karenna00

1 hour ago, ollienbertsmum said:

I have been through Malaga airport several times this year.  No mention of COVID.  No mention at the Gibraltar Spain border either.    I cannot recall the last time I travelled and COVID was an issue.  Was it 2022?  

 Yes, that is what I thought but this is what Spain consullate sent me.

Are they asking for COVID documentation upon entry in to Spain. I looked it up on their website and it says over the age of 12 needs to provide vaccination or testing documentation upon entry. Confirmed by emailing Spain consulate that a vaccine or booster between 14 and 270 days is required prior to entry for 18 and above or negative covid test or proof of recent covid infection. However, I was wondering if they're actually checking at the airports. DH and I got a booster today just in case but I am still curios. Thank you. 

The last time we used the laundry service on NCL, I seem to remember it took 2-3 days to get our laundry back. That was a few years ago. Does anyone know what the laundry turn-around times have been for the Epic more recently? Thank you.

We booked a food tour on the morning of embarkation day for NCL Epic out of Barcelona. We are hoping to drop off our baggage before our tour and then proceed from our tour to check in and boarding without having to go back to our hotel to retrieve our luggage. How early can we drop off our bags? Our cruise travel agent mentioned luggage lockers at the terminal but I can not find any infomation online about lockers at the cruise terminal.  Does anyone have any experience with early luggage drop off or luggage lockers at the Barcelona Cruise terminal? Thank you.

We booked a food tour on the morning of embarkation day for NCL Epic out of Barcelona. We are hoping to drop off our baggage before our tour and then proceed from our tour to check in and boarding without having to go back to our hotel to retrieve our luggage. How early can we drop off our bags? Our cruise travel agent mentioned luggage lockers at the terminal but I can not find any infomation online about lockers at the cruise terminal.  Does anyone have any experience with early luggage drop off or luggage lockers at the Barcelona Cruise terminal? Thank you.

48 minutes ago, DaKahuna said:

 

Of course there will be options for the adults depending on how closely you feel you have to supervise you tweens.  

 

As for side of the ship, the best side will depends on whether the ship is assigned to the East of West lock.  We were lucky in that our stateroom is on the starboard wide and we were in the left lock.  That meant from our balcony we could see the area between the locks where the ‘mules’ operated, as well as could see what was happening in the adjacent lock.

 

My one regret is that I did not venture to the Sunset Bar and get pictures of what was happening behind us in the locks.

 

Another thing to keep in mind is that the transit through the lake is not that interesting.  There is a lot of jungle with no development so those are the times to go have lunch, meet up with tweens, other family traveling with you, etc..

 

 Just some random pictures from the Retreat Sundeck and from our starboard side balcony

 

 

 

 

 

Great points to keep in mind. Thank you.

At 10 and 12, I’m not sure I’d want the kids roaming the ship on their own. I trust them to behave but it’s still potentially 2000+ strangers on board. I know everyone has their own comfort level on this type of thing though. So, for as long as the kids are still happy to hang out with us, we will happily take it! Their willingness doesn’t last forever!

36 minutes ago, Essiesmom said:

Yes, the canal will be well lit all night.  From many, many observations of canal transits, your ship will probably not be in the canal until 0700, possibly not into the first locks (Miraflores) for another hour.  Sun will be on the starboard side, but that might also be the best side for views in that set of locks.  But it has been stated many times here, the best views of the locks and the transit are not on your balcony, but moving all around the ship.  
 

There is an excellent Live from by @DaKahunaon the Celebrity board, onboard the Millennium doing a westbound transit.  He shows you why you should not spend your transit on your balcony.  EM

Thank you for your response.

Yes, I understand the ideal would be moving around the ship throughout the day.

We will also be traveling with tweens who are interested in the canal but I doubt they will be 12 hours interested. The question is asked so that was the adults in the family will have options if the kids get bored and want to go back to the room. 

Hello.

We just booked RCCL Rhapsody of the Seas 7 day Panama Canal cruise for March 2024 from Feurte Amador to Colon
Which side of the ship is best to book a balcony cabin in terms of sun/shade and which side is best for the view? It’s supposed to be a full transit from 4 am to 4 pm. If we wake up early for the 4 am entrance to the canal, will the canal be lit up enough to see anything? 
Is it best to fly in and out of Panama City? What areas are best/safest to stay pre and post cruise? What is the best way to get to and from the cruise terminals?

We will be traveling with Tween age children. If you’ve done this trip with tweens (or kids in general) do you have any family friendly tips?

thanks in advance.

We will be flying in to MCO the night before our Disney Wish cruise. Will be arriving fairly late. Is it best to stay the night near the airport or near the port? Wondering what the pros and cons of both would be other than the obvious that staying near the airport means our heads hit a pillow much earlier. Any specific hotel recommendations? For 4 people, what ends up being the best way (most convenient or most economical) to get to the port the day of the cruise? Prepandemic we were seasoned cruisers. This will be our first cruise since the pandemic and it has me feeling like a newbie again. Thank you in advance for your PRO TIPS!

On 7/23/2019 at 9:43 PM, coevan said:

For many, many years smoking was allowed on the balcony, millions of cruisers, a ship has never burned down over a cigarette. Gheez I rode a bike for 30 years before helmets were widely used, fortunately my head is still intact. I'm more of a live and let live kind of guy. 

Wasnt there a fire on a princess ship due to cigarette smoking? 

We leave tomorrow on the Carnival Pride. Our listed check in time is 2 PM, however, we purchased faster to the fun. It is my understanding that we can ignore the listed check in time and check in when we wish. Is that correct? If so, what is a good time to arrive at the port to take full advantage of the priority check in and boarding? 10 AM? Or earlier? Thank you.

4 hours ago, Erik101 said:

When a patient calls during after hours, the answering service will direct the patient to the MD on call.  I’ve worked in healthcare for 12 years.  No doctor I know of gives their cell to patients since that will give patients the green light to call at any time.  MDs need their rest too and not one of them would want to pick up a patient’s call at 4am unless they are actually working. 

There are quite a few that do actually. Depends on the doctor and it really depends on the patient. Some are respectful and only call in a true emergency, others are entitled and call with questions that can wait until business hours. 

On 1/23/2019 at 10:37 AM, wants2cruise2 said:

Does anyone know if the splash pad area is open to the diaper set?  Thinking of traveling with triplet 1 year olds

Please do not let diapered children in the pool or splash pad area. I was once a cruise where parents did not adhere to this rule. The kids pool was shut down several times over the course of the week for poop in the pool. I had the displeasure of stepping in poop on one of those occasions. 

Are there make-up mirrors in the mini suites?

I would never cruise during spring break. I have no sympathy for people whose cruise was "ruined" by spring breakers.. just do a tiny bit of research, and avoid booking during spring break. Pretty simple.

What research is that? Every school has a different spring break week anywhere from February through April. Do you mean that no one should vacation any time in the Spring?

Good lord. It didn't take long for things to get nasty.

A simple yes or no would have done just fine.

Thanks. No advice needed on how to raise my kids. I think we're doing just fine on our own.

There is a minibar with drinks (all for an additional cost). You can ask your steward to empty it,,, may be next morning.

 

Definitely nothing that could cause a fire like a microwave. There is food available 24/7 from the restaurants.

Kids like warm milk before bedtime so a microwave would be useful that. Will have to figure something out.

You should inform the "special needs" dept. ahead of time....to make sure they stock it for your trip. Yes...you can get it...just make sure they know you NEED it!

I emailed them today. They said just to ask for it in the dining areas. Apparently no pre-ordering needed for this request on NCL.

Thanks all for your help.

Does anyone know if the Breakaway has fridges or microwaves in the Family Oceanview Rooms?

Thanks,

The same reason Cagney's is a extra fee restaurant. If it were free, folks would complain about not being able to go on it do to 800 or more people wanting to do it because it's free. If you want to do it enough, you'll pay to do it. If it is just a fleeting interest, you won't. Like Cagney's, most folks on the ship would like to eat there at some point during the cruise. Only those willing to pay extra or get it as a perk will visit. It is a good thing they have a fee tacked on. Less competion to see and eat where you want.

Just curious. What demographic is willing to pay extra for these restaurants and are they really worth it? We live in a metropolitan area with tons of nice restaurants, including steakhouses, hibachi, Brazilian BBQ, and French restaurants. Wondering if they would be worth it for us since its something we also have access to at home. It the food in the main dining rooms that bad?

We will be on the Breakaway and have 2.5 days in Bermuda. We are travelling with 3 generations- grandparents in their 60s with some minor mobility issues (can walk but not do strenuous exercise) and young children (5 1/2 and 3 1/2).

Any suggestions for an itinerary and how to get around?

We thought maybe a visit to a beach and to the Aquarium. (Any suggestions on how to get there from the Dockyards?)

Not sure what else might appeal to all ages.

We will be on the Breakaway and have 2.5 days in Bermuda.

Any suggestions for an itinerary and how to get around.

We thought maybe a visit to a beach and to the Aquarium. (Any suggestions on how to get there from the Dockyards?) Not sure what else might appeal to all ages.

What is a glow party?

Do they have Lactose free milk or lactaid milk available onboard. We will be on the Breakaway.

Is it worth it to pay the premium for Disney or would we also do well with another cruise line? We've been on NCL, RCCL, Princess, and Carnival pre kids. Last year we did Disney to the Bahammas and thought it was the best vacation we have had post kids. Decided we would probably just do Disney from now on, however, the price tags for the Alaska sailings has us possibly reconsidering. Only concern is keeping the kids happy on this more adult oriented itinerary.