raudacruise

Wishing you a fabulous birthday! A cruise is the very best present. 🚢

Ah, the gorgeous high-ceilinged Signature Suite. Loved my stay except for the huge Killer Tub with a shower curtain and jets that hurt my feet. The private hallway certainly provides peace and quiet away from the crowds.

I have the same old view using Chrome on my iPad.

DH and I were in the Army, stationed in West Berlin (Teufelsberg)1977-79. Never allowed to visit East Berlin, relations were not good then. We were married in Berlin. I’d like to return and tour a couple days but don’t think I’d recognize much. I believe our barracks (former SS) have been torn down. You could see where they covered up swastikas.

Well, my expectations are already low. Hopefully improvements have been made to Bimini since the review I came across awhile back: Read a dreadful review of the beach resort: broken, crowded chairs (no space between), only a few umbrellas, a swimming pool with green and black algae/mold. Drinks are $20. No thanks. Oh, there’s a free beach near the port. Two chairs and an umbrella cost $60-$70. It’s in front of a sewage plant. And yes, you can sometimes smell it. Will be nice if since then they’ve gotten their act together and Charla enjoys her visit.

Will be interested in what you think of Bimini. I’ll be there this fall—for now will be staying on the ship. I tacked a 3-day and 4-day onto my TA just to spend more time on my favorite ship, Silhouette. (Previously tacked a 4-day onto a longer cruise. Seemed louder but not bad. Observed a young “lady” sleeping on a couch by the Passport Bar.) If it gets too crazy I have a very nice balcony.

Thank you for your wonderful review. I especially enjoyed your detailed food descriptions. And I’ll be packing masks for my fall TA. Will always have one on hand for elevators or anywhere else crowded. My balcony is looking better and better.

My favorite spell check surprise was “haggis”, I don’t remember what it replaced but really?! Yep, Americans use “haggis” in everyday conversion. Re caipirinhas, I discovered those on Equinox years ago. Yummy. Tracking down cachaça can be a challenge for the bartender and some bartenders have no idea what a caipirinha is. Once I ordered one at the pool bar. After confirming that the bartender knew how to make one, he asked if I wanted vodka, gin or rum. After I pointed out the nearby cachaça bottle he took a tall glass and filled it with ice and straight cachaça. Fail.

Hope your weather is better than my June cruise. Was mostly chilly and rainy. Two sunny days out of seven, one was in “rainy” Ketchikan. My seaplane/lodge and helicopter-to-glacier tours were cancelled. The helicopter tour was on a beautiful, sunny day in Skagway. Took a bus to town and had a pleasant day walking around. The seaplane tour was replaced with small boat whale watching led by a scientist. I loved it! The small boat Endicott Arm/Dawes Glacier tour had rain and sleet but the scenery was worth it. Despite the miserable weather I’m willing to give Alaska another try some day. 🌲🦅🦀

No thanks, four-day cruises are too short. 😎

The Reflection Suite is a lot fancier than the Signature Suite. I just sailed in a Signature Suite and enjoyed the amenities that seemed to match the Royal Suite. (But watch out for the hazardous humongous shower/tub. I’m convinced it was trying to kill me.)

Many years since I’ve sailed in a Concierge cabin so my information is outdated. What I liked best was the nice bathrobe and fluffy towels. There was no Concierge Lunch back then. Don’t think I’d book it for the lunch. I’ve never had a successful move-up bid. My bids have ranged from cheapo to what I thought was very generous. Always received my “Get lost, loser!” email two days prior to sailing. Not bidding on my next few Solstice class cruises but for my Panama Canal cruise on Summit I’ll bid on the Penthouse Suite. Hahahahahaha… 😂

Have a great cruise whatever you decide. A Sky Suite is still a suite. Royal Suites are roomy and lovely. Hope your move-up luck is better than mine. 😎

I’ve sailed in the PH on Summit. Because of the fabulous balcony I consider it the best cabin in the entire fleet. The service is beyond amazing.

Our April 10, 2025 Eastern Caribbean Cruise has replaced Labadee with Turks & Caicos. The cruise planner is still showing Labadee excursions with just the port name changed. Guess that’s a work in progress. 😎 Glad we’re not going to Nassau or Falmouth. Last time I was in Falmouth (years and years ago) just stayed in the safety of the fenced-in, guarded tourist area. The Margaritaville bar was just steps away from a swimming pool. Remember wondering how many drunks fall in daily. Brought back a six pack and a “It’s my own damn fault” baseball cap for DH. (Security let the beer through.)

Free for Royal Suite and above. Oops, answered too fast. (Already answered here several times.) One cruise I ate in Murano 6 times. On another cruise I didn’t go once.

I’m not big on door decorations for myself but I don’t mind what other people do. That said, next year I have a B3B in three different cabins close to each other. Fingers crossed that by then I latch onto the same cabin at least once. But I can see a door decoration for the last two legs helping me show up at the correct cabin.😎

I haven’t sailed Equinox in many years so I’m looking forward to your overview before I sail her in 2025. Not interested in MSC but I’ll follow your thread regardless of what you choose to post.

I miss the string quartet too. I remember hearing them play “Por una cabeza” as we strolled down the stairway in our formal wear to dine at the Captain’s Table. I even carried a long-stemmed rose. (For any fan of the movie True Lies that’s the song played when they danced the tango. No, I didn’t dance.)

Can’t wait! 😎

On our very first cruise on Grandeur of the Seas there was a telescope installed on the top deck. I’m sure it’s long gone.🔭

Our first Celebrity cruise was on Summit, then cruised on Mercury & Century. I sure miss the Century class!

Not sure who you are referring to. Stingray Sailing and Captain Marvin are alive and well with active websites. Stingray Sailing only takes reservations 6 months out. The tour for cruisers from Captain Marvin is not available on Saturdays, the day my ship will be in port.

Re: Puntarenas Years ago a pair of scarlet macaws followed our tour bus for most of the day. Lots of squawking. On our river cruise a huge crocodile watched our boat with interest, slipped into the water and bumped the boat with his snout. Hands on laps after that.🐊

Here’s the link to the Roll Call for your TA: (The Days Countdown is obviously wrong but this link will get you there)