chathamman

I'm glad you enjoyed the cruise. We have been on Gem twice, most recently out of Bordeaux just before it redeployed to the Seine. We did the Seine cruise last year on Scenic Diamond. In fact, we enjoyed Diamond more, but Scenic is just wonderful and we will do it again. We are looking at a Rhone cruise or perhaps a Loire itinerary, maybe in 2019. But definitely Scenic.

Texsailor. My wife and I have cruised many times, but have never been on a river cruise. We are looking at the Scenic Diamond Bordeaux cruise (8 days). Since you have been both on the Diamond and done Bordeaux, i'd love to hear more about the ship, itinerary, service, etc.

I am 62 and my wife 60 and we are fairly active, long distance walkers. Love great food and wine. Our trip would include a number of friends and college alumni.

Thanks. ..Chathamman:cool:

We were in port the week of July the 4th and 4 of us took the mini bus over and back. It was great. $7.00 per person and they take you as close to the beach as you can get. If you had to trek up the hill/steps to the public bus stop after a day at the beach it would be tough. Also, both our driver over and back talked the whole way giving info about the island and answering questions, they were fantastic. We also found out the mini buses were doing return trips till 7:30 that night as two big ships were I port. We stayed from 10:00 am till about 5:30 pm. A wonderful day and ENJOY your visit!

Agreed. The lockers are well worth the little money spent.

....and the tubing is a great excursion, we loved it. Enjoy!:cool:

We were in Bermuda 7-5, 7-6 and 7-7 and every day was 50 to 80% rain chances and two of the three days we got a couple quick showers that passed over and affected us not in the least. ENJOY!:cool:

We were at HSB on 7-5-17 and the NCL Breakaway and CArnival Pride were both in port early (8:30 AM). We got to HSB at 10:00 AM and stayed till 5:15 PM and they did not run out of loungers or umbrellas on that day. We had a wonderful day at this beach and If you have any other questions, just ask and I'll try to help. :cool:

We were at Horseshoe Bay on 7-5-17 and there were two ships in port. I did not think it felt too crowded at all. You could go to the left end of the beach and get away from most everone if you like.

The signs were out for the Portuguese Man of War. We saw one small one on the beach way to the left down the beach past the rocks. We were there from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Loved this beach and liked having facilities, food and drink. Wish I was there today. ENJOY! :cool:

8 and 1/2 days till Pride to Bermuda, can't wait!!

:cool:

Fort Lauderdqle is our favorite port and we have stayed at the Hyatt Place, Embassy Suites and Hilton Marina; all on 17th street right near the port. All were good and provided services like you describe. Some may have had additional fees for transfers, you will need to check with the hotel and factor in any costs they may have. Our stays at all three of these has been great, but our favorite is the Hilton Marina because it is right on the water way and the water taxi stops there. So, we can walk out of the hotel and take the water taxi anywhere we want to go in Ft Lauderdale, beaches, Las Olas, etc. We usually come in a day or two early to enjoy Ft. Lauderdale and this works for us, may or may not be what you are looking for. ENJOY YOUR CRUISE!

13 days till our cruise on the Pride to Bermuda, Can't wait for 1st cruise out of Baltimore, 1st cruise on the Pride and 1st trip to Bermuda.:cool:

We did the Freedom and they fit with what you are looking for. In July we are doing the Pride to Bermuda and are excited about: 1) smaller ship 2) all upgrades and 3) itinerary to Bermuda. They are doing Bermuda also for one month in the fall. Might be a good Option for you. Good luck!

It is great to hear about he Pride. We are long time cruisers (Carnival and Princess) but going on the Pride for the first time on July 2nd to Bermuda and can't wait. We live in VA and it is nice not to have to fly to port, just drive to Baltimore. The reviews on the Pride are so good, thanks for comments!:cool:

Drink what YOU enjoy! I will give you one of my wife and I's favorites from the Alchemy Bar. The Spicy Chipotle' Pineapple Martini made with either Bombay Blue Sapphire Gin, or Hendricks Gin. Can't wait to get one in July!

Enjoy!:cool:

Would love to read your review. We leave on the Pride 7-2-17 and have never been on the Pride or cruised out of Baltimore. Really looking forward to this fruise and visiting Bermuda. I HOPE YOUR CRUISE is AWESOME!:cool:

We cruise 7-2-17, will Ken be back for this Pride Cruise, or will it be later in the month. Thanks and Happy Cruising:D.

Thanks. Has anyone enjoyed Tom Grable in the piano bar?:

Thanks for comments. Piano bars can be a bit of a hit or miss, but I'll mention three great ones. Bert Stratton, Lorraine Ingle and Marty Gast! Hope to see you all on the Bermuda Cruise and if a bunch of us go the piano bar and sing, I am sure it will be fun no matter the performer!

Good Afternoon. My wife, family and friends are cruising on the Pride July the 2nd to Bermuda. We love Piano Bars and would like to know who the Piano Bar entertainer might be? Has any one been on the Pride recently that can comment on the Piano Bar? Fun? Packed? Everyone involved and singing?

THANKs and Happy Cruising.......

Thanks for all the great responses. SO, glad we'll get escargot. They are great with a glass of dry wine. Cheers and happy cruising!:)

Does Princess offer Escargot as an appetizer in their Dining Rooms, or Crown Steak House? My wife and I are cruising on Princess for the first time in nine years in October and are curious. We love escargot and are hopeful it is an option?

Thanks..........:)

Thank you so much for response and menu link. My wife and I also are Big Gin Martini fans and I think both venues sound great! Thanks.........

It has been 9 years since our only cruise on Princess, which we loved by the way on the Caribbean Princess. the year of it's debut. Since then exclusively Carnival. We are now going on the Emerald Princess in October of 2015 and are very excited. My wife and I love Martinis and the Alchemy Bar on Carnival was awesome for Martinis. Tell me about Princess and the best place for Martinis. Is it Crooners? Also, we really like piano bars, any info?

THANKS AND HAPPY CRUISING!!:)

On the 5 night cruise, do you know which night is "Formal"? My wife and I are doing the 5 night on Emerald end of October and we enjoy the formal night.

THANKS...........

What a wonderful review with awesome pictures! My wife and I are sailing on the Emerald in October. We sailed on the Caribbean Princess nine years ago for our 25th anniversary, but since then have sailed exclusively on Carnival Ship's due to our children's preferences. ....but, this cruise is just the two of us and I can't wait to sail Princess again and your review really got me excited.

THANKS FOR PUTTING THIS TOGETHER!:)

Yes. We were on the Freedom in June and got to Port at 11:30, went thru security, checked in and walked on the ship. We were eating lunch shortly after 12:00. The Freedom is a great ship. ENJOY YOUR CRUISE!:):)

We were on the Freedom on an 8 night in June. As a previous poster mentioned, Seth was in the Piano Bar, he was great and it was full every night. We enjoyed the Red Frog Rum Bar and they had two different guitarists/singers that alternated every night. One was David Lazarus and the other's name was James, don't remember last name. Both were good, but we especially enjoyed David. Most nights this bar was 1/2 to completely full. A lot of fun. The comedy shows were standing room only. We did not go to the disco, but my impression was that was really NOT happening. Lastly, Alchemy Bar was fantastic. Awesome Martinis, awesome bartenders. There were 10 of us on this cruise and we had a blast. If entertainers are different and make up of passengers are different, who knows, but the Freedom is a really nice ship and I bet you'll enjoy. HAPPY CRUISING:):).