shipgeeks

Care to share any helpful information, or questions?

I've learned, over the years, that I need local currency (and enough knowledge of the language to ask for a restroom location) even on Caribbean cruises sometimes, as well as overseas. And I just read several posts, elsewhere, about the number of squat toilets people found on their overseas travels, when they were expecting sit-down types. Sometimes I remind myself how grateful I am for my reliable indoor plumbing at home.

I'm not sure if you are referring to each of the ports during the cruise, or at the end, for disembarcation, but in either case, much would depend on whether you are entitled to "priority" status, i.e., you have booked a RC excursion that leaves at an early time, or RC shuttle to the airport at the end, etc. In many cases, those without priority must wait til all the others have been cleared. I would hesitate to say you can assume you'd be able to step off the ship shortly after she docks.

Here's something I just saw on the Carnival board, re a parking option at Norfolk: "Asphalt Lots" in Chesapeake, VA is a veteran-run parking garage, with shuttle service to the port on cruise days, and reportedly cheaper than Carnival's parking option.

CD on Vision of the Seas did the same, except on the upper deck. I believe it was pretty well attended. Much as I love a promenade deck, and choose it during the day, an early morning walk on the upper deck, before the sun is overwhelming, is fabulous, too.

Royal IS providing free bus service from Norfolk next Thursday, to Norfolk airport, BWI airport, or Baltimore cruise port, as each passenger chooses. I haven't seen news yet about the two following cruises, but I expect there will be something offered.

In recent months we have been receiving an email a day or two before the cruise, asking us to mark any preferences we have re bed position, sharps containers, etc.

And cruises rebooked.

Carnival had to decide more quickly because their next cruise is Sunday. RC's is not until next Thursday. A lot can happen in eight days.

"Baltimore to Nassau" is not really typical of the range of cruises offered by RC. No repetitive 7-nighters, but mostly 9- and 12-night cruises south, north, and Bermuda. B2Bs are not uncommon, and there are a few who stay aboard for up to three months at a time, enjoying all the diversity of ports and weather. There are always some pax from west coast, Canada, and Great Britain.

We sailed out of Philadelphia on RC Empress of the Seas, and Celebrity Zenith. Smaller than Legend or Vision, but hardly 200 pax.

OP, where would you be coming in from? I'm guessing you might be overseas? If so, a good starting point might be the port (perhaps in Florida? Barbados?) which is easiest/cheapest for you to get to. At least that would narrow your search.

There are signs on the dispensers saying you should not put your bottle directly on them. Glasses of water are aways available for pouring into personal bottles. Of course, there might always be someone who disregards that. We fill ours from our bathroom taps, as well as in the WJ.

Late traditional MDR dining is the only way we will cruise. And it sounds like your recent experience is the way it usually is: like the good old days.

Or....find the little drain in the floor of the bathroom (not the one in the shower), and pour a glass or two of tap water into it. That will alleviate most odors. (And personally, I wouldn't appreciate the use of a freshener or perfume. But that is a personal preference.)

Royal Caribbean Vision Class - Vision, Grandeur, Enchantment. The very front is usually closed, however, as it is a work space for crew, so we walk as far as we can, and then double back (or cross over via the inside lobby). A real promenade deck is a must for us (and I don't mean the indoor Royal Promenade).

I have never been interested in a pool, nor packed a bathing suit for a cruise. But even I find it curious. Interestingly, one of the complaints I've read about some MSC ships is that the pools are too deep for standing around with a drink; only good for swimming.

Misconception: "I'm going to book a balcony cabin so I can leave the balcony door open and have fresh air all the time." Reality: Leaving the balcony door open, even a bit, is not allowed. It will shut off the cabin AC, and on some ships, the AC of neighboring cabins.

Welcome to Cruise Critic! I hope we will be helpful with any questions that come up for you. I don't know if budget is a concern for you, but in any case, one of the things I've noticed over the years is that so many people say you must have a balcony cabin. We do not agree with that. When we cruised to Alaska, we booked an inside cabin, for $$ reasons, but we ended up with a balcony. We only used it for part of one afternoon, out of the entire 10 days, and it was not a comfortable experience. We did spend virtually all of our waking hours up on the top deck, watching the scenery on all sides. If we were to do AK again (it was a great cruise), we would book an oceanview, primarily to see the weather conditions and scenery from the cabin, but would still spend all free time on the open decks. I agree that HAL and Princess are good choices.

Well, since some first time cruisers are reporting that they're budgeting $200 or more a month for Amazon cruise items, someone is making something.

Today, I learned that Amazon not only has a marketing genius, they have "associates" who earn a commission every time someone buys a cruise product they recommend. Typical post: "Hey guys, I just got back from my cruise, and I wanted to share with you how much I loved all the Amazon things some of you recommended! They made my cruise 100% better! Here are the products I used all the time......"

We sail Vision regularly, and there has always been free lobster on the menu one night.

Misconception: The little outlet above the bathroom sink is the one to use for the hairdryer. Reality: That outlet is for shavers only. Using a hairdryer there could harm the hairdryer. Use the outlet in the cabin.

Items that are confiscated are put on a table in the terminal, beyond Customs and baggage pickup. I believe one has to hand over the receipt to claim things. Always lots of irons, cooking things, and a mixture of other items.

SeaSpray, there is pm service if that is what you want. Haven't seen chocolates anywhere for years.