Id rather be diving

I started cruising with my mom, then added my sister along the way. We always booked inside cabins because I was young, my mom was recently widowed, and my sister was married with a family. We enjoyed spending time together and being on the ship that we didn't care about the cabin. I introduced my now husband to cruising and we started in an inside as well. At that time he didn't think he'd even like cruising because he had gone many many years before and didn't like it. However, after one cruise with ME he decided he loved it. We booked a balcony cabin on the Emerald for her maiden TA voyage for our honeymoon. After that cruise he said he didn't want to go unless he was in a balcony for longer than 7 days. So, we booked balconies for quite a few years and had to make due with only getting to go once every other year or every two years due to budget constraints. Then this past summer we booked a 9 day Caribbean sampler and took his granddaughter with us in an inside room. He came away from that cruise saying that the inside wasn't so bad and if it meant we could go once or twice more often, then he'd be okay with it. So, I think for us it mainly depends on a couple of things: 1) is it just to get away for a quick relaxing vacation; 2) how long of a cruise is it; 3) will we be crossing any large oceans for days at a time; and 4) how late are we booking this trip? If it's a last minute cruise for relaxing, we may go the inside route, but if it gets to be really last minute we may get a better deal on a balcony so then we'd go that route. If it's a big trip that requires crossing either the Atlantic or Pacific Oceans we both agree that we need a balcony for those long at sea days. If it's a really port intensive cruise without days crossing an ocean, then we'd go for the inside.

We talked about booking a Baltic sea cruise and then the TA back across the pond. We agreed that we'd do an inside cabin for the Baltic portion as we would be off the ship quite a bit, then switch to a balcony for the crossing.

I have enjoyed reading this thread...I go back and forth with each person's position....1) "oh yeah, book an inside - spend the money elsewhere" then the next post says 2) "I love sitting on the balcony enjoying the world go by while drinking my coffee" - oh yeah that's me too. I guess that just means that I will be happy as long as I am on the ship! Just wait until I win the powerball or mega millions this week, then I'll be on the ship all the time!!!!

We just sailed on the Caribbean Princess from 8/28-9/6. There were three adults in our cabin. We brought 4 bottles of wine onboard. When we passed through security, we were directed to the table to pay our overage/corkage fee on the one extra bottle. They asked us which one we wanted to consume in the dining room and then stamped it with the famous Princess seawitch.

We had brought our own corkscrew along so we uncorked our bottles in the room, and then carried it to the dining room. We were never charged an extra fee in the dining room and we consumed three of the bottles in the dining room and the last one in the Crown Grill. No one every looked to see if the seawitch was on the bottle.

These are some of what I remember:

Mamma Mia, Top Gun, and some concerts during the day.

Million Dollar Arm, Draft Day, Jack Ryan, Captain America, Thuesday Night Football.

Thanks! My sister is on this cruise. She said there were a lot of newbies or at least not platinum yet cruisers. She said she breezed thru the preferred boarding line while others waited in the long, curvy line. She said she felt kind of special as all those people in line watched her move quickly.

Shore excursions are expensive in this area of the world. Not only are they more expensive, but if you do private excursions they have to be paid in Euros. Check out some roll calls of current sailings doing the itinerary you are looking at. You will get some good ideas of costs of private excursions. When you decide on the cruise, be sure to join the roll call.

Good morning, my sister is taking the 9 day Carribean cruise which is a combined 4/5 day cruise. Is there a formal night? If so, one or two? Thanks

Thanks, Caribill.

I was afraid that it was only fountain soda. :( Thanks for the answers. I don't think either package is worth it for me as I really prefer canned soda. But I will probably buy it for our granddaughter.

Hey fellow Colorado cruiser...I have an old coffee card (from probably 5 years ago) that has not been completely punched. Can I use that and get the free brewed coffee at the IC until all the punches have been used?

Thanks, Kari

I have tried to search for the answer but couldn't find it. I know with the regular soda package you can only get fountain soda, but with the BAR package you can get canned soda. So, what about the Ultimate Soda & More Package? Is it only fountain soda? Or can you get canned soda as well?

Thanks in advance!

Kari

I believe Bert will be on board thru October. He just rejoined the ship a couple of weeks ago.

Do you happen to remember the movies that played while you were inboard?

If she is platinum now, but after she completes the first part of the cruise she would become elite. Will her second cruise card (when she has to disembark and get in transit) be an elite card with the benefits? Or does she have to wait until the next time she cruises?

We did this TA back in 2007 for our honeymoon. After 15 plus cruises, it still remains my absolute favorite. We are doing a TA next year on Celebrity and I was just commenting to my husband that the Venice/FLL one was the best as it had a great assortment of ports. We would love to do this one again.

I don't think much was repeated, but it's been a few years and my memory is not what it used to be.

Really? Almost 70 people have viewed this and no one knows the answer? Where o where are my cruise critic friends who know all??? :)

Can someone please tell me the cost of the thermal spa for 9 days? Was there a discount if you bought on the first day?

Good morning, can you tell me if you book the cruise as a 9 day, do you have to get off and get a new card on the turnaround day?

My sister just booked the 9 day Caribbean Princess. She's wondering if she has to get off and back on after the five days, even though she's booked as a nine day. Anyone know?

Bummer. Thanks for the info.

I've only taken 2 Royal Caribbean cruises before as we usually book Princess. We really like the TA on the Brillance so just booked two balconies. Here's my question: can your room steward open the partition between the balconies? We can do that on the Princess ships so am wondering about here. Thanks

Kari

This is the first I've heard of a photo package. How much is it?

Loving this blog. Your pictures are great. So inviting on this below zero day here in the Mile High City. :)

So wish we were on her right now. We did the maiden Transatlantic on the Emerald in 2007 and loved every miniute of it. Met lots of new friends and had a fantastic time.

I'll be following along.

Amy,

I had forgotten that I read on the first post that you guys are huge Disney fans. Yet another thing that we have in common!

We are headed back to Disneyworld next June - actually at this time next year we will be in the land of Mickey (hopefully without any tropical storms!). We are taking two of the grandkids - one has been before and one it will be his first time. I've always loved Disney! We went two years ago - my husband's first time - he loved it as well. Now that being said...he probably wouldn't go without grandkids - unlike me who can go with or without kids!

I'll be waiting for the WOW factor to come back tomorrow. However, I like to say...a bad day on vacation (and in Scotland to boot) is better than a day in the office!!!

Kari

Thanks so much. He and I are both blessed. We were best friends before we ever started dating, and our whole relationship is built around that dynamic. I assure you -- he spoils me too. My favorite Christmas present ever was the year he surprised me with fireworks outside and tickets to Boston under the tree. It was his way of telling me we were going to the Boston Pops' Fourth of July concert -- something I'd dreamed of doing for years.

Ahhh the Boston Pops on the Esplanade...what a fantastic trip. I love the 4th of July in Boston. Nothing else compares. I used to live there and now that I'm not there I make sure to watch the Pops concert and fireworks on TV every year.

We are planning a Baltic cruise in 2015 so if your adventure to the bottom of the world falls through...feel free to join us on the Baltic and I"m sure we can come up with some great adventures together. We are taking my husband's grandson for his graduation present. He told me once that he wants to go to Russia....so we'll make it happen for graduation!