buckeye7

Thank you for including the pictures. I've been wondering where the sensor is! 

Another question about the wording. When I pull up my account on my laptop and see the packages purchased, it names the beverage, Wi-Fi, gratuity package that we bought. It names our TA and the last column says Complimentary Gift. Does it always say that or did the TA gift us that?? Thank you!

We decided on Lucca for our early summer trip. Will take a train there from the port and then back to Rome to fly home.  It’s a very walkable walled little town and you can take a bus or train to nearby sites, if you want. We have an Airbnb apartment for 4 days. Never been before but had a friend who lived there and seems lovely. 

15 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

I always carry one of these with me when traveling, they are good for everything from a trip to the beach to a trip to the market:

 

https://loqi.com/

I think these are really cute and come in so many great options! Thanks for sharing!

We cruised an itinerary with Princess. We thought it was wonderful. We have another booked with them this May. I think Princess has nice itinerary choices. We’ll be leaving out of Barcelona this time, ending in Rome.  Good suggestions already about arriving a few days early to see the embarkation city, adjust to time change, and ensure you and your luggage are there in plenty of time. (We only do carry-on, but if you are checking luggage, it gives you time in case anything goes wrong.) Research private tours with your Roll Call here once you book. We had really great tours that we arranged with others that I met here on Cruisecritic  in our Roll Call.

I have used all the remedies listed in this post. I used the patch and had disastrous results for two summers in a row. (The 2nd summer cruise I used the patch again because I didn’t realize what happened to me was patch related.) To shorten a long story, removing the patch after the cruise caused me to have such severe vertigo that I had constant vomiting and couldn’t function for two months. My doc and I did not associate the symptoms with removing the patch, but we figured it out when it happened again. Both times I wore the patch for almost two weeks. That’s why I’m sharing this — since you mentioned a long cruise. I’d be careful of wearing a patch for a long cruise.

The relief band did give me some relief but I generally needed to combine Bonine with the band.  I plan to get a new band for our upcoming summer cruise.  
 

On 12/4/2022 at 9:27 AM, justafem said:

Same with seasickness pills, 2 different types as you really don't know which version is going to work if your really really seasick.

What are the two different types? I only know about Bonine (and patches which ended up a disaster for me, so I won’t wear them again.) Always looking for new solutions, as someone who loves to cruise but gets extreme motion sickness.

We’ve always brought just carry-on luggage and could always get to our room to drop it off — and we are usually very early onboard. 

When the email says “Want to keep current rates? Pre-pay before Dec 14,” does that mean to pay the full balance by then, or just the down payment? We have a cruise in May and I want to keep the old Plus.

Thank you for such an upbeat report! We’ll be on the Enchanted in May and you’ve made me even more excited for our trip! (Super glad to hear about the Loveboat Dream 😅)

Thanks for clarifying! 

3 hours ago, caribill said:

 

Only the Royal class (which includes the Majestic) has the Concierge Lounge for full suite guests.

I’m confused about the lounges. Is there also a Platinum/Elite lounge on Royal class? I’ve heard the terms suite lounge, concierge lounge, and Platinum /Elite lounge and don’t know if it’s all the same thing.

Thanks, Belle Belle. I am leaning towards doing it. I read somewhere else about the smell and hope it doesn’t smell once your hair is dried after washing.

2 minutes ago, JimmyVWine said:

Thanks. UpSuites BCN is the name of the establishment and will come up in any internet search.

Thank you! I quickly did a search and they are booked for our dates. But what a great tip for someone heading to Barcelona!

Wow. Your trip reports are the best I’ve ever read!!! Please write when you take your next cruise! Also, we will be spending 2 days in Barcelona  pre-cruise this spring. Can you give any more detail about how to book that apartment? Does “upsuites” mean that exact apartment or are there others? Thank you!!

I am very close to booking an appointment for Magic Sleek hair straightening. It's VERY expensive but my hair is soooo curly, frizzy, thick and out of control. I need a solution, but wondered if anyone has any experience with it? I would be so happy to have easier hair on a cruise!
Thanks!!

Hi BuckeyeDonna,

We are also buckeyes! We have taken several European cruises with Princess and thought they were great. We did one similar to this one and saw the sights you are hoping for.  Princess has several different itineraries and is a mid-price line.  https://www.princess.com/cruise-search/details/?voyageCode=N320A
 

4 hours ago, LACruiser88 said:

No one has questioned the wines as we return to the ship.  This is not always the case on every ship.  We have sailed on ships where they have been very strict regarding collecting corkage fees as you return to the ship.

Can you clarify if you could bring one bottle per person at every port without corkage fee? Or is that only at embarkation? Thank you!

Perfect!!

We like to bring a very small, light Bluetooth speaker to have in the room. It’s nice to listen to our choice of music in the room — not at a loud volume so as not to be heard by our neighbors.

We also make copies of our passport, credit cards, license —- just to have in case something would get lost.

🚢 We haven’t cruised since the industry started back up and we are so excited to sail away in the spring.

We are planning for our port stop in Genoa in early June. We'd like a low-key day on our own. Wondering if anyone has been to Boccadasse, as we saw it recommended on Trip Advisor. Thanks for any info!

I have this Lands’ End coverup but use it more as a maxi dress. It works both ways!

Oh I hadn’t seen those LLBean jackets but think I need one for Christmas for sure! Thanks!

53 minutes ago, RNRcruisers said:

I tried to do carry-on for our 10 day London trip but failed and ended up checking a bag. The toiletries are the hardest part for me (that quart bag is small!) but also the uncertain weather just made it too hard to fit it all in. For a cruise, I want to pack what I want and not be limited 😀 I do keep it to one checked though.

In case it helps anyone to know this about the liquids: TSA allows contact lens solution to not count in the quart size bag. (Doesn’t even have to be 3oz.) You don’t have to bag it. You are supposed to declare them, but I just use two bags and no one has ever said anything. In the contact lens bag I use extra contact lens cases to bring some face lotions ☺️. I also put eye drops in that bag. 

We are in the carry-on only camp. I actually find it freeing to have less stuff in the cabin and land hotels. I plan well ahead and practice packing the suitcase in advance to see what fits and how heavy it is. Then I have time to adjust and re-think. To me, it’s part of the adventure and fun in planning.