Crusin Karen

Check out Mitsugirly Panorama review going on now. She has description of arch and a whale excursion in Cabo AND videos! 

I’ll be on Venezia for 3rd time on Monday and yea, it’s kind of 🫣🤔😣 not seeing that whale tail in the distance as you’re driving to port. 

10 minutes ago, Jamman54 said:

 

Warm her up for me Karry! We're doing another B2B on her in September! 

 

 

Always glad to have you with us Megan! 

Did the 11 day balcony  3/25-4/5 this is another 11 day 5/6-5/17 in a cove for first time! 👏

I have my life jacket on and ready for the adventure! Leaving Monday on Venezia AGAIN  so this will get me in the mood! 

What’s the walk to the Hilltop Bar like? And does it offer nice views? TIA

1 hour ago, beshears said:

KaiBlue and Cousin Karen, thank you for your replies to some of my questions. I have made some notations, as that will really help. Cousin Karen, it looks like you really LIKE the Venezia ship. 🙂 

Lol yes I like the ship but I DO have an ulterior motive. I live about 20-30 minutes, depending on traffic lol from port of Manhattan. I’m right over the GW Bridge in NE NJ. I have been cruising solo since my husband passed and it’s just much easier as well as much cheaper to cruise from here. You will enjoy the Venezia. It’s a very pretty ship and unlike some CCL ships it’s a bit more “refined/elegant.” Wonderful crew too! Enjoy your research! 

27 minutes ago, js said:

Just want to say I'm sorry about your dh and happy you are cruising.

 

My dd, sil and grandson live in Ridgewood. I love they (and I) can walk "to town".

 

We will be sailing on Odyssey April 25 so will just miss you.

 

Happy planning!

Thank you! I am actually 4th generation Ridgewood on both sides of my family. My

kids are 5th! Dh’es family

moved here when he was in 10th grade. My DH was a Ridgewood Policeman and both sons are now too so we have a long history with the Village. And my birthday is April 25th so we will both be celebrating that day! 👏

What KaiBlue said! I’ll be going on Venezia for 3rd time on 5/6. 4th booked for May, 2025 so I have no desire to shop lol. They do have the Groove for St. Jude new blue t shirts usually first sea day going home. $12 for a very good cause! I had YTD in Gondola restaurant. Galley is in mid of ship. My advice-go all the way to aft elevators then up or down to the MDR. Chocolate extravaganza last sea day-get there early or plan to stand on a long line! (I don’t lol) 

2 minutes ago, pcvtmom said:

On the Pride, we just got the small tote bags.  We somehow missed out on the toiletries bags, but we have double of the fanny packs! 😃 The tote bag is a perfect size for sunscreen, book, sunglasses, and card.  I used mine both in port and on the Serenity deck, daily.

Yes that’s what I got. It looked like another Fanny pack in the package. The one I love looks kind of like an old time bus drivers lunch box. 

28 minutes ago, grimpil said:

Are you sure... they look like the same thing in the packaging. We were on the Venezia Feb 2 - Mar 4 and they had the toiletry bags every cruise

You’re right!!!! I haven’t fully unpacked yet becsuse I’m going again 5/6!👏  I just checked! 🤪there was another kind of bag a few years ago, it was double that size and had a handle and like a hook on it. That’s what I thought you were talking about. Loved those bags. 

4 hours ago, staceyglow said:

We were on Venezia a few weeks ago.  They were handing out the toiletry bags.

Venezia 6/19/23, 1/6-1/14 and 3/25-4/5 Fanny packs 😵‍💫 going again 5/6 hoping for ANYTHING else! 🤞

Thanks to both of you. I LOVE to dress up. I’m always wearing something sparkly at dinner lol. It’s actually the

menu for the elegant nights that I wouldn’t want to miss. IDK about Princess but CCL always had lobster tail, prime rib, filet etc on elegant nights. 

I’ll be sailing on Enchanted 9/14. Having not been on Princess in 17 years I have 100 questions. I’m doing my best to keep “search” and google busy! I have “plus” so 2 casual meals. From what I’ve read on forums reservations can’t be made until after 6/17-correct? It’s a 7 day cruise-are there elegant nights and what days? TIA! 

I havent been on Princess in 17 years and obviously everything is different.  I'm cruising 9/14-9/21 on Enchanted.  I don't have app yet, and don't plan to book specialty restaurants, but can I request anytime dining on the website now?  TIA

I'm along for the ride!  I cruise exclusively with CCL now.  Have not been on Princess since Oct., 2007!  Aquaintences went on Enchanted and raved....and I discovered she'll be in my homeport area so I booked her 9/14-9/21/24.  Very excited but also a bit nervous as I'm a solo cruiser and know nothing about anything about Princess!  

Very cool!  2 reviews of the same cruise.  Your family and Mitsugirly and family.  You even stayed at the same hotel pre cruise!  Excited to go along with you!  

Happy and excited to have you back!  There was a girl on my recent Venezia cruise who was wearing a mermaid tail in the pool and I thought of Sakari! (biting my nails about Kendra!) 

2 hours ago, kwokpot said:

We're doing the Meraviglia end of June from Brooklyn. 

DS and DDIL loved the ship! You’ll have a great time! Well I took the plunge and booked 3/23-3/30/25. There were only a handful of balconies left. I am OCD about numbers so I booked 8512. 8 is my favorite/lucky # and our anniversary is 5/12 so I couldn’t NOT book it. It’s the first balcony forward. I’ve never had a forward cabin but I have cruised many times  thru very bad weather and don’t have a problem knock wood! I’m sure in the next 11 months I’ll have a ton of questions so beware! If anyone plans to cruise on CCL Venezia, I’m an expert! Thank you all for your advice and information. Happy cruising! 👏

45 minutes ago, kwokpot said:

How about MSC Meraviglia?

DS and DDIL cruised her and loved that ship. I also have NCL right here in Manhattan. For some reason I’m just drawn to RCL. We cruised on Voyager, Empress and Explorer years ago and I loved the ships. MSC for winter 2026 maybe! 😎

2 minutes ago, kwokpot said:

Hmmm,4 extra days? It's not my vacation but I would take the Venezia for the extra days!

I’ve been on her 3x. Going again 5/6 and booked for May, 2025. She’s a nice ship but….I live in NE NJ and only cruise from this area now and I enjoy getting away winter/pre spring. Carnival  isn’t keeping a ship here in the winter anymore so I’m looking for something else! 

Is the solo discount automatically figured in the fare? I’ve been researching all

morning. A balcony on OOTS for 7 days is going to cost me about as much as a balcony

on Venezia cost me for 11 day 3/25-4/5 and that was over Easter when rates are usually higher. Just wondering….🤔

3 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

I think you covered it well. However, I think that between El Loco Fresh, Cafe Two70, Solarium Bistro, Windjammer, and Sorrento's that there is plenty of opportunity to grab something to eat on Odyssey without having to pay extra.

Lol firefly333  must be missing his Guys Burgers on CCL! I’m very easy to please. I’m sure I’ll find more than enough food so I don’t go hungry! 😋

7 minutes ago, not-enough-cruising said:

IMHO Royal does a FAR better job boarding their ships. "First on, First off" really isn't a concern with Royal.  ANONE can go from Uber to a bar stool in about 15-20 minutes, just check in online when the option opens and secure an early boarding time.

Odyssey is a GREAT ship, and i am fairly certain you will have ZERO regrets

Thx! I have to get out of my comfort zone! Solo cruises since DH passed have all been on same ship (Venezia) and so it’s easy for me to go back to where I’ve been and what I know!  

Thx to both of you. I think mentioning diamond was a bit misleading. Agree that CCL loyalty program is lacking. They do have an open bar cocktail party and captains open bar lunch. I’m more thinking on CCL I’m first on the ship, first off if I want, a few other little things. I’m just wondering if this ship would be a good fit for me. It’s different when you’re cruising solo (not by choice) Guess the only way to find out is to find out! 😉

1 hour ago, kwokpot said:

Bayonne is a great Port to cruise from. Easy-peasy. Odyssey is a beautiful ship. The buffet is bigger than anything Carnival has and also more selection than Carnival but not much variation from day to day. The MDR is on par and some entrees are a little better than Carnival's dinner service. The cabins are waaay nicer than anything Carnival has. The balcony rooms are much more spacious, more storage, and nicer bathrooms. 

You should have a great time onboard.

I’ve been cruising on CCL Venezia. One more on 5/6. Until next year lol. I am very easy to please but Venezia’s buffet (I eat breakfast and lunch at buffets) is at the bottom of the list. I’ve never gone hungry. But set up and variety not the best.