Joanne G.

That's what now shows for my September Equinox cruise also. I booked all my excursions during previous flash sales, and I don't want to risk losing my spot on any of them at this late date by canceling and rebooking if something is a few $$$ less. But I was curious about the sale, partly to see if there are any new interesting excursions offered. I don't want the drink package, so I don't care about those prices. I bought a couple bottles of wine for the cabin, the water package, and a laundry special at previous sales, so I doubt the current rates are any better. But it is odd that nothing is showing for my cruise. Edited to add - guess I need to check back later!

I get it in order to stay in touch and share pictures with family and friends. It's my way of bringing others along with me, especially when cruising solo. It was because of having internet access that I got immediate word last month when our return flight from Heathrow was cancelled due to the Aer Lingus pilots' strike, and it's how I was immediately able to find a replacement flight. I am usually busy in ports, and do not want to spend my precious vacation time looking for internet access and doing my communication while ashore.

I recently returned from a Norway fjords cruise, with pre-cruise time in Edinburgh and London, with a longtime friend who has mobility issues (artificial knees and arthritis everywhere) and deteriorating vision. Like the @ellasabe's husband, she walks very slowly and has difficulties with stairs. Due to her poor vision, she often can't read signs, such as those around an airport or in the London tube stations. I never wanted to get separated from her or leave her alone anywhere other than on the ship. There were a number of challenges for both of us on this trip. My suggestion to the OP, assuming she and her husband still want to take big trips, is to consider a cruise to the fjords of Norway. I actually picked our cruise with her mobility issues in mind, thinking that such an itinerary is about the scenery, which can be enjoyed from a cabin balcony or an open deck. That turned out to be true. For ports well into the fjords, the breathtaking scenery goes on for a couple hours while sailing in and out. We did take excursions in the ports (and had some difficulties keeping up with the pace of the tour guides), but I could envision someone enjoying the views from the ports without getting off the ship at all. Sadly, the descriptions for excursions provided by our cruise line (Royal Caribbean) were unhelpful to anyone with mobility issues. We had two excursions labeled "moderate" activity level. One included a walking tour on hilly streets that was more than moderate activity in my opinion. The other was a 4-hour scenic bus ride with only a couple short photo stops that was less than moderate activity in my opinion, resulting maybe in someone thinking it would be too much for them, but it actually wouldn't be. As others have mentioned, most cruise lines offer excursions specifically for wheelchair passengers, so that could be an option. Or customized private tours. In hindsight, I planned too ambitious a trip with the pre-cruise time - too much unpacking and repacking, too many transportation issues, too much handling of our luggage which was hard for her, too much planning what to do and how to get around in Edinburgh and London. At least when we got off in the ports in Norway, the small towns were generally easier to navigate than the cities we had been in. I decided after this cruise that getting around the major cities of Europe, on a land vacation or as cruise ports, is just too challenging for me and my friend. But the Norway fjord itinerary was suitable. Book non-stop flights, if at all possible, rather than anything with layovers - one less airport to navigate. Pack as light as possible to make handling of bags easier. While one wouldn't want to go to Europe and never leave a hotel room, being on a ship, even if one never gets off, can still be a wonderful vacation. Best wishes to everyone on future vacations.

I never found a way to do so. I was concerned because I booked the 2 legs of my B2B's at different times. My long-time travel agent assured me they reservations were linked, but I still confirmed with Guest Services when I was onboard.

LOL I was offered those things twice this year as the pre-landing snack on return flights from Heathrow, once on American and once on British Airways. After the first one, which I found yucky, I passed the second time. I am enjoying your port pictures. I have been to a couple of those ports and will be in the Mediterranean again in September on Celebrity. Thanks for sharing.

I did a B2B last year on the Pride out of Dover. I did not print a boarding pass for the 2nd leg. A couple days before the end of the first cruise, you’ll get instructions on the procedure for the turnaround day, which can vary based on which port you will be at. I did not have to disembark, but I could have gotten off to explore Dover if I wanted to. It’s my understanding B2B passengers in U.S. ports do have to disembark and then immediately reboard. Have a wonderful vacation. B2B cruises are great.

We were on the June 21 sailing on the Anthem, and I agree about the annoyances of staff members interrupting our meals begging for 10's, either by approaching our table with the clipboard or by the self-promoting loudspeaker announcements in the Windjammer which we heard multiple times. Staff should make themselves available if people have a question or a problem but otherwise leave us alone to eat in peace! I was surprised to see on the post-cruise survey a question along the lines of "Did any crew member approach you about rating their service?" At first, I thought they didn't want the crew bothering passengers in this manner, but I quickly came to the assumption that the crew and staff must be instructed to do this. ☹️ As for the dining issue, we had anytime dining, which was specified on our cards. We had reservations every night in the main dining room and were seated promptly with no issues. We also encountered the weird situation of the line for not having reservations being shorter than the line for those with reservations, and we soon learned to check in at whichever line was shorter.

It's a small thing for a round-trip cruise like the OP's, but it's much more significant on a one-way cruise. For those considering a one-way cruise in a balcony cabin, think about whether you'd prefer morning or afternoon sun on your balcony.

Definitely buy timed entry Louvre tickets in advance. There is an underground entrance that is not well known and is likely to have a shorter security line. I learned about it in the Rick Steves guidebook, which I don’t have handy right now. Try Googling it to get the details. Have a great time. Paris is a fascinating city. But expect big crowds at all the major museums and attractions. For any museums you plan on visiting, see if they are open late on any day of the week. It may be less crowded late afternoon into the evening. And check if a museum or attraction is closed on any day of the week.

I agree

I am a convert to using a contactless bank card! After stubbornly hanging onto my Oyster card for several trips over the last couple of years, when the balance was down to nearly zero on my last trip, I didn't reload it and started using a credit card. It worked smoothly every time, and I didn't have to guess at an amount to reload onto the Oyster card. I had thought I didn't want to handle my credit card on crowded public transportation, but I decided that was a silly worry. My Visitor Oyster card is now a nice souvenir - and it worked in the slot by the cabin door in place of my key card to keep the electricity on in the cabin. 😄

I visited Bruges twice this year, once on an NCL cruise and once on a Royal Caribbean cruise. I would go with the 8-hour excursion that includes the walking tour, the canal boat ride, and 4 hours of free time. I did ship-sponsored excursions both times - a walking tour, a canal boat ride, and free time on the NCL cruise, and an "on your own" excursion on the Royal cruise, which was transportation only. While it's true you can do Bruges on your own as @ChattTenn and @edinburghersuggest, I enjoy guided walking tours. I like getting some background and history that helps me appreciate what I am looking at. But I also like time to wander on my own. The 8-hour excursion offers both, as well as the canal boat ride. We found it easy to get lost on Bruges' winding streets, and we had to allow about 15-20 minutes to walk back from the city center to where the buses park. So, if you are directionally challenged as my friends and I are, some of your free time may be spent studying your phone's GPS or a map LOL. I don't think 8 hours is too long. Bruges is picturesque and historic. Chocolate and waffles everywhere, as well as options for lunch. Lots of shopping, if that's your interest. Consider visiting the Church of Our Lady to view a Michelangelo Madonna and Child sculpture, reportedly the only one to leave Italy in his lifetime. As for doing it entirely on your own, I will say that on my Royal cruise, as we were walking to our bus for our excursion, other passengers were waiting in a very long line for shuttle buses to the port entrance. The port does not allow anyone to walk from the ship to the port entrance. Later I talked to people who were frustrated that the long wait shuttle buses just to get out of the port significantly cut into their time in Bruges. Maybe it was a fluke, but I thought it was worth mentioning. Have a great cruise. We also visited Flam and took Royal Caribbean's "Norway in a Nutshell" excursion. It was the highlight of the cruise. The fjords exceeded my expectations!

A couple times I've sailed from San Juan to New York, with stops in Bermuda, St. Thomas, Antigua, and Tortola. None of the ABC islands. Is San Juan not considered not a U.S. port for these one-way itineraries?

@firefly333, I fully understand. I am a senior citizen, and I sailed solo last year on a Pride cruise that ended in Rome. As everyone recommends, I felt I should do more in Rome before flying home, so I booked a couple extra nights. There were challenges! For one thing, it was extremely hot in mid-September. I thought I would do the HOHO bus, but the crowds were so massive where I would have picked it up near my hotel (near the Colosseum) that people were waiting for two or three buses before being able to get on. So I gave up and walked everywhere. My main goal was the Borghese Gallery, as I had a pre-booked ticket for it. That was a hike! But on the way I came across the impressive Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, and I took time to visit it. Parts were free to enter, but I paid a small fee for a tour with an English-speaking guide to see areas not open to the general public. I too was intimidated in figuring out buses and the subway, or even where to get taxis, so I depended on my feet and GPS on my phone. I can't emphasize enough important GPS was for finding my way around. I am fortunate that I can walk all day, as long as I have the right shoes and take a break every now and then to sit. For someone with mobility issues, Rome would be even more of a challenge. Despite the challenges, for me it was worth it. I am doing it again this coming September on a Celebrity cruise that ends in Rome. I wish you all the best on your time in Rome. Regarding if it will be dark when your tour ends at 6:00 pm, it's easy to Google what time sunset is on the day you will be there. When traveling solo, I always check sunset time, because in most places, I do not want to be out after dark. Rome is a lot to tackle for a first-time visitor, but the planning efforts before your visit are important in order to have as enjoyable visit as possible. I hope you have a wonderful time.

When I there at the end of my Pride cruise last September, you couldn't get close enough to the fountain to toss coins in if you wanted to. I have no idea if it is ever not mobbed. Maybe 6:00 am on a January morning?? Looks empty in the first picture . . . but it isn't!

Yes, May 17 on the Apex, Norway fjords from Southampton. That cruise is now labeled "President's cruise" on the website. 8 nights

Thanks to all who said we should have had a hairdryer in the cabin. It wasn't a big deal, as my friend and I typically air-dry our hair anyway. But it's good to know for the future. I'll certainly ask the cabin steward if I don't find one in my cabin on my next Royal cruise.

Thanks! Now I know for the future. I suspect the kettles are only in cabins on cruises from Southampton? It's not routine on Royal, is it?

In Stavanger, a homeowner had a big sign in the window stating, “Cruise ships not welcome.” But other locals, such as this group in Olden, didn’t seem to resent our visit. IMG_5458.mov

The dining room selection and quality of food was much better than what a friend and I had on the Norwegian Getaway just this past May. We had wonderful prime rib on the first night on the Anthem; that was never offered on the Getaway. Too many Getaway meal choices were pasta-based. I like pasta, but it's cheap, and I fix it a lot at home, so it doesn't thrill me on a cruise. A steak on the Getaway was served with French fries. I like French fries but don't consider them part of fine dining (to the degree that we can use that term for cruise dinners). Service was more personal and attentive on the Anthem. ` My 4 recent (post covid) Carnival cruises were solo, and I ate all meals in the Lido, as I am uncomfortable eating solo in the dining room. So I can't compare dining room food, but I feel the buffet selections and quality are comparable between what we had on the Anthem and what I've had on Carnival. The buffet food on Norwegian in May was not great - not as extensive salad bar choices as the other two lines, and the meats (a chicken breast, a pork chop) were usually dry. I was on HAL, Princess, and Celebrity long before covid, so it's not really a fair comparison to more recent cruises. I will be on Celebrity this coming September - looking forward to that! One more thing I liked about the Anthem was Sorrento's pizza - not that it was the greatest pizza I've ever had, but it was good and more importantly, pizza was hot and ready without waiting and the venue was never crowded. We ate there once when our excursion left at noon, making lunch in the Windjammer impossible. I often gave up on Carnival's pizza as the line was too long. Same with omelets at breakfast - long lines most of the time on Carnival but efficiently prepared to order in the Windjammer.

Oops, almost forgot Bruges! The sculpture is by Michelangelo, Madonna and Child, reportedly the only one to leave Italy in his lifetime. It's in the Church of Our Lady in Bruges. A small fee is required to view it. Other parts of the church are free to enter.

Needs no explanation

I'm not going to post pictures of the ship, as it's easy to find other peoples' pictures and videos on the internet that are better than mine. But I will share this picture of John at the entrance to the Windjammer at breakfast time, enthusiastically greeting everyone and directing them to the bank of sinks for handwashing - a nice design feature, by the way. Pretty much everyone complied. Also, a view of the wake from Two70.

Fjords, fjords, and more fjords - maybe from around Olden or maybe from around Flam!

Olden: Sailing in, and the ship in port