Arzeena

1 hour ago, Keksie said:

Saturday was OK.  We dodged the rain at Ft. Clinch and then were in and out of stores downtown.  Yesterday was perfect for a really nice sightseeing cruise and more shopping. Lots of ice cream may have been consumed.

Any hotel suggestions or things to do ideas?

5 hours ago, lenquixote66 said:

Yes,it is .When my in home OT and my PT began to treat me and heard that I am in bed 21 hours a day they told me they will do their very best to get me out of the house .They are wonderful Therapists .

Their plan is to get me to a restaurant next month.The last time I was in one was February 2020.

Lenny so happy to hear about your therapists and your wonderful plans.

3 hours ago, Keksie said:

Sunrise a tad late.

Gorgeous sunrise! So peaceful.

13 hours ago, DaniDanielle said:

His looks are deceiving as he is blonde and blue eyed like his dad was but he looks like our side of the family!

Yes! I was just about to post that he has your features.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!

6 hours ago, Husky1987 said:

So I actually have a cruising-related question for everyone here, and it doesn't involve bourbon at all 🤣

 

Our Freedom cruise in December stops at St. Kitts.  We've been there a few times, have done the Thenford Gray tour and Carambola, etc.  We've never done Nevis.  The ship offers a couple different excursions but we usually find we like the private ones better.  Has anyone done an excursion to Nevis that wasn't through the ship?  

We have done the Nevis tour with lunch and beach. It is very nice. Go for it!
Alexander Hamilton's birthplace, couple of churches, hot springs and couple of 5 star hotels (plantation homes converted) are tour stops. But they have removed the hotels when I last went. The beach time is at Pinney Beach next to what was the Four seasons and the lunch at the beach cafe (included in the tour) has a choice of chicken or fish. The sail there was on a pontoon type catamaran and one does get splashed so don't wear your tux.😁 Boat ride is also a bit jumpy but nothing bad.
I don't know what tour the others took, but we LOVED ours. It was a cruise ship excursion. Different operators both times I went.
I would never do a private excursion to Nevis due to it being "another" island, involving a ferry that did not make it back once due to ferry workers going on strike and some people having to pay "ransom" to some boat people to get them back to Port Zante before the ship left. So if you are with a cruise ship excursion here, you are OK.

39 minutes ago, TravelGirlinDallas said:

Today is my husband Brian's 50th birthday. He was a surprise 2nd-born twin that no one knew about until his arrival. His birth was difficult, involved forceps, and resulted in a brain bleed and cerebral palsy on his right side. He never let it stop him. He is the happiest, most encouraging, positive person. The very best person I know. I'm so thankful that he is here and that we get to share life together. 

 

I think it's unfair that he looks younger than 50! (I am 51, so it's doubly unfair!)

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Brian!
Bethany, I love the pictures on your back wall.
 

6 hours ago, firefly333 said:

I was not reimbursed for missed ports. I wrote to mbayley office and was told it's not their policy, it's up to each ship. Just because you got them back doesnt mean everyone does. Sorry. But it's not the policy. I can post the email if you dont believe me.

 

They have the right to change or miss ports. It is then up to the ship what they do.

We got port fees and taxes back on some sailings. I think we missed St Kitts. On one, we did not get port fees /tax back when we missed the port. GS said it is based on your cruise fare and gave an explanation that I do not remember. It was very little amount to warrant a letter to Mr Bailey. Everyone on that sailing in my group of friends got a different amount back. This was on the Anthem.
I think your TA could give a much better explanation on why you didn't get port fees/tax back than anyone at Royal Caribbean!😉

2 hours ago, grapau27 said:

Good morning.

It is 62°F and sunny here at 11.24am.

It is our 43rd wedding anniversary today.

We had a family meal last night to celebrate.

I hope everyone is safe and well and y'all have a nice day.

Happy Anniversary Graham and Pauline!

11 hours ago, Sunshine3601 said:

Hi Sis,  You like my backpack😁  I always enjoy the 80 +/- sq' balcony that comes with these square cabins.  And there is a regular walk in shower (rectangular or square I cannot remember).  That is bigger than those capsule showers.  I'll take some photos and share in March.

Yes I love the backpack! It is such a pretty color.😁
I cannot say anything about that bathroom because I did not peek in 😉.
I have seen the solo cabin bathroom (one of them) and I recall the layout being more square.

Looking forward to your pictures.

12 hours ago, Sunshine3601 said:

Here's one photo I found so far from an Anthem sailing.   They usually have full height table on balcony instead of those little drink tables.

 

What the cabin literature has on square footage/dimensions just numbers.
I have not stayed in one but went to see the cabin as it was occupied by a friend from cc. It is not any "bigger". It seems smaller, but it is a square so that makes it feel spacious. Also no sofa. There is the armchair that you see in the picture above with the backpack on it. The wall does have the windows which "opens" it up spatially and it feels open and bright. Bathroom is identical. Everything else is the same. Theirs was on deck 7, but those on deck 6 above the "smoking bus stop stand" have mixed reviews on noise and smoke...bothered some, did not bother some. I have also seen a solo square (Anthem) and an inside square ( can't remember ship, but probably the same one).

I do love deck 6 for its proximity to everything.
I also like the balconies at the very front with the round openings. Have stayed in them. The balcony does not feel any smaller or restricted and is excellent for those who want shade and sun.....little bit of all.

14 hours ago, aussielozzie18 said:

Here downunder we are heading into Spring 🌸

 

 last weekend I unpacked & wore my shorts for the first time

Took the heavy blankets off the bed

Can walk Max for longer after work (so he can spot more bunnies & avoid more cats)

Wildflowers are out

Going to the cherry blossom festival this weekend 

And the definite sign of Spring -  this conversation in the car  last weekend:

DH: You just sneezed 10 times!

Me:  It was “only” 7

DH:  Soon to be 10…..

 

 

Happy Spring!
That means more walks, flowers, birds and  more pictures? I am looking forward to your beautiful pictures!

14 hours ago, aussielozzie18 said:

Camp Nana papa & summer of fun - just wonderful. Love seeing all the photos of the happy grandkids.

I would love to see Nana's picture too.🙂

18 hours ago, Ozark_Kid said:

Our 1st cruise was on Sea Princess.   It was about 25 years ago.  It was a new ship.  We were celebrating our 20th anniversary.   We had our 45th last Sunday!

We were chased by a hurricane that cruise however that didn't stop us from later cruises. 

Happy Anniversary!

1 minute ago, h20skibum said:

If you do consider the Sun, this website has a lot of good information on it, although they have archived it now.

 

https://britsonaship.com/sun-princess-latest-news/

 

I know I was scouring everything, to find information about the new ship.  There have not been many reviews, probably because it is still in Europe.

 

Just a couple of tips I have found.  Stay away from the Cove balconies on deck 6.  There have been reports that they close them at times, and people are not able to use their balcony.   I have also read of noise complaints for people in deck 10 balconies on the sphere.  Evidently, noise from the Piazza filters up to them.   We are booked in a Category DA on the sphere on deck 11, and I haven’t heard of noise complaints there.

 

Hopefully, I will do a LIVE from our cruise, with a comparison to Odyssey which is similar in size.

 

 

We are also looking at Princess. Last time I was on the Enchanted and absolutely loved it. They have been very gracious enough to keep extending our Future Cruise booking deposits as has NCL so looking at those. We look and research and read, and then  somehow end up with Celebrity or Royal.

5 hours ago, h20skibum said:

That would mean you would be on the sailing just before ours.  Like Royal, it looks like they charge a hefty premium for the NYE sailing.  

I suppose that is their prime cruise time. Also I was hearing about their Premium drink packages and changes they made that passengers were complaining about.

12 hours ago, Sunshine3601 said:

Wawa's near me starting serving pumpkin spice coffee last week.   I hate the thought of summer coming to an end but sure do love pumpkin spice coffees.

I hear you! I like pumpkin spice too.

Halloween stuff is on sale in my neck of the woods. Sam's Club is stuffed with Halloween decor already.

27 minutes ago, dani negreanu said:

 

Andrew  @A&L_Ont

+ 1

 

 

 

 

Deb @Momof3gurlz

+ 1

 

 

 

 

@sgmn

 

Thanks, Sue. It is the first time that I'm not counting the days until our cruise with my cousin 4 weeks from now. I wish it was later, so that the "situation" will resolve or at least settle down until then....

 

As it is, most of airlines have cancelled their flights, causing havoc just in the middle of the busiest time for family vacations. No more camps or organized activities for kids starting mid-August, and lots of companies are closing their doors for a week, in order to allow workers to take time off at the same period. Friends of ours have lost their deposits or full payments since no flights are available.

 

For now, we're booked on a flight TLV-ATH with the Greek company, which cancelled its flights... El Al still flies, but they don't fly on Saturdays, and their flight on Sunday is at 7PM, too risky for us (the cruise starts Monday).

 

As I've posted before... waiting for the retaliations to be over and done with us....

 

 

Mark @h20skibum

+ 1

 

 

 

@HBE4

+ 1

 

Dani,

I wish you the best of luck and peace. Bon Voyage!

6 minutes ago, Ocean Boy said:

They disrupted the operations of a port and a cruise ship. That doesn't sound like no harm to me.

Agree 100%. But strangely they thought otherwise.

I am glad all is ok now for the Serenade cruisers.

22 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

I, too, am surprised that there is no police intervention.

I was surprised too.

But I read in a news report that the police believed that there was no harm done and the protest was peaceful so they cannot intervene.

18 hours ago, Sunshine3601 said:

I suspect Sympathy OTS is rocking and rolling today because of Ernesto.  They are due to arrive at Cape Liberty, NJ tomorrow morning.    

They need some sympathy indeed.😉😁

1 hour ago, firefly333 said:

Another day where the water sparkles and dances in the sun. This time I stood back and took this from my living room, ... better. But my tablet doesnt do it justice. I can actually see cruise ships from here I can hardly see in my camera shots. 

 

Caught a fishing boat going by so didnt take the time, just snapped it fast when it was visible between windows. Big birds also fly by, cant make out yet what they are they fly by so fast. You can see lower right the water sparkling here.. depending where i stand all the water sparkles today in the sun... standing in my living room so taken thru those sliders plus the windows. My camera lacking. 

Beautiful!

2 hours ago, drakes2 said:

I'm planning on booking a massage on the first day of my upcoming cruise as its much cheaper than any other day. I'm unsure if taxes will kick in as technically the ship is in Fort Lauderdale. Reason I'm asking is that I was charged tax on a drink purchased at lunch at the buffet. Don't mind the odd drink being taxed but certainly don't want to pay it on a massage in addition to 20% gratuity. Perhaps someone on this board will know.  😊 

I have had many spa services pre booked and done on embarkation day. No taxes charged. I did not even have to sign anything, they informed me that since all was booked and paid for (including gratuity) I was good to go.
May be different from other ports/states, but this was all from FLL.
Enjoy the massage!
 

BTW we met last November on the Sillhouette at Linda's Zenith party in Blu.

1 hour ago, helen haywood said:

But have you started decorating yet?

Noooooooooo!
😁 Our dear Sea Dog has the gold medal for that! 😉 I just stop at "watching" the movies.

Thanks to the suggestion of  RobinMN, I watched all 3 christmas movies from "A Prince for Christmas" series.
@Sea Dog Greg you will also enjoy them.

On 8/13/2024 at 11:00 PM, firefly333 said:

Maybe we need to post a thread again for deal alerts like olden days.

 

Just looked and 8 days on adventure, last one to Bermuda from florida, overnight in Bermuda now with DP340 code, inside dropped to $840. Total. Sept 13. 

That is because it is prime hurricane season price. If you wait till a week before  it may drop down even more.

When we lived in NJ, we have sailed to Bermuda every year in hurricane season because the last few days price was rock bottom. In the $400 ish range, balcony GTY always, once in ocean view. Mostly Celebrity. The TA we used then had these last minute deals. At times they would throw in the parking at port, which is great  if you cruise out of NYC @$40 per day or Bayonne ( don't remember $$) and at rare times a spa certificate or most times a dinner for two and OBC. Those days are gone!