BobbyD

I am going to St. Thomas on Wonder of the Seas in July.  Does anyone know which dock it uses?

Nothing new in the cabins.  No updates to the plugs, etc.  Just two plugs (maybe one US, one European).  We used a power strip for phones, etc.  The ship didn't look like it had really been updated at all since it last sailed. Was in decent shape but didn't appear that anything was really new and extra shiny!  Maybe new carpet?

My wife and I were on the first Magic cruise on August 7.  Lots of fun!  Overall, very good effort on Carnival's part for the first voyage.  I did think that they might have spruced up the interior a bit more than they did and the service (at least in our area) in the MDR the first two nights was very slow.  Party of 2 shouldn't take more than 2 hours and it did both nights.  For the 3rd and 4th nights we went to Cucina and the Steakhouse and on the last night the service was much better.  Crew just getting their sea legs I suppose!  I heard that the ship was at 70% capacity which was great but more than I had thought after reading some Royal reviews.  Nothing like a great sleep in a cruise ship bed!

Technically yes, but we have never been charged.  You might have different results!

We just returned from an awesome cruise to the Baltic on the Celebrity Reflection.  We used SPB tours in St. Petersburg and they were awesome.  We had 16 people on our 2-day tour.  Can't recommend them enough and the cost was half of the Celebrity tour.  Maria was our guide and she was outstanding!  Their customer service is excellent.

We are using them in St. Petersburg and Helsinki in August.  Only exception is they will be flat-rate tours, not private tours.  Their customer service and response time has been excellent!

I don't know if the newer ships have them.  It was a nice feature on the Radiance and Freedom class ships, if I recall correctly.

Thank you all.  This information helps.

One year ago, while on the Anthem I booked a NextCruise on the Freedom out of San Juan for March 2020.  Air fare from the northeast for that time period is out of control, more than the cost of the cruise.  If I cancel the booking, losing $100pp because it was a non-refundable rate, and rebook another cruise with a different travel agent, will I still be able to keep the OBC, etc. from the NextCruise booking?  Any thoughts or input will be appreciated.  I've never had to cancel a cruise before!

On 5/21/2019 at 3:21 AM, Ine said:

Banks Mansion on a canal near Rembrandtsplein, Swissotel near Dam square

First time to Amsterdam and we are staying there in late July for 4 nights prior to our cruise.  Can't wait!

We are staying 4 nights pre-cruise in August at Banks Mansion.  First time in Amsterdam and looking forward to it!

Was on the Harmony last week and inquired about a couple of Celebrity cruises.  Deposit was $100pp but you do not get the RC OBC but do get all the Celebrity perks of Big, Better, Best (or whatever it is called!).

Just returned on Sunday from the HOTS with my wife.  Had a great trip!  We had previously cruised twice on the Allure.  We are Diamond and did not make use of the drink packages although they were still advertising them for $49 a couple of days prior to sailing.  I believe the dining package was $79 prior to sailing.  We received a free night at a specialty restaurant so we went to Jamies, which was very good.  Plenty of food!  The rest of the cruise we ate in the MDR and enjoyed the food, as we always do.  I felt that the food quality and temperature were better than on the Anthem this summer.  We ate lunch a couple of times in the Windjammer and breakfast as well, although we managed to avoid the busy times.  The hand washing station is what bogs everything down (although necessary).  We also had lunch at the Solarium Bistro and Park Cafe.  I may or may not have had a "couple" of slices of pizza from Sorrentos and dogs from the dog house.  Just to try it out, of course!

Loved the balcony cabin which was very "Anthem-like".  Two closets, plenty of outlets with one by the beds.  No table in the middle of the room and the desk was movable.  Deep balconies with foot rests.

We tried the water slides and I tried the Ultimate Abyss.  Enjoyed them all.  I am not a small guy and there were no problems at all with the slides.

Plenty of loungers throughout the ship although the chair hogs were certainly present.  Seemed to consistently be able to find space in the hot tubs in the solarium without a big squeeze.

Debarkation was very smooth.  From our number being called to arrival at FLL by UBER was 45 minutes.

Lots of kids and multi generational families.  All were behaved, in my opinion. More international travelers than recent cruises.  I had heard that there were 35% Canadian on board and I wouldn't doubt it. Not many spring breakers in the traditional (loud and drunk) sense.  At least not that I saw.  At least no more than usual!!

Hope this helps.

11 hours ago, EeyoreRN said:

 

January 2020...at least, I believe that is the "unofficial" plan. She will be all spiffed up for you!

Great!  Thank you.

Thanks for the review!  I've been on Freedom twice and am booked again in March '20.  Same itinerary as you.  Do you know when it will be refurbished/refreshed?

Thanks for the review!  Glad you enjoyed your first cruise experience!  We are heading out on the Harmony in March and can't wait!

On 12/24/2018 at 7:02 PM, dahirsh said:

 

 

I liked Tanya a lot.  And Dennis grew on me.  If I had offered an opinion on him after the welcome aboard show it would not have been as favorable as later on in the cruise.  I would not be upset to find him as the CD on a future cruise.

Agreed.  We cruised with Dennis for the first time this August.  He definitely grew on us and became more visible as the cruise progressed.  I'd be perfectly fine with him as CD on future cruises!  Old school and professional!

Cruised the Anthem this summer.  After reading reviews that ran the gamut (I know, I know) we were very pleased that the Anthem was a great cruise ship for us.  One of my favorites!  A big ship with a small ship feel to it, IMO.  Many food options with plenty of available loungers throughout the ship for sunning.  We were on a 9 day itinerary and can't wait for our next Anthem cruise!  Enjoy.

We love booking deck 7 cabins (2A) on the hump.  Very quiet and near elevators, stairs.

I've used this company a few times while in Cozumel.  Both water-related and more adventurous (ATV, etc.).  They've been great. We did this exact tour last year.  Three reef snorkeling tour. $36 + $3 entry fee to the Marine Park area. Small boat but plenty of water time.  The boat we had was not a glass-bottom boat.  We might have had 10-12 on the tour.  In one of the areas, we had the Mexican Coast Guard/Navy Seals training beneath us.  Pretty cool. Sit is worth checking out.

https://www.cozumel-tours.com/glass-bottom-boat.htm

Awesome and congrats to you!  You will be forever spoiled with your balcony!

On Solstice class ships, we have always booked a 7th deck 2A cabin starboard side.  Love the location!

Chris - Thanks for the great review so far. Just now getting caught up. Drink prices seem very reasonable (compared to what I'm used to on Royal). Looking forward to more and any summary thoughts you may have at the end.

My thought exactly regarding drink prices. Old school prices! Thanks so much for the review. Appreciate your efforts.

The Banks Mansion hotel is FANTASTIC!! Best breakfast room and food I've ever had in a hotel. There was the coolest fresh orange juice machine that cuts and squeezes the oranges while you watch. The hotel is on a corner, at a canal, fairly central. They book quickly, so I would check soon.

 

When we don't have alot of time to sightsee, we take taxis....worth the cost to get somewhere quickly and maximize the time. We caught taxis right outside the hotel or they will call one for you.

Great to hear! We just booked Banks Mansion for 4 nights pre-cruise next summer. We went back and forth between AirBnb, Banks Mansion, Hotel Estherea and the Radisson Blu. Decided on Banks Mansion due to the "perks" you mention. Looking forward to it!

You're right. Not Go Best. I only have one perk!