silvercruiser

We sailed on Emerald's inaugural TA from Venice back to FLL. It was the first ship to have an atrium and we just loved the ship. It's still my favorite, with Ruby a close second.

Anyone know if they do acrylic fills by hand instead of electric devices? I'm usually in and out in an hour here at home, but on a Princess cruise a few years ago, besides paying $40 plus tip, it took forever because she did it all by hand. I assume the price is higher now on all ships and I'll have to have two fills on next fall's 50-day cruise, so I'm interested in finding out what gives these days.

My Vista suite at the back of the ship was wonderful for the 35-day Voyage of the Vikings in 2013. The view of the wake is beautiful and very calming.

I finally started carrying a small piece of cardboard in my purse to use as a "table" and could fill them out while waiting in line.

We were on the old Westerdam during the one week that the cast was filming onboard. It was fun seeing all the stars in person, but they had hoped to get about 10 minutes of film for the movie. When it came out it turned out to be more like about 3 minutes, so no, it wasn't filmed "mainly on the old Westerdam." The scene out on deck with everyone dressed up was taken on a formal night and that was back when people really did dress up. I'm just out of camera range in that scene, but my husband's foot is onscreen for about two seconds in a scene around the pool.

It was fun when we were in ports to ride back to the ship on the same tender as Walter Mathau and some of the others. All in all, a very fun cruise.

I see that there are no cruises listed for Veendam after it completes its winter and early spring cruises from Tampa in 2016. Sure hope it's not on the chopping block.

I was in the cabin right below, on Veranda Deck and absolutely loved it in 2013 on Voyage of the Vikings. There's never any wind on the balcony, half of it is covered and it's quite large. The cabins on either end have larger balconies that go around the side a bit.

The view is wonderful. You'll love it. I took it as an upsell and, as a solo cruiser, had to pay double the upsell price, but it was worth it. One of the best cruises ever and I have over 800 days of cruising. The Veendam will be sailing out of Tampa next year, a handy nearby port, but I'll have to settle for something less than my one-time treat of that rear suite.

Does anyone know of a good way to get to the Miami airport after you disembark in Fort Lauderdale? My friends need to get 7 people from the ship to the airport, so will need a fairly large vehicle.

Since I travel solo I have all my medical information in a plastic envelope with my name and picture taped on the front, with a label that says "Medical Information" that I tape onto the mirror for "just in case" I have a medical emergency. I explain to the room steward that I'm very healthy, but if needed, the information is easy to get to.

The inaugural transatlantic cruise on the Emerald in 2007 was one of my favorite cruises ever. The Piazza was a new feature that we really loved. An active and energetic CC group added to the fun, as we felt that we all knew each other already when we boarded.

I gave the new Royal a try last winter, for a short cruise before committing to the long cruises I prefer and just didn't like it for so many reasons and there's no way I'd ever cruise on her again.

I don't usually post my whole cruise history on these boards, but will this time so you can see that I have lots to compare.

If you go to the front desk and tell them your luggage needs repair it is taken to their luggage repair, fixed and returned to you at no charge. They don't advertise this service, but I've had to use it on two different Princess ships.

In Fort Lauderdale it's risky not to tip. One time I gave the guy $5 for three bags and he said, "This is all...for three bags?" I just smiled nicely. When our luggage was delivered a very nice leather luggage tag had been cut off.

In 2007 we sailed on the brand new Emerald Princess on its inaugural transatlantic cruise. It was the first ship with the Piazza and International Cafe and the new features were exciting. I've been on it since and had good experiences, but not the thrill of that Venice to FLL cruise seven years ago.

I was surprised this summer at how many people truly believed that the Explore4 was just a very generous gift from their travel agent and no one could convince them that this wasn't true.

 

4* HAL.....Elite Princess

I had 221 a year ago for Voyage of the Vikings and it was wonderful, great views. And since it was light out for much of the time I could even lie in bed at night and watch the wake of the ship.

You're not actually 'sharing' internet with the ship's personnel. I was told that the ship has 60% of the internet for their use only and the other 40% is for the passengers. This was from the internet person on the ship.

I agree with whoever once said, "Those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." Have a great cruise.

810 days at sea....39 ships.....7 continents
Princess ELITE.......... HAL 4*

Capt. Peter Bos was on last year's Voyage of the Vikings and I can honestly say that he's the very best captain I've ever sailed with on over 800 days of cruising on various lines.

 

810 days at sea....39 ships.....7 continents

Princess ELITE.......... HAL 4*

 

Plus 10 other cruise lines, at least 5 of which are no longer in business. Hope it wasn't my fault!

I just renewed mine and got the new one back 12 days after I mailed in the forms, EXPEDITED and sent Priority Next Day Delivery (that way it's trackable) and if your post office doesn't take pictures you can go to CVS and get them taken for $10, less if you print out a $2 coupon from the internet.

Years ago I had to have extra pages added later on and they did that for free. Now there's a charge, but if you choose the option at time of renewal for the 54 pages instead of 27, it's the same cost.

Do the mailing at the post office. They're always very helpful.

Be sure and read all the rules for all this on the internet. They can be very picky.

workinfortravel...Just how do you "hop on a train" with lots of luggage?

You can rent a post office box, a large one, and have your mail forwarded to it.

Last year on Voyage of the Vikings, a 35-day cruise, they only charged for the first 30 days, bringing the price down to $6/day. It was a mystery to me that not everyone took advantage of HAL's wonderful, affordable laundry service.

 

810 days at sea....39 ships.....7 continents

Princess ELITE.......... HAL 4*

 

Plus 10 other cruise lines, at least 5 of which are no longer in business. Hope it wasn't my fault! :)

On my recent cruise on Amsterdam many people disembarked in San Diego after the Panama Canal portion and several hundred new folks got on for the 4-day cruise to Vancouver. Formal night found three guys at my table wearing blue jeans and t-shirts. Sure didn't have the nice formal night atmosphere. I've toned down my formal wear look considerably over the years, but hate to feel like I'm overdressed when I really just look appropriate.

 

810 days at sea....39 ships.....7 continents

Princess ELITE.......... HAL 4*

The bar just outside the dining room is a great place for late night bedtime hot chocolate. So few people use it at that time that the guys were always so glad to see us.

 

810 days at sea....39 ships.....7 continents

Princess ELITE.......... HAL 4*

I can't wait to board tomorrow!