long4acruise

@hallasm. You are always so helpful! Sincere appreciation for all your posts to help those of us traveling to wonderful Copenhagen!

Planning to spend 1-2 nights in Copenhagen before boarding Serenade of the Seas in Aug. Have done most of the tourist attractions before. Currently I'm experiencing a pinched nerve and occasional neck discomfort so we're looking for ease of movement with luggage (two spinners and a tote each). Looking for suggestions on where to stay. Am thinking maybe we should stay closer to the airport and if we decide to do some light touring we can take the train into the city; then take a taxi to the cruise port? At this point I value comfort and convenience - ease of getting to a hotel with luggage - versus the price. Any suggestions? Thanks much!

Yes, we've pre-paid $109 pp + 20% gratuity for the Thermal Spa Suite for our last several cruises. Onboard cost has varied. One cruisemate was quoted $35/day on Symphony; another either $139 or $159 pp + 20% on a different sailing.

Thanks everyone for your insightful feedback! Much to consider when traveling with 10 related adults & kids and what works best for all. The cruise is Fri to Fri, which means more traffic and higher Amtrak fares (than on a Sat or Sun), especially business class for the reserved seats to stay together. Yes, we do live in the DMV area (MD) and just off the beltway at 495 & rt 50 and 7 min from the Amtrak station. If not going the Amtrak route, as we'd need multiple XL Ubers to the port, I'd only consider a mini-bus type vehicle with an aisle versus a van. My nephew and his family had better decide quickly! Thanks again for sharing your thoughts!

@princeton123211 Thanks much for your reply! I do recall seeing Chariots for Hire in the area. I will get my nephew moving on a decision so we can make reservations either using Amtrak or other means. I think he's more concerned with convenience (since it'll be his first cruise traveling with the kids) over pricing. I'm just going for the ride and to assist! 😆

Can anyone recommend a transportation bus/shuttle company for round-trip service to/from Cape Liberty Cruise Terminal from the DC metro area? My husband & I usually take Amtrak to Newark Penn and then an Uber. But next summer it'll be 10-12 passengers including kids (ages 3, 8, 11) and I'm thinking the logistics and timeliness would be better for door to door shuttle or mini- bus service. Thanks for any suggestions you may have!

I'd say buy it in advance. We were on the 4N Oasis when it repositioned to Miami and pre-purchased the Thermal Suite for $59. A friend didn't and RC wanted $35 for one day usage!

Interestingly my credit card company (followed by a RC email an hour later) notified me today of a successful bid for a late Nov sailing. Submitted our minimum bids several days ago.

Wishing you a full healthy recovery and many relaxing cruising nights in your future! I agree with you ... don't sweat the small stuff in life.

@Lois R Where did you stay in Copenhagen? Trying to select a hotel pre-cruise for next for our Aug 2024 Norwegian Fjords sailing. Thanks!

Also currently on Serenade for the 12N Tampa to Boston repo. The bed is very comfortable - one of the best yet! New pillows, bed & bath linens and plush robes. The cooler in #8532 is just ok, but will mention to the staff as it may need to be cleaned or replaced. Wifi has been great for calls, texts and Zoom, mtg, but the app leaves much to be desired. The app keeps closing on its own and if I add the later show to my calendar, it repeatedly shows up with the early times. Frustrating but was told previously that RC is aware and correcting this is a top priority. Duplicate postings of two activities in the same venue at the same time or 15 min apart in the app - unsure if this is on the CD staff or whomever is updating the app? The ship is being constantly cleaned and wiped down, the staff is friendly and helpful and the MTD has gone well. Will be in the same spacious OV balcony on the hump for 3 different mini segments of the UWC so will try to peep at that cabin before I disembark. Life is good!

@mets123 B2B info as promised... We just completed leg 1 of our B2B sailing from Bayonne. Turnaround day went very smoothly and we were notified of the process several days prior. There were several who'd requested wheelchairs and assistance was offered. We met in the Star Lounge on deck 5, received our new room keys, waited about 10 minutes then walked off with a Guest Services staff member. In the terminal, we completed biometrics facial recognition and returned to the ship to sign on using our new Seapass cards. No crowds and elevator was available in the terminal. The total process was completed within about 45 min. Hope this helps you. Enjoy your trip! Donna

Loved the Honey Stung Chicken in WJ on embarkation day! Several years prior to the pandemic era, a guest inquired during the Captain's Corner why it wasn't being served anymore. The F&B officer spoked up and said sadly their supplier no longer offered it. He said as it had been the #1 question he was constantly asked.

We were in GS #1700 on the Wonder TA and enjoyed the Suite Sun Deck also. Used a pool towel for possible soot issues. Enjoyed the location and quietness!

I also had more problems using RC's gift card as I think it had to be applied to a new booking... Wasn't worth my time and hassle. Later I was given two $100 gift card certificates for mentoring a group and I just applied them to a current booking as OBC. And that also took a little more time than it should have. Just make sure to get a copy of the invoice when applying a gift card before getting off the phone.

Great, we got that nice "suite" deal too for B2B sailings in Mar 2025! So far off, but time flies when having fun.

A gym friend mentioned she was leaving on a cruise from Baltimore on Sunday, but perhaps she meant next Sunday 16 July? I do know Carnival Legend usually departs on Sundays as we see the ship sail by about 7pm when we're at the beach or see it in port when dining in Baltimore or driving 95N.

Carnival Legend does 7N sailing from Port of Baltimore on Sundays and will be departing today @ 5PM. Royal Caribbean does alternating 5N and 9N sailings this summer from there on weekdays (usually Thurs) and Saturdays.

Late night on Fri I submitted my request for shareholder OBC for all my upcoming (non-casino) cruises thru Mar 2025. Early Sat morning my phone beeped with loads of new emails! OBCs had been applied to all of my requested cruises with an updated invoice for each and the monies were reflected in my cruise planner. The weekend shift was working hard!

I also ordered this 12-pk 1 liter bottles for quite a few of my upcoming cruises. I wonder if my bank thinks these repetitive $27.12 Visa charges are an error! I filed the RC emailed receipts in my e-folder per cruise. I prefer Evian, but more importantly if I don't get the equivalent 1 liter size bottles, I will be asking GS for additional bottles or a refund.

Thanks much for sharing your story and the beautiful photos! We did the Inside Passage on Vision departing from Seattle in 2007. Have been saying we want to go back to Alaska for some extended time (B2B or B3B), so hopefully in 2025 since we can't squeeze it in during 2024. Would like to stick to RC for familiarity, the loyalty and shareholder perks but we're open to other cruiselines' itineraries, if a good fit.

My Pleasure! I've made a note on my cell calendar and will report back in late Aug 'tween our B2B sailings. And I'm sure the staff and crew will accommodate your family's needs. Don't worry and enjoy your day!

Agree! We did two sets of B2B sailings from Bayonne last year and it was different each time. It may depend on the number of B2B cruisers - we had about 60 one time, over 130 the next time. Could also depend on whether TAD is a week-day or on the weekend. Each time we did have a nice luncheon in the MDR. As mentioned, we received our detailed Consecutive Cruisers letter 2 days prior to the end of the 1st leg of the B2B. All went smoothly except on one B2B set, we had to wait in the terminal for over 40 minutes to get a zero clearance. A couple was still asleep in their cabin @ 9AM. Their names had been called multiple times ... you can imagine the loud boos they received when security escorted them off looking "un-freshed", sparsely dressed and carrying clothes & other unpacked items! @mets123 Will be doing a B2B on Liberty in late Aug and can try to remember to report back.

Stayed at the Doubletree GH Biscayne Bay pre-cruise twice this year. Love the location; nice large room and bath, mini refrig & microwave and great views! Offers a convenient shuttle several times a day to POM for only $10 pp.

Was the invite to everyone who'd made Signature level during a specific time period? I'd imagined that would be a high number of casino players so 3 dates on Wonder OTS is needed to spread out the invitees.