melusina

In May.

Me too.

So this is the only port where we're taking a ship's excursion because of the cable car problem. We chose a morning sail of the caldera which will leave us in Fira ( we hope, in the town not the port). Then we'll have half a day free. We're on Celebrity Infinity and there are 2 smaller ships with a tital of about 1,000 in port that day. Lovely as Santorini is, I don't do crowds well so we'll just have to see. We should be able to get to Imerovigli and back, if not to Ouia.

1 hour ago, Luvcrusn said:

We had a crazy one-up of this. I enjoy sitting on the balcony in the early morning hours with a good book, some hot coffee and buttery croissants. I was doing just that on the first of 3 sea days on Infinity one lovely morning when DH decided to come out and join me. Using a bit of muscle (maybe more than a bit) he pulled the balcony door shut behind him with a very loud screech.  Before I could stop him, the door was shut and locked with both of us in our robes and no phones. We were traveling by ourselves, so no one would miss us. When we stopped laughing, we realized our dilemma. After about an hour we heard our next door neighbor come out to their balcony and asked them to alert our cabin steward to rescue us. She promptly did so and spent the remainder of our time on board laughing at as each time she saw us. Needless to say, we're now super careful about the balcony doors each time we go out there. 

Up- oh, we're taking our first cruise on Infinity. Did rhe door lick because of how hard he shut it or because it automatically locks when tbe doir closes,? That seems insane. I can see us both going out there to watch the sun rise but would hate to have to remember not to completely shut the door

Has anyone had an aft facing cabin on a transatlantic in April? We thought it might be too cold to enjoy sitting out.

I am thrilled to see that on our April - May Mediterranean cruise we're now showing as the only ship in each island port. However, when we first booked Cruisemapper showed one or two other ships in each ( fortunately, smaller ships).  Our ship's itinerary hasn't changed since we booked in November so I'm wondering what might have caused these changes and if i can have confidence 3 months out. I am particularly happy because one of our stops is Santorini, and it sounds like escaping from and returning to the tender port could be awful even with just the 2000 on our ship (Celebrity Infinity).

Thanks for any insight!

We're looking at a 2025 HAL from Ft Lauderdale to Barcelona in April 2025 and I'd like advice from people who've been on the Atlantic in April. Ship is Oosterdam.

Choices are:

1)midship, an officially unobstructed but still limited oceanview. We have a hold on one of the last with an " unobstructed" view ( but it's really somewhat obstructed), midship. We're taking our first cruise this spring (Mediterranean) so neither of us knows how motion will affect us, so midship seems a safe choice.

2)  A veranda cabin at the very back, so you'd see the ship's wake and sunsets. I assume it will be too cold to really get a lot of use from the veranda, though perhaps somewhat sheltered from wind. I also worry a little about feeling the motion on the Atlantic. We are introverts who probably would prefer spending more time in the cabin than many people would, if the experience is worth it.

3) An inside cabin plus cabana but i assume it really would be too cold and windy to enjoy that.

Any advice? What's your experience? Things i haven't thought of? Thanks. ( Just don't say the cabin's only to sleep and shower! That's not us).

Thanks all for good tips. I amready have the info i need.

I ferl like this is the silliest question ever but - luggage tags holders are sold as being cruise - line specific. Our first cruise is booked on Celebrity but we're looking at Holland America next year. Is there some reason I can't re- use the same tag holders?Yes they're cheap but they're also plastic and i hate plastic that isn't re- usable. Or is there a way to find generic tags holders?

Thanks for humoring me.

Turkey just eliminated the need for visas for US cutizens: https://www.travelandleisureasia.com/global/news/turkey-announces-visa-free-entry-for-six-countries/.

This just happened so it will take a little time to be reflected in google searches.

On 12/24/2023 at 11:20 AM, Hlitner said:

I think there is some disagreement between writers and the traveling public.  The "improvements" at the port in Istanbul are not universally applauded by many cruisers (including moi).  And I don't think the NY Times has published why several cruise lines (i.e. Seabourn, Oceania, etc) have dropped Istanbul off some (or all) of their 2024 itineraries.  We actually have two booked cruises (for the Spring and Summer of 2024) that both cancelled all their port stops (including embarkation) in Turkey.

 

That being said, DW and I have been to Turkey on quite a few trips (both land and sea) and it ranks among our favorite countries to visit.

 

Hank

Never mind, I just saw your explanation above.

Can you say more about why you don't l7ke Galataport? And why do you think some lines have dropped Istanbul?

12 hours ago, Hlitner said:

I cannot resist this question.  We enjoy walking around Sirince and looking at some of the small shops and stands.  It is also a town with its share of eating venues/restaurants where we have enjoyed lunch.  But the reality is that Sirince has gone from a quiet rural village to a regional tourist trap!  If one has a car (we have rented cars in Kusadasi) and drives an hour (or so) from town to a place like Tire, they will see the real Turkey sans tourists/tourism.  It is a completely different experience.

Thanks. Thats5the impression i got. Maybe we'll have a relatively quiet day and just do Ephesus and old town Kusadasi.

6 hours ago, publicpersona said:

I would be interested to hear from those who have recent cruise experience on both Celebrity and Holland America. We've done about 70 cruises favoring Royal and Celebrity, but in recent years I'm finding pleasure in discovering new things/ships.

 

Our first venture outside RCG was MSC. While certain things such as food paled in comparison to Celebrity, the value proposition for price paid was much better. I will sail them again and set expectations appropriately.

 

Now I've become curious about Holland America. Being used to how things are on Celebrity, what would I be disappointed in on HAL? What would I find a welcome improvement?

There's a comparison thread on the Holland America board, about 3 days old now. We've booked our first ever cruise on Celebrity for the spring, based on itunerary and timing, but the more i read about the 2 linesrhe more i think HAL would be better for us. Thinking about doing a transatlantic with them next year.

On 12/18/2023 at 2:53 PM, Ex-Airbalancer said:

Don’t like your table ask to move to one you like 😁

To get Diamond perk you have to be on a RCL ship which is a negative 😉
Spend thousand on a cruise but complaining about not enough free books to read 

I don’t think I have time to read a book on my last 10 cruises, spending to much time talking with cruising friends 🤣

Some people want to talk to strangers, others to read. Different strokes.

What did ypu think.of Sirince village?

On 2/6/2023 at 9:30 PM, donaldsc said:

 

You left off your espresso machine.  Don't laugh. There was a recent post that I read somewhere that a couple tried to bring their full sized espresso machine on the ship.

 

DON

My husband will likely try to do that no matter what i tell him.

On 12/8/2023 at 6:23 AM, JVes said:

I've just left the first time cruiser category. Took a cruise on Grand Princess in November - just a short break, to "dip our toes in the water" and see if we liked it.

We did.

The ship had a lovely library, where I could see several introverts introverting together. (In other words, relaxed in their own chairs with their own choices of book.)

 

I chose to sit in the atrium sometimes. It was noisier than I like it, but there was live music, a lovely coffee shop (hot chocolate was divine) and a place that served snacks like sandwiches and tiny quiches and cakes. The combination of live music and good food called to me like a siren's song. 

I just wish they hadn't put a bar in the atrium area.

 

I rarely saw anyone in the art gallery, but when I did they were quiet. And (of course) there was art.

 

I found the lido deck and higher were too cold and windy for me: because November is in Australia's late autumn, and we were sailing in the coldest waters.

 

I missed out on most of the events: we didn't really go looking for them. I would have liked to see the show, but we probably were eating at the time. We chose to go to dining places outside of the busy times, which is an introversion paradise.

(BTW, the food we had was great, but don't try to go to food places on the top deck if you didn't bring your winter wear and you're on a cold-weather cruise. Take it from me, not worth it!)

 

I guess the thing to say is: enjoy your cruise. Do go explore the ship, you'll probably find nooks where there's a quiet lounge close to a source of tasty sandwiches and great hot chocolate.

Those few quiet spots are what I'll hope for.

On 12/13/2023 at 2:09 PM, countingbackwards said:

Having sailed both...I prefer HAL, but imagine that most who like one will have fun on either of them.  Here are the standout differences:

 

HAL has better food for beef eaters especially - included excellent MDR steak or prime rib is available just about every day.  X steaks were not as good - always overcooked.  Burgers at the Dive-In are delicious, whereas the Mast Grill burgers are awful frozen pucks thrown on a grill.  Fresh meats and roasts at the buffet on HAL that are well-prepared vs. overcooked and bland on X.

 

I prefer the X specialty restaurants in general, but they cost a lot more than HAL's so I'll go to max 1 per cruise - with HAL, a 2nd trip doesn't make me feel guilty for wasting more $$ on a meal that I already paid for.

 

X has the best bar - the Martini Bar has no peer on HAL.  But...those drinks are pricey.  I'm plenty happy with the drinks that are just as good on HAL without the big price, and as a result I order them more freely.

 

X has better coffee and tea at Al Bacio than anywhere on a HAL ship.  Snacks are better at the Dutch Cafe, but the priority for me is the coffee, and it's just OK.

 

HAL is more reasonable in all "after booking the cruise" costs.  Cheaper drink packages, cheaper excursions, cheaper specialty restaurants.

 

X is like Cunard and old-time cruising - a lot of the ship reserved for the high rollers.  I don't like the idea of a class system...the HAL system of being able to buy individual pieces (cabanas, Club Orange) is far nicer...even if I'm not a customer for any of it, I like to know that I can be.

 

Entertainment is just way better on HAL.  I love good, honest live music.  BB King's lounge is something I would happily pay for on land - especially when coupled with the HIA package.  What luxury to watch talented musicians play jazz and blues classics with "included" drinks flowing.  On X, they have big cheesy stage shows that aren't quite good enough to charge for on their own...HAL has the big cheesy dance shows to compete with that, but X has nothing that comes close to BB King (or the Rock Room for that matter).  During the day, I prefer the trivia games by the adult pool on HAL to the more energetic zumba etc. by the main pool on X.

 

HAL's atmosphere is elegant and relaxing; X's atmosphere is urban chic that feels somewhat forced to me.  We're still gluttons on a cruise ship consuming far too much food and drink...nothing about that is chic.

 

The balconies on HAL are nicer than any line I've been on.  The teak deck and footstools included in base balcony rooms make it feel more appealing to enjoy your balcony than the more industrial feel of X balconies (I haven't been on the IV on Edge class, only M and S class balconies).

 

Now having said all that - I love cruising both lines.  I'd go for whichever was the better price on a given itinerary.  Of course, HAL has better itineraries most of the time and lower prices, so it's a while since I've been on X now.

 

We booked our fitst ever cruise on Celebrity for May because of the itinerary and if we like cruising are considering a transatlantic on HAL in 2025. But i have to say, after seeing YouTube tours, that as you say the forced urban chic of Celebrity makes me think we'll be more comfortable on HAL. But - new experiences!

16 hours ago, billc23 said:

Yes. I never had the desire to cruise on one of the "Luxury" cruise lines - too stuffy and all that -  but when I saw that I was paying more for the excellent X experience than Regent or Silversea, I decided to give them a try. Turned out to be a superior experience for me and my wife while sailing as a couple. Certainly not for some/most loyal X cruisers but it was for us. I did not miss the art auctions or the hierarchal system that X has. 

Regent or Silversea less expensive than Celebrity? From what I've seen much more expensive so I'm interested in learning more details.

16 hours ago, iceman93 said:

I'm not discounting your opinion at all, but I just want to point out mine which is different.  After trying the production shows on our first few cruises we realized they weren't for us and stopped bothering.  We still like the contracted magicians, comedians, etc. but the big stage shows don't do anything for us.

 

So HAL dropping them was actually a huge benefit from our perspective, because we much more enjoy the musical entertainment they have now.  And the quality of drinks, food, and particularly service levels are perhaps the most important things to us.  For my family, HAL continues to deliver what we care about and enjoy.

This is helpful to me. We've booked our first ever cruise on celebrity this year, based on itinerary. If we like cruising, HAL has a transatlantic in 2025 which wiuld be perfect for us to do Spain afterward. We're not really much intetested in tbe evening entertainment but want to be comfortable and reasonably well fed, and orefer a quieter experience. I think we'll like HAL.

On 11/21/2023 at 9:23 AM, budmeister said:

I did not notice any small quiet places lounges, but I was very happy with the peace and quiet in the places I mentioned.  I very easily may have just walked by smaller quiet places because I looked for quiet places where you could see the ocean. Unless you have not cruised b4, the ship is small. 

 

Thanks, that's reassuring!

On 11/30/2023 at 9:43 AM, indy406 said:

We're on Infinity in April and I'm a little concerned, given conflicting reports on the ship's condition. Also, Tuscan is the only specialty restaurant of interest to us on Infinity. We'll miss Murano, Lawn Club and the Porch, which we've enjoyed on S-class ships. We've sailed Celebrity a dozen times and never been disappointed. Hoping to extend that string on Infinity. 

As far as i know, Infinity is schefuled for refurbishing in January- February. I looked at the deck plans, and they have some oyt that show the layour afterward. We'll be on tbe Greece and Turkey cruise that starts April 26.

We've booked our first for next spring. I feel now just like you did. I had fun reading your countdown and I'm so glad you had a great time!

On 11/22/2023 at 9:06 AM, leaveitallbehind said:

As others have said what you choose to do or not to do on a cruise will dictate your enjoyment.  Crowds are not everywhere and there are no activities you are required to do on board that would force you into crowded situations. Do you have a veranda stateroom?  If so, your deck is your own private space as well. (If you don't, I would consider changing to one).

 

Celebrity ships unusually have a library on board that is quiet and uncrowded as well as a number of smaller venues that you can enjoy. The Sky Observation Lounge is a large space that usually has small, individual seating space available. Try the promenade deck outside for less crowded outdoor spaces. 

 

Certain bars will be crowded and there will typically be lines waiting to enter the dining venues. But other than that, ships are not sardine cans and there will always be somewhere on board that will be quiet and away from crowds.  You are not delusional for booking this cruise and I am sure you will enjoy it.

Thanks. Good to know rhete are some small.spaces. YouTube walkthroughs make it look like a series of huge open spaces.

On 8/27/2023 at 11:06 AM, mom says said:

There are things in life we may not want to do, but need to do for our own sake, and that of family/loved ones. Would you prefer to carry a folding seat or end up in the emergency room in a foreign country?

The cane/folding seat is one option. This collapsible seat is another: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0B87QBM7R/ref=twister_B0BKPQKP2P?_encoding=UTF8&th=1

Thank you, thank you! I am 71 with little endurance fir standing in long lines. This will be a game changer.

On 1/28/2023 at 3:46 PM, SSFrance69 said:

Better than just an indoor covered pool and hot tubs, the Millenium class ships have a thalassotherapy pool in the solarium. It's a pool that is heated, not as hot as a hot tub, but much warmer than a heated pool, with a bench that blows bubbles from underneath that you can relax on and powerful sprays at the side of the pool that you can stand under to get a neck and shoulder massage. In addition there are actual hot tubs in the solarium. Millenium class ships are my preference for that reason alone. Happy sailing!

We're on Infinity in April, now I'm REALLY looking forward to it. Maybe I'll just doend the whole cruise there.