mapleleafvoyage

Not all us Canadians can get this offer!!!

The dates are just out this week!!

is it just me?

I cannot see anything for after may 2016?

not sure I like the updated website yet.... so far, no, lol

Our roll call for April is shaping up to be a Few fun activities!!

We are doing a scavenger hunt, a poker run cabin crawl, a gift exchange and a slot pull!!!!

Can't wait! Always have a great experience and look forward to finally meeting people we have been chatting with

On our last cruise there was a fb group set up and it was extremely lively for a year before the cruise. Everyone got to know each other and ask each other questions frequently. We did tons of events on the ship and are friends with a lot of the people now. It's a sign of the times, most ppl are on fb and check it daily, not cc. Adversely for upcoming cruise in April no fb page and roll call is very slow.

I much prefer cruise critic :)

It's recognized by Royal, but if interest dies...

I currently have 3 roll calls coming up.

I have met and made wonderful new friends thanks to cruise critic!!!

I am now all in for the roll calls, and am planning a scavenger hunt, slot pull, cabin crawl and gift exchange. Which will be a good time for all who come.. It is what you make it.

In my 3 previous cruises, they are slowing down now... I think many people now get their information from face book. And not coming to cruise critic as often as they used to. I personally don't even search for other groups on face book... I read different boards, but as far as specific sailings-- its only cruise critic for me for our meet and mingles groups.

lol- ok... Well good luck, and if it sucks don't come looking for me-

Happy cruising

None that I recall- I'm afraid for you to stay here, lol.

I'm thinking you won't be happy.... Do you have other options? Maybe they would be better?

:D

no matter what you decide to do, your in for a great time, and a fab cruise, I am sure! Have you seen the construction? The dome is covered, at least it was in December

I forgot to add, that there are a few from my roll call staying at the Best Western hotel.. so, hopefully we all can come and give some reviews

Then again, it IS possible, though probably not preferable, to drive into DC, especially if you'll be here on a weekend. I don't think I'd recommend it. Metro is easier.

A question: we will be arriving on a Saturday. Is it possible to do a "drive thru" in DC, not really stop...just go past White House, Capital, etc. by car? Maybe just pull over for a photo op?

We did this, but due to the construction my pictures sucked.

So we parked on the street and walked over to the White House and took photos - we will be back April 9-18... Hope to see the blossoms!

Small world eh!

Québec is beautiful, but it's an 8 hour drive (or more) for us.... I think we taking our motorcycle there for a weekend this summer.

One more thing: Chris/mapleleafvoyage, might need your help again! I made reservations thru Trinity Reservations yesterday afternoon for BW Elkridge. Am I supposed to be getting a confirmation? TIA and enjoy your weekend!

Yes you will. Perhaps everyone was gone for the weekend after you booked, lol

If you don't get one by Monday afternoon, contact them:)

You enjoy your weekend too- I'm working some overtime (making extra cruise $$ ;)

Thanks for your awesome review of the place. Maybe I'm missing the negative reviews but everything I have read so far, people love this place and have been recommending it. :)

 

Can you tell me how often are the shuttles? Like do you sign up for every hour on the hour or every half hour? Since it's a 20 minute ride, I was hoping to sign up for a 9:30am shuttle to the cruise port. Is this possible?

I think the shuttles ran every hour. So when your getting dropped off, they load up bringing returning guests. And so on.

As soon as you check in, sign up for your desired time.

Enjoy your cruise

We choose the first pick up- which was early, I can't remember exactly, but will note what the options are in April... I think it was around 830? 9? ...

We are doing a B2B 5/10-5/24 and instead of paying $210 for parking at the ship, thinking about booking this hotel to park our car free plus the free shuttle. My main concern is the shuttle itself. We will be visiting friends after the cruises and we will have 2 XL pieces of luggage EACH plus our carry ons. Wondering if there is room for all that, PLUS I don't want to wait around until noon or later to get to the ship. I would like to be there no later than ll am and I have heard rumors that many times the shuttle has to make a pick up/drop off at the airport first. Anyone have any info about this? Is there a sign up sheet for the shuttle?

We stayed there for our New Years cruise, and are staying there again for this April's cruise.

It was just fine- the area is away from the hustle and bustle, and more in the country setting, not sure why people keep saying it was a bad area?

Anyways..yes, there is a sign up sheet at the check in desk.

We signed in as soon as we checked in.

There is your "typical" free breakfast included.

The room was clean, and the breakfast held us over until we got on our ride:)

The shuttle was "typical" jumbo passenger van, and all luggage fit, including all the 8 other passengers.

The shuttle came after we got back from our cruise, but it was delayed due to weather(major snow storm) but we were back to our room, and well on our way home around 10ish. Nothing much you can do about the weather..

We didn't do any airport people on our shuttle, didn't even know they do that.

I have posted photos off the hotel, on one of these Baltimore threads, but so many people complain and say how sketchy this area is, I am about to give up giving recommendations.

I kept telling people my thoughts of this Elkridge hotel and the Bayonne Ramada, and so many times, I keep having to come and give a defense.. that its getting frustrating.. We are not high class, or high maintenance, so staying in these large chains that are typical 3 diamonds are just perfect for us. They are in our price range, they are clean, and they work for the night.. lol..

Sorry for the rant.... but, I am just trying to be honest, and give my help for anyone who is average class??? (again, we are not going to the night before hotel for shopping, or a vacation... just want to sleep and GO)

If you want, I can come back and let you know how it goes on my next cruise (April) maybe something is different that we missed?

No, actually last time we booked the first shuttle, we were quite early, 9-930. When we got back- it was a big mess- but had a freak snow storm, so?

Good news! I have found them to be very fast, and very friendly.

I hope you can get your plans all sorted out....

I cruise again, real soon... and we are again booked at the Best Western Elkridge.. can't wait... I need to get away from all this snow and cold and old man winter...

I have used trinityservations . com

If you have ANY questions, I highly recommend sending them an email. They were very personal and answered all questions I had. They are not a large company, so you get small personal service.

I stayed at the Best Western in Elkridge, it was a nice hotel.. park/stay/breakfast and shuttle..

Again, just use the contact button on the Trinity Reservations site. They will reply :)

Have a nice cruise

We ate at G & M-- it was excellent!!

Yes it does, I believe up to 14 days free parking and then I think a small charge for more. It also includes s free breakfast :)

Thanks so much!!!!! I will go check them out-

Hi there, I am searching for the 8 day compass from the Grandeur...

We are sailing in April, for the 8 day, and I am trying to plan our slot pull, scavenger hunt, cabin crawl and gift exchange....looking for what day the official meet and mingle is... (I am hoping its not on a port day, because our first port day, is day 3, and we will be running around Universal Studios:D)

Can you tell me where to find your email address, so you can send me the compass link... or is it posted here somewhere:o

Thanks for your help..

or you can email me here.

valentine67@sympatico.ca

I see your cruising the April 10 cruise... come join the roll call...

We have a cabin crawl, slot pull and a gift exchange planned!!!

Here we are.. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2008874&page=25

and don't forget sign up for the meet & mingle too... that way, you will get an invitation to the Royal meet and mingle.. here is the link for that .. https://secure.royalcaribbean.com/ccEntry.do

:D

Ship some of the good stuff to Canada, I hate crossing the border to go to Maine to get the good stuff :D

 

I do realize why Royal cant stock pile a bunch of different kinds

Made here in Canada- just not all the flavours :)

Whoa, this is new to me! This isn't available in Canada yet.. Wonder if we will get it here, there are MANY flavours that is available in the US and we don't get here.. too bad, Ben & Jerry's is so good!!! I am going to keep looking for this one :D Thanks for the heads up

You know what I mean, I guess I could have said Mars- but that's a one way ticket :eek! Lol