Kylie

On 3/23/2021 at 7:02 AM, dfb said:

I have been on Queen of Mississippi and Independence. Both had ice buckets available for in cabin use. I remember finding the bucket on the closet shelf aboard Independence and I think QoM's was by the TV. They do not fill them. It is easy enough to keep the bucket filled yourself from the ice machine in the lounge.

 

Because of covid there was no ice in the machines in the lounges but our cabin steward filled our ice bucket daily after we asked if she would.

7 hours ago, Tinknock50 said:

Thanks. :).   just for clarification, did you mean you wore them while walking around outside ?  Did you see anyone reminded by crew to put them on while walking around outside?   Thanks again.

Didn't wear them while walking outside on the ship or on our balcony obviously but there's not that much room outside to walk.  We did sit outside quite a lot since the weather was nice.  No, we didn't see anyone remind people outside.  

33 minutes ago, tipsygirl said:

Regarding taking off your mask at meals or cocktails what is the proper etiquette for where you place your mask when you take it off? 

 

Not sure there is any - some people put them in their pockets and others just laid them on the table.  

8 hours ago, Tinknock50 said:

 

Did you miss my question ?   🙂

 Oops - if we were sitting outside by ourselves we didn't wear them.  Walking around the ship and inside we did.  

2 hours ago, BillHana said:

Kylie, Thanks for posting and stirring up some life on this board. We are booked on American Jazz in November after frustrations with CDC limitations on big ship cruising. So far it sounds like a fun time is coming. 

 Yes, we were thrilled to be doing any kind of cruising!   

3 hours ago, Cali Viajera said:

We’re you able to visit Baton Rouge? We are on the July 3 NOLA to Memphis cruise. Baton Rouge was left off the itinerary we were recently given. How about Oak Valley plantation, Vicksburg park?

Yes, we did BR and Vicksburg park.   We did the Cajun Swamp excursion (beautiful weather day and fun tour) in the morning so did Houmas House in the afternoon since we would have been rushed to do Oak Valley.   We weren't able to dock at Houmas House because of high water so actually missed that stop but could still do the excursions by driving from BR.  We had to be more selective about which tours to take since we couldn't do all that were offered.  

1 hour ago, vino100 said:

Did you have to wear masks while walking around the ship? 

Yes and they would ask you to put it on if you forgot.  As soon as we sat down for a meal or cocktails we would take it off.  People did wear them during talks, on the bus, and watching entertainment in the evening. 

1 hour ago, Cali Viajera said:

Hi! What were the excursions like? Any excursion listed in brochure not available? Did buses take you everywhere? Were you allowed to walk into town on your own?

Most of the excursions were available - all bus rides somewhere.  We didn't get out to see some places because they were closed because of covid.   Yes, you could go out on your own.  There was usually a HOHO bus that would take you in to the city to look around on your own.   We kept busy doing more than 1 excursion each day if we could.  

54 minutes ago, MSEm said:

Thank you for posting. Know you have a great time.

Question on Snack.  What was available for snacks?  Any fresh fruit, veggies, or cheeses put out for snack?

How was breakfast? Was it only order from the menu?  Was there an omelet station?

 

Snacks are always available in the 2 lounges but nothing fresh now.  Mostly chips, pretzels, granola, and nuts in bags and hot/cold drinks.    Breakfast is menu only (omelets are on the menu but no buffet now).  Room service breakfast is also available with a decent menu.   Early risers breakfast in the lounge on deck 4 with prepackaged pastries.   

No money exchanged on the ship for anything.   If they don't have something just ask.  Open bar at cocktail hour with great hors d'oeuvres.

We were on the 'Queen of the Mississippi' on the Mississippi from Memphis to New Orleans April 3-10, 2021.   They took very good safety precautions for covid - we were required to have our vaccines, a negative covid test 4 days before the cruise, and a quick test before getting on the ship.  We had our temperature taken before we got off the bus after each excursion and I was randomly tested during the week.   Of course, masks were required.  

Only 53 pax onboard but 79 this week so they are increasing numbers weekly.   Crew was friendly but still learning the ropes in the dining room but no problems with that.  Food was exceptional.

Any questions just ask.

On 12/13/2020 at 11:26 PM, Cruzaholic41 said:

The Black Sea is one place I’ve never cruised but if it comes down to a choice between those 2 lines, I whole heartedly recommend Azamara. Been in both and A is the better line. 

Looks like NCL is doing this cruise the next few years too if you are interested in that cruise line - not as upscale as the ones you mentioned though.  

10 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

Although on researching the river cruises, they only do a small portion of the Black Sea. I'm actually looking for a cruise that will also include Bulgaria, northern Turkey, Russia, Georgia, etc.

 

 True - not that itinerary.  

Sorry for the multiple posts!   

Our cruise is still advertised for May so hoping it sails!

3 hours ago, Kylie said:

Viking also does this itinerary.

https://www.vikingrivercruises.com/cruise-destinations/ukraine/index.html

Just booked this itinerary on a flash sale that ends today:  

https://www.viking.com/promotions/us/river/FLSH/20201211/kiev-black-sea-bucharest.html?contid=30002957178_1027004546&utm_id=email_vrc.53848402&cid=EML|RSP|999|vrc.53848402&utm_source=email&utm_medium=email#

Does anyone have any recent information about this cruise/ship?  Thinking of going May 2021 - hopefully cruises are sailing again!

Viking also does this itinerary.

We are scheduled to sail the Apex in January 2022 - sure hope cruising is back to 'normal' by then!  Whatever the new normal will be?!

2 hours ago, bigrednole said:

We told them we had a cruise on August 2. It has to do with the office your applications are sent to. I think mine went to Philly the same as NCMtnBoys

Hmmm.......ours was sent to Philly and came from there too.  Who knows?!  Just glad we got new ones!   We still haven't received our old copies back.  

6 hours ago, bigrednole said:

I received another email that our passports are approved and have now shipped.

 

Submit Date: 03/26/2020

Checks Cashed: 03/30/2020

Approved/Ship: 08/19/2020

We sent ours in a month later than that and received them about 2 weeks ago.  I wonder if it was because we said we have a resort stay planned in late Sept. (that we still hope to go to!)?  

Sent our renewals in April 29 and got the email today they are being printed and should be here August 10.  We will be glad to have them in our hands!

Now if we could just travel somewhere!

We were in 7163 on the Constellation on the last full cruise she sailed in March before the pandemic.  We often choose a cabin heading out on the hump because the balconies are a bit larger because of the angle and we had a great view.  It was a great location - half way up and half way down. 

Sorry I don't have a picture of the balcony.  

Has anyone seen their new passports recently?

When I applied for renewal in late April I told them I need ours for a resort trip in late September - not sure if that makes any difference or not but I will need to cancel the trip if we don't see them by mid-September I think.

Anyone have any trips planned that they think they can realistically take?
 

1 hour ago, Kellie in Texas said:

Update:  Our son's passport arrived yesterday, after being "in quarantine" since Feb. 27th. 

We sent ours in 2 months later - hopefully that means we'll see ours in 2 months from now or less!  🤞

44 minutes ago, Jeff13 said:

Our submission was April 20.  No check cashed yet.  That makes me nervous!  I'd almost wish they had cashed it so I know someone has at least received it!

I tracked the package (sent April 29) so I know they received it plus the check was cashed.   Still nervous about getting the new passports.