BIBPhotography

On 3/12/2024 at 6:33 PM, mitsugirly said:

Yes, they have fins and masks available right on the dock where you snorkel. We love DePalm Island and the snorkeling is amazing. The last time we went we tried the Snuba and it was even more amazing. Pictures of our day HERE. 

 

Another fun thing to do there is their SeaTrek. We love to do these where ever they have one in the Caribbean and have found that Aruba (at Depalm) has the best so far. They gave the best experience compared to any other place in the Caribbean. HERE  (You will find snorkeling pictures there as well). 

 

Have fun and enjoy your day there. 

Thank you for your great review and taking us along!  We have DePalm Island booked on our upcoming Adventure of the Seas cruise and can't wait!  

On 2/12/2024 at 9:44 PM, harryfat1 said:

Familiar pose as previous artwork. The sign on the left explains this ChiChi sculpture and the corporate sponsorship during the tough Covid times.

 

 

 

I like to think my claim to fame here on CC is my usage of the “Baby Got Back” song in trip reports.

 

At least my buddy @BIBPhotography only remembers me for this 🤪

 

13 Million views can't be wrong:

 

 

 

 

You know I like big boats

And I cannot lie...

Thanks for the shout out!

Sounds like you had a heck of a time!  Thanks for sharing buddy!

15 hours ago, harryfat1 said:

So if a picture is worth a thousand words then a video must be worth a thousand pictures?

 

With that in mind, here are a few videos to feel the vibe on deck during sail away.

 

Crank up the volume and dance with @BIBPhotography to kick off your vacation...

 

 

 

I like the moving cranes in the background...

 

 

 

 

I'm a dancing brother!  Thanks for taking us along on your trip!

 

 

 

 

 

Hey Harry!  Good to see you are still around.  When I got inot cruising, your reports are what made me want to do it more!  Everytime I hear..."I like big butts. . . "  I think of you!  Glad to see youa re styill kicking!

Congrats guys!  I can think of no better placer than at sea!

Thanks for all the info, it's been very helpful.  I think we have decided instead of taking the train and having an early morning flight, we are just gonna rent a car and drive ourselves and go for a late afternoon flight.  But then again, that can change, we still have time!  

Good Morning,

We are in the planning phase of our Alaska Cruise for July 2023 and have a question.  We are arriving in Seward on July 24, 2023 and are planning on taking the train that evening to Anchorage.  We should arrive around 10:00pm and will be heading to the Ted Stevens Airport for our flight back to Nashville, TN.  What is the best way to get to the airport that late at night for an outgoing flight?  Looking at all options, but cant seem to find any answers.  Thanks in advance!

Santa Scott

Thanks for that info, I specifically look for Santa ornaments from every location Mrs Claus and I go to!  It's a challenge, but its also a treasure hunt!

On 7/10/2022 at 9:03 PM, Ashland said:

OP this has worked for us also with RCI but doing the reverse...Seward to Anchorage using the cruise transfer train.

Ashland, this might answer the one question I have.  Our cruise goes from Vancouver to Seward (July 2023).  We arrive early in the morning, but are wanting to do the evening train from Seward to Anchorage.  Were you able to store your luggage at the depot for that evening train ride?  We had thought of renting a car for the day in Seward, storing our luggage in the car and seeing the sites before leaving that evening at 6:00pm.

Thought?

4 hours ago, Starry Eyes said:

It did not make me uneasy.  I just do not think one can learn much from the info here, other than both direct and TA bookings can indeed win…and I really don’t think that should have been in dispute if one has followed the RoyalUp threads.  If one did suspect some bias in one direction or the other, I do not think it would be easy to gather data to elucidate such bias here.

Many people would like to know the algorithm used by plusgrade.  Hypothetically I’d like to know, but I do not expect to ever know the algorithm.  I

Sorry to have caused you angst over this.  It was a simple question.  Not trying yo get ugly about it, but it’s people like you who make people uneasy about asking a simple question.  I’ll remove this post as soon as I get home so you won’t have to worry about it!!!

12 minutes ago, Starry Eyes said:

Bid twice since restart; won both times.  Both were booked direct.

 

I do not mind sharing info, though I’m unsure of your goal.  Both direct and TA bookings clearly can win.  I have no reason to believe one is favored over the other (excluding of course the few TA that refuse to participate in the program). One would need to know details of the number and relative strength of bids from various sources on various sailings from comparable starting categories to prove lack of bias.

No hidden agenda here.  Was just curious if the way you booked made a difference.  Sorry if this made you uneasy 😀

So here's the simple question...

"If you have won a Royal Up bid, did you book directly or with a Travel Agent?
List your answer in the comments!

Thanks

On 1/8/2022 at 11:36 AM, staceywj said:

Also following, we are going in March!

Same here!  We are booked for March 13th!

I've been putting on the ole red suit for 46 years now.  Getting real close to retirement age and have a dream of being Santa on a cruise ship!  I say this other guy is a fake!  LOL

When we were on Brilliance, we upgraded to a Jr Suite.  Best move we made.  You actually had a tub instead of a shower tube.

Sir I cannot THANK YOU ENOUGH for this!  I've waited patiently for a cruise review and you are delivering in a big way.  As I sit here drinking my coffee, I can smell the salty air, hear the ocean and count down the next days to our next cruise!

Keep it up sir!

Good morning!  Great info and I appreciate it!  We were scheduled with another cruise line doing the same itinerary for this Oct and it was cancelled, along with 2 other cruises.  So we have decided to do NCL Breakaway out of NYC next Oct3 of 2021.  Once again, thanks for the suggestions!

Thank you for this information.  We looked at both the Joy and Breakaway sailing out of New York next Oct and decided on Breakaway due to the itinerary. Our TA tried to sway us to Joy because it was newer and full of more things, but the ports of call was much more important for this cruise!  BTW, I like the info on the "larger aft facing cabins", that's what we got!

Good morning all!
My wife and I took our first cruise in 2018, and then took 3 more in 2019.  Like a lot of folks, we had 3 booked for 2020, but alas, those did not happen.  We've taken the plunge and have booked Breakaway out of New York (bucket list check off right there) for Oct 3, 2021.  So here's the questions I have.

1) As a newbie to NCL, what are the things I should be aware of? Are there any true differences between RCCL & NCL?
2) We were able to book getting the 5 free at sea offers.  The 5th one didn't effect me as our kids are grown.  What do I need to be aware of as far as the "Open Bar" package goes, as well as the Specialty Dining?

Any advice, tips or suggestions when traveling out of New Pork will be appreciated as well!

Thanks again!

Cruising Santa Scott

2 hours ago, cruisegirl1 said:

Were you waiting for your refundable deposit refund?  Those come back in less than 2 weeks. I am told if it is just a refundable deposit, that it is a different protocol and is basically automatically generated. 
 

good wishes 

 

m

Actually ours was a non-refundable deposit.  We had paid in $2000 and still had a little to go, but we got everything in we had paid!

2 hours ago, drsel said:

4 hours ago, BIBPhotography said:

Thank you, It is nothing short of a miracle!
 

Was it due to the travel agent or Royal Caribbean

Not real sure!  I'm calling my TA today and tell them Thank You just in case!

11 minutes ago, bouhunter said:

Happy for you.  Unfortunately many people are waiting months and months.

I know, and for those folks I am truly sorry!  I was totally expecting to wait 90+ days!

22 minutes ago, bigrednole said:

That is great for you. I just received my refund yesterday for a cancellation almost 90 days ago (I think it was 88 to be exact).  

Thank you, It is nothing short of a miracle!

Good Morning!  I am beyond giddy, excited, tickled pink and relieved all at the same time.  A little back story if you will.  We booked out Canada/New England cruise over 500 days ago and recently due to this terrible virus had our cruise cancelled for October of this year.  Originally the thought was for to re-book some other cruise for October heading somewhere different.  We found one for Oct 4 heading out of Galveston, and was excited to say the least that we might be cruising this year after all.  

So we contacted our TA and set the wheels in motion.  Final payment day was set for 7/6/2020, so we are in waiting mode for our FCC's to pay for this cruise.  Release date for the FCC's was 7/17, but my TA said we could request an extension if needed to pay.  Like most folks, having an extra $2500 to set out for a cruise immediately was not an option.  So wait we did, then CLIA decided to move the expected sail date to 9/15/2020, making us one of the 1st cruises out after the ban.  The thought of being a guinea pig, my company making me quarantine for 14 days after the cruise, and not knowing whether we would actually cruise or not really was not my cup of tea.  On 7/1/2020 I asked my TA to go ahead and cancel the cruise, requesting a refund.  Of course I know the situation and determined that I would not get the refund until 9/21/2020, 90 days after the request, if even then...

I just checked my bank account and actually 7 days after the request, my refund has arrived!  I honestly think my TA has some magic pixie dust she sprinkled on the request to RCCL, heck she might have even baked them some cookies!  Excited cruiser here!!!!