Dar & Bob

Unfortunately, for our cruise in January the winds were high and we anchored on the otherside of the island. So the tender went to "nowhere" - a few vendors in a parking lot. You would have had to take a cab to get the Georgetown. Also, any excursions on the water, snorkeling, the stingrays etc were cancelled. There was probably over 50% still on the ship and I think it was one of the first cruises when this went into effect. Personally, we will try to avoid this port in the future.

As was stated above, it is not an automatic thing - you have to scroll down and choose to have your OBC used. You can cancel and rebook if it is still the same price. Otherwise I would call X

If you have a Sunset Veranda it is not and infinite veranda but a regular balcony. I too prefer the couch by the balcony not the bed. St. Kitts is great, been twice and have another on the Ascent in April 2024

I would choose the St Kitts and Tortola. We have been to Puerto Plata once, and from now on we will avoid it. Took a cab to town got hounded for 45 minutes and went back to the ship. I have read that the tours there are vendors that do the same. The island needs the $$$ but hounding people is not the way. You can stay on the ship, the Apex is fabulous!

Does anyone know what/where the Ascent will be going or doing November 29th to December 3rd? Will it just be sitting getting tweaked in Port Everglades? Cruisemapper shows it arriving but no departure until December 3rd.

Thanks - guess I'll just have to wait. Bummer

Does anyone know when the 2025 cruises will be released for Europe? I haven't seen anything

Yes, it was not problem

Sorry can't resist... IMO It's a ripoff. Yes it was fun even from the watching perspective - however several things to note. You are able to "win" on your card even if you aren't picked. What you win is casino credits that have to be played (they can't be cashed out) Also, if you are picked an win the free cruise, it is usually for an inside cabin on a particular saiing. So, yes it's amusing but the Deal is not all that. L(

Glad you are feeling better, but IMO Covid is non-news. If you leave your house you can get it. That said we do use our tests when we are feeling under the weather. We got off the Equinox in January and two of our friends had Covid upon our return. DH felt crappy we went to Urgent care, not covid, not the flu just some creeping crud. In March hadn't been out except for shopping and DH came down with covid. I took no precautions other than testing before going out for anything and never got it. We don't know, but anyone who feels it's a risk has the option to stay home but it is here to stay!

The question is would decomposition happen even if the body had been in the morgue. In a situation with a relative when we wanted to delay the funeral due to unfortunate circumstances, we were told to not hold the body in the hospital morgue more than a day or two or we would not have an open casket and even after embalming the funeral would have to be within the week to have a viewing. A funeral director friend confirmed the information. Not an expert just what we were told. I am sure X will pay something it's just a matter of how much - the article doesn't say what they are seeking.

In the past dealing with a relative we were told to have the body embalmed within a week or no open casket. So even with proper morgue temperatures they probably wouldnt have what they wanted. That said the wife should have been informed the moment they discovered the morgue freezers weren't working. It doesn't say how much they are seeking.

Just curious is there anyway to know approximately how many passengers will be on the Apex on May 7th? I am seeing hundreds of open cabins on the website currently. We were on the Edge last year with low numbers and it was nice that we could get a seat almost anywhere and wondering if we can expect the same. We are booked in Retreat so I know we shouldn't have to worry about dining. Our Equinox cruise in January was very difficult with 3 couples for dining, seats in the various venues.

We are staying at the Banks Mansion in a couple of weeks. A couple of questions if you have the time. Aproximately how much was the taxi to from airport to Banks. What are some must sees within walking distance of the Banks, we are planning on Anne Frank Museum and the Red Light district. Just wondering from you experience what not to miss.

We booked using terrydtx's link to VIP transfers. They replied very quickly and we are booked and paid. One more thing off my list. 🙂

@terrydtx Thanks for the info on VIP transfers, I now have one less thing to worry about!!

Thank you - going to look into it. I don't feel that old but really don't want to start out the cruise frazzled. As mentioned by @Ipeeinthepools with the amount we are alreadi spending why not!

Who are you using for your car transfer. We are on the May 7th sailing and staying in Amsterdam for 2 days before. Still trying to find transfers. I am not into lugging suitcases onto a train. Thanks

My doctor will not give me Ambien either and scared me by telling me it's linked to Alzheimer's. At home I now have license for MM but on cruises I rely on red wine and benadryl. BTW he said no in my early 60s so it could have been worse 🙂

Thank you so so much - that saves me a lot of space. Keeping my fingers crossed I won't need it on the trip but so great that they have them.

Did you look at the picture of the Apex? There are definitely no regular verandas in that area but there are the Porthole verandas as indicated on the deck plan. Stick with the SV if you want an open balcony.

@Jim_Iain I have a silly request. If you happen to pass through the gym on your walks can you see if they have foam rollers? (the kind to stretch legs) We board on May 7th and I have been using one recently and really don't want to take up space for one if I don't need to. Thanks Loving your report so far and glad to hear the Retreat Hosts are back to hosting 🙂 We just can't wait for our cruise.

Agreed and you can see by pics it isn't a regular veranda - yes Porthole verandas are open but not like a veranda and there are many of them. I think I would prefer the IV

Are you referring to Porthole verandas? I don't see a regular veranda on the deck plans.

@Jim_Iain Hope all goes well for you getting FLL. We live and Tampa and wish they would have shared some of that precipitation. Most rain in that period of time in Florida which is saying alot. Looking forward to following along. DH and I will be boarding in Rotterdam when you are getting off. Hope the rest of the trip is "uneventful" Dar