cruisevv

I usually bring about $75 in cash not including the gratuities and the internet package which are charged to my card. I spend $30 on taxis and use $30 for tips. The rest in the airport. I rarely buy trinkets in port or from the cruise line and I don't tend to go to the pay restaurants at all.

Didn't this happen a while back not recently?

Nope, apparently he was born on the August 31st cruise, they hauled tail to port, and he was flown to a hospital care center in Florida. They haven't been able to take him home to Utah until this week.

And they weren't all sure he'd get there before X-mas: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/premature-baby-born-cruise-ship-arrives-home-utah-35356191

You would have to do self-disembarkation and take all of your own luggage. Can you handle that with a baby?

Don't have one, I always carry my own luggage and self-disembark was my original plan - so yes. ^.^

But seriously LeoWife, you have my applause. And thanks for sharing the photo again - can see it now.

1. So so sorry about your experience.

2. Picture - can you re-attach it?

3. You made an 8:00am flight with 3 people and an infant? That's making my 9:30am flight looking more-and-more feasible! Thx

There is no charge for breakfast. Lunch and dinner is $6.95

For some reason I thought it was free with no cover charge on Independence. Regardless, thanks! I'm looking forward to trying it again.

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Wow, thanks for the link Ourusualbeach! I've never been in a suite but its nice to see what the options are.

Are the mattresses much better in anyone's option?

Can someone tell me why Johnny Rockets is free on some ships but not others? Its free on Independence but not the Allure right? And does it serve hot breakfast at either?

Uber sent me this note this morning -

uberX fares are now 10% less in South Florida!

Whether you're commuting to work, avoiding parking at a football game, or meeting friends for a drink,

you'll save money by riding with us.

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Looks lovely Sherri. I hope to try it someday.

Anyone know if we can apply C&A discounts to inside balconies? I assume so.

Thank you 138east! I've never taken the cruise transportation, I'll look into it.

So you're flying in on 5/13 and need a hotel at Newark Airport. What is your budget? No NYC sightseeing? Is prepaying an option?

Honestly, I'd prefer to go directly from the airport to the ship if possible. It seems the distance between Newark airport and the cruise terminal is only 7 miles or so/20 minute ride?

I'd like to get into the airport at 10AM, hop into transportation, and hit the cruise terminal by 1PM. Preferably paying no more than $25 one-way.

I'm not going on any excursions or sight-seeing. I can pre-pay for transportation and prefer not to have to use public transportation with transfer between trains/buses etc. I want as straight a shot as possible.

I can't recall anyone on this board ever recommending Super Shuttle in the NY metro area. What is your date? Are you flying in? How many people? Are you going from Newark Airport to Cape Liberty? If you provide precise details, folks will offer good suggestions.

Any particular reason why? I've used Super S in the Philly and DC areas with no problems. However I know NJ/NYC are a different beast so I'll take advice gladly.

Date: 05/14/15

Transp: Flight into Newark

Party: 1 (no large luggage)

Route: Yes, from Newark to Cape Liberty (Bayonne)

I'm pretty flexible so I would love to hear options. Also hotels - I prefer Marriott (and I guess Starwood now that they're joined) - that offer shuttle service if necessary.

I think I might try Super Shuttle. Was going to do UBER but I'm not in a rush either.

Has anyone tried UBER from Port Liberty to Newark airport? Also, what's the travel time from port to airport? Should I get a hotel room the night before or is it less than 40 minutes away?

I've learned to like RCI and Carnival for different reasons - as someone who solo travels frequently. RCI's benefits program is much more attractive to solo travelers: double cruise points and great discounts after certain levels. Carnival doesn't have much going for it from my end except priority boarding lol. A good example of this. RCI gives 10% off spa treatments to its loyalty program members (certain level). Carnival gives you priority BOOKING for spa treatments. I'll take the discount thank you very much.

However, almost every time Carnival beats RCI for pricing. If I can get an excellent cabin on C for $1,200 (balcony or stupendous ocean view) on a PREMIUM deck that same cabin will be $1,500 - $1,600 on royal and at the bottom of the ship. But RCI is fighting back with these new super solo studios on Anthem and Ovation, so we'll see.

As for activities - neither does anything for solos. But I find I get less flack from Carnival cruisers when they find out I'm by myself. Also Carnival cruisers seem to be more young at heart, joyful, and irreverent. Sometimes that can be a bad thing - drunk idiots and super-crowded deck parties. But they are much more relaxed about their time on the ship. RCI feels a bit more stuffy/upper-class to me but the activities I find are more innovative, interesting and exciting! Carnival is mainly comedy shows and performances. I want to be mesmerized and included - RCI is good at that with the ice show, the eye in the sky, the small and large activities like a cupcake decorating session.

Also a side note - RCI seems to have more kids in general.

Bottom line:

Carnival: Cheaper but still quality, good rooms (especially if you know which ones to pick) and friendly community

RCI: More expensive and many more avenues for entertainment plus better food venues & loyalty perks

Also there are apparently only TWELVE solo studios with balconies on Anthem and Ovation. If this is as awesome as I think its going to be I will book this cabin again and again.

I edited my last message (reload for details) but the date I was looking at was 4/30, and I think it's only a 5 nighter. But still, $1350 with a balcony.

PERDITAX IT WORKED!!!

OMG. So I was doing some tests on different May sailings from Bayonne, NJ. Looking specifically at Anthem of the Seas, 5-night cruise, 04/30/16-05/05/16,- the price shows up at:

$963 INT; $1,045 OV; $1,071 BAL; $1,725 SUT

Which is GREAT. But when I clicked 'Select Cruise' then update the number of persons sailing to 1, the prices go to $2,200 - $2,500.

HOWEVER (*drumroll*) the Super Studio Ocean View was available for $1,200.

So I kept looking and then I called my travel agency. I booked the mid-May sailing 7-night Anthem of the Seas sailing for $1,500 taxes/fees inclusive. I also got the free internet package, a Specialty Dining Package worth $40, and $150.00 OBC.

They only had GTY available so I don't know WHERE on Anthem I'll be but I know I'll have a lovely room and balcony to myself.

Thanks so much! So very very excited to sail on this new ship.

Where are you looking? I was playing with RCCL's site last night and managed to get it to cough me up a studio balcony for like $1300 all in, although it was doing wonky math and giving me some OBC in the mix.

 

I did notice that Costco does NOT show the same prices; I was getting those $2000 quotes. Wish I could tell you what dates I was looking at, but can't remember. Probably early/mid spring.

I would LOVE a May / June 2016 cruise. It's the sweet spot for me as its 3 months out from my latest one and allows me to participate into certain promotions. I didn't use Costco, but another hotel-based travel agency. So let me try RCI's direct site. Hopefully they'll offer to match the price?

I'm really intrigued by Anthem, but as a solo female who isn't all that well traveled I'm slightly nervous about navigating the NJ terrain (have never been to NJ or NY and it seems quite intimidating). I have no qualms about any FL ports because I know that whole state top to bottom. I feel like I would be extremely out of my element in the northeast and would worry about things like getting a hotel in the wrong neighborhood, and getting around (airport to hotel, hotel to port, etc). In Florida I have friends who still like me enough to shuttle me around, or I just rent a car or catch a $15 cruise shuttle.

 

TL;DR: someone reassure me that NJ is not that bad.

 

(I've also noticed an irritating thing, which is that nonstops from my airport to EWR don't seem to exist unless I pull a "skiplagged" scam.)

I happily hop from place-to-place, doesn't concern me. What does is the price of Anthem in general. I can't find ANY solo cabins (even insides) for less than $2,000 taxes/port fees inclusives. I am very jealous of Tura Lura.

Also according to this - http://ports.cruisett.com/schedule/United_States_Of_America/212-Fort_Lauderdale_Florida - there's only 2 ships in port on the day I'm leaving. Serenade and Independence.

I really appreciate everyone's helpful comments here!

The main problem is an 11:30 am flight is outside of Carnival recommended times so if there is an delay, your travel insurance may not be honored and Carnival will not assist you. Don't under estimate FLL airport crowds. If the mega ships are disembarking at the same time, there could be 15,000 passengers all headed for the airport.

Alright, I just checked my airline. I am way outside of 24-hour change your flight range. The airline wants to charge me $450.00 to get a new flight at 5pm in the afternoon. There is no way that's happening.

If it helps, this cruise is in December and apparently busy season. But I did just cruise last week with FLL. My timeline was as follows: disembarked at 8:30ish, in taxi by 9:10am, and sitting at my gate by 9:30 or so. It'll be a stretch but if I'm first in line at 6am - I heard RCI disembarks earlier than Carnie - I should be fine.

I'd rather use my hotel rewards points to stay in a room for free and then pay for a new ticket the next day for 1/3rd the price then give them $450.00 just to change tickets. No.

I'd be nervous. We did make a 9:30am flight, but we were literally the first 2 passengers off the ship, we had pre- printed boarding passes in hand, and went straight to the gate (skipped the counter since all we had were carry ons). And even with all that, we had to run to the gate. They were literally making the final boarding call 10 minutes before departure. The slightest delay and we would've not made that flight, but thankfully, everything aligned perfectly.

Tapi - I guess I'll find out if I can make it to the finish line. ;)

But I'm doing everything I usually do -

- Travel super-light (one backpack) that I carry on and off the ship

- Taking a private taxi for max speed

- Hustling my way off the ship at 6:45am

- At a small airport with a tiny customs line usually

- Airline tickets pre-loaded on phone so need to check-in at desk

Feeling nervous now. The last two Carnival cruises I was on allowed early disembarkation at 6:45am...so I booked a 9:30am flight. Customs should be empty at 7am, and its only 10 mins to FLL but I forgot about the airport security line. *sigh* Will just have to wing it. The tickets were worth it. Besides the FLL security line is the shortest I've ever seen.

i don't know what the balcony studios cost, i have an inside (there's no ocean view studio - just inside w/ virtual balcony or studio with actual balcony).

 

Mine was about $1100 +port taxes/fees for a 9 day to Canada. Just had them add on free wifi and a total of $100 obc. It's for Sept 2016.

 

I found that RCI's site showed no studios at all for the cruise, i found it at a discount travel agency. 2 other agencies i looked at first did't have any studios either and quoted me double the price for an regular inside instead.

 

And yes - full size bed, full size bathroom, no balcony. no single supplement.

I noticed that Anthem is having a sale right now with the free wifi and OBC. So you booked your room in the past and they're willing to add on the incentives still? That's awesome! Or did you book it recently?

I got a solo interior on Anthem for 5/14 with gratuities and taxes for $1,176.12. That includes a $50.00 onboard credit. I thought that was a steal compared to what prices are for a cabin for two.

That IS a steal if this is what you mean -

Single full size bed, full bathroom and private balcony. Single occupancy stateroom, no single supplement required.

The decoration and arrangement of our staterooms vary by ship; see below for actual photos. If a ship is not listed here, it means this stateroom category does not exist on that ship. However, you may be able to find a similar stateroom in a different category.

Read more at http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/cabinclass/cabinTypes/cabinType/home.do?cabincls=B&cabinType=UB#fGrRUUZyZb3zT5LI.99

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/cabinclass/cabinTypes/cabinType/home.do?cabincls=B&cabinType=UB

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Has anyone tried the Super Studio Ocean View on RCI's Quantum Class? To get at or around 1K in price did you book outrageously far out? Also ummm...I guess we loose the double points thing right?