katmu

How many gala nights are there generally on a 14 night cruise?

I decided to split the difference between the interior and the balcony, and go with one of the forward ocean views on deck 4 that have floor to ceiling windows .  I would have been perfectly happy with the size and location of the solo cabin but there is a possibility that a friend may join me on this cruise.  

Hello-

I also posted my question in the Northern Europe section.  I’m looking to book the 14 night Voyage of the Midnight Sun on the Nieuw Statendam on 5/14/23 and will be solo.  These are the cabins I’m considering:

1. Large Inside stateroom midship, mid-deck.
2. Single Oceanview, low deck, forward.  I like the layout but the low deck concerns me.  I’m not worried about being forward as much.
3. Std Verandah or Aft Verandah.  These would start to eat into the excursion budget however.

I’m trying to decide if the verandah is worth the extra expense or if I’m likely going to want to be viewing the fjords from one of the main decks anyway. It’s a pretty big jump in price as a solo traveler.  Thank you.

I think I have finally settled on a cruise for next summer now that my friend has backed out on the original plan to do a Med cruise.  I’m actually a bit relieved as I would prefer Norway.  I’ve decided on the 14 night Voyage of the Midnight Sun on the Nieuw Statendam leaving from Rotterdam May 14, 2023.  Since I will be solo and will be paying the supplement the cost of the cabin is a bit of a concern.  The options I’m looking at are:

1. Large Inside stateroom midship, mid-deck.
2. Single Oceanview, low deck, forward.  I like the layout but the low deck concerns me.  I’m not worried about being forward as much.
3. Std Verandah or Aft Verandah.  These would start to eat into the excursion budget however.

Is it worth the extra for the balcony for Norway? Would I be better to save the money on the cabin as I’ll want to be up on one of the main decks for viewing?

Thank you.

I think we will try to stay with the end of May. If we stay with the 9 night, I think we would stay in Italy through the weekend as it’s Memorial Day in the US so we’ll be using 1 less vacation day.

 I did also send my friend the 10 day Reflection as one of the options as well.  It’s a little more Greece focused, but it may be a bit more relaxing.  I only wish that Athens was an overnight.

Thank you all for the helpful replies. My TA is holding a Deluxe Veranda for me while we decide for sure if that’s our final choice.  

I definitely need to stop looking at cruises though, as tonight I spotted a 10 night on Oceania that also looks interesting from Barcelona to Istanbul.  It’s not until 11/19/23 though.  I do like traveling in Europe at that time of year as it still feels warm to us Minnesotans, and the smaller crowds are nice.

Hello Celebrity Cruisers-

My friend and I are trying to plan a girls trip to Europe for 2023.  We have settled on a Mediterranean cruise between 7-10 days, and prefer a one-way itinerary and will do both pre and post cruise stays.  I have been to Europe on land vacations several times but my friend has never been to Europe before.  I am encouraging her that a closer to 9 or 10 days would be better than a 7 day given how long the flights are to Europe.  Our first cruise together was on the Sky Princess in 2019 to the Caribbean in a mini-suite, so we would like a roughly comparable cruise experience.  We may need to go with a balcony this time around.  The cruise that so far seems to fit our needs best is a 9 day Celebrity cruise on the Reflection leaving May 13 from Barcelona and arriving in Rome (Civitavecchia), with stops in Marseille,  Villefrance, Santa Margherita, an overnight stop in La Spezia, Messina and Naples.  These are my questions that I am hoping some experienced Celebrity cruises can answer:

1. With the overnight stop in La Spezia, if we wanted to spend the night in Florence would that be allowed?  
2. Is the Solarium pool generally pretty warm?  I do pool therapy at home, so I would like to do a session or two on the ship.
3. I’ve been looking at the Deluxe Veranda rooms on Deck 8 aft, like 8345 that seem to be a bit larger with a larger balcony?  I found some photos of the balconies but I’m trying to gauge where the extra space in the room might be.

Thank you.

I also have a cruise booked to Princess Cays and have limited mobility, so I have the same question.  I found some videos on YouTube that show there are side walks that lead from the dock to the main beach areas, and also to where lunch is served.  One also showed a few beach wheelchairs available.  You would need to be able to board the tender boat. Hopefully, someone who has been recently can provide a few more details.

YouTube Princess Cays Video

Does anyone have an opinion on the Promenade or Central Park view staterooms on HOTS vs. the Interior with virtual Balcony?  On some of the dates I’m looking at those “interior” with the window are considerably cheaper than the Interior with Virtual Balcony, and even cheaper than the Solo Oceanview.  I know there’s no oceanview but the itinerary only has 1 sea day and pretty long port times on most of the other days so I don’t think I’ll be in the room as much as I might be on a Caribbean sailing.

There are definitely some bad reviews on the Spirit, especially that cruise from Dubai right after it’s overhaul when Covid hit.  It sounds like NCL did not do a good job of communicating what was going on.

So I’m wondering if I should either stick with my original itinerary on Enchanted Princess but move to the Sept 4 sailing, or look for one of the sailings on the HOTS for around that same week.  Princess ends up being a little more but it includes drinks, gratuities and Wi-Fi.   I would be looking at an inside for sure on Princess and at least the interior with virtual balcony on HOTS.

NCL does offer similar itineraries on the Spirit in August and September, some are 9 days instead of 10 and they add Dubrovnik and Koper in place of the 2 Greek ports and Catania.  If I really wanted to push the dates out, there are similar itineraries again but on the Sky in the Spring of 2022.

HOTS offers that same #2 itinerary through October, although the mock bookings I did don’t seem to have the lower single supplement starting later in the summer so the 7 night, even in an inside, ends up being more than the 9 or 10 night NCL.

1 hour ago, Mapleleafforever said:

Just keep in mind that Europe isn't very scooter friendly. To each one's own but I won't consider going back to Europe until 2022 at the earliest. While I love Oasis class in the Caribbean I feel that it's just way too big for Europe. We did a Med cruise on Brilliance and it's the perfect size for it IMO. 

 

All those things considered though and if I have to pick one I would go with option 2 without hesitation. Barcelona is an awesome city and there's so much to see and do.....and  eat. And I feel like that itinerary is the best. One piece of advice, always book a private car/tour or post on the roll call and get a small group together (8-12) because you will always be there before the ship's tours do and with 6000 passengers that's gonna be pretty important. There are tour companies who operate in all the cities in Italy so you can get a package deal. 

 I would most likely save the scooter for use on the ship.  I do think you're right about booking a private car/tour as even on Sky Princess last year we noticed that our private tours were 1/2 through some of the sites before the ship's tours arrived.  The only itinerary from Royal that will work for me next year on a smaller ship is a 12 night on the Vision.  There is a 10 day on the NCL Spirit that could work also from Venice to Barcelona, but it has no sea days at all.  I would likely need to keep the visits to maybe Corfu or Argosoli and possibly Monte Carlo short.   I do like the idea of debarking from one port and ending in another.

10-Day Mediterranean from Venice to Barcelona: Italy, Greece & Croatia
Date    Cruise Ports    Arrive    Depart
Tue, May 25, 2021    Venice, Italy (EMBARK)    ---    5:00 pm
Wed, May 26, 2021    Split, Croatia    7:00 am    5:00 pm
Thu, May 27, 2021    Kotor, Montenegro    7:00 am    5:00 pm
Fri, May 28, 2021    Corfu, Greece    7:00 am    6:00 pm
Sat, May 29, 2021    Argostoli, Kefalonia, Greece    7:00 am    6:00 pm
Sun, May 30, 2021    Catania, Italy    7:00 am    6:00 pm
Mon, May 31, 2021    Sorrento (Capri), Italy    7:00 am    6:00 pm
Tue, Jun 01, 2021    Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy    7:00 am    6:00 pm
Wed, Jun 02, 2021    La Spezia, Italy    7:00 am    6:00 pm
Thu, Jun 03, 2021    Monte Carlo, Monaco    7:00 am    12:30 pm
Fri, Jun 04, 2021    Barcelona, Spain (DISEMBARK)    5:00 am    ---

3 minutes ago, Ashland said:

Only you can decide if you want to "foot the entire" trip.

Personally I would rebook for 2022.

Sorry I should have specified.  The 2021 cruise would be in addition to rebooking the Princess one for 2022.

So a friend and I are currently booked in an obstructed view deluxe balcony on the newest Princess ship, Enchanted Princess for the 5/1 sailing out of Athens to Barcelona.  My friend's daughter has been out of work due to Covid, and so far has had issues collecting unemployment so he's been supporting her and doesn't think he can afford his portion of our remaining balance.  So I'm trying to decide if I foot the entire bill myself or look for a less expensive cruise for myself for 2021 (or maybe even a land vacation?) and then rebook our Princess cruise for 2022 when my friend should be able to go.

I'm asking this on the RC forum as the 3 cruises I'm most interested in are all Royal cruises on either the Anthem or Harmony.  I've only cruised on Carnival many years ago and then Princess.  The 7 night Norwegian Fjords on the AOTS is the least expensive but I'm a little concerned how many of the excursions I would be able to enjoy.  Hiking is out for me as I have a knee issue due to an accident in 2018.  I can walk for up to 10,000 steps per day (about 5 miles) maximum before I get swelling issues.  I cruised last December in the Caribbean and was able to get around fine including a tour of Mayan ruins, so I'm thinking I can manage ok if I pace myself.  I could potentially look into renting a small scooter as well.

The details on the 3 RC cruises I'm looking at are below.  Which one would RC regulars recommend?

7 nt Norwegian Fjords on Anthem.  I would book a solo balcony.  This is the most affordable balcony by $275.
Day - Port
1 - Southampton , England Embark 5:00 PM
2 - Cruising
3 - Bergen , Norway Docked 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
4 - Geiranger , Norway Docked 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
5 - Alesund , Norway Docked 6:00 AM - 4:00 PM
6 - Kristiansand , Norway Docked 1:00 PM - 7:30 PM
7 - Cruising
8 - Southampton , England Debark 5:30 AM.  I would stay on in London a few days.

7 nt Western Mediterrean on HOTS 5/16/21.  There are solo oceanview cabins available, but I'm wondering if I would be better to upgrade to the std balcony for $363 more or look at a interior with virtual balcony or std oceanview?

Day - Port
1 - Barcelona , Spain Embark 6:00 PM; I've never been to Barcelona so I would plan to stay a few days post cruise.
2 - Palma de Mallorca , Spain Docked 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
3 - Provence (Marseilles) , France Docked 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
4 - Florence/Pisa (La Spezia) , Italy Docked 8:30 AM - 8:30 PM; I've never been to Florence so this excites me.
5 - Rome (Civitavecchia) , Italy Docked 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM ; I've spent a week in Rome before and loved it so I wouldn't mind going back for a day.
6 - Naples (Capri) , Italy Docked 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM; I've never been and really want to see either Pompeii or Herculaneum and the archeological museum in Naples.
7 - Sea Day
8 - Barcelona , Spain Debark 5:00 AM

7 nt France & Spain on AOTS 5/28/21.  I would book a solo balcony.  It's slightly more expensive than the std balcony for 7 nights on the Western Med HOTS above.

Day - Port
1 - Southampton , England Embark 5:00 PM
2  - Cruising
3 - Bordeaux (La Rochelle) , France Docked 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
4 - Bilbao , Spain Docked 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM; I would love to see San Sebastian.
5 - La Coruna , Spain Docked 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM; I would look for an excursion to Santiago de Compostela.
6 - Cruising
7 - Paris/Normandy (Le Havre) , France Docked 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM; I would love to do a D-Day tour.  I've been to Paris 2X before.
8 - Southampton , England Debark 5:30 AM; I would stay on in London a few days.

284 days.  A Med cruise on the Enchanted Princess that was booked pre-Covid.  Not sure how likely it's looking at the moment.

Thank you notamermaid.  That actually helps.  The cruise I'm looking at leaves from Vilshofen the middle of the month so I feel a little better about it.  I know that obviously it's too early to predict but that's why I purchase trip insurance, and I'm a go with the flow (pun??) type anyway.

katmu

Hi- I'm looking to book my 1st river cruise on Ama on the Danube in November 2020.  I'm wondering if some times of the year are better or worse for high/low water issues?  Due to a large project at work, I'm somewhat limited when I can take a longer trip this year so that's partly why I'm looking at later in the year.

Hi, I'm also a ocean cruiser looking to do my first river cruise with Ama this coming November on the Danube.  Are certain times of the year more likely to have water issues than others?  We have a large project at work this year so I have several months, including a good part of the summer when I can take an extended trip so that's why I'm looking at November plus I tend to like visiting Europe during the low season.  I'm ok with the cooler temps as I'm from Minnesota.

1 hour ago, slidergirl said:

As one who gets to schlep all the bags that my guests bring at my new "condo hotel", I am becoming more and more cognizant of two things: people pack WAAAAY too much stuff and I HATE 4-wheel spinner bags!!!!   Worst to date: 3 families arrive within 30 minutes of each other, each Mom, Dad and 2 or 3 kids.  EACH PERSON had a large 4-wheeler hard-shell, hard-shell carryons, daypacks and 1 family had 4 huge ski/snowboard bags.  I swear each of those 4-wheelers weighed over 70 lbs - I couldn't lift with one arm.   Had to bring in 1 4-wheeler at a time since they were so big and heavy and needed 2 hands to make it roll and keep it from rolling down the hill.  When trying to put those bags on the  bell cart, there was no "unwheeled" end to use to put on the cart, so they kept catching the edge or slipping across the cart.  Ugh.  I swear - the one family must have paid the equivalent of an extra plane ticket in fees for the overweight bags!!!    Ever try to push or pull a bell cart filled with at least 400lb of luggage???  Over carpeted hallways???  Over door thresholds???   

 

Please, pack only what you can handle!!!   

 

Off soapbox.

 

It seems that everyone usually takes more than they needed for a trip.  Packing for Europe vs the Caribbean is different, but shouldn't be intimidating.  I found that what I usually wore at home everyday was what I should take to Europe.  No "vacation" or "cruise" clothes.  I'm not a tank top/shoulderless top person, so my arms are always respectfully covered.  I'm not a shorts person unless at a beach or desert resort, never in a metropolitan area, so I'm in pants or a dress that hits my knees.  I abhor capris, so they never get bought by me.  I have not been uncomfortable or overly hot ever, even in the over 100 heat in Egypt.   You can take your basic wardrobe and style it up with accessories.  Use your basics as your "palette" and go from there.  Save some space for picking up great scarves/earrings in port - every time you wear them at home, you'll be reminded of your excellent cruise!!!

As someone with a bit of a mobility issue now, believe me I'm aware of how heavy my bags are.  On that last cruise where I packed what I thought was a lot for me my 1 bag on the way there totaled 35 lbs. and 36 lbs on the way back.  I can't imagine trying to manage a 70 lb bag plus a 2nd roller bag.  I'm hoping to go back to a carry-on size for the Mediterranean cruise plus an underseat size backpack.

I have not stayed at the Hotel Bucintoro as my son and I were booked to stay there 2 weeks after I had a bad accident and fractured my leg really badly so we had to cancel our trip to Italy.  Of all of the hotels that we had to cancel, the Hotel Bucintoro was the best.  They gave us the option to rebook at a later date and use the amount we had already paid towards a new reservation.  Some of the others did not.  Very nice people.

I’m planning to wear either dresses than cover my shoulders and are at least slightly below knee length or Capri pants if not full length pants.  The weather in early May won’t be quite as hot as if I was sailing in July or August.

i also discovered unfortunately on my last cruise that some people tend to stare at the scars and lympadema wrap I have to wear on my right leg so I may want to keep my leg covered.

These were a couple of the specific bar menus.  Of course, I forgot to capture which ones along with the pictures but I hope these help a bit.

I have these of the main bar menu off our Western Caribbean from 12/7.

20 minutes ago, mthomp5 said:

Thank you! We like to do that one too.  Some of the Royal class ships had another one in addition to the one in the dining room.  It was called the Royal Afternoon Tea.  These were a couple of things I liked from it - the berries and cream and the Queen of Puddings.

Those treats look delicious.

2 hours ago, mthomp5 said:

Thank you very much for checking!  The wine tasting sounds fun!  We enjoy those as well.  

My patters said there was afternoon tea service in the dining room but we did not attend.