SDCB432

My husband and I are sailing Celebrity transatlantic October 22. Bahamas port - we have excursion booked for sightseeing and beach (van/baha mar/Sandy port beach). I’m wondering if a change to Pearl Island (narrated cruise to island - beach day with lunch included) might be better?? Thoughts on which is better?

*note we were on a different RC cruise in January and went to Blue Lagoon and have also been to Atlantis - we want something different

My husband and I are sailing out of Southampton to Fort Lauderdale in October. We fly into Heathrow 2 days before the cruise so we need transportation to hotel in London, and also transportation from London to Southampton on day of cruise.  My questions are:

What are some hotel options (moderate pricing) with ease to transportation as well as sightseeing.

What should we use from Heathrow to Hotel and from Hotel to Southampton?

Thank you in advance

My husband and I are sailing out of Southampton on Silhouette in October. We fly into Heathrow 2 days before the cruise so we need transportation to hotel in London, and also transportation from London to Southampton on day of cruise.  My questions are:

What are some hotel options (moderate pricing) with ease to transportation as well as sightseeing.

What should we use from Heathrow to Hotel and from Hotel to Southampton?

Thank you in advance

My husband and I are sailing out of Southampton in October. We fly into Heathrow 2 days before the cruise so we need transportation to hotel in London, and also transportation from London to Southampton on day of cruise.  My questions are:

What are some hotel options (moderate pricing) with ease to transportation as well as sightseeing.

What should we use from Heathrow to Hotel and from Hotel to Southampton?

Thank you in advance

Have a Celebrity cruise booked for Oct 2023 and we purchased their Cruise care with the thought we would add flights through the cruise line later.  (Assuming the flight would also be covered as well??)

Now I’m questioning whether I should purchase the flights through them. If we go on our own would it make more sense to buy one outside policy that covers everything or keep the Cruise care and a separate one for the flights? We never purchase for medical - all set there….for now. 

I posted earlier on this page about 2 way transatlantic and our schedule/plans/preference has changed and it looks like it will be one way.  Because of our preference of flying from US to Europe first, then sailing back it looks like Fall is the most typical.  Our experience with cruising has been mostly the Caribbean with one Alaska - Princess and Royal Caribbean so far (only 5 cruises under our belt so far, but retirement promises much more).

With all that in mind here are my questions:

1 - Is October/November rough(er) - I know to expect more movement on the transatlantic than what we have had on our past sailing, and we don't get seasick typically, but wondered what the difference would be.

2 - Queen Mary 2 - I like that these are through the summer months, however I wonder if they would have enough to do. We enjoy the many activities of the ships we have been on - we enjoy interactive activities. Also, with the more formal dress code, how is the overall clientele? We are more comfortable with modest/casual, with a splash of formality here and there.

3 - We see many from Southampton, UK, but are there others that end up in either Boston or New York?

Thank you in advance for any help.

In trying to stay away from flying if possible......

Are there 2 way cruises from US to Europe or does it make more sense to book 2 separate cruises?

Also - any cruise options where sea days are less than 5 days at a time - more broken up or is it better to have more cruise days???

Just trying to get options for down the road.

I have looked at cruises and it looks like summer is not really an option in most cases.  I like an itinerary that includes iceland and/or ireland and they seem to be in March/April..... Weather is still a bit chilly at that time.  Thoughts or suggestions?

11 minutes ago, Markanddonna said:

I can relate as I was a teacher before retirement and we could only vacation during the times when families travel and they were the most expensive times, too. 

I think you shouldn't worry too much about the ship because in reality you are going to see many children at the ports even if you travel on the most expensive ships that cater to adults. The worst children we saw were at the ports. Nothing worse than having a whiny ten year old's voice echo through a lovely castle or church. This happened during the OFF season in December. BTW- you'll find kids on almost every ship year round in Europe because it is school break somewhere around the world! 

Haha - I am not opposed to children (hence the teacher in me). They are actually fun to watch, but those whiny ten year olds can get to me if it is constant - and why I teach high school 😉

Thank you for these tips! I had not thought to compare the time in port - only the location itself.  I have been in Rome several times so that port was not as important to me before, but had not thought about how far from port it is. Now I can see different parts of Italy.  Hmmmm - lots to think about.

10 hours ago, Markanddonna said:

Can you go the in the spring or fall months? There will be many children and teens in the summer, it is more expensive, and it is hot. I agree with Essiesmom about the itinerary being your priority. I just got back from a very port intensive back to back in the Med. We were often too exhausted to use the features of the ship. Personally, with all else being equal, I would choose Royal.

I wish we could go in spring or fall - I am a teacher so this is a better option.  We stay away from February and April vacations for that same reason.  It will be nice someday when we can go anytime of the year!

Thank you everyone. I probably should have been more specific with the college and young children. We are not opposed to them we just had a Cruise to Bermuda which was very Heavy loaded college aged and kids who were not being supervised well at all. 
 

very good points on itinerary. We will look at the Princess which we did to Alaska. Never cruised with Celebrity. I hadn’t thought of them - might be a good option. 

I am hoping to book a Europe Cruise (Spain to Italy or similar) for Summer 2021 and I think I have narrowed it to Royal Caribbean Harmony of the Seas and NCL Epic.  I know the benefits to "Free at Sea" but we don't drink that much and think maybe the differences in ships might make it worth the cost difference.  

Of course, if you have ideas on other lines, I will accept suggestions, however I think these two have what we want (my husband and I along with another couple - 50's)  Things important to me are few:

Food - tasty and selections - we usually don't do the specialty dining - some organization to buffet

Entertainment - Talent and diversity in types of shows - Some lines have had mediocre talent

Not OVERLY crowded - although I know this goes with territory - but do not want college or young children over-running the ship

Any help is appreciated!

My husband and I are going on the 4 night Bahamas cruise in February and I wondered if the coffee card is worth it - can it be shared?  15 coffees for 4 night (5 day) is a LOT. How much are the drinks without the card?

"There are many chairs around the beaches at Coco Cay and they all have umbrellas.  We wandered off and had no problem at all finding a couple of nice lounge chairs with both trees and a shared umbrella."

This is exactly what I was hoping to hear!! and FREE!! even better.

Thank you!

My husband and I are going on cruise with RC for the 4 day Bahamas/Coco Cay trip in February.  We definitely enjoy the beach and thought a Cabana would be nice, but for $1,000? Is this really cost effective and if we don't get one are there other options? We are not really the Water Park type. Can you just rent an umbrella and set up for the day?

Any help is appreciated.

I am leaving on Saturday on the Crown Princess to Alaska from Seattle. What time is the earliest we can board? My paperwork says that check-in starts at 1:00pm but have heard that it is possible to board early. Is this true?

What if you don't have 50lbs? What is the average price - is it per pound or a set price in general. We definitely want the salmon but are already paying $200 for the excursion on Princess.

Agreed, we shipped 50 lbs of halibut and salmon we caught in Homer last week back home. Processing and shipping (It has to be sent overnight) was about $400, not inexpensive, but oh so flavorful.

Wow I didn't know it cost that much to send home! My husband will be doing an excursion on Princess next week in Ketchikan. If they send it overnight no one will be home. Yikes! I'll get a neighbor come pick it up I guess??

My husband and I are leaving for an Alaskan Cruise next Saturday and we have only been on one other cruise before this. I seem to remember that we tipped the steward and dining staff extra at the end (personally with a note) based on a suggestion by others. I know this is not required but wondered if there was any amount that is typical for this assuming we get great service. I don't want to over tip but don't want to be cheap either. We are in a regular balcony room on Crown Princess.

Any help is appreciated.

My husband and I are going on a Princess cruse along with his sister and husband on August 6. In Juneau, there is an excursion to Glacier Gardens and Mendenhall for $85 a person. In looking at the different websites, it looks like it would cost slightly less to go on our own. Blue Bus transportation?? Also, we arrive in port at 11:00 and the ship excursion starts at 1:00 and goes until 5:30. Would it be better to go on our own earlier? Thoughts? :confused:

I don't see the patters under your signature. I'm on the August 6 sailing out of Seattle. Can't wait!

I see a lot of Coral responses. I'm going on Crown in August. Should I be concerned that no one has made this suggestion? First time on Princess.

We usually tip extra in most cases. That's why I ask. I don't want to be cheap and under tip but on the other hand I don't want to tip regular if that's part of the package. :)

My husband and I are taking an Alaskan Cruise in August on the Crown Princess and we got the All Inclusive beverage package. Are tips included in this? We have heard both yes and no.

Thanks!