SbbquilterUT

In many destinations the tour buses or cabs will not necessarily be able to install car seats.

For us personally the Elite offerings fit most days, we carry our own refillable water bottles and buy the odd drink so no purchase of a package would make mathematical sense.

We have made flights a bit earlier than that each time we needed to - limited options to get us to our home before midnight.

Have to say it was the nicest sailaway we have been to - enjoyed it on the Anthem on the spring TA. Additionally the weather was beautiful, adding to the sail out and viewing of the Statue of Liberty.

That would be a long walk for you. There were plenty of taxis at the port entry. A drive on the ocean side where there is the ocean and a number of beautiful statues would be nice.

Is there a reason you don't want to walk in or visit the central old square? We walked the blue line last January and once in the square we really enjoyed the Carnival characters they were erecting. Then headed to the Malecon for a walk along the ocean. Found the Beatles alley and then walked up to the Cathedral. Easy walking we did on our own.

I read plenty of reviews with eyes looking for genuine issues versus cranky things - just like people in other areas of life. Some will always have a great time and not let little things ruin their day and others seem to always find the worst issues and wallow in them. Best is when the same cruise is reviewed with wildly different experiences. Not saying bad things don't happen and those unhappy did not have a complaint, more how people react and resolve them.

We have sailed Anthem TA twice and really enjoyed it - perfect for cooler weather sailings. Agree less outdoor kids stuff but the SportsPlex was quite fun for pickleball. Solarium was also very nice for those sailings. Love the Music Hall set up and we were lucky to have good house bands. Even got to watch the Coronation in May with a party spirit on that big screen (though they could have set up tea pots and scones for us 😎).

In our experience the test administered by Celebrity includes Flu A, RSV and Covid so different than your home test. Also if Flu A positive they can give you medication to mitigate symptoms.

Consider - longer cruise should mean fewer kids if that matters (it does for us so we steer away from giant amusement park ships). May is lovely in the caribbean - sailing from NYC you will have cooler day starting and perhaps ending. Bermuda is one of my favorite ports in the Atlantic sailings and a great place to explore on your own.

Which ships? On Anthem TA the only show to reserve was in 270 and was offered several times during those 12 nights.

We have used Grey's Island Tours - wanted to see the fort and the batik factory. Was a small van and we had a nice day.

You have to want to do it but I am so glad to have easy to manage luggage and not a lot of stuff around the cabin. At my age I figure no one is looking to me for fashion inspiration 😎

We always try to travel carry on and it has worked so far - last trip was 35 days. I am not a clothes horse - black capris, slacks and wrap skirt which I wear day or night, in travel friendly fabric. 5 tops, one lightweight sweater, rain jacket as a top layer if season appropriate. We wear our walking shoes and I add black flats for evening and flat sandals. I budget for laundry on board (ours was returned beautifully folded and wrapped in tissue) and will rinse tops and wear again if not soiled. Our trip included a 12 night transatlantic, 6 days on land including train travel, and then 15 day river cruise. We would spend the day in town, return to the ship and clean up for dinner usually putting on clean blouse, then wear that blouse again the next day for touring. It can be done if you are comfortable with the limitations on having less stuff.

Did 35 day trip last year packing in a 22" roller and backpack each - possible if you want to. We are not clothes horses and none of our travel was in hot/humid climate. The first leg was 12 night TA so I planned laundry on day 4 and 9. I pack a capsule wardrobe knowing I can usually wear a bottom piece 3 times using knit or hiking fabric which wipes off, 5 daytime tops which can be rinsed and worn a second time, and black slacks and three nicer tops for dinner. Limit shoes because they are so big. I plan on pajamas and underclothes every 4 days going to the laundry, just part of the budget. We then had 6 days on land, traveling between cities by train so again small luggage helped. There we found a drop off laundry in Prague and Budapest to have clothes cleaned - available next day. Then boarded a 15 day river cruise where I again paid for laundry on personal items and dressier clothes - those were returned by evening and lovely. This is not for everyone but how we choose to travel.

We have had a great time at Coco Cay - walked out to South Beach and enjoyed the day in the water or lounging under an umbrella. Food and rest rooms are close.

We have been lucky to not encounter any real seas on five sailings, some swells but that was it. Have a fabulous cruise, Alaska is beautiful.

We sailed Apex to Norway last August and there were plenty of kids on that 7 day sailing - very international passengers out of Amsterdam. The previous cruise was 12 nights and almost no children. Very much enjoyed those sailings.

Personally the Edge class, while beautiful, would not be my choice specifically for lack of outdoor access space. On every other Alaska sail we have been able to spend a lot of time out on the upper decks to enjoy the experience - there is no access to the forward third of the top deck as it is Retreat. We found this in our Iceland and Norway sailings and would not repeat those itineraries on that class of ship. I would look at Holland America and Princess for their itineraries that include Glacier Bay National Park.

Thanks - I do not want to change to local time so turning it off works for me. I keep manual watch on ship time to reduce a chance for any confusion in my brain 😎

I would look online for an independent vendor offering a pickup at the cruise port and then tour where you are most interested.

Love to travel - learned to wear an inexpensive traditional watch so that it can be adjusted easily. Do not rely on your cell phone for an accurate time if you set it to automatic time update.

Love to cruise the first week in December - ship was decorated and prices were great. January is very nice, particularly Southern Caribbean. One holiday timeframe cruise made us realize not for us - high prices, loads of children, large family groups that took over public spaces preventing us from enjoying being out around the ship.

We luckily do not get sea sick though DH has on deep sea fishing boats which does not translate to ships. For my sweet DIL who were really concerned we advised do not drink right away and spend time out in the fresh air where you can watch the horizon to reset the brain. Worked great for one and the other did drink and nap in the cabin and did not do as well. Please be careful and try medications at home - be aware of the combination with alcohol (see folks with a patch behind their ear slamming them down at the bar, please don't).

Ours opened at midnight Seattle/Vancouver time - be aware that sometimes it is good to select an 11:30 time to allow the crush of people wanting to be on board at 10:30 to clear. And depending on which port the experience can be quick or confusing.