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The most fun I've ever had cruising was in the '80s when about 20 of us co-workers in Alaska cruised together, on Sitmar (later bought by Princess).  Fairsea, Fairwind, and Fairsky.  We had two large round tables in the dining room next to each other and other travelers would mention that they wished they were having that much fun.  There was no "specialty dining".  There were no balcony cabins (that I recall).  There were no electric outlets in cabins, so you had to dry your hair in a room down the hall.  Bare bones, but SO much fun when traveling with friends.

During the day, especially in port, we'd all divide into different groups depending on our different interests, then meet for drinks, then on to dinner, then to the show.  At sea days we'd take part in the different games like silly horse racing.

Now Hubby and I travel with my sis and BIL.  We have a great time.  The thing is that everyone has to understand from the get-go that nobody is joined at the hip.  Just do your own thing.

On 4/29/2024 at 6:55 AM, Honolulu Blue said:

I'm sure many of you have food cravings and/or memories of meals from the recent past.

YEARS ago -- maybe a couple decades -- Princess had a dish on the dinner menu that was a bowtie pasta with (I think) veal in a yummy sauce.  That is my memory of a meal from the (not) recent past.  I'd be in Heaven if I saw it appear again on our next cruise.

On 5/4/2024 at 10:08 AM, NotADopey1 said:

The cruise line insurance favors the interests of the cruise line.

Yes.  And I'm surprised that people even consider that option.  Disputing a claim with the cruise line's employee is a bit like, "Never argue with a man whose job depends on not being convinced". (Mencken)

We buy from at least one private provider.  Sometimes more if the trip is more complicated than normal.

On 4/29/2024 at 9:38 PM, navybankerteacher said:

The sad fact, however, is that in the twenty first century the traditions of our heroic past have been mothballed.

And not just when it comes to sailing.  I'll say no more.

On 4/9/2024 at 10:42 PM, ldubs said:

Right now if we had to name one it would be Enchanted Princess.  

We're reserved for Enchanted in December.  Can't wait to see her.

We've mostly sailed Princess since Hubby and I started cruising in 2005.  (Cruised often with my ex since the '70s.)  As time passed, Princess seemed to go downhill and we gave up for a while.  We've read recent passenger reviews on Enchanted and many specifically say that Princess has has their game back.  Looking forward to December!

I have a soft spot for Island Princess.  I like the size, the vibes, the decor.  Classy not brassy.  Did the HI round-trip from Los Angeles one year.  Another year was the Panama Canal.

When Sapphire was new, we loved that.

Was on Celebrity Silhouette and it was too cold and stark for our taste.

Other ships we've had sort of blend together after a while.

On 4/30/2024 at 10:45 PM, 2 to Sea said:

He instructed staff to cook with olive oil instead of butter.

WHAAAT?!  Just for the vegan/vegetarian dishes, I hope.  Gotta have butter!

On 4/27/2024 at 11:43 PM, 2 to Sea said:

the cocktail menu

My sis is a martini lover.  When we're on Enchanted in December, I know she'll try the Espresso Martini.  Interesting.

On 4/27/2024 at 3:38 PM, gwhitti said:

We will be on the Enchanted in December.

I see your "upcomings".  We also will be on your 14-day Circle Caribbean cruise, and have been looking seriously at the 32-day South Pacific on Sapphire.  Sapphire was the first cruise ship Hubby and I were on together -- maybe around 2005 -- so it has sentimental meaning for us.  It was just a few months old.

I hate having to depend on a cell phone and its apps!  Am going to see how far along I can proceed without being trapped in that nonsense.

On 5/7/2024 at 2:33 PM, TenneSea said:

5/16/24 Cornwall, England

Don't forget to get some good pics to post when you're in Port Isaac / "Port Wenn"!

1 hour ago, candy4040 said:

"There is a cot made available."    Our suite is an S3 D122 and D121 is also same setup.  There is a U tube video of this space that OP may want to review.  Way cheaper than 2 reserve class minis.  

A cot would not be an option.  Ever.  But I will look at the video you reference.  Thank you!

21 hours ago, candy4040 said:

Depending on suite, 2 separate rooms.  Two bathrooms (one has shower and tub.  If they get along OK it would be well worth the inconvenience.  Each person would get 2 cruise credits.  Concierge service.  Embarkation meal.  Mini bar setup.  Reserve class dining.  Priority embarkation and disembarkation.  I would do this in a flash if traveling with family.  Also, a great deal for 4 friends to sail together.  If they needed a place to shower, they could always go to the spa area or exercise area on most ships.  

"Depending on suite, 2 separate rooms."

Considering our sleep patterns, we'd want three separate rooms -- two for sleeping, and one for a gathering place.

Cruise credits:  Would be Good.  Concierge service:  Would have to check on that as I don't know much about it.  Thanks for that info!  Embarkation meal:  We're happy going to the Main Dining Room after we board.  Mini bar:  Baptists ... wouldn't be a thing unless it includes soft drinks, which it probably would.  Priority embarkation and disembarkation:  We walk on and off with our carry-ons and have never had a problem with waiting in the past.  Reserve class dining:  Would have to check on that as I don't know much about it.  Sounds interesting.  Thanks for the tip!

We're Platinum, closing in on Elite.  As you can tell, we are pretty low-key cruisers.  Having cruised Sitmar in the '70s and '80s, any ship with a balcony and electric outlets in the cabins is living large - LOL!

18 hours ago, JF - retired RRT said:

Best suggestion: check on the price for a Family Suite. Most (if not all) have one.

Enchanted has no Family Suites.  And from reviews we've read, on ships where there are Family Suites they're unusable while at sea due to wind issues.  (They're all facing front.)

22 hours ago, candy4040 said:

Why not get a full suite?  You'd get all the benefits and only pay a partial cost for the 3rd and 4th passengers.

We're four (spoiled) adults, and would need two private bedrooms, and two baths.  Judging by the (Princess) cabin plans I've seen online, a suite has only one bathroom, and the sleeping arrangements would be non private.  A Family Suite would work, but there are none on Enchanted where we'll be in December for 14 days.

7 minutes ago, Lady Arwen said:

The balcony cabin would have to be assigned to one passenger.  One inside cabin to one passenger.  BOTH would pay double for solo occupancy.  The other inside would be assigned to two people and would pay standard double occupancy rate.  So, double the price for the balcony, double the price for the inside and double occupancy for the other inside.  You are virtually paying for six passengers.  This would be expensive, but if’s that’s not an issue, go for it.

Thanks for that breakdown.  That's exactly the kind of info I was looking for!

We cruise with my sis and BIL, mostly on Princess.  We've had adjoining basic balcony cabins and have opened the door between balconies for socializing.  On a couple ships, the entire partition opened up giving one large balcony (nice!), but mostly it was just a small Hobbit door to scrunch through to get to the other side.

We are thinking about reserving two adjacent (or very close) inexpensive interior cabins for sleeping, dressing, etc., and then reserving a balcony cabin across the hall for socializing, hanging out, balcony sitting.  Also, both couples have an early riser and a sleep-in person.  The early risers could use the balcony cabin for coffee, TV, etc., without disturbing the other in the cabin.

Is this a crazy idea?  If so, why?

Would the cruise line accommodate this?

Any ideas on how the cost breakdown might shake out?  (I don't want to embarrass myself with crazy talk with our TA - LOL!)

I've always wondered if these types of suites exist.  Hubby and I travel with Sis and her husband, and this setup would be great.  We try to get adjacent cabins with balconies opening to each other, but this would be better, I think.  It seems the layout would be ideal for many families.

Using an interior cabin just for sleeping makes perfect sense.  We've considered two interior cabins for sleeping and separate bathrooms, with a balcony across the hall for hanging out together.

Thanks, Sis!  Having a vicarious adventure watching this thread, and feeling a little jealous.  The first cruise we haven't done together in many years. 😴  Glad the aft cabin is a good experience, since we'll all have them in February.

The pics are great!

If the ports are those that we've seen before we stay on the ship.  Port days on the ship are great!

Great review.  We're doing this the 14-night Circle Carriben in February 2024 on Emerald.

Wondering ... you mention the formal nights.  How many pax get gussied up for these evenings?  We've heard that not many do that any more.  The info will help with our packing!  Thanks...

On 2/12/2023 at 6:50 PM, hrhdhd said:

https://www.portevergladeswebcam.com/

 

We usually get cabins on port side of the ship so we can wave to family back home who are watching the webcam.  You can contact the camera people online ahead of time, tell them where your cabin is, and they'll try to zoom in on that area as the ship passes by.

On 2/11/2023 at 7:04 PM, gotta cruise again said:

When departing Port Everglades, there are a couple of tall condos (not hotels) on the port side. Those folks tend to wave and sometimes hold of signs. The port webcam is located in that area.

 

DH and I always make sure we’re on the port side as we too find it fun to wave to them.

We also get port side to wave to the family back home watching the webcam.  You can contact the camera people ahead of time online, let them know where you are on the ship, and they'll try to do a close-up as the ship passes by.

On 3/12/2023 at 12:04 PM, cruisetravlr said:

We parked in the Palm garage across from terminal 26 (where our ship was) for our Feb. 11-18 cruise. We had a 2:00 boarding time. Arrived at the garage at 11:43. Parked on level 5, under cover. We were in our room by 12:10! When leaving, we left our room at 8:00 and were out of the garage by 8:30. Even though there was a line for the elevators, it moved quickly. Only waited about 5 minutes. Cost for the week was $105.

Except for one time, we've been in and out very quickly -- always between 15 and 30 minutes.  Once, when we left from one terminal, but returned to a different terminal, it was a nightmare.  Shuttles were lined up to transport to the first parking garage, but there weren't enough.  It took a couple hours.  Dreadful!

On 3/3/2023 at 7:02 PM, Hlitner said:

If folks want to spend their lives concerned about all the nasty things that can happen, they might want to just barricade themselves inside their home, have everything delivered (and left outside), etc.  Otherwise. one might want to just live their life, use some common sense, and accept that life is full of many risks.  

 

Hank

I think everyone has had enough of the barricading for a lifetime.  Gotta live life!!  In our church bulletin:  "Worrying does not take away tomorrow's troubles; it takes away today's peace."

From all I've read, for anything like noro, Covid, etc., WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN with soap, and never, ever touch your face or bite your nails.  Sanitizers are good, too, if you can't wash after using the handrails on stairs, pushing elevator buttons, or similar.