BlessedMimi

Bummer! I was told I could get any drink at any bar. But I was suspicious from past experience!

I am a Diamond+ cruiser taking off next week for Norway on the Indepedence of the Seas. I have been told I have 3 drinks loaded on my card for each night between 5 and 8. I know margaritas, pina coladas, cosmopolitans, and that's about it! I'm not a big fan of wines. Can you tell me some fancy, yummy other things to try? Also, should I tip the bartender and if so, how much?

Trying to figure out how I was chosen to receive a free cruise. I do make quite large donations to the casino when I cruise, but I don't put my Seapass card in the machines so RC has no way of knowing. I haven't used my card in many cruises, since I would forget and walk off, leaving it.

I am D+ with another cruise booked for January. Does that fit a pattern with any of you?

Regardless of the reason, I am excited to be sailing on October 29th. Anybody else going on that one? My offer was for an inside cabin, but I upgraded to an OV.

Anybody who's been--tell us about the casino!

Bon Free Voyage!!!

I got the offer for an inside room and deleted it. Then I was browsing on here and realized it was legitimate. I found it and was able to book an OV for Oct. 29th for a very small charge. I am a Diamond + cruiser, and I spend quite a bit in the casinos. But...I never use my card in the machines for fear of leaving it. So RC has no way of knowing how much I spend. Interesting...very interesting!

What a terrific cruise I had on the Anthem transatlantic. I kept a daily log but did not post live here on Cruise Critic. If you would care to read about and see photos of the cruise from the perspective of a solo traveler in one of the single rooms with balcony, please go to:

http://www.lindastovall.blogspot.com Please go back to "Soloing it Across the Pond" if you are interested in my time in London, or "The Main Event" and forward for my time on the Anthem.

This is the most entertainingly well written review I have read! I am loving it since I will be on the October 27th Trans Atlantic sailing! Thanks so much for taking time on your honeymoon to share with us!

Hey, Travelgirl! Excited to hear you're going to be in "my" cabin! When you board the ship, be sure to remember, "starboard forward."

I bought my spa pass at the spa itself. The public areas are very crowded, so I think this will be a good purchase for you. I don't do sun either.

If you can get a floor seat for Illuminarium, I think you would be glad you did. There aren't many, so you should probably do that soon.

I am a frequent cruiser on Royal Caribbean, and have been on most other cruise lines. I usually have a robe furnished, but only Haven occupants have robes on NCL. So...if you get room service coffee to wake you up like I do, you might want to carry some sort of light robe!

I hope you post how you like the cruise and the cabin! Bon Voyage! Can't wait to hear.

I was on the cruise just before yours in a studio, 11573. I thought I would never find my cabin on the first day! The hint about looking for the room numbers in the hall was great. I finally figured out that I must approach down the starboard hall. The fish swimming forward on the carpet is a great help, also.

I did not find the studio claustrophobic at all, which was my main concern. I certainly loved not having to pay a single supplement (=double!) The studio lounge is lovely, especially the coffee everything machine. I found the staff to be ultra helpful and concerned.

That little cube stool was my biggest annoyance! I did sit on it to apply makeup, but one of the closet doors would not open (the one which contained the safe) unless the stool was shifted out of the way. It was heavy and awkward to move on carpet. My steward did move it over by my bed the first night. In other words, it was supposed to be my night stand!

I did eat in my room some--sitting on the bed. I ate at O'Sheehan's several times. It was one of my favorite things about the cruise. I did not eat at any specialty restaurants. I had floor seats at the Illuminarium, which was great! I saw all the shows.

I paid $199 for a membership to the thermal spa on the first day. For me, this was a great investment. I could go up there to see the water (it is on the front of the ship.) I was up there for a couple of sailaways. I left one day because, in spite of signs posted requesting quiet, there were people talking at the top of their voices in there. However, as I left, there was an employee headed in to try to quiet things down. She had already received complaints.

All in all, this was one great cruise, and the studios are a great innovation, in my opinion.

Our very first cruise was on NCL's Sunward II in 1985 or 86. I loved cruising from that day forward. I wish I knew how to post pics--I have a t-shirt and an ash tray to prove it! Now I'm widowed and sailing in a Getaway studio in January--my 36th cruise.

I fit both a very large roller suitcase and a carry on suitcase underneath the bed. There's plenty of space underneath the bed for your suitcase and there's even a basket there you can use for dirty clothes. I must have brought 16 different shirts. The first night of the cruise they did a 50% off ironing (not sure if they still do but they did for mine) so I sent everything out that I wouldn't need the first day to get ironed. All came back on hangars that I just hung in the wall unit and it worked great.

Great idea! Hope they still do that when I board.

The studios are absolutely great and don't feel claustrophobic at all. The other thing that is great is they have a lounge with a concierge who arranges group activities for everyone in the studios such as having dinner together at a specialty restaurant. Enjoy! You're going to love it! And yes, your suitcase will fit under the bed and there is plenty of storage.

Thank you so much SuiteTraveler. I am so relieved to hear all you said!

Has anybody done this? My room is ll573. I have always been in a balcony room but wanted to do something different (and cheaper.) I think I can cope with the close quarters, but will my suitcase fit under the bed? Would appreciate any info and/or advice.

Has anybody done this? My room is ll573. I have always been in a balcony room but wanted to do something different (and cheaper.) I think I can cope with the close quarters, but will my suitcase fit under the bed? Would appreciate any info and/or advice.