barb in ga

DH and I sail 2-3 times per year, usually on Royal Caribbean on their Oasis Class ships. I received an email promo for a NY to Quebec on Joy cruise that seems to have great rates on a suite cabin(NOT Haven). We prefer the big ships for the variety of food and entertainment. We like to use a hot tub, but don't spend a lot of time sunning by the pool. We like to find a shady spot to read or do crossword or sudoku puzzles. We enjoy live music and dancing, but not loud rock. We're older middle age. Some questions: 1. From looking at the NCL website, it looks like this suite cabin class is comparable to RCI Junior Suite. A little over 300sq ft. Is that including the balcony or just cabin? 2. The "Free at Sea" seems appealing; we are Diamond+ on Royal, which gives us some bennies. We don't drink much alcohol, but nightly wine or cocktail with dinner or a show is usually enjoyed. We do use our internet benefit, and would use the specialty dining and some shore excursions. What is special about Joy and how does she compare with other big ships? 3. We know that most of the mass market ships are more alike than different, but we have some opinions: Carnival never again; Holland America just ok, Princess ok, Celebrity great, but entertainment so-so, and MSC Divina a big disappointment. What can we expect from Joy? Thanks in advance, Barb in GA

I almost always carry on a bouquet of flowers for the cabin. I have a pair of cute vases that are completely flat until filled with water. Check on Amazon under collapsible vase. Barb

Anyone shopping for a watch should be aware that many sellers, especially online and 3rd party sellers, are not likely to be authorized users. The watches they are selling MAY have been altered, such as having the serial numbers removed or "upgraded" with new diamond dials and/or bezels. This also may mean that some parts may have been replaced with non original manufacturer parts. For example, the Rolex watches sold on most cruise ships are "Certified Preowned", and do not come with MFR warranties. Just know before you go. Barb

Top tier parties on Oasis class are usually in the Aquatheater, but could vary depending on weather. Definitely not a dressy event. I remember some nice dressy top tier parties on Freedom class, but that's been a while for us. Barb

Visit the spa once you get on board. We were on Quantum and had decided to book for 2, then got a tour and changed our minds. JMHO Barb

We're a generation older than you, but have been cruising Royal for almost 20 years. Since Oasis class debuted in 2009, we've sailed that class 14 times, on all Oasis class ships except Wonder(booked on her for October). We enjoyed every RCI cruise, but we especially enjoyed the entertainments and food offerings on the Oasis Class ships. Plenty of places to relax quietly and as many activities as you wish to take part in. Be sure to check out the music venues all over the ship including Central Park at night. We cruised Harmony last summer with my grown son, his wife and daughter 7YO. Everyone had a fabulous time! I especially liked the Aquashow and ice shows on Harmony. The staff was great everywhere. Barb

Since you bought it on the ship, the ship was in international waters, and no VAT tax was collected. You are obliged to declare what you bought while outside your country when you return through your customs area. Then you would pay based on your country's policy. Barb

This!

Just remember that you must be on board 1 1/2 hours before departure time on embarkation day. Check your time and schedule check in accordingly. Barb

THIS! Times have changed, wear what's "right" for you and ignore those that don't meet your standard

What about 11262 on Wonder? Barb

We had a table for 10 and it worked very well, but we did make a point of moving around every night at the table so that we got to talk to everyone in the group. With 14, 2 tables makes sense. Barb

We cruised Quantum Memorial Day Week, with our family group of 4 seniors, 4 adults, and 2 girls 8 and 14. We all had a great cruise. DH and I have cruised often, mostly Royal and are D+. 2 of the adults and both girls had cruised before. My thoughts: It's become almost "trendy" to complain about the food; we all found choices that worked for us both in Windjammer and MDR. I'm aware that there have been some menu changes, but nothing was drastically different than our many previous cruises. The dining room staff was very accommodating to our large table, making us all feel welcome. We loved the daily seafood soups served in bread bowls in the Windjammer at lunchtime. A very special treat every day! Clam chowder, mixed seafood, etc. Certainly there were plenty of daily choices in both venues, and DH had no trouble accommodating his need for gluten free, and one son's seafood allergy. Some took part in the bumper cars, I-fly, and Northstar, all at no charge. The line for bumper cars was long, but moved quickly. We booked Northstar and I-Fly on the app on the night before we wanted to go; Northstar was a hit with all of us and the 14YO loved I-Fly. The ship is in very good condition and very clean. Most of us did not mind once a day cabin service, but, I did miss 2X a day ice; I asked for it on the first day but it frequently didn't happen. Small problems! We asked for printed Daily Compass and received it every day; the app is great, but I still love the Compass. The shows were not what I usually expect, but the performers were very talented, and sets and costumes gorgeous! I didn't like that the main show Starwater was not appropriate for the young girls; too much skin and too much pelvic thrusting(JMHO). The comedian and the ventriloquist were very entertaining. Both embarkation and disembarkation were very smooth. We had signed up in advance for Seattle Port Valet, but some in our group missed out. It was nice not handling our luggage until we arrived in Atlanta. I highly recommend portvalet.com There is no charge for the service, only whatever your airline charges for bags. I am by far a fan of Oasis Class ships over Quantum class, especially for the layout of the ship and the entertainment, but I found the cruise to be a very good one. Don't let the complainers worry you, you will have a wonderful cruise! Barb in GA

Jewel is one of the Radiance Class ships, smaller than Voyager, but a favorite of many cruisers not looking for all the water park and entertainment extras. I sailed on a sister ship, Serenade, and it was a great cruise on a beautiful ship. There's not as many food and entertainment options, but it would be a good cruise. Barb

So much depends on which ship and itinerary you are considering. We've cruised most often with Royal, but also a few other lines, 2x on Celebrity and once on HAL. We didn't enjoy the food or entertainment on HAL, but we do like Celebrity. Royal's bigger ships(Voyager class and above) have much better entertainment choices than the smaller ships; Oasis class is by far our favorite, with Aquashow, Ice skating show, adult comedy, and production stage shows. I would rate Celebrity's food a little higher than Royal, but Royal has more options. If you are Elite on Celebrity you will receive Diamond benefits on Royal, including 4 drink vouchers per person per day. We sail for the ship amenities and the dining opportunities, so make ship comparisons before you book. Enjoy whichever cruise you book. Barb

Civitavecchia port is a further drive from Rome than Barcelona's port, but if you are staying for a few days in Rome in advance(highly recommend), then getting to the port has a few options. The simplest is to book transport via private car; there were 4 of us traveling and we booked the same driver in advance to take us from airport to hotel, hotel to port, and then port to airport(sorry I don't remember the name, I googled Rome airport/port transportation). Booking this in advance with 3 trips made it a little less expensive than booking 1 trip at a time. The drive from our hotel to Civitavecchia was very easy and getting on the ship at the port was a breeze. We also used a private driver for our excursion from port to Florence. As a group of 4, our total transportation was less expensive than taxi or shuttles and also for excursions.. Barb

We traveled on this itinerary a few years ago on Symphony her first season. We really wanted to spend more time in Rome, so we did 3 days in advance there and flew home the same day that we disembarked. It worked out well for us as we had spent some time previously in Barcelona and knew that we could make a better, more thorough 1 day stop there as opposed to a 1 day in Rome. I would do it the same way again. Barb

We sailed Quantum on May 29th. We were a family group of 10 and sent a request for a large table about 2 weeks prior. We received the standard reply above, but when we checked with the MDR upon boarding, we saw our request had been honored. When I sent my request, I did list names and cabin #s for everyone. Barb in GA

Lunch is served in the main dining room on sea days only. It is included in the fare price. Breakfast is also served daily included as is dinner. Barb

On our last Port of Miami departure in January, Customs and Border Patrol was swamped. It took over an hour to be cleared. Fortunately we didn't have an early flight; we wouldn't have made an 11:00. Barb

We are a family group of 10(2 sub groups of 5). We have flights departing at 3:55pm, so no rush after debarking. What's likely our best choice for getting from the pier to the airport? Each sub group has 2 seniors, 2 adults, and 1 child(8 and 14). Thanks for suggesting options--we can split up if needed. Barb

On boarding day there is usually someone in one of the main dining rooms(deck 3 or 4) between 1pm and 3pm to assist guests who need to make dining room changes. There are 2 fixed dining times usually 5:15 and 8:15 or thereabouts. You will be seated at the same table with the same waitstaff each night. MTD(my time dining) is for people who want to select other times or may wish to change dining time daily based on port or show times. MTD usually begins at 6:30, with 2 lines, one for guests with a reservation, and one for walk up diners. You may find a wait sometimes and not so much others. Windjammer usually opens around six and doesn't require reservations. There can be a brief wait when they open, but not usually very long. Normally the entree items are the same as the offers in the MDR. Barb

Thanks, very helpful

The sofa bed opens out to make a bed. Go to you tube and search your ship and cabin number or go to cruisedeckplans dotcom to see photos or videos. Barb

I have 2 Wow bands from previous cruises. I didn't love them, but we are traveling with an 8 yo and 14 yo and thought they might be useful for them. Can they be re-programmed for the current ship/itinerary so that the girls don't need their seapasses while on the ship? Thanks, Barb