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katmu

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  1. I can understand that Celebrity is looking at it from a perspective that on average, a cabin with a solo cruiser may have spend less total over the course of a cruise than a cabin with 2 adults but there are other factors. I tend to book more cruise line excursions when sailing solo than I do when sailing with friends or my family. I also tend to spend more money at the spa on things like massages or thermal suite passes, as my solo cruises can be time to relax. For me my biggest issue with Celebrity’s policy is that many solo cruisers don’t always cruise solo. I sometimes cruise solo, and sometimes cruise with friends or family. I am generally the planner of the trips with my friends and family, and I can tell you I will not be looking at Celebrity if they are not going to welcome my solo business as well.
  2. Have you checked out the mini-suites on Princess. My friend and I shared one on Sky Princess and found it spacious enough for 2 people. The website says for the newer ships that category is about 320 square feet. Sapphire Princess and Coral Princess, smaller ships, also shows 320 sq. feet.
  3. This does raise a good point about St. Maarten as I still have an issue there it seems. On the day the Eurodam docks in St. Maarten, there are 2 additional bigger ships in port that day so there will be over 10,000 people arriving. Any suggestions for a busy day? Eurodam arrives before the big RC ship so I may get off for a short bit and get back on the ship once things get busy. The good news is that for the moment anyway, the other ports don’t look to be as crowded. Even St. Thomas will have only a Crystal ship besides Eurodam on the day currently scheduled.
  4. I’m waiting for my TA to complete the booking on the Eurodam. For people who are saying the ports are better on the Eurodam, what is the opinion on St. Maarten? I’m most excited about St. Lucia and Antigua. Half Moon Cay looks more my speed than Perfect Day as well. I need to do more research on Dominica and St. Kitts.
  5. Hello- I am in my early 50s and will be cruising solo. I’m looking at Eastern and Southern Caribbean cruises in either late November or early December. Both of these lines would be new to me, although I am booked on a HAL cruise for next May with my family. I was looking at these 2 cruises for different reasons. The Royal cruise is a hosted singles cruise. I’m not particularly interested in dating but a cruise where I know there will be well-attended events for solos does appeal to me. I’m not as excited about the big ship, potential for lots of kids on board, and it’s obviously 7 days vs. 11 days. Price wise, the base fare of the 7 day on Symphony of the Seas is cheaper but once I add gratuities, internet, and the non-alcoholic drinks package, it really only saves about $200. HAL includes a full drinks package, 1 specialty dining, 2 shore excursions and $300 OBC though as well. The HAL itinerary appeals to me more, but I know HAL has cut back on some of their music onboard recently so that is a bit of a concern. I’ve been reading the Midwest thread on the HAL board that’s showing the daily events on the Eurodam currently, and I think there are enough events that interest me to keep me busy. I do want time to relax on the sea days as well. I’m hoping to hear from people who have sailed on either of these ships on adults only cruises, or people who can give me experience with both lines. I have been to Miami and Fort Lauderdale for previous cruises, but all of the ports on both of these cruises would be new to me. Symphony of the Seas Day Port Day 1 Miami, FL 4:00pm Day 2 CocoCay, Bahamas 7:00am 5:00pm Day 3 At Sea Day 4 San Juan, Puerto Rico 10:30am 6:00pm Day 5 St. Maarten 8:00am 6:00pm Day 6At Sea Day 7At Sea Day 8 Miami, FL 6:00am Eurodam Day Port Day 1 Fort Lauderdale, FL 3:00pm Day 2 At Sea Day 3 At Sea Day 4 St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands 9:00am 6:00pm Day 5 St. Kitts 8:00am 5:00pm Day 6 Roseau, Dominica 8:00am 5:00pm Day 7 St. Lucia 7:00am 5:00pm Day 8 Antigua 8:00am 6:00pm Day 9 St. Maarten 7:00am 3:00pm Day 10 At Sea Day 11 Half Moon Cay, Bahamas 8:00am 3:00pm Day 12 Fort Lauderdale, FL 7:00am
  6. I’m looking to book a Signature suite for my sons and myself so being able to use the shower at the gym would be a plus.
  7. Sorry if this has been asked before but I searched and I couldn’t find a clear answer. On the deck plans, it shows that there are bathrooms near the gyms but are there showers there as well? Or do we need to purchase the spa pass to gain access to the showers?
  8. There wasn’t a lot of detail in that thread as to why Nieuw Amsterdam was recommended. Hence, why I started a new thread.
  9. I read that thread. I’ve ruled out the Noordam as it doesn’t have Tamarind and BB King which would be 2 things that would make me lean towards HAL.
  10. I am trying to decide between these 3 ships for a cruise for 2025 for my adult sons and myself for sometime between the very end of May and the end of June. The southbound itineraries on the 3 ships are very similar as all leave from Whittier, visit Hubbard Glacier, Glacier Bay NP, Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, and sail the inside passage before arriving in Vancouver. I’m leaning towards booking cruise only and planning the land portion of our trip as a DIY but I’m still trying to decide on that. Between Nieuw Amsterdam, Coral Princess and Sapphire Princess is their a clear favorite? TIA.
  11. The boys sadly inherited their height from their parents and not from some of the taller relatives in the family. The taller one is only 5’9” so I think we could make it work. I’m leaning towards going with the Signature. Thank you.
  12. I’m looking at a cruise for myself and my 2 sons for next year, and considering going with a signature suite vs. 2 verandah cabins. The issue is that someone would have to sleep on the sofa bed if we go with the signature suite. I tried doing a search but the results mainly were talking about the pullout beds in the verandahs. The extra bed in the signature looks to be a different style. The cruise I’m looking at would be on the Nieuw Amsterdam. TIA.
  13. Princess two newest ships coming in 2024 and 2025 will be adding some ropes course, climbing wall features. It will be a smaller area than on Royal ships. Those 2 ships will be sailing 9 and 10 Med cruises on some dates when kids would be in school. Otherwise, I agree with the others that maybe Virgin Voyages or Celebrity would be worth a look.
  14. Hi all- I too have been doing a bit of cruise planning over the last couple of weeks as I was off work last week having knee surgery. I have our itinerary finalized so I’m finishing up the hotel bookings, and trying to decide on the last couple of excursions. The time off was nice as I could revisit my planning to see if I missed anything. I’m feeling pretty good overall. I will be packing carry-on only with a carry on travel backpack and underseat bag. My younger son will probably pack carry on only too. My mom and my older son tend to pack a checked bag so I think we’ll still be ok for space in the SUV I rented. I’m planning on gifting son #1 a jacket for the trip but otherwise we should be set as our weather here, and past National park trips should have us all set. I usually pack OTC meds, but will make especially sure for Alaska. I’m also going to need my refillable ice pack for my knee. It should be much better by next summer as long as I don’t overdo it with any steep hiking trails. I have travel sizes of bug wipes I use for our state bird (mosquitoes) that I usually keep for trips up north so I’ll bring those too.
  15. Are you definitely wanting to stay with RC, or are you willing to look at other lines? For a multi-generational trip with the ages of your group RC could work, but I would also maybe look at Celebrity and Princess. Both Celebrity and Princess both offer Southern Caribbean itineraries out of FLL. Most Southern Caribbean itineraries from FLL or Miami are going to have either 3 or 4 sea days if you are doing a 10 day cruise.
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