cruiselvr04

We did a side to side from Terminal G to Terminal A in Miami.  Plan on a cab ride.  It’s unsafe to walk, no sidewalks.  It cost us $20.  Guest services might say there is a shuttle but they seem to be uninformed, we couldn’t find one and we were told by outside pier workers to take a cab.

It’s not a deal breaker and we enjoyed both cruises on the a small and large ship. 

I love our blocks and they are on display in my home. I never bring them to a guests attention but they are there.

I’m not sure where our D+ pins are.  
 

As long as they don’t have a “better then you” attitude I enjoy talking to Pinns and I don’t think they are over the top if they want to wear their name tag, especially in the evening. They are usually well traveled and most are very nice and friendly. 
 

 I enjoy talking to newbie cruisers too and seeing their excitement. 
 

If they do make the discovery class I’m hoping for more storage then Oasis and bigger ships.  The older ships have great storage.  Take Radiance and Voyager class for instance.  Even her inside cabins have lots of storage.  Since these ships may be used for longer cruises I’m hoping they are designed with that in mind. If we go for more then a week I have trouble storing all our “stuff” in a regular cabin on Oasis or Quantum class. When they went to divided closets it got even worse. On the older ships I can put everything away easily, out of sight.

21 hours ago, island lady said:

I actually get a kick out of all the hitchhiker birds that hang out in the lush gardens of Central park on the Oasis class ships.  Apparently they fly in on one port and out the other?  Stowaways for sure.  

 

Then again...a lot of "bird song" is piped in also.  😉 

Those bird sounds change to crickets at 7 p.m. Maybe they should have relocated our balcony crickets to Central Park. 

We had 2 dozen crickets on our last balcony on Brilliance. We put up with it until one showed up in our bed.  It apparently snuck in when we were going in and out.  We got our steward involved after that. They did not relocate them and they met their end.  
 

19 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

I don't even know what that dress code means.🤷‍♂️

I’d have to google it too.  

Royal is a family cruise line and that’s not going to change.  However I do wish they’d build a smaller class of ships with longer and better itineraries. We really like the Royal product and would like to stay with them but other cruise lines are getting our interest due to itineraries.  We still cruise the Caribbean some but really want to see more of the world. The big ships just don’t interest us for more than a one time thing. And we certainly aren’t flying across the country for a 3/4 night cruise. Right now they seem to targeting families in Florida vs. Disney. 

I believe you’re referring to the cruiser who took a portable washing machine on board that was confiscated. It was large and is something you plug in.  

6 minutes ago, wolfcathorse said:

I was going to get one of those collapsible washing tubs (as seen on FB or Temu) but I thought someone recently complained they were called to the naughty room for the washing tub they had in their suitcase. Not quite clear on if it was confiscated or not.

They don’t care about a collapsible wash basin.

On 4/28/2024 at 8:18 AM, hazeleyez3 said:

I know the schedules won’t be released until around October, but do people think RCCL will go back to British Isles in 2026?  We decided to do a land trip this year, and I don’t see any British Isles next year.  
 

Celebrity isn’t an option.  We will be traveling with my father and the single supplement on that cruise line is ridiculous.  The same cabin for him is almost $4,000 more for him than it would be for us.  A single supplement is one thing, that high of one is another.
 

We are now leaning towards an Asian cruise next year, and putting off British Isles until 2026.  If RCCL doesn’t have itineraries we will switch to Princess.

 Hoping for a British Isles in 2026. And if Royal won’t do one we’ll be switching to another line too.  I’d do another Panama Canal cruise too so will keep watching for that. 

On 4/29/2024 at 8:27 PM, xpcdoojk said:

Yes, it is a challenge.  I am very much a person to travel.  Confinements are limitations. That is hard, and always an obstacle,

 

Our parents are gone now and we are recently retired so our travel has opened up.  We do have a fur baby.  Fortunately we have daughters who really like her and they will keep her.  We were gone 2 months to Australia and NZ and the dog did fine.  This fall we’ll be gone 36 days again but I know she’ll be well cared for. 
 

Harder for us is being available for the grands and being involved in their lives.  We try to plan so we can be home for graduations, ballet recitals, band competitions. That does limit when and how long. We don’t want to miss too much!
 

Have a great cruise!  Our first TA is next spring.

53 minutes ago, sadiwest said:

Was it very scenic? I feel like the ohotos aren't helping.  

The area is not what I’d call scenic.  Stay by the pool or go to a beach if that’s what you want.

Our first time there we took a shore excursion that got us around town, a museum and a rum factory.  We just wanted to see the area.

At the port, there is a pool, shops, bars with no need to leave to leave.

9 hours ago, sgmn said:

Iwith smaller ships Royal Caribbean can offer more interesting itineraries 

 We want longer, more interesting itineraries! 

We were on Brilliance 46 nights in a row this year. B3B.  Each cruise I sent out underwear, socks, work out clothes in stuffed wash and fold bags.  One nightgown came back a little different color, otherwise no issues. 
 

We use the collapsible bucket method, use the body wash in the shower, soak, rinse twice, roll in pool towels and hang to dry from magnets on the ceiling. I find it easier to do every 5 days or so rather then let it build up. It’s bit of an aerobic work out. 
 

 We do not pack light and always check bags. 

I do wish Royal had self laundry. I air dry most of our clothes so I don’t send them out in the regular laundry, just use wash and fold for the stuff we don’t care about. 

27 minutes ago, Jimbo said:

They do suggest packing light and some of the hotels actually have washers and dryers where you are allowed to use and wash your own clothes.

 

Some of the hotels also might not have elevators or real good air conditioners systems........Is this a common thing for some of the hotels in Europe to not have elevators. I guess not all hotels there have AC either? Is this a common thing there?

We did a 14 night Grand European with Viking from Budapest to Amsterdam.  It was wonderful by the way.  
 

Most places in Europe do not have A/C at the places you tour or restaurants or shops. We were always so glad to get back to the boat to cool down.  Chain hotels have A/C but some smaller ones do not.  If you’re climbing stairs in a hotel I’d say you won’t have air. We were there during an unusual heat wave in June. Several days it was miserable hot with no relief until we got back to the boat. They don’t even run the busses A/C until they are in motion. It was in the 90’s with no A/C. No wonder the Europeans go to the beaches in August! 
 

I’m not trying to discourage you but it is different.  We’re looking at France and Switzerland next.  I might do Switzerland in the summer but not France.  I’d choose May or September instead for France. Better rain then heat for us. 

4 minutes ago, Jimbo said:

Most likely not the greatest place to ask this question but has anyone ever taken a Rick Steves  Tour?

 

We are looking to take  Best of Europe in 21 Days Tour in the fall of 2025

 

 https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/europe/europe-21-days#tour-dates

 

The tour groups are small, 24 to 28 people which I think would make it nice.

 

We have canceled our side by side cruises we had planned for this May to Europe and Norway Fjords Cruises.

 

Just though for traveling that far to Europe we wanted to see and do more then we could ever do on cruise stops.

 

Granted this wouldn't get us to Norway, but at a later time we might do a cruise up that way in the future.

 

Anyone here ever taken one of their tours?

We have not but I’d be interested in hearing how yours went.  One problem I have with land tours is the packing and unpacking. But of course you do see more in depth.  River cruises, for us, is a better way to go but not everywhere is accessible by river of course.

2 hours ago, Momof3gurlz said:

I’ve been avidly reading all the comments about knee and hip replacements. Andy’s had problems with his right knee and hip for a few years, to the point that he walks with a noticeable gimp and has great difficulty putting on a sock and tying a shoe on the right foot. His primary told him it’s likely arthritis and referred him to ortho, which of course he’s ignored.  He finally went Thursday (nagging works!) and was told he has severe arthritis in his hip and mild arthritis in the knee. His knee pain is most likely a result of the hip issues. So hip replacement scheduled for Nov 5th. He was given a shot of cortisone with the disclaimer he might only see 10-30% improvement, he says the 10% is about right.  I think he put it off out of fear of the surgery, but so many people have told him hip replacement isn’t bad these days, much easier than the knee. 
Anyone here had this done? 

DH had his done several years ago.  I highly suggest a surgeon who does a lot of them and does them through an anterior incision.  Do your research.  DH had no issues at all. We went on a cruise 3 months later pain free, no limp, you’d never know he had it done. 

7 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

I have never been to Key West. I really want to visit.

We spent 2 weeks in the Keys during covid when cruising was shut down.  We stayed for a week at a B and B in Key West and another week at a resort half way through the keys.  The water was beautiful.  Dry Tortuga was great. We spent time at several beaches, it was a super relaxing trip.  I doubt we could afford it now, the deals for lodging were unheard of at the time due to covid.  They just wanted people to come. We did a sunset sail and another during the day.  Visited no name bar. Sloppy Joes. We saw some beautiful sunsets. Great memories! 

20 minutes ago, shof515 said:

i wonder why dont let people stay onboard as a floating hotel like. getting last minute flights back home and hotels will be expensive. is royal helping with that? if you have travel insurance, this is something they will cover?

There must be a reason. I think we’d prefer to just stay on board even if we were trapped there, then leave.  Most wouldn’t do this though.  The food is already there and most of the entertainment.  This happened with Brilliance too.  Everyone had to debark.  The crew spent the time cleaning and getting some down time. Those on back to backs still had to leave the ship and find somewhere to stay for 2 weeks or go home early.  It certainly would be less expensive to stay on board then get hotel rooms in Vancouver. 

Trip interruption on your travel insurance should cover it but what a hassle. 
 

On 4/25/2024 at 12:04 PM, ricka47 said:

We are doing our first river cruise next year, and I put a deposit down today. The price included free airfare. We board on 7/1/25, and the flight arrives the same day.

Last year, we did a British Isles cruise, booked our own air, and spent four nights in London pre-cruise on our own. That's an option with this one, but with the free air, the cost of a pre-cruise stay with Viking is very expensive.

So, it's a 14-night cruise starting in Budapest with an overnight stay, and I'm wondering if anyone has experience with using the cruise line airfare arriving the day of boarding the cruise.

 

Personally I would recommend paying the deviation fee and going a couple of days early. You can get yourself to a hotel you book yourself and save money over Vikings arrangements.  Budapest is a lovely city, easy to get around on the tram with many things to see and do.  This also helps you get over jet lag before you actually start your river cruise. Chose a hotel near a tram line.  Do a tour of the Parliament, see the market, enjoy a soak in one of the baths, spend time at the shoes of the Danube memorial. 
 

11 hours ago, LadyZolt said:

Thanks -- I'm glad I have been able to upload some to this site, but someone else will have to take over in a few weeks because we recently had a family situation arise back home, so we will have to leave the ship in Dubai and head home, and we won't get to finish the world cruise.  We hope to be able to plan a future cruise that will sail through the Suez Canal, and we'd like to also see the Norwegian fjords and other things that we'll be missing now.  Maybe Royal Caribbean will offer another world cruise in a few years and we can book that.  🙂

So sorry you’ll have to return home. Hoping all turns out well for you.  And yes if Royal does another world cruise, count us in and we’ll meet then. 

We did a Royal up for an obstructed balcony.  Honestly I think we got the worse one on the ship. Radiance class, last balcony on the side of the ship.  It was extended which was nice but we couldn’t see the ocean from the bed and half was obstructed with steel.  However it was a balcony, we had fresh air and it was nice to sit outside vs an ocean view. Compared to the original price of balconies on that sailing we were still happy.  
 

We don’t stress, have gotten some, not others. Don’t be upset over location if you do bid. We always bid if we’re in an ocean view.  We won’t bid at all if we’re doing B2B and have the same cabin. We won’t bid if we have an aft balcony.  We might bid for a suite from a regular balcony but have never gotten those bids. 
 

We never count on it and are happily surprised if they come through. 

I can not go that long carry on only but it’s admirable for you to try.  It is a pain to drag bags everywhere!

My advice is not clothing but safety for money, passports, electronics. DH carries a sling pacsafe bag and I carry a small crossbody travelon purse. Pickpockets are very good.  You won’t even know it until it’s too late.
 

We warned our BIL, he had his money in a Velcro pocket on a train. He felt it but his wallet was passed off and then off the train before he could even react. He wasted time reporting it at a police station, who of course did nothing.  
 

Keep them locked and in front of you as you travel through cities and public transportation. Do not take them off at restaurants. With our belongings safe, we can relax and enjoy our vacation. They will pick someone not as prepared. 
 

Have a great time!

11 hours ago, Coralc said:

So. Armchair physicians. ☺️ Why does a half to three quarters of an inch lesion require a FOUR INCH incision, with many, many stitches? I will ask when I go to have them removed. And I am thankful that it was removed. And it is horizontal on my thigh, not vertical. So that is good. 

 

I am just curious at this point, how the perimeters are determined. They still send it off to the lab to see if enough was removed. It just seems a little excessive. And since I couldn't watch, I was kind of surprised. ☺️

I had a very tiny one on my shoulder that “required” a 3 inch incision which seemed very excessive. I was shocked and didn’t plan to take time off work.  My shoulder was hugely bruised and where it was at, it made it hard to raise my arm for a few days. I missed 2 days of work unexpectedly and was pretty upset for not being warned prior. 
 

I’ve had many of these, most on my face. Once the stitches are out, all healed, no scabbing left and 3 weeks post op I start using silicone scar strips.  If I’m not out in public they are on 24/7.  It flattens the scar and honestly works miracles. It works better than scar creams. I use them for a couple of months after each time.  Sold on Amazon. 

Mask mandates are not back.  

Covid is everywhere and is not going away. 
 

Only you and your doctor can decide your risk/tolerance.