saunalick

Sid, I’m one of your silent followers. Enjoy reading about your VV cruises, Being like you I have had to book rebook 3 times also. And am finally getting to sail this year. I was wanting to know looking at the restaurant times and shows from others. I’m sailing solo, is it possible to have dinner at one of the booked restaurants at say 7:30, and be out in time for a 9:00 performance/show? I can on other cruise lines especially if I dine by myself. 

Still have my Sign and Sail Card from my first cruise aboard the Fantasy. Great memories from that time. All my actual photos are being held hostage by someone. Not mentioning as to whom!!

Still have my Sign and Sail card from my first Carnival Fantasy Cruise. Great memories from that time.

317, until the sailing on the refurbished Sunrise, now the Triumph!

Or just get the tattoo on the last evening as a souvenir. That way, you would be on land for the healing process. I may just get my first one then??!

On 7/21/2018 at 6:22 PM, wwcruisers said:

 

Same here! Actually, what I'm really hoping for is to nab a spot on the take-out Transatlantic cruise. No matter how "WOW-ey" the Scarlet Lady is -- I don't have much interest in sailing around the same handful of Caribbean islands that I've seen a dozen times. But, never having done a TA (or any European cruise) -- the thought of trying that on Sir Richard's new ship really appealed to me! 🙂

Sad to say right now, there isn’t a take out cruise planned. From conversations I’ve had with their Agents, it’s mostly gonna be crew, VIPS. They want to get the kinks out before any passengers board. I don’t blame them really. They appear to be ahead of schedule from pics I’ve seen. Sure, they may still be kinks on that April 1st. but rest assured, they will know how to handle anything that happens.

On 7/24/2018 at 6:28 PM, Tarwood3 said:

 

I hear ya about the mat thing...will be interesting to see how that plays out and how they are actually used...I agree....probably very hot in the Caribbean sun...I’m also hoping this ship goes to Europe in the summers, but no indication of that unfortunately.

They’re gonna be for outdoor YOGA.  I get updates thru email almost every other day about something new they’ve revealed. I’m booked on a later Inaugural Season cruise, and can not wait!!

I had no issues with anything when I booked my cruise. I booked in the afternoon of the 14th. Had a confirmation email within minutes of signing off the site. (I always do that in case there is a problem.) I take cell phone pics of the details, cabin number, payment method, balance and when due. I have never had anything to not show up quickly. Looking forward to this new kind of adventure!🏝🏖⛱

On 2/18/2019 at 12:57 PM, SkaterJasp said:

Theres a reason why everyone else uses small ships.. and it isn't they want to use old ships.. just most major cruise line haven't built any small ships in the past decade or so. 

I didn't book the Havana sailing because I've been to Havana twice with Royal Caribbean, once on Empress of the Seas and the other on Majesty of the Seas. The biggest reason why I didn't pick Havana isn't the port or the ship, it's more I want to read the reviews first to see how well Cuba handles a large ship. Going to Havana isn't like going to any other ports in the Caribbean... when you get off the ship, you have to go through immigrations... you have to line up for them to check your Visa and Passport. Next you have to go through an X-Ray and they screen your bags to make sure you don't bring any prohibited items into Cuba. Finally most people get money exchanged at the currency exchange booth since US Dollar and US credit cards isn't accepted anywhere in Cuba. You might be able to exchange money at hotels, but theres really no hotels around the port. On the way back to the ship, you have to get your passport checked again and than you have to go through another set of screening run by the Cuban to check if you are bring anything back to the ship that you shouldn't. This is the part where they'll ask for receipts and stuff of any cigars you had purchased... and for Royal Caribbean, they have you go through another security screening to make sure you're not bringing any prohibited items on to the ship. The first day in port it can be a while before you actually get off the ship and actually step into Havana... however the process is much faster later on in the day but it's pretty much the same. Every time you get off the ship, you have to have your passport check, go through a screening... and on the way back... passport checked again and go through 2 screenings to get back on the ship. 

I was on the Dec 3 2018 Havana overnight. Once we had the clear to go on shore, had no trouble going thru the line. I was on my tour in about 30 minutes total. Going thru the customs thing in the evening was also no problem. You do have to have your passport each time you leave the ship. It was an exciting visiting Cuba. So on my VV cruise, I’m doing the Dominican Daze 5 night. 

On 2/5/2019 at 1:09 PM, The_0neuk said:

prices don't include taxes and stuff though

But it does include your gratuities, and ALL 20 restaurants, plus an array of sodas. Extra on other cruise ship lines. 

Just booked the Oct 16, 5 night 2020 Dominican Daze cruise!! I’m so looking forward to this. 610 days , and counting down. I have been waiting for bookings to open, since I missed the prebooking last year. Hurricane season or not, I’m going for the adults only atmosphere. 2 sea days, and 20 restaurants to choose from, I’ll  start losing weight now!!

You men sound like great parents!! I look forward to reading your posts. Have a great trip. I agree about the service at Pappadeaux!!!! The Dallas Tx, location is getting to be a once a year, or 2 year outing for us.

On my next cruise, I'm looking for them PINEAPPLE stickers or magnets on the doors. Hum, Maybe I'll knock on one, or 2, or 3

I've tried them all, In N Out, and Johnny Rockets in Hollywood while living in California. Whataburger, Sonic, and Smashburger while living in Texas. Shake Shack and now 5 Guys while traveling to NYC. Being born and raised in NC, tried many a Whataburgers. But I have to say my all time favorite ones are the ones I grill myself!!!! Thick and juicy, unlike In N Out, or Smashburger now. Shake Shack's are a close second. IMHO

I always buy a ship Christmas tree ornament, post card, and a ship magnet if it is the first time on the ship. I also buy magnets and post cards in port.

I thought I was the only one who still bought postcards from places I visit. And magnets! My traveling friends think I 'm crazy for this, but I also get newspapers or a weekly arts type of edition. Lets me know what was going on while in town, or what I should have stayed in town longer for??

Hi everyone! Sailing on the Carnival Dream, seven days out of New Orleans December 2, 2019.

Solo,can't tell you is this My sixth or seventh (maybe more) solo cruise,lost count.

Its a combination of late 50th birthday, early Christmas and first true paid vacation since 2013.

After my last cruise in 2013 got downsized, unemployed for almost two years,went back to school after being out over 25 years,working two part time jobs to finally having a full time job again with vacation.

Enjoying the Chef table and the Steakhouse. Normally do fixed dining and been bless with excellent tablemates. But since four nights with specialty dining, doing your time. Already eyeing cruises for 2019

Good for you, I'm working PT now, taking care of my elderly father. I canceled a cruise last year for that fact. This year on Dec 3., I'll be sailing solo, first time. Also a late 50th birthday gift to myself. And SO looking forward to it. Excited enough, have 2 more planned, one in March 2019, another Jan 2020. Go out, and CELEBRATE you!!!! Have fun.

I got an email about my 2/25/19 cruise being canceled. Gave me 2 options, 2/21 or 3/2 on Majesty of the seas. Traveling solo, I got the same cabin category for the same price. An OV at the very front of the ship. With an extra $200 OBC. It is one day less than the original Empress sailing. So unless the dry dock is finished that week, Unfortunately I have a feeling the OP's sailing on 3/3 will be canceled also.

yep, got an email today that the 2-25-19 cruise was canceled due to scheduled prolonged dry dock. My question is why plan these cruises and sail them, if they know they are scheduling for an upgrade.?????

I agree with everyone, have dinner together every night. my travel buddies and I went with a group from church a few years ago. we all did our own things during the day, then met in the evening, talked about the day, and things we did. all of us went to the show at night. sat other places, some liked to be close, others in the middle, or back. like someone mentioned, it is their vacation also. Have fun, no matter what you're planning!!

I have 3 solo cruises booked for me. , 2 are with RCCL. The other is with Carnival. 2 of them, 6 nights each, at the time of booking were great deals. $110 a night for the first one, with an overnight in Cuba. 2nd one is about $119 a night. The 3rd one is going to be on the refurbished Carnival Triumph/Sunrise, averages about $180 a night. little more, but I'm looking forward to the smaller ships!!

OMG!!! I came to this post thinking I was going to read funny chair hog stories. boy was I mistaken. I only read like 8, or so. And like 5 pages about smoking. The OP about the smoker wanting to share a loveseat should have titled it "NO SMOKER ON MY LOVESEAT!!!" would've saved me about 15 minutes of scrolling, trying to find the chair hog stories!!! SMH. now I'm moving on!! AND YES I TOOK TIME TO POST ON THAT NONSENSE!!

I'm booked on the 2/25/2019 trip. haven't heard anything about my week, yet?? I did read, she is dry docking for an update. cant wait to see what she looks like. my first time on a RCCL ship, I chose the smallest of her fleet, for the feel of the cruise line.

A tiny bottle of dish soap to wash our Freestyle soda cups. And a tea towel to dry them with.

 

A Sharpie to mark which cup belonged to who!

just a little tidbit for you, I worked closely with a photographer once. did you know alcohol will wash the "permanent "sharpie writing away??

I agree with Lioness, make the "donation" at the nearest restroom. Problem solved. Every time I travel, I look for the nearest restroom, never have stunk up a room. Now only wish my travel companions could get a clue as to why I disappear for a few minutes????