Quilting Queen

We are planning a Baltic cruise and one week visit to England in June 2016. I have several questions for those that live around London.

1. Is it better to take the cruise before or after our visit to London?

2. How and when should we purchase a rail pass for the week?

3. Should we also purchase a week pass for the Tube?

4. We will most likely be staying at a time share in Reading. How long does it take to get from Reading to London by rail?

5. How long does it take to get to/from Reading to Shouthampton?

Thanks for any information.

Norine

We were on the Nov 10 sailing and have no complaints about the late departure. We still had our dinner in the dining room and our room steward was great.

We took the Princess up grade to a Penthouse Suite on deck 10 and had no problem on the ship at all. The only think I did not like about the suite was the shower head. I like the personal shower head on the pole so I can adjust it to my hight instead of DH. We had our friends join us for lunch on the balcony on the Ensenada day. Very good room service, prompt and no mix up on the food orders.

We had a table reserved for 5 for anytime dining at 5:45 every night. We had the same wait staff and got to know them and they got to know us and our beverage orders.

DH was disapointed that the casino was closed the first night but we went to the MUTS movie that we had not seen yet. Great movie with Tom Cruise. We would not have done that at sea.

We will be taking a B2B2B in January but it will be on the Crown as the Golden will be going somewhere else.

We were told the delay was cleaning Alaska cold water muscles from the under water parts of the ship. The Golden will be going to dry dock or major maintenance in April or May of 2015.

Norine

So sad the journey is over. You have some wonderful memories and I hope you make more in the future.

Norine

I would say for December 2015 they are all sold out. Keep checking back or call to find out when you might be able to book a cabana.

Our group probably booked the cabana for next May before February of this year.

Norine

Thanks so much for answering all my questions.

Norine

I have a couple of questions regarding which beach is which.

1. On the map it shows Barefoot Beach but not Nellie's. Do they run into each other.

2. On page one the pictures looking from the water at the beach which ones do not have the ladders.

3. Several in our group can handle stairs but not ladders due to age and/or weight.

4. It looks like the OW cabanas are in the shade on the left in the picture and the ones close to the beach are in full sun. Is this correct?

5. In August 2013 we put a $250 deposit for a cabana. That seems to be the OTW cabanas not the beach ones.

6. Does Barefood Beach and Nellie's both have OTW cabanas?

Norine

Someone asked about the other review on the Oasis. This is it.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2109318&page=15

You will have to go back to page 1 if you want to start over. I think it covers the dry dock mostly.

Norine

After following your review and all the pictures we decided to upgrade our May 9 & 16 cabin.

We were on deck 11 near the secret balcony but that went away. We booked GS 11330 so we still have the secret balcony for us and our friends that are in adjoining cabins.

Norine

cruisebirdie thanks for the little video clip.

After watching all of this and reading MisterMom's posting and the pictures we changed our cabin for May 9 and 16 next year. We were on deck 11 hopping to use the secret balcony, but that is gone. So we changed (spent a lot of money) to the Grand Suite 11330. Now we still have our secret balcony that our friends can use to watch the aqua shows.

Norine

Saw this on twitter:

 

Question from @ChadDay5...Very curious on if the public aft balconies on deck 12 have totally been eliminated?

 

Answer from @RoyalCaribbean..As of now, public balconies will not be affected during the revitalization process.

8:33 AM - 13 Oct 2014

 

I think they are talking about decks 15 and higher. We all know the secret balconies on decks 11 and up are gone and are used in new GS category.

Norine

If you pay cash you just need to have enough for a tip, shopping at the stops and maybe lunch and drinks a Maho Beach. If you pay by CC you will have it on your bill when you get home.

We enjoyed our all day tour last year.:) Enjoy.

Norine

If you are going to watvh the airplans land & take off just take a taxi on the dock. Sunset Bar & Grill is also at Maho Beach. The swiming is not great but you can cool off in the water. You can rent umbrellas and charis or sit at the bar/restaurant as there are tables with benches and umbrellas.

Usually the first plans arrive after 10:00 am, usually about 11:00. you don't have to rush off the ship but get there early to get a good seat in the bar/restaurant.

Norine

Cozumel has a very nice state beach that has protected snorkeling and a dolphin encounter from land. No boat required, just a taxi to the park.

Norine

Ginny your reviewtook me back to our cruise. It was fun, can't wait for next year on the Oasis.

Norine

Ginny your underwater pictures are great. I didn't see nearly that many fish because I kept getting water in my mask and in my eyes. Everything was a blure by the time I decided to end it all and go back to the beach.

Norine

Ginny great Barbados review. We snorkeled in Barbados about 7-8 years ago. I wear contact lenses and purchased a child mask to fit my small head. I have no problems using the mask to snorkel with my contact lenses.

Norine

Ginny love the review so far. Can hardly wait for week 2 when we joined you.

Norine

We were on the 2nd part of the B2B for Ginny, Steve, Bev, Dave, Sheila & Jerry. Steve wore his hawaiian shirts every day. I am glad because it encourages DH Gene to buy and wear these shirts.

We had one less stop on the next week and really needed more down time. Gene was coughing for 3 days then on the last day he finally reallized he had bronchitis again. He will go to Dr tomorrow.

We had a great time except for the flight home. I wish Scotty could 'beem' us up and just get home when cruise is over. That long wait in the airport to come home is also a bore.

We booked a 2nd week on the Oasis next year. We will have plenty of down time and be relaxed.

Norine

I really love your review. We wil boarding the Jewel on May 10 but leave on May 1st for Puerto Rico. You are answering a lot of questions I had about the Jewel without me even asking.

Norine

Susan Thank you for the pictures of the beach. We will be spending a week at Gran Melia in the Rio Grand area and Loquillo beach seems to be the nearest improved beach. Is there snorkeling at the beach? You said you didn't get to the little shopping area so I hope to make it there.

Our Bio Bay tour was canceled because the little bugs are going dark on Vieques island. I hope we can get to the other end of the island as there is another bio bay on the south east end.

Norine

Thank you Bob and Susan. I was trying ot figure out if the drink or wine package would be worth it. I think it is too high for the amount I will drink, drink of the day and glass of wine with dinner.

Norine

Wonderful review. We will be there in 3 weeks.

Can you post the wine and beer list? I am iInterested in the prices and types of chardonay wine. Also can you give me an idea of the drink of the day, pina coladas and dirty banana prices ?

Thanks,

Norine

Thank you so much for the review.

we were on the Allure last year and going on the Oasis next year.

Norine

Thank you Host Faith for requesting pictures about San Juan. We wil be spending a week in Puerto Rico before joining our friends on the Jewel OTS. It is interesting to see the things I did not have on my list.

Norine

Great review. Loved all the pictures. Now I know what to expect at the fort.

kjquilts I have a question at the Batik factory. Did they sell fabric yardage as well as finished items?

Norine