mbleackl

There was a news report here in Canada that Health Canada was looking at the requirement to test prior to flying to Canada.  Concern was that the expense on families was excessive.  So perhaps it will change in the near future.

We have enjoyed the sailings going both ways.  Going eastbound even though there are multiple time changes, you don't notice it as much as if you have an 8 hour time difference all at once.  In the spring you don't have to worry so much about weather especially on the southern route.  Luckily we have had relatively calm Westbound cruises as well.  On our last eastbound we were lucky enough to be in Funchal for the Flower Festival Parade.  On the 2022 Odyssey sailing you miss the parade but can see the Wall of Hope ceremony.  We usually spend a week or more in Florida at the beginning or the end of a cruise to extend the vacation and spend additional time in Europe on the opposite end.

We've also looked at this transatlantic and was lured to start the process but the cruise price included Non Refundable deposits which has put us off.  We don't know for sure if the cruises will be operating  in April next year even though it's a way off.  We got burned a couple of years ago with NRD's on the Oasis when we had to cancel and weren't able to go during the time they gave a future credit for.  So until we know for sure we will wait to book and probably not on RCL because of their policy.

We've done a couple of eastbound transatlantic's and have found them generally calm.  Don't forget hurricane season could mostly affect fall transatlantic sailings, that being said we haven't experiences rough weather then either.

On 11/8/2019 at 10:11 AM, AlexandNessa said:

This is maybe our tenth NCL cruise, but the first time we've received this. Our cruise docs have middle initials. Passports list full middle names. Wrote my TA to update, but I guess they're cracking down on these things? 

Thanks, just called NCL and updated my middle name.

We didn't have any issues.  You're separated by a wall along the hallway which forms a barrier.  It's bigger than it looks on the deck plan.  Have a great cruise.

We were in cabin 9094 on Epic . Here is the view 

We are on The Norwegian Escape that will be docking in Lisbon next October 30 (2020).  How close is the HOHO bus to the port?  

We were in an Epic Mini in 2016.  The only difference between a Balcony and the Mini is the bathroom is a little bigger and perhaps location. If $400 each not worth it: maybe $400 total is not worth it either.

3 hours ago, freeholdfriends said:

I’ve done it several times before leaving as my local bank will order the euros for me. However, we’re going on the TA next spring and I will probably just do it on the boat. I never use as much as I think and end up having to exchange again back home. I will just take some out a needed on this trip.

If you do it on the boat you will pay a higher exchange rate than doing it at an ATM on land or at your bank before the cruise.

We just booked an October Transatlantic with $50 deposits, Free at sea 5 perks and 20%repeat discount.  We looked at the Sailaway vs Choosing our own cabin and chose the later.  We have been on a couple of cruises Fore & aft cabins so like to choose our cabin midships.  Based on our last TA on the Epic taking the free at sea works better for us.  Must say I went to bed a little wobbly more than once on that cruise and the drink package worked  for us.  We over drank the gratuities and will on this cruise as well.

I also prefer private tours out of Naples.  Besides Pompeii and Hurculaneum there is a lot to see along the Amalfi coast.  Sometimes someone on your roll call will take the lead and book a tour and ask for others to join. We used AP tours on a few occasions in an 8 seater Mercedes Van with others on our cruise.  At Pompeii AP arranged for a private tour guide for there and Hurculaneum (for a fee paid to the guide).  Also you can avoid the annoying stops at businesses taking away from your tour time and have a more enjoyable tour.  Also in a private tour you can ask your driver to stop along the way if there is something interesting to see.

I've watched this happen a number of times.  Sometimes it was too late as the ship was already pushing out and they got left behind.  I've seen the ramp put down for late arrivals to Jeers and once saw the pilot boat go back for someone and bring them out.

I used a $200 FCC plus a $700 deposit last year to book a cruise for my wife and I but had to cancel when plans changed.  The $700 was deemed non refundable so I lost $200 and any FCC benefit and got $700 back as a FCC which I have to book soon.  I think it is kind of a rip off.  I've booked and cancelled before on Royal and other cruise lines and always come back.  So now once I use the FCC I won't be back to Royal.  There are too many other options out there.

A few years ago we docked in Monte Carlo and took a private tour with a company called MedTour.  We visited  Eze, St Paul, Tourette/loup and Gourdon (amazing eagle nest village: next to Tourette).  We had 8 people in a van.  It was about 300 Euros/8 then for 5 hour tour.  You get time to walk around the medieval villages.  It was great. For me St. Paul de Vence was a highlight.  Just an Idea.

We stayed at the Gran Hotel Torre Catalunya In October 2016 while on the way to Marbella. The hotel is right across the street from Barcelona Sant train station where we needed to be early the next morning. Check in was quick and easy. The folks at the front desk were vey helpful. Room was clean and comfortable. Next to the lobby is a bar/lounge where only hotel guests are allowed. A few blocks away is the Las Arenas shopping centre which has promenade on the top floor with multiple restaurants. We are planning to stay there again after our next cruise.

How do you find them? I learned about them on our last cruise, and I think we'd definitely like to look into one.

We have done 3 Transatlantic repositioning cruises (Princess & Celebrity) and all I can say is that they are the best. We love the sea days and the ports along the way. They took us places we never imagined we would visit.

Generally the cruise lines advertise them but we use a particular TA company and their website lists them months in advance. I see now that they have Voyages for next April/May and Oct./Nov. listed along with pricing. Many times we can get 12 - 14 days voyages in a balcony for less than $100/day.

They have other type of repositioning cruises listed as well - like LA to Sydney, or port to port in the USA.

Obviously you must be a new cruiser. The folks who are providing the services to you don't make a whole lot working for the cruise lines and depend on the tips to supplement their wages. I know it shouldn't be like that but that is how the cruise lines work it. As they are foreign workers many of them are supporting their families in poor countries. They work from morning till night with little time off. Most of them provide excellent service and they do it with a smile. So don't be cheap and remove the auto tips. Think about how much you would tip in a restaurant compared to the little you would tip your waiters on the ship. The same goes for your cabin steward. I'm sure you will get a lot of similar replies.

We are seasoned cruisers. We leave on our 13th and 14th cruise beginning on Monday but it got me to thinking how much money do you take on a cruise??

 

We will be gone a total of 18 days. We primarily use cash and travelers checks (when we were at the bank today getting our travelers checks the bank teller informed us that we are like the only customers who still use travelers checks.....now I find that hard to believe but whatever). We only use the credit card for our sail and sign account onboard.

We usually take $100/day in cash. Being Canadians we buy US cash when the exchange rates are in our favour or at least good. We too use Travellers cheques from time to time and like you cash them at the pursers desk. While some may poo-poo using them they do give protection against loss or theft.

Ok, well Hubby and I thought we were going to go on CCL Dream for sure then we found out we are able to get a good deal on the Caribbean Princess which would be about the same in cost as the cruise we were planning on the Dream out of NOLA.

 

So, now we are torn! We love Carnival, but would also love to sail Princess as well. We are wanting a nice, romantic, and relaxed cruise for our anniversary. Can anyone please tell me what the differences are between the two? Any advice?

 

thanks!

Considering what you are looking for on your cruise, Princess would be your best option. Nothing against Carnival, they are just different styles of cruising.

Long time Cruise Critic fan, and my first forum post...

 

So the good thing is that I've locked down my decision between 2 ships. Carnival Breeze and Celebrity Reflection sailing on 12/27/14. I understand that they are 2 different cruise ship experiences. I just need some guidance please...

 

Here is the catch, my honeymoon will be during peak season. Unfortunately, this is the only week we can go. Trust me, I'd rather not go during peak season. My fiancée and I are both 25 years old. We plan on sailing to celebrate the New Year and more importantly, our honeymoon. Aside from the premium price, another down side is that there will be a lot of families, and lots of kids onboard. Which brings me first to Carnival...

 

I sailed on the Carnival Breeze last year with my family and had a blast! It was one of the best cruising experiences I've had. I really enjoyed the "Fun Ship 2.0" theme. Everything from the fast casual food eateries to the George Lopez comedy club. I also really enjoyed the Adults only serenity pool deck. Carnival has long been my favorite cruise line. Since its a family conscious cruise liner, I'm afraid the Carnival Breeze will be loaded with kids during peak season which could be a negative.

 

I sailed the Celebrity Solstice(sister ship to the Reflection) a few years ago, again with my family. It definitely was an older crowd, but the ship was beautiful, modern, and the service was top notch. It felt very up scale, but a tad on the boring side. They did have much better food quality for dinner but the lunch selection/buffets were OK in my opinion. That's maybe because I'm a "burgers and fries" kinda guy. I am a very laid back/casual cruiser. I don't care too much for the glitz and glamour that Celebrity provides but I just don't want to be stuck with an all seniors cruise on my honeymoon either. I know that it will be a quieter, more "romantic" experience possibly on the Celebrity, but I think I sacrifice the fun factor.

 

Carnival is about $800 cheaper, which is nice, but it will not make or break it for me. If you take the price out of the equation, which would you recommend?

 

I will also mention that the fiancée and I will be staying 5 nights at an adults only all-inclusive resort in Jamaica prior to the cruise. So we will get to enjoy 5 nights of peace :)

 

Please let me know your thoughts.

 

Ricky

Everything depends on what experience you are looking for. Personally I would choose the Reflection for this occasion. Even though there will be more older folks than on Carnival you will find it could be a more intimate experience. If both of you are looking for more partying & fun then you should choose Carnival.

I'm confused....help.

 

As many have posted, and I also seem to remember this from our last cruise, there is only 1 outlet in our stateroom. At this day and age that is tough considering most of us today have a smart phone, plus your significant others phone, digital camera, digital video recorder & other electronics that need charging throughout the week.

 

I've seen people say here on the board to bring a power strip so that you can recharge your electronic gadgets throughout the cruise.

 

However....I've read on this board twice now how someone had their power strip confiscated as an item not allowed and I've seen a picture of one along with bottles of booze and other no-no's taken on the last day of someone's cruise awaiting their return to their owners.

 

So what are we to do? What can we bring that is "ok" for recharging multiple electronics?

 

Help?

We got called to the naughty room and had our power strip confiscated on our last cruise. First time in over 25 cruises - go figure! :mad:

I am researching cruises to take in early January as a Christmas gift for my DH and DD. Our last cruise was on the Paradise where we enjoyed the excellent service and DD loved Camp Carnival. Both the Legend and Dream have the same itinerary at about the same price, so I am interested in opinions on which to choose. DH and I enjoy listening to live cover bands and the casino at night and hanging out at the pool/outdoor bars during the day. DD is 8 and LOVES Camp Carnival.

I love the big ships. We are on the Dream Jan. 18 sailing. My family are joining me to celebrate my 70th BD. We are a group of 10 including my DGS age 12 and my DGD age 2. Have had some incredible price drops totalling $1100 between all 4 cabins since booking. Hoping to get more.

We were on the Conquest in December for our fifth time. So we are really familiar with this ship.

Sherryl

Hi Sherryl,

Our CC group is looking for a good place (lounge or bar)to meet up on our Feb 25th cruise. Any Sugestions?

Mike