Cruiserbarbie

Yup. sure do, ships, hotels and rather do it then get sick. Yup, can't do everything people have touched but certainly private spaces. And also computers in internet cafes when we travel.

Just off the Navigator on Sunday (March 9). I answered another post re hints and suggestions but will address the comments regarding this post.

Overall we loved it. Balcony room, midship, deck 9. We had a table for 2 in the MDR.

We thought the refit was beautiful, nice, stylish and since they added cabins I was concerned there was going to be enough room at the pool. Pool areas were never crowded and Deck Crew came around and removed towels that had been there awhile. Solarium was for adults only and that was very nice. Seemed to be enough space in the public areas for lots of people. The library was the largest I've seen and it was not enclosed (so available 24/7) and on the honor system. Internet stations seemed to be around the ship rather than in one place.

Food: we ate breakfast in the Windjammer and it appeared to me that there was a lot of staff, cleaning tables and especially asking pax if they could get them either additional beverages or anything else. It also appeared that they had two areas on the sides that provided the same foods while the area across the back had the one omlett station. I had one every day and never had long to wait and it was delicious. Only compliant I would have is so much fat free milk, especially chocolate. They had 2% but ran out on the next to last day.

MDR: we usually avoid the main dining room preferring to have the buffet. Here we ate in the MDR every night except for the last night when we hit Johnny Rockets. We though the service was excellent, extremely attentive, the food temp appropriate, the choice extensive and loved their rolls. I'm not a drinker (drink 2x a yr when we cruise) and had a pina colada. I get the drink for the pineapple and especially the cherry. Told this to the barwaiter and next thing I knew had 6 cherries in my drink. Our waitstaff Rey and Ursula were very, very good.

Cabin: spacious and lots of cabinet space (we only bring one carryon each). Bathrooms not gigantic and I do wonder about how some folks manage. Pillows were nice and substantial and all the linens were fresh and white and seemed to be new. I am very ecologically minded and monitor my water, turn off my lights etc, but for 7 days really splurge and like the change of towels.

Staff: noticed the Capt around the ship and he was always personable and interacting with the pax even though I'm not sure they initially knew who he was. I don't know how to differentiate some of the white shirted "officers" but dining room officers and Head Waiters in MDR always appeared to pitch in and help as needed.

Embarcation: a breeze. Within 1 hr, we were in the Lounge, cleared customs, shuttled to our car and was on our way. (Got to Lounge at 710 and because of the time change I was changing the clock in the car at 810).

Fog: recommend an email alert as a notification for RCCL to contact you. We got an advance email that there might be a fog problem. Others requested a call and the automated system called some pax in the middle of the night. Got another email saying no problem, proceed to port.

Kids and Young Adults: saw kids but never a problem. Maybe less than 20. Young adults--where were they? Apparently up on the sports deck, so never saw too many of them either. They seemed to have found each other.

I retired in 2009 and we had a 5 year travel plan and with some adjustments have been extremely happy with our travels and bucket list accomplishments. So usually book our cruises 12-18 months out and get great deals which I must admit adds to our enjoyment.

My opinion: in Cozumel there were 5 ships in port. The NCL ships docked in town, the Freedom was with us and the Magic was in the next slot. We had sailed on the Dawn which had appeared very large to us when she was docked by herself when were to sail on her. Next to the other NCL ship, she appeared like a cabin cruiser next to a aircraft carrier. So the above comments are my two cents and my LOVED may be your like.

Requested table for 2 when I booked. It was on my reservation and on my seapass card when we processed in. It also had our table number on the seapass card. We did not used MTD, reconfirmed the table for 2 a few days before after reading these threads. Came off NAV on Sunday.

Just off NAV Sunday. You take the pool towels to the beach. Get from pool. None at gangway. You don't sign them out.

Just came back Sunday. Used Discount. $38 online. Quick and easy, right as you make the left onto Harbour Dr. Used Lighthouse before that and as we only take a carry on each, we walked to get the car after we left the ship.$55.

Staffer asks to see your documentation and guides you to the correct line. There is general, gold and another line for all other C&A members. I don't know where a AAA pass would it in. Anything is better than the general line.

Here's my promised info after reading all your threads (out trip-March 2-9, Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel)

-weather in Austin that week was horrible, freezing and rainy. We had sunny skies, 75-85 degrees or fabulous weather (came back this morning to 41 and drizzly)

-get tickets for the ice show early. Read the Cruise Compass but were first available about 1-3 on day of departure on a table on the Royal Promenade. Look for the crew member as we missed it among all the stuff going on. Tickets were still available on the next two day offerings.

-deck above the bridge was a great viewing area as was looking down on the Captain.

-the heliport view was a Leo and Kate Titanic position. Take deck 5 to the front and go down to 4. Keep trying if gate is closed.

-lots of loungers, lots of chairs, lots of space. Deck Crew picks up towels left on chairs to "save". Young adults seem to hang up on sports court area. Loved the adult only Solarium. Follow the stairs in the pool areas to get to above the fray loungers.

-take in the steam room, sauna and hot tub in Spa as well as larger showers.

-had snack on the Royal Promenade (sort of squeezed behind Ben and Jerry's) for complimentary croissant sandwiches, cookies and pastries.

-nice chapel with stained glass window. Go about 11am for the full effect.

-we had about 16 cokes for the cabin and no problem bringing on board.

-make note if you are a Crown & Anchor member if you are Gold and above. There is a special embarkation line for you.

-we asked for a table for 2 and got it.

-ship has wonderful signage and interactive locators at all elevators. This is the easiest ship I have gotten around in. Maps it for you.

-interactive displays shows you the menu in the MDR--this way you can plan your indulgences for the day or decide to do the specialty dining.

-fabulous seafood salad and lobster tail on day 6.

-5 ships in port in Cozumel. About 8pm or so, looked out the balcony window and saw 4 jewels (the ships actually did look like jewels and that is how I thought of them) lit up on the high seas and then they broke off and it was a sight!

-library was nice and spacious but books go VERY quickly. On honor system but open all the time.

-Windjammer- head to the back for food and tables as everyone seems to stop as soon as they come in.

-Embarcation quick and easy. We had 1 airline sized carryon each. At Sapphire Lounge at 710, line moved about 730, through customs in no time, got parking shuttle and by 805 was changing the clock in the car on the highway (DST)

-have seapass for embarkation. Cruise Compass tells you to have your seapass for embarcation as does crew while waiting and while exiting. You can't clear the ship without the seapass (that's how they know everyone is off and in port how they know everyone is on board). 2 ladies who moaned and groaned while we waited that they had a plane to catch were the ones who got delayed as they "didn't know" they had to have their seapass!!!

-entertainment was great. Loved the ice show, magician and Texas Tenors in particular although others were good as well.

Just got off the NOS this morning. One of my comments to RCCL was about GC tendering tickets/line. Our arrival at GC was 7am, ticket distribution was to begin at 7am outside Royal Promenade. We got there about 650 and there were maybe a dozen folks ahead of us .About 7:10 a crew member asked if anyone was ready to go (had all their stuff, ready to get off the ship) and if so, follow him. We did, got in the tender and off we went. Took about 10 minutes.So I know this really does not address your question as I do not know what happened after we left.

We are also taking a b2b.

do you really mean I have to wait hours until everyone is off? We arrive in Rome at 5am and I want to be on the first train out to Rome.

Also--did you need to participate in a 2nd safety drill?

I just answered another similar post. We leave Sunday (3-2) so will post ASAP so you have the info.

Leave on Sunday (3/2). Will post all I find out to repay for all the great tips already posted.

I used that email address to request a table for 2 on our March 2 cruise and I heard back within a day granting my request. Very happy.

If you go to the US State Department site: travel.state.gov/visas/English/general/americans-traveling-abroad.html lists the visa requirements of all countries. It gives the very specific information for each country of the amount of time before a passport expires that they allow.

We leave Sunday and was wondering if you found any special places on board, any areas with special views, more loungers, less people, quiet reading corners? I understand the menu is new (which I have) and what you thought of it? Thank you

We leave on March 2. Have called them 2x and written 3 x. My problem is I am a notary and we basically attest to signatures on documents, not verifying the docs themselves. Calling says copy is fine. Email responses says take DD214 to a notary, have them make a copy and notarize it. Strange.

Banks will not to this type of notarization. I will be handing over the unnotarized copy but bringing the original. Carnival has it right--submit to them and it's good forever.

If you go after we do, will let you know.

Yikes! Thanks so much for the valuable information. Do you happen to know how often the buses came to the bus stop in Cassis? Also we don't leave the port until 6:00 p.m. If we left Cassis as early as 3:30 will we have any problems getting back by then?

First time replying and at a loss as I don;t find it friendly but I need the same info. check out www.ot-cassis.com and I think that lead me to the bus schedule which apparently does not coincide with the train arrival or departures but it's something.