lbfluffy

We will be going on the ruby princess through the panama canal next March. We have been to the panama canal once, we went to the Indian village in Panama, the safari in Costa Rica and tour of Columbia by bus. This time we are thinking about doing the boat tour through the canal. It is pricey, but has great reviews. I know I need to book this one before it sells  out. Has anyone done that tour? Also the other two ports, any suggestions for independent tours? Thank you.

Thank you for your opinions

We have the Discovery booked for Hawaii March 2024. Due to the tragedy in Lahaina, our cruise dropped Lahaina. Plus Kauai wasn’t on the itinerary when we booked the cruise. So now we are down to two ports, Kona and Honolulu both overnight. We discussed with our friends and have decided to do a different trip. We chose Panama Canal for March. We have a  choice between the Emerald or the Ruby. We have to go in March because my friend is a nurse and must be back early April. So for anybody that has been on those ships, what are your thoughts. I think we went on the Ruby a while back. I’m trying to figure out when. We have done so many cruises, I forget the details. Thank you.

He’s fine! I like being by the coffee place!

Our cruise is in December. I originally booked room 5230, Havana inside  cabin. Well I read  many people recommending the sideway cabins. I switched to room 5205. My husband is not happy I did that. He says we are now farther away from the bar by the pool. I know I should have consulted. Well hopefully I picked a good cabin. It’s not like we will be in there all the time. Anyone been in the sideway cabins? I can’t change now. 
Thank you 

When we were on the Miracle we had the cruise director Georgia. She did Miley Cyrus Wrecking ball skit. It was hilarious!

On 7/12/2023 at 12:01 PM, TaraLynne said:

So after the whole comedian situation bombed for us, Dean was ready for bed but step son B (just a reminder: this one is 22, haha) and I weren't quite there yet, so we ended up being last family members standing.

 

Oh, and this is where the weather bears mentioning, because it had been barely over 70 degrees when we left Long Beach, and by the time the sun set it was in the low 60s (at best) and getting a bit windy. Because of that - and the fact that none of us had really brought "cold weather" clothes (listen, we're from inland southern California, anything below 70 is chilly for us) - B and I decided to grab drinks INSIDE, and ended up at the bar in the Atrium.

 

Speaking of which, we were both a bit weirded out by this blood-cell-looking tapestry that was happening in (on?) the pillar when we got there:

 

...looking at it now I'm wondering if it's maybe supposed to be the mouths of brass instruments (trumpets? tubas?) but still...meh.

 

So there we were, chilling, having some drinks and a nice quiet chat (why yes I am very very lucky to have great relationships with both of my step kids 🙂 ) when suddenly the bartender came around and warned us that we need to keep our drinks close. Needless to say, we were confused...but only for about a minute (maybe less), because the next thing we knew, a guy in a kilt came prancing into the atrium announcing that he was bringing "200 of his new friends" in for a party....and then he jumped up on the bar and started dancing and singing.

 

It was the Flying Scotsman, y'all! (because apparently bar takeovers are a thing - and there's the first reference in my report title, ha)

 

For real I had no idea things like this happened on cruises. Is it a newer thing? Did I somehow just happen to miss events like this on all 7 of my previous cruises (3 of which were with Carnival)? Is it specific to THIS cruise director? Either way, our faces in the photo say it all...but we did end up rolling with it and then spent the rest of the week joking about how best to avoid the Flying Scotsman at all costs.

 

(We weren't really mad, it was just a very shocking interruption to our quiet step mom/step son chat time. I mean really, imagine you're just sitting in a bar - any bar - and then out of the blue a guy in a kilt dances and sings his way in with a crowd of strangers. No matter how you look at it, it's hilarious, IMO 😉 )

 

 

Anyway, we eventually snuck out (literally, joking all the way about how we needed to sneak out or possibly risk being followed by the Scotsman and his new friends) and went up to the Lido deck to get late-night pizza. The wait wasn't TOO bad (maybe 10 minutes?) but sadly the pizza was burned. (In fact, I had late-night pizza three times on the cruise; twice it was burnt and once it was undercooked, and the wait was always at least 10-15 minutes. Maybe it's better during the day?)

 

Wow, I can't believe it took me three separate posts just to finish day 1. I'd say I'd try to be less wordy but....that probably won't happen, haha.

Has anyone tried the smoke master class on the Panorama? I was considering booking it for my husband. He says everything he needs to know, he can you tube. I thought this looked neat for him. 

Thank you for your suggestions.

We are on the Panorama in December. Last time we went to pig and anchor. We would like to try something different. I know they have the Asian and Italian restaurant. We have a large party so I was wondering what you all suggest? Thank you.

Thank you for doing this review. Could you let me know what days they have formal night. I want to book the Teppanyaki restaurant when we go in December. We have a party of 16 and I do not want to conflict with formal night.

Thank you 

20 hours ago, ashkir said:

So bad news… my parents didn’t make it! Stepmom lost her passport on the way and they couldn’t find it. 😭 wedding in Cabo is off now. 
 

so it’s now a regular relaxation vacation. Good thing I bought the 7 day thermal spa pass. 
 

also we got an inside cabin. These dates were chosen by my sister. So options weren’t good. Especially since I’m paying $6000 for our 25 day October cruise. So I booked an inside cabin for $1500 and got $500 on board credit. 
 

this is the smallest cabin I’ve been in so far. No couch, limited closet space just one closet. But, it’s in a great location hidden by the elevator. We really like it so far. It’s nice and quiet for us. I brought a mood light that comes up when the sun is up. 

Thank you. I’m going to book. I just want to make sure we don’t book on formal night.

We want to do the Teppenyaki  on the Panorama. We have a very large party. What is the biggest size table? Also do you know when formal night would be? We leave on December 9th.

Thank you,’

Jessica 

I am Elite, I understand one of my perks is priority dining reservations. Do I need to make reservations? I’m newly Elite.

Is anyone using the Enclave? Does my spa services discount perk apply to that?

Thank you for the wealth of information. The food pictures made me so hungry mid afternoon today.

I am excited to say we finally got our room assignment, A402. Looks like a good location.

jessica 

7 hours ago, MsSoCalCruiser said:

I don’t want to hijack this thread, but maybe you can start a new thread and let us know what your offer was.

Go to roll call March 2nd. Someone posted the email.

3 minutes ago, Happiest when cruising said:

Who needs family? Just kidding.

Would you have taken it if you weren’t? Where is your cruise going? 

10 days to Mexico. I’m not sure if I would have been able to because we asked for the time off at our jobs. It could have worked. 

We are cruising on Thursday and I just received a move over offer. I never got that before. I guess they are definitely sold out. We are traveling with a family so we cannot take that offer.

I’m following. Are the fitness classes available yet? And if so can I take my husband’s class since he is definitely not interested in that. I am not sure if this is correct, but the guest service rep on Princess said I would get 10 percent off Enclave with my Elite. I am receiving conflicting information.

Again, @Cruise Raider 

and @HaveDogWillTravel I am so appreciative for your information.

Jessica 

Thank you so much. @Cruise Raider

I am curious if we met before. We’ve been on a lot of cruises. I’d love to meet you next week.

My husband and I have not been assigned our cabin yet. It’s a mini suite, Thank yiu for doing this. @HaveDogWillTravelthank you for drink menus. It looks like some of the plus is higher than $15. Good to know.

Also @Cruise Raideri see you were able to switch to coffee in mini bar. Isn’t specialty coffee already included?

We are bringing a first time cruiser with us.

Enjoy your trip.

Thank you. See you next Thursday. We got an email we will be in Cabo from 8 to 5. We are happy about that.

Jessica 

2 minutes ago, cjpj said:

Not likely in my experience. They claim the Enclave isn't part of the spa.

Thank you 

Oh no. We leave next Thursday on the Royal. Hope we won’t have to wait long. We are going to be dropped off at 1130. We have priority. Hopefully we won’t wait too long. 

I received the coupon for 10 percent off spa services. I am wondering if I can use it for the Enclave since that is part of the spa and is a service. I am also Elite so I think I get a discount.

Thank you so much.

Jessica 

We have t mobile. We were able to do wi fi calling.