OK, I've gone and done it....now what?

[nevadabadgirl]

Usually we do a land-based all inclusive resort for our longer vacations, but this year we decided to change it up a bit and try a cruise for the first time! I am very excited, I have always wanted to cruise since the "Love Boat" :p And yes, my name is the same as Captain Stubing's daughter, so I had many fantasies of cruising as a child :D

 

We decided to do a "test" cruise first, to see if we liked it, so we chose the Radiance of the Seas 5 night Mexico Riviera cruise (Cabo, Ensenada and 2 days at sea). If we like it, we would like to do the Alaska cruise and a Panama Canal cruise.

 

I have a list of questions, and I am sure there will be more. Any help would be much appreciated!

 

1. We booked a Junior Suite for 3 adults (my 21 y.o. son, my 43 y.o. self and my 62 y.o. mother). Is this big enough to be comfortable, or should we upgrade?

 

2. Smoking - I know it is not allowed in the staterooms anymore, but is it allowed on the balconies? Also are there designated public smoking areas?

 

3. My mother has some mobility issues, will getting around the ship be complicated for her?

 

4. Does anyone know approximately what an updo in the spa costs for formal night?

 

5. While this trip is about the ship for us, not the ports (we have been to them all many times), has anyone done the "glass submarine" excursion in Cabo? or the bartending class in Ensenada?

 

I think that's it for now, but I am sure that I will come up with many more over the next 346 days (NO, I am NOT counting!!! ;) )

 

Thanks again for any assistance!

[Illmaxict]

1.) if you aren't hurting for money, then why not upgrade? if you are, or are on the frugal side, you will be fine with 3 adults. I am staying in a balcony room with my 3 friends in 2 weeks I am 21, and they are 20. We will be fine, i've stayed in smaller, so you should be alright too.

 

2.) smoking is allowed on balconies, out on the deck, and in certain bars and lounges and the night club. Because the balcony is good to go for smoking and since we are gonna be leaving from Barcelona, that means we are gonna pick up some cubans before we leave to start each morning off and the end the night right.

 

3.) I have never travelled with anybody with mobility issues, so I can only speak from what I've been told, and that is it is pretty accessible for people who have trouble getting around.

 

4.) As I guy, I really am in no position to answer questions regarding an "updo" lol!

 

5.) Never been to Mexico, on the Med. so I can't answer those questions about Cabo and Ensenada.

 

I have no doubt you will enjoy your cruise, and most definitely be thinking about your next one before you get back home. Enjoy the ship!

[janabm81]

Not to worry you but....

Some of the junior suites have bath tubs with pretty high sides & that may be an issue for your mother.:o

[cb at sea]

I think a JS will be too tight for 3 people--if 2 were a "couple", then it would work better.

There won't be alot of privacy for anyone in a JS.

You can smoke on the balconies....and there are some designated areas for smokers---you'll know where it's allowed...there will be ashtrays.

The ship is easy to manuever...even in a wheelchair, folks have no problems.

[mation101]

The JS is big enough. Two will sleep in beds and one will sleep on a pull out couch.

 

If you three are really close, and dont mind if someone makes noises while sleeping, then it should work fine. I know my brother would never have been comfortable sleeping in the same room as G-ma, as he snores and passes a little gas.

 

Also as stated above, the tubs in JS are pretty high. I am almost 6ft and I am very carefull getting in & out of the tub.

 

If you can afford it upgrade to a suite with seperate rooms, or get adjoining rooms, as sharing a bathroom gets old after 2 or 3 days.

[ma3]

We always book a Jr. Suite. The walk in closet serves as a dressing room for me. I do have mobility problems and there are enough handrails to climb into and out of the tub. The Jr. will work for sleeping. The beds will be made up as twins and the sofa will be open. I would ask for an egg crate for the sofa bed.

[tahqa]

Smoking is only allowed on decks on the starboard (right) side of any RCL ship.

[RenieRaider]

Nevadabadgirl~ Ahoy! Welcome aboard! Good for you Choosing to Cruise!

Just curious... How did you end up at Cruise Critic?

 

Your ship is accessible so there should be not problem getting around. If you need a wheelchair just make arrangements ahead of time. A wheelchair will be waiting for you in the stateroom. Yes, there will be a charge.

 

Do you need an accessable stateroom for your Mom?

 

Your 21 year old son will have plenty to do! Make sure he pays attention to the Compass... it tells you all the different activities that are going on.

 

I've never had the pleasure of a Jr. Suite, but I know there is LOTS of storage space! :-)

 

The Radiance of the Seas is a perfect Class of ship for your first time cruise. Most things are all located on one deck..... Theater, Cinema, Sports Bar, Casino, Specialty Resturants, and one of my favotite areas... the Safari Club.

 

Cruising is not as ALL INCLUSIVE as you may be used to on a Land vacation. You DO have to PAY for your beverages. I call it the Spa-Bar-Bingo BILL. Which can add up. Just keep that in mind.

 

You WILL find yourself saying (or at least thinking anyway) WOW! Cruising is awesome. I hope you find that to be true also.Be sure to go up on top deck for the Sail Away Party. Unless you want to be with the crowd .... go up to the Sea View Cafe. You can get a drink there, there will not be alot of people and you'll have great views.

 

What else can I say......... BON VOYAGE!!!!!!!

[ccletzgo]

Jr. Suite will be fine for 3 sense its just a 5 day cruise.:D You mentioned extended holiday's.... and in that case 3 people, with 2 NOT being a couple may be too close for too long.:eek:

 

Also, remember the atmosphere of a shorter cruise is a bit different then the longer ones. Shorter cruises to Mexico tend to have a bit more of a party atmosphere and young crowd. Thats not a bad thing, its just not as subdued (toned down) as a longer cruise.;)

 

Happy sailing! :D

[nevadabadgirl]

Thanks for all your responses, everyone, I truly appreciate the help!

 

I have looked over the floor plan for the JS and measured out that kind of square footage in my house...I think it will be fine for 5 days, so I will leave the reservation be. I do think that if we go on any longer cruises we will get a bigger suite or maybe 2 rooms..we will have to see.

 

If the tub has hand rails to get in and out, my mom will be fine, but thanks for mentioning it, I really didn't think of it. She can get in and out of our Jacuzzi tub at home with some assistance, so we aren't too worried about it at this point. She is able to walk with a cane (or sometimes a walker), so a wheelchair won't be necessary.

 

I know my brother would never have been comfortable sleeping in the same room as G-ma, as he snores and passes a little gas.

I laughed when I read that...I am more worried about her snoring than ours :D We have been in small hotel rooms before, so for a 5 day, it should be all right. I always fall back to the thought, How much time will I spend in my room anyways :)

 

Just curious... How did you end up at Cruise Critic?

Kind of a long story...well not really. 2 years ago, I was looking for a great trip to plan for my son for his graduation present. Since he is kind of a loner, he decided he wanted a trip with me, Grandma and Grandpa (great kid, what can I say?) We researched cruises, and at that time I found Cruise Critic (google or linked from a site, not sure). I registered, but never posted after finding that he couldnt partake in many of the activities (mainly having a drink and gambling) on board the ship...we chose another all inclusive resort, in Puerto Vallarta. It was relatively close to the docks and I would sit and watch the ships leave, simultaneously thinking "I wonder where they are going, I wanna go!" and "Those poor people have to leave paradise" :D Now we wanted to do something for his 21st birthday (in April 2010), so we decided on this.

 

The Radiance of the Seas is a perfect Class of ship for your first time cruise. Most things are all located on one deck..... Theater, Cinema, Sports Bar, Casino, Specialty Resturants, and one of my favotite areas... the Safari Club.

This is reassuring. Most of the shorter cruises to Mexico seemed to have smaller ships with less amenities. I wanted to make sure we had a little something for everyone.

 

Cruising is not as ALL INCLUSIVE as you may be used to on a Land vacation.

Since we don't drink a lot, I figure that isn't much of an issue. A couple a day is enough for me, and I already have a credit card with a VERY limited amount on it for my son :D As long as there is food and it is included, I am good LOL

 

Shorter cruises to Mexico tend to have a bit more of a party atmosphere and young crowd. Thats not a bad thing, its just not as subdued (toned down) as a longer cruise.

That will be good for my son then, and not bad for me and my mother :)

 

Thanks so much, once again, and I am sure I will have more to ask...making a short list now :D

[uksimonusa]

Smoking is only allowed on decks on the starboard (right) side of any RCL ship.

 

Normally it's the starboard side, but not always, have been on ships when it's been the port side, Independence out of FLL comes to mind.

 

Just check where the ashtrays are

[CruisinManiac]

If it were me, I would book a smaller balcony for mom and myself, and an Inside stateroom for DH. You would have to pay double for single occupancy, or you could let your son take a friend. :)

 

I also have a 21 year old, and I cannot imagine sharing a room with him and my mother. He and my mother would be very uncomfortable. However, you know your family best, and you all may be very comfortable staying together.

 

PS - Since you will only have one bathroom, your son could head up to the men's locker rooms and take his showers, etc.. up there. Free up some space for the women. Those bathrooms are tiny, even in the JS.

 

BTW - I didn't know that Captain Stubing had a daughter named nevada bad girl ??? :D:

[emilygrace]

I think if you are used to traveling with your son and your mother the JS will be fine. You have picked a perfect ship for your "starter cruise". The Radiance was our very first ship and I immediately was hooked!

 

There is a ton of storage in a JS, especially for what you would take on a 5 night cruise in a warm climate. I don't know which cabin you have booked, but if it is toward the back of the ship it is quite a walk to the nearest stairs/elevators......for your mom, that is. There are no stairs or elevators in the aft portion of the ship. If you are more towards the center of the ship you will be fine, as everything branches off this area. This class of ship is VERY user friendly and it is so easy to find everything.

 

If you are on the 5/3/2010 sailing I just might see you there! Thinking about booking that one.

[cruznjan]

I've done the submarine ride (not in Cabo). It's neat, but not if you're claustrophobic. You're seated tightly around the vessel where you look out on the ocean floor, and there's not a lot of room above you.

[nevadabadgirl]

BTW - I didn't know that Captain Stubing had a daughter named nevada bad girl ???

He does now :D

 

Since you will only have one bathroom, your son could head up to the men's locker rooms and take his showers, etc.. up there. Free up some space for the women. Those bathrooms are tiny, even in the JS.

Great idea! Actually the only night I am worried about this is formal night.

 

I don't know which cabin you have booked, but if it is toward the back of the ship it is quite a walk to the nearest stairs/elevators......for your mom, that is.

We booked 1546, if I remember the floor plans, it is right about in the middle. I know that I booked as close to the elevators as I could for mom's sake.

 

If you are on the 5/3/2010 sailing I just might see you there! Thinking about booking that one.

That's the one, seemed about the right length for a first timer :)

 

You're seated tightly around the vessel where you look out on the ocean floor, and there's not a lot of room above you.

Sounds reminiscent of the old submarine ride at Disneyland!

[alexkrn46]

You will have a great cruise, when our son comes ( and not our daughter) we book a Grand Suite. I have stayed in JS with my husband and I have stayed in smaller hotel rooms with my adult kids. The only big difference is the GS gives you access to the concierge lounge where there is free drinks 5-8 pm.

 

The shower at the Gym is an idea we have used. The JS unlike the GS has a walk in closet and a normal size bathroom.

 

The handicap accessible suite is the same money - you will need confirmation from a doctor it is needed. Have a wonderful cruise.