tcruisin77

5 hours ago, NYcruzzer said:

Sailing on Meraviglia this Sunday. Can any  recent YC let me know if the Carousel at Sea productions were complimentary ? 

Yes, we sailed Meraviglia YC and had complimentary tickets to both productions. Made reservations once we embarked (a small table was set up next to YC Concierge on deck 16) and had no problem getting the times and dates we wanted. 

The passion fruit martini on the YC bar menu is tasty too. 

We did the Kennedy Space Center excursion through MSC. It includes a drop off at MCO. Highly recommended!

We’ve done a couple of B2Bs and they usually escort you off the ship until every passenger is off. Then you get to reboard so there isn’t much time that you have to fill if you don’t want to book an excursion.   We like the pool so we use the opportunity to sit out there and enjoy the calm before the storm as everyone else embarks.  Bahamas and Bermuda in the same trip sounds delightful; enjoy!

I like the A List Bar on deck 8 aft between Cagney’s and Le Bistro, though I believe it is only open when those 2 restaurants are serving. If they don’t have the ingredients for your drink, perhaps Sugarcanes Mojito Bar will. Hoping A List will have my favorite, the Aviation when we board in a couple of weeks. 

On the Gem last week I ordered Starbucks on embarkation (approx. noon) and debarkation day (they were open until 8:30am) using my package. I paid only port charges for both. I was wondering about that last purchase since my folio had already been emailed. But when I checked my final credit card charge, it was $1.20 more than the “final” folio so I was only charged port tax. 

I’ve never seen an opportunity to book times for Splash; it’s always been first come first served until they reach capacity.  If it’s a cruise with lots of little passengers, there may be a line that forms approx. 20 minutes prior to opening.  

I’d pick the same deck as the lounge. While staff will carry things back to your cabin for you, we would bring our own drinks/snacks back and being on the same deck was very convenient. I’d also vote for as much time at Ocean Cay as possible. 

We pre-purchased a Fun Pass on the app and made our bowling reservation through the YC concierge. You could also go to the desk across from the bowling lanes on deck 7 to make reservations, but I would go early on in your cruise to have more options. 1 hour was $50. There are no bowling shoes and few bowling balls to pick from, but we enjoyed the experience. The same desk on deck 7 is where you will purchase 4D and F1 as well. 

We returned to FLL airport. I would try calling them to see if they can add a stop at your hotel. If not, but this is an extra step, you could get dropped off at the airport then take advantage of your hotel’s airport shuttle. 

We lost one day at sea. We were also slated to port in Miami but will now dock in Port Canaveral. 

We are sailing on the cruise before this one. We got changed from an 8 night to a 7 😩

The steaks we ordered at Cagney’s were just okay. The other courses were excellent, though. Le Bistro was our favorite all around. 

2 hours ago, mica178 said:

Love Ercan! 

And Fabiana; they were both so nice to our family last month

Never used those. Perhaps they are for crew. The public forward elevators are more midship. 

It was in operation on our Thanksgiving cruise last November. 

We stayed at a Ft. Lauderdale hotel and had SAS transportation take us back and forth to Miami cruise port. $15 per person each way. Comfortable vehicle with plenty of room for luggage and our driver was safe. It is not private and will make stops at multiple hotels and cruise terminals. We would use them again. 

There are no connecting insides on the Pearl. We booked 2 connecting oceanview cabins and were very happy with the extra storage, bathroom, and ability to spread out. 

Yes, it definitely fills up and they will turn families away once they reach capacity. A line begins forming before opening time. Plan to get there 15-20 minutes before the doors open if your child really wants to go. I can’t remember the exact times they were open (and it was never open for drop off on port days) but I want to say it was available for 2 morning hours, break for lunch, 2 afternoon hours, break, then evening hours.  Search for recent Dailies that may show the times. 

Hello, it did operate, weather permitting, during Thanksgiving Week 2022. 

Our Asst. Butler provided me with a whole carton of almond milk (I had originally asked for oatmilk) to keep in our fridge to use with the Nespresso machine.  Not sure if there was no oatmilk on board or if this was just an easier find, but I’m okay with either so I didn’t ask. 

Don’t do it! We brought the hole puncher last summer for our cards on the Pearl. We then had to proceed to a crowded Guest Services to get new ones. The key will not open your door once punched. Since then, we use the lanyard with clear pouch or I just keep it in my wristlet. Have a great trip!

Same for us on the Pearl in April. 

When we got off the Pearl in Bermuda, there was a table set up. We had to give our cabin number and it and the number of towels we took was recorded. When we returned to the ship, there was a bin to place the used towels in, but no one recording what cabin returned them. I was a little concerned, but nothing ever came about from it. Have a wonderful trip! 

We just returned from an April 7th cruise on the Pearl. No traditional muster drill; just scan your key card at your station once you embark.