MCWescott

I’ve had great free coffee on RC and not so great. I always keep a few SB Via packs in my backpack just in case.

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Easy peas! We are from Tampa and love our port. Google Tampa cruise port parking for several options 4-8 blocks away with shuttle service at $8 per day. We book on-line. DH drops me at port with luggage, takes the car to lot and rides the shuttle back. At disembarkation, I stay with luggage while he takes the shuttle to get the car. Good news is he does come back to get me!

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We are doing a world cruise on Holland America. Does anyone have a suggestion on buying trip insurance on line? I have been on Insure My Trip and Squaremouth. Neither site is helpful regarding cancelling for any reason or pre-existing condition.

 

 

 

Thank you - Bobs300

Agree with Ashland - call and talk to Steve or one of his associates. No fuss, no muss and very helpful.

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We ‘field tested’ an inside on RC Brilliance just to see as we’ve always done (and loved) balconies on Brilliance before. If inside vs. balcony meant the difference between cruising or not, I’d take the inside. We know there are many many public areas to ‘sit and see’ on RC Radiance class ships that make a balcony less critical. One of reasons this our fav ship despite its age. That being said, love sleeping in an inside...dark and quiet!

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Just back from Seward to Vancouver on RC Radiance. Not sure I’d recommend deck 10, port, forward location. We were in 1018 (balcony) and did experience some middle of the night noise...rearranging deck chairs? Not enough to ruin our trip but we decided we’d stick with our favorite deck 9 location in the future.

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Just back from Seward to Vancouver on RC Radiance of the Seas. So glad we had a balcony (deck 10, port side) despite several cold/cool and damp days. Mornings in port (in our PJs) were magical...eagle watching in Juneau and Ketchikan, magical views after dinner (10-11 p.m. in our PJs) of snow capped mountains, a glass of wine at sail away - need I say more! We were up on deck 12 for Hubbard Glacier viewing...cold, windy, FABULOUS! But the time in our cabin with the drapes wide open just watching the gorgeous views was well worth the difference in cost.

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We are just back from a Seward to Vancouver cruise on Radiance. We love RCCL’s Radiance class and have done two TA’s on the Brillance...Baltic on the BOS in Aug. 2019 and transpacific on the ROS in April 2020. We love the light and glass of this class as well as the size. We don’t cruise for the shows or the food or the casino-rather for a comfy atmosphere for relaxing and enjoying being on the high seas. We have found the crew on both ROS and BOS to be exceptional in customer service with a friendly style of ensuring we have a great experience. While ROS may seem ‘shabby chic’ compared to the newer and bigger ships, we love it!

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Wow - love the list! Thank you! I have plenty of time to work my way through your recommendations as we don't head to the Baltic until August 2019.

Hello!

 

Because I am a huge nerd (in the best kind of way), I always try to read one fiction selection from each country I visit. I thought I'd share the one for my upcoming baltic cruise. I am looking for a good general book on the history of the area if anyone has any recommendations! To be clear, I read most of these before I go. Saving one or two to come with.

 

Deb's 2018 Baltic Cruise Reading List

Netherlands - Midnight Blue (van der Vlugt)

Denmark - Smilla's Sense of Snow (Hoeg)

Germany - Winter (Deighton)

Finland - Purge (Oksanen)

Russia - Midnight in St. Petersburg (Bennett)

Estonia - The Man Who Spoke Snakish (Kivirahk)

Sweden - Faceless Killers (Mankell)

General - Rick Steves Scandinavian & Northern Cruise Ports

Non-Fiction - The Amber Room (Clarke)

 

Enjoy!

 

Deb

 

X-Posted to HAL Board

We just booked the 12-night Baltic on RCCL Brilliance of the Seas while on Radiance between Seward and Vancouver. We have cruised on BOS 3 times as she spends a lot of time in Tampa, our hometown. Very excited to spend pre-cruise time in Amsterdam and post-cruise in Bruges and Ghent. I’m definitely the travel planner in our family and look forward to the next 13 months of researching ports and excursions. It’s great to hear what others are planning!

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We love Radiance class...smaller, older (some would say shabby chic compared to the newer, mega-ships) and LOTS of windows everywhere.

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Following as I obsess about my summer Alaska 2018 cruise on Radiance!

 

 

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Me too! June 22 Seward to Vancouver!

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I was so glad to find your post as we are seriously considering an Alaskan Un-Cruise in 2018. Your photos and narrative are excellent! Thank you for sharing and confirming that Un-Cruise is the way we want to experience Alaska.

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Oh I forgot...we love the aft terrace behind the Windhammer. Nice place to eat, read, chat, or just ponder the view!

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We were on the BOS last April from Tampa to Barcelona...loved it! Never felt crowded, crew members were fantastic, lots of quiet places to 'hang out' (we're not pool or casino people.) We're on BOS in 3 weeks for a 5 day western Caribbean cruise out of Tampa and again in Nov. for another 14 night transatlantic from Barcelona to Tampa!

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We are just wrapping up a 4-night stay at Hotel Granvia and plan to stay here again pre-cruise Nov. 2017. Great location around the corner from Placa de Catalunya-we walked to Sagrada Familia, Picasso Museum, Port Vell, Las Ramblas.

I just discovered something great that I am willing to pay more for: The North Face makes some "Women's Fit" backpacks, and they really do make a difference for me. The shoulder straps are more curved around to the underarm area, and it makes for a much more comfortable fit because of my breasts. It might be something for larger busted women to consider. There are a couple of North Face retail stores here in town, and I went in to try them on -- when I saw it on line, I didn't think it mattered, but it does.

I bought a North Face 'women's fit' and love it! I use it for work...laptop, iPad, iPhone, chargers/cords, work docs...and for personal travel...just in case change of clothes, cosmetics, small camera, travel docs. It holds a lot and with side compression straps can be snugged up for stowing under the seat. I bought a "last season" color at a good price via Amazon.

Thanks to all who have weighed in on my questions. This is our first arrival in Europe by ship...via plane we typically hit the ATM in our arrival airport and we're good to go. To ensure we don't waste time in Gib we'll make sure we have a few Euros in hand. Our next port is Malaga with plenty of time to replenish funds!

Thanks again!

Since time is of the essence, I think the safest thing to do is get some Euros before we leave the States. Our next port is Malaga and then Barcelona where we'll spend a week.

I so appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions.

MW

Thanks for the helpful response to my question, John.

Gibraltar is our first port on our transatlantic crossing from the States. We'll need to get to an ATM as soon as we get off the ship in order to have cash for the taxi driver. What's the status of banks/cash machines when we disembark? Will we need to walk to Casemates Square to get money? We're good with walking and walking fast! :)

Our ship docks at 12 p.m. and embarks at 5 p.m. Will this give us enough time to take a taxi to the top of the Rock and back? RCL shore excursion is an option but at $55 per person it seems kinda pricey.

We are on the April 26 TA - our first cruise ship experience! So many questions...and so many answers on this forum. I'm trying to read, read, read everything so that I don't ask something that's already been answered!

We took the train - easy peasy! We thought the Leaning Tower and the Piazza dei Miracoli was breathtakingly beautiful and well worth the visit.

My husband and I both love Eddie Bauer "Travex" line of shirts, slacks, capris, skorts and dresses. Packs great and easy to rinse out if/when needed. We spent three weeks in Italy last fall with one small Rick Sreves roll aboard for the two of us! We love to travel light!