HeyJut

Hey Megan I think I’m only a day late. Looking forward to your review. Never been on a royal ship, but I have read a lot of reviews over the years. Actually, I’m reading one right now along with this by @KmomChicago , which I know you’re also following.

Hope you have the best cruise. You deserve it. Went on The Bliss last month out of Seattle. Cooler then but great weather. Loved the ship.

Hello. Happy to follow along on another adventure.

49 minutes ago, Knights on the Beach said:

Is it time to leave yet?? I'm ready!

Me too.

Hi @ceilidh1, always enjoy your reviews, but especially this one of the Bliss as I am going on the April 13 cruise. I’ve never been on the Bliss and I’ve only been on two other NCL cruises. The last was in 2016 I think. I have been on four cruises in the past year on other lines though. All of those have been solo although met up with folks on The Tribe Cruise in January.Also enjoyed your pre-cruise adventures. I lived in California for a couple of years twice. One time was in San Pedro. 
Great tip about the behind-the-scenes tour at Universal Studios. I haven’t been there in many years. Although I have been to the one in Orlando a couple of times. Last year we went to Disney World on a VIP tour. Cost buckets of money, but was definitely worth it, as it was just the four of us with our own guide and we actually made it to all four parks that day although I didn’t go on all of the rides the rest of the family. 
 

Does DS have any tips for non-alcoholic drinks? I’m a non-drinker and rarely order any as I don’t know what to order.

1 hour ago, TxTeach79 said:

 

You definitely CAN, but NCL charges a 3% fee to do so. Kinda chintzy IMHO. 

well, that is just stinky. Thanks for the heads up. And they probably charge more to use their ATM. I was in Vegas last month and they charge I think it was $9.95. But on my bank statement they credited it to me so I was happy with that.

@TxTeach79 enjoyed following along. Good to know that that day use hotel worked out well for you. I had looked into that to try after the tribe cruise last January. Unfortunately, I waffled back-and-forth too long, and when I finally decided to do it the time I needed was already gone, so I spent the day at MIA. Good times. Lol. 

Casino question: can you charge from a machine onto your account like you can on Carnival, Princess and HAL, or do you have to have cash to put in the machines?

8 minutes ago, edspec said:

@HeyJut.  I wouldn't use a free dinner credit at Food Republic though.  The credit gives you four choices which is A LOT of food.  You can pay out of pocket for two items and have a very nice meal.  

Thanks. I can use all the tips I can get for NCL as it’s been a long time since I’ve cruised with them. I have either three or four food credits.

20 hours ago, edspec said:

Don’t miss Food Republic if you like Asian, love that place!

 thanks for the tip I do like Asian.

19 hours ago, AmyJA said:

I loved the Bliss.

 Good to know. I haven’t been on an NCL ship in about 10 years I think and then I had only been on two. I’m looking forward to it. Wanna join me?
 

10 hours ago, tsahall01 said:

You just make a reservation for 2 people.  This will not work, however, if you are making a reservation for a set price restaurant (Teppanyaki or Modorno)--this will only work for a la carte restaurants, as they do not precharge you. When you board the ship, just let them know at the dining eservations that there will be only 1 person going.  Or you can just show up and try to get a spot. Or keep the reservation for 2 in the hopes that you meet up with another solo traveler who will share the table (but not the cost) for the restaurant.

Thanks. I think I’ll definitely wait till I get on board.

1 hour ago, Saint Greg said:

 

I never made any. I just walked up to wherever I wanted to eat when I was ready and was always seated right away. Now my only experience is one Alaska cruise on the Jewel. And they had a sign that showed you how busy the restaurants were at various times so that impacted my decision making.

Thanks that sounds real good to me as I hate to make reservations ahead of time when who knows what time you feel like eating or what do you feel like eating? It’s also an Alaska cruise for me. This is on the Bliss.

1 minute ago, TxTeach79 said:

Greg probably knows, I’m going through the same right now. I just booked it for 2 and figured I’d tell them when I get there 

thanks. Do you have to pay for it ahead of time? Like you do on Carnival?

@Saint Greg or any other solo cruiser that might know the answer to this question: how do you book a dinner reservation on an NCL ship for one person? It seems like the reservation starts at two.

Count me in too.

@Stowaway LFC check your credit cards to see if any reimburse for TSA pre.

On 3/8/2024 at 5:22 PM, Greenpea2 said:

@pirate4me2 totally understand the emotional attachment to a beloved vehicle. Today, almost 2 months after the car accident that "killed" my beloved CR-V I finally sorted through the 2 bags of items I took from it as it sat sadly mortally wounded in the lot where it was towed. I honestly just avoided doing that until today. I found a few pieces of change and a sea shell and am going to put them in my new car. I see them not just as a connection to my ole buddy but as good luck talismans since Mr. Greenpea and I were ultimately safe from injury, physically at least. I guess that sounds pretty emotional and weird to some people, but it is how I feel. I know it wasn't a person...but it was my buddy for the past 15 years. 

I’m behind again.

10 or 15 years back, my DH and I went to trade in his pick up truck for new a Ford. Unfortunately for me we drove my Honda accord there and found we could get a much better deal trading that in on a Ford Edge. On the spot, I had to clear out all of my stuff from the car and had no time to ”grieve “ for my Accord. I don’t name my cars and I’m not as emotionally tied to them as you are, but that was very hard for me and so I do understand your feelings.

PS 

I loved the Ford edge and four years later we bought a new one that I also loved till I traded it in last year for my Mustang Mach E, which I also love.

@Funsince1983 hold on to what’s near and dear to you, and dig deep to deal with this. Know that the Tribe is behind you. Give us a little post when you can so we know you are ok.

@BohJang CONGRATS! on the impending retirement. That is great and you will so enjoy it. Good luck with the house selling/buying. More stressful stuff but will be very worth it in the end. Hope to meet up with you again on another cruise.

@princess76021 also sending my hugs to you. The first anniversary is definitely the worst. I’ve had four of them now, and yes, as @mopedmom1 said it does get easier. I wish you could’ve come on the Tribe  cruise as I would’ve loved to have met you and talked to you. Maybe next time.

On 2/10/2024 at 9:36 AM, pebbles1102 said:

Happy Chinese New Year 

@MeganGC1983 was in Vegas for 4 nights.

Beautifully done at The Bellagio Conservatory.

19 minutes ago, BohJang said:

Nice to hear from you.  I was wondering where you went.

Thanks. It’s a full-time job trying to keep up with cruise reviews! Lol.

On 2/3/2024 at 4:52 PM, Hogladyrider said:

Seven deadly sins on a plate but absolutely DELICIOUS!

well, I am a month behind. Can’t seem to get my act together since coming back from the tribe cruise. But when I saw this, I had to comment. the Dutch Bossche Bol (?sp) was my favorite at The Dutch Cafe, but I Limited myself to one on my N. Statendam cruise in Dec. Soooo good.

On 2/2/2024 at 10:01 PM, harryfat1 said:

Hi,

 

Thanks for reading another installment.  I have been receiving constant notifications these past few days from your reactions to the old posts from the beginning. 

 

You have come a long way in the past few days to be “live” with us. It’s probably equivalent to binge-watching 2 seasons of Game of Thrones in one week…

 

You should give Royal Caribbean a try.  Although at these high prices, you can wait awhile to try one of their ships. Every cruise line is different yet similar.

 

Now I'm curious - what brings you over to the RCI boards to read this trip report if you are not sailing on an RCI ship?

 

We will be on the sister ship of the Carnival Celebration on the Carnival Jubilee this December. No inlaws for the Odyssey cruise but they are slated to join us as a group of 11 going to Texas as I have never sailed out of Galveston before so looking forward to that. 

 

I am already planning to go and see the Space Center in Houston either pre or post-cruise. We saw the space shuttle when we were in LA a couple of years ago so looking forward to seeing more space-related exhibits in Houston.

I’m interested in cruising and learning about other cruise lines also, I’ve cruised on Carnival, Norwegian, Disney, Princess, and Holland. I had a trip booked on Harmony of the seas several years ago and unfortunately a medical issue came up between one of us the day of cruising, and had to cancel. Never did get it rebooked. I’ve followed several other cruise reviewers on RCI. I just find it entertaining and a lot of times learn some good information. I would like to go on RCI one of these days and hopefully will but in the meantime, I get my fix for reading good reviews like yours.

as for the notifications, I hope that’s not annoying as I feel like you were doing a lot of work it should be recognized for it.

On 2/4/2024 at 12:43 AM, bluetardis said:

April 1, 2023 I was on Caribbean Princess and met some ladies from The Tribe, but for the life I can’t remember who..If I met you please say hey! 🙃😋

Hi. I met you at gathering at sail away on Caribbean Princess.

I can’t believe I’m this late to the party-but at least I wasn’t late to the actual cruise. So great meeting you and Patti. And yes, shivers on the signs from Kevin.

Hi Harry. I’ve read many of your previous reviews and enjoyed them immensely as I am this one. I missed the Navigator one, so I will have to try to find that. I have never been on a Royal cruise. I think I commented on a previous review of yours that I got off of the Majestic Princess the week before you did. I did just get off of the Carnival Celebration almost 2 weeks ago and enjoyed that, I went solo. Your sons have definitely grown up. And your wife is lovely. Missed not seeing the in-laws.

I am the opposite of you as I enjoy the ship and definitely enjoy the balcony. I’m still timid when going solo about going out into the ports so I just enjoyed the ship.