shipgeeks

Thoenix, I can see you are doing your homework very well! Oh, and welcome to cruise critic! I hope you will be a regular contributor.

A further note to the above: When I returned to the US 12 years later, I was returning by myself, and I flew. Some days prior to that, I had three of the steamer trunks picked up by a shipping company, for transporting back. That was in February. They finally arrived around August. I'm sure they had to wait to fill a container, ship them to NYC, then have them transported to my city. But everything did arrive in good order; just not quickly.

Just hand the server your card when you order. You will be recognized as eligible for a D drink.

Keep it long.

Thoenix, another thought while you are making the big decision of which ship.... Re drinks onboard: There is coffee, tea, iced tea, lemonade, fruit juice, ice water available free. Beer and cocktails can be purchased individually, so that might be the best option for your group. I like your idea of not doing specialty restaurants. Dinner each evening in the dining room, especially if you are at a set time with the same waiters, can be a fun and very "traditional" element of cruising. The three of you could request your own table, or, if you'd like a bigger table with a few other passengers, that's a possibility, too. For breakfast and lunch, there is dining room and buffet options.

I vote for Vision! Your mention of your obsession with ocean liners was the first thing that caught my eye (we are shipgeeks). Vision, and Enchantment, are much more like traditional ocean liners; Adventure, with a promenade down the middle (ugh) is not. We like the ocean views all over the ship, on promenade (outdoor) deck, big windows in public rooms, and from the wraparound Viking Crown Lounge, on deck 11. The port facility is one of the smallest, and easiest to navigate, with very helpful staff. The crew onboard are fantastic. The passengers are usually pleasant and friendly. There are hotels between BWI airport and the port that provide shuttles and other amenities. We sail out of Baltimore every winter. We usually board in a winter coat, but by the next day it is getting warmer, and the coat goes under the bed til the last day. And being the longest of your choices, it makes the flights and other expenses feel better. Those 8 days will be gone in a flash! Please keep your thoughts coming, pro and con and otherwise.

How would bread products and eggs be prepacked and sealed? Not from the buffet, for sure. I would ot expect to be able to take any foods ashore unless it was something like a sealed granola bar from home.

$3.50 on the MDR menu a couple of months ago, on Vision. (I think. As I noted, I just use one of my Diamond drinks.)

Some local foods include beaver tails (pastry), poutine, donair; available from kiosks along the boardwalk. Seafood, breweries.

I don't know if this helps, but it get it almost every day on Vision, in MDR or WJ, ordered from a bar or server. I use one of my Diamond drinks for it. I believe it's only available at breakfast. I really like it.

After 18 months (and six cruises) of "Why I am so clumsy?" and "I can't really feel my feet", I have a diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy. Getting PT for balance and strength, as well as care of neurologist and rheumatologist. Seeking to receive and share any tips, especially for on the ship. At home, shopping, and PT, I can usually wear sneakers, although my PT nixed my newest pair, as the soles are thick and stiff, without much flex at the ball of the foot. So they are on hold. Yesterday I wore a pair of loafers I had planned to pack....but discovered that they can slip off without my knowing it. Another on hold. I will take a cane on the cruise. I don't use it around the house, but take it for the entrance and lobby of PT facility, just for reassurance. I got some nice tips from my post here re novice cane user. Balance is my biggest concern, though I have always dealt pretty well with rough seas. Not too concerned with going ashore, as our primary bliss is just being on a ship. Anyone else dealing with this?

IMO, cancellation is exceedingly unlikely. But the cruise itself could keep its original itinerary or a variation thereof, could head south, could go --??. We are in the same situation on 9-14, and will just plan to be prepared for wherever we go. Will pack a fleece plus a pair of shorts. I don't expect to be notified until the evening before, if then; could be after we board. But, again, I do not expect a cancellation.

I'm packing one of each regardless. Based on the timing of notifications of current sailings, I am not expecting any news until Wednesday evening. If they can keep the current itinerary by holding off on changing it, I'll be happy. But I will be aboard no matter where we go.

LOL, if I got a refund of $2,400 it would mean I got at least two nice long cruises for free!

Good point, thank you. I've found that I feel safe enough in the house and in PT facility, but even here, stepping from my walkway to the grass and then into the driveway is scary.

Cruises are not cancelled, but re-routed. It can be disappointing to miss the ports one has booked for, but there is still a cruise.

Yikes! I understand the concept of "wear your bulkiest garment and bulkiest shoes on the plane", but.....

I had it once, in a mixed seafood dish. It was okay, nothing special. Then I learned I am allergic to shellfish, so no interest in further exploration. I've never understood the fascination anyway, apart from the restaurant price. Our petite tablemate ordered four on a recent cruise.....

For a number of years we have used a very large online agency (phone and email contact with our agent) which has a Group department. If a group is being arranged for the cruise we want, we have sometimes been added to the group, giving us an additional discount. One time we arrived at MDR and learned that we were at a large table set up for 11. It turned out that the Head Waiter took the group booking seriously, and seated us together. I think he was quite shocked that we didn't know each other. It turned out to be an excellent mix of people, from all over the country. By the way, once I've made a booking, I never look at prices again. If I'm satisfied at the outset, I'm satisfied.

We were across from inside cabins, but have never had any issues with slamming or other noise.

As a semi-vegetarian, I've almost always enjoyed the veg dishes on cruises. However, recent attempts to satisfy vegans has apparently led to non-meat dishes now being vegan only, not vegetarian, so no cheese or other dairy products, no eggs, etc. Heavy on mushrooms, which I like, but..... I'm just not finding the current selections as satisfying as in the past.

We used the cruise line transfer. Not super cheap, but it gave us priority off the ship, luggage service, confidence that it would be there for us, and confidence that we would be taken to the correct terminal. The only downside was waiting for a few stragglers to board the bus. But we still got to the airport before our carrier was even open.

We've stayed there twice on Equinox. Ideal cabin, IMO. Quiet, but convenient to many public spaces. (Ours was OV; are you thinking inside cabin?) Do you have any particular concerns?

Thank you for all the thoughts; they are good ones. I have put my name on my cane, just in case I forget it and leave it somewhere (although I'm sure I wouldn't get very far). The white sticker helps me notice it, too, when it's propped up between a couple of chairs. And I, too, am doing PT for both strength and balance. Perhaps ironically, I taught fitness classes, including balance skills, for 35 or so years. When the lockdown occurred, and my job abruptly ended, I did a daily blog for my students, re things they could do at home to maintain their skills. One was using a yardstick as a cane while standing on one foot: just enough floor contact for a mental confidence boost, but not enough to really support the user. You are right, lack of confidence is the biggie.

But still, not everyone will be affected, or need meds. We have done 50 cruises, in all kinds of seas, plus Navy and cargo ship, and have never once felt queasy or wished we had taken something.