elsie3939

On 8/3/2023 at 9:17 PM, parrottmama said:

HI All, 

 

This is my first cruise since 2018 because of illness.  I am booked on January 19 Vision from Baltimore as my doctors want me to take a shorter cruise than I normally do, I usually do b2b or 14 nighters.  My dh and I decided to do this cruise for his 65th bday but was wondering for those that have travelled to the bahamas and cococay ad South Carolina, will I be able to get into the water in the bahamas at all..  Th e other cruises from Baltimore during that period of time do not have CocoCay and I really want to see how that has grown up.

 

Any comments will be greatly appreciated.  Also is the Solarium open to children because it is winter time, I have none but was curioius.

 

Thanks for your input.

Hi Parrotmama

I am also on this cruise and wanted to let you know there is a thread with 8 or 10 posters  that is  a dedicated  thread listed under Royal Caribbean Roll Call  

Vision of the Seas 19 January 2024 ..... Hope you will join us there.  I will be cruising solo on that cruise but my significant other will join me for the following cruise (making it a b2b) to the  12 night Southern Caribbean on the 27th.   Elsie

15 hours ago, bluecruise1 said:

Is a 12:00 pm flight too early for a cruise that ends in Norfolk? I’ve never cruised from Norfolk before. What do you think? 

I live in Norfolk.  I would count on at least 1/2 hour to get to the airport from the cruise terminal.  It could take less time driving but   you can not count on optimal driving conditions.  Airport itself is pretty small but it can also back up.  Anything after noon should be safe.  Anything before could be quite stressful. The cruise terminal itself can really back up.... It has been awhile since I have cruised out of there but it was a nightmare 10 years ago.  VERY Poor traffic management.  Wish I could be more positive.  If you could arrange  to get a taxi or Uber a couple of blocks from terminal out of the congestion I would give it a try.  Google a picture of the surrounding area of the terminal and you will see what I mean.

15 minutes ago, princeton123211 said:

The Raymond Flynn (Black Falcon) Terminal in South Boston-- all cruise ships dock here so not dependent on a specific cruise line. 

 

Very quick and easy-- about 10 minutes total. Maybe $15-20 total in an Uber or Lyft. Taxis will depend on availability-- there aren't as many in Boston as there once were. 

 

There is a ton to see and do in Boston depending on the time you have there-- lots to read on these boards and happy to answer any specific questions if you can narrow it down a bit. 

Sometimes the Cruise lines w ill include a tour of Boston along transport to the Airport.  Check that out , I enjoyed one of the ones that Royal  offered as an excursion.

3 hours ago, leen50 said:

We've stayed at the Best Western Arundel Mills on Dorsey. In January our FB Group for our 14 day cruise nearly took over the hotel . It was great.

I think that this is the same Best Western that I stayed in Called Best Western Elkridge on Dorsey Road.  I have not been there since COVID but I have stayed there several times and have loved it.  Nice Restaurant across the parking lot.  Lots of cruisers stay here and we get to meet for the free breakfast the morning of the cruise.  Free shuttle to and from the port.  Definitely would stay there again WITHOUT hesitation!  as a widow and solo traveler,  I feel completely safe in the surroundings. 

1 hour ago, junior8 said:

I am trying to decide if taking Amtrak to Newark Penn station and then an UBER to the port on the day of my cruise in April is crazy has some people say about flying in day of.  Any ideas or other suggestions? Unfortunately I will not have a car available, I usually just drive myself.

 

 

I have done that from Norfolk Virginia to Baltimore on  the day of the cruise multiple times and really liked it.  The train got me into Baltimore at noon  and it was only 15 to 20 minutes to the port by Uber.  I was always on the ship by 1:00.  I think the train is much more reliable... and enjoyable  than the plane.

On 7/18/2022 at 9:35 PM, Kitty Ellas Mom said:

I'm so sorry about your husband.  I don't know the answer to your question and hope Princess is able to give you a good one.

Princess will not give retired military widows anything... Royal will frequently (depending if they are offering a Military discount on that cruise)

On 2/24/2022 at 7:53 PM, scottca075 said:

 

It is, but all things considered, the cruise excursion is probably a lot easier.

Rent a car...it is easy....shuttle takes you to the airport for pick-up.  I am old  (past 60) and I can't imagine doing Hawaii without a rental car.

Sailing on Enchantment Feb 5th, 17th and 25th.  Anyone else on one of these cruises?

4 hours ago, hollon said:

Is Cory Rogers any good on the Allure?

If he was the CD in October on the Allure, I found him to be tolerable but not engaging.... Hope he will not be on the Enchantment. Yawn.

Thanks for keeping track of  the CD's.  Hope to sail with you again before too long..

2 hours ago, IMKTDQT810 said:

Thank you ALL for the excellent suggestions. We will be flying in the day prior and staying within walking distance so my goal is to tour the Nauticus the day before for some local fun. I DO love the idea of renting a car and going to Williamsburg, I was there as a child and my son might enjoy going to see it. 

 

The only thing is that this whole cruise is a Christmas Surprise for DH and DS. I think I would want their input before booking the car, hotel, return flights etc. I mean the original goal was to say we are going on the cruse and flying (rather then a 7 hour drive from home) and having the flights booked. DH is more of a home body and doesn't like to be gone for long (what is why I book at 5 night and not 7 night cruise) but now you have my wheels turning because we return on a Wed and maybe doing Wed- Sat would be fun and fly back home on Saturday. UUUmmm.....you all got me thinking now! 

I'm lucky to live in Norfolk (In fact, am a native.)   Williamsburg is a wonderful idea but there are also tours of the Norfolk Naval Base available, and it is fun to visit The Virginia Zoo located here in town.  The Outer Banks of North Carolina are only a little over an hour away where the Wright Brothers flew the first airplane and there are beautiful beaches all along the coast.  Virginia Beach has a great Aquarium...The Chrysler Museum and the MacArthur Memorial are within a mile or two of the cruise port and the Hermitage Museum, located nearby on the Lafayette River is  an interesting & beautiful spot. Much to see and do in Coastal Virginia and N.C. -- great seafood restaurants, boating, swimming and fishing not to forget all the fresh oyster beds nearby.  The sun rises and sun sets are magnificent over our waterways.  Stay a few days and then come back and cruise from Norfolk again!!!  

7 hours ago, markeb said:

 if you’re stuck on your flight, there are options in Norfolk. The MacArthur memorial is probably the most obvious.

The Norfolk Botanical Gardens (right next to the airport) are beautiful.  Free tram rides or lovely walking trails or reasonably priced boat rides among the canals and lakes.  Very nice gift shop and restaurant, too.  Quite a pleasant way to spend a few hours.  Google it and Check it out.  

Hi Brenda!  So glad to hear from you.  I'm on The Adventure out of Nassau on 3 July.  Had booked the Vision out of Bermuda for the same date but all of the Vision cruises out of Bermuda were  cancelled from lack of interest.  I really preferred that itinerary but as long as I can get my 2 needed points I'll be smiling.  How about you?  Have thought about you quite a bit.  Sound like Galveston is cranking up to restart and I know you like cruising from there.  Have a TA on Rhapsody on Nov 30th if Spain opens up and an Enchantment out of Baltimore in Feb.  The big one is a b2b2b on Ovation and then Quantum the end of March to New Zealand from Sydney and then a TP to  Honolulu and jumping to Quantum to Vancouver. Hoping Australia will be welcoming us by then.  I'd love it if you'd send me your cruise schedule. Maybe I could slip in another cruise that you will be on.   

Is there an email for the loyalty ambassador?

On 4/3/2021 at 4:34 PM, Sunshine7777 said:

First time cruiser here 🙂 

There seems to be a lot of complimentary food options, so is it really worth the extra money? I know we are all different but I’d love to hear your experiences. We aren’t big drinkers so beverage packages would only need to be basic, but we do love our food. Are the complimentary offerings enough? 

I love the main dining room.  If you are not crazy about the entree choices, you can order 1, 2 or more of the appetizers, 1, 2 or more of the salads and soups and a dozen desserts.  You will not be hungry.

There are usually one or 2 nights in a 2 week cruise that I do not care for the entrees offered... 2 shrimp cocktails and an escargot with a salad and desert more than suffice...  You can be creative!

4 hours ago, firefly333 said:

Right nassau and coco cay and key west, ...I've never heard of miami as a cruise stop. So far there are no more cruises to coco cay out of Galveston.  Are you sure you mean Cancun?  

I was on a carnival cruise (one time only) and we stopped at Miami.  4 of us went to a delightful botanical garden.  I don't want to cruise Carnival again but I'd love to go to Miami again.

On 3/4/2021 at 6:03 PM, loman said:

And they are so big . They look to be about 1 1/2  -  2  inches long .

 

I   hate needles, too but honestly, I did not even feel the 1st shot and the 2nd one wasn't bad either....but I did feel it a little.  sore arm each time  after about 6 - 8 hours and it lasted  for maybe 12 hours.  Just felt like a bruise.  

I have both of mine.  I read earlier in the day that The Odyssey would require anyone 16 or older to have the shot(s).  I don't mind wearing a mask and distancing either.  Just would like to cruise again SOON! 

4 hours ago, John&LaLa said:

 

Prepare to be chastised 😉

Certainly wouldn't be the first (nor last) time.  Being kicked out of the CL/SL just gave me the incentive to cruise more... One more solo night and I'm IN!  

I've been wondering about keeping the 3 drinks during Happy Hour time on the Diamond's Sea Pass Card and having the Diamond (Plus) Lounge for D+ and Above.  That would eliminate 1/2 the folks in the Lounges for distancing but still allow Diamonds to get their free drinks at any bar.   Just mentally trying to solve Royal's crowding issue.

On ‎11‎/‎8‎/‎2019 at 7:35 AM, LB_NJ said:

We are thinking of a winter trip on Grandeur of the Seas.

 

We like smaller ships and would just drive to Baltimore on the day of departure so no  having to deal with airlines so Grandeur of the Seas in February seems like a reasonable getaway.  

 

However, I do have some questions for those who have sailed on her at this time of year out of Baltimore.

 

1.  I have read that there is an indoor pool available.  At this time of the year is the water in the pool over 75 degrees and is it open.

 

2. How bad does the ocean get, I am thinking about saving a few dollars and getting a guaranteed stateroom which might put me in front of the boat where it might rock a bit more than my usual choice of mid ships to slightly aft.

 

3. Anything I should know about a winter sail on Grandeur.  Have only sailed in warm weather and the only other RCL ships I and/or my wife have been on were Empress (a little old but we liked it) and Anthem (too large). 

I've sailed on the Grandeur quite a bit (mostly during the winter) and really like the ship.  Next to the Radiance class the Vision class ships are my favorites. Very friendly staff.  The weather on deck can be chilly (maybe cold to some) but the solarium where the adult pool is located is warm and cozy.  My cabins have nearly always been midship and I don't think ever in the bow but I have never noticed any excessive rocking. I have been on the Harmony and I did not like the layout or the size.  Even my very athletic 14 year old granddaughter, who was with me, hated the long lines she had to stand in to enjoy all the activities ( slides, flowrider, ice skating, etc.) Love sitting up in the Viking Crown Lounge or on Deck 6 aft and looking out over the seas.  Lots of glass to enjoy the cruise even if you are in an inside cabin.  Hope this helps... Think we might be on the same cruise in Feb.

On ‎4‎/‎29‎/‎2014 at 8:59 PM, taglovestocruise said:

 

Check out luggage forward dot com. They pick up at your home and will have it in your cabin before you arrive. They say they will pick up in any country and will ship to any port or cruise line.

I have used luggage forward 3 times ... 1st time was with hubby,  who was partially disabled,  and we were spending a few days in Venice before embarking on our cruise.  The idea of trying to get that large suitcase to our hotel and then to the ship was rather overwhelming so we decided to opt for the rather heavy expense of shipping it with luggage forward.  It was easy and wonderful to find the suitcase in our cabin when we got on the ship.  Since my husband's death, I have opted to use the service 2 other times (always overseas) and have been happy with everything but the expense.  I am planning to use it again (just for one suitcase) in a few weeks when I sail on a TA from Copenhagen.  From the beginning of booking the cruise, I just planned on paying the shipping expense.

We are sailing in a few weeks on Allure of the Seas. Does Royal Caribbean allow you to bring over the door shoe organizers? Do you think they are extremely helpful or not worth bringing? It will be my husband and my two young children. Thank you!

I much prefer mesh shoe bags that weigh nearly nothing and some fairly strong hook magnets (from Amazon) to put in the grommets. The magnets adhere to the walls and you can hang the pockets where it is most convenient. I bring 2 for long cruises. They weigh next to nothing and take up very little room in suitcase. But over the door is ok, too.

I was on the Serenade TA just a little over a month ago and here was our situation and the explanation:

On many cruises AND ESPECIALLY Transatlantics, There are way too many Diamond Plus cruisers. So, if there are too many D+ folks, they close the concierge lounge to them for that cruise and the D+ must use the Diamond lounge (there were lots and lots of Diamond members too) As long as the higher level loyalty groups aren't too large the Concierge lounge is available. Each cruise will be different and decided on when they have the numbers. At least this is what a group of us were told. A friend, who was less than a week from Pinnacle also could not use the concierge lounge for the entire 16 day cruise. It was a huge disappointment for many of us but we were led to believe that this will be a more common occurrence as the upper levels grow in numbers. I have heard that another level may be added/ in the making. We'll see. I'm 350 but that is a long way from Pinnacle.

Hope this clears it up a bit. Don't count on using the Concierge lounge if it is a popular cruise or ship for loyalty cruisers.

We booked with Martin's Taxi about a month ago and were happy with them. email is martinstaxi@skynet.be

Carnival, Celebrity and Norwegian offer one-way cruises from the mainland (such as Vancouver) to Hawaii, usually in September. RCCL and others may offer the same, but we didn't check that far.

My favorite ship, RCL's Radiance of the Seas repositions from Vancouver back to Sydney each fall... Vancouver to Hawaii is one of the legs in their repositioning.