allyman

Hello there,

My partner and I are looking at our first Princess Cruise on the Emerald. We have done the corner aft cabin on another RCI ship and really loved it. Both the corner aft on Baja deck and below corner aft on Caribe deck available. Is one location better than the other? Is one balcony better than the other, size wise. I read a while back (and now I can't find the thread) that the balcony on the lower Caribe deck was slightly larger, which may make sense. I always though the higher up you were the better, but I may be wrong. Neither of us gets sea sick.

Any feedback greatly appreciated, and feel free to post other comments about the ship and Princess.

Ally

So the aussie dollar issue is not an issue in our experience. We book the cruise itself in Aussie dollars and know exactly the price that we have to have saved up by final payment. We love the Royal loyalty program which is reciprocal on Celebrity. You must do what is the right fit for you though.

Hello there, On our last RCI cruise we were interested in booking a further cruise on Celebrity Solstice but we were told the loyalty points we had accrued couldn't be combined with any points we may earn if we sailed with Celebrity. I know they are the same company and I was a bit bummed by that, so I have steered away from looking at Celebrity. But if I understand you correctly they do count? Or are you sahing any bonuses you have earnt on RCI can be enjoyed on Celebrity perhaps? If you could clarify I would be most appreciative.

Ally

We just disembarked from the Radiance for the second time. I agree the showers are tiny but otherwise we were very happy with our cruise.

However the coffee at the cafe was hit and miss and they definitely need more staff, or a second coffee shop.

With so many kids on board this time we never got to use the whirl pools which I found annoying. Actually one comment I heard a lot was how small and inadequate the main pool was.

I haven't cruised on the Solstice but would love to try it next and compare the two.

I would sail on Radiance again if the price was right.

So annoyed! Just checked the prices on the rooms next door to us for my daughter and the prices have gone up! I thought we had until 28 February to get the sale price? It seems about $700 dearer per cabin. I really want her in the same deck as us, and preferably not too far away.

Now I am faced with a dilemma....:mad:

A

Looks like we will be partying in your GS Donna. It's huge and glam :D:D:D

Ally

Ship - Radiance of the Seas

Deck - 9

Stateroom # - 9256

Stateroom Category – D2

Starboard or Port Side - Aft

Quiet Stateroom? (With comments on problems) – Beautifully quiet, at the end of the corridor. Nothing heard from neighbours either.

Was stateroom a connecting stateroom? - No

Balcony View – Glorious view of the wake. Loved it.

Balcony Size? Normal or oversized for class? - Because it was a corner aft it was larger than normal with room for two loungers plus the two chairs and table. Enjoyed breakfast on the balcony.

Was wind a problem? - No

If an aft cabin, was soot a problem? - Not in the slightest

Any specific problems with this cabin? -We have booked it again, so obviously we loved it.

Any other comments? - I think I have now been spoilt and nothing but an aft corner for me! I looked at Celebrity Solstice but the balconies weren't comparable and all the corner aft cabins are suites

Has anyone seen the Today Tonight adverts for tomorrow nights show? One of their big stories is about an elderly couple supposedly kicked off their cruise ship ..."and you won't believe what for". During the segment they show images of one of the Celebrity cruise ships, it was too quick for me to ascertain which one.

I know these shows specialise in sensationalism, but this doesn't look good for Celebrity. Now I have to remember to watch tomorrow night, given I am considering Celebrity Solstice for our next cruise....

Ally

I guess if the price was right I wouldn't say no, but would definitely choose P&O,Carnival or stick with RCCL over Solstice. After recently travelling Solstice other ships in Australia are both a better cruise experience overall and have heaps better entertainment (for everyone, not just the elderly). I think you would be disappointed in Solstice (as we were) especially after you have travelled on the Radiance which is a better ship in every way possible. Only thing the Solstice has going for it in my opinion is the drinks packages.

 

In saying this, you will have an awesome cruise. Just try not to compare it to the Radiance or other ships you have sailed on and you will have a great time.

We loved the Radiance, and were actually trying to improve on that experience. I read that Celebrity is a step up from RCCL but you obviously feel otherwise. I find it hard to believe that Celebrity January 2015 cruise is cheaper than Radiance January 2015, but from my research it seems to be the case. We loved our cabin on Radiance, and unfortunately that exact cabin isn't available on the Jan 2015 cruise (aft balcony, deck 9)

More food for thought and I guess there are a lot of variables and personal preferences involved. For instance on the Radiance we didn't go to a show once (but it was only a 5 nighter) therefore maybe that isn't top priority for us. Food, ambience and comfortable cabin is foremost.

Thanks for your input, I will certainly give it some credence.

Ally

Hi Ally,

 

We went on Solstice in April from Sydney to Honolulu with our 16 year old daughter, Laura. Laura has been on 12 other cruises, and she enjoys going to the teens club. There were only 40 teens on board due to it being a repositioning cruise and was during only part of the school holidays. Laura said it was the best cruise she had been on. By that she means not just for the ports/length of the cruise but the teenagers were the best she ever cruised with. Laura would go to teens club at about 10.00 am and we would (generally) not see her again until about 2.00 am (yes two in the morning). The staff were excellent with the teenagers. Laura would not spend the whole time in teens club, the group (about a dozen of them) would roam the ship ie buffet, hot glass show, pool, more food, sitting in a lounge having mocktails or just sitting there talking.

 

We are going again on Solstice in April next year for eight nights and it is during the school holidays. As Laura is now 17 it will be her last cruise in teens/kids club, which she is sad about.

 

Is your daughter 17 now or will be 17 in January 2015?

 

Kim

Thanks Kim and everyone else for making me feel comfortable about the Solstice. She is currently 16, and by the time we get to January 2015 she will be 17. Very interested to know which cruise you are taking in April. Did you mean April 2014? My daughter will still be 16 then. She hasn't cruised and is hanging for us to take her. Being in the senior years of high school I am loath to take her outside school holidays.

Your daughter always finds friends to hang with? I was concerned that she might need to take a friend onboard, but it is costly, and I don't know that any of her parents would be happy to part with the $2K it is going to cost (assuming they have their own room).

Do you get Laura a separate room, or do you all share?

Any further advice appreciated, very keen to try the Solstice.

Regards

Ally

Hi all

Having just returned from a 5 day Radiance cruise we have the bug, and want to book a cruise for January 2015 and take our 17 year old daughter along.

I was wondering if this cruise line/ship caters well for this age group? It will be school holidays by then so hoping there will be other cruisers her age and activities for her to join in on.

Radiance seemed very well equipped for teens but we are keen to try something different as much as we loved Radiance, and the Solstice seems the best priced for this time of year.

Thought anyone?

Thanks,

Ally

We are just off Radiance after our first cruise - 5 nights to Brisbane. I was very surprised at the poor attitude a lot of people had towards dressing in general, not just on formal night. I think it is kind of disrespectful to rock up to the MDR in a t-shirt, or polar fleece jumper as did the gentleman sitting opposite me on the first evening. Where is the effort and pride people! It spoilt the occasion for me so we requested a table for two for the remaining nights and enjoyed the experience so much more. We did go to Chops Grille and found that the guests there were much better dressed (I recommend by the way).

Don't people value a 'special occasion' any more? I have to say the ladies for the most part were more dressy than the men, and generally speaking the older the cruiser the better dressed they were. Maybe some go into it with the wrong attitude, thinking it's a drag, or too much bother, but I relish the chance to don something special.

To answer your question, I don't think a tux is necessary, but certainly a nice shirt and jacket wouldn't go astray.

We just returned off the Radiance and were looking to book another cruise onboard, lured by the $100 deposit per person. However when I looked online that evening I could get the cruise $200 cheaper than the price they were quoting. Makes me suspicious, so we didn't book. I think I can get a better price if I shop around.

Ultimately it is the final price that you pay that is the true cost. So if I have to pay a bit extra up front I don't mind, as I feel it is more important to get the better deal.

I was a bit sad to find out you can't accrue points on Celebrity and Royal Caribbean as one identity. I was that close to booking Celebrity Solstice until I found that out.

Did you know that if you book Junior Suite and above you acrrue 2 points per night, not just one. In some cases this could be worthwhile.

Ally

You two are awesome! I stumbled upon your blog last night from your Radiance cruise as we are going on Radiance next Tuesday and don't know a whole lot about it. Your blog was soooo informative, I immediately sent the link to my partner and we poured over the photos and drooled somewhat. You have us very excited.

I also joined you on Facebook, loving the photos and the interesting bits of info. We have booked an aft balcony on deck 9 of Radiance and now I have read your blog and this thread, keen to try the Chef's Table.

Keep up the great work, it is truly appreciated.

Regards

Ally