djay

On 1/30/2022 at 12:00 PM, lgazz said:

Looking at booking a Jr Suite on Royal Caribbean's Enchantment for April 2023 full transit.  Aft-facing and side-facing available.  Normally, I would go for aft, but curious on your opinion whether side-facing will offer better views.

We did the partial transit about 10 years ago with a port-facing balcony.  I know that we will likely be walking about deck for the best views while in the locks.

Any thoughts are appreciated!  Thank you!

Will be sailing with you April 2023-  have been looking forward to retiring so could take the time. Booked Deck 7 aft balcony.   I will continue on with  Enchantment : LA> Vancouver & then on up to Alaska & back to Vancouver-  28 days.

WOW this is so exciting.  Just booked RCCL Enchantment- Ft Lauderdale>Panama Canal>LA.  Booked Deck 7 balcony but was told I would want to be up on top decks for most of the canal Day.

April 2023-  have a year to anticipate.

On 10/8/2021 at 7:35 AM, LatinaInTexas said:

We had Key West removed some time ago from our 10/23 Dream sailing. Do you normally get port fees returned when you lose a port? Before or after sailing?

On 2 Royal caribbean cruises-  we had Grand Cayman cancelled & we received the Port Fees reimbursed on the daily A/R.  I later learned that Grand cayman preferred NO CRUISE ships & could deny due to weather & having to tender in.

Booked Sept 4 to bermuda-  WHERE does anyone stay the night b4??  This time out of Baltimore we are driving & parking at dock lot.  Will need scooter this time for DW.  HELP appreciated.

THANKS-  that is great to know that we will be able to get around with DW and she can enjoy the sights.

Our 1st time to Bermuda also-  Royal caribbean -4Sept 2021.   Wife has scooter-  Does the ferries allow scooters?

last cruise to Canada- she was in wheel Chair -This will be our first cruise with scooter-  Not sure about all the cobblestones.

THANKS!!

Not the most glamorous- but last year we did Grandier of the Seas- baltimore to New England & Canada. Due to work schedule- we had to go 1st of Sept- not much tree color but was VERY Enjoyable. We did Amtrack Atlanta to baltimore so no flying.

Did NE / Nova Scotia cruise from Baltimore Sept 2016- Grandeur- loved the smaller ships. Had great crew . Not as much GLITZ as the larger ships= Going to Key West & belize - April 2018- Rhapsody- same plan- we are in the same cabin as last yr. Looking forward to the small ship again.

Did NE / Nova Scotia cruise from Baltimore Sept 2016- Grandeur- loved the smaller ships.

Had great crew . Not as much GLITZ as the larger ships= Going to Key West & belize - April 2018- Rhapsody- same plan- we are in the same cabin as last yr. Looking forward to the small ship again.

Yes, there are taxis in Halifax. Do not know if they offer wheelchair accessible taxis, but would assume so. Regardless, if it is a small scooter, chances are that it would fit in the trunk. When we took the bus, there was a stop at the Citadel. The Citadel is accessible. You might have to look for the elevators. They do have a procession, but I do not remember the time. Believe it is listed on their website.

If you are considering the walk / scoot back to the ship, take the south vehicle route from the Citadel to Sackville St. and turn left. Go to Brunswick St. and again turn left. Go all the way to the “Old Town Clock” and turn right on Carmichael St. That will take you all the way to the sea walk. You would pass through the center of things (Grand Parade). You will also see what I said about the steep hill. He will definitely go down the hill in “snail” mode.

We were also lucky at getting on tenders. On that particular cruise, there was guy with a monster scooter, thus the ship enforced their “no scooter” rule. However, crew members knew us from other ships and volunteered to carry both scooters to and from the tenders, thus we got to go ashore both places.

Newport: If you have not visited a mansion, The Breakers is definitely worth a trip. The Cliff Walk is also very nice. The bus we took, is no longer running. You could reverse the trip and take the bus to The Breakers first and then take the Cliff Walk down hill to Memorial Blvd and back to the tender from there. That would be approximate a two mile walk. The hill is a moderate incline. Or you could just go the the Cliff Walk and see a short bit and come back a block to catch the bus.

I'm bewildered, Old Town Trolley is accessible with limitations. They do have a weight restrictions, but the small scooters with rider normally meet the requirements. Here is the link to their page. https://www.trolleytours.com/boston/accessibility-services I was advised of the weight restrictions on a prior inquiry. Do not remember what it was.

Have a wonderful cruise, Betty

DW has bad knees and last year on NE/Canada- RCI-Rhapsody- She went everywhere with wheelchair= of course- I was behind her pushing - but Tour buses & Trolley in Boston was very accommodating . One stop - forgot which one- (think it was Nova Scotia) RAMP was very steep- RC had helpers who pushed the chair up the steep ramp. We had handicapped cabin, SO ENJOYABLE booked far in advance. Cruising Rhapsody April 2018- to WEST carribbean- Have 1 of the 4 Handicapped room booked.. Got us to head of lines- many times. Did not ask but places are so accommodating.

WOW- so many negatives about the Grandeur. So many seem to be snobs(?).

WE cruised to Canada -Sept 2016. We thought the food in the MDR was great and the service could not have been better- we did anytime on 5th deck.

WE also ate at the Windjammer most breakfasts & lunches. WE were cruising just to see the NE & Canada- not a player or dancer so we just enjoyed the shows & alot of "nothing". I used the whirlpool & sauna every morning. We have cruised the bigger ships but prefer the smaller. Have Western Carribbean booked April 2018 on Rhapsody out of Tampa.

We do not go for GLAMOR so I guess that is why we like the smaller.

Sailed Grandeur of the Seas -past Sept- every morning - used the jacuzzi & solarium pool almost every morning & then did sauna & steam- the showered. Yes they had liquid soap & conditioner. Also the towels were very nice. Left the cabin shower for DW.

Did Grandeur of the Seas - past Sept- New England/Canada. Spa had locker room with Steam & sauna- also showers. I went up there most mornings at 7am- so i also showered there b4 breakfast

We were on the Grandeur of the Seas in Sept- new England/canada so we had no beaches- but ship pools. We had to sign out towels with room card. Thought that was absurd- often at 7am- had to chase down attendant to get towel before going to the solarium pool.

FYI- the cabin towels were great. Did Freedom of Seas before & at beaches- got towels at the beaches.

We were on the Gof Seas last week to new England. We had any time dining- early. On the 5th floor. Right side. maitre'd was Rhah and server- WILSON. They were the BEST. WONDERFUL food.

Cruzgirl- I saw the children's area up on top deck- only thru the windows- Did not have a water park. There were 20 kids on this past week.

I saw no signs of age problems. We actually prefer the smaller ships & will staywith this class for future cruises. We have no kids.

djay

Day 9 on Grandeur of Seas- almost home. We have cruised the larger ships & this week found that we prefer the smaller ships. Many yrs ago- we sailed out of Charleston on NCL's smallest & oldest ship- no longer in fleet ( I cannot even remember the name.). Grandeur has had many negative reviews- to the point- we almost cancelled- but we have found nothing to be negative- except maybe the internet speed. We have always wanted to cruise to NewEngland & canada and this was the closest port to our Atlanta home. RCCL has several ships that are this size - sailing from Florida so wewill be looking at those.

On Grandeur of the Seas- evening 5. We are rocking ==on way from Bar Harbor to St John, Canada. After a beautiful day Hermine has given us rough seas & rain.

After booking this cruise a year ago- I started reading the many NEGATIVE reviews. I almost looked for another cruise but this fit our schedule the best. I HAVE FOUND NO NEGATIVES .. The shows may not be as grand as the huge newer ships but are entertaining. The piano show performer- tonight had just been on Anthem and 2 more days- he will leave for another ship.

Food in the Windjammer & the Main Dining Room have been more than good.

internet is VERY SLOW- That is a negative. Will write more later.

Train Trip from Atlanta to Baltimore was great. Has Sleeper so had good night's sleep with the thump of the rails soothing.

Was 30 min late leaving due to late getting in from the West. Time was made up and we got to Baltimore right on time.

had a nice afternoon at the Inner Harbor area & great Maryland Crabcakes & Maryland Catfish.

Going to get good night's sleep & sail tomorrow.

SOUTHERN CRESCENT goes from West Coast to New York. Thru new Orleans> to Atlanta & on up to Wash DC, Baltimore NY.

About to leave now.

We are actually leaving tomorrow 8pm Amtrak from Atlanta to baltimore. We arrive 10am Wednesday- staying in hotel on harbor- boarding Grandeur on Thursday TO New England.

We are getting to baltimore 1 day early- we think that is enough. Spent the extra $$ to get Roomette- small sleeping room with upper & lower bunks. Our trip is mostly at night so we will be sleeping thru NC & Va. Cost for roomette gets us free meals in the dining car- Dinner & breakfast. At their costs- we could have spent 50% of the cost on 2 meals.

3 yrs ago we went on the same Crescent Line to new Orleans & back. That was a 13hr Day trip but we also had the roomette & 3 meals.

We loved the trip - DW does not like to fly & this is alternative to me driving. I get there relaxed- like she does. WOULD RECOMMEND TO ANYONE. I WILL POST AFTER OUR TRIP.

We are in the COUNT-Down until next Thursday to new England. First time on GS. Gonna be diff than the Freedom.

Its sad that I have no life found myself tonight surfing thru all the threads and just keep watching for responses- LOL.

It has been 8 yrs since last cruise & I have forgotten. Are gratuities paid as a fee thru Customer Service or is it cash in envelope? $13.50 per day? Always have Extra for those special people.

Trying t decide how much cash we need to take. Taxis/ hotel personnel, etc.

Has gotten to the point that i may have $5 cash at any time- everything is paid by Am Express & i pay it off every 2 weeks. No reason for cash.

Thanks to all offering your knowledge. DJay

Bob- I can handle that- I thought I would have to put maybe $1000 deposit. This means no hassle when not spend $1000.

Being a cruise novice- WHAT is a CASH ACCOUNT? Will remember to have Mini bar emptied. Thanks