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For #1 - innuendo might be there but i didn’t think it was in your face at all. I was never uncomfortable with anything on board. 
 

#2 - on vacation, I am perfectly content to do nothing. We didn’t do really any of the activities and still had a great time. There were plenty of things to do, but not on a grand scale.  
 

#3 - I didn’t find it loud at all. The Dock (aft deck on the ship) was perfect.  Good eats / drinks, comfy day beds, and chill not loud music. I preferred that to Richard’s rooftop to be honest. 
 

I think quality over quantity is the perfect

description for Virgin. 

3 hours ago, mskatiemae said:

To those still trying to hate on me here I really don't care about your insults. It is actually unbecoming to observe your wimpy way of showing your misogyny. 

 
As a woman I would be hesitant to use the word misogyny in this case. 
 

Cruising is a voluntary activity, and with a food allergy / current pandemic I still make the choice to cruise.  I accept the risks that come with that choice; all of the risks.  I trust the green light when crossing the street, but I also keep my head on a swivel. 

Sorry to bring up an old thread, but hopefully I am reading wrong…the Nightmare before Christmas sing-a-long…is that only at 10:45pm? I was going to surprise my 6 year old with this cruise, but that is a tad bit late. Of course I can work with it, but I was just hoping my eyes were deceiving me and I missed an earlier show, LOL!

It's still physically there, but on our Panama Canal cruise it wasn't used (very few kids on board.)

Just off the Pearl, don't have all of the info, but We started with Noemi as concierge and switched to Yahira.

I can understand the mixed reviews on her (Yahira). We found her to be a bit awkward for lack of a better word. (Certainly not terrible, but we didn't click with her.)

ETA: Erlindo was the butler and we thought he was fantastic.

we're going in May, our ship does not get in until 1pm and stays there until 9pm We booked a 1 night stay for 4 people at the hotel. We figured it would be sold out so this is our guarantee to get to see the flamingos. Has anyone else ever done this? I'm nervous but the hotel allows 1 day stays, I've heard of people doing this in Nassau. I'd love to see if someone else has done this. The one night stay ends up being only $65 per person :)

I had this idea too, but we get in early (8am). I know most hotels will let you check in early to use facilities, but wondering if the Renaissance would allow it. I have points too, so could book a "free" room.

Definitely agree with the Haven suggestion on NCL. We have done it now a few times with kids, and we love the 2 bedroom suite and the perks of being in the Haven.

Bumping up to see if anyone has them?

Bubblebum also makes an inflatable booster seat you could use for the 4 year old.

News to me. No signs of it in Vancouver...people lined up to get on board as we were getting off.

Well, that's good at least. Not sure what ship it was, other than being HAL, but that was a rumor going around I think in Skagway or Ketchikan...one of them weren't allowed off in port. But then again...you know the ol' rumor mill...

Just came off the Oosterdam, a Southbound Alaska, and noro raised its head there, as well.

At the end, no passenger could touch anything in the Lido.

DW & I spent 3 days in bed.

GREAT First Cruise experience....you guys can have this lifestyle....I'll get sick at home, if you don't mind.

We just got off the Norwegian Pearl and had heard about the ship being quarantined?

Just got back and wanted to add a few bits.

Skagway - we just walked around the little town and happened to find a nice park my almost 3 year old loved. (Off the right of the "main" street, look for the restroom.)

Ketchikan - Duck tour was a hit for the little one per grandma (DH and I each took our older kids on different excursions...9 year old went fishing, 10 year old zip lining. Each liked their excursions.)

Any port recommendations?

Lucky kids! I think that would be awesome to take the kids on a trip like that.

We have also rented a house in a small village in France and that was great also just "living like a local."

We did the epic a few years ago (summer) and it was flippin hot! I would love to go in the winter! :)

We had 4 kids under 6 in our party and we had a blast. Yes we moved at a slower pace but we used Rome in Limo for the port excursions and it was worth every penny.

Great review so far! We are headed up in a few weeks and so glad you mentioned binoculars. I definitely need to pack some!

We used ROme in Limo when we went a few years ago, and I highly recommend it. It was so worth the cost to have a private, air conditioned car bring us right to the "sights." We also hired a Vatican guide and that worked for the kids as the guide was able to make the info appealing to them. The kids in our group were between 18 months and 6 years old. The oldest two still talk about it.

I would actually ask the question in reverse. Since you are already in Rome, and the greatest distance between any of the sights in Rome is two miles, why have a car service? You can easily take cabs from place to place and use that money for guides so you have a greater understanding of what you are seeing. The driver can't provide that.

Our drivers through RIL actually were like private guides all day long.

I will be the first to admit, after reading so many glowing reviews, I was a bit worried that maybe my expectations might have been set a bit high. I was WRONG!! RIL exceeded my already high expectations!!

Pre trip - Communications with Jany are excellent! From the initial email (which she answered at maybe 3am Italy time??) to the confirmation email just days before our tours, I always felt it easy and convenient to contact RIL. (I am still not sure Jany is one person!) :)

Our group - 10 people total, 4 kids ages 1 - 6

Livorno - We opted to skip Florence (gasp!) in favor of going to do a quick photo op at Pisa, and off to Lucca and wine tasting. We had Riccardo and Angelo as our drivers. Both were great!! Of course they were great drivers / providers of information, but what impressed me was how they thought of everything before I could think of it (e.g. making / planning frequent potty breaks for the kids.) I am sort of the planner in the group, and it was SO NICE for me to relax and just go with what Riccardo and Angelo had planned for us.

After our stop in Pisa, we headed to Lucca where we saw a few sights, stopped for a gelato / pizza, and then were dropped off at a bike rental shop. We rented bikes (they had 4 seaters, regular bikes, bikes with carriages or infant seats) and cycled around the 4km wall. On top of the wall were a few small parks, perfect for letting the kids run around a burn off some energy.

After Lucca, we headed to a winery for a tour and wine & food tasting (the kids polished off the prosciutto, and we polished off the wine and everything else.) We ended up buying a bunch of wine to enjoy back on the ship (shhh...that is a debate for another thread.)

It was a the perfect day! (Just the right speed for our group!)

Rome - Our drivers for Rome were Mauro and Emanuele. I was in Mauro's car, and wow, he is a wealth of knowledge!! With the kids, we did some of the sights just driving by, and some we got out. Again, Mauro was one step ahead of me! We knew Rome would be a tougher day with the kids, and were ready for it. But it helped MORE than I could have imagined to have booked with RIL!! We were on the Epic and in port with the RCI Liberty of the Seas (I think), so everywhere we went, we ran into very large tour groups (many were RCI groups). It was so helpful to have Mauro send us in the right direction! I had pre-purchased tickets for the Coliseum, and Mauro got us to the right spot in no time (if I were trying to figure it out on my own, we may have been there for hours!)

After seeing the highlights, we stopped for a nice, family-style lunch (complete with wine, and Limoncello) before heading to the Vatican Museum. Ahhh, it was exactly what we needed!

We then met with Emiliano, our Vatican guide. Again, I had pre-purchased the tickets, and Emiliano walked us right up to exchange the voucher for tickets (no ID or credit card needed, though it does say so on the voucher.) I have to say, I toured the Vatican Museum before, but having a guide made it so much more interesting! Emiliano really seems to be passionate with his knowledge, and he was great at gearing the tour somewhat to the kids (e.g. pointing out the bathtub of an Emperor vs. one of a wealthy man). So worth the money to have someone whisk us through!

Overall, as hot and crowded as it was in Rome, our day could easily have been miserable! RIL helped us make the most of the day!

I would definitely, without a doubt, recommend RIL!!

I have been going NUTS trying to figure out what to do about car seats for my 4 and 6 year olds for our travel / cruise in Europe. In Europe, kids up to 12 need to be in a booster (unlike here in the US.)

Now at home, my kids are still in harnessed seats, and I understand a harness is safer.

But I was so excited to find the Bubblebum booster. :) Mine should arrive in a few days, and I will report back. But I know this is a topic that is discussed often, and felt I had to share (sorry, I was just a little excited, especially after I saw the cost to add 2 booster seats to my rental car reservation.)

http://www.bubblebum.us/

I came back to add a comment because I realized I neglected to mention something in my last post and, after reading some previous and subsequent posts, I feel even worse.

 

I didn't mention Jany. She is awesome! Don't know how she manages but she replies to everything and anything you ask, no matter what time it is or day. She is very accommodating and really works hard to come through and gives you the best options. SO...........dealing with her gives you the sense that the company is trustworthy and that you're getting the best service around and you will not be disappointed!

 

Hurray for Jany! :D

YES! There must be like 3 Janys based on the different hours I have received responses from her. She must not sleep! :)