ddcruiser

Amer. Queen is soooo much better--better food, space, more fun, more service. dd cruiser.

Would a thirteen year old boy (traveling with grandparents) enjoy a Disney cruise? Or is he too old to really like Disney? Thanks, Ddcruiser

Hello,

We are used to cruising on Oceania (small ships), Azamara, and Regent. We would like to try Celebrity, but don't know whether Aqua or another type of room/suite would offer the quiet and relaxation we are looking for. Would like your thoughts. Thanks, ddcruiser

Thank you for your suggestions as to Celebrity Suite. Sounds good and there is consensus on this. Still wondering what the differences are among the top suites? Is it just room size or other perks involved?

Thanks again,

ddcruiser

We are hoping to book a suite that allows us to eat in Luminae and enjoy Michael's club among other perks. Can anyone help us understand the differences between Royal Suites, Penthouse Suites, etc.

We do not need "over-the-top" decor and enormous space. We just want very good service, good food, no crowds, quiet and total relaxation.

Thank you,

Ddcruiser

We have only cruised on smaller ships, but thinking of booking Celebrity. Can anyone give me an idea of what type of cabin to get the feel of a smaller ship without crowds? We are not night owls, prefer quiet dining, and must have a balcony. Would appreciate suggestions. thanks. DD Cruiser

We've done lower Mississippi on American Queen last year. Loved it. Such easy, comfortable travel with good food and service. Hoping for same. Have done many ocean cruises on Azamara and Oceania particularly and one river cruise in Europe. We are staying closer to home due to unrest in Europe and elsewhere.

We're from Washington, DC area, still in with last dregs of winter. Looking forward to good air and lovely scenery.

Yes, let's count on meeting for a drink at the Davenport Hotel. We'll be driving back from Whitefish, MT so should be at hotel by late afternoon.

We did New Orleans round trip last Mardi Gras. Weather was chilly and windy some of the time as we headed north, but very nice in NO. We loved the organizatrion of the trip--buses, guides, Vicksburg trip. Food and service was outstanding. Big Band theme was excellent. Going again in May on Empress because we liked the Queen experience so much. Ddcruiser

Is anyone else on the Empress on May 23? It's pretty well sold out, so just wondering who might be traveling with us. We fly into Spokane early, head to Coeur d'Alene, then Glacier, then back to Spokane. Looking forward to seeing this part of our country. ddcruiser

Thank you, suite traveler, for your helpful response. We've never been to Idaho so I think we'll start there a few days before the trip. What do you think? What's to see in nearby Idaho?

We loved our Mississippi cruise on the American Queen. Now we're thinking of the Empress. Does anyone have an opinion of the best way to do that--should we head going east or west? We'd like to end the trip (or begin it) with a few days exploring whichever area we start from. We'd appreciate any advice. Thanks, ddcruiser

Thank you for bus information from airport to Marriott and do buses run from early morning (7 am) on?

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Thank you,

Ddcruiser

I may be the only one, but I find all the About Rose products to start my wheezing and sneezing. I always request all the About Rose products be removed from our room and that the spray not be used in our room. I bring my own soap, shampoo, etc. ddcruiser

To add to the discussion, I have gotten very sick on other ships with poor ventilation, but not on Azamara. I learned the hard way that, due to allergies and asthma, I have to have a stateroom that opens to the outside which means paying for balcony and keeping the balcony door open as much as possible.

I also can't tolerate varnish and paint odors or perfume. Makes life a bit complicated, particularly when a ship is always being painted. If we sit at a table in the dining room with people who drown others with their perfume, we have to move. And if there is a scent of previous passenger perfume or air freshener, I cannot be in the room.

If I were to enter a room with mold, I would smell it immediately and have to move.

I also cannot use their "About Rose" products as they are highly scented. Also cannot have flowers in the room. It is important to let the ship know in advance of boarding through their "special needs" forms.

So far Azamara has been good. I keep my fingers crossed every time we board.

Is there any difference in size of 5 person staterooms between Wonder or Dream? Both our daughters have 3 children and I want everyone to be comfortable.

Also, would it make sense price-wise to book one 7 person stateroom for one family and us and one 5 person stateroom? I'm thinking of getting each family a 5 person stateroom and a smaller room for the two of us (my husband and I).

Thanks,

Ddcruiser

Thank you for responses. So far very helpful. Hoping to hear more opinions. Thanks, Ddcruiser

Hello,

We need to do a short cruise with two daughters' families due to sea-sickness problem with one family member. Thus we are thinking of the 3 day DCL from Port Canaveral either over winter break or early summer.

My questions--

1)if we want to include another couple of days along with the 3 day cruise--beach, Kennedy Space Center--should we do that before or after cruise? Which way would transportation be easier? Which beach, hotels are best? Both families have 3 children.

2) We do not like huge ships, but may have to do Dream if we go in summer. Does the Dream feel much bigger and more crowded than Magic or Wonder? Would Dream work better for two families with 3 kids each or does the ship size matter in so far as 5 person rooms?

Thanks for any help planning this.

ddcruiser

I just posted a review of our relaxing, totally enjoyable round trip from New Orleans. Do not worry. You will enjoy it. ddcruiser

Of course, it's a personal choice. We have been so happy with Azamara that we choose it now every time. It feels like home--a gracious home with friendly, relaxed guests and staff. There is an AZ warmth that is hard to explain until you experience it. Will do our 7th Azamara cruise this summer. We have been in regular verandah and Club Continent Suites. The smaller size room doesn't bother us as long as we have a balcony. Again, it all depends on personal choice. ddcruiser

We are new to American Queen (although we have done many other cruises in Europe, So Amer, Australia).

Wondering if anyone has done this "big band" cruise and can help us know what to expect. For example, should we do the ship's excursions or are the hop-on,hop-off buses enough?

Thanks,

ddcruiser

Lovely woman who does a fabulous job. Don't know how she does it all with a smile and warmth, but she does. Outstanding. ddcruiser

We were told Alaska was gorgeous and went. We were told the Chilean fjords were the most beautiful, so we went. Then we were told nothing beats New Zealand and went.

BUT NORWAY is the most SPECTACULAR of all. Every minute you are looking at unbelievable beauty, even at midnight if you go in summer. And Azamara captains make sure that you see every fjord, every glacier, every waterfall.

We are going again this summer and can't wait. Yes, Norway is expensive, but don't miss it. Paying in dollars helps a bit.

ddcruiser

We have done lots of cruises on both Oc and AZ. The Azamara experience can't be beat (in our opinion), particularly now with the Azamazing evening thrown in in addition to the wonderful AZ ambiance. We did Black Sea last summer and the Az evening was at the most beautiful vineyard in Yalta. In our opinion, the Black Sea cruise is one of our favorites--to be able to see some of Turkey, Ukraine, Georgia, Russia, Bulgaria, and Romania in one trip was just terrific. Definitely do it. ddcruiser

We just booked an Obs. Deck outside room for February. Can anyone tell me if the room is so tiny we'll be claustrophobic? Is it big enough for two people to be comfortable? Has anyone left the door open to the outside while in the room? I'm pretty claustrophobic in small spaces. Thanks, DDcruiser

We are trying to figure out what the advantages are for booki9ng with Road Scholar vs. just booking with AQ directly. Any suggestions as to which is better? We are determined to go either way. Thanks, ddcruiser