Janie1229

I had booked a junior suite on the Dec 5th sailing, but after seeing it is the first cruise on this itinerary decided to push it back to one of the April 2022 dates. Would rather see any kinks worked out by then 🙂 I'm also hoping things will be better with islands opened up and some restrictions lifted for testing coming back from Barbados but will just have to wait and see. A lot still uncertain right now. My husband and I love to cruise and also are avid divers and love diving liveaboards. This darn pandemic has really put a kink in our adventures lol. 

I'm not sure waiting until the day of disembarkation will work for all the passengers to get tested, off the ship and to the airport in time. I work and could not take extra days off just to be tested prior to flying back home. My other big concern is the potential for someone to test positive on the ship and have the entire ship quarantined. Well I suppose I will not be cruising for. while 😞 but I'll keep my booking for Dec 5th and just monitor and pray things get better 

What does everyone think of the new requirement that we will need a negative COVID test to re-enter the U.S.? I have a few concerns: (1) how are the cruise ships going to administer tests prior to disembarkation? Will they start 3 days prior to docking? And how do they determine order of testing, will it be prioritized by suite, Diamond member, etc. etc .? Or will the passengers get off the ship and get tested at the disembarkation port? (2) if a passenger tests positive, would that mean the entire ship will be quarantined much like we heard about prior to the pandemic going into full swing? 

I'm booked on a cruise Dec 5 out of Barbados, a really great itinerary with a different port each day, and no sea days, which I love - BUT I'm also wondering at whether these various ports will allow passengers to disembark? 

Sandra1616: I have gone on three cruises ONLY using carry-on luggage. It CAN be done! Do some research and google sites on how to pack efficiently. These are some of my tips:

1. Don't try to wear a different dress every night. I'll re-wear the same dress a couple of times on a cruise. I also have two reversible dresses. Think different jewelry/scarves to change the look.

2. Try different ways of packing. Sometimes a combination of rolling and folding can work better than all rolling, just depends on your clothes. 

3. Don't try to take full size toiletries. I can go 10 days easily with a small toothpaste. Same with shampoo. And...there is bar shampoo out there which is pretty good. No need to put in your 3-1-1 bag. Take bar soap. I don't bring a lot of makeup either. 

4. Shoes: I usually bring one pair of dressy shoes for evening, casual comfortable sandals daytime, and a water shoe/Merrill type for excursions. I wear my running shoes as they are the bulkiest. I workout on the cruise so need my running shoes! But that's it.

5. Coordinate everything! I bring clothes that I can mix and match for different looks. My dress shoes are usually gold colored and go with all my dresses. 

It really is easy. I don't like the stress of wondering if my bags will get lost, or having to wait for my bags. I don't need to wait in line to check in at the airport either, just go straight to security. 

Hope this helps!

Thanks to everyone! We plan on being one of the first off the ship - we always walk ourselves off with our own luggage, and we are also key members on this cruise. I don't think I'd be totally comfortable with a 10:30 flight, but I feel good with 11:30. 

Thanks I am going to call Delta and see if I can switch to the earlier flight at 11:30 without incurring a charge. Of course, if there is a charge I'll keep the 12:30 flight. I think since we are usually quick about getting off the ship (we carry our own luggage etc. and are "key" members), and are first class, we'll get checked in at the airport pretty quick and then we are also TSA pre-check so I would think we're fine.

I wouldn't want to schedule a flight earlier than 11 or 11:30 though....

Hi Everyone,

We are thinking of changing our flight from 12:30 to 11:30 out of Miami coming back on our cruise 11/29/-12/8 (Sunday). We are flying first class, and also are "key" members so I would think we'd have time for breakfast and still get to airport in plenty of time. We are flying into Lexington, going to our friend's farm to get our dogs, and then turning around the next morning and driving home to Columbus. 

Thoughts?

35 minutes ago, scubacruiserx2 said:

When we were in SPB in June this year there was a lot more traffic then we remember in May . Here's a photo that we took when we went to The Hermitage in May .

 

 

When we went in June 2015 same room .

 

 

The line in May

 

 

 

And in June

 

 

 

Oh my what a huge difference! I will definitely go in May if it is that much better with the crowds. I never thought I'd like cruises as I detest crowds, but found that it is very itinerary dependent. As long as I'm off the ship all day, I don't mind the dining and theater, shows on the ship. It is the sea days I'm least found of, and even those aren't too bad as I'll find a quiet area to sit and read, and I do like to people watch 🙂 

Thank you so much - what a wealth of information! I appreciate it - my husband and I are avid scuba divers and have been focusing on dive trips the last few years, but as I get older, I really want to explore other places than the ocean lol and the Baltic has been high on my list. 

Will definitely look at your suggestions - thanks again!!

54 minutes ago, dogs4fun said:

If you are cruising, the smallest crowds will usually be found in early/mid May and the entire month of October. June through August sees the largest influx of visitors to St. Petersburg (the crown jewel in Baltic cruises) - even September is becoming quite busy in the city.

Of course, December through February is the least crowded but there are no cruise ships entering the frozen port at this time. 😉

We pack layers & have no problems visiting Europe in the late fall (we also prefer cooler temps) - last year, we experienced wonderful weather in Budapest in mid November and, bonus, no huge crowds or long queues!

 

Just a note: make certain that your ship docks in Stockholm and not Nynashamn. You definitely want to sail through the archipelago - it is gorgeous.

What cruise line did you go on? 

Thanks dogs4fun! I may book the May date as I don't mind cooler temps and DEFINITELY don't like crowds. Now I am wondering if the fall would be even better for few people. 

Hello,

My husband and I are looking at cruises to the Baltic area, specifically an itinerary on Royal's Brilliance of the Seas that leaves out of Copenhagen for 11 nights and has stops in St. Petersburg, Finland, Sweden, Denmark and back to Copenhagan. 

Looking for recommendations on best time of year weather-wise? Royal has an itinerary in May, July and August. The May itinerary is the least expensive but possibly b/c it will be much colder? 

Thanks so much!

18 hours ago, lcantw3658 said:

Not sure about the answer to your question but just thought I'd add my perspective on dining. 

To me, one of the "perks" and enjoyment of traveling with a group of friends or family is the ability to all do your own thing during the day and then everyone coming together at dinnertime. Talk about your day, compare experiences, laugh and enjoy. 

Also, one or two nights in a specialty restaurant would ve fine but if I were part of the group and one couple didn't want to dine with the rest of us on most nights, I might feel a little slighted and feel like they really don't care to be part of the group. 

Just my perspective, others may feel totally different. 

Yes, this is why I'm a little torn on keeping the UDP, b/c the majority of our group is doing the early dining, and then there is another couple who purchased the UDP. I agree with the above post, part of the fun is doing different things during the day then meeting at dinner to talk about what everyone did, etc. And yet...another couple is doing UDP. Ugh! 

Our sailing isn't until 11/29, so I have some time to ponder on this. 

Thanks everyone. Not sure if I will keep the UDP or not. It's not inexpensive, but may be something nice to splurge on for this one cruise. To be honest, I've never eaten at a specialty restaurant on Royal - only on Princess. The main dining room fare was "meh" at best in my opinion, and I felt the same way on Princess. Yes, it was edible, not horrible, but I wasn't overly thrilled. I DO love the Windjammer!! 

If this was just my husband and myself, I'd have no reservations about purchasing the UDP but we are traveling with a fairly big group of friends, so we will dine in the main dining room with them on a couple of nights - the rest of the trip, we'll just have to find other times to visit :-) 

It does seem silly at first glance to purchase the UDP when all meals are for free in the main dining room. To each their own, right? I am not a picky eater about WHAT I eat but I didn't feel the food in MDR was prepared very well on our first cruise on Royal back last October. I felt the same way about Princess. Meh. Not bad, but not great. 

For most cruises I would not purchase the UDP but this is going to be a treat for our upcoming cruise in November, leaving 11/29. It is a 9 night cruise. I love Chops and I want to try Giovanni's, and we also love sushi so looking forward to Isumi, plus the lunches on sea days will be nice - I love the food in Windjammer (go figure I think it's better maybe just b/c so many options!) but on sea days it is so crowded. 

Hi, I just purchase the unlimited specialty dining package for myself and husband for upcoming cruise in November on Explorer of the Seas, 9nts out of Miami.

We are going with a group of friends. If we choose to eat in the MDR on a couple of evenings so that we can visit with our friends, do we have to stick to the MDR menu or can we order "off menu" at all? I guess I am a bit picky, but have not been a big fan of the MDR fare on either Princess or Royal. It seems to me I've seen other posts about possibly ordering some items (not sure exactly what or if it's very limited) off menu and not being charged extra. I know there is a $35 surcharge, and I did confirm with Royal that we would not be charged for this, but just curious if anyone has done this and, if so, were you able to order a variety of things ? 

Thanks so much!

Hi, does anyone know the nights Explorer of the Seas will have formal nights and also if there are any "themes" for a 9-night sailing out of Miami, going to the ABC islands, leaving the day after Thanksgiving? Thanks!! 

Last year, a friend of mine and I went on a cruise on Adventure of the Seas, and for example they had a "disco" theme night but I didn't know about it prior to the cruise. It'd be fun to know about any themed nights so I might bring a little something!

Thanks

Thanks everyone. I'm just beginning to do more serious research, so not really sure exactly what I want! I had not considered the Hurtigruten ships, so I'll take a look at those. I love the shows, but not the most important part of my trip. Especially for Northern Europe, for me it is more about the places we visit and not what is available for entertainment on the ship :-) 

Hi, my husband and I have always cruised in the Caribbean, and not to sound snobby but feeling a bit "been there done that" and I've turned my attention to Europe. I've been wanting to go to Norway and/or Iceland for a long time.

Do you guys have any recommendations for a Norway or Iceland cruise with a specific cruise, like Princess, Royal, etc.?  I'm not sure we can do a 12 night, may need to keep it to 7 due to work, and of course adding in travel time. Royal is having a WOW sale right now, and have several itineraries to Norway and also Arctic Circle that look great. Some are out of Copenhagen, some out of Amsterdam. 

Suggestions welcome!! Thank you

Hi, does anyone have dive op recommendations for Curacao? We will be there on the Explorer of the Seas in early December. Thanks!

Hi,

My friend and I each brought two 8-packs of diet coke and water on board the Adventure of the Seas in FLL. No issue at all. After doing this, however, I would not bring it again! I would refrain from drinking soda for the week, and the water on board is perfectly fine. I'll bring an empty water bottle, but that's it! 

I know my friend, who is a huge lover of diet coke, said she would bring her diet coke again, as I think it was $3.99 for each one she ordered.

Hi,

We decided to cancel the zip line, as I'm not sure how things are in San Juan after the destruction and not sure I trust a zip line at this time.

I switched to the Hyatt but like others have said, it's just for one night pre-cruise and we are arriving at 6:00p so i don't care about having anything near the beach or Las Olas Blvd etc.

We booked the Hyatt Place convention center, close to Embassy Suites, for $153 in October. Free shuttle from airport to hotel. Not sure about breakfast or shuttle to cruise port, but even if that's not included it's fine. Close to grocery to purchase big bottle of sunblock, etc. before heading to ship :-)

Hi, I just booked the canopy zipline tour in San Juan at Hacienda Campo Rico. Has anyone done this tour? I am adventurous but wonder how safe this tour is? Any feedback is appreciated!!