katmu

I spent several months last year looking for a travel backpack that was smaller than the maximum carry-on size. I ended up going with the Patagonia Black Hole Mini MLC 30L bag. I’ve been super happy with it. It weighs less than 3 lbs, has a laptop sleeve, exterior water bottle pocket, and I really like the organization overall. https://www.patagonia.com/product/black-hole-mini-mlc-convertible-backpack-30-liters/195699382879.html

We’ve decided on the Rotterdam cruise. The 2 days in Stockholm ended up being the deciding factor.

Both ships are listed as Stockholm not Nynashamn, as that was one of the first things I was looking for. I was planning that for either cruise we would spend probably 3 nights in Amsterdam pre-cruise. The Holland America cruise ends on a Saturday so we would look to fly back either on Sunday or Monday so I would need to decide to do with the extra time. We have Prussian (Pomeranian) ancestry so exploring the area near Warnemunde is something that interests me.

My adult son and I are looking at 2 Baltic cruises for 2025. I prefer the Holland America Rotterdam itinerary as it has an overnight in Stockholm, a late night in Tallinn and stops in Oslo. He prefers the Celebrity Eclipse itinerary as it leaves from Amsterdam instead of Rotterdam, and visits 7 ports in 12 days vs. 8 ports in 14 days. The itineraries are below. Holland America Rotterdam Day 1 Rotterdam 3:00 PM Day 2 At Sea Day 3 Oslo, Norway 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM Day 4 Aarhus, Denmark 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Day 5 Warnemunde, Germany 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM Day 6 At Sea Day 7 Tallinn, Estonia 9:00 AM - 11:00 PM Day 8 Helsinki, Finland 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM Day 9 Stockholm, Sweden 8:00 AM - Day 10 Stockholm, Sweden - 5:00 PM Day 11 At Sea Day 12 Kiel, Germany 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Day 13 Copenhagen, Denmark 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Day 14 Rotterdam, Holland 7:00 AM Celebrity Eclipse Day 1 Amsterdam 5:00PM Day 2 At Sea Day 3 Warnemunde, Germany 9:00 AM - 11:30 PM Day 4 At Sea Day 5 Gdansk (Gdynia), Poland 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM Day 6 Visby, Sweden 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Day 7 Tallinn, Estonia 8:30 AM - 8:00 PM Day 8 Helsinki, Finland 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM Day 9 Stockholm, Sweden 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM Day 10 At Sea Day 11 Copenhagen, Denmark 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Day 12 Amsterdam, Holland 6:00 AM Thank you.

I can understand that Celebrity is looking at it from a perspective that on average, a cabin with a solo cruiser may have spend less total over the course of a cruise than a cabin with 2 adults but there are other factors. I tend to book more cruise line excursions when sailing solo than I do when sailing with friends or my family. I also tend to spend more money at the spa on things like massages or thermal suite passes, as my solo cruises can be time to relax. For me my biggest issue with Celebrity’s policy is that many solo cruisers don’t always cruise solo. I sometimes cruise solo, and sometimes cruise with friends or family. I am generally the planner of the trips with my friends and family, and I can tell you I will not be looking at Celebrity if they are not going to welcome my solo business as well.

Have you checked out the mini-suites on Princess. My friend and I shared one on Sky Princess and found it spacious enough for 2 people. The website says for the newer ships that category is about 320 square feet. Sapphire Princess and Coral Princess, smaller ships, also shows 320 sq. feet.

This does raise a good point about St. Maarten as I still have an issue there it seems. On the day the Eurodam docks in St. Maarten, there are 2 additional bigger ships in port that day so there will be over 10,000 people arriving. Any suggestions for a busy day? Eurodam arrives before the big RC ship so I may get off for a short bit and get back on the ship once things get busy. The good news is that for the moment anyway, the other ports don’t look to be as crowded. Even St. Thomas will have only a Crystal ship besides Eurodam on the day currently scheduled.

I’m waiting for my TA to complete the booking on the Eurodam. For people who are saying the ports are better on the Eurodam, what is the opinion on St. Maarten? I’m most excited about St. Lucia and Antigua. Half Moon Cay looks more my speed than Perfect Day as well. I need to do more research on Dominica and St. Kitts.

Hello- I am in my early 50s and will be cruising solo. I’m looking at Eastern and Southern Caribbean cruises in either late November or early December. Both of these lines would be new to me, although I am booked on a HAL cruise for next May with my family. I was looking at these 2 cruises for different reasons. The Royal cruise is a hosted singles cruise. I’m not particularly interested in dating but a cruise where I know there will be well-attended events for solos does appeal to me. I’m not as excited about the big ship, potential for lots of kids on board, and it’s obviously 7 days vs. 11 days. Price wise, the base fare of the 7 day on Symphony of the Seas is cheaper but once I add gratuities, internet, and the non-alcoholic drinks package, it really only saves about $200. HAL includes a full drinks package, 1 specialty dining, 2 shore excursions and $300 OBC though as well. The HAL itinerary appeals to me more, but I know HAL has cut back on some of their music onboard recently so that is a bit of a concern. I’ve been reading the Midwest thread on the HAL board that’s showing the daily events on the Eurodam currently, and I think there are enough events that interest me to keep me busy. I do want time to relax on the sea days as well. I’m hoping to hear from people who have sailed on either of these ships on adults only cruises, or people who can give me experience with both lines. I have been to Miami and Fort Lauderdale for previous cruises, but all of the ports on both of these cruises would be new to me. Symphony of the Seas Day Port Day 1 Miami, FL 4:00pm Day 2 CocoCay, Bahamas 7:00am 5:00pm Day 3 At Sea Day 4 San Juan, Puerto Rico 10:30am 6:00pm Day 5 St. Maarten 8:00am 6:00pm Day 6At Sea Day 7At Sea Day 8 Miami, FL 6:00am Eurodam Day Port Day 1 Fort Lauderdale, FL 3:00pm Day 2 At Sea Day 3 At Sea Day 4 St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands 9:00am 6:00pm Day 5 St. Kitts 8:00am 5:00pm Day 6 Roseau, Dominica 8:00am 5:00pm Day 7 St. Lucia 7:00am 5:00pm Day 8 Antigua 8:00am 6:00pm Day 9 St. Maarten 7:00am 3:00pm Day 10 At Sea Day 11 Half Moon Cay, Bahamas 8:00am 3:00pm Day 12 Fort Lauderdale, FL 7:00am

I’m looking to book a Signature suite for my sons and myself so being able to use the shower at the gym would be a plus.

Sorry if this has been asked before but I searched and I couldn’t find a clear answer. On the deck plans, it shows that there are bathrooms near the gyms but are there showers there as well? Or do we need to purchase the spa pass to gain access to the showers?

There wasn’t a lot of detail in that thread as to why Nieuw Amsterdam was recommended. Hence, why I started a new thread.

I read that thread. I’ve ruled out the Noordam as it doesn’t have Tamarind and BB King which would be 2 things that would make me lean towards HAL.

I am trying to decide between these 3 ships for a cruise for 2025 for my adult sons and myself for sometime between the very end of May and the end of June. The southbound itineraries on the 3 ships are very similar as all leave from Whittier, visit Hubbard Glacier, Glacier Bay NP, Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, and sail the inside passage before arriving in Vancouver. I’m leaning towards booking cruise only and planning the land portion of our trip as a DIY but I’m still trying to decide on that. Between Nieuw Amsterdam, Coral Princess and Sapphire Princess is their a clear favorite? TIA.

The boys sadly inherited their height from their parents and not from some of the taller relatives in the family. The taller one is only 5’9” so I think we could make it work. I’m leaning towards going with the Signature. Thank you.

I’m looking at a cruise for myself and my 2 sons for next year, and considering going with a signature suite vs. 2 verandah cabins. The issue is that someone would have to sleep on the sofa bed if we go with the signature suite. I tried doing a search but the results mainly were talking about the pullout beds in the verandahs. The extra bed in the signature looks to be a different style. The cruise I’m looking at would be on the Nieuw Amsterdam. TIA.

Princess two newest ships coming in 2024 and 2025 will be adding some ropes course, climbing wall features. It will be a smaller area than on Royal ships. Those 2 ships will be sailing 9 and 10 Med cruises on some dates when kids would be in school. Otherwise, I agree with the others that maybe Virgin Voyages or Celebrity would be worth a look.

Hi all- I too have been doing a bit of cruise planning over the last couple of weeks as I was off work last week having knee surgery. I have our itinerary finalized so I’m finishing up the hotel bookings, and trying to decide on the last couple of excursions. The time off was nice as I could revisit my planning to see if I missed anything. I’m feeling pretty good overall. I will be packing carry-on only with a carry on travel backpack and underseat bag. My younger son will probably pack carry on only too. My mom and my older son tend to pack a checked bag so I think we’ll still be ok for space in the SUV I rented. I’m planning on gifting son #1 a jacket for the trip but otherwise we should be set as our weather here, and past National park trips should have us all set. I usually pack OTC meds, but will make especially sure for Alaska. I’m also going to need my refillable ice pack for my knee. It should be much better by next summer as long as I don’t overdo it with any steep hiking trails. I have travel sizes of bug wipes I use for our state bird (mosquitoes) that I usually keep for trips up north so I’ll bring those too.

Are you definitely wanting to stay with RC, or are you willing to look at other lines? For a multi-generational trip with the ages of your group RC could work, but I would also maybe look at Celebrity and Princess. Both Celebrity and Princess both offer Southern Caribbean itineraries out of FLL. Most Southern Caribbean itineraries from FLL or Miami are going to have either 3 or 4 sea days if you are doing a 10 day cruise.

I asked my surgeon if the hospital offered a volume discount, you know “buy 6 surgeries and your 7th is free”. Somehow, he didn’t get my humor.😂. Seriously though, the surgeon doing my surgery this week is a specialist so I’m hopeful for a good outcome. Yes the excursions are refundable, so I could book the Oia and Fira excursion and cancel a few weeks before if my knee isn’t up to it.

There is another on your own tour for both Fira and Oia, also for 4 hours. I’ve posted the description down below. @mapleleaves That winter video was one of the ones I watched. I still think it looks interesting, and I’m ok with grabbing a bite at a local eatery or heading into a grocery if I need to. This knee surgery is my 7th on this knee since 2018 when I had a bad accident. This surgery will be 2 different arthroscopic procedures. Surgery #8 is going to be the TKR, most likely done at Mayo due to the ongoing issues. Oia and Fira on your own: Enjoy both Oia and Fira independently on this convenient tour that offers tender service to Oia, at the northern tip of Santorini. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes, then hop aboard a 20-minute boat transfer directly from the ship, avoiding queuing at the cable car and having to take a bus across the island. Once at the picturesque port of Ammoudi, take a very quick shuttle ride to the lovely village of Oia. Here, you can stroll the narrow, cobblestone lanes and view the brilliantly whitewashed buildings, shops, sun-bathed cafés and blue-domed churches. Then, meet the coaches that will take you on to Fira. Perched on the edge of a dramatic cliff, the island's capital is brimming with galleries, museums and cultural attractions as well as a shopping center and a variety of dining venues. Cable car tickets will be provided for guests to descend at their leisure at the conclusion of this wonderful day.

It’s 4 hours. Which seems a bit odd to me as the ship is scheduled to be in Santorini from 7 am to 6 pm. I was nervous to try the cable car especially as it’s the day after Kusadasi. I would love to see Oia but I didn’t know how long it would take to get there. Thank you for the information on the steps.

Hello- I will be visiting Santorini on my Princess cruise in February. As I’m going to be 6 months out from knee surgery, I’ve booked the Fira on your Own excursion to cut down on some of the steps. I’ve watched enough videos of Fira, and Santorini to know that there are still going to be many steps in town. I know that many of the hotels and tourist restaurants will be closed but it sounds like some places that are geared more towards residents should still be open. I’m wondering if anyone has visited in the offseason and can give me some advice on what sights might be open. I’m mostly hoping to grab a bite to eat, wander around Fira and enjoy the views. I know that it can be quite windy in February and temperatures might only be around 50 F. This is the description of the excursion I’ve booked: Explore the charming town of Fira at your own pace on this delightful four-hour adventure made easy now that you have the option to avoid the lines of the Fira cable car and ride in comfort to this hilltop enclave. At a specific time, a strict minimum number of guests will meet the motorcoach transportation at the pier and be shuttled directly to a drop-off spot near the entrance to the pedestrian streets of Fira. Once in Fira, you are free to enjoy its splendors at your leisure. The island's capital boasts a stunning combination of Cycladic and Venetian architecture and outstanding views of the submerged volcano. Explore a number of galleries, museums and cultural attractions as well as a large shopping center and a variety of dining venues, which line the cobbled streets that ribbon their way through town. At the designated time, meet the shuttle and return to the ship.

I mistyped. You are correct now that I think about it. My last cruise on the Sky in 2019 had a string trio not a quartet. That was an earlier cruise. I’m nervous that my next cruise on the Sun Princess may have none as they seem to be touting a new entertainment lineup. My company has a few contractors currently in Ukraine but they were with us, already at the start of the war. We have not been able to recruit anyone new. I do wonder if the war has made it difficult to recruit performers. I am planning to do another cruise in Europe in 2025. I may need to look for a line that still has some classical music onboard.

I have a few different types of hoodies - sweatshirt type, a merino wool one. This stretch fleece one from LL Bean is my absolute favorite as it’s shaped, has thumbholes, and 2 zipped pockets. It’s a good midweight so I get a lot of wear out of it most of the year here. I have it in the heather charcoal color. I save the heavy sweatshirts for January and February.