karen s

We spent Christmas Day on Coco Cay 2 years ago. Best Christmas Day ever.

*Like*

My daughters are really excited....me too :D I think I could be served a Spam Turducken in the MDR and I'd be happy!!

Karen

can anyone tell me what company carries the best travel insurance? looking for a good price and quality. thank you

There's a CC message board devoted to travel insurance with a lot of very informative contributors. Here's the link:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=635

Safe travels!

Karen

There will be a special menu on Christmas Day.

Santa will bring gifts for the younger kids.

Carolling on Christmas Eve.

 

Plan a beach day or book an excursion for Christmas Day as most if not all stores will be closed. Maybe a few restaurants open.

Thanks to all for your replies! I'm sure it will be a special experience. We'll be in Labadee on Christmas Day, so the beach it is!!

Does anyone have past Christmas MDR menus?

Karen

I love chit chatting in the roll calls. Our roll call for the Independence of the Seas June 14, 2015 is very quiet. Only five members so far, and I'm guilty of just trying to keep it alive by making the occasional post about whatever is going on, whether it be hot weather or something about cruising. I'm also guilty of check out other not to be named here sites and talking cruise there. I absolutely love making new friends.

If anyone is on the Independence of the Seas June 14, 2015 please check out the roll call and lets have some chit chat!!!

I too have always joined the roll call on my cruises, some are successful and lively, and alas, some are not. I love getting to know my fellow cruisers and make social engagements pre-cruise, on the cruise, etc. I hope my Christmas Cruise on Explorer livens up....it's pretty quiet right now, but it's early.

And I agree, so many Q's can be answered by those sailing with you. Particularly accommodations pre and post cruise, excursions, cabins, etc.

Join your roll call peeps!!

Karen

p.s. 23 Dec 14 Explorer passengers....hop on our Roll Call!!

Sailing Explorer with my adult college age daughters for the first time over the holidays and just a couple of Christmas cruise questions from those that have already done it. What differences should we expect to see, i.e., MDR dining fare, ship activities, etc (other than décor) on Christmas and Christmas Eve.

We're in port on Christmas Day, so I'm sure there won't be a huge change as I am sure the majority of guests will be at the beach :p, but just curious what other special things they might have in store.

Thanks in advance for any insight!!

Karen

I had ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA about the Crystal Blocks until I saw this thread. I reached 141 pts on my Alaska cruise on the Radiance last month and no such gift awaited me. So, given the advice I read here this morning, I called C&A and inquired about it. They profusely apologized for not receiving it on the ship and voila! My crystal block is on its way....in 6-8 weeks that is :)

Thank you Cruise Critics peeps, I never would have known without you!!

Welcome to CruiseCritic Bama. RTR

Concur with leaveitallbehind and also, welcome to CC. You will get a lot of info here....so ask away!!

JD just put off a real off-putting attitude with his opening night "speech". It set a real bad tone in the CL from then on after. He warmed up some through the cruise, but his lack of socializing with current guests (yes, I know he's busy with current and future cruiser requests) and the several evenings of him pushing spa appts all the while with several spa workers in the CL reminiscing over Radiance employee party photos just did it in for my family.

The daily phone messages did have some good nuggets of information, but it seemed he was promoting a local restaurant more than anything else. And his recommendation for passengers to shower and women to wear their "bling bling" on formal night was a bit offensive.

This may have already been mentioned, but I haven't been able to read the whole thread...I have to mention my and my family's total dislike for JD on the Radiance this past month. He was rude and never friendly......I could go into further detail of his opening night speech and never ending voice mails....but I'm sure it's been covered here before....Future cruisers be warned...use the Purell in the CL if JD is the concierge :p On the flip side, JJ in the Diamond Lounge was AWESOME!!!! I hope she can take JD's job SOON.

Happy cruising to all!! :)

Sadly I can't plan a cruise until after Oct 2015....vulnerable for a deployment til then :( Thankfully I was able to have two great cruises this past year to NE/Canada and Alaska :)

Anyone have any pics of the two room suite on the Radiance Cabin 1064? My brother-in-law and sister have that booked this summer for Alaska and would love to see what the interior/balcony looks like. All we've been able to find is the Brilliance 1064 which has no balcony. Thanks!!

I have a similar Q...we're arriving off of the Radiance early on July 25th and spending the night at the Hilton near the airport. My family group of 9 want to see Vancouver that day, but have no idea what to do with our luggage. Any ideas of a private tour company that could accommodate all of us and our luggage for the day (or any other options)?

martincath,

We're just the opposite - will be arriving early to Vancouver post-cruise and spending the night prior to departure the day after arriving in Vancouver. So we have practically a whole day to spend there, any recommended tours/sight-seeing/private tour company for the day? We're staying at the Hilton near the Airport. Our group of 9 is from ages 71-9yrs all with excellent mobility. Thanks for any insight!

Karen

Thanks all!! It has helped allay all my fears of only having a 2hr delay in ATL...

Happy cruising to all!!

Karen

Thanks...it has been very helpful. Happy cruising to all :)

cruiseryyc,

Thanks so much....great to hear...and I should add it's Vancouver, BC - does that make a difference?

Our group is booked for a post cruise flight from Vancouver to ATL to Panama City, FL with a 2 hour layover in ATL. Are we going to have to collect our luggage and re-check in at ATL post "International Flight" after passing customs or is our luggage checked all the way through?? I'm concerned 2 hrs may be cutting it close if we have to re-check our luggage from ATL to Panama City, FL after going through customs. Any and all advice would help be appreciated.

Karen

Looking for any recommendations for a hotel in/near Denali for pre-cruise stay for our 18 Jul 14 RCI southbound cruise out of Seward. We're a 3 family group of 9 total (ages 9-70) and want to experience Denali pre-cruise for a couple of days or so. What would be the best day to arrive in Anchorage to enable us to explore Denali sufficiently, and ensure we can travel to Seward to make the 18 July cruise departure. We'd also like any of your recommendations for accommodations. Any and all insight would be appreciated!!

Thanks so much!!!!

Karen

Thanks to all...looking forward to some great Maine lobster!! :D

When will you be in Bar Harbor? Some of the restaurants will be closed after Columbus Day --- Normally Stewman's will be closed and I'm not sure when West Street Café closes for the season.

 

Some places are staying open longer as there are now more cruise ships later in the season. Jan

Thanks for the insight! We'll be there on the 15th (day after Columbus Day)...I sure hope some the places suggested thus far will be open. The Brilliance of the Seas will be the only ship in port that day.

Guess I'll have to do some more investigating to see who will still be open for the season...

Thanks...good to know there is so much to choose from!!

Thanks so much!!

Can anyone suggest a good lunch place in Bar Harbor for lobster near the RCCL port? We have an early morning excusion in Acadia and want to dine on some good lobster for lunch. :D Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Karen

To quote Dr. Suess:

I do not like the hats,

I do not like the frames,

I do not like the nuts or fruit or some of their silly games

But I do like the sun,

I do like the sea,

And I do like the way RCI answers it royally

The ships are luscious,

The food delicious,

So don’t be a hater,

Let RCI cater

The sea is calling,

So quit your balling

Enjoy your cruise,

Each and every one of you!

:p:D

For anyone who hasn't stumbled upon these gems, here are his links:

Not Ready for Primetime Reviews:D

Diamond Princess: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1534248

Splendour of the Seas:http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1418738

Crown Princess: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1355888

Star Princess #2: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1302121

Star Princess #1: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1176299

Noordam: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1092076

Brilliance of the Seas: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1082187

Vision of the Seas: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=979928

Dream/Nightmare: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showt...ght=sailorjack

Jewel: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=797459&highlight=sailorjack

Galaxy:http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=891464

Jewel of the Seas:http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1060382