stephensfamily5

Thanks for all of the great ideas!  We do plan on using a good portion of it on excursions.  The rest will be fun to figure out how to indulge ourselves!  What a fun problem to have!!

Thanks for the great suggestions!  

We have cruised on several cruiselines before, but never Azamara.  We have a rather large OBC.  I know this topic has been asked before, but we are not interested in upgrading our drink package or in staying connected with wifi.  We are not big spa people. We probably won't spend an extra $100/couple (even if credit) for a meal when we can get a perfectly good one in the dining room.  So I am looking at the excursions and have booked a couple.  Many seem very high on the price, so I am wondering what other things there may be in which to use the credit.  I thought I read somewhere that there is a full ship tour for $150?  I also read about watercolor classes?  Is there usually a cost for these?  Bingo?  Is there usually a good selection in the gift shop?  And are the gift shop prices outrageous?  I am just trying to decide what opportunities there may be later to spend the credit as opposed to using it for an expensive shore excursion.  Thank you for any suggestions. We are excited to cruise on the Azamara Journey.

Thanks for all of the thoughts and comments!

I am a bargain shopper, so we usually book our cruises through an online agency, usually Avoya or ***** for the good price and/or extra perks.  We also usually book fairly close to the date.  However, this time we are considering a family vacation for Christmas, 2025.  I am thinking it would probably be better to go through Carnival for 2 reasons.  1 is that it will be a group booking.  There will probably 7 cabins. Just making sure that everything is right seems like it would be easier to do directly through the cruiseline.  The second reason that I could think of is if there are price discounts, I assume it would be easier to get the discount applied through Carnival than an online agency.  But I have never had experience with group travel or booking so far in advance (or getting a price adjusted either).  So I wanted to ask the expert cruisers if I am missing anything?  What are your opinions?

41 minutes ago, boxman52 said:

I'm on a number of discussion boards. Some because they are fun and you have a range of ideas and views. Others because they inform decisions

I posted this thread at the start to inform people of a potential situation in Barbados. To help them be informed to make a decision because that is a good thing to do. I even answered some points but gave up as the responses become more and more bizarre.

What came back at me was ridiculous, bullying from an ill informed perspective. What is called a pile on I suppose. It's a common action when a small number of individuals lead a social media forum and others join in.

They didn't even read properly and think,  they just jumped in. Some passive aggressive self righteous others just come across a little bit unhinged.

Why those posters immediately take a up a defensive attack position I can only guess at. However I do suspect, and it's only suspect, there might be some financial interests at play here.

Regardless what can be seen now from multiple sources including Royal themselves is the situation at the port (not the ship) is not good. I'd say the reports I mentioned are more or less accurate not the work of one shoddy free newspaper as suggested.

I know it will not happen, as again as the messenger I will be shot, but the people who immediately went on the attack without knowing any facts or giving consideration should reflect on their actions. These people make this board not just unwelcoming but to be honest an unpleasant place to be. However as one poster said there is an amusement factor.

My motivation was and is only to help people make there own decisions but with some more knowledge than they had before. Because I for one would want to know what sort of situation I was potentially leading myself & my family into.

BTW I quite enjoy it when someone disagrees with me (why would I keep going on this thread?)  however there has to be some basis to a disagreement.

 

 

I, for one, am thankful for people bringing up issues that we obviously need to be aware of in a situation that has been constantly changing.  Sorry for the bashing. 

Thanks for the answers!

My dh and I will be on the Rotterdam on Dec. 12-22, 2021.  We are confirmed for the early seating, but I thought I read somewhere that they are only doing "my time" dining now.  Is that correct?  We like having a predictable time and getting to know tablemates.  Thanks in advance!

I was curious about the mixology class.  We are not serious alcohol drinkers, but they have a $15 class for margaritas and mojitos, which I thought sounded interesting.  Has anyone been?  Would you recommend it?  Do you get to taste or is it observation only?

I was also wondering if it is possible to buy a one-day pass to the thermal suite?  

Thanks!

Thanks!

Generation X,

Could you tell me if you had to show any Covid test results at Bonaire? 

The information online says this:  Fully vaccinated travelers (12 years and older) must show proof of full vaccination and a negative PCR test not older than 24 hours before departure from home port. Non (fully) vaccinated travelers are required to show, apart from a negative PCR test, an antigen test not older than 24 hours before arrival to Bonaire.

I am hoping to confirm that they are not really requiring this.  It would seem very difficult to complete this requirement.  Second question- the cruise ship didn't test you with an antigen test themselves, did they?

Thanks so much!

15 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

 

They are crepes with a Lingonberry Sauce.  Usually, they are dusted with some powdered sugar.  The crepes are rolled into two tubes with a cream cheese filling within.  They are very close to what I was served when I sailed on Royal Viking Sky many years ago.  Delicious!  

Sounds yummy!

14 minutes ago, rkacruiser said:

Swedish Pancakes for Breakfast 

RKA, Do you mind me asking, "What are Swedish Pancakes?"  Sounds interesting.

We love cruising, but we don't usually pay a lot extra for the specialty dining.  I am wondering what are the not-to-be-missed foods in the main dining room?

On 8/20/2021 at 1:06 PM, MartinsCruise said:

 

We're on the Sept 17 cruise which also goes to Bonaire so I'll be interested to hear how this works out.  I hope someone will be able to post updates about this while on board.  Our itinerary only includes the ABC islands since Nassau was eliminated so I hope Bonaire will be a go.  Either way we'll be happy to be back at sea. 

MartinsCruise,

Do you mind me asking what paperwork they asked for at Bonaire?  Specifically, did they ask for negative covid test results or just a vaccination card?

On 11/4/2021 at 3:36 PM, RedneckBob said:

In Bonaire, once you are off the ship, local Bonaire security requires proof of vaccine with the vax card.

I have read that cruise passengers to Bonaire must follow the Covid regulations-  Fully vaccinated travelers (12 years and older) must show proof of full vaccination and a negative PCR test not older than 24 hours before departure from home port.

https://infobonaire.com/getting-to-bonaire/cruises/#:~:text=Fully vaccinated travelers (12 years,hours before arrival to Bonaire.

Did you have to show proof of a negative test?  We plan on getting the test, but are flying in a day early, so the test is scheduled 2 days before embarkation.

3 hours ago, Ardennais said:

This was beginning of 2020, just before Covid!

3 hours ago, Ardennais said:

This was beginning of 2020, just before Covid!

On 11/7/2021 at 12:43 PM, Ardennais said:

In Curacao we explored Willemstad Independently - a vibrant town with plenty to see and do. Bonaire - smaller place with a nice church and a bustling craft market. Guadeloupe - took a P&O tour to the lovely Jardin de Alombreuse. Also stopped by a cascade (not very impressive), and visited a distillery with rum tasting. 

Ardennais, Did you have to show proof of negative Covid test?  According to this website, cruisers have to show a negative Covid test taken 24 hours or less before cruise departure. https://infobonaire.com/getting-to-bonaire/cruises/
 

Since most cruise lines are allowing 2 days before sailing, I was wondering if we will be able to leave the ship without getting another test. 

1 hour ago, Lorabelle said:

I just thought I would update this for anyone interested.  This is just my experience, and I'm not really wanting to debate whether bringing soft drinks onboard is right or wrong.

 

We saw a gentleman ahead of us in line take a 12 pack of Coke onboard with no issue whatsoever.  He hand carried it, put it through the xray machine, and carried it onto the ship.  

 

We brought a few cans of soda in our tote bag that we had leftover from our hotel stay in San Diego, figuring it was fine if they took them.  But, the tote was x-rayed, nothing was said, no one asked to see inside our tote and we were on our merry way.  

 

Of course, this is the Koningsdam on that particular sailing.  YMMV. 

Lorabelle,

Thanks for sharing.  It is confusing as the contract differs from what is online.

Thanks, Heartgrove!  That is what we were hoping!

Thanks, CruiserBruce!

My husband and I plan to sail on Dec. 12, 2021 on the Rotterdam.  We love to enjoy coffee and a light breakfast on an open back deck if there is one available.  It looks like there is some deck behind the Lido buffet.  Is there seating available there?  

My DH and I will be arriving at Aruba on the HAL Rotterdam on Dec. 19, 2021.  I originally thought to rent a car and tour the island independently.  We will be in port from 8am-7pm.  However, researching the sites, it looks to be a lot of desert like topography, and I didn’t see any sites that made me extremely excited besides the flamingos on the beach.  When I researched the flamingos on the beach, however, I realized that they were on a private only accessible only if you purchase a daypass, or make a reservation for the hotel or spa.  We are not huge spa people, but who doesn’t like a massage?  So I am now considering reserving the spa package.  I know that we check in somewhere on the main island and then a boat takes us to the Renaissance Resort.  Has anyone done this and would be willing to share how it went?  Is the checkin place close to the port or would we need to make arrangements to get there?  I will have had knee replacement surgery just 2 months prior to this, so can’t do a lot of stairs or hiking.  

I would love to hear from anyone who has either done either an independent island tour or the daypass for the Renaissance Resort island.   We love nature, culture, and art.  Any thoughts or suggestions?  Thanks in advance!

We have a balcony on the same sailing as you, and James is correct- the service charge is $217 for 2 people for the cruise.