chill6x6

I'm thankful for the sparkling wine I get. We get OJ and make mimosas.  Heck, I'm on a cruise!

4 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

The result, I booked a cruise on a brand I never cruised before, Exlplora Journey. 

When is your cruise Gary?

3 hours ago, Waltershipman said:

What date is your  cruise 

Not soon enough!😃

Seriously, 03/07/25! Everyone come along!

1 hour ago, Dr. Cocktail said:

 

We are (were?) frequent Haven cruisers and have no immediate plans to return. We do, however, have three more Explora sailings booked!

 

As I've stated on these boards, I'm just off Celebrity Apex which was 8 weeks after my second Explora.  The eye twitching is abating but I still have PCSD!

We have never really been "loyal" to any particular cruise line.  We alway go with what works best with the time I can get off for vacation and try not to duplicate itineraries.  I don't like standing in lines and I like to have sodas/water/beer/etc in my fridge in our cabin as I would at home without having to "work" the system.  Last requirement is two lounge chairs on our balcony with a table and two table chairs.  Nothing different than I have at home. Sounds simple! Not so on a cruise ship! LOL

So to get all that(not really that much, IMO) we've been mostly in HAL Pinnacle suites, Royal Star Class, and NCL Haven(working the system for drinks and careful to book suites with loungers/tables). Star Class prices have increased to a point that is ridiculous. Pinnacles suites don't really have the service you pay for, and with NCL one has to really purchase "Free at Sea Plus" to include WATER in ones drink package! LOL! Water!  So this lead us to either Virgin Mega Rock Star OR right HERE with Explora.

Deciding between Virgin and Explora took me several days(weeks?/Months?) to decide.  As with any decision you really CAN'T get everything one wants but you can come pretty close. Both are really lacking a little with the bathroom area. Two sinks should be standard with an over $10,000 suite.  So equal here.  Suite storage...It looks as if Explora is definitely a step up here. Virgin looks to have better entertainment.  Explora has so many pool areas, NICE! So it came down to itinerary as it does many times. I didn't want to go to San Juan three times in a row no matter how much I like it! So we took the 8-day Cozumel. Belize City(haven't been here in a while), Cayman Brac(never been), and Key West(love Key West!) itinerary.

Really looking forward to this cruise! Next up is HAL Rotterdam though which should prove to be a nice cruise!

2 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

@chill6x6 Something tells me you made the Right Choice.  I also enjoy NCL, especially the AF PH in the Haven.  I am also sold on this new Luxury brand for many reasons.  So happy we who love cruising have so many choices.  

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

We are going to give it a shot! I think it's going to be a good cruise!

On 5/30/2024 at 9:12 PM, dolls123 said:

I stayed in cabin 7116 (aft deluxe penthouse) and I had 4 chairs, 2 tables and 2 loungers on my balcony 

On 5/31/2024 at 7:44 AM, dolls123 said:

If you do a internet search for 7116 and see a pic with hats on the wall that's my room. It does show 1 pic of the balcony furniture. 

Hey,

I just wanted you to know that your info was so helpful, I just booked it! I let go a NCL AF PH for this!

Any other pointers you'd care to share?

Thank you!

2 hours ago, Sthrngary said:

In the OT category, which has a balcony of 75 sf, consider a Ocean Grand Terrace Suite which has 115 sf.  Cost more but accomplishes your need. Or go to Penthouse Level which is a significant price hike.  

 

I fully understand why you want that request.  Smart to think about it now.  

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

The GT IS a deeper balcony for sure...deep enough for a lounger....but I can't find a pic with two loungers on it.  Just the one padded longer and a table with two chairs.  

The DP dolls123 stayed in IS about perfect for us...larger cabin(kinda similar to an AF PH on NCL) and has the lounger requirement! 😀

That SR right next to 7116 has everything too but the price is up there! LOL.  The cruise I'm considering is the 8-day Divine Sites and Mayan Temples...nothing we haven't seen before but I like longer than 7 day itineraries and this one would be a good one to get our feet wet with Explora.

10 hours ago, dolls123 said:

I stayed in cabin 7116 (aft deluxe penthouse) and I had 4 chairs, 2 tables and 2 loungers on my balcony 

Thank you! I actually looked at photos of the one below it 6090, and it wasn't that way.  Perfect! Thanks!

Thanks Rachel who started this topic! I have inadvertently learned a lot here! Thanks to all that contributed!

So....I've been considering Explora for some time.  BUT....here's my issue....As it is with most of you, there are two of us. So there's ONE lounger on every balcony until you get to a Serenity Residence.  That is my one must haves is two loungers.  Anyone ever asked for a lounger to be brought to your balcony like what would be on deck? I've done it with Celebrity and it was taken care of. 

Thanks everyone for the info and links and such! 

Sounds like we outta give it a try! We just like to chill, watch the world go by, see some good entertainment here and there, and eat some good food! I believe we can do that on Virgin!

Greetings all,

So we've been considering a Virgin Voyage for quite some time.  You know, something different.  Have cruised numerous times on Royal, NCL, HAL, and Celebrity.  We always sail in suites.  I'm 62 and dw is 45. 

What y'all think of us going on a VV cruise? Would be Scarlet Lady in a Gorgeous suite. I've noticed some Gorgeous suites have table and chairs with two loungers and the hammock.  Is this typical?

Thank you for any input and options! 

It depends... I've had concierges do next to nothing....and they got nothing.  We've had some check on us every night while dining and thru out the cruise.  They always had some one holding up a "The Haven" sign to offer us priority boarding at ports.  I can say Dilip Lopes got $200 from us b/c he and his staff absolutely made our vacation better and easier which is the most we've given a concierge.  I hope the concierge on the Bliss is as deserving or more.

Butler...The last two we've had have been excellent.  Generally $25-40/day for a job well done. Some go out of their way to serve and can't do enough for you and they get closer to the $40 mark.

Cabin steward...Again it depends.   Some go all out.  Straighten your shoes even,,,basically anything they can. Some do the bare minimum.  $15-25/day extra generally.  

Normally in the Caribbean we do our own thing.  We know where to go and what to do! In March we have Mexican Riviera...Probably will do all NCL excursions unless I figure some alternative out.

We always enjoyed the previous American Diner menu on embarkation day. We like it much better than Margaritaville. 

I generally only cruise twice a year. Usually 7-8 day cruise. I HAVE to have a balcony and usually a suite.  I'll hang tight until I save/conjure up enough to make it happen.  See...my balcony/cabin are the one space I have complete control of! No deck chair available? Go to your balcony. Folks getting on your nerves? Go to your balcony. DJ/band sux on deck? Go do your balcony.  Breakfast before your excursion? Room service on your balcony!  

I can't describe the peace and serenity of being on your balcony...ocean going by....occasional school of flying fish....watching a few masked/brown boobies soar by....now that's cruise!

Usually about 6 months out for me. Just was able to book speciality dining on May 1 for Rotterdam cruise on November 8 of this year.

Some other things we got when in a Pinnacle suite:

1.You WILL be the first passengers aboard the ship.

2. Complimentary soda and bottled water

3. Behind the scenes tour and bridge tour

4. The best table or your choice of tables in the MDR

5. Microwave and toaster in butlers pantry

For sure a little behind compared to Celebrity top suites and Star class

WOW! This post sure made me feel better about cancelling the 10 day Princess cruise I had booked and swapped for a 9 day on Holland America.,,,same one you're sailing! I had read about too many inconsistencies that really kinda gave me a red flag... Win you back with a $50 OBC???  LOL that's embarrassing!

On 5/9/2024 at 1:15 PM, BirdTravels said:

We're Diamond members on RCCL. Coastal Kitchen is not much of a restaurant. We actually walked out twice during our last cruise because the food and the service was so bad. And went to the Windjammer to get some "real" dinner.

 

On small ships, the breakfast service in Chops is abysmal. 

On 5/9/2024 at 1:37 PM, RocketMan275 said:

We also preferred Windjammer to Coastal Kitchens.  The italian place was very nice though.

I have a different opinion....

Coastal Kitchen is EXCELLENT! Breakfast, lunch, and dinner! I've never walked out of Coastal Kitchen... My last three Royal cruise were Star class....could eat anywhere on Oasis, Harmony, and Wonder....yet we picked CK many times out of our choices.  And I love Chops for breakfast when there is no Suite Lounge/CK.  

Funny how opinions can differ.....

In my experience, best price rarely if ever equal best service.  At this stage of my life I'll take best service over best price every day of the week and twice on Sunday.  My TA almost alway contacts me WELL within an hour after my initial contact.  Usually within minutes.  We have a good time talking.  I don't take up much of her time because I know she has others too.  I get OBC and sometimes a bottle of something. She's great and I am very happy with her! Invoice/booking conformations are sent to me at the latest the same day.

As mentioned above...the cruise I booked yesterday...same price today...except $1200 deposit!😵‍💫

I should have booked at least one more....

18 hours ago, YourWorldWithBill said:

My wife has motion sickness. This means that when the sea is a bit rough she spends time in bed and often misses dinner.

Dramamine - the type that causes drowsiness, rather than the non-drowsy kind - works for her; thus the time out of action.

 

On another thread about a year ago some people recommended the Relief Band, and others recommended the ErmTerm.

The less expensive Sea-Bands were not very effective, but we'd like to try either the Relief Band or ErmTerm.

 

I keep ginger tablets with me and anytime I feel anything I've found them to be very successful, but that's not enough for her.

 

Any suggestions, especially from those that have similar issues and found these remedies effective, will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks to all for reading this (and other) thread(s).

Bill

So the most typical drugs to treat motion sickness are meclizine, dimenhydrinate, and trans-dermal scopolamine.  

Original Dramimine is dimenhydrinate.  "Less-drowsy" Dramimine and Bonine is meclizine.  So if the dimenhydrinate is working but causes too much drowsiness you can do a couple of things.  Try taking the full dose at bedtime and see if that last through the next day.  Can also supplement that bedtime dose with 1/2 tablet during the day if needed.

Trans-dermal scopolamine- Sometimes wearing the patch just at night will work and pull off patch in the AM place back on the original patch backing. Place back behind ear the next night.

Various bands- I mean you have nothing to loose with trying them.  I'm sure they are safe it's just the effective part that bothers me. 

Ginger supplements- they HAVE shown to be somewhat effective.  Nothing to loose here either.

Good luck!

So of course I took advantage of this! 10-day southern Caribbean on Zuiderdam.  HIA...$15 drink package, crew gratuity, $200 shore excursion credit, Premium wifi, 1 night speciality dining...same price I've been looking at all along! $2 deposit!

This was a no-brainer!

3 hours ago, sassycruiser said:

Hi

 

Thinking about booking the Haven on the Getaway.  Looking for feedback.  We are experienced NCL cruisers but never in the Haven.  We did do Yacht Club on MSC and loved it.

 

we would be booking the 12/1/24 trip from NOLA.  
 

thank you! 

I've cruised out of NO many times and actually cruised on the Getaway from there.  

I like the aft-facing Penthouse.  It's away from the Haven complex but the huge balcony and two baths are certainly worth the walk.  Although I haven't been on an MSC ship I have been in Holland America Neptune/Pinnacle suites, Royal Caribbean Sky/Star class suites, and Celebrity suites.  All have their pros and cons.  For the money the Haven is hard to beat. We had a GREAT, proactive butler aboard the Getaway.  The Haven sundeck on the Getaway is nice and we enjoyed it. The Haven restaurant is really good too.  I'm not crazy about the non-changing dinner menu BUT you'll probably eat in a few speciality restaurants with your "Free at Sea." 

Be SURE to get to New Orleans a day or two before your cruise and enjoy all NO has to offer.  It's a great place to cruise from! For sure head to the WW-II museum!  AND eat at ACME Oyster, Drago's, and Mr B's Bistro to name a few great places to eat!