CarolR

We are doing the Carnival Legend in May and will be arriving for a two night stay in Honolulu prior to the cruise. Any suggestions on a decent hotel close to the beach? Since our Canadian dollar is at an all time low, we need to add 35% exchange rate to the cost. Luxury is out of the question but something relatively modern and clean would nice. Thanks for any suggestions.

I just got off of Royal Princess yesterday. There is no doubt that the standard balcony is extremely small. In fact, I'd say it was the smallest standard balcony I've seen on any ship I've been on. The wrap around balcony on the corner suites are some of the nicest balconies I've seen.

 

I haven't researched Royal enough to know if there are some larger balconies but I'm guessing I could out with some further digging.

 

The standard cabin however, was nicely appointed - a full size couch, not a love seat.

 

The ship seems narrower over all. Yet the landings outside the elevator banks are huge. Some odd things.

 

But there are some really nice things. LOVE the Sanctuary and many of the lounges are really nice.

 

I used to sail on ships without balconies so while I enjoy larger balconies, I can live with smaller ones once in awhile.

Just off our first Princess cruise on the Royal. Beautiful Ship and had a great time. That being said, we had had a standard balcony cabin and definitely did not have a couch. While the room was manageable, it was very small with only a chair and a table that got in the way all the time. Balcony small but good enough. Found the bathroom minute. If a tall person sat on the toilet their legs would hit the door. Shower was good though.

Just off the Liberty of the Seas transatlantic repositioning cruise to Barcelona. This was my third Royal cruise and have cruised Carnival many times. Totally loved the experience but have a few comments:

1) Need to keep at least a section of the Windjammer open at night for late night coffee/cold drinks. There was absolutely no where to sit after coming out of the shows. How can Sorrentos or the Cafe accommodate thousands of people.

2) There needs to be a drink station closer to the pool area where you can get iced tea or lemonade etc without having to walk through the Windjammer.

3) Chops Grille not worth the money at least on the Liberty. Much better on Oasis and much better on Carnival.

4) Better poolside music. Transatlantic was mainly older/middle aged crowd and they insist on playing loud rap type music.

5) This may not be important to lots of people but no access to a clothing iron drove me crazy especially on a two week cruise. This is one area where Carnival gets it right. Every other floor has a self serve laundry and places to iron your clothes.

6) Can't believe the number of people who book assigned dining and treat it like any time dining with 6:00 diners coming in a 6:45. Totally disrespectful to the servers who have to rush and then clean up for the next seating. Doors should close at 6:15.

We rented a car for the day and drove into France to Carcassonne

- it was fun, but renting a car and returning it in a city that you are unfamiliar with can be a hassle. Is this your first trip to Barcelona? If yes, there is really a lot to see and keep you entertained. If it is "been there, done that" or you would like to just see the countryside then the trains are a great way to get out of the city and do that. Have you thought about Montserrat? There are lots of posts about this lovely place and it is an easy day trip outside the city by train. We really enjoyed the train and the cable car to the top. I was also a wonderful day.

Thanks for the info. We are actually rethinking the rental car and looking into this very train trip.

We are a group of three couples traveling on the Liberty of the Seas transatlantic cruise on May 1, 2014. We are staying in Barcelona for three days post cruise and thought we would like to rent a car for one day to our around outside of the city. If anyone has done this we would appreciate any comments or tips on what to see and do and if it is worth doing this.