dizzyc

8 minutes ago, shipgeeks said:

dizzyc, I'm looking at the Divina itineraries (I'm fantasizing!), and I see some super-appealing possibilities.

I know you will be at Ocean Cay on May 16 and 17.   Are you doing the 7-night cruise?

If you sail on May 12, and do 10 nights, you get a third day at Ocean Cay!

If you sail on May 15 and stay aboard til May 26, 11 nights, you get two overnights there!!

Now I want to do that!

Yes I'm considering the 11 nights and going there twice! Only ever done 7 night cruises till now but we've missed out on 2020 and 2021 so might as well go all out! 

Thank you so much for all the lovely replies - I'm sold! Once things start settling down here in the Uk and I can see that international travel may become a possibility again I will get this booked. 11 nights YC on Divina celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary! I've saved a fortune not travelling in 2020 so I might as well splurge for our special occasion. Thank you all

2 minutes ago, sverigecruiser said:

 

It is possible that the port is cancelled and you get a sea day instead.

I never even thought of that, how disappointing that would be....

We've cruised RCL & NCL a few times but after watching a TV programme in the uk this week I HAVE to go to Ocean Cay and when better than our 10th wedding anniversary! We got married in the Bahamas and Divina is at Ocean Cay on 16th May 2022, our anniversary date. So I've picked because of the port rather than the ship. We normally book a deluxe balcony cabin but am tempted with YC although my husband really does prefer casual dining nothing too fancy. We like an all inclusive drinks package, but am wondering whether it's better to just book a deluxe balcony & pay for drinks package or go for YC which is way more expensive but I don't mind if it's worth it. If we fancy eating casual can we use the main restaurants or do YC guests tend to stay separated from other guests?  Are there any bad YC cabins or are they all spectacular on this ship - how comparible to a normal deluxe balcony cabin? Just looking for the pros and cons really so that I can weigh up whether the extra cost is worth it. We like to mingle, my husband prefers peace and quiet during the day but I like people watching and being around others. So I guess I need to know people's reasons for booking YC - is it the exclusivity, the dining, the peacefulness? I would really appreciate hearing from real people who have experienced it so I know whether it's for us or not. We are in our late forties, like a drink but don't like to party too hard! Thank you kindly 

Well I decided to go ahead and book it!! Can't wait till next August, 402 days to go!

I've cruised twice, both times with Royal Caribbean on their smaller ships and they were perfect for us. Our in-laws have decided they would like to go on a cruise next year but want us to go with them as they haven't travelled abroad for over 30 years.

For my husband and I we like an all-inclusive drinks package if possible but Royal aren't offering this yet, Celebrity prices are way over what we want to pay and NCL don't have an itinerary we like from the Med at the time of year we want to go.

I know it's not even cruising till May 2019 but would you say it will compare to Royal? I can't seem to find much information on it (maybe I'm looking in the wrong place but I've been googling and can't see much).

My inlaws are celebrating their golden wedding anniversary next year and we have suggested taking them on their first cruise - my hubby and I have been on 3 now and they seem to like the idea. neither of them will fly which restricts us to leaving from Southampton port. Their anniversary is in October and I've seen a 5 night Royal Caribbean cruise but wondered what the seas/weather is like at this time of year? It will be travelling to Northern Spain and somewhere in France plus Guernsey I think.

Not sure whether to just do a taster cruise in August when the weather should be much warmer, I've also seen a 3 night one with Royal and I'm thinking we would get more time outdoors by going at this time of year. I don't think they are bothered about the itinerary, they just want to experience a cruise... I'm torn and don't know what to do! If it's choppy and cold late October then I think it would put them off forever ha ha!!

Sorry to butt in on this thread but I'm wondering if they have offered late disembarkation on this cruise? We'll be on it in 3 weeks but our flight home to the UK isn't until 10pm so I'd love to have this option if possible.

I've read previous year's posts about paying 39 euros and being able to stay onboard till 3pm, just wondered if anyone had seen this offered this year. Thanks

you can UBER and altho the price can vary it is typically in the $100 range. A taxi usually under $150.

 

I believe the $250 prices you are seeing are 'private cars' from the limousine companies.

 

An option is to take local transportation from your hotel to the airport and book a shared ride from the airport to Cape Canaveral ... shared rides can be found for as little as $20 per person.

 

try CBShuttle.com or http://www.cortrans-shuttle.com/

 

on your return however, you say "

 

a return transfer to Disney Springs where we can offload our cases with our airline company from 8am."

I'm not aware of anyplace you can 'offload our cases' ....... this is one of the 'issues' with late departures from Orlando. Short of renting a car and keeping the bags in the boot, the options are limited. An option is to take a 'day room' at the hotel in the airport. They do not list this on their web site but typically DO offer 'day rates' if you call and talk to a people. https://orlandoairport.regency.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html





Those same shared rides can get you here ....





or UBER.





IF your airline will take your bags at the airport that early, I'd take a shared ride to the airport, drop bags then UBER to Disney Springs ....





***************





there are MANY other ways to slice this cake ... just some recommendations ....





Now seeing you are from UK, where should I stay for one night b4 departing from Greenwich on VIKING SKY on 7 July, arriving Gatwick early morning of 6 July .....

Wow, thank you so much for your detailed response! We always fly to Orlando with Virgin Atlantic and have used their bag drop option at Disney Springs many times, it's fab! For a $10 fee they give you your boarding passes and take your luggage to the airport, leaving you to spend the last few hours shopping etc. Then we just get a taxi to the airport,go straight through security and board our plane... it's available from 8am to 1pm for all Virgin customers flying back to the UK.

I think we will be happy to use Uber then, I have just downloaded the app and those prices do seem very reasonable, thanks.

I wish I could return the favour with such a good response as yours, however Greenwich is around a 7 hours drive from where I live!! I have found a website that may be of some use with a list of accommodation options. You may need to read a bit more about each hotel but they should say how close to the port the hotel is. Sorry I can't be more useful! It's http://www.visitgreenwich.org.uk/accommodation/ The Intercontinental is a luxury hotel but does get amazing reviews. As I'm unsure of the distance between the hotels and the port you will be leaving from i would maybe use google maps and see which ones are closest.

Hi, my husband and I are spending a week in Orlando before taking a cruise with NCL from Port Canaveral. I'd like to stay near the port the night before then when the cruise is finished we need to get back to Orlando, but not the airport because our flight is not until 8pm.

We are from the UK and not keen on driving to be honest, what I would really like is a private transfer/taxi/uber from our hotel in Orlando to the hotel near the port, then a return transfer to Disney Springs where we can offload our cases with our airline company from 8am.

I'm sure thousands of people must spend time in Orlando before transferring for their cruise, but I've read conflicting reports about being able to use Uber, and the prices I'm seeing for private transfers are upwards of $240.

So I would appreciate some feedback/thoughts on the best way to do this, thanks very much :)

I believe the Jewel of the Seas will be in Europe in 6 weeks. At least, I cruise on her starting June 24, 2018 and she'll be in Civitavecchia port for embarkation that day. Are you sailing transatlantic on her May 6?

No I'm actually on the Greek cruise from Civitavecchia on 17th June. Picked this cruise purely for the itinerary, but the ship looks fab from what I've seen and read so far!

Sea days!! That is a wonderful phrase. I love watching flying fish while at sea, reading and people watching in a lounge, taking part in trivia, deck games, culinary experiences, or whatever else is listed in the Cruise Compass. The Radiance class ships have card rooms, pool tables, two swimming pools and several hot tubs. Don't over plan, take things as they come. Take part in everything or nothing. It;s your vacation to do as you please.

There are two performances of the evening show each night except the first and last nights. Several nights there is a later show (usually adults only) or a participation show. Don't miss the "Love & Marriage" show or the "Quest" game. There is a 70's night--bring your bell-bottoms, dancing and games in the Centrum each night. Try out the different dining venues, the dining room menu is posted on the video boards every day (near the elevators on each deck). Formal nights are usually the second and fifth. Lobster tail served the second night on Caribbean sailings. Don't be afraid to say "no" to the photographers at embarkation, ports, dining Venus, etc. by the same token, there are several casual and formal opportunities for photo every day. You are not committed to buying any of them.

Hope this helps.

This is perfect! Thank you SO much, you have given me so much useful information. I do fancy the 70's night, and the love and marriage show sounds good fun too! Reading your response has made me even more excited now :)

My husband and I will be on the Jewel in 6 weeks, which includes a couple of sea days. Our shore excursions are sorted but I would love to hear about what we can do/shouldn't miss on the sea days.... we have only ever cruised once before and that was a 3 day in the Bahamas with no sea days so we are unsure about how to make best use of our 2 days at sea and also the evenings. All our drinks are included but I don't want to get too sloshed in the daytime!

I presume there are lots of daily activities that I will find out about on the form they leave in the room, but I'm after suggestions from real people that have been... any tips, secrets, things that not everyone knows about?

What type of shows do they do at night? Do they do any themed parties later on in the evening? If I'm feeling peckish at midnight where is the best place to get a snack?

I'm very excited but also starting to feel anxious because I'm very much a forward planner and like to research as much as possible. Yes I know I should just go with the flow, but I've saved hard for this cruise and want to come away feeling like we experienced everything on offer. I've done a lot of general reading on this forum but would love to know more, especially from people that have cruised on this ship recently.

Many thanks

Thanks for the replies... I feel more relaxed about it now. I should just learn to go with the flow instead of over thinking everything!

Hi, we will be on the Jewel in June and have booked an excursion through Royal Caribbean. Our ship docks (or tenders I think) at 1pm, bearing in mind I have never booked any excursions before and this is only my second cruise, I am slightly confused.

I thought I had read that cruise passengers with booked excursions get priority in being taken to shore, is that right? So we get there at 1pm but my excursion says the trip is for 1.46pm.....

Can someone please explain the procedure for people who have made bookings in advance, I haven't got a clue what to do! Do we meet somewhere else on the boat and all go together, or do we meet where we get off the ship? And does this mean we will actually be one of the last passengers to get off?

Many thanks, sorry for sounding stupid!

I'm sure I read somewhere that it's possible to stay on the ship till 3pm if we pay extra? How can I find out if this is an option on our cruise from Rome? Our flight home is not till 10pm so I'm thinking this would be ideal for us. Can't see anything in the cruise planner....

I'm reading about the crowd problems that can occur when several ships are in port - if our ship arrives at 1pm and departs at 10pm would I be right in thinking the main crowds will have already gone up in the cable cars and will also have left by tea-time? Or do all ships arrive in the afternoon?

I'm also wondering whether we would have time to have an evening meal in a restaurant in Oia or Fira and watch the sunset? We will be there in June, not sure what time the sun goes down in June but is this doable? It's always been a dream of mine to have a romantic meal at sunset in Santorini. If it's doable, hs anyone got any recommendations for a decent traditional Greek restaurant with great views?

Many thanks

Thanks for all the replies! Sounds like it's going to be perfect and now I've done a bit more research and seen some more videos/photos and read some reviews I am getting quite excited.

My itinerary is Santorini, Mykynos, Athens and Katakolon. My husband and I fell in love with Greece a couple of years ago and we've done a couple of holidays to Zante and Corfu but I also fell in love with cruising after our 1st cruise to the Bahamas so by booking this next one I've got the best of both worlds. I can't wait!

Jewel and Enchantment are similar ships, and since Enchantment was stretched back in 2005, they are closer in total volume, though Jewel is still a bit larger.

 

Jewel still has the cinema.

 

Jewel also has the kiddie pool area with slides plus outdoor Windjammer seating.

Ooh that's good to know, thanks! I thought Jewel was smaller for some reason..... is there any way of finding out what movies they show at the cinema? Are they usually brand new ones or a couple of years old? Not that it matters, but my husband and I do like going to the movies.

Thanks!

My first ever cruise was on Enchantment this summer and I've booked our second cruise on the Jewel for next Summer, purely because the itinerary is exactly what we want. So how do they compare? They look quite similar when watching you tube videos....

Also, on a you tube video I've just watched it showed a cinema on the Jewel yet I can't see it listed on the website, has this been removed? (I did see there was a refurb in April 2016).

Is the Jewel smaller than Enchantment and if so what am I likely to be missing out on in comparison? To be honest I feel like I made a rushed decision, I loved the itinerary so I booked but now I'm doubting my choice. Some re-assurance would be nice! Thanks

Hi we have booked a premium all inclusive package on the Epic and although we will likely sit in the bars at night and drink I would also like to have a glass or two of wine on my balcony in the evening (we've never had a balcony before). Is it just a case of getting a drink at the bar and taking it to your room, could we take two glasses each or is it a one drink policy? I take it you can't have a whole bottle? Or can it be ordered as room service? Just wondered what most people do, thanks x

I have booked my first ever cruise with NCL, and in the UK I got a deal where everything is covered in the total cost (all premium drinks & all tips/gratuities etc). So technically once I get onboard I don't need to spend a penny (sorry dollar).

However, because I've booked a balcony (we've only ever had interior room before) I quite fancy the idea of having breakfast one morning on my balcony. So am I right in saying I can tick a form and leave it on my door the previous evening and it will be delivered at the specified time?

Does the fact that I've paid in advance for gratuities mean that the person delivering breakfast will get the tip or do I need to do this separately? And how much is considered the norm? (Being from the UK this is new to me....)

And is it correct that they will also charge me $7.95 for the delivery? Not $7.95 each...... where can I find a menu that shows the options available for room service?

Any guidance you can give me in this area would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

You are unlikely to be able to go to Rum Point if you do a 4 hour jetski tour first.

Oh, that's a shame.... might have to rethink then. Thanks for the reply

My husband really wants to do a jet-ski tour on GC, we've done stingray city and are happy to do it again but not bothered if we don't... the jet ski tours I've found go to Kaibo BUT I've always wanted to just spend half an hour at Rum Point to take photos of the signs, have a rum etc. So do we do a jet-ski tour AM then make our way independently to Rum Point PM? Taxis seem expensive but I've seen water taxis go from Camana Bay.... would we have time to do a 4 hour jet-ski trip plus get to Rum Point and back? Or is there a jet ski tour that stops at Rum Point? We are in port from 8am to 4pm. Thanks :)

I'll be on the Norwegian Epic stopping at Ocho Rios from 8am till 5pm and really want to do the bobsled & zipline at Mystic Mountain PLUS we want to walk up the Dunns River Falls..... will it be possible to do both in the timeframe we have and what's the best way to do it?

I want to book my excursions independently (not through NCL), so I'm wondering if any company does both trips in one? If not which one should we do first and which one is nearer to the port? Would we need to arrange our own transport?

Also, if doing both of these leaves us with plenty of time spare, where is the nearest beach to the port where we could take a walk in the sand and maybe have a cocktail on the beach? Really want to make the most of our time there.....

Sorry for all the questions, I'm new to cruising and have never done anything like this before! Thanks