SchoolNurseMom

We recently took a cruise on Royal and were very disappointed in the food. Nothing terrible, just not what we're used to after cruising with them for years. Our next cruise is next September on Celebrity Beyond and we are anxious to compare. 

I am back from my cruise and had no issues bringing on the cookies. They were all individually wrapped and sealed and our friends loved them. 

We're on this cruise too. Will be interesting to see if we have rough seas or calm... and where exactly we end up going? Can we get back to port after the next hurricane at the end of next week?

Its just a big adventure!

Also, there's supposed to be a lauch of SpaceX rocket early Friday morning at 12:03am. Maybe we can see it from our hotel!

They won't trigger any issues? Are you allowed to bring on food items that are not factory sealed? 

I’ve had some themed cookies made that I’d like to carry on the ship to surprise members of our group. Is this allowed in carry on? Or do I need to come up with a way to safely put them in my suitcase? Any ideas? 

We've done this several times and usually see it listed in the daily activities planner as a "midweek laundry special". We'll be on Mariner next week and plan to do a bag. I can come back and post about it. 

We're boarding Mariner next Friday for Bermuda and Bahamas..🙃 Probably not in reality...but that's the itinerary as of right now. 

I've definitely had some worse meals and better meals on a ship. But, I am not cooking or cleaning all week. My only decisions have to do with what activity to do next and what drink to enjoy. We've always been able to find something decent to eat even if we visit the buffet on the way out from MDR. LOL!

Thanks so much for the info so far! Have a great weekend everyone!

I looked for a pinned post and did not see one for us newbies. If there is something out there, please let me know. 🙂

We are long time cruisers whose favorite line is RCL. We like to branch out and try other lines and may be trying Celebrity soon. 

What are the typical early and late dining times? If we do sail on Beyond, how easy is it to try the other complementary dining rooms from the one you are assigned to?

Are there activities such as trivia and such during the day? or can someone post a sample of the daily activities planner? 

Thanks so much for your help and advice. 🙂 

We're looking to book our first Celebrity cruise. We've cruised since 2010, mainly on RCL, but also have cruised on Princess, CCL, NCL, and MSC. We're Diamond on RCL and already have called and set up our Celebrity loyalty numbers to take advantage of the match. 

We have enjoyed all of our cruises and feel that the lines we have been on are more alike than different. 🙂 

We're heading to Miami for ABC cruise on Explorer tomorrow. Does anyone know if they normally sail west of Cuba on their way south? Maybe we'll have no itinerary changes?

OOps! Your right! LOL sorry!

Anyone traveling to port yet? So excited and ready to go!

Does anyone know the usual route south from Miami? Will we go west around Cuba then south?

Would like to stick with original itinerary, but will enjoy ourselves no matter where "Fiona" sends us!

It looks like we are the only ship in port all three days. See you all there!

marvelous~ Sounds about right, but for us its reversed! lol

I may get a non alcoholic drink and hubby may have the rest of the vouchers. 😉

Has any one been on this 4 hr tour recently and know where they drop you off for the beach portion of this tour? We have friends staying on Eagle Beach and we're wondering if it'll be possible to meet up at all if we are close to their resort. Thank you!

You can tell your waitstaff your plans no matter what dining time or venue you're in. We've told them we're planning to go to show and a certain time and they've always done their best to get us out in time. 

As far as leaving the dining room, people get up and go to bathroom or other all the time and just come right back in to sit and finish their meal. 

3yorkies~ THIS is our plan for our cruise in 10 days. Just general precautions like we do in our everyday lives. I am a nurse and so far have avoided it (unless we've had it and been asymptomatic) and hope to continue my streak!

pcur~I totally agree with you. Some do not have the immune system to fight it like we healthy ones do. Those are the ones I worry most about. 

We play to get bottles of water to use on our excursions if we don't use our vouchers. I don't drink alcohol and hubby does. I may use one per day to get a mocktail or something, but I don't see him using 7 per day especially when we can get the coffees from the lounge and we did buy a soda package. 

We've not done longer than 8 nights, but we do not go as formal when we fly as we do when we drive to port. Hubby's suit is heavier than just dress pants and a button down shirt and tie. Doesn't take up as much room in the suitcase either. I tend to take black and white capris for dinner and coordinating tops that will go with either and then mix and match. Hopefully I don't spill anything on me during dinner and I can wear same top again. LOL I make sure I pick lighter weight dresses that I can shove into the corners or extra space in my suitcase. 

We do take advantage of the mid week laundry bag and wear our clothes that fit more snugly at the beginning of the cruise. I've found to take it easy with the food on a cruise and eat light meals or salads in balance to avoid that overfull feeling you get from eating too much bread and rich salty foods that maybe you are not used to in your normal day to day life. 

I am with most of you..I am excited about not having to test, but I wonder how many will not be truthful on the precruise health screen and will sail even if they are sick. I am an elementary school nurse and I know how much "willful denial" there is out there that their "cold" or "allergies" cannot possibly be covid. "They were only sick for a day or two and now they feel fine" That does not mean it wasn't covid!

Anyways, I am vaxxed and boosted and Hubby and I will bring masks to wear when we feel we need them and will have a great time I'm sure! Explorer in about 2.5 weeks! 

I cashed in some points for my Sept 17 cruise and the obc is not showing up yet. If I end up needing to call, do I call Royal or Bank of America card services? Thanks!

If I don't see my obc that I cashed in from a Royal Credit card, do I call Royal or Bank Of America? Thanks!

I'm loving the Color street polish strips. Lots of fun patterns to choose from. I bought some that have flowers and flamingos on them for my September ABC cruise. 

We did not pay for expedited and got our renewed passports in about 35 days.