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Looking forward to reading your blog. Will be on the Brilliance leaving Barcelona on September 10th. Although we will have a different itinerary, would like to hear your thoughts about your experience on the ship itself. Have a fabulous cruise! :)

Go to roll call.[/quote

 

 

FYI, this is a roll call for solo cruisers.

Any solo cruisers on Brilliance of the Seas on September 10, 2017 out of Barcelona? This will be my first solo cruise.

Was on the Royal 3 weeks ago. Our 6 pm dining time was actually 5:30 pm in the Allegro dining room.

Thanks to all that replied.

Looks like we'll be seeing the Royal all decked out for the holidays! 🎄

Hi all,

Sailing on the Royal Princess on November 30th for 10 days. When does Princess start decorating for Christmas? Hoping to see the ship all decorated for the holidays.

Thanks,

Denise

Are you cruising out of Florida? Many shops/walmart/target-even regular grocery stores have beach bags- I probably have 4-5 different ones- have bought several at bed,bath and beyond- I like ones with outside pockets for drinks-zippered pockets inside-and zippered close top-in case it spills over. I usually take a smaller one for pool and bigger one to go off to ports -also I am particular about the straps and feel of the bag- I hate having to carry a scratchy texture bag next to my skin all day- you can even buy your bag in ports-bought 1 I like in Cozumel years ago.

Yes but won't have the opportunity to go to Walmart, Target or a shopping mall since we will not be renting a car. We arrive around 8 pm the night before the cruise and will probably go straight to our hotel. If time permits the day of our cruise, heard there's a Ross near our hotel that I will try to get to.

Thanks

Well, perfect depends upon what you need the bag to do. Are you going to carry everyone's towels? beach toys? do you need to keep water bottles cold? do you prefer a backpack or a tote bag?

 

I'd say start by making a list of what YOU want from your beach to do!

 

Personally, I have a PERFECT pool tote. It was a gift bag from Bath & Body Works and originally contained bath products -- it's about half the size of a plastic grocery bag full of groceries. It's short and wide with about 6 fat pockets around the sides that hold sunscreen, chapstick, my reading glasses, room key ... plus one zippered pocket to hold a few dollars. If I have a drink to carry, it can go in the center section too. The center portion of the bag holds my Kindle or a book. The bag is made of canvas, but it's tough enough to rinse off, if it gets dirty. If I need to carry a towel, I usually drape it over my shoulder. This little tote is at least a decade old, and I hope it never wears out.

 

For the beach, sometimes I carry this bag /towel over my shoulder. Other times my husband and I share a big tote bag that can hold towels and everything. When we use a big tote bag, I tend to gather all my small stuff in a ziplock bag so it isn't lost in the big bag.

Thanks to all that have replied so far.

Mrs Pete, your bag from Bath and Body Works sounds ideal.

Prefer a tote bag just large enough to carry my stuff only (sunscreen, book, camera, IPhone, small wristlet to keep my cruise card & some cash) and most likely a towel.

I recently ordered a nice canvas one online from Lands' End but when it arrived found it too heavy. Will keep it though to use for something else.

Even after several cruises, I still have yet to find the perfect beach / pool tote bag.

What do you use as a beach, pool or excursion tote bag?

Will appreciate all your comments and suggestions. Thanks!

Denise

Got an upsell yesterday from an interior to a balcony for $170 CAD for my upcoming 10 day cruise.

Great review and pictures Deon!

Maybe there is more than one cruise in port. That can be a huge influx of people. Check multiple search engines. I used http://www.agoda.com.

Thanks for the name is this search engine. Will check it out.

Have been reading all the great hotel suggestions for Barcelona but when I look into availability for some of these hotels for next Sept, some already sold out. Find it rather odd that some hotels are sold out a year in advance.:confused:

I'm going crazy looking for a crossbody bag for Europe that's big enough but not too big, with zippered pockets but not too many to entice pickpockets. Any suggestions on that? As for on the ship, not worrying about one--will have my husband hold the card if I don't have a pocket.

 

 

Recently purchased a black nylon Baggallini "Helsinki" crossbody bag from Amazon. Think it's a perfect size - not too small or too large.

Recently purchased a black nylon Baggallini "Helsinki" crossbody bag from Amazon.

Just came across your post. Watched all your videos back to back. You did an amazing job!

Will be on her sister ship, the Royal in November.

Denise

P.S. Loved the LCBO bag your wife was carrying when you embarked!

Great review and pictures so far. We'll be on the Adventure 1 week from today!

I have never sailed with Costa but have sailed with MSC 3 times. My last cruise with them was last September on 7 night med cruise on the Preziosa.

As others have stated, definitely has an European feel, since it's an Italian cruise line. English is one of 5 languages spoken in the announcements (others are Italian, French, Spanish and German). On the Preziosa the most common language I heard spoken was Italian & German but the crew all spoke English. Dinners in the MDR are late (believe our 1st seating started at 7pm) since Europeans generally prefer to eat late. I remember that a pitcher of water was not on the table that other cruise lines provide but being North American, we were given a coupon every night for a bottle of water - either "still" or "fizzy".

As for Europeans jumping the line, saw this only once or twice at the buffet lines. Never at the lines to enter the MDR.

Thought the entertainment at the nightly shows were a lot better than what I experienced so far on Princess, Carnival and Royal Caribbean. No comedians, ventriloquists, etc.

Would definitely sail with MSC again. Suggest that if you do decide to go, just go with an open mind, go with the flow because at the end of the day, you're on vacation! :):)

Great review so far! We'll be sailing on the Adventure on November 7th

What deck were you on? Have been reading that you hear more noise on deck 6 PR cabins. We have a PR cabin on deck 7.

I thought his name was Darwin. Maybe that is his middle name. :D

 

Yes, that's Darwin, the IKEA monkey!

You'll get it onboard - it's a technically a gift purchase so added day of sailing.

Thanks Tinious!

I purchased $200 US for $220 CAD and received an email confirmation.

I logged onto the R C website but can't find it on my profile. Where can I find my OBC?

Thanks!

Have enjoyed reading your review and seeing your pictures so far. Thanks for your detailed comments. Looking forward to sailing on the Jewel in April. This will be our first cruise with RCCL.

Loving your review so far. Looking forward to reading about your week on the Preziosa. Can't wait until Sept when I'll be on the Preziosa!