#1cruiseaholic

Carambola Beach club is great. If you like to snorkel you can walk in and snorkel. At the far right are some rocks. We snorkeled on the other side and saw great fish, turtles and a ray.

 

Nice clean bathrooms and showers.

 

We were recently there and I don't recall chairs and umbrellas being free.

We were just at Carambola and two chairs and umbrella cost $30.00.

No. I have sailed Grandeur 3 times since 1/2/18. Each time there has been an overflow lounge in the South Pacific. I think Grandeur handles overflow very well in both the

DL and CL. Katherine

So glad to hear that about Grandeur. We like that ship. Just wish Serenade would duplicate the overflow for the lounge like Grandeur. Last year we had a great time with old friends, but last month we stood in line and took drinks into the other lounge.

We were told it was a corporate decision. Food and Bev also said it empties out after early dinner, but for some reason he did not go with me at 6 to actually see the situation. lol

After almost 30 cruises, we are on our first really rocky cruise. We are stuck in a low pressure area, and it seems to be following us. We were supposed to have 2 sea days to Antigua, but today the Captain announced we are skipping Antigua, and slowing down. We will call at our next scheduled port of Barbados on time.

 

At least no rain just mostly cloudy, with brief periods of sunshine. Very windy everywhere.

Not trying to hijack your post, but we are currently on Serenade. Totally agree with you and the rocky seas. Have done many cruises this ship has been rocking for days. Suppose to be in St Thomas tomorrow. We will see.

Ok, but the only question I would have is your baby brother only going immediately when it opens? Then they are almost always packed because all sittings and MTD are trying to use the lounge. My experience is if the lounges opens at 4:30 or 5 or whatever time, it is always busy, and if we go then we stand in the lounge and then about 45 minutes later people start to leave and you snag a place. The Liberty and Independence and other freedom and explorer class ships have a great DL, unfortunately it is small, but when first seating happens generally it is perfect the rest of the evening. That could be the case and why they are not opening over-flow lounges.

 

I guess moral to the story if you want a drink in the DL before dinner don't book early dining.

 

JC

We don't go to the lounge until 6 since we have late dinner. Totally packed. We enjoy socializing with old and new friends. Too bad it always comes down to money. I have heard that when it was the presidents cruise overflow areas were open. What a surprise!

On Serenade now. No overflow for diamond lounge. Too crowded in both lounges.

I truly hope that noro is gone from Grandeur. The crew seemed to be working overtime last week.

Thanks for the feedback. I understand that we are doing two extra days, but this was due to a royal mechanical problem and not weather related. There were things planned when we got home that now we can not attend. I would not expect any monetary enumeration but since these were indeed two days that I sailed felt that two points was fair.

On the Grandeur and still doing well. Do any of the seasoned cruisers know if we would get two extra points for this cruise toward our nextlevel?

I signed up for that tour later this month. So while I can't give first hand experience, I will say that it is highly rated on trip advisor and you can cut out the middle man (RC) and book directly through the tour company. With coupon code we paid $79 per adult, RC was charging $109 per adult in the cruise planner.

Would you share where you found the coupon for the tour?

Thanks

Serenade is in dry-dock and due to return to service this Monday, 11/13. So, the revolving bar may be working again. I am booked on the 11/13 cruise so I will know soon.

We have been on Serenade three times and never heard of a revolving bar. Which bar is it? After lounge time and chocolate martinis, things might spin a little but never experienced the revolving bar.

Thanks. I didn't see any mention of a Park Café on Serenade's Deck Plans. I'm glad to know there is one.

Just got off Serenade on Monday and had beef sandwiches three days at Park cafe in Solarium. It went to dry dock right after our cruise so keep your fingers crossed that they keep the sandwiches just as they are.

My goodness I learn so much on cruise critic!!! I have never even heard of these. Are they only on Allure and Oasis?

We are trying to do our homework and with three cruises coming up starting in October looking at Geo blue annual policy. Found some reviews but most have not actually used the policy. I thank God that hopefully will not need it and help with peace of mind, but it is hard to make an informed decision without knowing how they settle claims. Has anyone actually used their policy and were you satisfied with how things were handled?

We just boarded the Grandeur and the Diamond Concierge is Rahul Barua. The Suite Concierge (the title on our benefits sheet) is a Carlington Berry.

Have a great cruise. Please say hi to everyone for us. Looking forward to seeing you all in January. We have a Boston repo cruise in October so we will just have to be patient. Needless to say, it is very, very hard for Cindy to be patient.:D

Totally enjoying all of your pictures. Got to ask.....what camera are you using? They are just so sharp.

Chocolate Martinis!! The best!!

I will second that and raise you one. Especially on Serenade!!!!:)

Hi! We received our 350 block yesterday. I did speak with Claudia the Loyalty Ambassador early this week.

Lunch for 340 and higher points was in the dining room and was very good.

So we're half way to Pinnacle.

 

Safe seas and tranquil waters.

Chris and Carl

 

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Congrats for receiving your 350 block. Carl and I are still a little bit of a distance to even receive our first block. To be honest, I only heard about them within this past year. Who says ignorance isn't bliss?

Cindy

Would like to book spring of 2018 TA. Based on people who booked last year, do you happen to remember what the Transatlantics were grouped with? Perhaps European cruises? Any info will be helpful. At this age I sometimes don't remember clearly what I did last week let alone when cruise itineraries were introduced from last year.

Great news! I sure wish the Windjammer on the Grandeur would show a good improvement. Lately it has really been bad. We will be back on it in May and will see.

Carol,

Good to hear you are back. Sounds like the cruise was great. We just got off the Grandeur Saturday and unfortunately the food was mediocre at best. Hopefully it will be better for your trip in May. Did meet Ed and Pat. Neat couple that we enjoyed in the lounge.

Cindy

Which cruise lines dock in Havensight? That is definitely my port of choice.

He is supposed to be on the 10/21 Reflection TA. He hasn't t posted on the roll call since 10/3. I don't think he was doing the 10/10 cruise but I could be mistaken.

 

Let's hope all is well and he is traveling around Italy.

I know he will be on Reflection TA, but if I remember correctly I believe he was doing a cruise before the TA.

Exactly.

 

Much different from Carnival's staggered check-in policy, which isenforced in the ports where it has been rolled out and states "Guests who arrive prior to their check-in window will not be permitted to enter the cruise terminal and will be asked to return at their scheduled check-in time. This will be strictly enforced so we can achieve the desired guest experience."

We usually toggle between Royal and Celebrity, but daughter is visiting this weekend and will be on Carnival Pride out of Baltimore in two weeks. Do all the Carnival ships have this staggered check in?

Qsine - I think we may need to take a risk on this one - hopefully we'll make some friends on board to enjoy this one together! We love innovative food and this looks fun.

 

And, yes we both enjoy our wine so I think an upgrade to premium is pretty much a must.

Please give Qsine a try. DH and I ended up with three other couples and had a blast together. I know you will enjoy it, but it is more fun sharing with other couples.

Ugh! Game 1 was a nail bitter! Hoping we'll be able to watch the Stanley Cup finals on the Sun next week (if it comes to that :D). Does anyone know if NBC is available in the staterooms or perhaps in the Sports Bar?

LETS GO PENS!!!

Just finished watching Game 1. It is never easy, is it? Hope you will be able to see it on the ship. I have talked my DH into going to watch the big screen Wednesday if the weather cooperates.

Our cruise is April 8, 2017; our final payment is mid June next month.

 

Monica

Monica,

Hope everything gets straightened out soon for you. I was reading in December about you going on your first river cruise and how it was a decent deal and Carl and I booked. Another couple is going with us. It was a decent deal. Thought since your date has been changed we might be on the same cruise, but we are leaving March 30. Thought maybe with the change in your itinerary we might be on the same river cruise.