irishgal432

Oh My:eek:

Thanks, I don't mind cold weather and the waterfalls sound spectacular.

We are looking at the 7 day Norwegian Fjords Cruise and are flexible in dates.

Which month tends to be the best to cruise in terms of scenery and weather?

Well, I’ve been back a week and I’m just starting to get back to normal! Finally, I have some time to sit down and write about our wonderful trip to Norway.

 

A little background and pre cruise planning.

 

Although this trip has been on our bucket list for many years, we just never got around to going there. This was actually a spur of the moment trip; we had been on Serenade OTS in April on a 10 night Caribbean cruise and had just returned home when I was feeding my post cruise withdrawal addiction by surfing through a popular on line travel site.

 

I get a lot of vacation with my job, but find it hard to manage more than a couple of weeks off at a time and I also have a few blackout periods during the year. Most of the time, June is not a good time to travel, but this year it just happened that the first two weeks of June would be open.

 

At first my search was really just playing around, but then I seriously started looking at cruises to Norway. Because we had just returned from a cruise, I was really looking for something in August. I found the 11 night Arctic Circle cruise on Serenade available in June, but I wasn’t crazy about going on the same ship again so soon. I looked at all cruise lines, but because my husband is disabled, we decided cruises from Copenhagen would be the easiest for us to manage, so that ruled out many of our options. I found a few 7 night cruises, but really wanted something longer that included the North Cape, so I kept returning to the Serenade.

 

Suddenly, RCI offered free gratuities on the Serenade itinerary, a substantial savings on an 11 night cruise! The price remained the same, so it really was a deal. Then I found a fantastic price on RT air - $860 from Cincinnati with only one connection in Newark, Most air to Europe I had been looking at for the past year was in the $1,200 to $1,400 range. My favorite hotel in Copenhagen was available with my Marriott points, so all things came together and we felt we were supposed to go. So I booked everything!

 

We weren’t sure about the weather and as this was a port intensive itinerary, we decided we would be fine with an OV cabin. One of the newer cabins on deck 4 that were part of the refurb was available, so I grabbed it – more about that later.

 

As we only had 5 weeks between booking and departure, I didn’t have a lot of time to do research and plan, so I opted for the easy way and booked ship excursions on all ports except Bergen. From what I gathered on the roll call, most people were either doing RCI tours or just going off on their own in port. There didn’t seem to be many options for private tours on this itinerary.

 

The 5 weeks passed quickly. As for an Alaskan cruise, we packed with layering in mind; however, I really wasn’t sure what to expect during the days above the Arctic Circle, so I packed a few heavier things – just in case. Overall, I did a pretty good job of packing and only ending up with a few too many lighter weight tops that were never worn. We took a rolling garment bag, a 25” suitcase, which we checked in on our flights, a small carry-on and a small tote, that doubled for my handbag. My husband had his own transport chair and that always goes with us.

 

The airfare I purchased was on multiple airlines – United to Newark, SAS to Copenhagen and then SAS to Chicago on the return flight home and American to Cincinnati. I called all of the airlines to make sure we had a pusher for my husband so we could make it through the maze of airport terminals and customs with our bags. SAS has “ free” seats and also charges for advance seating assignments if the “free” seats are gone. I was lucky and got the last two no charge seats on the flight to Copenhagen, but all were gone for the return flight. I could have waited 22 hours prior to departure to get seat assignments at no extra charge, but I really didn’t want to sit in the middle section, so I went ahead and paid $29 pp to get window and aisle seats. Was it necessary? I’ll never know, but I ended up with what I wanted, so that’s worth something.

 

Next up – some pre-cruise drama, the flight to Copenhagen, and our stay at the Marriott.

Looking forward to your review. We are empty nesting and are looking forward to more of these iternaries since we won't have to pay for the 3 kids.

Did you book through Choice air or how did you find the different options for your flights?

Great to know, we've heard lots of great things about CK. We've got a total of 12 people going and were told we shouldn't have too hard a time having at least 1 dinner with everyone in there

we had a group of 10 and had dinner twice in CK.

Some things to consider, have you tried 2 GS which would give you the same benefit and may be cheaper.

I still would go with the suite for the following reasons:

I do like the fact that all people get internet access which makes staying in touch when travelling with a group much easier.

Also, the embarkation and disembarkation with luggage valet is a nice benefit especially cruising with grandparents and small children.

CK has a nice kids menu.

No making reservations for shows other than the comedy show, you just show up which sometimes work well with little ones.

The suite sun deck is nice, however it is 2 decks away from the pool, but would be a nice meeting point especially with the grandparents.

Dining en suite with the MDR menu in case the kids are exhausted.

Never having to wait in line at gs or shore excursions as the concierge can take care of most requests.

Glad it worked out for you. Had you paid in full already?

has anyone cruised with family that do not have sea, sky or star class perks and you do?

 

I am wondering if they can embark and disembark with me since we are STAR but they are not. They are elderly and i really want us to stay together.

 

any help would be great!

We were all Star class in May and saw many non-suite cards (blue) leaving in our group with suite members (plum, dark blue), Last September in a GS I had my 18 yo twins with me staying in a balcony and we were all permitted to embark and disembark together.

Does Sky class offer one day at the spa for each adult in the suite?

Yes.

There were 4 adults in our loft and each got a one day pass.

I really didnt expect it to be, but it was really nice and relaxing. In fact, I used one of the other ladies day as well.

I just booked yesterday! I'll be contacting them!

You should still be within the 24 hour guarantee window. good Luck

I just saw that the Empress sailings have been discounted for July and August. Senior discounts too! Starting at 188.00 for Interior and 480 for JS.

Google search @royalcaribbeanpricedrops

Can you go on another cruise sooner than the one you have scheduled? I want to read another review!!

Your reviews are one of the best ones out there who combine just the right amount of verbage, pictures and wit!

Here is the code for new bookings from the contest. It gives you a 25$ OBC.

Definitely go for one of the latter two. You don't want to be walking around the airport south location after dark.

 

You said you walked to Publix from the Crowne Plaza? The HI Express is right next to the Harbor Shops which will save you a mile walk each way to shopping and restaurants if you don't mind a bit less fancy property.

Yes we walked, found a cut through path to the harbor shops through an opening in the shrubs, so it wasnt too bad.

Thanks for the advice. Both have airport shuttles so that saves the expense.

I am close to booking in Dania Beach area. We are coming in Sat afternoon and leaving on Sun on the Allure. Looking for a place with a restaurant within walking distance and a place to buy wine.

Looking at

Holiday Inn Fort Lauderdale Airport South

205 N. Federal Hwy., Dania Beach, Florida, 33004.

Is this to be avoided?

I can spend 10 more for

Holiday Inn Express & Suites : Ft. Lauderdale Airport/Cruise

1150 State Road 84 , Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315 ,

I can spend 20 more for

Holiday Inn Express : Ft. Lauderdale Cruise-Airport

1500 SE 17th Street Causeway , Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 , United States

or 25 more for

Crowne Plaza on State Rd 84-stayed here before and can walk to the Publix.

Thanks for your help.

It was about 75.00 cheaper to fly out of West Palm Beach per person, sounds like it wouldn't be worth the trouble.

thanks!

Can someone clarify:

How long does it take from MIA to west palm beach via Tri-rail? Is there any shuttles or buses that you have to take or is it from airport stop to airport stop?

Is there another stop closer to the the port of Miami that the airport?

I had a situation where I brought my sons friend who had a passport. I had the waiver signed by his mom who kept her maiden name. I had brought him on several cruises and had never been asked for the form. It was my understanding after reading the verbiage on the website and calling, only one parent had to sign for bringing a minor who is not yours. I was asked for the form and presented it to the agent. She called over the supervisor and the supervisor said they'd couldn't accept it because the last names didn't match. I couldn't call the father because he was on an overseas flight. My friend had to leave work, go home and fax a birth certificate to the pier agent to prove she was his mother.

I happened to meet another family who brought a friend and they didn't even ask for the letter.

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These 1 BR ATS have never been Star Class suites. They are Sky Class.

Correct-I mistyped before my coffee.:)

Good for you and your Ta for sticking to your guns. You hear so many times that there is an issue with wrong information and RC doesn't acknowledge it. Make sure you get the part about suite perks aka star class plum colored cars for your balcony room as well in writing. It will open the auite lounge and suite sun deck as well as gain entry to shows without reservations.

Been in a CL 2 times and there is not alot of motion up there. In fact, I was with someone who had never cruised before and they commented on how little movement there was.

I was torn recently between the OS and the CL because I had never been in an OS and was thinking of trying it for the balcony.

Received the Crowne Plaza from Priceline Express Deals for $139 plus tax for 3/12/17, Sunday. Total price $165

Hotel current rate is $180 pretax

I took a chance and was hoping to get the Riverside again. Both hotels are 3.5 stars in downtown Las Olas region on PL site. Both hotels show same amenity icons. Both hotels let you choose your bed type. However, riverside is only hotel of the two that gives you the option of choosing a superior city view room

Crowne plaza simply lets you choose bed type

 

 

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Is Crowne the "Fort Lauderdale Downtown - Cruise Port - Convention Center Area" selection on Priceline?

No if you are all linked, it will be on one account.

We had a party in the centrum with a balloon release on Vision.

In May, it came out about Day 4.