allieoops12

Bird, did they do martini tastings on the sea days? NCL had the best martini tasting the last time I was on one of their ships.

We had the same thing happen to us on our honeymoon. In our case it was a sea day and we could not make a call from our cabin. We went to guest services and they were fantastic, they took us into the back office for privacy and made the call for us, made sure the we were OK and brought water and tissues for the wife. We never got charged for the call.

 

We ended up buying the staff a load of chocolate, biscuits and left a note thanking them for there help, support and assistance they gave us that day.

This happened to me in 2010, we docked in St. Thomas on the NCL Epic and I was heading to excursion when I called home to check on my mom who had cancer. Found out she passed, I was shocked and numb. The crew of the Epic was fantastic! We went back on ship and told them what happened. They took us behind scenes to use their computers to book a flight home and had someone give us a free ride to the airport. They waived all the fees for our prepaid excursions. I can't say enough about the them, they made an unbearable time a little easier.

There is a gratuity automatically charged to you per day, you can pay for it ahead of time. We're also talking about discretionary tips, you can choose to tip along the way. It's a kind thing to do.

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Saw a video on how easy it is to open zippered luggage, even locked, with just a ball point pen! I bought hard sided luggage with seams and a built in lock. I've had zippers wears out on the corners, start to unravel, locks go missing, etc.

Seamed hard sided luggage is it for me now. I don't put valuable in my suitcase ever, but still would rather not have people poking around in my stuff. I have previously put costume jewelry in my zippered suitcase when traveling, one less thing for my already overstuffed purse, and returned home to find single earrings missing! Some of my favorite pairs too! :(

Also use ribbons, brightly colored or really different luggage tags on the handles to make it easier to spot.

What is the main different options between the Escape , Breakaway and Epic ?

 

We are a couple in their 50s and want to best ship for our age...

Thanks

Thechamp555

 

 

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Hated the Epic! We sailed when she was new and the S shaped rooms were not comfortable, I think they went more for aesthetics more than comfort. You literally walk through the bathroom when entering your room from the entrance door! Toilet is on one side of the aisle and sink is on the other. Don't answer the door when someone is on the toilet. lol Did not like a rounded bed either.

We are in our mid-60's but have been cruising since 1984. For me there is no better vacation than a cruise (but that is just me). As to best cruise line, I think it is a very personal preference. These lines have a personality and a target group they are catering to. In Alaska, the differences aren't as distinctive because all passengers tend to be more mature than a ship going to the Bahamas. You just won't see a large number of small kids on Alaskan cruises. We have sailed all of these lines and prefer HAL and Princess. They seem to have the best service and food. For me, being pampered and truly relaxing is awesome. (It takes a few days to really relax and get into the cruise mode)

 

Carnival caters to the youngest group (more pool activities, heavier drinking, lots of late night partying). Entertainment tends to be geared to that group (games by the pool, very loud music, etc.)

 

NCL and Princess fall more in the middle age wise. NCL has no formal night requirements and that attracts a lot of people. NCL and Carnival tend to be a little less expensive.

 

HAL caters to the oldest (things are pretty quiet by midnight). Some things I really enjoy on HAL are the movie theater and the Music Walk (a deck that offers a jazz club, a Lincoln Center classical music venue, a piano bar and their main entertainment theater which presents either a musical presentation with house singers and dancers or individual entertainers ..singers, magicians, comedians, etc....that are brought on board in the various ports.) Also, there is a large common area on the front of the ship called the Crows Nest (on most HAL ships) that has panoramic views with lots of comfy furniture to enjoy the beautiful Alaskan scenery coupled with a library, board game selections and large jigsaw puzzle tables where passengers stop by, work a few pieces in and move on, a Starbucks type coffee shop, a dance floor, a bar, etc. There is something going on there all of the time. My husband knows he can find me there most of the time.

 

Princess has great floorplans for their cabins (but there is only so much you can do with that small space). They also provide self-service laundry rooms that allow you to cut down on the amount of luggage you drag around. (Great on long cruises..not so necessary on 7-day or less) Some of their newer ships are really beautiful. Food, service and entertainment (IMHO) are right up there with HAL. They have a a great pizza venue that has no upcharge. Princess has Movies Under the Stars...great in the Bahamas...a little chilly in Alaska. They also have a recording studio where they record some shows for in-cabin tv. We have attended some recordings there that we really enjoyed.

 

A little surprise: a lot of the ships in Alaska have a retractable roof over the main pool. On a sunny sea day, they will close the roof and your serious sun worshipers will show up for serious pool and hot tub time.

 

When we took our first cruise, we told the travel agents we wanted as many ports as we could get in a 7-day cruise. His response was, "That's what everyone says on their first cruise. The next year they come back requesting more days at sea." He recommended no more that 3 ports for a 7-day cruise. He was so correct. When we came off that first ship, we agreed we could that the same cruise the next year and never leave the ship. ( A little extreme maybe) We are leaving Thursday for an 11-day Panama Canal cruise. We were just there in January on a different ship and have been to every port at some point in time. I may get off the ship, I may not but I will have a wonderful, relaxing time and meet a lot of interesting people.

 

If you have time, look at a cruise tour on Princess or HAL. It will mean flying one direction. They have domed trains to travel to and/or from their lodges and you will likely enjoy the time on land. We did this on our first Alaskan cruise. It was a great mix and you see a lot more of the coastline on a one-direction cruise.

 

Hope you enjoy your cruise!

We LOVED the cruise to Panama Canal on Princesswe did! Really beautiful and we loved the history. I was afraid the longer cruise, 10 days, would be too much, we've only donw week long cruises until now, but it was fine.

Hope you enjoy(ed) yours!

I do like the private dining area for breakfast and lunch as well as free drinks in a specific lounge when you book a suite, or are a certain card level on some cruise lines. DH and I are not big drinkers so the drink package is an unnecessary expenses for us. I'd rather spend more for a suite and enjoy the amenities.

I sail with at least a balcony. I need the impression of more space, and I like being able to get some fresh air in the room sometimes. Or to sit outside too without fighting for a deck chair.

We are loyal to five, some more than others! Itinerary, price, deals, perks - they all come into play. Each line has things you will really like, and some things you will shrug your shoulders and ask "Why?" Play the field until you find one that hits most of your priorities!

 

Princess does do Alaska well. If you are doing Tracy Arm, take the excursion in the fjord where you actually get off the large ship onto a smaller boat that takes you up close and personal. It is spectacular! Princess does food pretty well, too. [iMHO, Royal Caribbean does not do food as well!]

I think NCL does the Tracy Arm too. We love the excursion that goes on the smaller boat!! We've done it numerous times!

I use a lanyard on the ship because I constantly loose things. Can't tell you how many times I left the cabin without my pass before I started using one. Most of the time it's under my shirt, and I take it off for pool time, etc. Having the lanyard on it makes it a lot easier to find in the bag when getting back on the ship after a port day.

A little kindness goes a long way. Regardless of the tips already on our bill, we tip the dining room staff at each meal a few extra bucks. Same with anyone who has helped us during the cruise. And we give an envelope to the room attendant at the end of the cruise.

The above is the way it works on Carnival ships.

On several Carnival ships including Splendor (and soon on all Carnival ships) you will not be given your cruise card (Sail & sign) when you check in. It will be waiting in a sealed envelope outside your cabin door when the cabins are ready. Those with priority boarding will find their cards at their cabins on boarding. Any others who try to sneak down to their cabins will not find a key to access the cabin. EM

Not sure I would like this. Couldn't any Joe Schmoe go to your room, grab your key card, and go in?

We are all different.

 

I think that golf is one of the dumbest things every invented. :D But many people like to golf.

 

I like cruising, but port days are only OK. Not enough time to really see a place. For that I would rather go and spend a week and see the place.

 

I travel internationally for work and for fun. I travel domestically mainly for fun. I take cruises. I take land vacations. I travel to beach areas. I travel to big cities.

 

Do what makes YOU happy.

 

And yes, I find that people who are easily bored, tend to be boring. :D

OMG, this is me, I would rather watch paint dry than golf! lol

I do think that you are in charge of your own happiness. And happiness is a choice.

There are plenty of things to do on a cruise ship, and if you can't find "anything" you enjoy, some of that responsibility is on you. Cruises are not for everybody, but if you can find things to do sitting in your own living room, you can find things to do on a ship. Choose to find things on a ship that make you happy.

If you booked through MyVegas, check your email. MyVegas events have been cancelled.

And yet they're selling tickets online round trip for Chicago, Vegas, Denver, etc. leaving 9/2, returning 9/3. Tons of flights coming out of Houston 9/3. Bizarre. Maybe it's specific to your city?

I'm in Chicago. All I know is what they told my husband, they sent a phone number and special reference number, and when he called, this is what he was told.

We'll be right there with you! We fly in on Saturday night. The airports are supposed to open tomorrow so I think flights in should be fine at that point.

 

As long as there is a manageable way to get from IAH to Galveston on roads that aren't flooded, we should be able to make it alongside you!

 

Good luck and safe travels! And we are still wishing all of the people affected by this storm the best and are keeping them in our prayers!

Jeff, see my previous posts, if you are flying Southwest. They contacted us that our flights were cancelled. We're going to San Antonio.

I don't see that on their website. This is what is mentioned currently:

 

Flights to/from Houston Hobby (HOU) have been suspended.

Please do not attempt to reach HOU until local authorities provide further direction.

We will continue monitoring HOU conditions and provide updates as information becomes available.

Due to lasting impacts from Tropical Storm Harvey and to provide our Houston Customers additional flexibility, ticketed Passengers traveling to and from Houston may change their origin or destination without paying any additional charge to Austin (AUS), Corpus Christi (CRP), Dallas (DAL) or San Antonio (SAT) if their original dates of travel are between Thursday, August 24 through Tuesday, September 12.

Another two weeks worth of flights that they're offering to reschedule without charge. That is excellent customer service.

They contacted us that our flights were cancelled. Both the ones we made for Sat and Sun. No flights to Houston until Sept 4.

No Southwest flights, so check with your airline before assuming you're flying to Houston.

Heads up, Southwest is cancelling flights to Houston thru Sept 4. We're going to San Antonio.

Heads up, Southwest is cancelling flights to Houston thru Sept 4. We're going to San Antonio.

Saw on another thread that in a call with Southwest, they stated that the FAA has given a green light to commercial flights landing in Houston after 12:00 noon on Saturday.

Just got this text from RC:

S: Important update for your upcoming cruise onboard Liberty of the Seas

Update from Royal Caribbean: Your Liberty of the Seas sailing on 09/03 is currently scheduled to sail as planned. We continue to meet regularly with the Port of Galveston on their reopening, and will send you daily updates at approximately 1 pm EDT. For additional information please visit royalcaribbean.com. We look forward to welcoming you onboard soon.

Reply with YES to confirm.

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Yeah, I would expect the fresh produce selections on this cruise to be affected, especially towards the end of the week. Dairy could be too. Hopefully they can get some supplies in Houston.

Since it is looking the the ship really is planning to sail even if the airports are not functional, we're scrambling to make sure we can get there.

Our normal plan for cruises is to fly in the day before to allow for flight difficulties. For this cruise, we originally booked a flight on Southwest from Chicago to Houston for Saturday, made a hotel reservation near the airport, and rented a car. We planned take the car back to the airport the day of the cruise, and take the cruise company shuttle to the dock.

We called the hotel and they are open for business.

Since things are so uncertain, we also booked flights for Sunday morning, just in case the flight on Saturday doesn't go. We'll just cancel whichever set of flights we don't use. This is what I love about Southwest, NO PENALTIES! We'll just have that credit to use at a future time, which is really easy for us, we travel a lot.

Checked the SW website last night and they are still selling tickets to Houston for Sat and Sun. We have received no communications from SW about cancelling any our our flights.

And, just to be on the safe side, we booked tickets to San Antonio. Hopefully we can drive to Houston and drop off the car and board the ship.

So much uncertainty! Argghh!!

I lived in Eastern NC and the house, on pilings, got water around it.

 

If I had a house, currently underwater, and the two alternatives are staying onboard with food, water and a nice bed vs a cot in a Red Cross facility, I'd stay onboard and leave the cot for someone needing a cot.

That's if you live in the Houston area and are on the current Liberty cruise. What about those who just want to disembark in Galveston but homes are not affected by current conditions?