May B

Roy, today I passed three Tim Horton’s! Wish you were here. May B Muriel, on Crystal Serenity, docked in Victoria

Bill, Beautifully said! —May B Muriel

When I walked through the Lounge 15 minutes ago, I saw a gentleman parked in front of the t.v.! I guess if he’s lucky, that’s his muster station. Was that you?!

We said 5:15 b/c we expected muster at 5 pm. Now let’s try for 5 pm, then go to muster at 5:30. I haven’t checked roll call thread yet.

I often say, having accurate expectations is crucial for enjoying a cruise. What category do you book on Princess?

We did both, on two separate stops. For Pompeii from Naples, we took a private tour with a small group, formed on our roll call thread (Celebrity). The tour guide took us by train (very crowded) and handed us off to a private guide in actual Pompeii. Then we drove to Positano or Sorrento for lunch, strolling around, and we took the ferry back to Naples. Shops were closing early b/c Italy was in the World Cup finals and they were all going someplace to watch! The closest I’ve ever planned to be back onboard before sailaway, and included the risk of a ferry issue. We all agreed it would be worth the risk! Ferry was docked right next to our ship. Ferry was on time. We were lucky. On our next Med. cruise, we were scheduled to dock south of Herculaneum and we were prepared to take the train, on our own. The day before, the capt. changed our port to Naples and we had to call an audible. Took the train from Naples instead. Both excellent port stops. Not everybody would want to do what we did, at either of those! But for us, they were both perfect.

Lovely, Ivi! Thank you for the shout-out. We board Serenity today. Kathie of Kathie and Timmy fame has already started a thread. I see you found it!

Also sometimes there’s a show, kind of an extra, with dancing, in the Stardust Club on Serenity. Possibly the same on Symphony in the Starlite Club.

I had totally forgotten that! Thx for the reminder. Liz’s people, I think. I hope you’re able to be on your own Crystal very soon, Kathy.

Yes!

We understand completely and we would help you if we could! Glad I saw your first post with the lovely photo, before I saw your messages here.

Ivi, is it the corner of the Crystal Cove furthest from the entrance to Waterside? Have a blast! Thx for letting us join you vicariously.

Great first post, OP. That was quite dramatic, about the backpack! This is fun. I look forward to more posts.

Huh? Tastes and Johnny Rockets don’t match at all, imho. Neither do the Trident Grill and Johnny Rockets. Although I have not ever eaten at Johnny Rockets on Royal, only at a local mall.

To the OP: I am also a long-time Floridian (48 years) and I love leaving for points north any time during the summer heat. If this B2B does actually materialize for you, there are two ways to look at it. Either you get to enjoy the cooler weather before it gets to Florida two or three months later, or you miss the truly wonderful late October and November weather here in Florida. Travel is full of trade-offs. If most of these ports really appeal to you, I personally would happily risk having to pack my blue jeans, turtle necks and blazers. And socks and loafers.

For me, it’s sad that you were not comfortable in the single stateroom on deck seven forward on Crystal. Mr B and I were totally comfortable in the same size cabin but the veranda version, on Serenity, except our butler was too busy for us, since we were just a few veranda staterooms (deck nine) in amongst a sea of aquamarines. The way we pack, there was plenty of room for us. And we also are in our late 70s.

Evidently yes! They seem to be very popular.

Oh! Not the first time, and I don’t think the other time was all that long ago. Mother Nature does love asserting herself sometimes, doesn’t she?

I didn’t know something happened.

Call us on July 1st. Actually, I expect to be enjoying my last lunch and dinner on Serenity, in Victoria, that day. I’ll certainly be delighted if 2026 itineraries are announced after I board in San Diego on June 24th.

Great to read USCAdventurer’s beautiful review. Thx for posting it, TER!

I adore the Edge class. Alas, Mr B doesn’t agree. So I will continue to lobby for an Edge class cruise, and he will continue to book the Connie, out of our own back yard. After adjusting expectations for post-Covid changes, we’re happy on any Celebrity, despite also thoroughly enjoying Crystal and Viking. Appropriate expectations are important for your cruise enjoyment! We did Edge, when she was the only E class, and then, post-Covid, we did Beyond’s first trans-Atlantic. The ship is wonderful but not perfect. Seas were quite rough and there were challenges. Hopefully they’ve been addressed. But it’s truly a fun ship design.

Seasack, safe travels home. Thank you so much for Reflections and the menus!

Thank you for gifting this article to us!

I was frustrated not to be able to eat at The Restaurant each night. I ordinarily do not care for a buffet for dinner. After I tried the World Cafe, I ended up enjoying it very much! I do think the Viking Expedition ships are wonderful. If you do (Shami) decide to try them, I think you will find it will work for you either of the following two ways. #1-try the World Cafe and see if you spot a server you already saw at lunch. Ask that server if he might help you serve your husband. There might be a printed menu of what’s available. Husband could tell you what appeals to him, and while you are getting your dinner, would a server help you get hub’s dinner. It might actually work very easily by sitting down, ordering your drinks first, and then proceeding. #2-make your Restaurant reservation for the first night. When you get there, or on your way out, explain that your husband will be so much more comfortable if he can dine at The Restaurant each evening. Ask if you can come at opening time and wait for a table to become available. It might work better if you are willing to share, although that would not be my own personal preference. And make your Manfredi reservation for early in the cruise as well. If you both like it, ask on the way out for any available future reservations. I do think you are aware of how it works, and I also think it is very likely to find a way for it to be comfortable for your husband.