ladybugpug

On our first cruise about 12 years ago maybe we booked 2 interior rooms. We were going as cheap as possible. My husband and son stayed in one room and my 2 daughters and I stayed in the second. Second cruise (much better off financially) we booked 3 balcony rooms. LOVED LOVED the balcony.  I'm never going back to an interior room. No way. I love sitting on the balcony. I actually spent hours on our recent Virgin cruise in the chair hammock on the balcony. 

We (husband, 2 older teen daughters, and I) did a Tulum excursion through RCCL about 8 years ago maybe. Advertized as seeing the ruins and then a "beach break" to include a buffet meal at a beach front restaurant and then time to relax on the beach. It was a  whole day of absolute misery that started around 6am. The bus took us to a stop that was supposed to be a bathroom break but was instead a tourist trap where we were kept for nearly an hour while they tried to sell us all crap. Off to the ruins where we got to try and maneuver around past the thousands of other tourists to see anything in 100 degree heat. We stayed there about an hour I think. Then the beach break which ended up being 30 minutes where they refused to refill the food for our tour bus and did not provide cups for the drinks.  When we realized there was no food, my older daughter started crying and I wasn't far behind her lol. No time for the promised beach The bus did provide bottled water thank God. When we got back to the ship we hadn't eaten since the night before (no food for 16 hours) because nothing was open to get food that early when we left that morning. I can say we actually laugh about it now because it was so so bad but an experience for sure lol. If you leave super early like we did get food the night before to eat in the morning. 

1 hour ago, kruzerci said:

It’s incredible to me that people on social media will defend absolutely every cutback blindly no matter what it is. The blind loyalty people have to this company is perplexing. I used to love their product, but was also logical. 

Agreed!! 

48 minutes ago, Cutigerlady said:

I did have to make reservations when we arrived. They had a variety of times and we didn’t rush to get there early. I would just let them know what time you have your other excursions and I’m sure you can work it out.  

Thank You!!

Does the restaurant require reservations? I purchased the full day pass for my daughter and I and I swear I saw something about making a reservation as soon as we got there because it filled up. Or did they just mean the beach club? We are also doing the pig excursion and I don't want to miss lunch lol. The menu looks so good. 

1 hour ago, broadwaybaby123 said:

Yes they do!

Thank you so much!!

My last cruise was on Virgin and they used wrist bands. I saw a cute ID lanyard but if they aren't using keycards still then I have no use for it. TIA!

I've googled my question but can't find a concise answer so sorry if this has been asked a million times. What are the suite perks on the Serenade (any alcohol or specialty dining included)? My daughter and I just booked for a June cruise. We booked an owners suite. Also we booked a one bedroom and it has one large bed shown. Does it separate into two beds? Last question: my daughter desperately wants to swim with the pigs. How early can that be booked? TIA for any and all help!

On 7/23/2022 at 5:39 PM, WheresWalter said:

For those looking at ear plugs, these are the ones I use, they're designed for concerts so I can still hear the music and lyrics quite well. Just at a lower volume. They're much better than those foam plugs many people use which are designed to essentially block out all noise. I also wear these to fireworks shows at the theme parks so I can still hear all the music, but the explosions are much quieter. 🙂 

https://a.co/d/9Xjb7l3

Thanks for the advice on ear plugs. I am very noise sensitive and overly loud music really bothers me. We booked our Virgin cruise before I read about the loud techno music everywhere. I'm hoping its not as bad as I'm afraid of. I will definitely be ordering ear plugs tho.

My husband and I cruise in September. I'm looking forward to the food. I like more authentic and interesting choices. I don't want Olive Garden or Chipotle rip off entrees. Fajitas and lasagna are just no. I can get those anywhere and anytime. Also looking forward to the no kids onboard. I love kids. I have 3. But every cruise I have been on kids are allowed to overtake the hot tubs and other adult areas with zero adult supervision. I am a bit worried about the entertainment. But time will tell. Thanks for the review!

Thanks all!! I purchased cruise insurance online yesterday that includes cancel for any reason (75% of cruise cost). I feel so much better. 🥰

I booked and paid in full my first Virgin cruise today and just realized when I looked at the booking that I forgot to add the insurance. The website says insurance can be purchased until the trip is paid in full.  Since I paid in full am I out of luck?

21 hours ago, seaman11 said:

Id rather be stuck on the ship 30 days then home.  I was stuck on one during harvey. Casino , good food, free drinks. Sign me up. 

Trapped in your room with no access to any of the amenities. Yeah sounds like Heaven. We took a five day cruise in December and had poor weather every day of the 5. I couldn't wait to get off that ship. I was bored out of my mind. And that was with being able to still access nearly everything on board.

1 hour ago, HavenHater55 said:

Great. So now do you get how wearing a mask substantially reduces the risk of you transmitting COVID-19 (unknowingly) to other people?

He actually "got it" the entire time. He's a troll looking for attention. 

Hi, I am not a frequent cruiser. My husband and I have taken our 3 kids on 4 cruises in the past 10 years  (2 NCL and 2 RCI) so that's the extent of my expertise. They are now all young adults so we are thinking of a cruise for just the two of us. Since Coronavirus reared it's ugly head 2021 seems like a good time to plan for our trip. I was looking at the 10 day Mediterranean that leaves September 22,  2021 (Viking Sea). My birthday happens to be September 22 so I told my husband it was meant to be 😉. So here are my questions: is now a good time to book? Since we have never sailed Viking I'm not sure how prices/perks compare to pre virus. My second question is for anyone who has taken this or similar itinerary or sailed this ship. Is there a lot of space in the sun for sunbathing? This is my favorite thing to do on cruises is lay in the sun and read and sip a drink. Is there time for sunbathing to worry about it? The itinerary looks pretty full and seems like we would be hitting a new ports almost daily. My husband and I are both 50 and are both very active and healthy and love to travel and see new places. I would appreciate any advice on this particular cruise and/or ship!! 

I'm not loyal to any cruise line. I've only been on 4 cruises. Two NCL and two RC. I did prefer RC to NCL but both RC ships were newer (bigger and better IMO). When we booked each cruise our choices were 100% based on dates available (when our 3 college kids were able to get away). I looked at NCL, RCI, Carnival, and Princess. Our last cruise was the week before Christmas last year and the weather was awful and I can honestly say finally getting off that ships was the highlight. It was the NCL Pearl. I found the ship drab, small and boring (except for the Summer Palace MDR which was gorgeous). I'm sure the bad weather clouded my experience tho. For future cruises I will not go with the older and smaller again; regardless of cruise line. It's just not worth it to me.I would rather fly to a resort and vacation that way as much as I do love to cruise. My dream is a Viking cruise for just me and my husband! 

I've been getting the mailings this entire time. Also from Viking. You just have to laugh. 

1 hour ago, taglovestocruise said:

AND, look at the picture. Absolutely no masks. no social distancing, no concern for Covid 19.  Fools folly to think there will be any longe term changes once cruising resumes.   I was surprised yesterday at my local grocery store, few were wearing masks and most checkers were also mask free. SO CAL beaches were packed.  No new normal, just back to normal. 

Where would they get it from? lmao at stupid statements of outrage. 

It's ludicrous to think that Norwegian or any other cruise line without large outbreaks has anything to credit their luck with other than just that...luck. 

1 hour ago, mianmike said:

Yesterday the CDC has issued an order requiring "cruise ship operators shall immediately develop, implement, and within seven (7) days of the signing of this Order operationalize, an appropriate, actionable, and robust plan to prevent, mitigate, and respond to the spread of COVID-19 on board cruise ships."

I was under the impression that was a response to the fiasco of ships dumping virus ridden passengers to go and infect the world and not due to cruising being up and running again soon. My belief is the same as many other people's...2021 if we are lucky and there is a vaccine. 

I still have to go to work everyday. I get to set my own schedule so I arrive at 4am and leave at noon. It's my way of trying to avoid people. Just me and one nurse for most of my mornings. My hands are raw from washing them and using sanitizer. After a few weeks of it I have gotten used to it. I come home and nap for a few hours. I like still working because of course I still get paid and sitting at home is not appealing. I am really worried about getting sick tho so my anxiety is very high. My husband runs his own business so he goes to work everyday too. Stopped by walmart curbside to pick up a script and the parking lot was crowded. People coming and going like any other day. It's ridiculous how many do not take stay at home seriously. Pennsylvania is essential workers only and you would never know it.

On 4/2/2020 at 4:17 PM, mynameisvlad said:

There is absolutely 0 chance cruises will be sailing by end of May.

Agreed. I honestly don't see cruising being a thing again until a vaccine is available.

I can't believe anyone was still cruising at this point. Although I imagine many of us not on cruises are going to get it at some point anyway. 

53 minutes ago, Level six said:

 

You can also google a picture of the passengers leaving the Grand Princess today and every single one of them has a mask on.  Why?  I am sure they didn't take them on board.  I am sure the masks were given to them by the health professionals handling the outbreak to protect them. 

Or to protect the public.

1 hour ago, gooch47 said:

I'm a little confused by this.  Our daughter-in-law was taking multiple rounds of very potent chemotherapy and her immune system was virtually destroyed.  Her oncologist gave her masks to wear to prevent her coming down with anything.

All you have to do is google the hundreds of articles from the medical community that flat out says that wearing a mask is not a good defense to the conronavirus. A regular surgical mask does nothing and the N95 masks are likely impossible to come by and are not a realistic measure for cruising. This whole discussion is so silly. The thought of people sitting around the pool in an N95 mask is ridiculous. Anyone that concerned should cancel. Where is the enjoyment in the cruise wearing a mask and gloves? And if the staff onboard who handle the food, clean the room could be infected. So would you wear the mask in your room? Not eat?