cyntil8ing

This photo was from my Spring Break 2022 cruise, but they do sell Christmas sweaters onboard. Also, I was on Carnival Pride for Christmas 2017. There were Christmas activities, but they were more secular than Christian. That is, Santa Claus, not Jesus.

I'll look forward to your recap. This will be my family's fourth time on Pride. It used to homeport in Baltimore. It was my kids' first cruise in 2009 when they were pre-schoolers; now one's in high school and one's in college. My oldest daughter got married onboard in 2014. And it was my late dad's last cruise for Christmas 2017. The only ship I've been on more is Celebrity Summit. Both feel like home.

@kwokpot, I just want to thank you for your posts. We are doing the same itinerary you're doing now at the end of July, and your discussion of port transportation is really helpful. We are not cruise line excursion people, and trying to plan for all of these ports, not to mention four days prior in London, has been overwhelming. Just added Cruise Express to my spreadsheet for Zeebrugge. Thanks again.

Me too! We are traveling next month. Now I just have to worry about the test to get on the ship. I wish that one would go away, but I am not holding my breath.

This is such good news. There are four of us traveling next month. I have 9 eMed tests and have been dithering about ordering more for backup. While we'll still need them for boarding the ship, and I doubt that will end anytime soon, we will save the extras for our December cruise.

The REAL ID proves legal residency, not citizenship. A US Permanent Resident, ie. green card holder, can get a REAL ID.

I have used Heidi with Bermuda Byways twice -- once for a shared tour and once for a private tour. My experience was in 2013 and 2014, but if I wouldn't hesitate to book again. She is excellent. Back then, she toured with her blind dog Buddy. I would be surprised if Buddy is still working, but she was a sweetheart.

I had this exact issue many years ago, so I asked. The response was it has to be valid for the dates you will be in Bermuda.

We did our aquarium trip the day we went to St. George. We took the ferry to St. George, explored around, then took the bus back toward Hamilton. It stopped right at BAMZ. It was very easy. We then hopped back on the bus, then picked up the ferry back to Dockyard in Hamilton.

It's for arriving flights. Many people fly in day of departure for San Juan.

My kids, now 16 and 18, have been cruising since they were 3 and 5. Freedom and independence were earned slowly over the years as they proved themselves. I still remember being nervous the first time they went together to get ice cream, while we waited at a table in the buffet for their return. We allowed the oldest to sign herself out so she could participate in scavenger hunts. The youngest has never been a fan of the clubs. But the rules were discussed up front — check in when and where you are supposed to, be where you tell us you will be, never out of the public areas, no going back to the cabin unless we knew about it, no wandering aimlessly and no riding the elevators! Her dad and I were known to just happen to stroll by her location on occasion. I don’t know if she always saw us as we did make an effort to be unobtrusive. Sometimes, she would wave. She went off to college this year, and it makes me smile when she still checks in occasionally with a “Not dead” text.

I booked a hotel near Charing Cross station, planning on taking the train to Dover Priory departure morning (7/31). When I just went to book tickets, I learned : (Engineering work is taking place between Paddock Wood and Strood, closing some lines all weekend. As a result buses will replace trains between Strood and Tonbridge) Ugh! Another option is St. Pancras, but then we have to deal with schlepping luggage on the underground, though I suppose a taxi wouldn't be outrageously expensive. Private car transfers are always an option, but I am concerned about possible delays. At home, we've driven more than three hours to port on departure morning without a second thought, but England is all new to me, so I am a little concerned about this option. I am leaning to a taxi to Victoria Station, then taking the Carnival bus, but it doesn't leave until noon. On the more reassuring end, since it is a cruise ship transfer, the ship won't leave us.But it also means, if we were to take a private car, as long as we stayed ahead of the last Carnival transfer, we'd be ok. We are a family of four, so the costs for all options all end up about the same. Is there anything I am not considering? Thanks!

We generally cruise Celebrity, but have been on Royal four or five times, most recently on Anthem last Christmas. I really enjoyed Anthem, over the other two Royal ships I've been on -- Adventure and Enchantment (both older). In general, food is better on X, entertainment better on RCL. For me, other than that, they're pretty similar. Oh, and indoor smoking is allowed on RCL. When we were on Anthem in December, it was the period where it was not. Wish that had stuck! Don't forget to verify your Captains Club and Crown and Anchor levels are linked. https://www.celebritycruises.com/captains-club/exclusive-offers/loyalty-reciprocity-program

I've been on a few cruises that have stopped in a US port before returning to the home port, most often Key West. In every case, we have had to have our passports inspected by customs officials, who were onboard, generally set up at tables in the main restaurant. On Summit, the line snaked the whole deck, through the casino. It took about 45 minutes. We were given appointments, but it was simply a time to join the line. After passing through, we were free to get off the ship. When we debarked the following day, there was no inspection at all. We walked off the ship and out the door.

I just wanted to add my quick turnaround. I emailed my request Monday night and noticed my credit this morning (Thursday). It could have been there earlier, but I never looked.