cruisinsince75

I agree with Ken. We find both Princess and Holland America to be competitors with Celebrity. They are all competing for the same dollars. But, they all have their differences, not only between the lines, but also between individual ships within the line. When we decide on which line and which ship to sail on, we look at a number of things in making our decision. Overall value, adding in for various perks, itinerary (less so in the Caribbean since we have been to most of the ports), the length of the cruise (preferring a minimum of 10 days to a maximum of 21), ease of traveling to and from the embarkation and disembarkation points, and time of year the cruise takes place. We also have a major factor that applies to some. We have to sail in an accessible suite. Example: We were looking for a TA cruise for fall of 2025. All of our favorite 6 star inclusive lines, were all out of our budget and had limited or no accessible suites. That left Celebrity, Princess, and HAL. We ended up with HAL. Celebrity wasn't even close for similar itinerary, number of days, and inclusive packages. The 20% surcharge for a refundable fare really killed it. Princess was closer, but the balcony and mini-suites were all sold out.

No. Just make sure when you take your photo to include your Head and Shoulders.🤪

The Nieuw Statendam just came out of drydock in November with significant changes to meet future ADA compliances, such as automatic doors that open to venues as well as to accessible staterooms and bathrooms. I believe this meets the upcoming 2027 compliance standards. Therefore, I am fairly certain that the Nieuw Amsterdam went through the same update.

To close timewise. I wouldn't risk it. This is what we did for our Volendam cruise. We spent the night at the Omni by Petco Stadium for one night. It was pretty easy, but the cruise was a 4 night cruise and we only had carry on suitcases. We took the train to Santa Fe Station in San Diego. We walked across the street to the trolley and took it to the Gas Light Station. Right by our hotel. Then the following morning, we took the trolley back, and then walked the short distance to the cruise terminal.

We have a mobility scooter that is really lightweight and durable. The frame only weighs 22 lbs and overall weight is 33, and the width is 21.5 in. You might want to check it out. https://travelscootusa.com/the-escape/

Bringing this back up. We recently did a cruise on the Seabourn Ovation. Both my wife and I are recently disabled and we require the use of mobility scooters. They have a good selection of accessible suites. We particularly like suite 550. We found it very spacious at over 500 sf and there are no steps to get into the bathroom or accessible shower, and has a ramp out to the veranda. We found Seabourn a bit more relaxed than Silversea and on par with Regent. We also have booked two larger ships. We are going on the Regal Princess in an accessible mini-suite which measures 455 sf. Also, we are going on the HAL Nieuw Statendam in an accessible veranda suite that measures just under 400 sf. The thing I like about this ship, it just went through refurbishment where ADA additions were completed to the 2027 specifications. All accessible staterooms and public facilities have automatic door openings. I hope this may be of help so someone.

Just checked our Regal cruise for next November on the new app. CG is $39 and SB is $35.

We have booked a TA on the Nieuw Statendam 15 days from Rome to FLL and we are thinking of adding CO to our booking. Because we are in an accessible Verandah, we aren't sure the room upgrade will work for us. Trying to weigh the other CO benefits to determine if it is worth it. We didn't realize that the charge for CO wasn't refundable, if for some reason we needed to cancel. We always get insurance, but usually add it only closer to final payment and with an outside agency.

Yes, if it is $90 per person for the week. On our cruise for next November on the Regal it was $63 more per night per person. $882 was a no for us. $180 would be a no brainer.

I got the same thing. It showed me in the blue lane. I filled it out even though we likely will not use. Once i did, I was prompted to order my medallion, even though i had already done so. Now showing green lane. All of my other info transferred just fine.

Mine didn't show a charge. Perhaps because i have the premier package.

We have quite the dilemma. We are booked in a mid ship accessible mini suite. Reserve Collection was not available for our accessible stateroom. Our friends are in a full suite and they obviously have RC privileges which include dining. There doesn't seem to be a way to add RC to our booking. It appears that you can only do RC in a handful of pre-selected staterooms that are not accessible. We are already paying extra for our mid ship location. Is there a way to pay extra for the RC dining privileges? I can't find any options for it anywhere. Thanks in advance.

Same thing. Most commonly called the Jones Act.

I think you are right. I was thinking of Hawaii cruises that start in San Diego and end up back in San Diego first have to stop in Ensenada on return to satisfy the Jones Act and it is only 85 miles from SD. Or Seattle to Seattle has to stop in Vancouver or Victoria before returning to Seattle. It is the sailing to and from different US posts that is the problem and doesn't meet the distance requirements.

Meant to add that it was probably fine, since you had already visited Vancouver prior to Seattle.

It will probably be fine, but contact HAL for permission and find out ALL the details on how that is handled. The problem could be clearing customs. We did the same thing on one cruise. St. Thomas was the last stop before we debarked in San Juan. We wanted to stay in St. Thomas for a few days post cruise before flying home. The plan was to stay on the ship that day, pack in the morning, have a leisurely lunch, and then head to our hotel. At 8am our phone rings and is the front desk saying that customs was waiting for us at the port and we needed to have our bags out to be escorted to customs and immigration. It became a rush in panic mode. Just one officer to meet us. He was very nice and actually took us and our luggage to the rental car office.

Brings back memories with Celebrity from years ago. Offer, confirmation, and what we thought was an agreement. Our 7 day Caribbean cruise with friends was canceled because of a scheduling change. We were both offered to sail on the same date, same ship, in the same staterooms, for the same price, but it would now be a 14 day TA crossing BCN to FLL. We got a fax confirmations and started to make flight and hotel plans. A month or two later on our CC roll call, everyone posted their names names and cabin numbers. Imagine my surprise when somebody posted the same exact cabin as ours and we both had confirmations. I immediately called our TA. Seems that Celebrity had double booked us on top of those that were supposed to be on the crossing two weeks prior. Celebrity said it was a mistake and refused to honor the offer made by one of their reps. When our TA pressed them about the confirmation, they stated that a faxed confirmation did not constitute an agreement. It is still a running joke between our friends and us ever since. When we book cruised together, better check to see who else is sailing in your cabin, and was that at a FAXED confirmation? Oh, and we haven't sailed on Celebrity since. 🤪

Something you really don't think about happening. We have a cruise booked out of Galveston next November that we are driving to. We have reserved parking in the express lot right next to the pier. We were going to drive our all electric Hyundai SUV, but think we will take our larger gas powered SUV. Batteries and salt water don't mix to well.

Or the guy facing you with a bluetooth earpiece and phone that you can't see. You think he just said something to you and you answer him to find out he is actually on a call with somebody.

My guess is the $149 one includes lunch and the other one doesn't, hence the reason for the additional 30 minutes. You would think it would be included in the description. Maybe the copied and pasted the other and failed to add the lunch part?

My wife always packs two thongs. One for her left foot and another for her right. 🤪

Thanks! That is what I assumed was the case.

The 2027 ADA codes also will include automatic opening doors on all accessible stateroom doors and bathroom doors. The Nieuw Statendam just came out of drydock. Part of the drydock was to bring the ship up to the 2027 ADA guidelines.

Three types on all Carnival Corps ships. Fully Accessible. Wider cabins to help maneuver a wheelchair or mobility scooter That is correct. We always have to book fully accessible, because we are both use mobility scooters. Fully accessible also means roll-in showers. Here is the description. Fully Accessible suites are designed for use by guests with highly limited or no mobility who require regular use of a wheelchair, scooter, or other similar assistive devices and provide accessible elements including turning space, accessible routes throughout the cabin, and accessible bathrooms. Fully Accessible – Single Side Approach rooms are also designed for use by guests with highly limited or no mobility who require regular use of a wheelchair, scooter, or other similar assistive devices. These rooms provide an accessible route and clear floor space on only one side of the bed in a cabin configured to provide one bed and between the beds in a cabin configured to provide two beds. Ambulatory Accessible rooms are designed for use by guests with mobility disabilities who do not require the regular use of a wheelchair, scooter, or other similar assistive devices. These rooms provide some accessible features. The configuration of Accessible Suites may vary from the non-accessible suites.

We are traveling with friends that are in a full suite that gets reserve class. We are not. What happens if they want us to dine with them?