susancruzs

I like Malbec, buy it sometimes. Before my So. Amer. cruise, I'm pretty sure I didn't drink it. I can't always find it here. I'll try the Carmenere on my Oct. NE cruise as I'll have the Plus.

It's plan, sounds good to me! I got to Elite on a grand voyage in 2016, TA + Baltic, wasn't sure if I would but I did! Similar deal as you, knew I was looking at 30 day So. Amer. for 2018, wanted to be Elite. Sailing solo has that advantage, seeing as we're paying double. Elite was a tad more exciting then, I guess. I got it with days and cruises as I've taken longer cruises always, never was a fan of 7 days. Do what cruises you will enjoy, and fit your budget.

My 1st Med cruise was on the Royal in '07, it was great. I've since been back to the Med on the Emerald, new Royal, some cruises smaller is better. Just my thought, of course.

You might find some info in the departures/ports section: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/317-east-coast-departures/

I haven't cruised with a Plus package but have it for my 14 day NE and 23 day Panama Canal positioning cruises. Reading all the comments has been interesting. I was on a 30 day So. Amer. cruise without Plus in 2018, judging by my habits that cruise, a no brainer to have it. I do water, specialty coffee, wine with lunch and dinner, maybe a Margarita in the afternoon and being a carb queen, love desserts. I've never been one for budgets, a casino person, I'm in my 70s and enjoy myself. I have to pay double for my cruises with what they cost, worrying about my on board $ spent, not happening! I'm on vacation, plus package sounds like a breeze!

I re-read the letter this a.m., because I've never sailed on the Coral knowing it has 2 dining areas. I missed the last line, fine print, about the Coral/Island. All is well, looking forward to having TD back again. It just works for me, sailing single, not wanting to re-introduce myself many times.

I've sailed on the Royal class ships but also the Emerald, 30 days So. Amer., preferred Emerald for the longer cruise. I'm taking a Quebec to Ft. L. on the Emerald this Fall. I've done the same cruise on the Royal, it's about the itinerary for me. I don't need the newest or biggest to make my cruise great.

Hope it's all great from here on out! Enjoy!

Awesome! I'll follow along, I'm on the Emerald in October, Quebec/Ft. L. South America cruise 2018 was on the Emerald, Buenos Aires to LA, It was great. Chrysalis your 37 days sounds wonderful! I'm trying to get back to cruising after Covid, life events, moving to Iowa, a fav ship is a good way to go. I'm reading live threads, some posts are so negative and I haven't cruised since 2019 (Norway Northern lights). Enjoy your cruise! Bon voyage!

I might be in for a shock because I haven't cruised recently. It might be the buffet for me after all! I'll find out when I board the Emerald in Oct., and the Coral next April. Fun thread though!

Great pictures! I go for the desserts, too, especially chocolate! I'm different, everyone has their own ideas what makes a cruise good for them. I was on the Emerald Princess for 30 days, So. Amer., went up to the buffet once or twice (maybe), usually if I wanted more fruit. I don't do elevators either so all those stairs play into it, too!

Diamond was mentioned, I don't see IC listed anywhere on the deck plans. I have to have the IC, it is a deal breaker for me. I don't do room service either, not staying in my cabin to eat alone. I know the Coral is heading for drydock this Fall, hoping no major changes are made.

I'm a major IC fan as I don't care for buffets, haven't sailed on the Island for that reason. I'm happy the Coral has the IC as I'll be on for 23 days April next year. I get a pastry, yogurt or fruit for breakfast, then a small salad with a sandwich for lunch.

I'm a solo cruiser, nothing has changed for me. I search cruises with my probook laptop, not my phone. I'm checking every day because cruises I've picked are so booked up. I chose cabins but keep looking in case something changes. Every longer cruise I'm on has many solo cruisers can't imagine taking that away.

As others have suggested, do some homework here at CC and for both ports, I wouldn't go with Princess arrangements. Might consider it for LA but definitely never for Ft. Lauderdale. Ft. L. is so convenient, everything is close by, prices will be on the high end in February.