texnewbie

Anyone know why Vista is still in Port in Galveston?

Thank you so much for the information!!! Greatly appreciated.

My family cruised on VOTS in November and they said the Stabilizers weren't working. We sail on Dec. 14th and wondering does anyone know anything about this? Have they been fixed?

Awesome Pictures....

There is just something about this island that has made me want to go there...

I'm not sure what it is, but it looks amazing and the water it's color is beyond the most prettiest turquoise color I have ever seen... I can't wait to see it.

Do you happen to know the cost for the cabana is at Margaretville???

or the cost of the lounge chairs there?

So, around the whole port area, the water is rocky???

Is there an area that's not???

Thank you again for sharing with us your pictures...

Carolyn

Carolyn, I'm happy to see you have pulled the trigger and are booked on the Royal. Even happier to see you talking about an Ultimate Balcony Dinner!

Call Room Service on boarding day and have a day and time picked out (usually 6 or 8 pm) Early would be better as it gets dark early in November. Check out a couple of my reviews in my signature that feature the UBD-they will give you an idea of the food and how it is served in courses. (The Room Service lead will come to your cabin with menus on boarding day after you've made the call.)

 

You'll find them on the Crown, Ruby and Diamond reviews-the Diamond being the best I'd say for the scenery. The others we timed for the sunset as we sailed away from ports.

 

I can't wait to hear from you after you sail the Royal !!

 

Norris

We can't wait...

although you put Royal... in your response,

and I was like, wait... I think it's Regal, so I had to go back and make sure I booked Regal and yes, It's Regal.

I was afraid I was going crazy...

Thanks for the information about the Ultimate Balcony Dinner.... I'm so excited...

Also, are there drink packages?? Soda???

and

Do they have a florist/??? on ship. My sweet hubby and I both usually send each other something special that's usually in our room when we arrive.

Thanks Norris!!!!

Carolyn

THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!!!

Thank you for your wonderful input!!!

We made a decision!!!

Yay!!!!! Happy Dance, Happy Dance...

We're booking Princess Regal, Nov. 3rd, to Princess Cay, Bahamas, and Grand Turk!!!! Mini Suite!!!!

We're so excited...

We've so enjoyed reading everyone's thoughts and suggestions about both Princess and RCCL... (I posted the same question on RCCL).

Both Royal Caribbean and Princess seam to have the same quality of ships but I wanted something a little more relaxing and maybe a little bit more elegant. (Please note, my choice doesn't mean that RC isn't elegant and relaxing) I just felt that Princess is calling our name and it fits what I'm looking for. Although we still plan on sail on FOTS... and Allure or even Harmony one day, but for now Regal Princess has my name...

Plus I really wanted to sail to The Turks... and I'm really looking forward to having a romantic dinner on my balcony...

Again, Thank you everyone for your input... It was so much fun to read your comments...

Carolyn

Carolyn,

I've done 8 cruises on Princess, DH and I have NEVER used the Sanctuary. We cruise at Christmas/New Years when there are MANY children. We have gone up on the upper decks for sun and quiet. IF we need/want a quiet spot. On Crown, Ruby and Caribbean Princess, there is a pool near the Sanctuary... We have often gotten a lounger near the Sanctuary. It was quiet and never cost us anything... it was quiet on the upper decks...

 

Of course there are times we want near the Muts or near the 'big' pool and we have found loungers there... The loungers around the two main pools are padded so many want the space there. The 'problem' we saw was chair hogs....

 

The aft pool area is also very quiet. IF you have a balcony and you want the peace and quiet you can't beat your own balcony.....

 

I guess what I'm trying to get to is that the Sanctuary is nice, BUT there are many areas that you can find quiet on a sea day. DH and I have always found a spot that fit our needs during the busiest time of the year and never paid for a pampered area.... we didn't see a need for it.;)

If I could figure out how to give you several thumbs up I would... We need more emojis !!!!

Thanks for the great suggestions..

More than anything, I love to sit on the pool deck (a quit one) with my feet in the water drinking some kind of yummy drink with an umbrella in it. I do love to listen to music and I do love to be pampered... But I will say, sitting with my feet in the water and relaxing is awesome!!!

Thanks

Carolyn

The sanctuary is a wonderful place. It cost extra but you have your own very plush lounge chair. It is peaceful and relaxing. Light snacks and drinks.

An MP3 player to listen to music. Loved it on the Crown and Carribean.

Do not go on the Royal. It is the worst ship. Strange layout.

Food is fantastic on Princess. You can find a cozy spot most anywhere.

MUTS you see movies and concerts by the pool and under the stars with popcorn and cookies. They don't push heavy drinking like they do on Carnival.

That is a fun ship that pushes wild partying. Not on Princess.

Very elegant decor. Balcony dinner is wonderful. You feel like a king and queen.

No hairy leg or belly flop contest. No towels animals though.

Oh thank you thank you thank you!!!

If you sit at the Sanctuary Area, no matter what, it cost extra???

or if you just want a plush lounger with the MP3 player...

How much???

Is there a pool in this area or is it located in an area really close???

I think I need to go back and research this area a little better...

So is the Balcony Dinner something that you order through room service????

or do you order it through customer service...

I really really love this idea!!! It would be so romantic for Charlie and I!!!

Oh the MOTS sounds like a really fun time too!!!

Thank you so much for the wonderful information!!!

Carolyn

Carnival is considered the Walmart of cruising. Now I do shop at Walmart. What they do, they do well. Likewise, I do cruise on Carnival. In fact I have an elite status on Carnival, Princess, and RCCL . And multiple cruises on NCL and Celebrity. (Yes, I love to cruise.) But, IMHO, Carnival is targeting the lowest common denominator as their customer. You have to ask yourself if, for your vacation, you want to shop at Walmart or Macy's or Neiman's. They all have their place. Some people can't tell the difference. Others are very picky.

 

 

 

 

 

Bennett of BennettandDebbie

Thanks for the reply!!

Yes, I'll agree the Walmart of Cruise lines or as I've always said the LaQuinta of motels... and yes, we do shop at Walmart every now and then and we do stay at a LaQuinta, when we need a quick over night place to stay. :)

But

I would love to Cruise on a Neiman's type cruise line.

SeaBourn or SeaDream... My Boss and his wife have sailed on both of these lines... Fancy Fancy!!!! (which maybe to Fancy for me)

But yes, I do want to sail on something a little fancier!!! Or more or less something a little relaxing and calmer...

and

I have truly loved my 4 cruises on Carnival. They we're amazing and the cruise staff was wonderful!!! I just want a little calmer cruise...

Thanks for your thoughts!!! I totally agree with your response...

Carolyn

Unlike most of the folks responding, I'm apparently pretty "loose", having been on a different line each cruise. Our cruise in a month (!!!) will be the first "repeat" for us, and it will be Princess. I've never done Carnival, since I know the "Spring Break party" atmosphere would be a bad fit for us, but here's my thoughts on the other lines:

 

Disney - it's Disney. Like you, we love Disney, and they do a fantastic job. If we didn't have to go at Spring break (when fares are insane) to match our kids vacation schedule, we'd go back in a second - although I'd think that the character-themed shows would get old). It's the line that got us hooked on cruising.

 

NCL - so, this might not be fair because it was the first cruise after Disney and on an older ship, but everyone's impression was "meh". It was a cruise, and there are no bad cruises (well, unless the engines die), but there wasn't anything great about it. Also, their pricing structure is very ala carte - which is nice, because you only pay for what you use, but for me, it made me think about money and whether everything was worth it - I'd rather pay more up front and be done with it.

 

RCCL - Royal is impressive. Their ships can have wonderful amenities and features. The shows were good. The ice show was amazing. The service was excellent and the food was good. For a tagline, I'd say "best for active families". Of course, you're also paying more.

 

Princess - Well, we're coming back. I'd agree with the others that there is a classier vibe. It's not luxury, but just a little more subdued elegance. The tea is a nice touch. Some of the shows were excellent, some were ok. The good was quite good.

 

I would say, though, that except for Disney, all of the lines were more similar than different with different strengths and weaknesses. I'd avoid NCL and Carnival since they weren't a great fit, but would gladly sail Princess or RCCL (and give HAL and Celebrity a try) if they had the best price/itinerary/ship.

 

That said, if there were identical routes, ships and prices, if it were just my wife and I, I'd choose Princess. If my teens were with us, I might choose RCCL.

THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!!

Thank you for the wonderful information....

When I started looking at cruise lines to sail on the one's that I thought we're or would be fabulous is of course Disney, Royal Caribbean and Carnival, just because they advertise wonderfully!!!!

Plus We just absolutely love everything Disney...

We have enjoyed Carnival but don't really want to be apart of the loud activities that are with them. We did love the Magic (1 of Carnival's newest ship) and we absolutely loved the Red Frog Bar on the ship)

I never took a look at Princess until the other day when I was at work bored out of my mind and I was looking for wonderful cruise reports with pictures... I looked at RCCL and then wondered over to Princess and found a wonderful trip report by Bimmer09...

From there, I started doing research and pricing on line and found how amazing it looked and how I felt like it would fit into our life style perfectly!!!!

So this is where I am now... Doing more research about both RCCL and Princess...

We do plan on sailing on Disney, soon... but we have a wedding this June and so our vacation time for this year is a little shorter then the next year. When we plan on sailing with Disney I also want to spend a week in Orlando too.

Thank you again, for your fabulous, fabulous information on each lines...

Enjoy your Cruise!!!

Carolyn

Well, not being part of the Princess marketing department it's not my job to "convince" you to sail with them...LOL! :p Even having 100 CCL shares (to get OBC) wouldn't cloud my judgement. ;)

 

Based on what you've posted I think you'll enjoy a Princess cruise & the term "casual elegance" is used to describe Princess and I agree...certainly not Carnival Vegas glitz. They not only provide the best cruise experience within our budget & with all of the various combinable onboard credits it adds to our cruise experience. Like all cruiselines where competition keeps prices relatively affordable none of them are like they were decades ago.

 

This website has a lot of helpful info about a Princess cruise including some examples of menus:

 

http://beyondships.com/Princess.html

 

We've been on a couple of Carnival cruises but not in the last 10 years since discovering that Princess consistently provides us with our best cruise experience. :D

Oh I forgot all about that website... The pictures are fabulous!!! Thank you for reminding me of it. :)

I think Princess needs to put you on their payroll. :D

I love the thought of casual elegance... instead of Vegas Glitz's :eek: The pictures sure show how elegant the ship looks.

Thanks for your wonderful information!!!!

Carolyn

And...once you start sailing on RCI, don't hesitate to enroll in the Crown & Anchor Society and start amassing points. It starts to get good when you reach Diamond and you get access to the Diamond Lounge for happy hour drinks and 24-hour self-serve specialty coffees.

 

RCI has the best 'loyalty' perks in this class of ships, IMO.

I bet... I always see a diamond on peoples post and how they've reach diamond status, and awesome that would be...

Did you enjoy sailing on Navigator of the Sea... We had it booked for April 2015, but thanks to the oil industry and the price of crude... We had to cancel it. :mad: Did you enjoy it???

Did you get any snow???

Thanks for your information...

Carolyn

Don't think that because Allure or Oasis are bigger they are more crowded with too many people, quite the contrary. More space to get lost in and way more to do.

 

We have cruised every class RCCL offers and we Loved Allure. I think one should try it before offering advice against it.

 

There is nothing about RCCL ships, no matter what class or size, that would put us off. We love the line, it's ships and crew members and its demographic...suits us to a tee and our preferences are much like yours.

 

Try it...you'll like it! ;)

 

BTW, I am a west Texas native...born and raised in San Angelo...now in the hill country...we just missed that snow~!

We live in Abilene, and for a few years we lived in Sonora... Lucky for you that you've missed the snow. Abilene has completely closed down... My sweet hubby works out of San Antonio and lives there most of the time. So cruising for us is such a wonderful time for us to spend time together...

Allure looks so beautiful and I really want to sail on her... But I think for right now I'll either sail on FOTS or Regal Princess... We've never sailed to the Eastern Caribbean and I Can't wait to check out St Maartin and St. Thomas both of these island look fabulous!!!!!

Thank you so much for your information.... I'm finding that RCCL is a wonderful cruise line but I really think I already thought that.

Thanks

Carolyn

You should try different lines to see which one suits you better. Anyway, I think the mass market lines are all good in their own way.

It's really hard for me to step out of my box. But I'm going to give it a wonderful try!!!

Thanks for the information.

Carolyn

Maybe I'm easy to please, but anytime I'm not looking into my backyard filled with snow, I'm happy! :) I have cruised Carnival and Royal, more Royal cruises. Just prefer them. Sailed Allure.... Amazing!!! All of the ships are great, and cruising is awesome. I have never had a bad cruising experience. Does everything always go my way? Nope! But if a not so perfect experience on a cruise is my biggest problem of the day, then it's still a good day! Make a choice, and enjoy!

Oh yes.... Looking at snow in my backyard is awful!!! I NEED SUNSHINE AND A BEACH!!!! So searching for a cruise is something I need to look for!!!! SUNSHINE AND A BEACH somewhere!

Allure does look amazing but I think I'll cruise on it when I have lots of sea days to really enjoy it.

Thanks for the information!

Thanks

Carolyn

I have cruised both Carnival and RCI. The Freedom is still my favorite ship, but the Allure has the wow factor. I loved the shows on the Allure, Oceanaria and Blue Planet were amazing. The ship did not feel too crowded, and there was so much to do. I really enjoyed Vintages and Giovannis on the Allure. I do not think you could go wrong with either choice. I like the service and the employees a bit better on RCI, and the Dreamworks characters may give you a bit of the "Disneyish" feel. I think a cruise is what you make of it, some people look for negatives and those people tend to write reviews. No cruise is perfect, and not everything will go as planned. Maybe choose a ship with some new ports. I am looking forward to my first Southern Caribbean route in October, I was stuck in a rut between Eastern and Western and decided to try something different this time. I have also read some not so stellar reviews about the Adventure of the Seas, but I am sure I will have a fantastic time on her. What bothers some people does not bother others. Have fun deciding. I find planning is half the fun of cruising.

Oh yes, planning is half the fun. That's one of my favorite things to do is planning and planning. Where does the Southern Caribbean route sail to.

And Yes... We're looking at a whole new ports, we've never sailed to St. Maartin, and St. Thomas and of course we've never sailed to any of the private islands before... And I would love to see one of the private islands... Whether its Royal Caribbeans, Disney's, or Princess.

I just love the beach...

Thanks...

Enjoy your cruise... No cruise is a bad cruise...;););)

Carolyn

Freedom of the Seas is my favorite ship. I've done several different cruise lines but keep coming back to Royal. They have great entertainment, beautiful ships and great food!

Oh thank you for the wonderful information...

Please tell me about the Solarium Area. Is it beautiful???

Also, what's your favorite thing on the ship??

We're looking at a Jr Suite. What type of stateroom have you stayed in.

Thanks

Carolyn

Personally I would recommend Brilliance of the seas. I would get a deck 7 cabin before the elevators. I would do a Cozumel, Cayman cruise. I would do Nachi CoCom in Cozumel. I believe there are day pass hotel on Caymen.

 

Brilliance isn't as big. It doesn't have the flow riders. What it does have are elevators facing the water. When you head to dinner you feel like you are going to the Sea.

 

The centrum is great for really nice music. It has an awesome outside eating area past the wind jammer. It has a very cool aerial show and so much more. The E2 balconies and foward are big. They have a full table, so eating dinner on at night is possible. Most of the balcony is visible from the deck above.

 

I found it to be an amazing 1st ship back to cruising. I haven't looked back since. I will be on back on Brilliance next year. I will be on Liberty in 28 days. I spent an amazing birthday trip on Vision last September.

Thanks for the wonderful pictures. I love them. Brilliance of the sea is a beautiful ship.

Thank you for your thoughts on RCCL!!!

Happy Cruising... In 28 days!!!!

Carolyn

Glad to see you are taking the time to check out many options on various cruise lines. Smart of you! :)

Gave you our thoughts on your same question on the Princess forum.

On RCCL vs Carnival (your past cruise of choice) ... don't think you'll find a major difference except the $pecialty Restaurants on RCCL really are better. ;)

Have FUN making your decision! :D

LuLu

Hey LuLu:

Thanks for replying over here on my RC questions too. I really appreciate your thoughts. Food is always one of the main things I look at!

This has really been a fun way to make a decision, I love hear what other people think about each things.

Thanks for the wonderful information

Carolyn

We have been on 14 different ships in our 19 cruises with RCCL. Each size and age of the ship will give you a different feel. As I tell all those who start trying other lines, go with a open mind. Each will have their good and bad. We have been on the Freedom and her sister ship the Liberty. Both were great trips. We will be on the Indy in 2 weeks which will finish the Freedom class for us. You will only feel crowded at a couple of events. We also had several good cruises with CCL and will be doing another one with them soon. Remember, a cruise is what you make it. Never had a bad cruise just some interesting ones. Have fun.

Oh good thoughts.. Yes a cruise is what you make it...

I think that FOTS is just beautiful and I don't think I could go wrong with any of the ships.

Thanks for your thoughts... I love hearing what everyone loves...

and also seeing how many cruises people have sailed on in each line.

Thanks

Carolyn

My DH and I are in our late 50's. We did a Disney cruise in 2008 because I wanted to go to Disneyworld and take a cruise..so..Disney cruise it was. That cruise got us hooked on cruising for our vacation. It was an enjoyable cruise but not exactly what we were looking for.

 

We were upset with the fact that the one time that Disney had a cruise to Hawaii and back we couldn't get the time off to go. Feeling sad about that I discovered Princess. I joined the Cruise Critic board and read as much as I could and looked at the pictures. I told my husband about a cruise to Hawaii from LA for 14 days on the Golden Princess. We were celebrating 35 years of marriage. I read that since he was retired military we would get OBC! Wow! How nice of them.

 

We booked the cruise and our flight with Princess directly. I was the TA :D. We were picked up at the airport @ 8 am, taken to a hotel to pass time and eat (of course the cruise food now begins) and then transported to the ship. The customer service, food, entertainment and the itinerary were wonderful! We were so relaxed and it was just what we needed. WE were sold on Princess.

 

So if you decide to do a Princess cruise, I think you will find it meets your needs and then some. Enjoy!:)

Oh awesome!!!!

I think cruising on Princess is the perfect fit for my DH and I..

Thanks

Carolyn

[/size][/font]

Why not try something new? The ships are very elegant.

 

We have sailed sailed a few lines, but our next three are with Princess.

I guess our eyes are just tired of Joe Farcus! :eek:

Princess is definitely nicer, in many ways, in our opinion.

 

They are classy but not stuffy.

 

I think you will enjoy your cruise if you choose to sail with them!

I will say, I am very OCD, and change for me is very hard. I get into that routine and if there's not a problem with it then why should I change my tune...

BUT

I'm ready to try something new....

PLUS,

I really want to sail to the Eastern Caribbean... or Grand Turks. Grand Turks very bad...

I really love the elegant look of the ships and the pictures that I've seen on these threads.

But It doesn't remind me of something that's stuffy and snobby...

Again, Charlie and I are just good ole people that love to be pampered and enjoy a really good time with a glass of wine or a beer by the pool.

Thanks for the wonderful information!!!

Carolyn

Carolyn, here's some pics to give you an idea of Afternoon Tea- I'll have Carson pour the tea for you in the library....

 



 

Warm scones with clotted cream and jam

 



 

Sandwich assortment

 



 

Yummy cakes

 



 

and there's more....

 

 

Pics taken on Diamond 2012 and Ruby Princess 2013 aft balconies (a Suite Perk but Tea is served in an MDR and the Sanctuary each day 3.30 to 4.30) This is the portion for TWO people!

 

Norris

Oh Bimmer09... You have just made my day!!!!!!!

Thank you!!! Thank you!!!!!

Oh that would be so awesome if Carson did come and pour my tea for me...

I just loved that!!!

Thank you!!!

I have enjoyed reading your trip report... Yours is the trip report that has me hooked on Princess already...

I think I've decided to cruise on Regal Princess - Premium Mini Suite with Balcony. Also my husband is a smoker

Thanks

Carolyn

Oh good thought on the pools, I love being in the sun but my sweet hubby is very white and burns easily and he will usually go over to the shade area to sit...

 

Thanks for the information...

I love everyone's thoughts on each ships!!!

Carolyn

 

I like the sun and my DH needs more shade than sun.....but there wasn't a good compromise for us in the Allure solarium....so we hung out by the beach pool....which had an area that was under cover for him, when he had enough sun....best of both worlds like this for us.

I'll have to check out the Beach pool...

Thanks for more information

Carolyn

As you can see from my signature, I have been on several different lines. I had only done a couple of cruises on Royal and, frankly, couldn't tell you what made it any different than the other lines. Then last summer my DH and I decided to hop on Freedom for a last minute cruise. I LOVED this ship. It never felt crowded to me. There were so many places to go and different things to see and do. It sounds from your description that we have similar interests. One day on that trip we found ourselves at the Flowrider. We just went up in the stands to watch and really enjoyed it. Never had an interest in trying it ourselves but we really enjoyed watching everyone else.

 

I've not yet sailed on an Oasis class ship but it is on my wish list. I'm eagerly waiting for Harmony!

 

Enjoy your cruise, whichever you choose!

Oh Thank you! Thank you!!! This is the kind of information I wanted to read. Like you I just love to people watch... I keep leaning towards FOTS or Regal Princess.

Although I can't wait for Harmony to come out...

One day I think we will cruise on Allure or Oasis but from the beginning my head has been thinking about Freedom more then Allure.

Thanks for your thoughts...

Carolyn