cruiselvr04

It’s wise to really research for a world cruise and do some comparisons. Some WC have a lot of sea days. Some are of course necessary but you don’t want too many. I read about someone who had done both a Princess and a Viking WC. He said by the time they had paid for all the extras on Princess, Viking was almost the same cost for a much better experience. We still hope to do one someday….

We are cruising on a B2B staying over night in Fremantle, just outside of Perth. On turn around day we plan on seeing Fremantle since it’s close to port and we have no idea what time we’ll be able to get off the ship. The day prior we get into Fremantle at 0630. This gives us an entire day to explore Perth or farther. Our cruise line has offered no excursions except to Swan Valley. We really can’t decide what to do. The DH is interested in doing an independent desert tour at night to see the stars. This doesn’t leave until 3 p.m. or so from Perth, returning about 11:30 p.m. It’s a 2 hr drive each way. I’m a little concerned about getting back to the ship that late at night on the train as it’d be after midnight. It’s a 30 min train trip though the ship of course remains in port. If it’s cloudy we see nothing. We don’t want to spend the night in a hotel in Perth as it’s an extra expense. Our other options are to go to Rottnest from Fremantle which seems easy or meeting with a independent tour group in Perth near the train station about 9:30 a.m. to do an all day food and wine tour which includes a river cruise back to Perth. Both of these are doable in our time frame too. Any comments from people who have done any of these things or live in the area would be helpful.

I’ve drooled over those purses before. I’m just not a purse carrier on board the ship. But I do love them.

The best way to help the crew is always be kind and courteous and tip extra if you are so inclined.

We took 2 whale watching excursions last July and didn’t see anything better then that!

Pure speculation. No one knows. I’d love for the brand to do a world cruise but a reasonable time away. 9 months was too long for a vast majority of interested persons. Cost pppd was pretty high too for the thing.

We invited the DD over but she declined as I think she just wants a quiet evening. So we will probably just get some take out (rare for us anymore) and toast to the New Year in comfy clothes in front of the TV.

All 10 of our kids and grands that have been here since Saturday just left. The house is already too quiet. It might be time for a nap before I start cleaning and washing all the linens. The dog is exhausted and already sacked out beside me.

Have a great trip! Enjoy your time off!

Love the red gown!

Most hotels require you to be put by 1100. We aren’t late sleepers and there’s rarely anything we want to do in the morning before a cruise. Once I’m up and ready I’m anxious to just get there. We have a 1230 check in for our next cruise but lunch is reserved at 1215 in Chops so hoping we can get on board by earlier. TBD.

We were on that one and if we’d known what was ahead would have said that too. But honestly it still went by quickly and we really relaxed. Got up without an alarm. Slow to get moving then walked the deck, coffee, a lecture, a bite for lunch, read a book or a movie in the cinema, dinner, shows and out late, slept well, repeat. We had so many sea days that we enjoyed our cabin a bit more than usual but never bored.

Someday I want to take a Christmas cruise. It sounds very relaxing. Odyssey is one of our favorite ships. Have a great time!

We rarely go out anymore unless it’s special occasions or to eat with friends. We’ve decided it’s just not worth the cost.

We thought Etta May was great! Sorry you’re missing a port. I suppose that’s bound to happen but hope it’s rare for you. Christmas at sea sounds lovely actually.

I just had to google that one. Shuddering. That might be worse than the 5 inch garden snake we found in our house a couple of years ago. The neighbors had dug up their yard and one found its way in. Luckily our little dog alerted us it was there before it surprised me.

Just finished doing the last of grocery shopping. 5 stores to get everything I hope we need for the next 6 days. If not, someone else will be going. Tomorrow afternoon all 3 of our DDs, 6 grands and a couple of SILs will arrive. It will be a crazy, busy, messy, noisy time but will be wonderful! I have multiple crafts ready to go, of course games and a 1000 piece puzzle, a cupcake tree decorating contest planned and new this year headed up by a daughter a “ who makes the best Christmas drink” competition, after the kids are in bed of course.

We have done Hollywood pre cruise before and rented a surrey. That night they had a free concert on the beach/ square area. Great memories.

That’s an early departure for sure! Hope no one tried to fly in the day of. Have a great cruise!

Where is Anthem just before these 2 sailings?

Sorry the Ft Lauderdale taxis tried to scam you. We had trouble recently in San Diego but usually Ft Lauderdale is pretty good. What a great trip you planned for your family!

It’s sad when parents aren’t in control of their children. Unfortunately now that those children have been allowed to do it once they and the parents will think this is acceptable behavior and keep doing it. Eventually someone will have to say something. The parents will then be upset that they were called out about their sweet children who were just being kids (in an inappropriate setting).

We’ve been to Granada only once. I remember the fort and buying spices. We need to get back there but few itineraries go.

We’ve gotten sick on or after half of our cruises this year. I’m also just getting over something I picked up when not cruising. It’s all everywhere. Take your own OTC meds as Royal won’t sell you any unless you see the doctor. People don’t want to quarantine unless deathly ill so everyone will keep passing things around. Avoid coughing people when you can, wash your hands, keep your hands away from your face. Take immunity builders. I do all that and still catch stuff and it isn’t all covid. Stay home or accept that you may get sick when you go outside your house. Those coming Christmas services will be a nice germ filled place to go too but it won’t stop us from going.

That is just a strange picture for a warm day. The only time I’ve seen it that quiet was on Allure out of Galveston in January going across the gulf when it was 50 degrees outside with 30 mph winds.