Treasure Hunter

See if there is a package that takes you from the port to Rome. One or two nights in Rome and then take the nonstop. You have to get to the airport by 7:30- 8:00 which means a very early breakfast. Our hotel ( years ago) packed us a lovely breakfast box with rolls, jam, butter, juice , cheese and ham that we ate in the car service which they arranged. You’ll never make the flight same day from the ship. The port is just too far away from the airport.

Million Dollar Quartet played at least twice. It’s fabulous! Broadway Unplugged is a different show ( really a review) with the same singers and that played in a different venue. It was entertaining and was one night only.

Take the round trip Hawaii from LA or San Francisco. Fifteen days, one stop Mexico. We did it on Emerald Princess but I think Celebrity does it too. Cold for a few days going out but the vibe on the ship was fabulous as were the. Hawaiian ports. Entertainment terrific. A nice change from our usual Caribbean, Bahamas cruises.

We also are on the NCL round trip NY to Bahamas that stops in Bermuda making it 8 days instead of 7 ( last time we did this cruise). It is winter school break and the kids would have been happier with another day in the Bahamas rather than Bermuda. I have been there in earl April ( cool with some beach days) and July ( 110 degrees and stifling). Hoping the kids club is open and there won’t be any reason the leave the ship. Not happy about the $40 each for the five of us

Just all go at 11:30. It will be fine

Also in my opinion, it is far faster to take a taxi. The taxis are there when you leave the terminal and you don’t have to wait for a Lyft.

I’ll try not to make this complicated. Unless you are in RCCL top suite and have a Genie to pave the way, you are treated like dirt at the entrance to the theater. At one of the specialty restaurants I really wanted a steak. The waiter ( who was actually very charming and amusing) said , “no you’ll have the lamb chops”. And the children’s pools are not cleaned properly. I would still cruise RCCL if the grandkids want to as long as it isn’t the Anthem from NJ. I love the big shows. The concierge in The Haven ( even the smallest stateroom in the Haven) goes above and beyond to help with any problem. The service in the Haven restaurant is so wonderful. If you have a show you can pre order dinner and the jumbo shrimp cocktails come out immediately on being seated. You can return for dessert after the show. These are all Bahamas, Bermuda, Caribbean cruises. For Mediterranean , Baltic, UK, Hawaii, South Pacific, Australia we have only been on Princess, Oceania and Regent so I can’t compare RCCL and NCL. But we are thinking of Greece for next year with kids so it’s a possibility.

We are Elite on Princess which was our first cruise in 1990 and was beloved. . We cruised December 4 and the food was not edible. We cruise suites so we were heartbroken because Princess doesn’t have a suite only restaurant, just a roped off part of the MDR . That said the suite life is a different ballgame on both RCCL and NCL. Our grandkids first preference will be RCCL with or without a suite. We took them on NCL for Thanksgiving and everyone had a great time. I find the food better on NCL whether in the, MDR or specialty restaurants and if you go Haven, there is no comparison to Costal Kitchen. CK doesn’t come close to the food quality in theHaven restaurant ( twin lobster tails etc). Entertainment has always been great on RCCL especially their broadway shows and ice shows but we recently saw Million Dollar Quartet on the Getaway and it was fabulous . Also Choir of Man ( I think it was the Bliss) was fantastic. It didnt hurt that I had four handpays in the casino. We cruise a lot. 5. in the last year. If we don’t book a suite, we go on Celebrity for the best all around experience.

It is a total rip off. You have to be desperate for entertainment. Only one person gets picked out of dozens who paid substantial money to play and end up, maybe getting a free photo. Just my opinion. I’d rather throw it in a slot machine.

It is a slight incline but you can stop a lot as there are great restaurants and shops all the way to the main cross streets. Really not too bad and right at the tender pier.

We cruised Oceania 4 Times , two in Europe ( very Port intensive) and tiring , one to Cuba ( fabulous) on Serena ( the old PacificPrincess). I much prefer the two larger, newer ships. Otherwise I would not cruise in less than a penthouse suite because of the size of the bathroom. The food is good not excellent and the casino and entertainment fair. Service is excellent as are itineraries.but everyone is not treated the same. The higher the cabin choice the earlier you can get reservations . We now NCL Haven or Celebrity, any cabin a we prefer Celebrity MDR to Luminae.

Princess does continuous cruises to Hawaii from LA and San Francisco. A lot of days at sea but four islands and terrific fun. Or we did Tahiti with them and it was the most wonderful experience ever. Take your money and run. Then do an NCL cruise for free in the Caribbean or Panama Canal as a bonus!

Have the concierge at your hotel get you a van with driver. For 8 people it will be worth it not y to worry and to be comfortable and on time

Any news on the Concierge class cabins? We are on the Connie next June.

We have been to Venice several times, the first in 1990 on the original Pacific Princess . We sailed into the Grand Canal at sunrise. So I was thinking it would be nice to see a different Italian city. But I like the cruiseline to be in charge of transportation, so I am torn.

We are doing the reverse as our cruise starts in Athens. We don’t know what to do as we were considering staying in Venice two days before flying home. I was hoping that there was a package with hotel and transfer two days later to the airport but haven’t seen it offered. Then I thought maybe get a private transfer to Bologna ( half the distance from the port and somewhere we’ve never been before. But I’m nervous about that. Thoughts?

It might block someone’s view or be a hazard if it blew off.

What a great idea! I’d like to know too.i just had surgery and I’m not supposed to sit in the sun.

The first time we visited Berlin from a cruise ship ( Princess) was shortly after the Berlin Wall fell and the building to replace ugly Soviet architecture was non stop. We traveled on a rickety old train that gave me nightmares. The whole trip was apologizing. Although we enjoyed our pastry with whipped cream and seeing check point Charley. When we returned , Princess had a giant banner “Welcome home” on the side of the ship, a red carpet and passed champagne. The second time we had a chance we stayed in “Amazing Rostock” with a walking tour. We were lucky in that there was a festival of sailing ships in the Harbour. It was a lovely day. We just had friends fly to Berlin, stay five days and then fly to Paris for five days. They had a great time.

Take the New England cruise and eat your way up the coast. Lobster, lobster roll, lobster club sandwich, all delicious. Just walk into town in Portland or Bar Harbour or sail in the Haven for double lobster tails( surf and surf) . I’ve never been on Carnival but I’m very happy on NCL ( Haven) or any room on Celebrity . Lobster is a treat but not a reason to sail on any particular line.

Thanks, that’s really great. I’ll speak to the concierge when we board

Is it possible reserve( pre pay ) an umbrella on probably a very crowded cruise? I once had a cabana that we shared with another family and didn’t like it. Too far from the water and up a very high walkway. We will need some kind of shade. We will be in the Haven so might be able to get off the ship on the early side. Do we need cash? Tips? Thanks.

Hahaha. I hope I run into you on a cruise sometime. Your sense of humor and savvy help have kept me afloat in trying times.

Thank you. That’s very helpful

Totally confused. We have a New England/ Canada cruise that is round trip New York. Do we need to have an antigen test 48 hours before embark and do we need to fill out an arrive Canada form 72 hours before embark even tho Canada is the last two ports? The info is so general. Thanks