sbbquilter

While I had always wanted to cruise Alaska, DH wasn't as keen. So I figured he couldn't refuse it if it was for our 30th anniversary and booked it just prior to a business meeting that was being held in Vancouver. That Saturday morning we were sitting in the CL at the Marriott overlooking Canada Place and calmly told him we would be here again next year - he was confused until I explained we would be boarding the Serenade that day. The other part of the surprise was that DS's were also going in an interior across the hall - got to keep that until he started to bug me about inviting them along. Fabulous time as a family.

We sailed her in June this year and had a great time. She is the largest ship we had ever sailed and were concerned about crowds and kids - all unfounded. Our cabin was fine, yes the carpet was a bit worn but that hardly impacts the enjoyment of my holiday. The solarium pool was lovely and on sea days though crowded in the morning we could get chairs by lunchtime. Have a great time!

My very favorite time to cruise is the couple weeks just after Thanksgiving - prices are low, very few kids and the ship is being decorated for the Christmas holiday. Caribbean weather is beautiful and was a relaxation before the holiday rat race at home.

We were on the Angelina Lauro in 1974 with friends for a 7 night Caribbean cruise. The ship was a converted military ship - no balconies or atrium. Our cabin had 2 lower berths attached to the wall with a tiny nightstand between, which was our total storage. The bathroom makes current models look spacious. But we were treated like royalty by the warm and friendly Italian crew.

We fly in day of cruise with only carry on luggage so we board around 1 pm. We drop off our bags, hang up clothes and go exploring. Heading to Europe next year so that will change as we explore Barcelona before our cruise - will keep an eye on that board to look at best boarding time.

I know that I am in the minority but we have always flown the day of the cruise. Early flight and assure there is at least one more flight that will get us there. Having said that and flying nearly weekly for work, flights are flying full so getting that second flight if the first is missed is problematic. December adds another risk - what airport are you flying through as that would influence my decision.

Good luck

We are in the no checked bag crowd. Carry on 22" bag (one each) and shoulder bag each- we are set for the cruise. We don't plan to arrive at the port until at least noon so we can usually drop our bags as we board. I know that this isn't for everyone but this makes us feel like we are on a relaxing vacation from the start.

We have taken our clubs several times - loved Bermuda and played two rounds. We were able to stand the clubs up behind a chair and they were not ever in the way.

We had just disembarked on 7/4 and I am not surprised about the late embark. We were group 15 to disembark and did not get off the ship and through customs until almost 11 am. We did indeed have a gastro issue (not us personally) the previous week so there may have been some deep cleaning going on. As soon as we saw the team in the WJ change out the tongs frequently we knew what was up. From that time we did not eat at the buffet because I am a chicken. They ran commercials on the TV about washing hands and urged guests to report if they were sick. Thought that it was handled well.

Glad you had a nice cruise.

We always seem to have to fly in the day of the cruise - consider doing only carry on luggage to avoid the wait for luggage or chance it does not make the flight. On our recent trip it turned out to be no problem - with each of us able to fill a quart bag with liquids we took 4 3 oz tubes of sunscreen with no problem. Eye opening that we could travel with much less stuff and have a great time.

We have sailed the week following Thanksgiving as the prices are great and it is relatively quiet- those weeks they were decorating all week which apwas really fun to watch. Don't know about prior to Thanksgiving though.

The big ships with their stabilizers make the sail quite smooth - two weeks ago we had 3-4 meter seas from Curaçao to SanJuan and we barely felt any movement. Have a great time and think of any rain as "liquid sunshine". Bermuda is beautiful so have a great time.

Great idea to spend that time with the family - to us a cruise was a great way to enjoy time together and have a bit of a breather. personally I agree that 4 days will limit you to older ships with fewer bells and whistles as well as being a draw to a serious party crowd who want to cram in a lot of drinking and partying. On a seven day you will have the time to fully explore the ship and activities, so if that works I would definitely go for 7 days on RCCL.

We are just off the Adventure last week - landed at 3 pm and were in our cabin by 4. It is easy to catch a cab at the airport and the ride is only 15 - 20 minutes. We did only carry on luggage which meant we did not have to wait for luggage.

Good Luck

Another consideration is the specific test - most would require a more sophisticated lab than you will find on the ship.

Laughed about the linen comment because I wear it almost exclusively while in the Caribbean because it is so comfortable. I layer a cleaners plastic bag between layers of clothes in the suitcase and carefully fold the clothes - nothing is terribly wrinkled when I unpack. Another thought is bamboo fabric clothing - very comfortable and no wrinkles.

Very sad that our tour with them was a bust. I had arranged for the 4 hour tour - we went to the meeting place just outside the port gate, waited 45 minutes and they never did show up. I should have been clued in when I did not get a response to my confirmation e-mail the week before we sailed but I had hoped it was just an oversight.

You will be fine. With the number of strapless, very tight and short dresses we saw last week (think Vegas) you can wear whatever you feel pretty in. As it is so warm I found that I was most comfortable in sleeveless dresses though carried a lightweight linen cardigan in case it was cool though rarely put it on. It was a great cruise - have fun!

We have used the wash and fold to for t-shirts, socks, pj's and underwear (his, not mine) so that we can travel with carry on luggage - returned in two days without damage. Also have had dry cleaning which was ready in 24 hours. Thought the price was fair, especially compared to land hotels.

Agree with OP - the seven day Bermuda was great and we want to repeat but neither the 5 day nor 9 including Bahamas are of interest. It will be interesting to see if they continue to sail full.

At this point we are looking at a land stay in Bermuda though we would prefer a ship.

We were also on this cruise and had a great time. We booked JS 9628 at the edge of the hump which has a totally private balcony and walk in closet that is amazing. As far as the food we had dinner at Giovanni's which was fine but we would choose not to repeat this cruise. Ate breakfast in the dining room (I enjoy being spoiled on vacation) each morning as well as the two at sea days. Dinner was MTD and we found ourselves at a table for two by the window with lovely neighbors who we enjoyed talking with each evening. The food was mostly fine, not spectacular or awful. Wait staff of Julio and Albino were very attentive and took great care of us.

Due to work commitments we did not fly in until Saturday - arrived in San Juan at 3 pm, luggage was just carry on so we were at the port and in our stateroom by 4 pm, ready to vacation. Sebastian was our cabin attendant and took good care of us.

Found that staff around the ship was kind and willing to help.

I was a bit concerned that with a full ship we would feel crowded but always could find a quiet place to sit and enjoy the sea. Except for sea days we always found seats at the Solarium pool.

Just off AOS Southern Caribbean and now have to wait 458 days until B2B Med and TA on the Brilliance. Have a bit to do in the meantime - build a new house, sell a house, retire and relocate.

Just off lovely week on AOS. We decided to pack in carry on luggage this trip and it worked fine. DH wore long sleeve shirt and nice slacks on formal night and was not out of place. We saw every level of dress from formal to casual on the ship. I wore a black dress with fun jewelry which worked great. Have a great time - we certainly did.

We generally cruise with our kids and eat at a four top as we get to spend little time together but had a great time when I discovered at dinner the first night that our tablemate was a wonderful quilt teacher that I had long admired.

I use lingerie wash that I get in envelopes - usually find it in nicer department stores lingerie department.