lynn247

On 7/4/2023 at 8:06 AM, Coral said:

I purchased it the first day on the cruise. It was $60 per day ($660 for 11 nights) and I got a $10 credit for some reason. I used OBC to purchase it. I had all the benefits if I had purchased it before the cruise. It was cheaper to buy it on the ship because it didn't increase insurance costs and I could use OBC. This was in May.

 

Did you pay for the delivery of the medallions?  Could that be your $10 credit?

Ken. Go to Vines and ask there.  Once I was offered a taste to make sure I liked it before I ordered it.

10 hours ago, jbeth said:

what about prime rib on the first night Royal Princess? Horizon court????

 

Had it in the buffet on our Jan Royal trip.  Tender and tasty

We also got off on Saturday after a b2b and thought the food was very good. First week we ate in the buffet  most nights. I was surprised at the variety , tastiness, and tenderness of the meats offered at the carving stations.  Second week we ate in the Dining room as well as Alfredo's. No complaints there either. But, I did not enjoy my meal in the steak house. The veal chop was very fatty, with very little tough meat. And no, I didn't send it back. My husband's lobster was shockingly tiny. Albeit tasty and tender. I thought there was a law against harvesting such tiny lobsters.

I was one of those on a long line twice with WiFi problems.  Both times were at the start of the cruise. I also found out on the last night, not to trust the log out button. I lost 110 minutes.  When I used my tablet, I had to type in signoff.com in the address bar. Forgot to do that the last day and hit the log out button. Bad on my part. 

There were a few little stupid things that were no big deal. We were in a mini suite and our room steward was not the best. Not bad, but I felt he was not giving us a "finished" job. You get used to little touches that were missing. I was once told I keep a very tidy cabin, so I know it wasn't necessary for him to spend a lot of time there. We always knew when someone else did the cleaning. Because the finishing touches were there. And my used wine glasses were replaced, not taken away. Got tired of calling, waiting and tipping room service everyday for 2 wine glasses. And no, the bar wouldnt give us any either. 

We always trade our mini bar for pinot grigio. No longer available. Instead I found a new favorite chardonnay.  The brand of wine our TA sent us was substituted for a less expensive bottle. It was good, so no complaints on our side, but our TA was P.O. 

I felt that the elite Lotus Spa gift bag is being phased out, or just trying to use up leftover products. First bag was missing the eye mask and the sistal mitt. But I did get 2 lip balms. Second bas was also missing the mask, the mitt as well as the linen spray and the shower cap. But, again I got 2 lip balms. So, with 4 lip balms, I felt like a winner.

Our future cruises are on the Caribbean Princess, the Crown and the Sky. I hope to enjoy them as much as we enjoyed our time the Royal Princess. 

On 1/17/2019 at 2:50 PM, DonnaGeoff said:

Can you pay an "up charge" to get Bud Light switched for Dos Equis?

We were able to switch to bud light without paying anything extra. This was on the Regal Princess during a Caribbean cruise

We done b2b in both the same cabin as well as changing cabins. Our folio always followed us. 

14 hours ago, BarbinMich said:

I wonder if one has to play table games as opposed to the slots (except you didn't have to do that to get the casino rate).  We've been on 30 cruises and I usually pay the slots with $50 to start.  Usually I win often enough to keep me "occupied" over the course of the cruise + bingo every time it's offered (but I don't think the latter counts).  Never have gotten a "deal" on a cabin. 

We have never used our cabin key while in the casino, so they have no idea how much we play, or not,  yet we received a casino offer on our March 2018 7 night Regal cruise. $300 pp for the balcony deluxe. Go figure  

On 11/13/2018 at 10:47 AM, Camelia- said:

I'm just curious as to how the OM works when you are in your cabin. Once you enter does your picture disappear? Can anyone walking by tell if there is someone in the cabin? I imagine that it's useful for the room stewards to know that. If I was travelling solo though I might not want that fact broadcast.

Thank you for sharing your experiences - it's extremely useful!

 

Camelia

I'm also interested in this answer.

11 hours ago, XBGuy said:

I will also compliment Caribill on his excellent comparison--with this one addition.  The Crown Princess does not have an Alfredo's Pizzeria which we enjoy as a nice dining alternative on the Grand Princess.

Is Alfredo's pizza served lunchtime on sea days in Sabatini as it was on the Coral Princess? We really enjoy their pizza.

58 minutes ago, HappyCruiserettu said:

 

They have been offering an 8-day cruise to the Dutch "A B C" islands on Royal. Don't know if it's on the future schedule. It's one of the few to go to Curacao.

It's not being offered anymore. The Nov 9th was the last.

On 11/7/2018 at 3:30 AM, reedprincess said:

There's quite a selection of frozen drinks on Princess.  All sorts of daiquiris, margaritas, creamy mixed drinks like dirty banana or chocolate monkey, etc.  

As you'll be doing the Hawaiian cruise - highly, highly recommend the Macadamia Madness:  Coconut rum, chocolate liqueur,  cream, macadamia nuts, ice blended with caramel and topped wirh caramel swirl over whipped cream and sprinkled crushed macadamia nuts. It's buttery caramelly coconuty delicious - without being overly sweet.   

Oh, my. That sounds like a drink I would love. But I don't see myself going to Hawaii any time soon. I wonder if they'll be able make it on a Caribbean cruise 

Great Review!!! Sorry you had problem with scent in room. We did not have that problem.

We stayed at Hyatt 2 nights prior to cruise. Second day, house keeping made up room while we were in room. They were going to spray a scent in bathroom after cleaning.

Asked to not spray scent.

 

We rode the trolley and driver did drop us off at hotel since it was late evening.

 

Have Hyatt Place booked for 2011.

Thanks:)

I wonder if I can request, in advance, a room that has not been scent sprayed?? I would definitely stay again.

From Hyatt Place you do not have to enter Harbor Shops through the back but it is a shortcut. You can certainly walk to 17th St, make a right, and make a right on Cordova Rd. to get to the shopping center.

DUH....Why didn't I think of that???:rolleyes::D

Seriously, we followed directions given to us by the hotel staff. I never thought to go around the block!

Hyatt Place North is my pick. Try to get room with www.valuetrips.com If you book with value trips you would then cancel your present reservations.

 

Hyatt Place North is next door to www.theharborshops.com

 

The trolley stops in front of Publix. www.suntrolley.com and you can walk to water taxi.

 

Hyatt has shuttle from airport and to ship.

 

Solstice sails out of the new Celebrity facility (very nice and new).

We just returned from our stay at the Hyatt Place North. The room is exactly as you see it on their website. It's a beautiful and spacious room. We had only one complaint. Upon entering the room, we were greeted with a spa like scent. Only problem, if you are sentsitive or allergic, as I am, to perfumes and chemical irritants, this might not be your best choice. That wonderful spa like scent gave me a migraine. I know it was the room because we stayed there before and after our cruise. Migraine both times.

The shuttle was quick and easy. Going to the ship, we chose the noon shuttle, but was able to get on the 11:30 shuttle with no problem. After our cruise, since the shuttle was returning from the airport, he was there in a matter of minutes. Even though check in was at 3pm, they gave us our room when we arrived from the ship.

One thing about the Harbor Shops, going from the hotel to the shopping center, you have to enter through the back parking lot which is deserted. At night, there was very little lights around the hotel and on the street to the shopping center and parking lot. We did not feel safe walking there at night.

In addition to the Publix supermarket, there is the Total Wine store that you can get lost in. If you go into 5 Guys/3 Guys, or what ever it is called, for a hamburger...Only order 1 order of french fries. One order is like 3 orders any place else. Good hamburger with free peanuts to munch on while you wait for your order.

Next to the hotel, there is a closed restaurant, which also is not lit up, then there is an Outback Steak House.

On 2 occasions, we saw the Sun Trolley outside the hotel. The driver said that if you request to be dropped off there, some drivers will accomodate.

As nice and as convenient the Hyatt Place North was, ONLY because of the scent in the room, we will choose another hotel next time we cruise from Ft. Lauderdale.

Thinking of taking the train big saver. How is the area around the Station.

 

Thank You

We just returned after taking Amtrak. There is not much around but it is a very busy station.

Be warned about the taxi drivers at the station. As soon as you get off the train to retrieve your luggage, they are there offering to take you to your hotel. After 27 hours on the train, I foolishly agreed and ending up paying $27.00 for a trip that should have been no more than $15.00. They're metered cabs and they take the long way around.

Upon our return, we had the hotel call a cab and get an estimate for the fare. $12-15.00. When he arrived, she told him to take the direct route. Our fare was $15.00.

Lililight...What a great review....Thanks for the photos and video.... We'll be there in a few days so your review came just in time.

I've read that there is little or no shade, and since my DH and I can't sit in the sun like we see others do, I wasn't sure if we were even going to getting off the ship. From your video and photos, I see that it won't be a problem. We might even consider renting a cabana, (thanks to your review) although I'm not sure if I want to spend the $299 that Holland America is charging.

We are taking Amtrak into Ft. Lauderdale, and knowing Amtrak, we will probably arrive at least 3 hours late. I understand that there is a Taxi stand at or near the Amtrak station. Does anyone know if they are open 24 hours, or their name and phone number?

Thanks in advance......

I just love these colors. This was taken at Valley Church Beach, Antigua

After all this beautiful weather and scenery, this is what we found at disembarkment.

Late last month as I was "cruising" for cruises I found the best itinerary yet. :D The Statendam 14 day Southern Caribbean. Ports included Half Moon Cay, Tortola, St Barts, Martinique, Grenada, Barbados, Aruba, Bonaire, & Curacao. The dates offered were 1/29/10 & 2/26/10. I wrote down the itinerary, the dates, the fares, as well as available cabins.

After discussing this for a day or two with my DH, we decided on the February date and went back on line to book.

I couldn't find these cruises anywhere???:confused: I called Holland America and told the agent that I felt I was in the Twilight Zone.:eek: I knew these cruises exsisted, but couldn't find them again.

After she sung the Twilight Zone theme song to me, she told me the January, 29th cruise was charted, and the February 26th cruise was rerouted elsewhere.

I don't see any cruises listed for the Statendam for January and February. December 21st, she is doing a repositioning, Ft. Lauderdale to San Diego.

I wonder where she'll be in Jan & Feb?:confused: I'm guessing, Vancouver?

One last photo

Photos of the Jewel taken from the Explorer, March 2008

Is Jamacian coffee included with the coffee card? I believe we paid $2.30 for it last year.