jmf123

Does anyone know if there are safe deposit boxes on Brilliance of the Seas? If so, is there a cost? Thank you!

I thought there are safe deposit boxes on RCI, and they are available. This is from the website's FAQs:

Guests are encouraged to secure valuables either in their stateroom safe, or in a safety deposit box available at the Guest Relations Desk. Guest stateroom security is a shared responsibility.

Just want to add that if you plan to use the room safe, the tip of placing all of your items in a plastic bag is a good one. Many people inadvertently leave items behind in the safe. There is a lip that causes smaller items to be missed.

Celiac Cruiser, I suggest checking out the Viking Ocean forum for discussion on many topics you may find interesting, with regard to your upcoming cruise.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=875. As mentioned, the air carriers and schedules fluctuate, although I'm sure you are just attempting to get an idea of what may be offered. For examples, you can go to Google Flight and see SAS, KLM, Swiss, etc. with one stop itineraries. If Viking Air allows you to customize your flights, you'll have an opportunity to request what works for you.

Sounds like a lovely itinerary, enjoy! :)

2ferfun, check out the Roll Call for your sailing here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2354862. Enjoy your first Royal Caribbean cruise! :)

figmentslf, have your request for the twin bed configuration noted on your reservation. If you don't have twin beds upon your arrival, just speak with your cabin steward to get your preference. :)

According to a post with picture from 2010 the balcony pic shows an obstruction view with a smaller balcony. Posted by (robtulipe on Nov 9, 2010) on cruise critic!!!

 

 

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This post has photos of 8008, which is a mirror image of 8508: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1306784&highlight=pictures+of+deck+7+balcony+on+radiance&page=2. The balcony isn't smaller, but its view is blocked by the ship's superstructure.

A search on the Bermuda Ports of Call forum has only a couple of threads from more than a few years ago, with regard to 'glow worms': http://boards.cruisecritic.com/search.php?searchid=91773199. You could post your question there. Also, check out Tripadvisor. There is a review titled "Private Boat Cruise" posted two weeks ago that mentions seeing glow worms. The review was on Double Play Charters- Day Tour, looks like a nice boat.

Is there a particular cabin that you are considering, Judi? We had a mid-ship balcony on Deck 7 on the Serenade. The 'obstruction' you're referring to is likely the lifeboat cover. This thread will illustrate that, providing quite a few photos of Deck 7 on Radiance class: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=47574475#post47574475. It should help you choose a Deck 7 location, although on Radiance class a higher deck is preferred- if available. Also, have you considered the aft (fantail) of the ship? Category D1 #9256 is the most popular balcony, without booking a suite. ;)

I could toss a coin for the decision, but would likely choose the Celebrity itinerary for a few reasons. I prefer a smaller ship than Anthem, and would love a 12 nt. Celebrity coastal cruise at that time of year on the West Coast. British Columbia, followed by west coast ports, including an overnight in San Francisco would be wonderful. As mentioned, this is a 'rare' sailing for Celebrity. (I wish I had booked the Century's West Coast wine cruise when it was available).

The Canada/New England cruise is spectacular, I did a similar itinerary on Princess out of NYC. Loved it, but feel that that itinerary is a bit more relaxed and could be one of those experienced 'later in life'. ;) You can also find that route every year on a variety of nice ships- including the ports of Quebec and Montreal on the longer itineraries. I think I'd prefer to sail out of NYC or Boston, rather than Bayonne. And on a smaller ship than the Anthem. Perhaps HAL, Princess, Celebrity, (or the Serenade if a 7 nighter). Please let us know what you decide, and enjoy your cruise!

You may want to check the Curacao cruise forum for sailing threads (you can do a Search there or post your question): http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=81, or read Tripadvisor reviews. I have enjoyed catamaran excursions, but haven't experienced one in lovely Curacao. :)

We alternate between balcony cabins and inside cabins depending on itinerary and other factors. I'm more than happy with an inside cabin and we're just about to do our third long (17+ nights) in one. We're only ever in our cabin to sleep, shower and change for dinner.

 

As others have said, there is often light leakage around the cabin door. I use a book light when I want to use the bathroom in the middle of the night, it's so low-powered it doesn't wake me up to much. The battery-powered tea-light is also a good idea except they flicker which annoys me.

We take a couple of battery-operated candles (from Target, etc.) and place one on the coffee table and also in the bathroom. They don't flicker, and add nice atmosphere and safety at night. Good for interior and balcony staterooms. :)

I loved Sitka on our HAL cruise! We booked a jetboat tour and saw lots of wildlife- whales, sea otters, bald eagles up in the trees, it was wonderful! The boat had an enclosed lower deck with large windows, and an open upper deck. Hot chocolate and tea were served. Afterward, we enjoyed walking through the town (Lincoln St.?) and stopped into The Chocolate Moose among other places. I would love to go back someday. Never been to Icy Strait Point, but it does have the world's longest ziprider: http://icystraitpoint.com/tour/worlds-largest-ziprider-and-scenic-mountain-ascent/.

Scott, you may find someone by posting on the July 30th Roll Call here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2185165

estersyskrot, check out the British Isles/Western Europe Ports of Call forum (you can post your question and/or do a Search): http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=233. Also see your particular ports on TripAdvisor for golf and other excursion ideas. Friends of mine just completed a similar itinerary last month, on the Celebrity Silhouette- but they don't golf! Have a great cruise! :)

Booking the 5 day Independence, coupled with a two night pre-hotel stay sounds perfect. (I am ready to head home on the last day of a cruise, personally). I know you and your DW have already cruised on the IOS, but it will be your boys' first cruise and you will have a blast seeing it through their fresh eyes, (and save $ over the Anthem).

Relax in warm, sunny Ft. Lauderdale for a few days. Explore Las Olas Blvd. (shops, restaurants, galleries https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g34227-d116458-Reviews-Las_Olas_Boulevard-Fort_Lauderdale_Broward_County_Florida.html),

take the Water Taxi, etc. On sailing day you can have a leisurely breakfast, and then be one of the first people to board. :)

I would (quickly) book the two connecting Interior staterooms- for the reasons provided by Merion_Mom, as well as to have the use of two bathrooms for the four of you. I suggest bringing along a few battery-operated candles for the tables and bathroom, for safety at night. Enjoy your family cruise! :)

Z_3lazT6, how nice to be treating your family to a Celebrity cruise! Not knowing when you wish to travel, nor your stateroom category, etc., I can say that rates will vary- depending on length of cruise, itinerary, sailing date, stateroom category, etc. Just to give you a ballpark idea, I obtained a quote (on Celebrity's website) for a 7 nt. Reflection, eastern Caribbean itinerary, r.t. from Miami, in a Verandah (Deck 9, not a gty), departing December 10, 2016. (I selected prepaid tips for two, and $150 pp on board credit).

$1,439.00 for 1 & 2

549.00 for 3rd

97.66 per person taxes & fees

$3,719.98 total for 3

Based on that, your grandson (as the third person), would total $646.66

A second quote on the Reflection (7 nt. western Caribbean, r.t. from Miami, Verandah category 2C, including the perks on the 12/10/16 sailing would be $1,479.00 1 & 2, and $699.00 for passenger 3, plus $137.00 p.p. taxes & fees. Grandson would be $836.00 total.

Of course, add in airfare, shore excursions, etc. to the cruise, taxes & fees cost. Feel free to obtain a quote on the Celebrity website for the exact cruise you are looking for. Enjoy your family cruise! :)

The lawn intrigues me - where are the caged birds? On the Oasis I really liked Central Park because there were live plants and trees, chirping birds - so I think I'll enjoy this.

I had only read about the 'caged birds' (and assumed they were real), so I did a search tonight and came across this post, lol:

 

Next to Bistro on 5 is an art installation that always brings a smile- the video birds in their cages.

 

nineteen2, cabin 5039 shows as a standard Interior on the Koningsdam. You can read about the ship's cabins on this CC Koningsdam Review (I clicked on 'Cabins'): http://www.cruisecritic.com/reviews/review.cfm?ShipID=986&pgtype=cabins. Veranda Suites have the same features as a Verandah cabin, plus a whirlpool bath. Enjoy this new ship! :)

2calgarycruisers, I recently searched for Silhouette tips for friends and found these:

*Have a sailaway drink at the beautiful Sunset Bar (Deck 15).

*Enjoy the Martini Bar.

*Enjoy the caged birds.

*Check out the Lawn Club Grill for a great filet, lamb chops.

*Have a picnic on the lawn, feel the grass in your toes at sea!

*The Passport Bar is a good spot for a before dinner cocktail (not busy like the Martini Bar, if you'd like some quiet for a change). It's the least visited bar on the ship.

*Rather than the Oceanview Cafe, try the burgers/hotdogs at Mast Grill (Deck 12).

Royal Caribbean Diamond status provides Elite status on Celebrity.

Unfortunately, the Anthem is one of the ships that doesn't offer the birthday package. Regarding decorations, some people bring their own on board, which will cost less. You can order a birthday cake, flowers, chocolate-covered strawberries, wine, etc. for delivery. Give Gifts & Gear a call if you have questions, or to place your order. (800) 722-5443. :)

We like My Time because of the flexibility it gives us. On a cruise, sometimes we're in the mood for a large table, sometimes for just a table for two. We usually get what we want on any given night.

 

If we request a large table and out tablemates are bad news - we don't have to sit with them the next night.

 

Tables for two tend to be lined up in a row with maybe a foot between each table. It's easy to visit with the folks at an adjacent table if we want to, but we're not obligated to. Best of all worlds.

We had MTD last time, with a table for two. As you mentioned, it's easy to visit with the folks at an adjacent table. We chatted with the couple at the 2 top next to us during the first two evenings, and then they invited us to share a table- which we enjoyed for the rest of the week. He seemed to know the staff quite well, ever seen anyone order caramel apples on sticks?! :)

We enjoyed our float trip on the Mendenhall River (Juneau), whale watching excursion (Juneau), a jetboat tour from Skagway, a walking tour on our own of Ketchikan, the White Pass Railway train...but if I had to name a #1 it would be our helicopter tour from Juneau, getting out and walking on Mendenhall Glacier. Awesome and worth every penny! As mentioned, see the Alaska Ports of Call forum- and Tripadvisor too!

Thank you for this thread, shipsealand, Hubbard Glacier was amazing to see so close (we were on the Serenade). While I think a lot of people feel they 'need' to book an itinerary to see Glacier Bay, I can say that I enjoyed both. Hubbard is awesome- like AussieVisi2r illustrates with her beautiful photos in the post above. :)

Not sure what ship you're sailing on, but we enjoyed seeing Santa on skates in Studio B, on our Voyager cruise! :D

daveispar, not on the Grand, but friends of my parents had an aft Oceanview on the Dawn Princess that had a large window. I recall seeing a photo of their friend sitting at the window, in stateroom D740 (Dolphin deck). It's been a long time, but it appeared to look like a window seat. :confused: Impressive for an Oceanview anyway!