jean87510

On 5/9/2024 at 10:00 AM, Momto3girlsintheCarolinas said:

 

I have attempted to keep this trip as inexpensive as possible.  We booked a Bella experience with an inside cabin.  We were given a free upgrade to a balcony, which makes us very happy.  We're still Bella, though and we very much have a budget for this trip.

 

I'll write a review for the "regular folks when I get back.  Our favorite line is NCL, with Royal as second.  This is the first trip on MSC.

We went from the YC to an inside on NCL spirit for a cruise from Sydney to Tahiti last month.  One of my favorite cruises ever because of the ports.  We were NEVER in our cabin.  Only had 1x a day cleaning.  Ate in the buffet.  Stood in lines everywhere.  We did not care.  

3 hours ago, Stockjock said:

I've not done YC.  I can afford it, but choose not to.  Maybe some day I'll give it a try.  While it seems to be a better value versus other cruise lines' suites, here's my attitude.

1. It's considerably more expensive.  For example, on an upcoming Norwegian Fjords cruise, the price of YC deluxe is roughly 3.5 times the price of my Fantastica veranda.  Do you get more?  Of course.  3.5 x more?  Doesn't seem that way.

2. Not only do I not want a butler, but I think I'd find them to be annoying.

3. Obviously, an upgraded dining experience is nice, but 3.5 times nice?  To some, sure.  To me, probably not.  That said, on a recent cruise, we got 4 speciality restaurants for $100 USD per person.  3 of the 4 were part of a $200 package.  The 4th (2nd in Butcher's Cut) was a loyalty reward for being a Diamond member.  So 4 of 7 nights in a specialty restaurant for $100 each?  I consider that to be a great value.

4. I do like some of the privacy of YC, but again at 3.5 times the price?  Nah.

5. I don't like the fact that YC deposits are typically non-refundable.  While I don't book with the intent of cancelling, non-YC cabins can typically be cancelled without penalty up to 90 days before the sailing.  Not the case w/YC.

I also don't fly first or business class.  I'd love to do it.  I can afford to do it.  I simply don't want to spend the money.

Nothing wrong w/YC.  I'll try it one day.  But for now, you'll find me in a Fantastica veranda, or perhaps an Aurea suite, but only if the price is right.

The YC deposits are refundable up to 90 days out.

On 5/8/2024 at 12:27 PM, alserrod said:

 

 

 

I will be in Fantastica too.

 

 

I will write my lines post-cruise (not in the cruise, I will switch off for a week).

The issue is.... I do not know what to write and what not to write because ports of call are absolutely different on which everybody seems to be interested (I have read about cruising from Athens and in Northern Europe but nobody has written about Western Mediterranean) and I could upload MDR menus, daily programs and so but.... I think they will not be in English.

 

Nevertheless.... I will try to write about an experience in another recent ship of MSC

No, please write about the ports.  It is why I cruise primarily.  Yes, I do YC because I like it BUT the cruises moving forward we are picking for the ports.  Most of the postings here focus on food, service, tipping.  Not many on excursions and almost none on DIY or various ports in a review.  I think someone did one for the Divina TA crossing which was really interesting with photos and descriptions.

10 hours ago, DennysDad said:

Is there a place for new Celebrity Cruisers to go to learn like (Royal Caribbean Blog) etc? Website other than CC? So much to learn. Have no clue other than they have a large 55 plus customer base.

Try reddit.  Or YouTube videos.  I did this for MSC.

For St. Thomas, we recommend renting a car.  We have stayed there post cruise and found it easier and cheaper to get around.  Another option is St. John but again, much nicer to visit on a land vacation as the day trippers are herded to Trunk Bay and it's crowded.  

Things I don't recommend at St. Thomas.  Kayaking and snorkeling and hiking at Hassel island.  Hiking was great as was kayaking.  Snorkeling was terrible. Other terrible place is Coki.  Disgusting, loud music, trash in water, overwhelming stench of weed everywhere.

Beaches we loved for snorkeling.  Brewer's.  Also loved Sapphire.  

St. Martin.  Definitely Caribbean Paddling to head to Pinel Island.  We have done this 3x.  Decent snorkeling midway.  Nice hiking at the island.  Good food and drink.  Nice staff.  Also, another option is taxi or bus to Mullet Bay then walk over to watch planes at Maho.  Nice inexpensive way to spend day.  We have also rented cars at the port and had fun driving around the island.

Both islands you don't really need excursions.  Caribbean Paddling does rent the kayaks and will arrange transport to their place.  

We don't usually go to shows onboard but occasionally will go if there's a novelty act like juggling or a good violinist.  Regardless, being a new D+, I never heard of this perk.  Where is the seating usually?  In the back or front of theater?

7 minutes ago, cruisegus said:

I like that price with Gratuities added.

 

Btw if you included gratuity l will not be leaving an additional tip at current prices

Agreed.  But I didn't mean for this to turn into a tipping thread.  Everyone can do what they want.  I personally don't give a crap what they choose.

We have sailed out of a lot of ports (Barbados, San Juan, Sydney, Seward, NYC, Bayonne, Baltimore, Charleston, New Orleans, Miami, Tampa, Port Canaveral, Jacksonville, Galveston. Fort Lauderdale, Barcelona, and Civitavecchia).  My favorites with the fellow passengers were Sydney, Galveston, Jacksonville, New Orleans and Tampa.  This was Carnival, Royal and NCL passengers.  I find Southerners on a whole are much friendlier than the NE.  The Aussies were by far the best mates to travel with.  But the Southerners were a close 2nd.  Having many family members in parts of Texas and having friendly sports rivalries (Cowboys, Astros vs Eagles and Phillies) I can say I wish I lived there.  

6 hours ago, goldfish65 said:

Bone-in Ribeye.

No, it looks more like a lamb chop.

8 minutes ago, HBE4 said:

 

Does this count?

 

New York has "Taste NY" stores located throughout the state dedicated to food and beverages grown, produced, or processed in New York State.  According to the website, there are 68 retail locations. Not just airports but visitor centers, rest stops, train stations, stadiums, stand-alone locations, etc.

 

https://taste.ny.gov/

 

Pretty sure you can get a "I❤️NY" bumper sticker there too.

🙂

I have seen more cities than states.  

58 minutes ago, wolfganghowell said:

Pandering?  OMG!  🙂  Yeah, that's why Royal built a gorgeous new terminal in Galveston to pander to the minority.  It's fine - why showing state pride is offensive to some people is just amazing.  I would never think twice about it when I am in another state.  It's great that there are other states people can sail from since they find it annoying to sail from Texas. What I really loved is when they had the longhorns on Voyager.  Guess that would really send some people over the edge!!!

We all know why.  We just aren't allowed to post it.  The dissidents are allowed.  But we can still laugh.

16 minutes ago, adolfo2 said:

Pandering all the way... from the live entertainment, and recorded music, to the stupid texas flag that's painted on the bow of the ship (that's Carnival though). There is a suck-up factor unheard of in any other USA ports. I can understand the Chinese Market specific ships but this is weird.

Just make yourself feel better and stick with sailing out of Florida.  Or is that a no no place?

42 minutes ago, time4u2go said:

Not sure about the gratuities, but that steak does NOT look appetizing, at least to me! In particular, the layer of fat on the side closest to the camera.

Yes, Chops isn't my favorite.  Unfortunately this is the Grandeur so restaurants are limited.  We may use all 3 at Izumi.

37 minutes ago, Tree_skier said:

I noticed a couple of weeks ago that the price of various packages had the gratuity already added in and nothing was added at check out.  It started with my Icon booking a couple of weeks ago and has moved on to all the future booking that I have.

 

This should please all the "I hate gratuities" crowd.  

Well they are still there.  

I actually like it.  

On 5/7/2024 at 5:30 PM, lwid77 said:

Hello everyone!

 

I have a questions about gratuities and understand it can be a hot button topic for some.  This is our first cruise and we are booking on the Constellation going from Rome to Venice and our fare included gratuities.  

What is the expectation for gratuities over and above that?  Particularly for the room steward and restaurant waiters.  

Do you tip waiters every time you dine?

 

Thank you!

No.

Gratuities are included.

Normally when I purchase this I notice the gratuities are added once I check out.  Here, the price says it's already included.  This is for a 9 day Grandeur cruise next April.  Price looks within reason for a 3 night package.  Has anyone seen this?  Something new for the latest 35% "sale"?

1 hour ago, bajathree said:

Cause the food on Coco Cay like Labadee sucks. I was actually happy to see better choices at Hideaway.

Have to agree with the overall estimation re food.  Probably a 3 out of 5.  We eat a decent breakfast and dinner and usually don't drink a lot on island.

It is nice when crowds do leave.  We find it much more pleasant.  I personally think it's just nap time for some.

20 hours ago, ISHOULDABENAPIRATE said:

 

Coastal areas in the Bahamas experience two high tides and two low tides every 24 hours and 50 minutes, or every lunar day. High tides occur about 12 hours and 25 minutes apart, and it takes about 6 hours and 12.5 minutes for the water to change from high to low, or vice versa. 

Google is indeed a friend.  

5 hours ago, ReneeFLL said:

Where’s the rest of the picture? 🤔

 

Well it was a selfie but here he is in Eleuthera.  

4 hours ago, doghog said:

I'll bet your husband was thankful you didn't report him. 😂

Lol, sorry, I'm picky.  I prefer muscular in shape triathletes.  

12 hours ago, Merion_Mom said:

I'm just trying to wrap my mind around the frequently stated "snacks before dinner".

 

SNACKS BEFORE DINNER?  How about just GOING TO DINNER?!?!??!

lol, it sounds like my kids when they were in their pre teens.  

Isn't there pizza available and soft serve ice cream at that time?

I once saw a very hairy animal getting out of the hottub with a large stomach, a mankini and a drink.  Forgot to report it.

9 hours ago, joyandjerry said:

Be nice to meet someone from our "tribe" on a cruise someday! I swam quite a bit many years ago, so it is no problem. We never pack dressy clotin, as we are there for the ports not to eat in the dining room, which is generally very slow service. The cruise lines have your age on record with your booking, so one cannot lie about it to them.

We sometimes book through chase travel points and they have our ages.  

Yes, it's definitely nice to meet a port person who age is a number!

13 minutes ago, joyandjerry said:

 

Thanks for the info. We never got our own equipment, as it is rather bulky to pack. Apparently the four of us are atypical cruise ship pax. Jerry and I both exercise daily. I run and lift weights, plus stair walk. Jerry is exceptionally fit at 70 and rides an exercise bike at a high intensity daily, plus lifts weights.  (We have a gym a True bike and treadmill.) I am 64 and many of the cruise ship excursions cap age participation. We did the Mt Pimard  hike in St Lucia several weeks ago, and others much younger than us in another group had to drop out halfway. Booking was through SEG. RCCL capped the age limit at 63, and the hike actually fell on my 64th birthday! On the ships we use the gym regularly and never the elevators. Daily we start at deck one and got to the top deck continuously four or five times. Use it or lose it!

you will have no issues then.

We have 1 checked suitcase devoted to our snorkeling stuff including a weight belt, tent, free diving fins...  It really is not that much extra room if just mask, pipe and fins.  We use dish detergent in a small bottle to defog.  It is so much nicer to have your own.  I gave up nice shoes and nice clothes years ago to make room.

Yes, age thing is started to affect some bookings so we just lie now.

15 hours ago, revjamesl said:

I’ve asked a similar question before regarding different ports, but what are some really nice non-RC excursions/things to do that you’ve booked while in Puerto Costa Maya, Cozumel, and Roatan?

 

Please and thank you in advance.

There are quite a few factors. My suggestion is to research each place and find things you may like.  Then find ways to do them either a tour or on your own.  Your request is really broad as I don't know if you like beaches, party catamarans, snorkeling, diving, tour buses.  We can all give you suggestions but not knowing what you like makes it difficult.