Peachypooh

We were on the Encore in 2019 the week before Christmas. It was beautifully decorated with Christmas trees and other ornaments. I don't recall any holiday events (we disembarked a few days before Christmas) but then again we don't attend events except once a Super Bowl party on the Jade which was awesome. It was very festive and I am sure you will have a good time. If you are stopping in San Juan there was a Salvation Army guy dancing around the red kettle to the tune of Feliz Navidad he was playing on his boom box. He was ringing his bell as if it were a maraca. I hope he is still doing this. It was the highlight of our pre Christmas cruise.

If you are going to do this book cabins that are near public restrooms. We did this and it really helped at times.

As others have said it depends on the port. If you are doing an Alaska cruise for example there are lots of options in Juneau (walk to the Lumberjack show for example). If it is Cartagena on a Panama Canal cruise when we went unless you are very familiar with the city a planned excursion is the way to go. We know people who decided to just "wing it" and had problems. For example since they didn't speak the language they didn't know the lunch they ordered in a cafe was cash only. One had to sit at their table while the other had to go find an ATM. Just a few small examples.

We booked a cruise for next year at the beginning of the summer when they were running a different sale. When I re-priced it two days ago with the 40 percent off it came within five dollars of my current price. I guess what I am saying is that book when you feel comfortable doing so not based on the current promotion. That said one time I did get a true sale from them. A few years ago they were offering 10 percent extra off for latitudes members and I was able to re-price my cruise and saved that extra 10 percent.

When we were on the Pearl going through the Panama Canal we booked a forward facing cabin. We did not feel the need to move around. However on other ships the view might not be as expansive.

You are so kind to take the time to answer my question and give me other information. Yes the Almond Crescents in the Haven are awesome! Thanks for being excited for us. You have been so helpful to so many people on this forum. Thanks again.

Thank you so much! I was wondering if the aft Haven cabins had a problem with more than the usual vibration. I heard that some people had to be moved for that reason.

I have had calls from three different people claiming they are my new PCC plus a call from the pre-cruise concierge. Long story short I decided to ask one of them a specific question about the Joy, She called me back and left a message with a generic answer. From now on I will just book it myself online.

In the past I have received a form from the pre-cruise concierge to pick pillow type, what types of beverages, etc. in my room. I received both a call and an email from them recently and answered the email by asking for the form I am used to getting. They responded by sending me the form for special needs/ wheelchair access? Glad they have this service but it doesn't pertain to me. I am thinking of just making a paper list and handing it to the butler instead. Anyone have any better luck than me? Thanks.

The bathroom is right outside that cabin. Just turn right and it's right there. I am pretty sure it was a single stall. You don't need to go into the hallway through the door to access it. It is in the hallway.

Thank you!

We are looking at the Joy at their aft cabins. I know Spice H2O is on deck 17. How far down in the decks do we need to book to minimize the sound. Thanks for any advice. P.S. Is deck 14 OK or do we need to go lower. Thank you again.

Sometimes the ports stay the same but due to windy/rainy conditions no tendering is possible. We actually got to some ports on a cruise (I think one was Roatan and can't remember the other ) and a sudden change in conditions cancelled the tenders . I would have been happier if the conditions were known about way ahead like a hurricane and we were re-routed but such is life. We just stood at the railing and looked at where we were supposed to going.

I have had to cancel and any shore excursions, water package, etc. was refunded. I don't know about the specific things you are asking about but they probably are.

Easy access to dental care...when you need it you need it. Plus my electric teapot. I thought I couldn't bring it but someone said they did?

We ate at Q on the Encore. The food was very good but the portions were enormous!

Don't forget to add in the port charges, service charges and insurance before you commit to the added passengers. It can be more than you think. Also if they really are free. In my case it was $98 each plus those other charges mentioned.

Don't do what I did and not bring a chart of the exit codes to call the US from the port stops. And the customer service desk had no clue.....this next cruise I am bringing a chart with me. Most people know this for sure but I didn't!

I know that you don't want to be above the theatre. It is not just performances but they practice on and off during the day too and the sound can carry.

Or sold out. We took one of the last Alaskan cruises one year and aside from a couple of hooded sweatshirts there was nothing in the ship store. No gloves, cold weather hats or warm socks.

A word to the senior citizens out there that have never tendered. It might be perfectly safe for the tenders to run but it might be very very choppy. Assess how steady you are on your feet. I once decided (in Roatan) not to take the tender because it looked too challenging for me.

I try to be tolerant but what happened in the restaurant was a health hazard and definitely needed to be addressed. Urine is usually sterile but not always is.....

In my opinion (others may see things differently) is the bottom line in all of this is that when you have so many people mingling together with lots of alcohol flowing and children out of their element and seniors that don't need a scooter at home and don't know how to use one on the ship there are bound to be instances where people are impacting (negatively) the cruise of others. Some things are an easy fix like moving far away from crying children but others not so much. My own pet peeve is sitting next to a table that each person (men and women) have heavily doused themselves with different colognes and perfumes to the point it is hard to smell all of this as the same time as eating. At least one person has doused themselves with layers and layers of Jean Nate. I like Jean Nate but just a dab, not like a person took a bath in it. LOL Oh and don't forget the people who use a steak knife as a toothpick LOL.

You are right. After I posted my comment I realized that. Thanks for adding this to the discussion.