Cruise Raider

I wasn’t one that was impressed by Antigua but had the best time in St Kitts. We just caught an open air trolley there and the driver said if we didn’t like it, we didn’t have to pay. At the end of the tour, we asked him that since we loved it, should we pay double? He supplied everyone with cold waters, sodas or beer. He gave us a tour of the island and there were stops at a batik making place with beautiful gardens and trails. We then went up to view where the Atlantic meets the Caribbean Sea from atop a mountain. Down below in the other direction, you can see the Marriott with what looked to be a gorgeous white sand beach. It may not still be the Marriott, but at the time we went, you could get a free shuttle from the pier to their casino and use the beach instead if you so desired. We didn’t go as we found an awesome tour but we were considering it. I don’t believe the shuttle back was free, though. While I am usually not a shopper of ‘stuff’ there at the ports but, I found a little treasure, a larimar dragonfly pendant, that I still wear almost everyday.

Just make sure you get some strong ones. 25lb does not mean they will hold up to 25 lbs .. they won’t hold up a purse with anything inside it. they will hold your masks or help open a safe’s door if it’s one that doesn’t pop open on it own. I got some 100lb ones with hooks and found they were hard to pull off the wall, though. But, they do hold items with some weight up well. I use a couple of clips ones as well for my paperwork. One holds the patters and the other holds invitations, tour tickets and such.

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Yes, you may!

That’s what I said, too! I feel like if I hang around them long enough, some luck will also come my way.

We’ve only won $25 on 3 different cruises. But, my cousin won $5000 and a good friend won a free 7 night cruise in a balcony cabin.

That could definitely be but, ours was changed about two months before. Felt bad for people that had flights booked for later as they had to be changed.

Boarding time remains the same so, I would only imagine the transfers would as well. Just of note, we had a late departure time listed for Vancouver last year and they changed it to much earlier well before the departure date. So just be aware this sometimes happens.

Sept - Oct 2023 for three weeks of wet and dry dock

The Royal is a fabulous ship! She has all the bells and whistles that the Discovery has and even has Vines as well as a true nonsmoking section to her casino. She's incredibly well maintained. I don’t think she will will disappoint anyone that likes the newer ships.

Yes, the Emerald has metal walls that will hold a magnet. The only ship I’ve been on where the magnets wouldn’t stick was on the Diamond. I went to put up my magnetic clip and it just slid right down to the floor.

I also saw one that uses a USB port.

Yes, they did! If you do not have status, it will be a $30 charge for using it for one day. Yes, checking while in port is a better idea.

We just did this recently and were moved to a different deck. My DH was always so anxious about having to move rooms but after the seamless move, with no very little work on our part, he now doesn’t mind it at all. You will pack up all of your belongings that are not on hangers and leave your suitcases in the closet. Take your valuables from the safe with you. The room staff will clean your new cabin first and move all your belongs as a priority. If you need to go through immigration at your turn around port, you will be given a in transit card and meet at a specific spot and be escorted off the ship as a group. You will then go back through security, but not through a second check in and be on the first group to be allowed to reboard once the ship has been cleared. Your new cabin will most likely be ready by the time you are back onboard. It is super simple and they give you clear instructions on exactly how it is handled.

After having cruised on the Royal, Majestic and Discovery, it really seems like the Grand and Crown class ships pale in comparison. I do like the Ruby and Emerald, though. They seem to have maintained those ships pretty well. PS .. I live Loreto as well.

Thank you for that advice! I know I can trust what you say. We may just wait until the Ruby is back in SF and fly up to Seattle to go on the Majestic for Alaska this year.

We will definitely meet up with you at that M&G. My dear friend, @HaveDogWillTravel, will be hosting that one. I think she said there will be 18 people or so in attendance so far. That will be a great number of fellow passengers to get to know one another. I attended a large M&G back in 2017, by large I mean huge, and although we got to know a few other fellow passengers, it was just way to big to get to meet everyone. It was good, though, as they made all the necessary announcements that were ‘oh so helpful’ to everyone. So, I actually got a lot out of it.

Thrak … I was just looking to book this cabin and you saved me from making a huge mistake.

I plan on attending the meet and greet for the eclipse cruise but won’t be sending out my email to get an invite. Tom has agreed to give us a flying onboard instead. I’m not understanding the point of keeping it so secretive but hey, I’m not running it. I’m also on the 3 night cruise right before the eclipse cruise. Either way, we will plan on meeting up to talk about the Majestic, if for no other reason.

It makes total sense to me. My DH and I were just discussing either taking a 7 night sailing on the Majestic in a balcony vs an 11 night one in an oceanview to Alaska in August of this year. The price is nearly the same for both cruises. The one on the Majestic includes first class airfare both ways. That would be my choice but he loves no flight. Once we determine if we even like the Crown in a few weeks, (we cruised on her when she was brand new and I wasn’t exactly impressed that time), we will make our final decision. I have refundable deposits on both. I also got my favorite cabins on both but won’t hold those cabins for very long. we cruised on the Majestic a few times and she is my absolute favorite ship ever! I just know you are going to love her! She sparkles in so many ways.

Those don’t even bother me so much but sometimes, my leg does flop out of bed in the middle of the night and yes, the pillow does the trick to keep that light from coming on.

I couldn’t agree with you more. When the Royal Princess was here in SF, I was so happy and booked several cruises on her at that time. It comes down to either flying to our embarkation port on a nice ship or just crossing the Bay Bridge on an old ship. We’ve were spoiled .. our 5 last sailings were on the Majestic and Discovery and Royal. Being someone that just doesn’t care about the walk around promenade, is her we could get a nice ship back in SF again. But, when we do go on the Crown, we are just going to be so grateful for no flight, I’m sure we will manage quite well.

Thank you! I thought I read somewhere it would be Gary Golding and hoping it was but haven’t seen him around for quite some time. I am sure Jodi will be great, though.

Thank you so much for the info! It is all invaluable. And I know what you mean about those motion lights, they just come on whenever the ship moves. We have a cover that fits the Ruby’s light so, hopefully it will be the same for the Crown. The Discovery either never had them or they’ve disabled the motion sensor. You can still turn it on when you need it for the closet. We got the premier package on our next couple of sailings on the Crown. I don’t really think it’s going to be worth it, though, without a much of a choice of casual dining venues. Thanks again!

Thank you @gt1701a. That’s very helpful info. For casual dining, I was referring to the ones that one has to pay for or includes in the plus or premier packages. I think the Crab Shack carries a price of a specialty restaurant. And by any chance, does none know who the current Cruise Director is and if he/she will be on in February? thanks again!