the hotel doesn't have much around it, it sounds good to me.

It is the same Stained Glass Pub that is off of Layhill Road in Silver Spring, where I grew up. It's good and it's really more of a family-friendly neighborhood restaurant than a rowdy bar. The most crowded that the bar gets is around happy hour with the after work crowd. However, there are areas in the restaurant to sit away from the bar.

Hey mitsugirly. I'm not going to claim that hte Best western is the best hotel in the world, but I will say that the pub adjacent to it has some pretty good food. Well, some of it at least. Their pizza in different (if your a Baltimore native it's like Ledo's) but pretty tasty. Their burgers and sliders are real good. The rest is what you would expect from a pub. Timbuktu, that Terpfan mentioned, is essentially on the same road (maybe 1.5 miles away). I'm not a huge fan of the place, but people seem to love their crab cakes.

 

 

 

You would be a mile from the MARC (train) if you want to take that right into DC. You are also maybe 2.5 miles from the Arundel Mills complex that someone else mentioned. It's essentially everything from a sprawling mall to a casino to more every type of food chain imaginable. My wife would kill me if I didn't mention that you are also about 3 miles from the best cupcakes that she has ever had, Kupcakes and Company. I am not a huge sweets fan, but I will admit that even I like their cupcakes and the flavor that they manage to put into them. All taste is subjective, but yes, i think even better than the much heralded Georgetown Cupcakes or Baked and Wired. I am way off path here.

 

 

 

Anyway, it looks like it's in the middle of nowhere, but you are 5-15 minutes from anything. it's just maddeningly suburbia spread out.

We LOVE Kupcakes and Co.! I ordered a graduation cake with the particular design of a graduation cap in her school colors of silver, black, purple. It was incredible and absolutely delicious. Everyone raved about it at her party. I do think they're better than Georgetown Cupcakes but I'm still partial to Crumbs.

I tried to say earlier in the thread that looks are deceiving but Elkridge has a lot of food and shopping options. However, they are really only accessible by car from RT 103, which is the road that BW Elkridge is on.

Great review so far. I was wondering if the spa pass would be worth it this time for DD and I because there isn't a thalassotherapy pool like on the Breeze and Dream. It really doesn't seem like a good idea to spend money my $$ on it so thanks for your thoughts.

I called 4 hotels for my aunt who is cruising on the Vision of the Seas in April. Chase Suites, The Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn and Holiday Inn (latter 3 are in Westshore) all had cruise packages with an airport and port shuttle. The Hampton Inn was the cheapest so I think they are going to book at that hotel. Will come back to update how it went for her after she gets back.

Don't watch "The Wire" and you'll be fine!

This made me LOL! If you make a wrong turn in downtown Bmore, you might think you're on that show.

All of the Inner Harbor area is safe and the waterfront is beautiful in warm weather. Go on yelp.com for some great restaurant recommendations.

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We are sailing on the Sunshine in May. One of the reason we picked this ship was because of the GSOV. My BFF wanted a ship that had that view as well as an itinerary that worked for us. She is extremely excited about it! We opted for a balcony down the hall. This is my first on a balcony.

 

If I had the choice I would probably pick a balcony over the view. Although it looks beautiful, I like to be able to enjoy the view and ocean breeze. :D

Which cabins are the GSOV? I'm on the Sunshine in June and want to keep an eye on those kind of cabins.

This a very good cruise report with lots of detail, especially for a first timer! Your itinerary is one of the best I've seen for the Southern Caribbean. I have to keep my eye on that one for 2018 when my youngest will be in college and Mama is free to vacation whenever I want! [emoji4]

trixiegal-The only thing keeping me from booking the Elkridge hotel is the fact that I have no place to buy soda prior to the cruise. :(

 

I could deal with going over to the pub I guess for a meal (although more than what I had planned on spending to eat a fast meal the night before), but I still have to have some place to buy soda prior to the cruise terminal.

 

Do they have any kind of shuttle that takes you some place within a certain radius of the hotel? I know some places have that, but I'm not seeing anything mentioned...unless I'm just missing it somewhere. :confused:

I live so close that I'm tempted to offer to bring you soda so you can just book a place and have peace of mind! Lol... But I have a habit of offering to do things and then forgetting I already have plans. Like, as I'm typing, I'm realizing I will be in NC that weekend for Easter! Oh well...

I would call the hotel directly and ask, Mitsugirly. They very well may have a local shuttle because the other MD casino (NOT the one in downtown Baltimore) is only 10 minutes away and a lot of the area hotels provide transportation there to entice visitors. The casino is at a large outlet mall with a nearby Walmart, Sam's Club and Costco. Also a Safeway and Walgreen's across the road. You could see if they have a casino shuttle and get the driver to let you run into a store for soda when he's dropping off folks at the casino. Never hurts to ask!

Go on the Breeze and try to get a balcony cabin if you can. We snagged a Lido cabin for less than $450 pp for 6 days on the 4th of July cruise last year. Are you booking Early Saver? Prices were so low when I booked 3 weeks before the cruise, so you'd probably have some price drops.

OK am I looking at the wrong hotel? We booked the Best Western Plus on Dorsey in Elkridge and I just searched again and only found good comments..including these "Shuttle ran every 1/2 hr. in the morning and we were picked up upon arrival " "we took the shuttle bus with no problems. i would stay here again" "Shuttle drivers are friendly and prompt. " These are trip advisor? I am not by any means being argumentative but really got scared when I read you cmments and hoping we are talking about 2 seperate hotels

You are talking about a different hotel. There are 3 Best Westerns in the Baltimore area that offer cruise and park packages, along with shuttle service to and from the port. The one you are booked at is in Elkridge, a suburb of Baltimore about 15-20 minutes south of the port, and the Belle Grove location is in Baltimore County, about 10-15 minutes from the city of Baltimore. The other location is in Baltimore very close to Johns Hopkins Hospital and the Inner Harbor but bordering a sketchy neighborhood.

I don't know that hotel or area that well but it hasn't gotten the best reviews here on CC. Did you look it up on Trip Advisor? I read the reviews on that site religiously and always found them to be very reliable and up-to-date.

As far as DC tour transportation options, check out this link-

http://washington.org/business-listings/22/478

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So sorry you are having such a hard time finding a hotel/motel that fits your needs in the Baltimore area. I'm sure you want something affordable and safe without a whole lot of hassle. Try the Hampton Inn in Glen Burnie. There are a lot of stores within walking distance, as it's on a busy main thoroughfare called Richie Highway. There is also the Country Inn & Suites in Linthicum, very close to the airport. Both of these hotels are supposed to have airport and cruise shuttle packages. I would call for more information instead of just looking online. Check out this thread- http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2064507

Nice review! I'm looking forward to our 8 days in June. So much to do on the Sunshine.

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Which airline are you on? The Southwest terminal is updated with a lot of stores and restaurants. There's even a big food court. I don't remember seeing a kids area there but there is one in the Delta terminal, I think. I usually fly SWA out of BWI. It's been a few years since I've been in other terminals.

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Yes, McHenry Row has a Harris Teeter grocery store with an attached liquor store. There is ample parking in a garage next to the grocery store if you will have a car. It's only a couple of minutes from the port off of Key Highway. There's also a wine store and beer store in the same small shopping center.

We Marylanders love our beer & wine!

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I see you started a new thread with your questions! I'm surprised there aren't more of them dedicated to Baltimore.

You could take a short 10 minute cab ride from the port to the Inner Harbor and do some sightseeing to waste time. The weather is iffy in April but it may, hopefully, be nice enough to walk around. If not, you could check out Port Discovery, which is about a 15-20 minute cab ride from the port. It's a kid's museum and fairly easy to navigate in 2-4 hours. The National Aquarium or the MD Science Center are also options but they are expensive, in my mind, for only a few hours worth of visiting time.

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We will be on foot. I'm looking at google earth. It seems to be located beside the freeway with only a "pub" there. Across the street and surrounding areas seem to have warehouse buildings or businesses that do not consist of any food or gas stations...unless this place is built up now since they did the last google earth. We can't walk too far (especially if it's on a busy street/highway/main road) with a small child pulling a suitcase of soda...just saying. So I don't think this will work for us. Um, hmmm lol It's a "saying", as in nothing around...it stands for bum f*ck egypt. :p

It's not an area you can walk around in, as there are no sidewalks on Dorsey Road. Sorry, thought you were driving into town and would have a car. There are a lot of business parks and residential neighborhoods in Elkridge. But our main roadway, Route 1, which runs North to South, is currently being built up into a major corridor so Google Earth is probably not up-to-date.

As far as the Belle Grove Rd location, it looks like it's very close to BWI. That area is also industrial and filled with business parks. I don't know if there are sidewalks or stores within walking distance. Check out some of the other threads or start one to ask about that area. If you want to be able to safely walk around, I'd consider staying in the Inner Harbor. It's more expensive but a very nice experience for your family pre-cruise.

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Lol... That's what I thought but haven't heard that term since I lived down South in Orlando!!!!

Yeah, around these here parts can seem like the boondocks but I love being able to hop on 100 or 95 and get where I need to go. For me, I've endured the past several years out here because of the #1 public school system. My kids will thank me. ;)

I forgot to ask in my reply-

What's BFE?

The Best Western on Dorsey seems to be out in BFE with nothing within walking distance around in, which won't work for us. We need some place to eat the night before (cheaper fast food option) and also a gas station or grocery store to get soda. So I don't think this option will work (for us).

 

What is wrong with the one listed on Trinity for Belle Grove?

No, I live in this area and there are a lot of fast food options and gas stations nearby. Not sure what map you're referencing. Looks like it's deceiving you.

There is a Wendy's with a gas station and convenience store less than 1/2 mile away and across the street is another gas station with really inexpensive gas called Xtra Mart. Down the road is a Subway and a pizza shop. If you go further south on Rt. 1, you'll hit a shopping center with a grocery store, Starbucks, IHOP, dollar store and other fast food places.

What about the PORT area? I will probably post a thread, or search for one, prior to our cruise in May, but we are doing a B2B. Is there anything in the immediate port area we could visit in between cruises? How about a liquor and/or convenience store to replenish carry on beverages? :confused:

Two minutes from the port is a small shopping center called McHenry Row, which has a huge Harris Teeter grocery store with an attached liquor store, a wine cellar store, a beer store, Dunkin Donuts and a few restaurants. I wouldn't recommend walking as it's only accessible by walking under I-95 and there is a lot of traffic all times of day and night. I don't remember seeing any crosswalks or sidewalks. There is parking garage next to the Harris Teeter with ample parking.

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