wallyworld583

I found there was a price difference on the coffee card. I pre-paid $35 and when I got to the ship (Crown, Apr 8) the menu in IC listed the price at $31. So, might want to wait on the coffee card.

We did this two years ago and I have to say the weather was not pleasant. Had wind,cold and rain at every port. Didn't stop us from going and doing Actually had a hail storm in Holland! So, be prepared. Rain gear and sweaters were the must have dress items for all the ports. The trip itself was fantastic. Great ports and tours. Wouldn't have missed it but would have been nice to see the sun.

We were on the Crown for the 28 day trip from Ft. Lauderdale. We had early sitting in traditional dining room, we ate at the Crab Shack (FABULOUS!), Crown Grill (Great dinner) and we also tried the other venues at one point or another. The only issue I had on the entire cruise was when the menu shifted to the British themed menu. I am not a steak and kidney pie kinda guy. BUT, I knew it was coming so really have no grounds for complaint. Dining room service was super. Waiter and assistant were very attentive. Cabin steward was great. If it weren't for the menu change I wouldn't have anything to grouse about.

We booked the National Express bus service. Reasonable price, drop off at Victoria Station so easy tube access within London.

Having done both, we prefer the Fall. Get all the port visits and the attendant hustle and bustle of port days out of the way and then have the 6 or so days at sea to relax. As to the weather, we had beautiful weather all the way back to the point that I was able to sit on the balcony with my pre-dinner cocktail all the way back to the states.

Might also see if you can find a tour that includes the museum in Caen. It is a history of war from the beginnings of WWII thru the cold war. They have a film of the D-Day invasion, shown on a split screen, that shows the battle from both the Allied and German perspective. The museum is beautiful but the film is mesmerizing!

Thanks all. Guess I need to get busy and request a topper.

Can anyone who has been on the Crown lately comment on the mattresses? Are we going to need a topper (does Princess even do that)? We haven't sailed Princess for a while but I just can't handle the padded plywood that some of the other lines seem to have.

but when you compare per capita, they aren't far apart

St. Croix - 9 murders per 50,000

Detroit - 22 per 50,000

Heck, Detroit had St Croix total homicides to date beat in the first two or 3 weeks of this year

Yeah, but the population of St. Croix is only about 50,000. And the population of Detroit is...about 700,000. Not much of a comparison.

We took our grand daughters aged 8 and 10 on NCL for their first cruise. The following year we took them on a mid-size Royal ship, don't remember which one, and with no prompting from us, both girls said they liked Royal better! From what I have seen of the kids programs, Royal will be as fun as any cruise except maybe Disney for the kids and the parents will like it better, too. Just my 2 pennies.

For those of us over a certain age, remember Medicare does not cover medical expenses incurred in Europe for sure (and I think it is anywhere outside the US). Transatlantic this spring, day and a half out of Boston our friend had a stroke. On Medicare and no travel insurance so two trips to dispensary out of his pocket. Postponed an MRI in Ireland because it would have been out of pocket and figured the ship would have sent him home which would have meant new flights out of pocket plus the cost of the already scheduled flights home he would have lost. As it turned out, he recovered and was almost back to normal by the time we got to the end of the cruise but is now a believer in trip insurance.

We did the westbound TA this spring and opted for MTD. Was concerned because we enjoy having the same staff every night. The first night we enjoyed the wait staff so much that on the way out we asked for and were given reservations for the same table for the rest of the cruise. Even the nights where we were late for our reservation due to tours, we were given the same table. And yes, we did tell the waiter and the fellow at the reservation desk we were going to be late. Had not done MTD before and had concerns but after this we will do it again.

My daughter just came off the Vision last weekend and she brought back two glasses as shown in your picture.

GOOD GRIEF!! If the increase bothers you either quit drinking or quit cruising. Problem solved.

If the stars are aligned correctly you can make it. Do walk off as early as possible (7-730 has been our experience) and you should be in the airport by 830ish. Of course you should have a backup plan in case the ship is late, customs is slow, or any number of other things. Guess it depends on if you are a gambler and how your luck is.

USS Iowa 93 days at sea in Persian Gulf. Even had beer on board for our steel beach picnic on day 91.

There isn't a rental car company close to the port but there is Budget Rental Car on Canal Street that will provide shuttle service to the cruise port. We have rented from here numerous times and it is very convenient

Will they also pick you up post cruise at the terminal?

I believe that is where they store the washing structure.

 

You can see a vertical structure at the end of the balcony staterooms here:

 

Thanks, Bob. That is what I thought but needed that picture to confirm. Doesn't look like a big deal and the price is right.

Anyone stayed in 8666 or 8664? Wondering how obstructed they are.

Was just about to click on the link when I decided to look at the other two responses. Thanks for saving me the effort of having to do one more key stroke! All snarkiness aside, I do appreciate the responses.

Ok. Been a while since we cruised RC. I know the coupon books are gone and they now put the 'coupons' on your sea pass card. But what are they good for? Just can't remember what we used to get as a lowly platinum. Anybody help?

If you wear sandals you have to go to Kino's. Hand made sandals that last and last. Reasonably priced. Had a pair that lasted for 7 summers! Sorry, they are in Key West.

If you look at the website for both airports there should be links to taxi services that show the fares. We sailed from Seattle several years ago and it was way less than what the cruise line shuttles were. Plus you don't have to wait for a full bus, just grab a cab and go.

We made our second stop in St. Barth' this past week. On our first stop several years ago the shop keepers all closed their doors and went home. And this was early morning.

Last week, as we were getting ready to tender to town, word reached the ship that there was a problem with the water plant on the island and there would be no public rest rooms anywhere including restaurants and bars! We went anyway and noted the locks and signs on the restrooms. Walked to Shell Beach and they had facilities available and open and when asked, the locals had no idea there was a 'problem' with the water plant.

As the last tenders were leaving, local people were unlocking and taking down the signs on the rest rooms at the pier!

So, if your ship is going to St. Barth's, skip the aggravation of the tender ride and stay on board as the nice people there obviously don't want 'boat people'.