LindaD22

We did a B2B from Civitavecchia/Rome last year in a JS. Our Seapass said Suite, but we were not given access to the suite waiting area nor allowed priority boarding. The whole process was a bit chaotic, sounds similar to Vancouver.

OP will have a large wagon loaded with stuff. Staff will be very busy turning over the cabins with their large carts in the hallways, that is why no access is allowed before they are done. I don’t think it’s good advice to have OP try to get through the closed hallway to their cabin.

We had early dining at 5:15. We noticed that our serving team would group together several tables of two and bring out dinner for the group at the same time, even though we were at separate tables. For this reason, we made a point of arriving on time so we didn’t hold up others’ dinner.

Hmmmm, that seems unnecessarily harsh! I mean, we don’t leave in a beige world where the main objective is to never have anyone else offended/confronted by our own personal preferences. If door magnets are not your thing, that is fine. But no need to be so judgmental about those who do put up a magnet, even if it’s only to find their cabin!

Most cruise lines offer packages to celebrate birthdays, anniversaires and weddings. These include cabin decorations, such as streamers, banners and a door magnetic. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Yikes! That doesn’t sound like magnets on doors, though. I would never tape decorations on cabin walls or really add any kind of hangings. I use magnets on cabin walls for organization but that’s it. I wonder if those guests were also banned from future cruises?

Perhaps, I do know that it’s common on Royal Caribbean

Etsy has a good selection, too.

But with as many clothes as I’m probably taking, the exorbitant cost of a per-item laundry ticket, and as few items that will likely fit into that little paper bag, I’ve researched the next best alternative and quite literally can do all mylaundry at a fraction of the cost. And I don’t even mind NOT spending a couple of hundred dollars letting NCL price gouge me. We have used the laundry bundle on Royal Caribbean many times for longer cruises, rather than overpacking. You can fit a surprising amount in there, if things are rolled tightly and stacked in tight. I reinforce the bag with some gaffer tape (I roll some around a pen). On RCI, the bag usually is available on the 2nd or 3rd day and clothes are returned the next day. Our steward provides another bag as needed.

You will love this cruise! The views are just amazing as you sail; seeing whales, seals, eagles and other wildlife from the ship is incredible; and the Alaskan scenery is one of a kind. It remains our favorite cruise and we want to go again soon. Enjoy!

We did this cruise on Radiance two years ago. It is port intensive with busy days, so most people dressed pretty casually in the MDR. Even “formal” nights were toned down. I wore neat dark jeans and a “nice” top most nights. There were also a couple of days when we got back onboard very close to our dining time, so we did a quick refresh and came as we were.

We are cruising through Royal Caribbean next March. Hopefully we catch the last of the whales!

Thank you for your review! I tried to find the whale watching tour through Panorama, but no luck. Did you book through Viator or directly? Do you perhaps have a website url that you could share?

I had to look it up, out of curiosity. Yep, attire is listed as Formal (??!!) but the description is “casual trattoria.” 🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️ Really, it runs more casual. I honestly think that Formal attire would not be the norm there at all.

That is weird .. we use one very similar, never an issue. But, it has always been in our checked bag, as you mention. I guess that’s where we will put it from now on!

We did a Med cruise last year and I don’t recall seeing any ducks. We recently did a Caribbean cruise and there were ducks hidden here and there. So, it definitely seems more like a US based thing.

Lately, ships are sailing at capacity. I would not haggle because I don’t think it would work.

After looking at flights, I think the best way to go will be flying to SNA before the cruise and then driving to Laguna Beach. After the cruise, LAX has multiple nonstop flights to DTW, whereas SNA has only one early morning nonstop. So, instead of staying overnight in Irvine to fly out of SNA, I think we will just fly back through LAX. We have Clear and Global Entry, so hopefully LAX won’t be too crazy.

Thank you for the advice. I started looking just because I’m the planning type, but I’m surprised by how many places are all booked - for next January!

Looking to come a few days before January cruise, staying in Laguna Beach at Casa Laguna. We would then switch over to Hotel Maya by Hilton to be closer to the terminal. Which airport is easiest and most convenien, LAX or SNA? After the cruise we most likely would stay overnight in Irvine to catch an early flight, if SNA wins. Hilton is crazy expensive at about $1500. Hyatt House Irvine is less than $300. Any experience with this property and convenience to the airport? Thank you for your help!

My daughter loves these nails. She says they easily last 2 weeks and that they are easy to apply.

We were on Mariner in January and The Key was offered, under VIP Passes as noted above.

Barcelona is the better port for embarkation as it is right there in the city. The port that is labeled as Rome is, in fact, located in Civitavecchia, about 45 minutes away. I would definitely fly into Barcelona several days early to explore!

Restrictions on cruise ships into the deep fjords are set to begin in 2025. This would affect your cruise, especially Geiranger, and is why many people are trying to fit in an Arctic Circle cruise this year. https://www.lifeinnorway.net/norwegian-fjords-cruises/

On Brilliance of the Seas from Sydney, our first cruise as Diamond 💎