Arubababe52

I’ve stayed in a signature suite on the Nieuw Amsterdam right next to the elevators and privacy was never an issue.  

I receive the casino offers by email or snail mail.  Mostly email.  My husband and I both gamble on the tables for 2-3 hours after dinner.  We also consider this our entertainment and very rarely go to shows.  I also get offers from Princess by email. Just received one but looks like they’re trying to fill the ships at the last minute. The Princess offer was for certain sailings, November, December, January. Could have gotten a balcony for 7 days for under $900 for 2 to the Caribbean.

I booked a casino offer for the 4 day Nieuw Statendam on December 19th.  I booked a vista suite and there were only 2 rooms that I could pick from, so I took a guarantee. I believe they only alot a few rooms to pick then it’s guarantee. Looking forward to experiencing the new ship!!!

I just booked this cruise and my PCC told me that she’s going on the ship Dec2 for 3 days from Venice to Rome. This cruise is only Holland America employees, Princess, etc. she told me ship is full. She also thinks there will be some kind of christening happening in Ft. Lauderdale.

Thanks for all the good info. Now to confuse matters I just got a great deal on Princess for August, a casino promo. !!!😝

I might wait until fall and try the 5 day western on Infinity, although I really would like to sail on the Equinox.

Summer and 7 days Caribbean cruise = kids. However, I'd be more concerned about the weather.

That was another concern. I live in southwest Florida so I know the weather can be a concern.

I’ve never been on Celebrity, but was considering a 7 day on the Equinox in July. I’ve always heard that Celebrity caters to more adults, and was wondering if there would be a lot of kids onboard in the summer.

We ate at the Swimming Pig

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Was there for the day when we stopped on a cruise. We walked around outside and looked all around the pool are and beach. Played in the casino and ate lunch.

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If you just want to enjoy a nice beach, they recently built restrooms, bar right past Costa Linda on eagle beach. They mot have some food, but I'm not sure. It's a really nice, quiet beach. You can rent chairs and umbrellas. You can take a cab or the bus, which you can get right across from the cruise ship terminal. You can walk next door to Costa Linda or other hotels nearby for lunch.

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Went in early December on my cruise stop. Very easy to get the #10 bus. Driver left us off in front and you cross the road and walk up drive. One of the locals that got off the bus was directing us to cross the street - very sweet. Casino was very nice. Free drinks while playing. My husband likes to play Let it Ride and they were opening the table at noon. Blackjack tables were open. Table limits were $10 minimum and they had a big variety of slot machines. It's a beautiful place and would love to go back and stay. I wish I had remembered to eat outside. My husband got a bite to eat at the Swimming pig and it was just ok and pricey. I wish had remembers to eat outside!!! We left around 4:00 pm to return to ship and the concierge directed us to take their shuttle over to Melia where we could catch the bus. As it turned out, bus was coming down the street and the shuttle driver caught up to him for us. Enjoyed our short visit and would love to go back and stay.

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Thanks for the info - after reading further I saw info regarding the #10 bus.

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I was also,thinking of checking it out - how would I get there, taxi or bus and what would it cost? How far away is it from pier. Thanks

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I'm on the Niew Amsterdam on the 12/2 five day cruise. Originally booked balcony and noticed the price went down about $40 pp. Called my PCC and was able to upgrade to guarantee SY Signature suite for $37 more pp. was assigned my room about 10 days before. Have been getting upgrade offers for Neptune by email. Started at $299 pp, then, $249, then $199 and now today $99. If this was a longer cruise I would take it, but for 5 days I'm happy with my SS I was assigned. This will be our first suite, we usually book balcony rooms. After I got the last up sell offer I looked and all suites were sold out.

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We chartered a fishing boat through Driftwood Charters for the afternoon and caught a bunch of fish. They also have a restaurant. So that evening we went there. They clean your fish and for a low price they fix your fish a variety of ways and serve it with all the trimmings. All you can eat. It was great fun. This was the highlight of the trip for DH. The next day we went to a beach.

Driftwood is my favorite seafood restaurant in Aruba. Another nice restaurant is Ricardo's. It's right on the beach at the Aruba Beach Club. Great food and atmosphere. Right nearby Ricardo's is the Alhambra Casino. Another good casino is at the Marriott Hotel in the high rise area.

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Any other thoughts on a 4 day HAL cruise as to what is cut out or different from normal? Want to go to get the HAL experience as a trial, and the dates really line up perfect (back on a Wednesday, so don't even need a full work week off). Seeing the Non-Refundable Deposit gave me a big hard pause this morning; have not called to make the booking yet...

I just booked the 4 day cruise with my PCC. I was given the option of non-refundable or refundable. It was only about $30 more for refundable $500 deposit. I was also wondering about a Gala night, then found a thread on her that said you can wear collared shirt and slacks. My husband wouldn't be happy having to wear a suit and tie.

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Royal Caribbean- cruise leaves on Sunday and returns on Friday before Easter. I was looking for a 5-6 day cruise.

I'm wondering if there will be a lot of kids on a cruise the week before Easter? I'm thinking if cruising on April 9th, cruise returns before Easter Sunday.

Thanks for the info. The Carrie B looks interesting. If we were to take a cab or uber to las olas, where would you get dropped off? We will be there on a Friday.

Cruising out of Miami, but flying home from FLL at the end of October. We have a 4:45 flight - what should we do for the day. Don't want to sit in the airport all day. Figured we'd take a shuttle from POM to FLL, maybe checked bags at bagstogo and then take an uber somewhere. What would you suggest for 4 ladies? Thanks in advance for any recommendations.

Thanks for the info

Did you book direct with NCL? I booked with and Internet travel agency and was wondering if they contact the agency. My trip isn't till October 24th.

Does cabbage beach have chairs/umbrellas to rent?

How do you get to cabbage beach? So you pay a fee there and can you rent chairs and umbrellas?