catugirl

Thanks to everyone for your input.  Only six more days!!😀

I read that there are not an over abundance of places on Harmony of the Seas with sea views,  if that’s the case, where is the best place on that ship for sail away?  Our cruise is coming up in seven days.

We have mostly cruised Celebrity and Princess.  We have an upcoming cruise on Harmony (first RCI Cruise in nine years).  We have always found the Roll Calls on Celebrity and Princess to be very friendly and helpful, and the Meet & Mingles to be well attended.  On our current Roll Call for HOTS, it does seem, as was mentioned previously, that it’s largely people who have cruised together before and are trying to reconnect.  When I have made comments there, I mostly get “crickets” in response.  The Roll Call does not seem very welcoming to newbies or infrequent cruisers.  It’s too bad because it’s a great way to meet your fellow cruisers, according to our experience on other lines.

21 hours ago, janineallison said:

Following along as we are also sailing on the November 17th cruise!

DH and I are, as well.  Can’t wait!

I always thought I wanted an aft cabin until we got one on Crown Princess.  It was on Deck 12, and we felt every single “bump” in the ocean.  I did not sleep one night out of seven!  The aft view was amazing but not worth all the movement for me.

On 10/18/2019 at 9:15 PM, TinkBellaMom said:

When we first began cruising our TA had us pay our grats up front for MTD.  I thought it was still the case, but recently found out it is no longer necessary.  I continue to do it as we like to have everything done before we sail.  We routinely give extra to those who provide extra services ,like cabin steward,room service, bartenders,assistant waiter and our head waiter.  By canceling grats, I would be afraid I wouldn’t tip those behind the scenes.  Our way of doing it ensures everyone gets a share and a few get extra.

I agree wholeheartedly.  The crew all work very hard.

We have stayed at the Marriott (Stellaris Casino) and loved it.  It’s oceanfront, the staff are friendly, the rooms are nice, the view is beautiful, the pool is fun and the food there is good.  We took a taxi to the pier, and it was not a long trip.  We would stay there again.

We’ve always met our Roll Call buddies at sail away at Sunset Bar and had a great time.  The view form there can’t be beat.

Cruised on her in January...not a fan.  Old ship, mediocre food (except for specialty restaurants), fair service, no way to find a chair at any pool on sea days, buffet is a total zoo.  Will never try her again.  We loved all the other Celebrity cruises we have taken.

For our November cruise we booked through an online TA.  We got the $100 that RCI offered, plus we got a reasonable price, prepaid gratuities and $300 OBC from the TA.  The only time we have booked through a cruise line was our first cruise.  They charged a premium price for the cruise fare and offered NO amenities.  Ever since then we have booked through whichever online TA who is offering the most amenities at the time.

83 till Harmony...first time on Oasis Class.  Can’t wait!

17 hours ago, A&L_Ont said:

And then there is Lucy.  We had to pick her up at the neighbors yesterday. She had been gone since Monday. To lazy to walk the half mile home.  Who has who trained?

 

 

 

 

Here she is doing what she does best.  She might have moved 4 metres between some on these photos. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wow, she looks so much like our Lucy.  Take a look.

We used Marriott Bonvoy points and stayed at Marriott Stellaris.  Large room with amazing views, great pool and good food in restaurants.

1 hour ago, katiel53 said:

We've never stayed at a hotel in San Juan where they had a shuttle to the Pan Am pier whether free or not.  We have stayed at the Condado and the Marriott Stellaris as well as Embassy Suites.

 

We liked the Marriott  best.  I thought Embassy Suites was drab and kind of depressing and it wasn't on the beach.   We haven't sailed from San Juan in a few years so it may be different today.

I would cast a vote for the Marriott Stellaris, too.  It has spacious rooms, amazing views and a great pool.  If I remember correctly, it was about 15 minutes or so from the port.

It’s interesting...we have friends who have done 55 cruises, 90% on RCI.  After every cruise I ask how the food was, and they always say, “meh,” but RCI is as their favorite cruise line.  To DH and I, great food is one of the things we look for on a cruise.  We have done several cruises on Celebrity, several on Princess, one on RCI (and a couple of river cruises).  The food in Celebrity Blu and Luminae was great and in the MDR it was good.  Princess MDR had great food. The one RCI was on Radiance in 2000, and the food was terrible.  Some was overcooked and most lacked flavor.  We are trying Harmony in November and hoping for memorable food.

Which specialty restaurants are included in this package for lunch?  Do we have to book those on embarkation day, too, or can we just show up for lunch?

Not sure why they call it “non-drowsy.”  All seasick meds make me drowsy!

Thank you, everyone, for your input and suggestions.  I will pass along all your suggestions to DH and let him decide, since he will be driving.  Can’t wait ‘til our cruise on HOTS!

We are booked on Harmony in November and will be driving down from NC.  How is the parking at Port Canaveral?  Is it easy to navigate?  We have never embarked there.  Any guidance would be appreciated.

We have not cruised on RCCL for 19 years and have a November 17 cruise booked in HOTS this year.  We want to book a 3 night dining package, but we’re unsure as to how to go about it.  It looks like it will let me book a package; however, it does not ask which restaurants I prefer.  Do we not have to designate which restaurants when we book the package?  We don’t want the ship to just randomly choose for us.  Any advice you have would be greatly appreciated.

On 4/23/2019 at 12:52 PM, mcatmcat said:

For years Royal has struggle with   Millennials because we think a cruise is a boring place full of seniors. In the last few year Royal has changed his imagine and more millennials area attracted to royal and the cruise industry overall. It’s going to be interesting if people that are loyal to Celebrity decide to change brand jumping to Royal filling their ship. Celebrity ships are nice but I don’t think they are for me since they target 65+ yrs old 

You should check out Celebrity Edge.  From what I have read, that ship has many unique features and is very much geared toward millennials.  Just be prepared for a steep cruise fare.😊

We have done many cruises on Celebrity and Princess and only one on RCI, with our second one coming up in November on Harmony.  Our last cruise was on Celebrity Infinity this past January, and we got a super deal.  For years we have wanted to cruise on an Oasis Class ship on RCI, but a comparable cabin on Oasis has been much more expensive than any ship on Celebrity (except Edge).  Plus, Celebrity’s price usually includes at least two perks (generous onboard credit, drinks package, etc.). This year we decided to book Harmony despite its high price.  Now I will admit that the prices on Celebrity’s newest ship, Edge, are through the roof, higher than any ship on the main cruise lines.  Not sure how long they will be able to command those outrageous prices; many Celebrity loyalists are up in arms about that.  As far as comparing food, it depends on where you dine.  On Celebrity, Aqua Class dining in Blu and Suite Class dining in Luminae far surpass the MDR on RCI.  OTOH, The MDR on Celebrity is comparable to MDR on RCI...lots of variables in comparing.

We always book location on ship instead of specific cabin.  I need to be in the middle of the ship because I am very sensitive to movement.  A few years ago we booked an aft cabin, and the view of the wake was beautiful, but we felt every ripple in the ocean, and I couldn’t sleep all week!😖

We did Bernard’s Tours in St. Maarten a few years ago and loved it.  It was much more extensive and less expensive that ship sponsored tours.  Whatever there was to see on that island, we saw it and also had a couple of hours beach time.  It was a long tour, but well worth it.

Bernard’s Tours in  St. Maarten are great.  You have to book before your cruise, but the tours are extensive and less expensive than the ship’s excursions.  We saw everything on the island (including Maho Beach) and also had two hours beach time as part of the tour.