eel

 

Thanks so much for following along! We actually ended up on the 08-23-19 sailing. We didn’t have a preference as to whether we go North or South, and the prices came out significantly (over $1,000) cheaper for the week of the 23’rd. I will need to update my signature when we get back to land. We went in wanting to book the 30’th, but the price we just couldn’t pass up. Wish we could’ve sailed with your friends! They sound fantastic.

 

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Believe it or not Bill & Christy are doing a B2B so are on the 8/23/19 sailing as well! They are trying to get us to join them but we are resisting (so far).

Enjoy the rest of your cruise and looking forward to your continued review.

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Update: WE OFFICIALLY BOOKED OUR ALASKA CRUISE (on board)!!!! Radiance of the Seas, Northbound. *dramatic tear* Currently have an OV balcony booked, but are hoping to upgrade to a JS by watching prices and hoping they come down.

 

*squeals*

 

 

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Enjoying your review. We will be boarding in less than 2 weeks with the same itinerary so following closely!

If you booked the Radiance for 8/30/19 (as your signature says) then you will be sailing with our good friends Bill and Christy. Bill is the master private excursion organizer - best I have ever met. If you are sailing with him and he offers private excursions that interest you, jump at them. They are amazing, inexpensive and Bill is super organized. They will fill up quickly.

Hey now, don't call it a tax - it's grats for that hard working bartender.

Yep, that was a brain cramp! I meant to say 18% grats!

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Not on our cruise. Baltics in May 2018.

 

Drink card offers are related to how well alcohol sales are going on your cruise. The price, if offered could be $65-$85. It's usually offered near the end of the cruise.

Actually it was offered on our Brilliance Baltic cruise in May and on the TA before that in April. We bought one on the TA and our cruise friends bought two on the Baltic cruise. $75 + 18% tax.

Hello My husband and I have booked a cruise on the Oais of the Seas for January 13,2019. We have a 2C balcony stateroom for the price of $2362.84. We have 131,112 rewards pts from our card. Was wondering the best pick of rewards. Do we use 125,000 pts for the cruise for 2 and only get the oceanview minimum price or use 50,000 pts for the 500.00 twice plus 15,000 pts for 150.00 twice? Does anyone have advice for me. I checked RCCL website and oceanview room is showing price of 1894.00 for 2 people is that what I would receive credit for? And how do I redeem? Thanks in advance

I don't believe Oasis class is eligible for the 125K points redemption. Unless that was recently changed.

What about bed placement for 6690?

We hope to sail Anthem out of NJ late spring of 2020. Reading this, it seems that the April dates are the last. Is there a chance they will publish May dates , then TA to Southhampton? We would like to do the longer Bermuda-St Marteen- San Juan-Labadee route if possible. Is there a chance that the replacement ship will make that run in May?

 

Thanks!

When they repositioned Quantum a few years ago there was no cruise like that after April. I would not count on it for Anthem. Most TAs happen in late April or early May.

Are premium waters such as San Pellegrino or Evian included in the refreshment package? What about Ginger Beer (which is nonalcoholic)

Curious, how Miami Beach less family friendly? Thanks from a foreigner!

Miami Beach is a very hip location. You will see a lot of adults dressed to impress there. Not as many families with children. Not that it is a bad place but I would rather take kids to Fort Lauderdale beaches.

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We did the Artic Circle cruise to Norway on Serenade in June. The only common ports were Bergen, Geiranger and Alesund.

It is difficult to find private tours in Norway. You can find independent group tours if you search. Ship tours in Norway are OK, but they are ship tours - usually big crowds and big buses. Not my favorite way to see the ports.

In Bergen we did a walking tour with an excellent guide through Bergen Guide Service (http://www.bergenguideservice.no/default_e.asp). Highly recommended.

In Geiranger we did an excellent bus tour with Geiranger Fjordservice (https://www.geirangerfjord.no/). It was called the Panorama Exclusive Bus. Take this one, not the standard Panorama Bus. Book early - it fills up.

In Alesund we did the ultimate sightseeing tour through Norway Excursions (https://www.norwayexcursions.com/en). It was pretty good, but not great. Worthwhile if you can't find anything better.

We are flying into MIA early on a Sat AM for a Sunday cruise out of Port Everglades. We are staying at the Renaissance Fort Lauderdale and figured we would rent a car at MIA and maybe do a scenic drive and some light shopping for “cruise supplies” before returning our car in Fort Lauderdale before checking into our pre cruise hotel. We have never been to Miami or Fort Lauderdale. Can anyone let me know if they have done similar, maybe 1-2 stops or in car sight seeings to entertain a couple of 10-11 year olds? Miami Beach? Gawking at some celebrity mansions? Is it worth this hassle? Or just take taxi to FLL hotel and kick around there.

 

 

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It is likely that a one-way car rental will be less expensive than the taxi option so check that out.

In terms of things to do long the way - you could stop at the Everglades and do an airboat boat ride to see alligators. 10-11 year old kids would probably love that. And if they are misbehaving you can remind them that the alligators may be hungry! :evilsmile:

You could also just stop at a beach along the way for a swim. Dania Beach is nice and on the way to Fort Lauderdale. You could also drive to Miami Beach but I think the beaches near Fort Lauderdale are more family friendly.

We did a boardwalk balcony on the Harmony TA. Did not care for it and probably would not do it again on Harmony or Symphony but might consider doing one Oasis or Allure without Ultimate Abyss slide.

We booked a Central Park Balcony on Allure for next month. Did it mostly because it was dirt cheap. Should be fun regardless.

A funny story about our Boardwalk Balcony on Harmony. After we pulled into our first port and I opened the curtains to look outside. I said to my wife "Wow, there is a huge ship parked right next too us. Looks just as big as Harmony". Then I realized where I was...

No need to split. Many posts apply across the fleet. There are already pre-made filters on Cruise Critic to select only posts about a specific ship. My only suggestion would to be have pre-made filters by ship class (Oasis, Quantum, Freedom, etc.)

I'm looking at a compass from this same itinerary from May 27th and I see adult pickle ball tournament at 5pm on sea day 3 on the sports court. Sure it's a few months old, and may have been removed, but in order to have this thing running like a well oiled machine that try to change the compass as little as possible. Good luck!

Thanks for the info. Much appreciated!

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We will be doing the same itinerary on Allure in mid-September. It will be our first time on Allure (have done Oasis and Harmony) so looking forward to it.

We are thinking about eating at 150 Central Park and Izumi Hibachi. Was Izumi Hibachi included in your 2-day dining package? Did you hear any comments from people that ate there - either good or bad? Hoping we can use our D+ BOGOs the first two nights.

I saw a copy of Allure Cruise Compasses from back in March and I noticed Pickleball listed as an activity on the sports court. I saw more recent copies of the Cruise Compass and did not notice it listed anymore. Do you happen to remember if it was mentioned in the Compass on your cruise? Trying to decide if I should bring my paddle or not! Thanks.

What itinerary will it sail -- Mexican Riviera? 7- or 10-nights? I could be talked into that. :)

"The nearly 4,000 passenger cruise ship Norwegian Joy is slated to sail seasonally from Seattle to Alaska in summer 2019 before making voyages to the Mexican Riviera and Panama Canal from Los Angeles in winter 2019/2020."

Looks like someone has started talking!

We liked Taller de Tapas. It is a chain so they have several locations.

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When we were on the Brilliance to the British Isles in May, we ported at Invergordon.

Soft side IT ultralight

 

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Another vote for IT luggage. Very lightweight. Good warranty if anything goes wrong. 40% lighter than the other brands being mentioned.

Wonderful news for us cruisers and for Galveston economy. Yes to more hotels since we always drive to the port the day before a cruise.

Tugboat might tell you to bring a tent! lol

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Just what we need more drivers on I-45 not knowing where to go.

If you want the tourism $ in your state you better be able to tolerate travelers.

Besides with Navigation apps driving on unfamiliar roads is not usually a problem.

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Hopefully they will also build a car rental outlet that is open on Sundays! Getting to Galveston from Houston is such a chore hat it makes me not want to sail from there.

My wife does this as she always gets the refreshment package. Probably about 50/50 with bartenders who mix it for her vs those that just give you the shot on the side.

Good to know. Probably would only do this a few times anyway.

Lee, in your position, this is what I would do:

 

Go to a bar during Happy Hours.

 

Show your card with the Refreshment Package sticker and ask for a virgin pina colada with a $1.

 

Then show the card again, pointing out the Diamond label at the bottom, and ask for a shot of rum with another $1.

 

Then mix it in yourself. Chances are good that the bartender will say, "Oh, I can do that for you."

 

Always give the bartender an opportunity to be the "nice guy." ;)

Great suggestion! Will give it a shot. Thanks.

If I have the Refreshment Package and order a virgin pina colada during Diamond Happy Hour, I assume I can also order a free shot of rum on the side with a drink coupon. Will the bartender throw the rum into the blender for me or will I need to mix it in myself? Of course the bartender would earn a better tip if he threw it in the blender! :)

Just curious how that might work.