blubonnet

As Texans, we've sailed on the Magic four times. We found the ship to be clean, well laid-out, and staff to be amazing. We enjoyed the cove balconies, as well as spa balconies. Lines on Lido could be long, and there was an odd milky-smell on occasion, but the boat felt open and large.

We also sailed on the 11-day repositioning of the Vista from New York to Miami. The Vista is also clean and possesses very friendly staff, but we found the layout of the ship to be less than stellar. Vista is well decorated, and sometimes you don't feel like you're on a floating mega ship, but when do notice, you really notice. We found our room (a suite on deck 7) to be very warm in the evenings (despite calling for service,) the liquid lounge to be poorly designed for production shows, and lines for almost everything (with the exception of the IMAX shows.) One afternoon a "guess that 80's song" trivia game and a Bingo were scheduled back-to-back in the Ocean Plaza. The space could not contain all the guest and groups spilled into Java Blue, the Taste Bar, and the floor (no seating to be found.) I was a bit disappointed. The steakhouse and chef's table have also been booked for out for a while from what I understand as well.

Grand Cayman is lovely--check out Seven Mile beach. We're also big fans of Anthony's Key on Roatan. Cozumel is excellent for shopping though the new La Casa en La Playa excursion was wonderful--drinks snorkeling, tasty food, clean sand! The Belize Zoo is nice too, a hidden gem actually.

(I think I'm biased here towards the Magic--either way it'll be great!)

Good Luck with Planning,

Blu

If I were you I would put my Christmas wish list in for the Horizon.....

 

 

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I'm fresh off Vista today. During his question and answer, Mr. Heald suggested that New Yorkers would be very happy with the placement of the newest ships. Though he would not directly comment it sounds as if Horizon may be headed to the Big Apple.

We just received the official email announcement concerning staggered check-in times for November 16th. The website is not up-dated yet however. :(

Thanks,

A long walk makes some of us a bit cranky :)

In one of my crazy moments I decided that taking a family cruise from a port we'd never sailed out of would be a good idea.

Now I'm begging the good people of CruiseCritic for help!

There are 11 of us, ranging in age from 78 to 4 sailing out of the Port of Houston in March. We normally sail from Galveston but wanted to check Princess out before she leaves.

Do you lovely people have any idea if I can get close to the terminal to drop off some of our senior cruisers? Are the lines long? Is the parking at the port the best option? Where did you stay the day before? Everything looks very industrial.

Thank you for your time and responses. I'll repay you with a photo review (snarky commentary at no additional costs.:D)

We cruised out of Galveston in early December and they weren't kidding about the assigned times at all.

If they say 11 AM they mean 11AM to 11:30AM but that's it. No one else is permitted in the line.

This causes a back-up of passengers outside the terminal. This makes navigating the outside of the terminal very difficult. Just keep plodding through to the entrance all the way on the left of the building.

There is a positive! Once inside the terminal lines move swiftly. And lido buffet crowds aren't as large.

Enjoy your cruise! We're Breeze bound soon!

We sail on Sunday. A rather mysterious "limited special rates are available for higher category staterooms." e-mail just appeared in my in-box.

Does any one know:

(a) is it real?

(b) what limited special rates may be?

© is it worth a phone call?

Thanks Guys!

Good Morning Loves,

We're back from a a wonderful week, and full review shall follow but I did promise some specific details upon return.

Internet- no new package. no social media package. speeds are slightly better, but no overall improvement. sorry:rolleyes:

American Table-rolled out this last week. a few hiccups, but table sans cloths are still lovely, and the menu is still solid, in fact somethings are even better. Dancing continues, bar serves continues, world did not end.:D

Air Conditioning- still spotty in places. Cabin never really cooled off, but the hallways was chilly at times...:(

Now back to the real world--Any one else work to cruise?:)

We set sail Sunday. As my hubby works from home we have to stay somewhat connected. I'll keep you all posted on the internet situation. :)

On our January cruise out of Galveston we did indeed get a free bottle for booking the steakhouse on the first evening.

But, as previously stated, you get what you pay for:D

Good Morning Fellow-Cruisers,

I have 5 days before my in-laws (mother, father, sister, brother, and darling nephew) join me and the hubster for their first cruise.

Since I booked everything, including staterooms, shore excursions, and selected meal-time I feel their happiness and my future vacations maybe sitting in my hands.

So, I turn to you good people! Is there anything you would find or have found helpful to making your first cruise a success?

My in-laws are type A people (which is not a bad thing) but I'd like this to be pleasant, enjoyable vacation for all.

Help please?!?

Hi all,

We've booked a cruise for July and have extended family staying in multiple staterooms. Everyone has selected Any time dining (as we have a diabetic, a 4 year old, and my hubby can get hangry.)

There are 7 of us, what are the chances that we can all be seated at one table if we arrive together?

Any advise on how to make this happen would be very welcomed.

Thanks!

1.) There are only two drink packages I'm aware of, a. Bottomless Bubbles, and b. Cheers. If you're looking for alcoholic beverages only Cheers will apply.

• If you're sailing out of Texas (before the Magic moves) you cannot purchase the Cheers package until the second day of your cruise.
  
• Anyone in your stateroom over 21 must purchase the Cheers package.
  
• The Cheers package cost $49.95 a day and you're limited to 15 drinks a day
  
• But you do get 25% off the cost of bottled water.
  

2.) There isn't a water package. I just purchased water through The Fun Shops for a family cruise in July. I purchased 6 cases each made up of 12 bottles of 16.9 oz, the total cost was around $18.

• We're no longer allowed to bring bottles on-board.
  
• The cost pre-cruise of bottled water is $ 2.99 for 12 bottles. The cost jumps to $4.99 once on board plus a 15% gratuity.
  

3.) No suit is required. Slacks and a button-down, or nice polo seem to work well enough. Sometimes we just go to the Lido buffet (I know and miss out on lobster? Yes.) no dressing up required.

Other tips- make sure to check out the sliders, and such on Deck 5 (outside) on your first full sea day, and set an alarm in Cozumel.

Enjoy your vacation!

My mom and I booked a girl's only cruise last year in cove to see what all the fuss was about. We loved it!

In fact, when I couldn't locate Mom she was sitting on the balcony wearing a floppy hat, and watching the scenery. (I will never be able to book an ocean-view or interior with her again.) She said this was the best part of her trip and she would never let me book a spa or regular balcony.

You are super close to the water. We were able to see dolphins and flying fish. The life boats above provide cover so that others cannot look down into your balcony, and some shade. Some do complain that coves are dark so I research the deck plan and pick a stateroom that fell in the gaps between boats (2337.)

The room is the size of a normal room, and did have a sofa table and vanity like other balconies.

Here are a few pics of our views (sorry for the size.)

This is by far one of our favorite itineraries.

We simply love Roatan and have been multiple times. We're water people and love the experience, snorkeling, scuba, and dolphin encounters that are available at Anthony's Key. If you're looking for a really wonderful low-key dolphin experience this is the place. You take a short ride over to a sandy shore beach and walk into the water to meet a dolphin. There is also some great scuba diving off the end of the island.

Belize City can be nerve-racking for first timers. I suggest booking something through the cruise line. We've done Mayan ruins (which are surprisingly steep, but way worth the experience,) The Belize Zoo (more wildlife sanctary, and great for close-up--as you'd like to safely get--time with big cats, and Tapirs,) and cave-tubing. Please check the reviews, and make sure you use a well-known company if you go tubing. Some experience can be way less desirable than other.

If I could wander around for hours it would be in Cozumel. Though I do recommend setting an alarm and heading back to the ship about an hour early. The parade of pier-runners can be a bit enjoyable. I just don't wish to be one.

No matter what you decide I hope you have a wonderful cruise!

Good Morning Cruisers!

After booking a family cruise (with 7 of my in-laws, and in July :( ) I'm debating booking one of the longer Carnival Journeys out of New Orleans or Galveston.

I'm concerned with the new concept- is this sink or swim? 11 days on the Triumph might not be as wonderful as 7 days on the Magic or Liberty?

So I'm curious, what do you experts think?

That's really good to know. We were set to leave Sunday. Either way we're covered up to 75% but the full value minus insurance would be super lovely.

I'm still bummed though!

We've been to the doctor. This is a covered reason.

Thanks!

Due to the flu (stupid flu!) we had to cancel our cruise for this week. :(Thankfully we had purchased travel insurance through RCCL.

Do any of you lovely cruisers have experience with the CruiseCare? If so, are claims handled quickly? Are they helpful or must we dot every i and j while juggling a fruit basket?

Thanks! And may whatever force in this universe that keeps cruisers off boats never strike you!

Belize is a mixed bag. The tender experience can be off putting for some. The port area isn't exactly beautiful either.

BUT... The snorkeling and diving is great. There are some gorgeous little acted less than 45 minutes from port. If you're willing to travel inland an hour or so the Mayan ruins are spectacular, and tours are often guided by Mayan descendants. And even though I thought I would hate it we booked a ship excursion to the Belize zoo which ended up being a favorite--even in the rain!

Belize is less polished, but some of us it love the country just for that reason.

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Hi Tapi. That's the only reason I'm even thinking about it.

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We had the same debate last year on a Magic sailing. After going back and forth we decided to try the cove.

I'm so glad we did! Our cove was private no one above could gaze down and spot us. There was little movement (sway) on deck 2. Getting to meals and shows was super easy as were port day departures. We sat on our balcony in Cozumel to watch the runners and thoroughly enjoy the experience. We watched dolphins at play and caught up on some much needed r and r.

What really cemented our choice was a cabin crawl. Our cove was the belle of the ball. We viewed a spa balcony and weren't thrilled about the motion we could feel or the color-scheme.

If you do book a cove and you're into sun look at the deck plans for breaks in life boats. We picked stateroom 2337 and had plenty of air and light.

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Hi Guys,

Thanks for the read!:D

I'm thinking of booking a seven day cruise in November. I've sailed out of Galveston several times and am growing a bit tired of the standard Western Caribbean routes. My traveling partner lives in North Carolina but we've never sailed out of Charleston. We had viewed Charleston as a smaller port, with an older ship and no balcony options (unless you book a suite.) But the tides are turning...so:

What do you prefer? Does the eastern route or western route hold sway over you? What do you think of the Fantasy, versus Magic? Is newer better? Is bigger better? Will life change after Vista?:eek:

Hi guys,

I'm looking for any info on the Royal Family Suite. There are many links and images for other RCCL ships but virtual none for Navigator.

Thanks!

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Hi!

I had a really hard time deciding between a "spa" balcony and cove on the Magic last March.

After a ton of debate I settled on the cove. It was wonderful! Lots of privacy and excellent people watching in Cozumel.

We also enjoyed the lower floor for quick boarding from ports, and only a flight of stairs to dining and entertainment. There is less movement (swaying) with the cove as well.

Two more quick things: 1-our decision was confirmed after a cabin crawl. Everyone loved our room, and 2- some cove balcony rooms can be dark with lifeboats above. We picked a cabin with a gap (2337) and loved the light!

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