ama-sam

We were on a recent Avalon ship and had the same choices. We chose Roth. While it was a lovely day, it was not our (me, DH, and a friend) favorite. In retrospect I think we would have chosen the tour of Nuremberg, not the rally ground.

Enjoy your trip!

I highly recommend the Solarium Bistro for dinner. You can (should?) make reservations, but it is free. The buffet for appetizers was impressive. DH was so pleased we went 3 times.

On Harmony it far surpassed the MDR. I made online reservations for midweek and we were so pleased we went back two more times for dinner. The plated entrees were good, but the appetizer buffet was amazing!

I also do not think you can book something during muster, so 5:00 should be a good time.

Yes, it is likely to be a more expensive massage compared to on land, but my regular masseuse is not on the ship! I think a massage is a welcome start to a vacation and a great gift! Relieves all of the stress of life and travel and prepares a person for a week of vacation and being pampered.

Enjoy!

I drink captain morgan and diet coke, it saves some calories. And it is not my favorite, so I drink less.

A friend gets vodka cranberry, half cranberry/half water, plus two limes.

Champagne or sparkling wine are a favorite and feel festive. You could get a kir royale (the add creme de casis) or another champagne cocktail.

I have noticed that the specialty restaurants have specific cocktails (Jamie's, Izumi, in addition to Wonderland), can you go in to get a drink and then choose to eat elsewhere? Do they have stand alone bars? If not, can you order those drinks at another bar?

Great review.

Your Capri, Sorrento, Pompeii excursion sounds like what I took in 2003! It was a full, good day. We did enjoy lunch more than you and the delicious wine that was included!

On your final day you mention breakfast at mini bites. The menu shows more lunch foods than breakfast - is that typical? My husband would be so excited if that is true!

Go to this link:

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/mycruises/homeLoggedout.do?cS=MHDR

 

Sign up for an account if you haven't got one

 

In there you can add the reservation and click the "Make a Payment" button to make payments

Where is that button? I do not see it. I have found it frustrating to need to call to ask any questions about my bill or make payments. This would make things so much simpler!

Bon Voyage!

:D

Being on a cruise ship is the best excuse to not be available to everything/everyone at home. No internet plan for me!

Thank you. The information in this thread has been so useful in planning our port stop!

I purchased the London card for a trip last summer and we absolutely saw the value in it. Compare what it offers to what you want to do and if they match up, I would purchase it.

Hi Mark,

 

I would love to know this info as well, since this is exactly what I am looking for as well when we travel to St. Maarten in Nov of this year.

 

Would it be ok if I emailed you as well for the info?

 

However, I'm pretty sure you are allowed to provide that information in the Ports of Call forums, at least I have seen recommend other tour companies and provide their email addresses or website.

 

Thanks,

Kim

I would also like to know the info about your tour.

Thanks!

We also pack granola bars, mini candy bars, packaged nuts, and the like. I am a nervous flier and I appreciate the availability on the flights to/from the cruise and we take some with us on long tours.

My DH is not a big fan of breakfast foods. Is pizza an option at the Sorrentos express breakfast?

I have always requested ice and my room steward has brought it twice a day. I have also gotten a second bucket of ice to chill wine in the cabin/on the balcony.

From what I have read, a reasonable number of water bottles can be brought aboard. I tend to drink tap water - it is of good quality and that is part of why I want ice twice a day - to chill it!

I have also enjoyed a dinner or two in the Windjammer and it is "calmer" at dinner and I found the quality to be good.

I have sailed both Carnival and RCCL and have enjoyed both. I pick my cruises for itinerary and price. I go into each cruise with an open mind and my expectations have always been met (or exceeded).

I have sailed on the Jewel from San Juan and it was amazing. That is my favorite class of ship - so many sea views, very elegant ship.

I think you should give it a try! At worst, you will still be on a cruise vacation! ;)

We travel with snacks for the plane and I like to take a granola bar and/or fun size candy bar on long excursions. We don't eat many of the snacks in the cabin, but a small piece of chocolate before bed is always good!

I vote for #2. We chose our first cruise for Venice and the overnight there made the trip for me.

I also don't think you can lose on either itinerary - enjoy!

Well, I booked the first itinerary - so that is clearly my choice. ;) I wanted the second sea day - it is a vacation, I want some time to relax!

I have never been to any of the islands, so I am excited and happy to see any of them. My first cruise was on the Brialliance and I am excited to get back on a Radiance class ship.