mom2mybugs

I’m enjoying your blog so much as I will be on voyager next June to Italy and Croatia!   We also have a fur baby (well 2 actually) and it’s harder to leave them than the adult kids by far.  Thanks for bringing us along!  Jane

3 minutes ago, RJ257 said:

Could be. Depends on when they have to be back in school. I do also cruise in the spring but research Easter and spring breaks of colleges before booking.

I'm a teacher in Illinois... It's mostly be back on January 9, but true, some schools will be back Jan 2.  It's a goofy year but I'm prepped for crowded.  Jane

The food has been the same since pre-Covid.  However, the 3 times we have been on different ships, the wines have been different as well as the location.  This makes it different and enjoyable to repeat, as well as having different people to meet.  Jane

A piggy-back question…when do they usually take them down?  We are sailing Harmony Dec. 31.  Jane

I’m going back and forth on this.  We will be there Jan 2 on harmony (only ship but will be absolutely enormous numbers full=capacity will schools out).  We have never been to coco cay so I’m alternating between wanting to check out the buffet and the oasis pool vs a less crowded day at the beach club.  We bought at $103, which was down from $189 and with a New Years cruise! I think that’s a good deal.  We are going to 150 Central Park the night before so I’m not sure I need steak again, but everything looked amazing and I’d love bar service on the beach.  Does anyone know how late you can cancel before the day?  Can I cancel the day before for onboard credit?  We didn’t pre-pay gratuities so I am thinking we will have plenty of on-board spending to use it for.  Jane

On 11/23/2022 at 1:10 PM, RJ257 said:

My attendant had a security meeting last Friday or Saturday morning? He was told bookings were up for coming cruises. He  said "next week" so that could be now or the cruise that starts on the 26th. Sorry I didn't think to ask specifics other than 7000 expected.

I’m on the dec 31 cruise and I expect with all the kids and teens, the ship will be packed! Jane

It's a great ship.  The prominade is fun, there is lots of sun deck space and it's not insanely crowded.  We love it!  Have fun.  Jane

Thank you so much for the amazing blog...it definitely gave me something to do as I wait to get on allure!  Have safe travels home!  Jane

20 hours ago, davekathy said:

I've read on the RC, Celebrity, Princess and Carnival forums  about chair hogs. I've seen chair hogs on Celebrity, RC and Princess. I don't have a dog in the fight as I always sit in a lounger on the deck above the pool deck and haven't ever had an issue getting a lounger in a great spot in the sun. Plus IMO the views are better up there than on the pool deck.  

This is what I’ve done on freedom, vision and adventure.  Close to the sky bar and not that noisy.  However I’m going on my first oasis class cruise in March on allure and I am freaking out big time!  I love sea days and all I plan on doing is hanging out in my deck chair.  I’m up and in my chair by 9 but now I’m panicking I won’t get one.  Argggggghhhhhhhh!!!!!    Jane

On 1/11/2019 at 12:11 AM, Canadian Tyler said:

Thanks for the shout out, Winks.

I am very sorry to hear your suite with two storeys and three showerheads didn't have a tub!

Hope you felt better quick!  In the small world category, you posted for me your January 2015 vision of the seas cruise compass for my very first cruise on her in March 2015 and now I’m getting ready for my first oasis class trip on allure in March 2019 and saw your name!  Jane

I’m finally all caught up!  Jane

On 1/30/2019 at 9:00 AM, A&L_Ont said:

 

$25 for 4 drinks, 2 chairs, umbrella, wifi, clean washrooms and a fresh water shower. They also have a killer restaurant. You can eat on your beach chair or in their open air restaurant It is a hotel that also caters to the cruise folks. 

Is it far?  And do you need to reserve in advance?  Jane

14 minutes ago, A&L_Ont said:

 

Consider it done, when we return home. 

 

Unless they get get thrown out again. 😱

Thank you so much!  Nooo... Don't throw them out.  It has been -35 to -50 in Chicago and I'm halfway through your blog.  It's keeping me sane lol.  Jane

On 1/27/2019 at 7:51 PM, A&L_Ont said:

 

We are stopping at St Martian, San Juan and Labadee. If your route is the same I will when we get home. Please let me know. 

Mine is the same!  I cruise in March and would love a cruise compass!  Jane

Awesome! Thanks everyone. I knew this was the case for ocean cruises, but this is our first time River cruising and I didn't want to good. You all have reassured me!!!! Jane

Ok...we leave on Monday for our 10 days in Paris and then Viking River Cruise down the Seine. My silly question is this...I would love to try the different cheeses after dinner but there is no way I'm giving up dessert. Is it acceptable to have the cheese and then dessert, or is this is an absolute faux pas? Jane

Hi...I am just doing the Paris to Normandy but will be watching everyone's comments. So excited for our first River cruise in a month! Jane

Just an update on this... This restaurant will not be on my Aug 3 paris and heart of Normandy. It will be the aquavit terrace (yeah) according to Viking. Jane

Could someone tell me what they paid for the SS pkg per couple on an 8 night Viking River Cruise or more specifically the Paris to Swiss Alps Cruise? If you could specify which currency you are quoting, ie Euros or US $. Thank you in advance.

I can't tell you for 8 days, but we just paid $150/person US for the 7 day Paris and the Heart of Normandy. When I started realizing the menu listed euro cost, I figured I wouldn't lose a lot of money/wouldn't need many drinks. Jane

I was watching a YouTube video last night and there are definitely options to buy better wines by glad or bottle. The menus shown had at least 4 suggested "other wines". We decided to purchase the silver spirits package so we can try all the different wines at dinner and sitting in our room. Jane

We were on the Tulips and Windmils the end of March on the Mimir and they had JUST started the Manfredis option for dinner. We were not happy about it because we like the Aquavit option for dinner instead of the whole long dinner if we don’t feel like it. Many other people were also angry, and complained onboard and after the cruise to Viking. We complained and got a credit for future travel.

It was a test on various ships to see how it would go over. I recently got a call from Viking customer service just to let me know that due to customer complaints/poor reception is was discontinued .

Manfredis on ocean ships is fine because of the multiple dining venues, but on the river ships it jst dosent translate well and people need somewhere else to get a quicker or lighter meal like Aquavit.

I'm so happy that the aquavit will be available! I have a feeling after all my eating and drinking pre-cruise in paris, I will really appreciate some lighter fare occasionally! Jane

I love , and use, packing cubes too! But I am not traveling with a carry on only ;)

 

 

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ME EITHER lol! Jane

It’s truly amazing how much you pack in a carry on! Do you fold or do you roll?

 

 

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I try to roll but I'm not great at it. I have now discovered how much I love packing cubes! Even if I don't use the compression ones, I love how organized I keep my suitcase. It's also so easy to unpack. Another thing I always take now...a collapsible clothing hamper....fits right in the corner or in the closet and makes me feel like i'm organized! Jane

This has been great to read. We are taking our first river cruise on viking in August, and spending 10 days in paris beforehand. I have a terrible time packing light so I will be bringing a checked bag and a carry on, with hopefully room for souvenirs. I will have a washing machine in paris (although I assume not a dryer). I know the temps will be warm... though for me I freeze anywhere with air. I wear a ton of dresses (maxi and sun) that I can layer with a light weight sweater for churches. These will also be fine to go into dinner with no need to change. I'm taking one nice lightweight dress in case we do a nice dinner in paris. I'm wearing yoga pants on the overnight flight but otherwise I might take only one lightweight pair of nice pants.

In terms of shoes, I'm hoping to leave my tennis shoes at home but I have foot issues. Planning on buying one or 2 pairs of Clark or Teva sandals and going they go walking to dinner! Jane

Hi...we sail on the kadlin on August 3. My sailing documents are on the way and perhaps the info will be in there...how can I find out if this restaurant is on my longship and if i can get reservations? I'm going it's not as i was looking forward to the aquavit one night for dinner. Jane