Cruisin’A

46 minutes ago, MellowMel said:

When I got divorced, I called Crown & Anchor and had my ex removed from my account. He hasn't cruised since we divorced but if he ever decides to, he's not getting my Diamond+ status. You can remove your ex so he doesn't get to take advantage of your cruises. 🙂

 

I am okay with it, I even reminded him about it in case he decides to cruise. Thank you, though! 

13 minutes ago, davekathy said:

Enjoy your first diamond cruise.🍷 We thought making D was a lot more exciting than making D+. 

Thank you!! I am sooo excited!! It’s the little things in life. 🙂

Sounds like you had a lovely time. Thank you for taking the time to write your review and enjoy your many future cruises!

I have never been in CK when it has been full, but it will be a good idea to make reservations if you want a set time. I have also seen kids in there, no issues. The dress code is same, usually a nicer casual. As for tipping, it is all included. 

5 minutes ago, twangster said:

On Anthem I've moved up a CAS level after the cruise twice now. 

 

In both cases Next wouldn't apply the next tier discounts on board but suggested I call once my account shows the next CAS level and then they would adjust the price to include any new CAS discounts.   

That is exactly what happened with me, twice and both on Anthem. They said to call afterwards and when I did, they changed my level quickly and applied the discount. 

I have been separated from my husband for about a decade and a half. I have my own C&A number and just hit Diamond level (will sail as one for first time this year, sooo excited!). The RCI emails actually come in my ex’s name with his number and each time that I cruise, he gets my points, too. He hasn’t cruised anymore, so perk for me, but if he decides to set sail, he has the Diamond because of my points. So, I would imagine that they would honor your points for your wife. ... And congrats on your wedding (since you said “new” wife)!  

First, you are going to have a great time! I am not sure which you are going on as there are multiple, but I went on the 9 night New England & Canada one in the Anthem. I loved it so much that I am doing it again, but on the Adventure. I do not eat seafood, but I forced myself to have it. I still did not like it, but others loved it. I had it on one of the excursions in Canada that included the lobster lunch. The advice I received was that the more north you go, the colder the water and better the lobster. Personally, I would recommend an excursion and each that I took had a stop and recommendation for great NE clam chowder, lobster roll or lobster. I liked the excursions because it gave me a good overview of the area, had stops, made suggestions and was able to learn history and see some of the most beautiful nature and do things like explore sea caves. Start off by looking through each excursion in the cruise planner and see if anything tickles your fancy. In each port, you were able to walk off and explore and find some shops (or take a quick trolley like in Boston), so you will be okay even if you are in your own.

Congrats!! I totally get it, my next cruise will be my first as a Diamond. Enjoy your cruise! 

I pretty much second what bhsolo said. I have been cruising and traveling alone for about fifteen years now. The main person who is worried at this point is my mother (I suppose that never stops regardless of age!). So, I get the WiFi package and call her each day. You can call or text your hubby, send some selfies. I am a woman also and never had any issues, nothing more than you do on land surrounded by people. You can find a “buddy” on the roll call list and maybe check in with that person once a day. It would just do that someone else on board knows you are okay. If you are not feeling well, there is a doc, if you have issues, there are great crew. You will have an amazing time and experience a whole new level of relaxation!! It may feel weird at times like dining alone, but you get used to it. You will be able to to what you want when you want to do it. Go and have fun! The only problem is going to be that you will be hooked!! 😉

I love so much!! On the smaller ships, I love the extra personalized attention and initmate feel and the dinners in the main dining room are more fun. On Anthem, I love, love LOVE the thermal suite.

I do quite a bit of walking and have found that for me, the best thing to do is buy shoes a bit bigger and use inserts for extra padding. The extra size allows for swelling and for a good fit of the insert. As far as comfortable shoes, the absolute most comfortable brand has been Earthies. I also have found leather upper, rubber lower driving shoes on Amazon.

I wear pantyhose or tights everyday for the office or going out to many places. I lived in South Beach (Miami Beach) for years and still did it. My only exception was with sandals. I can’t bring myself to do it. There are sandalfoot hose that work better. I like the pantyhose because, well, it sucks everything in nicely. There, I said it! So, I wish I could get over it and just wear the hose w sandals. My Mom does it. She is older now, but has always done it. Do whatever makes you feel comfortable!

I have typically been traveling solo and being solo on a cruise has been one of the safest feeling venues. Have I been approached by guys and have some been a bit inappropriate? Yes, but sane as on land or in Disney World. I never had anyone following me and if I did notice it, I would go straight to guest relations. Listen to your instincts, watch how much you drink and be observant of your surroundings. While in port, I am more vigilant and do not announce I am solo. Basically, the same as you would anywhere. Don’t fret much about it. It is relaxing, liberating and you only follow your schedule. Have fun!

Exactly! With the package, you get to try anything you want, but wouldn’t if you had to pay full price. It lets you be adventurous. Congrats on almost being Diamond!

Oh dear God, that poor man! I hope there are no videos or photos!! Wow, note to self to make sure no boats or anything around when changing!

Don’t be like me. I found everything I wanted from ultimate bev package to excursions, had in my cart to check out the next day and totally forgot until the day after that. Of course, July 4th was over and the total was about $100 more. I didn’t buy anything yet. I sail on September 6th, so hoping for another sale and for things to be available by then. Book when you see the sale!! Ugh!

Great review and pictures! I am going to show my Cuban born Mom (left almost 60 years ago). Thank you!!

Great review, thank you!

I think it was our very first cruise, on the Sovereign of the Seas. I thought I'd be cool and test my language skills to tell our suite's room stewardess what a great job she did and thank you for making our bed. I apparently told her we wanted to take her to bed, which led to a really awkward conversation with the Hotel Director and a security guard and trying to explain it was a misunderstanding and that we were both gay. That led to the security guard asking us, numerous times, "then why did you ask this nice lady to go to bed with you!"

 

:halo:

 

-germ

OMG!! That is hilarious!! Sitcom material!

I am not calm until I am all settled in, so I disinfect with my Clorox wipeys (don’t judge ;-) ), unpack, scan the Compass, call my mother and let her know I am okay (apparently, this type of thing knows no age limit), take happy pictures of the cabin, have lunch if possible then head to the deck for a drink and sail away.

Hi, fellow cruisers!! This is my first post, so I figured that I should begin by offering some of my experience instead of asking (will do plenty of that later!). A review of the age old question: Is the drink package worth it? Disclaimer:I only have experience with RCI. ... For my upcoming cruise in September, the beverage package is $39/night (prepurchase). I often hear that you need to drink quite a bit to come ahead and about drink fatigue. I think many forget that there is more to drink than just alcohol. For my last cruise in May, I obsessed about getting it and finally purchased it. On a typical day, I would have about four bottled waters($4 each), a couple of soda refills($4 each) a smoothie ($5) specialty coffee($6), two glasses of wine with dinner($13 each), an espresso($4) and a frozen mango mojito ($13). As you can see, it far was worth what I paid for the package (that one was $42/night). Now, you may be saying, Cruisin’A, I don’t really drink soda or coffee and I can refill my water bottle. Well, same with me. However, it is Vaca and I went wild and had Diet Cherry Coke and a different coffee each day. I always wanted a couple of waters with me, especially at night, and I was not about to head to some water dispenser at 2am. I am not a big drinker anymore either, but do enjoy trying new drinks. With the package, you can try the specialties, something funky, whatever. If you don’t like it, order something different since it is all included. I am almost embarrassed to say that my fave drink of the cruise was a plain banana smoothie. I would pick one up after the thermal suite. I plan on attacking the no sugar added fresh juices in September! Soo, even with a scaled down order of two waters ($8) for excursion or bed, two sodas ($8) just because, one smoothie because they are amazing and yes, you can add vodka ($5/10), one coffee ($6), espresso ($4), two drinks ($26) you are ahead. After my next cruise, I become a Diamond level, so I will get a number of free drinks, but I think I may still do the package. Once I figure it out and try it, I will write a review (hopefully shorter, sorry about the length)!. For me, the answer is def that the package is worth it. Even if you have three drinks a day, that will be $39/day. For just a few bucks more, you can have unlimited liquids all day. What are your thoughts? Happy cruising!!