Jules215

We only ever request tables for 2, but ended up with one of those tables where we were seated so close to the next table for 2 we might as well have been sitting together, ( which is a whole other topic )...Anyway, I wouldn't say we disliked them, but once they opened their mouth they never shut up and then kept finding us on the ship...Needless to say, that's put us off the main dining room ever since, although we have ventured back once or twice since with no issues...We like other people just fine, but we don't get away much and like hanging with each other better.

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I almost lost a child a few years ago, so can only imagine what you're going through.

I hope whatever decision you make, you find some peace.

 

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Thank-you...And I'm sorry to hear about your experience as well but glad it had a happier ending...We're doing quite well actually...Perhaps I've been in a Mother's Day funk...My husband thinks we should give it a go and since there are two of us I feel as if I owe it to him to try...It's only 4 days and I can do anything for 4 days for him...Sometimes after something like that you feel guilty for having fun or even thinking about it.

If you booked early savers rate there is no name changes allowed

 

 

I am guessing you do not have insurance?

As I just found out ( in regards to the ES )...I couldn't remember what rate I'd booked at.

And no, no insurance, but I've never purchased the "cancel for any reason" insurance before so wouldn't have thought to do so this time either.

I think we'll just wait and see how we feel about things at the end of the weekend...Maybe apply a "fake it til you make it" attitude...We'll see...I think the biggest thing I've learned is to never plan anything more than a week or two out ever again.

Thanks!!...Sounds like my idea will work...That's all I needed to know. :)

I'm going to call CS in the morning, just couldn't be asked this evening...I don't think there's any fee's, although maybe a small one for the name change...I've looked all over the website but can't seem to find the answer the answer to the question of what happens if the one original person on the booking just doesn't make it to the ship in time ( and only the new one on the booking does ).

We lost one of our children a couple of years ago and then 2 parents shortly after that and haven't had the time or inclination to travel since...Booked this at Xmas time when we were feeling more festive thinking we were ready to move forward a bit, but now that it's almost here I've been dreading it more than looking forward to it which tells me it's not time yet...Maybe we'll give it another day or two and see.

Yeah, I know...Who doesn't want to take a vacation? smh

My husband and I are suppose to be leaving on the Conquest in 11 days however I don't think either one of us is really feeling it right now...When my husband asked about either buying new luggage or getting the old out it hit me I didn't even want to pack and that's when I knew...Lol...We've booked airfare using miles so that would just be a wash but we're obviously past the time where we'd be able to receive any type of refund on the cruise itself which is just what it is.

That said, I hate to see it go to waste and I have a friend that might enjoy going and was wondering if I could switch a name out and they might be able to go in our place...I've been on the website and it appears one of us ( my husband or I ) would have to stay on the booking...But it doesn't say we necessarily have to show up...That's what I'm trying to clarify...Anybody have any idea's if my idea might work??...I haven't said anything to my friend as I don't want to disappoint if it won't fly...TIA.

We're on the Conquest Monday too!!...We almost pulled out on Friday because one of us is coming from the UK and didn't want to get stuck at an airport unable to get into FLL and miss the ship, etc...So glad we didn't cancel now.

And fingers double-crossed we are able to stop at HMC as I've reserved a cabana as a surprise for my friend. :)

We are suppose to be getting on as you're getting off on Monday the 31st so very interested in any updates they send your way, how your finding the weather conditions, etc.

Thanks for posting and enjoy your trip as much as possible under the circumstances.

Anyone know if the 31st 5 night sailing on the Conquest will be effected? Its leaving monday, so im hoping its after thr storm passes.

A friend and I are on that sailing with one of us coming from the UK on Sunday...Not dying to arrive in Philly only to find the flight to FLL has been grounded...Then trying to get on a flight when they resume to a probably shortened cruise...Worse case scenario of course, but UGH.

Lots of decisions to make...Hopefully there is a better feel for this whole thing by Fri/Sat.

My cruise is 74 days out and I was able to grab one tonight!!...Have been watching them since Feb. and they never appeared to be sold out...But, decided to go ahead and book now as we are getting closer.

Well this is disappointing...I clicked on the link thinking the band Journey was being discussed. Lol

Have enjoyed every 3 day cruise I've been on...Wouldn't exactly describe them as booze cruises, but definitely have a fun vibe.

I'm in the minority though in that I prefer shorter cruises ( although 4,5,6 days would be my preference)...I get antsy after that.

Just off Brilliance earlier today...We had a Jr Suite and it was in excellent condition, as was most of the ship, as far as I could tell.

I have somewhat mixed feelings about this cruise...The ship was very nice and as I said well maintained...The crew was attentive...The food "ok"...You certainly wouldn't go hungry though...Also, we only ate in the Windjammer and Park Cafe...( Our choice as we just aren't into long drawn-out dinners when on vacation anymore)...I was definitely underwhelmed by Park Cafe after all the positives I'd read about it though...Rita's??...We could never find it open.

I did buy a drink package, but bought it assuming that there would be waiters coming around the pool area during the day taking drink orders, but I never saw the first one...I'm usually on my own during the day around the pool and reluctant to leave my things to keep getting up to go get another drink, ( including soft drinks)...That was disappointing and slightly frustrating...The other frustration was the pool bars were closed by 9pm...We like sitting out around the pool at night and this past weekend was the beginning of "March Madness" which they did have on the big screen at the pool...But you couldn't get a drink without going to deck 5 or 6 after 9...And the games went on til midnight.

I had my 16yr old with me and this was a cruise for us to spend time together...But, the musicians and entertainment at night seemed good and people seemed to be enjoying themselves...There was definitely an older clientele on-board ( and I'm no kid)...I'd thought with it being the beginning of the Spring Break season there would be more young people and families.

I hadn't been on Royal for several years and have mainly been sailing Carnival because of the price/dates working out better for me so I was looking forward to sailing Royal again...That said, I can't say I came away feeling I've been missing out on a great deal.

I'm certainly not trying to put anyone off the Brilliance...It checked many of my boxes off just fine...But, for some of the things I enjoy about cruising it fell a little short...Not the ship itself or the crew...Just the general vibe of the cruise...This time anyway...Maybe another time I'd find it different.

We took a cab from the FLL port to the Intercontinental in Miami ( near the port) in early Dec. and it cost between $70-$80...Can't remember exactly...The shuttle would have been somewhat cheaper but we decided we didn't want the extra hassle of it all.

Much better than Miami where we waited an hour to get through customs because they only had 2 customs people working. :( I hope things haven't gone downhill recently.

Try 2hrs getting through customs this past Saturday coming off Freedom!!...We had a wonderful cruise but standing on your feet with luggage snaking through a line for over 2hrs waiting for TWO custom officials ( again ) was not a nice way to end it...Ridiculous in fact.

Taking my son, who'll be 16 by then, on a spring break cruise in March...We're going on our own ( no other friends/family) and while he has plenty of friends here at home he's not a "mixer", i.e. he's not going to walk into a room of other teens he doesn't know and make lifetime friends..If I didn't feel so badly leaving him at home over spring break I would. Lol

That said, when I asked him what he'd do during our time on the ship, he said, "Eat", "Sleep", and look for free internet connections. :rolleyes: But he said he was good with that, as long as we could get an early flight home when we get off...(At least T-mobile is now offering free text msg'ing now from almost anywhere)...He's fine with going, but not enthusiastic...Anyway, I could have booked the SS Minnow as far as he's concerned, so I did little to no research as to which ships might be more teen friendly because I knew in my case it wouldn't matter.

( Going to England early next summer...Now that he IS excited about)...Just indulging his mother on this one.

Thanks everyone!!...And thanks for giving me something to do this Sunday afternoon too. Lol

Thank-you.

And I guess the answer to your question is yes, but I'd like to end the trip on a nice note...We won't see each other very much over the next few months following.

Cruising out of FLL the first week of Dec...Will be staying over one evening ( Sat.) post-cruise and would like to find just the right place to have one last nice day of holiday to relax, but also would like to have at least a little bit of a romantic atmosphere as well...We have a busy 2015 in front of us and I'd just like to make this last night away special...Any ideas/suggestions??

Thanks!!

It will be a fun group, promise! :D

I'm counting on you!! Lol

Thanks for the info everyone...Very helpful!!

Thanks!!...So if you were standing on Lido and facing towards the buffet area, that would be facing forward right??!!...I think. Lol

Does anyone know where the designated smoking area's are on the Freedom please??...Especially outdoors...I'm trying to select a cabin as close to one as possible...( And I have done a search but can't find the question addressed specifically)...Thanks!!

Thanks!!...Will check it out. :)

I understand about the passenger mix, time of year, etc...We're going to go for it and with what we're paying will feel we've gotten a good deal regardless...I think what spoiled him was that his first cruise was over New Years!!...A little hard to duplicate that atmosphere in May or Sept...Or early December probably. Lol