olemissreb

I like to get there late so we can walk right on with no wait. And really it's not super late...getting to the pier about noon and the initial rush has died down and already on the ship. We'll be doing this exact thing in March when we sail from San Juan. Much more relaxing way to start a cruise for me.

While I have my preferences, I try to sail mostly for intinerary. I do love sailing from San Juan...guaranteed warm temps in Jan-Mar and sailing past El Morro is so cool.

For my next cruise in March, my sister is joining me and so I wanted guaranteed warmth since she'll be coming from Wisconsin...so San Juan it was. We originally booked a great itinerary on one of my preferred lines, but it got canceled. So we're going on a new line for me, but one my sister cruised on for her honeymoon 34 years ago. We'll see if this becomes one of my preferred lines.

I got calls from NCL PCCs only AFTER I booked a cruise. One of them has called me 3 times AFTER I've fully paid for my cruise and did all the upgrades that I was going to. Didn't need them to book my cruise, sure don't need them after. It's just annoying.

1 hour ago, Ferry_Watcher said:

If Icy Strait Point is on one of your possible cruises, I would suggest considering choosing that cruise.  It is a small walkable port that IMO, has a real Alaska vibe to it.  Also, if you do end up going there, book a whale watching tour with Glacier Winds Charter.  You will not be disappointed.

 

https://www.g-wind.com/

We did Glacier Winds and they were AWESOME! We started out near all the cruiseline excursion boats, but then left there to head out further and into what was actually part of Glacier Bay and saw a baby whale practicing his breaches. We were the only boat out there! My now ex caught 3 breaches from nose up to tail down on the camera.  And don't get me started on the homemade salmon dip as a snack!  Such a great excursion and totally worth every penny!

Back in 2013, we booked Chilkoot Charters. We did the train up and bus back. We got to stop at a off the beaten path area with a lake that wasn't on the planned stops and too small for the big cruiseline buses to get in. It was gorgeous! Such a great surprise.

On the train, we were in the last couple of cars, so we were able to get pictures of the front of the train going into the tunnels and over the tressels. Pretty cool pictures.

It was also much cheaper than thru the cruiseline and we had a coupon to use on top of that and got it even cheaper. Not sure if they still have the coupon books.

I was able to book 6 months in advance for my March Viva cruise. I thought it was sold out, but then one day it just popped up! Keep checking...you never know when it will pop up.

I can only speak to RCL and Celebrity...although I'll be on my first NCL cruise in March.

I cruised RCL twice...once with my family ranging in age from 10 to 69 and loved it. The kids always had something to do while the adults could enjoy sitting in a bar listening to music or even just going off somewhere to read.  The 80s night was a blast for all of us and we all enjoyed the skating show. The 2nd time was just my mom and I (ages 56 and 82 at the time). It was a New England/Canada cruise and we had a blast. Not a whole lot of kids on board. We did get the drink package and between the lattes in the morning, water for excursions, pre-dinner drink, couple glasses of wine at dinner and maybe a drink or two after dinner while listening to music, we definitely got our money's worth.

I've also been on Celebrity twice. First time was an anniversary trip with my now ex...we were in our early 40s. It was a great trip. I was active on the Roll Call and so we met a bunch of new people to hang out with. My favorite part was the Martini Bar. The 2nd time was an Alaskan cruise with the family (age range 13 to 76) and again we loved it. They didn't have as much for my 2 boys (13 & 17 at the time) to do, but they still made friends. 

My NCL cruise, I'll be cruising with my boyfriend, my sister and her boyfriend (age range 59 to 63). We chose this cruise because it sails from Puerto Rico (my sister lives in WI so wanted to set sail from a very warm climate) and because it has freestyle dining (our guys aren't big on dressing up). We also loved that there is a racetrack on board (her boyfriend races at Road America every summer and my BF is still a kid at heart!), plus they have the Vibe Beach Club which is an adult only area with a bar. We're not anti-kid, but with all our kids grown, we wanted this to be a little more kid free. My sister is almost 20 years sober, so the free at see package may not be as worth it for her, but for the rest of us it will. I've even upgraded my BF and I so we can drink the higher end bourbons and to get the extra $50 excursion credit for the 2nd passenger. That in itself should help cover the cost of the upgrade. 

I'm not a fan of any of those intineraries, but if I was going with my girlfriends, I think I'd go with Celebrity first (more of my age demographic, but more laid back) and then RCL second (more kids possibly, but more lively). 

My boyfriend and I enjoy a glass or two of Blantons, so totally worth it for us. Plus I enjoy a cappucino or chai latte in the mornings and a bottle or 2 of water while laying at the pool or off on excursions. We also really enjoy fresh squeezed oj with breakfast. We'll get more than our money's worth without really even trying.

28 minutes ago, PORT ROYAL said:

 

The sailing times are set…..

The cat companies are not reliant solely on cruise pax.  Their custom is predominantly from residents, residents entertaining private guests, VIPs, Governments, local businesses and staycations.

 

Whatever one wishes to sail with, do book very early, because 12 pax (max) takes no time to book/fill.

 

Know of so many cruisers who “like”, then just think about it for a while.  Go back in later to book, only to find “all gone”, then think it’s strange that so many cruisers have taken the space on the Cat. they wanted……. It’s not cruisers who are the majority who book, it’s all the pre mentioned who want it more, and act.

Note to self…. Book early, repeat, book early.

Enjoy.

 

Addendum….

For those arriving later, these have a 10 am sailing

https://calypsocruisesbarbados.com

Thank you! I was afraid of that. I did notice Calypso's 10am sailing, but since we don't arrive till 10, I'm not sure that would work either. I'll have to email them and find out for sure. 

I can get a similar excursion thru NCL for $49/person, but they are going to be much larger, 90 minutes shorter, and with no food! So I really hope Calypso can acommodate us.

On my next cruise, I may bring 6 pairs...2 pairs of sandals, 2 pairs of heels, and 2 pairs of tennis shoes. All depends on what I bring to wear. Yes, I have a sickness, but not as bad as my sister who will probably have a suitcase strictly for her shoes. 🤣

11 years ago we did a 2 week adventure in Alaska. The first week was a DIY land tour and the 2nd week was a cruise on Celebrity from Seward to Vancouver. I've been wanting to go back ever since! 

We didn't go to Glacier Bay, but went to Hubbard Glacier and it was spectacular.  I chose the Southbound route because it had the longest port times. Next time I go, I'll probably do the same thing except longer on the land portion so I can get further north to Fairbanks. Then the train to Seward and another Southbound cruise.

On 8/12/2023 at 8:51 AM, PORT ROYAL said:

Okay, if one is seeking an AI day out, paying North of $100 pp, then consider a special day sailing on

Elegance

https://www.elegancebarbados.com

Or

Silver Moon.

https://silvermoonbarbados.com

 

Note the maximum number of pax per Cat. allowed and what’s included.

Note to self “Book very early”.

 

One considers these far batter value than a Hotel AI

 

 

 

@PORT ROYAL do you know if either of these cat cruise companies change their departure time based on when the cruise ships come in?  The Viva (10am arrival) is in port with the Resillient Lady and Costa Fortuna (both of these arrive at 8am).  In looking at the websites, Elegance sails at 9:30am and Silver Moon sails at 9am.  Hoping so, because sailing on either of those cats would be so much better than a similar excursion that NCL offers.

Of course with the other 2 ships arriving 2 hours before Viva, Elegance & Silver Moon will probably be sold out anyway, but might be worth taking a chance anyway.

On 8/15/2024 at 6:52 AM, dock said:

@ggTexasGal, yes I upgraded our package so expected to see a credit, once I got to  the payment page. 
 

Maybe I’ll call. 
When do you start booking excursions, ie 6/12 out? 
Our first NCL cruise. 

For my March Viva cruise, they keep adding excursions, so I'm waiting till after final payment to book anything. Plus if they change the itinerary, I don't have to worry about canceling anything and rebooking. 

200!!! It'll be a year ago on Monday (8/19) that I booked the cruise, so while 200 sounds like a long time, it'll seem short compared to the 500+ from when we started!

For my cruise in March on Viva, I tried for months to book regular Vibe or a Vibe Cabana and had the same "too early to book" message. Then I heard some people on my cruise say they had already booked their passes, so I called NCL and they told me the Vibe passes were sold out. Shortly after that, I saw where Cabana passes were available and then not long after that, Vibe passes were surprisingly available, but Cabana passes no longer were. SMH! But at least I got Vibe passes last month.

So keep checking...you never know when they'll pop up!

Don't really have a cruise song, but if I did, maybe "Where the Boat Leaves From" by Zac Brown Band.

7 hours ago, HopefulCruiser123 said:

OleMissReb, I apologize for not posting this sooner.  It's been crazy busy here.  If you are still around, this is probably the loosest discussion board I have come across on Cruise Critic.  The only rules I am aware of are the standard keep it civil, keep it on topic.  I am fairly new to the group as well and what I have observed is that we all intermittently check in on Thursdays and state whether we lost or gained, and discuss factors in our lives that might be inhibiting or helping us attain our weight goals.  We do not appear to have a leader of the forum at this time, so whoever wants to be the first to post on Thursdays does so, and everyone who wants to post will respond to that post.  That keeps it to one main post a week, and then all the responses to it are contained in that thread.  This is not a "rule", it is just what I have observed.  It has been suggested that we post recipes, tips, exercises, or things that work for us.  Or you can ask if anyone has suggestions to help in your weight loss journey.  As I mentioned above, it is not a real active group and there appears to be a core group of people that routinely post, and then a few that occasionally post.    

 

I hope this is helpful.  

Thank you! I've got 4 weeks to lose some weight before tailgate/football season starts so I need to try and lose something before then.  Hopefully I can get on a roll and keep losing thru the holidays before going on my March cruise.

9 hours ago, MagnoliaBlossom said:

Check the time of sailing.  I’ve done six cruises from SJ and none of them left before 10:00 pm.   Too late for us after a busy embarkation day.

We're supposed to depart at 7pm.

Since the 2 guys in my group have never been on a cruise before, we'll probably go to the sail away party as we leave San Juan (if they have one). If it gets to be too much, we can escape to the Vibe or even our balconies. 

I just live sailing past the fort though as we leave, so I may just end up staying out there until we've passed them.

What are the rules, if any, for posting/joining this group? Is everyone on a specific diet plan or exercise plan?  I've got "Grove Season" (what we call tailgating at my alma mater during football season) starting in a month and a cruise in March 2025. Really want to lose some weight before Grove Season and hopefully keep losing before the Holidays (where I'm pretty sure I'll gain weight especially if my boys come home for Christmas).

Stop your mail. Have the pist office hold it all until you get back.

As someone else stated, check with your home insurance about the house being vacant for up to 2 months. May have to put a rider on your regular policy.

Someone else mentioned putting lights on timers. You may also want to put a tv or radio on a timer...if someone comes near the house and hears voices, it may be a further deterrent.

8 hours ago, BF3 said:

I tend to get bored on sea days. I'm looking for a 4 -6-day Caribbean cruise that does not have any sea days. Anything out there? Thank you.

Norwegian Viva does 7 day cruises from San Juan that have a different port every day.

15 hours ago, sparks1093 said:

Baseball, in the 60's:

This is how we dress for football games at my alma mater.

1 hour ago, VelvetSkeeter said:

 

Yes, it is funny seeing a woman looking all nice and done up sitting right next to their significant other looking like he came from the ball game. I just think the guy should do a little to complement the effort. Not talking a suit here, just pants and shirt! 😉

It may be funny, but if that's what my guy wants to do, then I'm ok with it. He is who he is and I'm not about to change him. He does dress up when the situation requires it, so he's not a total redneck. 😂 He does have some nice golf  shorts, though, that he wears with a polo shirt which is proper attire for football games in The Grove, so he doesn't really look like he just came from a ball game.

My BF may wear shorts to dinner when I take him on his first cruise...NCL allows him to do that and I don't care. If that's what he wants to do. I will probably pick one night to dress to the nines in a full on gown like the formal nights of yore. Won't we be a sight...me in a gown and him in a pair of shorts. Doesn't change the fact that we are on a cruise, relaxing and making memories and enjoying our time together. Really, what more could you want from a vacation?

As my sister always says...you do you.