newtocruiseinblue

You like the "power" in power up points? ☺️🥰 ❤️

🏀 🗑️ Whoop! Scored more points!! LOVE the PUP program!! Great job, ❌

Happened to see stock commentary on this a few days ago. Demand for cruises are strong and they are a good deal for consumers. Travel demand is still over the top - people want those social media posts. This has more to do with demand vs cutbacks in the ocean view cafe or room service, but addressing debt is considered.

Completely understand, which is why I said not talking about the OP (which means original poster)...

Cruise line is $39 pp for a transfer from the Amsterdam port to schiphol. What is your favorite way to go? I'd like to spend less than that, if possible.... Hopefully the problems at Schiphol will be improved since last year. Thank you!

Probably discussed before, does anyone have a favorite dupe for the celebrity robe? We want something similar for the house. Thank you!

That's why he is in the EV.

I agree - I'm at a loss and when I call excursions, they know nothing. It's obviously a call center in another country and they are just there to schedule it and not the right people to reach but that is the only avenue.

I find it inconvenient that HAL has no shore excursions for an upcoming 5-day Scottish adventure. I already have shore excursions for a summer Celebrity cruise booked. I know HAL wants our money.

Call me a nerd but I like the travel webinars. Usually play them while cooking a good meal and drinking wine 🍷

Also agree with you on the suite class with Celebrity. People really get into it and love to flaunt that they are suite class, which is great. I'm not sure if they realize that most that aren't in a suite don't really care if you are ☺️. We just usually do veranda, which allows us to travel more and we love it. I haven't felt the difference between veranda and suite class amenities on any of my cruises, but it is something that turns me off of the whole concept by Celebrity. I feel you on that.

We sail both.... I feel HAL has better itineraries, but Celebrity has more excitement on the ship. HAL is more affordable than Celebrity. Celebrity seems to be more financially secure than HAL and HAL is struggling more since the restart. I keep wondering if Carnival will merge princess and HAL. I have to keep my options open because of that. For example, cruising in April with HAL and they still don't have shore excursions available. Already have my July shore excursions booked with Celebrity. Hoping for a fabulous cruise with both this year. Glad you enjoyed your HAL cruise!

The Greek theater in Taorimina (Sicily) Either Amalfi, Positano or Capri in Naples The Celsus Library in Ephesus

Uhhhh clothes shopping! Duh! 🤣 Did you purchase packing cubes, yet? Review all the latest travel accessories? Plan a photo shoot onboard? Vow renewal?? Looking ahead to 2024 isn't absurd. I plan all of my travel way in advance and safe tons of money doing that. Prices never go down and if they do I rebook stuff.

And now we know why your screen name is "Moochi" 🤦🏼‍♀️

What time does your ship depart? All aboard is usually at least an hour to an hour and a half prior to that if I am correct. We are doing the Greek isles in July and I think we depart at 10 pm. I would think that would be all aboard would be at around 8:30 pm?

We were there in November but offset the cost with some point redemption. I wasn't crazy about having to spend that much on a hotel for a moment that we would probably not remember. I would probably choose the Hampton inn next time. Our goal was to just get there a day in advance for our cruise. I do feel booking the hotel waaaaay in advance is the best way to go, if possible. Then rebook if prices drop.

We stayed at the embassy suites Fll and I believe the shuttle was $10 pp, which was a bargain compared to what the Uber rate was running that morning. Did not love the embassy suites though.

What about salmon? Is that still on the menu? Sorry you were disappointed and I hope your next cruise goes better. ❤️

Are Nieuw Statendam and the Rotterdam exactly the same layout? We sailed NS in November and it was a beautiful ship. Sailing RD in the spring. The only thing was I missed the openness of the lido area on other ships. It felt closed in to me. Thank you!

So are the other responses more misinformation? I'm not trying to disrespect the other replies. I just feel like I have to sift through a lot of misinformation to get the realistic picture.

Holland America serves afternoon tea in their main dining room.

That's awesome to be so close! I wish I was that close. I will keep an eye out for February. Maybe they will do something for the Super Bowl!

We need a January PUP. I should get a PUP just for reading all of the complaining on this board ☺️☺️☺️

Will do. I've been reading these boards for five years and about 40% of what I read on here is true and only about 5% has ever affected my trips. I cruise for the ports and to see other countries, the good food is a bonus for me. A few years ago, when I was going on a trip that began in Barcelona, I would check the weather app for the forecast. On the first full day that we had to sightsee in the city before our cruise, there was a thunderstorm cloud. I quietly stressed about that thundercloud for a week before my arrival. When the day arrived, it was a gorgeous day, we had a full day of sightseeing. At the end of the day, we were laying in bed, the balcony door was cracked and the most soothing sound of rain began falling. That was the thunderstorm. Moral of the story: don't stress about the thunderstorm and learn to dance in the rain.