hollins2007

17 hours ago, WYB! said:

So the Emerald Princess is currently (Aug 05th - 21st) on it's 16 day round trip Hawaiian Island with a scheduled stop on Mon, Aug 14th to Lahaina, Maui Island, which I don't think they will be making due to the fires currently burning in Lahaina, https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com

Prayers for the all that are effected.
Does the ship typically need to re-provision food and/or bunker fuel in Honolulu before returning to the mainland?

I also wonder how weather and specifically the smoke from the fire will effect this voyage overall.

I'm guessing that the ship instead of Lahaina, Maui may overnight somewhere or take a slower route towards Ensenada.

Safe travels,
- WYB

someone who’s on the ship posted on the Princess board, that they are stopping in Kona instead.

this is so so sad.  I was on Pride of America in 2018.  We ported in Kahului but I had heard good things about Lahaina and while we wanted to go back and explore the island of Kauai more first as a separate trip (haven’t done yet), Maui was second to explore as we didn’t see much when there (went snorkeling).  I’m praying for those affected for their safety…

I just got off a cruise this past weekend.  My husband had an item confiscated from his checked luggage (a sleep/white noise machine - apparently they thought it was a hot plate?) and we were given a receipt and told to pickup in the terminal upon departure.

However, we went through the terminal down a ramp and got to our checked luggage, and then asked a staff member about the confiscated items, and was told we had to go around and back upstairs to get it.  I do not recall a sign or indication of where the pickup area was.  Maybe we were so focused on following the people ahead of us.  But we got off the ramp on the ship, and then turned right to go down the ramp, so not sure where it would have been?  Anyone have an idea? (this was terminal 5, if that helps).

We now know to not bring a white noise machine (at least my husband had an app on his phone) on our next cruise but just in case, don't want to miss where the pickup is in the future.  We felt it was not worth it to go back around or however the staff member indicated, lugging all of our stuff.  It was just frustrating that it did not seem clear (or, as I stated, we may have missed it if there was signage somewhere due to focusing on where everyone else was going).

On 4/28/2023 at 10:03 AM, pyropoodle said:

i'm not sure how afraid of heights you are, but i felt very safe walking down the steps to the top of that boulder thingy (my point number3. in my original post).  there are maybe 10-12 steps (guestimating) that you go down sideways, your back is to the boulder and you are holding a (can't remember if it is a rail ? i think it was) and just taking it down one step at a time / sideways. so you don't have to glance down into any kind of abyss, if that is more comforting.  you can't really see that the next step after getting to the bottom of that ladder type thing is traversing that boulder. it was a little surprise.   

So I just wanted to check in after doing this excursion last week.  The stairs where you have to go down sideways - I had issues with that.  Very small stairs, having trouble doing it sideways.  I did it, but it took a lot of deep breaths and going very slowly.  The rest of it was fine but that was the hardest part for me.

There was a railing but also a rope, but our guide said to hold onto the rail with both hands.  That made it more doable.  I'm just glad my husband was in front of me and gently talking me through those steps!

Just wanted to add that on here in case anyone comes back with questions.  If you have issues with heights, like me, there was one spot that was difficult... but what a gorgeous view afterwards!  I will say if I go back I probably will not DO this one again, lol.  But it is worth doing once.

Someone mentioned that on the Facebook group for our sailing and wondered where they heard it... then they pointed me to the Mariner Port Canaveral Facebook group and a lot of people were talking about it.  At first I wasn't sure what I thought about it, but then thinking the advantages of possibly getting out sooner upon leaving made me realize this is probably a good thing 🙂

This is out first time out of Port Canaveral and we sail in one week from today, so I'll try to report back here after we get back, to let you know our experience (hopefully a smooth one).

3 hours ago, blue_water said:

Heights aren’t really a concern, I’m also not good with ladders or steps, and there you will have others helping if needed…

 

A swim-in from the boat is also not part of the experience unless you book an excursion that takes you directly to the Baths. The cruise ship excursions typically include a ferry to the Virgin Gorda marina, then a shared taxi to the Top of the Baths, where you walk the path down to the beach and the boulders…

The water shoes are a great idea, as is the back pack!

 

If you have time after the Baths, stop by the Baths & Turtle in Spanishtown near the ferry terminal for a bite. Or if you have more time have a driver take you to gorgeous Savannah Bay. Fares are cheap, and drivers will work with you on pick-ups.

 

Or if you want to get back to Road Town first, ferry back to Tortola and stop by Pusser’s Road Town Pub for a bite and check out their clothing shop! Close to the cruise dock…
Enjoy!

 

Thank you!  That is helpful (all of it!).

We aren't swimming but I had seen photos of people standing in water, so thought waterproof stuff may be a good idea!

I am not sure how much time we will have between the excursion and when we need to be back on the ship (have to refer to my schedule) but I will keep all of that in mind!

I am SOOO disappointed!  This didn't show up on our cruise excursion list before (when we started booking excursions in I think December and January!  I just checked and it's already sold out for our June cruise 😞

This is very helpful!  I am not plus-sized but I am afraid of heights... I am wondering how steep are the steps/the walk down?  Are there railings before the part with the ropes? 

We are doing the baths excursion through Royal in June, but it doesn't include a swim.  I was looking at getting a waterproof cross body purse but may just look into a backpack instead.   That may help with stability better 🙂   We did just get water shoes though!

4 hours ago, rimmit said:

You won’t regret it!!  It’s so much fun!  Originally I thought it’d be a one and done thing for us because it is pricey for a 7 day mainstream cruise, but if we can get child care we’ll go again for sure!!  It’s so much better than a regular cruise!

Yeah, my husband and I like to at least have a window so we know what time of day it is (we splurged for a balcony for our anniversary cruise on Mariner in a few short months).  But seeing the prices, we just booked an interior.  (I know if we do it again, there is a bit of a discount as a returning guest).   But I'd rather save money for excursions and other add-ons.  Curious, do they provide autographs/photo ops, like a regular convention?  If so, when do they list those prices and what days/times that's available?

Thanks for this!  We just booked the ST cruise for next year.  Our first one (not our first cruise though).  This makes me more excited - especially as a couple of friends from our church are going too!

My first cruise was a family reunion in 2009.  We didn't have any set activities.  I think we met up on the ship the first day, prior to ship leaving port, to say hello and go to dinner together.  We had dinner together most nights (though two tables, since there were 17 of us, I think?).  I did some excursions with my immediate family but most everyone did their own thing, then again, meet back for dinner.  We also got a group photo together.

I think it would be nice to do a poll or something to see if there is an excursion or two to do together, if everyone has similar interests; meanwhile, come together for meals to share experiences and have that time together!  That's my suggestion anyway.  🙂

I saw a scuba excursion for our cruise (June 2023) but it was already sold out (though, I don't scuba, so I wouldn't have been interested anyway!).

Another port had only 5 excursions, but this week just added 6 more, so it's possible they may add more opportunities with Coco Cay?  But someone else on here hopefully knows more than I do and can answer that.

I about had a heart attack reading the subject title, but then realized this started last year and doesn't affect June 2023 sailings.  😵

That's been my question too!  We have an early June cruise and while three of the ports seem to have plenty, one of them only has 5 options.  I wondered if they would post more as it gets closer...

2 hours ago, midwife1021 said:

I’m thinking a file of birth certificate photos stored on the laptop might be on my list for preparations next time. 

Same!  Though curious (questioning not you specifically, just anyone that can answer)... what if you legally changed your name because of marriage?  Do you need your marriage certificate too?

Just wanted to update.  I called RCCL last Friday and they easily added my husband's C&A number to our reservation.  I didn't even have to provide it - the person was able to look his name up and found it (though I confirmed what they found matched the number in my emails).

5 hours ago, Funky Fusion FoodsJ said:

Have him sign on to RCL website using his email/name etc and it should show the reservation.  If not he can add it and everything will be good.  Other than that you'll need to call the C&A number. 

I'll probably have to call.  The fact I'm getting emails for him means they probably don't have his email address of record... but I'm trying to remember, I think he used the app on his phone while we on our cruise last year; doesn't that require a login?  I'll have to ask him when he's done with work.

Thanks all!

Since I had the account/managed things for our cruise last year, I knew I received a Crown and Anchor number.  I booked a second cruise recently on my account, listing my spouse as the other passenger for our room.

I didn't realize until a recent email that my husband was listed as being a Crown and Anchor member with his own number.  I didn't put that number on the reservation.  I contacted RCL through their website to ask about it but haven't heard anything.  I want to make sure my husband gets his points too!  Is there an email address or other way to add his number to our reservation?  Thank you!

1 hour ago, sosdance said:

My family and I booked this same itinerary for August 4 and received the email yesterday. We were so excited to cruise to the Southern Caribbean - never been to the ABC islands. But we’ve never been to any of the islands on the new itinerary either. We’ll try again in 2024. 
 

I was wondering myself why the change, but unless they change it again to someplace we’ve been before, we’ll be onboard on August 4, 2023. 

Yeah, so the itinerary we both originally picked, now has 4 dates listed (May 12, 26, June 23, and July 21).  Meanwhile, this new itinerary has 3 (June 9, July 7, August 4).  I guess they have to change things up for some reason!

But hey, still an adventure in the Caribbean, right?

2 minutes ago, Jimbo said:

We are in Draper, Va...............it's between Dublin and Wytheville.  We are about 1 hour south of Roanoke not far from I-81.

 

Yes, since you were coming from the DC area, the Greenville area seems like nothing to you.

 

We have been here almost 2 years now after living all our life in NJ. ( South Jersey)

Ah, I had to google it because I didn't remember exactly where it was, but I must've passed it several times!  My now-husband, then-boyfriend worked in SW Virginia for one of the political parties in 2016.  His jurisdiction went from Radford all the way down to the tip of the state, which he drove all over for meetings, events, etc.  He lived in Abingdon so I'd drive down to see him, or we'd meet halfway in Wytheville for dinner.

It's a beautiful area down there!  I hope you're enjoying it!  If you haven't had a chance yet, seeing a play at the Barter Theater is pretty cool, or going for a walk on the Virginia Creeper Trail.  That's probably only an hour or so from you.

3 minutes ago, Jimbo said:

Congrats on the new home, curious what town in SC you settled in? We bought in VA but were looking in the Greenville area at one time. It was amazing how much that area is growing. Traffic around there is terrible.

In the Columbia area, not far from Lake Murray!  We've done a couple of days trips to Greenville and would like to explore more, but I think we picked the right place.  Two hours from the mountains, two hours from the beach!

It's funny, we moved to the area two years ago from VA.  We came from the DC area (talk about traffic 😵) and wanted to escape the hustle-bustle, the expense, and the snow.  But before the DC area, I lived in the Roanoke area for many years.  I do miss the mountains sometimes!  But I don't miss shoveling snow 😂

Now I'm curious, where in SW VA are you?

I've been checking the website.  Earlier today, our departure date (June 9th) was missing from the "Southern Caribbean" listing but there were 4 other dates listed between May and July.  But now it only has June 23rd left.  But I don't see the new 8 Day Eastern Caribbean showing yet.  Interesting how they're doing this...

Anyway, again, as stated before, we're keeping this cruise, and I'm feeling better about it today.  Just means we will need to book a cruise for 2024.  We were saving to buy a house this year, which we closed on in June, so now we will have more bandwidth to save for traveling 😎

1 hour ago, Airbear232 said:

What month is your cruise?  I did a quick search for Royal going to Aruba and most months there are multiple ships visiting.  Exceptions being June and July when it’s only Mariner and August and October, when there are no scheduled stops.  Good luck and happy anniversary!

Thank you!

June 2023.  Yeah, after I got the email I searched the website for alternatives and it was still showing our cruise (Mariner) going in June.  It may take some time for RCL to update the itineraries on the website, I'm guessing.

8 hours ago, ARandomTraveler said:

Try booking a southern route that leaves from Puerto Rico instead of from

Orlando. 

We would rather not fly to the departure port at this point, and Orlando is within driving distance (7-8 hours).  But I was looking up cruises with other lines in 2024, there are some out of Ft. Lauderdale which adds a couple of hours but may be doable.  But we've decided to keep this cruise, and just consider the ABC islands the following year.

3 minutes ago, Jimbo said:

Other Fish in the Sea, look at other cruise lines too. Sounds like they will give you a complete refund if you want it.

Yeah, we only put down the deposit and can cancel before October 19th and get it back.  However, I'm open to these islands so we will still proceed.  Just try the ABCs in 2024 maybe!

Now, if they had changed the itinerary to Cozumel, I'd be canceling.  I wasn't impressed with those ports last year and have no desire to go back, personally.

2 minutes ago, irishgal432 said:

What ship and sail date?  Wondering if mine is still the same?

Mariner of the Seas, June 9th.  I know that itinerary had multiple dates  (starting in May 2023?) so it's possible the other dates are affected too.

22 minutes ago, ONECRUISER said:

Weather, Ship/Mechanical, too many Ships at stops, just because Royal wants to... Yes, and many more. Had dozens of Port and Itinerary Changes. At least 1/3 of them were in last 2yrs. Except for these most time I didn't get choice to change or OBC

Well, this one wouldn't be weather since it's for June of next year 😂

Again, disappointed in the change but as I told my husband, at least we're still going to the Caribbean.  I've been to San Juan (almost 14 years ago) but he hasn't; I've not been to St. Kitts or Tortula (not sure if he has or not).  Trying to see the positives and know I'll feel better tomorrow.  We'll just need to book another cruise in 2024 perhaps, that hits the ABC islands 😇

And this being only my fourth cruise, and second with Royal, I don't have enough experience to know how these things go in terms of scheduling changes.

2 minutes ago, Tulsacoker said:

That does suck, if you just booked I think you have some time to cancel and get your deposit back 

Yes, the email said we could do that before October 19th.  But I don't want to cancel unless we find an alternative cruise that goes to Aruba/Curacao.

I'm more venting, and also wondering if this happens often.