trixiegal

Is this the one located at 6055 Belle Grove Rd? I put in the address given and that's what it gave me but when you are on google earth and pull down to the street, it says it's a Sleep Inn? :confused: It also shows Comfort Inn Suites as being right next door but with the address as 6921 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd? I'm confused if I have the right place or not. There doesn't seem to be much around that area, but there is a Checkers across the street and a Shell gas station if I have the correct place.

No, you want the BEST WESTERN PLUS BWI located at 6755 Dorsey Rd, Elkridge, MD 21075 and the direct phone number is

(410) 796-3300.

There's another thread dedicated to the other motel, think it is a Sleep Inn now. I don't really know that area but I don't think it has the best reviews.

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Those shoes are baaaaaaaaad !!!! You had me googling Kurt Geiger, as I had never heard of that brand. I'm hooked now!

As a fellow fashionista, I agree about wearing a bathrobe to a club. So not ever going to happen.

Glad you had a great time on the Ecstasy for your 30th birthday. I was on the Disney Magic for my 30th and I celebrated my 40th on the Caribbean Princess last September. Birthday cruises are the best!

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I'm from the area. DC is fine at night, you just have to be aware like you would in any major metropolitan city.

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Has anyone purchased jewelry at Diamond Palace? Didn't read all the posts about fake jewelry until after I bought something. Now I am worried and wondering if they are reputable.

Did you get a GIA certification with your purchase? If so, take it with you to a reputable jeweler to have them appraise the jewelry and make sure it matches info on certification. Only buy jewelry ANYWHERE, US or abroad, after doing extensive research on what you want and how much you can afford. Heavy sales tactics are designed to emotionally manipulate you into buying and making the store $$$. I only buy when I know what I want and what's the real value beforehand.

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So sad I missed that! Yeah, I've been avoiding the emails from Zulilly because I just bought from Ideel recently. The daily designer sample sites are super addicting.

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Great tip! I've been to that RR building for events but I always assumed the garage would be closed to the public on weekends. $14 flat is great.

Do you have to leave the garage at a certain time?

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This is awesome! The pictures are great. During the last sale, I changed from a spa interior on the Sunshine to an OV on Deck 5 aft. I'd love an Aft balcony even more but they are all booked. I'm keeping an eye out, though.

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As excited as I am about the Sunshine, I already know there will be crowds to deal with at some point when we sail her. No way to avoid them all together although I have plans in mind to minimize dealing with them as best I can. However if I "absolutely hated" them, I would probably pick another ship.

 

 

 

ATD on Sunshine gets some of the worse reviews of any ATD dining experience I've read about on any ship. I personally would never choose ATD on the Sunshine even if it was normally my preference.

We usually do ATD for the flexibility but I'm thinking of changing to the late seating now. I don't want to deal with checking in on one level then going to another to wait for a table. Too much trouble.

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I live near this area and it's very residential with a few business parks scattered around, as well. It's right off of a major thoroughfare, Route 1, and easily accessible to many major highways toward the south and north. Your car will be perfectly safe. If you want to shop or even have some entertainment before your cruise, Arundel Mills Mall is less than 10 minutes away via MD 100 going east. There is a Medieval Times, Md Live! casino, mega movie theatre, Walmart, several chain restaurants and 100s of outlet stores.

The White Marsh area is also nice and is north of the cruise port. There is a big shopping complex with lots of restaurants and a big mall there. I'm not sure what the hotel prices are in that area, though.

It's fairly inexpensive around Elkridge, Hanover and the BWI Corridor, especially on the weekends due to the sharp decline of business travelers leaving empty rooms in abundance.

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This is a good hotel for you, Mitsugirly, because it's right on 295 which will take you directly into DC. Just be careful about spending a lot of time in the new casino since you like to gamble. MD casinos are notoriously tight. I know, I worked at the one at Arundel Mills. :)

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Splurge-

We try to cruise on a "newer" ship with all the bells and whistles, even if fares are more expensive in the summer. I have teens who've traveled every year since they were born so they aren't easily impressed. I like to experience the upgrades of the newer or refurbished ships!

Spa passes or service. I don't book ahead but DD and I always do the tour on the first day and book at least one spa appt. when we get the daily specials sheet in our cabin during the week. I've even gotten a medispa service on a cruise and it was cheaper than back at home.

Specialty restaurants. Eating at the steakhouse has become like a formal night for us given the decline in food and service on those nights. It's just not what it used to be in the MDR which isn't a big deal for us now that we can look forward to the steakhouse.

Wine or cocktail tasting. I love wine and drink when I'm on vacation so I always go to the (sometimes boring) tastings and make it fun. I've met cool people. Funny enough, the Disney Magic martini tasting was a total blast. Best martinis I've had in a loooong time!

Excursions are on the fence. I only book them if I feel they're worth the price and we can't do the same tour on our own. For example, we booked the Passion Island Twister through Carnival because we had no other way to book. But I got us discounted tix to the Turtle Farm in Grand Cayman online and used a taxi shuttle to get there. Same for the beach clubs in Cozumel. I pay when we get there or buy tickets ahead of time online.

Scrimp-

Cabin depending on price. We've had a suite once, OV several times, balcony 3x and inside 2x. It all depends on the fare, itinerary, and where the cabin is located on the ship. I'll do an inside on Deck 7 forward on a ship I've been on which goes to ports I've already gone to (Disney Magic), an OV on Deck 2 (Carnival Dream) or a balcony on Lido Deck (Carnival Breeze) if the price is right. I'm still holding out on getting my dream cabin of an aft-extended balcony because I'm such a bargain hunter with cabins.

Souvenirs or duty free buys are not a biggie. Most of the time, it is worthless junk they are selling in the gift shops. I do look and I've bought liquor and perfume duty free if I feel I'm getting a good deal. No more than $100 total for 7 day cruises.

Never play Bingo and I will try out the slots casino when I'm in the mood, which is rare. And I can justify it if I have some OBC, otherwise I don't bother.

How long are the meters for? What do they run? Are you able to put enough money in them in order to last long enough to walk around the area and get pictures? Or will it be one of those things where you are constantly running back to put more money in it so that it don't expire?

Check this link for rates and other info-

http://ddot.dc.gov/page/parking-meters

You have to read the signs for specific allotted parking times but I'm pretty sure they are not less than 2-4 hours maximum in that area to account for tourists. Some of the street parking is changed to No Parking Zones during rush hour which is 4-6:30 pm on weekdays so carefully read the signs where you park. Unfortunately, you still have to pay for parking on Saturday but you won't have to worry about rush hour.

Oh yeah, I meant parking on Constitution Ave not Independence Ave, which is further south of The White House. You could also park on Independence Ave but it would be a longer walk to The White House. That entire area has many notable landmarks, including The Washington Monument. It's so nice to walk around there during that time of year if it's sunny and not too windy and cold.

We usually go into DC for Easter or Mothers' Day Brunch and even had the luck one year to score lottery tickets for The Easter Egg Roll hosted on The White House lawn. It was amazing!

When I say "Easter weekend" I mean on Saturday. So I assume that's not a normal workday for most correct?

 

Where exactly do you park around there? On the street? In a garage? Cost?

 

I would just like a place to park and be able to walk around and look at the White House and get some pictures of the grounds. Then maybe head over to the zoo (which I did see that parking there is $22)

There are garages everywhere, with varying prices depending on location and time of day. When I visit the White House area or the W Hotel across the street, I can usually find metered parking on 15th St and F Street. You can also try to find to find metered parking on Independence Ave, between 14th and 16th St. It's about a 5 minute walk a few blocks from the White House.

The Best Western BWI is about 15 min from the cruiseport.

I have to say that the conflicting options/opinions/who is right commentary is not too helpful to non-MD/DC natives. I am not sure how the person who originally poised the question feels.

 

I was interested in the answer myself as I like their idea of doing some sightseeing in the city prior to leaving on the cruise. I would NEVER drive into DC, but that seems to be a sticking point in the "quien es mas macho" back and forth.

 

So let's try again: Going to cruise from Baltimore. Interested in going to DC to sight-see. Safe area to get a hotel w/ easy access to a TRAIN to get to the city???

ITA. I said to let it go but there are people on these boards who feel that their way is the only way. That ALL people need to do things the way they and their "friends" do them. That what is inconvenient to them is also inconvenient to others. Which is highly ironic given this is a FORUM for all kinds of cruise/travel info from different perspectives and alternate opinions. I have a differing opinion based on fact and firsthand knowledge and don't ever let keyboard bullies sway me. No power plays, just standing up for my right to give my informed opinion on CC despite bulldozing.*shrugs*

Anyway, you could stay in Elkridge at the Best Western Plus BWI Airport Hotel / Arundel Mills and take the MARC train from the BWI station about 7 minutes away into Union Station in DC as a starting point. Lots of people on this board have stayed there and use Trinity Reservations for lowest rate.

I am trying to figure out the most convenient place to stay in Baltimore.

We are cruising on the Grandeur to Bermuda

We want to do the Park Sleep Cruise

However we were thinking of arriving a few days earlier and traveling into Washington by train.(returning back to Baltimore each time not overnighting in Washington )

Is there an area that would be convenient to do both? I want to park the car and not use it once I get there.

Thank you

knights

Okay, I'm going on what the original request was. They didn't want to spend the night in the DC area and they don't have to! I've already explained why and I'm not going over it again. Let it go. We aren't talking about driving to/from Delaware or Richmond. It will NOT take 2-3 hours to get to DC from this area unless there is a bad accident or extreme weather event. Which would affect the traffic anyway in ALL areas outside of the city limits. Traffic is a problem all around the DMV.

I get it. You think driving from the Hanover/Bmore suburbs to DC is crazy. So don't do it. But many, many, many other people do and aren't as frustrated as you seem to be. It's perfectly doable with the right amount of info and preparation, especially moreso on a weekend like you said or even during the week in the summer months when kids are out of school.

We don't get to Aruba until 1 pm either. I'm planning on calling the Occidental to see if we can stay until later because of that. Will update this thread when I get some more info...

I agree that the closest drop off location for most of the major rental car companies is at BWI Airport Car Rental Facility, about 15-20 minutes south from the port. They MAY have a free shuttle that does cruiseport drop offs. You'd have to ask the rental car company for that info. Enterprise is a big local company that has many locations throughout the region. They offer limited drop offs so maybe start with them.

Jiji's offers complementary sake sangria (which is REALLY GOOD) on the first night of the cruise.

 

 

 

Reservations can be made by writing to SHJIJI@carnival.com. She'll be happy to make reservations for any night you'd like. We went twice!

 

 

 

Robert

Thanks for the email address! I'm booking for our first night onboard in June. I LOVE sake and sangria so that drink sounds good!

Does it come in a carafe or are they just by the glass?

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I forgot to remove my two bottles from my luggage after getting off the plane and I was called about them after embarkation. They asked if I wanted them...yes, that's why I brought them onboard?! Anyway, they said I had to pay the fee for one of the bottles because I was the only adult over 21 in my cabin. I was fine with it and they delivered the bottles to my cabin.

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I would try the Regal Princess. You've been on many Carnival cruises, so why not try out another line? It is extra to pay for the Sanctuary. Do what I did on the Caribbean Princess- on embarkation day go up to the Sanctuary and see if it's worth it for the extra daily fee. IMO, the one on the Caribbean Princess wasn't worth it. But the Regal is a newer ship so it's probably very nice.

I enjoyed certain aspects of Princess as compared to Carnival. Notably, a more upscale experience. However, I do think Carnival spas are some of the nicest at sea. Especially the thasso pools. Not sure what the Regal's spa is like but all your ?'s should be answered on the Princess boards.

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I want my sister to bring her (will be) 7 mos old baby with us on the Sunshine in June. I was wondering how different it would be to cruise with him at that age. We don't usually do too much on the ship, so the only concern would be for port days. She may have to skip any excursions we decide to go on or we could all lay low and just do a beach day, making sure we are close to the ship.

Do you nurse? I'd make sure to let Carnival know that you are bringing on a baby so they will assign you an experienced steward who would keep your room stocked with ice, etcetera.

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It's funny because I stopped sailing Royal Caribbean about 8 years ago because I felt like I was paying sky high prices for subpar service. My last cruise on them almost had me give up cruising altogether until I took a chance with Carnival two years ago. We had a blast on the Dream, although there were small issues, then we went on the Breeze last year and had even more fun. I like the ports Carnival goes to in the summers and think it's a good value. Paying more doesn't necessarily mean you'll have stellar service but you do have to keep it all in perspective. A mass market line has thousands to cater to and a little honey goes a lot further than vinegar.

My family and I have had absolutely awesome service both cruises, except for a rude steward on the Dream, and I'm extremely high maintenance and work in the hospitality industry. I know that being human and friendly gets you what you want 95% of the time. If you are always complaining and going to Guest Services, you are wasting precious minutes of your vacation. I only make an issue out of something if I can't imagine experiencing it again, i.e. account overcharges, nasty attitudes or unmet expectations during an excursion. Waiting for a distracted server during dinner is a snafu that is sure to happen when one is dining out.

However, the steakhouse is an up charge so service should be tip top at all times. And complaints should be taken seriously by the management. I will say I wasn't impressed by the Breeze's steakhouse and wouldn't go again if I'm back on the ship. It's too small. The Dream's steakhouse was soooo nice and the food was delicious. Definitely in my Top 20 dining experiences! Glad you liked the Italian restaurant. Sounds like all the difficulties you had were balanced out by good ones. Try another cruise line but remember, things happen so don't let it bother you unless it truly needs to be brought to the attention of management to make it better for those that come after you.

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That's what we tried to do but they said they needed our photo for "security reasons" to make sure we were accounted for when it was time to leave. **eye roll**

They weren't budging on taking no as an answer, and I wasted about 15 minutes of my vacation time trying to explain how inappropriate it was for the guides to be so overly aggressive.

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