kathyr

Just now, kathyr said:

 

Just now, kathyr said:

 

Rick and Jeannie,

thank you for the info on the CPAP machine and where that outlet is hiding - I am traveling with a friend and she uses on and we were trying to figure out where the outlet might be as I know people travel with these alot. 

Kathy 

On 7/18/2023 at 3:29 PM, Rick&Jeannie said:

@Insomniacs...you keep making reference to a "power converter".  Perhaps this is just terminology getting in the way of a full understanding.  You DO NOT want/need a "power converter".  What you want is a power plug *adapter*...which simply changes the type of socket available for use.  Many cabins have 1 outlet that provides standard (for US) 110 volts.  I'll take a stab and guess that you don't want to "convert" any voltages here...just provide extra outlets to plug multiple items into.  A standard multi-headed extension cord/adapter provides this function.

 

If, on the other hand...your are plugging an *adapter* into a 220 volt outlet just keep in mind that even though your sockets "look" like standard US-style sockets...they are in fact connected to 220 volts!  Now, most power bricks/chargers these days are actually dual voltage devices, meaning that they can operate off of *either* 110 or 220 volts.  You have to look on the individual power brick to confirm this.

 

I carry a CPAP when I travel.  There is almost always a "hidden" 220 volt socket behind one of the beds.  I plug in an adapter that has both a 220 volt socket as well as a 110 volt style socket.  Doing so let's me plug in whatever *was* plugged into that socket (probably one of the nightstand lamps) while also providing a socket for my CPAP.  My CPAP operates with a dual voltage power brick.

 

 

2 hours ago, Cruzinram said:

I cannot find anywhere on my reservation where I can prepay. I used the link and I looked under reservation details and see no place to prepay. Can anyone help me out. I would like to use OBC for this. Is that possible.

HI Cruzinram,

I tried that as well to pre-pay with your OBC- and I couldn't so I did some research and found out it they will take it out during your cruise- you will get billed each day for your tips, then they will take it out money out of your expense account.  I believe they do this as they are hoping we will find something to buy on the ship with our OBC 😉

I would love if it would end the testing- however I think they will start letting unvacinated passengers on first and see how that goes, but still have testing in place.

On 2/9/2022 at 2:05 AM, travelin.sisters said:

other than the things already mentioned: 

• military OBC (which is refundable)
• the International Cafe (I am sad about how many cruises I didn't know that it was included & not an extra charge), great sandwiches & I always take zip lock baggies to have cookies in my cabin
• pre purchase bottled water if you don't have a beverage plan
• if your shoe falls apart on the cruise the upholsterer might be able to fix it for you (free)
• made to order omelets in the buffet

 

We always get the water package , it is a great deal for how many you get.

On 4/16/2022 at 8:31 AM, bookbabe said:

 

The issue is that at this point, it’s a Catch 22 situation.  Until enough tourists have returned to make it economically feasible, there aren’t any beach clubs catering to tourists, which deters some tourists from coming.  Coral Beach is all that’s left.  
 

However, there are lots of great beach spots if you are willing to DIY a little more.  Public Beach is great, and has restrooms, so if you bring some towels and stop at one of the grocery or liquor stores on the way, you can still have a great beach day.  And, depending on when you cruise, by that point some food and chair vendors may be back in business there.

 

If you absolutely need a hotel experience, Holiday Inn offers day passes via Resort for a Day.  It’s not on SMB, but they have a pool and a sandy “lounging” beach, just no ocean swimming since it’s on North Sound instead of SMB.

https://www.resortforaday.com/holiday-inn-resort/

 

 

Hello bookbabe,

I am looking into going to  a beach - when you say Public beach ... is there a particular one that stands out,  when I googled Public Beach, Grand Cayman - it comes up with more than 1 .. 

Sorry last minute Itinerary changes ... thrown me for a loop 

thanks for any and all help 

Kathy 

Explorer of Seas April 30, 2022

Hi,

We like the buffet on any of the princess ships but everyone is right that the royal/regal have a big selection of items to choose from and they have more announced theme nights.

We were on the Crown Princess in March and they had some theme nights as well.

You just need to look at the patter- it will say if the Horizon Court is doing a theme night.

Enjoy your cruise!

Kathy

The NCL ferry is free and picks you up at the gangway of the ship.

Birdtravels,

Thank you for the info on the ferry, does it go to

St. George and Hamilton? This is our 1st cruise on NCL, and 1st cruise too Bermuda

Thanks again,

Kathy

We love Bermuda...and will be returning there in May....a typical 3 day stay in Bermuda goes something like this...

day 1....ferry over to Hamilton, walk, shop, eat, sightsee

day 2...ferry over to Hamilton, walk over to bus station, hop bus to the BAMZ (aquarium, museum, zoo) spend a few hours there, hop on bus and continue onto St George...shop, eat, head over to Tobacco Bay (fabulous)...you can walk there (about 20 min) or grab a cab for like $10....ferry back to ship late afternoon...

day 3...(departure day) we will stick to Kings Wharf...shopping, etc...you never want to be far away from the ship on departure day...

 

We purchase a 2 day transit pass that covers buses and ferries....(for day 1 & 2)

 

**I know everyone loves Horseshoe bay....but we find it overcrowded and the water can be rough...Tobacco Bay is a lagoon style beach with super clear warm water ...awesome place to just float around on a tube or raft...and I will bring my own, something I've picked up cheap and just leave it there...(give to someone, or trash it)

Anita,

Thanks for sharing your days in Bermuda!

How long does it take the ferry to Hamilton?

Where would we buy the passes for ferry and buses ?

Kathy

Thanks everyone for the kind words! It was fun re-reading it. Happy cruising to those with upcoming trips on the Dawn to Bermuda!

Thank you for the great review! We are cruising on the Dawn to Bermuda late April, it will be our

1st NCL cruise! Cannot wait!!:)

Kathy

Chris,

So excited to read your review.. So ready to see NCL through your eyes!!

Your reviews are always great!!

Thanks for sharing your vacation!!

Kathy

:D:D

Cinegraphic,

Thank you for the update from princess.

was this posted on their website?

These islands need our prayers and our tourist dollars

Kath

Mel71,

thank you for the pictures- especially the pool picture that shows the stairs for the pool- My husband and I would like to do a panama Canal Cruise- however due to his stroke he uses stairs to get in an out of a pool. And not all cruise companies have stairs in any of their pools. This will work wonderfully!:) We have never cruised NCL but hear great things about them.

Spinnaker is all new now, more green and white chairs for Garden Cafe were delivered in Tampa

I have a video on instagram where the big containers went off the ship on sunday (look for meldenk on instagram)

 

old Haven Loungers and chairs went off the ship

 

 

 

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HI,

Tom this is a wonderful guide thank you!

It looks like a short walk to St. George from the Terminal, however

husband has a motility issue with his walking - I am nervous about taking the tunnel to St. George its self, but we would both like too see the Church and go to Batik, and other shops- Would a taxi bring us over?

thank you,

Kathy

Hello again from the Royal Princess. Well, it's almost over:(. Tomorrow is the last sea day then Fort Lauderdale on Saturday. Lucky for us we're staying on board for another 5 days so when the luggage comes out tomorrow evening we won't suffer from the usual depression:D.

 

Not much new on board; a few pseudo-sales, ugly weather all day today; rain, rain, and more rain with rough seas and NO SUN. But hey, it never rains in Crooners! Joyce picked up a nasty cold (no noro symptoms though) and stayed in the cabin most of the day. I've been kept busy making G&T runs and picking up a few tidbits here and there; just to keep her strength up. Clocks go back tonight and tomorrow night to get us back to Eastern time so the extra sleep is welcome.

 

I had a little recoup at the poker table last night but Joyce wasn't up to tackling the slots so she'll have to make her comeback tomorrow.

 

We had such a great crew in the MDR that we asked for the same table for the next cruise and so we're all set there. Had my favorite, goat cheese souffle, last night and Joyce tried the always available grilled salmon steak. She said it was the best she had ever had on a cruise ship. Still can't reconcile the fact that the medallions of beef are gone from the always available menu with no other beef (other than a burger) substituted. Other than that major disappointment, the food has been great.

 

Well, time to take Joyce some more liquid medicine. I'll be posting one last time tomorrow so until then, ta ta.

 

Harry

Harry,

thank you so very much for doing the live thread! We will be on the Royal on 11/6 sailing - can you tell me who your awesome wait staff is ? Also Do you know if they would be staying on the Royal?

I hope that the G&T's are helping Joyce.. with the cold. Looks like it is suppose to be in upper 70's low 80's in Fort Lauderdale and sunny- when you arrive!

thank you again for this thread

Kathy

We love the Royal, this will be our 3rd time on her ! Yes try out the different options for dining-

the Horizon Court buffet houses the "Pastry Shop" , and it has more desserts choices than the MDR, so we go there a lot for desserts. ALSO check out the

international café for yummy foods. :):)

Princess does a tea, at I believe 3pm each sea day, if not every day. That was neat trying different teas.

We also love the retreat pool for adults only with the bar!

1st formal night- in the Piazzi, they set up a champagne waterfall very cool !

Kathy

Friends I appreciate your comments but for now I'm just concentrating on relaxing and getting ready to enjoy this cruise as much as possible. I will address these issues soon enough but I would appreciate if we could just get back to the real reason for this thread... my reporting of my first ever cruise on Regal Princess :)

 

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Hi Chris,

Glad you got your shoulder/burn checked out. - I will steer back to vacation.. Have all the yachts started to come in for the yacht show yet? Some of them are just unbelievable big, beautiful!!! We were there last year at the tail end of the show. I told my husband "when we win the mega bucks or power ball one of those is on the bucket list" :D:D

Are you trying out the new restaurant were the Bimini's Boatyard use to be?

SO Looking forward to meeting you and everyone else this Sunday.

Kathyr

I am considering booking a cruise on the Regal, which is a sister ship to the Royal, but I am concerned about the large number of passengers. For those of you who have sailed the Royal, did it feel crowded to you? Thanks!

Hi Tennis7,

We sailed on the Royal early last November, and we did not find it crowded. We found plenty of seating for us in the common areas.. and even a secret spot or 2.:) I agree with the last poster, that the pool was busy, and crowded on sea days, but what cruise line isn't:D We had a sideways inside and LOVED it!

Yes the buffet to a little getting use too, but as soon as I remembered that the sweets were in the inside isle - the world was good:D:D

Kathy

The tender ride was about 15-20 minutes.

 

Unfortunately, as I described, the tenders themselves were very slow to arrive (just three in the first hour), and the ticket distribution process was NOT as advertised.

 

Ticket distribution was supposed to begin at 7am. I got there at 6:55, and they had clearly been distributing them for at least 30 minutes. So basically it becomes a contest of who can get up the earliest. If you want one of the first tenders off, definitely get up super early and show up by 6:15 or so. They also automatically give priority tender tickets to people who booked shore excursions with them (which, frankly, is unfair). I don't understand why they can't give the tender tickets the night before instead of doing it at 7am, or make it some lottery system where it's not a "get in line first" competition.

 

When I called and questioned why so few tenders were arriving, I was told that "local officials only allowed 3 tenders" for NCL that day. This made no sense, because even if true, the tenders showed up about 20 minutes spaced apart, and it would have been more efficient for them all to show up much closer to one another. This turned out to be a lie, as far more than 3 tenders worked NCL after 9:30. I guess the excuse sounded better than, "The shady company we hired in Belize is running behind this morning." There were 4 ships in port, and it was Christmas, so I'm guessing that contributed to the problem.

 

I did not set foot on Belize soil until around 10:00.

thanks the only other time we were here I believe was on the Crown and that was like 35 minutes to tender in.

I wonder if the 1st 3tenders were the elite passengers like Princess does..

Again thank you for the info.

Kathy

I had to pick nights ahead of time. They will give you a full refund (in on board credit) if you cancel with 24 hours notice. However, they are pretty easygoing regarding switching around your reservations, provided they have room.

 

So if you have Cagney's on Sunday, Mama's on Tuesday, and Le Bistro on Thursday, if you decide to move Mama's to Wednesday and swap the days Le Bistro and Cagney's, you can do that and still get your original prices. It's just not guaranteed they can do that. If it's full, you are stuck.

 

One thing I did notice was that specialty restaurants tended to have availability every night, provided you weren't looking for a 6:45-7:30 reservation. Teppanyaki was the exception, as it has a very small capacity, but everything else was fairly wide open aside from that small window in prime dinner hour. The website claimed that most times were full when I prepaid, but it was easy to change the times once I got on board. Just call 050 from your stateroom phone.

 

A trick I noticed (I think this is an error on the site) is that you continue getting reduced prices when you buy just one prepaid package, and then book further restaurants that were once part of the package.

 

For example, on the package, Le Bistro goes down to $17, Cagney's goes down to $26.50, and Mama's goes down to $13.50. You have to buy all 3. However, if you buy a FOURTH night, such as just Cagney's, you also get charged $26.50 again instead of $30. If you try this on board, it won't work that way, but if you prepay it does. This is likely a glitch, but it works to our advantage.

thanks for the I extra info - I will be talking to my DH about getting this!

kathy

pokerpro5,

Thanks for your review we will be cruising on her, and NCL for the 1st time in March. for your dining package did you have to pick the nights ahead of time or when you got on the ship?

Also how long did it take you to go from the ship when you tendered?

Kathy

Aprylstar,

thank you very much for this great review!!

My DH and I will going on our 1st NCl cruise on the Jewel March 2014. This review answered a lot of our questions !

Thank you again for taking the time to do the review and put on menu and dallies!!

enjoy your next cruise whatever ship you will go on:)

Kathy