Crazy planning mom

Amber Cove or Taino Bay? Havensight or Crown Bay? Thanks.

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/BEETLEJUICE-to-Play-Norweigian-VIVA-Cruise-in-2023-20221217

Have a wonderful time. Enjoy reading your reports.

Enjoy your safari!

We used their airfare deal this past October from NY to Greece. Going there was great. However, my husband caught covid on the cruise and I caught it afterward. We had to stay an quarantine extra days in Greece. They said our airfare through them was nonchangeable and nonrefundable. We had to book all new tickets to go home and then submit for insurance reimbursement. Maybe, just book airfare through them going there and then book your own airfare in Europe and going home. Just ask for the 2 day pre-cruise deviation asap because once your are 75-90 days out, you cant.

Definitely, skip the NCL airfare if you stick with them this way you arent stuck with 2 days pre and post.

We just sailed the Jade in October. She has been renovated, was immaculately clean, the crew and service was great. The regular food was fine and the specialty dining food was very good The entertainment was mediocre. The Jade doesn't have the bells and whistles like the Odyssey. However, I would rather sail a nicer ship in a less port intensive itinerary. Our next cruise is on the Celebrity Apex in the Caribbean.

Glad that you had a nice time. Obviously, the itinerary is different than the usual and is a major appeal for this cruise. We recently sailed on an older Norwegian ship and tne cabin and ship seemed well maintained and in pretty good shape. I wonder why Royal can't do the same. I think this was an issue even prior to the pandemic.

If you cant switch to 9/6, have you thought about flying to Athens, spent a night or two there and then taking the high speedy ferry to a Greek island or two?

When did shows become available for booking for your Allure cruise?

The people who own Harbor 360 also opened a new hotel called the Gateway. Both hotels sell months out in advance. Alternatively, you could look into air b & b. We loved Seward. Definitely, stay 2 nights if you can.

Have a good time. I would love to hear back to see what you thought.

Yes, that's what we did when flying to Europe. Europe at least 2 days early.

Since you are booking your flights now. book them to arrive at least 1 day early. Your question was a good one.

Yes, thats right. They gave us a travel pass that we had to keep with us while we were in Israel.

We sailed to Israel on another cruise line in October. We were there for 2 days. The first day we booked a cruise line excursion- the Dead Sea and Masada. We specifically booked a cruise line excursion for the first day because Israeli immigration process is longer and cruise line excursions had first priority. The 2nd day we booked a private tour with Guided Tours Israel and cant recommend them enough. They were great to deal with, we saw what we wanted, and made sure we got back with plenty of time.

Amazing photos of Dubai,

Royal hasn't done South America for a long time and I don't remember them doing Africa. Celebrity does South America and NCL does Africa.

A recent study came out that smoking pot is worse for your lungs than cigarettes. https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/smoking-marijuana-can-raise-risk-lung-disease-chest-scans-indicate-rcna57293 That smell would have prevented me from using my balcony. I have no problem with allowing edibles or pills.

Can you reserve any shows now?

We ended up picking the Celebrity Apex for a family cruise in 2024 because some members felt that way. However, if you really don't want beaches, why not try Alaska or Europe.

We sailed on the Jade out of Athens in October. It was a nice older ship with great crew. The included food was pretty decent and the food in the specialty restaurants was great. If you do the air promo, make sure you ask for a deviation to arrive at least 1 day early. Otherwise, you arrive the day of the sailing and it could be dicey. We had looked at Celebrity when booking but it was more money at the time. Ironically, we are taking the same Celebrity ship- the Apex in the Caribbean in Feb 2024. For me in the Caribbean, the ship is more important. In the Mediterranean, the ports are more important than the ship. Celebrity should be rolling out their 2024 itineraries probably next month. You could always wait to comparison shop.

Thank you.

Has anyone done the Buck Island and Water Island Excursion? Celebrity is offering it. What beach on St. Thomas is best for non-snorkelers?

I think people in the Northeast might welcome a change from Anthem but would they charge more because its a newer ship?