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BTwurddle

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  1. I took this tour after the same cruise last November! I had a late flight out of LAX and figured it would be better than just sitting in the airport. I’m glad I took it, it was a nice little sampler of the highlights of Los Angeles. That said here’s a couple things to keep in mind. First, check your flight times. I think the tour description said “for domestic flights departing after 3pm” or something like that. One couple on the tour had a flight departing three minutes after whatever time was mentioned and hadn’t accounted for the fact boarding actually begins 30 minutes prior to a flight. Long story short they had to catch an Uber from one of the later stops so everyone on the tour didn’t have to sacrifice to get them to the airport on time. Second, the itinerary they mention is great and they absolutely try and fit everything in giving you a few stops to get off the coach and take in the area. Remember though you nights have some kind of delay somewhere. (We had a problem with the coach and lost about 45 minutes.) It certainly didn’t ruin the trip and I’m probably more relaxed than some folks so it didn’t bother me at all. We ended up with only about an hour for lunch in Santa Monica because of it but it couldn’t be helped. The tour guide and driver were doing their best to give us a great experience. Lastly you’ll probably start in Beverly Hills and you’ll get there before most of the stores and businesses have opened. (There are some nice bakeries and coffee shops beside the Beverly Wilshire Hotel that will be open) It still makes for some great pictures and seeing it first hand but if you were planning to go medieval in Louis Vuitton make an appointment so they open the door early for you! If your flight out gives you plenty of time it’s a great alternative to the dreadful purgatory that is LAX. Take the tour, relax and enjoy the ride. If something happens and you miss a sight or get rerouted just roll with it and you’ll be fine. Bonus secret society insider tip: if you stop near the shopping mall in Santa Monica and don’t want to walk all the way to the pier there’s a chocolate shop on the left toward the main entrance on the first floor. I picked up a couple treats and now I have a regular order with them every month shipped out to Texas. Worth hunting it up. Enjoy your cruise, it’s a great relaxing time and if the tour works for your times you’ll have a great time.
  2. Good afternoon everyone. We are sailing on Reflection next week with a stop in Nassau and I was wondering if anyone could advise what time ship sponsored excursions typically meet or depart from the cruise port area. My boyfriend enjoys sleeping late and I do mean late. I joke he never has to worry about hating himself in the morning on a cruise because he just sleeps 'til noon! There's not a lot to particularly interest either of us in Nassau and I've been before but we were planning just to take the water taxi over to the yacht basin and the nice walk over to Atlantis, see a few things at the resort itself then back to the ship. I noticed there is a 3 hour snorkeling excursion offered however and now Im wondering if I would have time take that excursion while he sleeps in then meet him back on the ship afterwards before venturing back out together. (He doesn't like to snorkel and I'm always up so early anyway...Im usually waking up the roosters around the neighborhood ) Any ideas how early that excursion or excursions in general will depart the ship in Nassau? Does this sound like a plan that might would work out? As I said this isn't a port where we have a lot planned on shore and as a matter of fact initially we had almost decided we would be perfectly content staying onboard the entire week since we've seen all the ports so many times already. Thanks in advance for any advice or input. Happy cruising everyone! -Scooter-
  3. Good morning everyone! I have a question about proper dress etiquette for the Persian Garden. We will be sailing on Reflection in a few weeks in aqua class. I loved the PG on Solstice on my last cruise in November but since that ship was only sailing at 30% capacity there was literally never anyone else using the PG at the times I went. My question is since it is a coed environment requiring a swim suit rather than a well secured towel, should one wear a robe over their bathing suit inside the steam and sauna rooms? It seems like doing so would limit the benefits by covering most of ones body but then again Id be terribly embarrassed to make another passenger uncomfortable by enjoying the space in just swim trunks. Ultimately I guess it isnt much different than the pool deck or hot tubs and nobody wears a robe in the hot tubs... Well on Solstice there was one nice lady who wore a very smart pant suit in the solarium jacuzzi but Im sure Tom Collins was partly responsible for convincing her to do that. It never hurts to ask so there we go. How do you enjoy the Persian Garden? Thanks everyone for any replies. Happy sailing.
  4. My last experience was on Solstice last November and like another poster said there were no fountains or splash guns on this ship in the bars. All sodas were in cans and available at any bar with my non-alcoholic package. Additionally, just a small tip though just my own experience... I dont drink much soda throughout the day however I do have a habit of enjoying a coke in the morning in my cabin. I told my room steward I had a drink package and asked if I could store the cans I got from the bar in my mini-bar and she told me of course. Id make sure as I walked back to my cabin each night to stop by the rendevous bar and grab a can to have for in the morning. A few nights I forgot and had to use a can that was part of the mini-bar stock, replacing it after breakfast with a fresh one and was never charged extra, not that I would have complained if I had been. Im sure she noticed as my cabin was always made up when I got back but it was a very nice courtesy on her part.
  5. Good evening everyone! I just got back from a wonderful cruise on Solstice a week ago. Everything was fantastic but I did note the Solstice had not been updated with the new bedding...most likely since her update was postponed due to the pandemic I imagine. She was absolutely beautiful and in terrific condition especially for having been laid up for nearly two years and I don't have a single complaint. Admittedly I was looking forward to experiencing one of the new mattresses as part of the new(ish) exhale bedding suite but instead suffered so terribly with the older bedding through my morning coffee in bed, my late morning nap, my afternoon nap, my after-excursion nap on port days and those long insufferable nights nestled in sumptuous sheets and pillows all while being gently lulled to sleep by the ships rocking... (first world problems right?) In any event I now have a booking in March on the Reflection. I was just curious if she had been updated with the new bedding in anyone's recent experience? It doesn't really matter one way or the other I'm just curious if she has been equipped with the new bedding suite in the cabins. Ill be in a verandah on this sailing if it makes any difference. (Once upon a time Princess was famous for updating suites and balcony real estate before interior and ocean-view cabins so I mention it.) Thanks in advance for any help. Happy sailing everyone!
  6. Can anyone advise if Grandeur OTS is still equipped with free steam rooms and saunas in the mens and womens locker rooms? Loved these on Rhapsody every time we cruised her. Just before the pandemic we sailed on Enchantment thinking as a sister ship she would have them also and was really disappointed when we discovered she was never built with them... after we boarded our 10 night cruise. Ive heard on some ships they've been removed and on some of the larger classes downsized. We would just love if anyone can confirm if they are still there? The steam/sauna and solarium are most definitely the highlights of our time on board. Thank you for any help in advance. Happy cruising.
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