shipgeeks

I've heard that lobster is not usually offered on Med cruises; it's not readily available, and it's not something that appeals to European passengers. There might be other differences, based on availability and preferences.

We've been there with another, large, ship, and had no problem getting loungers and umbrella, even after taking our time getting off the ship.  We never spend anything there.

RC has chartered 55 buses to carry pax back to Baltimore on Thursday.

57 minutes ago, PatJim said:

The mention on this thread that travel insurance likely won’t cover missing the ship due to a late excursion, was very helpful.  We thought our TI company would cover this scenario.  We always book comprehensive insurance p, because it covers pre-existing medical conditions.  It’s not cheap, but gives us peace of mind.

 

Jim just reread the TI contract.  it mentions late flight causes for missing the ship or a tour, but not a late tour operator causing us to miss the ship.  Who knew??  So thanks so much for this info.

Thank you for mentioning this.  I regularly see posts about buying cruise insurance, with 90% saying "It's a must", with the inference that if ANYTHING should go wrong, the insurance will take care of it without question. Definitely not the case.

There is a blow dryer. It appears that they are being upgraded as needed, and the new one is great.

Bar soap at the bathroom sink, multi-use gel in the shower.

Port of Norfolk is reporting that RC has chartered 55 buses to take pax to Baltimore tomorrow. Arrival information for those arriving for April 4 cruise is listed as well.

I do feel morally obliged to keep the photos in good condition, as they are from The Wedding....so still wondering about a save.  No hurry, I guess, although I do have a recipient for  all the frames lined up.

There was an earlier post about removing framed photos from their frames, packing them in nice envelopes by family or subject, and giving away the bulky frames.  Excellent idea, and I have finally started doing so.

Well.  I found one in which the photo was glued securely to a thick piece of wood, cut to fit into the fancy frame. That block of wood will have to stay as is, within that envelope.

Now I'm finding some in which the donor apparently put dabs of clear glue onto each piece of glass before putting the frame together.  The photos are stuck to the glass, and if I try to gently peel them off, a piece of the photo comes off and stays with the glass.  Aargh.  Not a good way to keep a photo, and not a good way to donate frames.

Any ideas on how I could safely separate glass from photo?

Some of the questions above, about the NCL situation, are covered on the NCL board.

GoHuskies, I found your post quite interesting.  Your mention of being a brass musician reminded me of the times I had concert seating behind a band or orchestra, and noticing the posture of the musicians, particularly the brass, who usually leaned back rather awkwardly; not what a posture specialist would ever recommend!  I know our local hospital network has a department specifically for musicians.  I've seen evidence of work they do with violinists who develop neck and shoulder issues.

I'm wondering if your positions while doing cabinetry are contributing to your balance issues.  If you are constantly in an awkward position, and using your muscles, it can be an extra strain.

On the positive side, I'm glad you mentioned the great lung capacity you and your colleagues have. That's a wonderful health asset!

Finally, I highly recommend PT for balance concerns. A year or so ago my balance deteriorated greatly, and my neurologist recommended PT as well as meds prescribed by a rheumatologist. I will never know for sure, but I believe the PT, which I continue to do every day, has played a greater part in my return to near-normalcy than the meds.

The posts here on CC, under RC, Carnival, East Coast Departures, roll calls, etc. have information that might be helpful for those affected.

The current RC cruise (Vision) passengers are being offered their choice of shuttle to Norfolk airport, BWI airport, or Baltimore cruise port, all complementary, at the end of the cruise.

Care to share any helpful information, or questions?

I've learned, over the years, that I need local currency (and enough knowledge of the language to ask for a restroom location) even on Caribbean cruises sometimes, as well as overseas.

And I just read several posts, elsewhere, about the number of squat toilets people found on their overseas travels, when they were expecting sit-down types.

Sometimes I remind myself how grateful I am for my reliable indoor plumbing at home.

I'm not sure if you are referring to each of the ports during the cruise, or at the end, for disembarcation, but in either case, much would depend on whether you are entitled to "priority" status, i.e., you have booked a RC excursion that leaves at an early time, or RC shuttle to the airport at the end, etc. In many cases, those without priority must wait til all the others have been cleared.  I would hesitate to say you can assume you'd be able to step off the ship shortly after she docks.

Here's something I just saw on the Carnival board, re a parking option at Norfolk:

"Asphalt Lots" in Chesapeake, VA is a veteran-run parking garage, with shuttle service to the port on cruise days, and reportedly cheaper than Carnival's parking option. 

13 hours ago, jlawrence01 said:

 

When we were on the HAL Eurodam in January, the cruise exercise director led a one mile march around the ship every morning starting at 7 am.  I think we made it up there on 10 of the 11 days.

Maybe that is one of the reasons we did not gain much weight on the ship ... other than all those stairs !

CD on Vision of the Seas did the same, except on the upper deck.  I believe it was pretty well attended.  Much as I love a promenade deck, and choose it during the day, an early morning walk on the upper deck, before the sun is overwhelming, is fabulous, too.

5 hours ago, drummer d said:

 In reference to cruise being changed from Baltimore to Norfolk VA:

 

Has anyone considered asking Royal Caribbean about providing bus service from the Baltimore Cruise Terminal parking lot to Norfolk VA Cruise Terminal and back to Baltimore parking lot?

I think many would take advantage of this as long as the charge was reasonable or free.  

Royal IS providing free bus service from Norfolk next Thursday, to Norfolk airport, BWI airport, or Baltimore cruise port, as each passenger chooses.

I haven't seen news yet about the two following cruises, but I expect there will be something offered.

In recent months we have been receiving an email a day or two before the cruise, asking us to mark any preferences we have re bed position, sharps containers, etc.

1 hour ago, OnTheJourney said:

Absolutely. Nothing can bring back lost lives. Bridges can be rebuilt.

And cruises rebooked.

54 minutes ago, TwoMisfits said:

 

But you're rare...I'm betting Carnival looked at their passenger location stats, and that's why they made such a quick call, while Royal is still deciding...

Carnival had to decide more quickly because their next cruise is Sunday.  RC's is not until next Thursday.  A lot can happen in eight days.

1 hour ago, KmomChicago said:

Difference is, massively better selection of brands and ships and itineraries from Florida. Baltimore to Nassau is fine once and it’s also fine if I can get to port cheaply and easily. Which I can NOT. I tested it and won’t do it again. Of course there will always be some flyers. 
 

I would guess if we could see the stats, Baltimore would have one of the highest drive to flight ratios of any US port.

"Baltimore to Nassau" is not really typical of the range of cruises offered by RC. No repetitive 7-nighters, but mostly 9- and 12-night cruises south, north, and Bermuda. B2Bs are not uncommon, and there are a few who stay aboard for up to three months at a time, enjoying all the diversity of ports and weather. There are always some pax from west coast, Canada, and Great Britain.

17 minutes ago, Afttastic said:

 

 

Thanks - was a thought but wasn't sure. I thought I read a few years ago Philadelphia terminal was used for some cruises - must have been the smaller ships with 100-200 passengers. 😄

We sailed out of Philadelphia on RC Empress of the Seas, and Celebrity Zenith. Smaller than Legend or Vision, but hardly 200 pax.

OP, where would you be coming in from?  I'm guessing you might be overseas?  If so, a good starting point might be the port (perhaps in Florida? Barbados?) which is easiest/cheapest for you to get to. At least that would narrow your search.

There are signs on the dispensers saying you should not put your bottle directly on them.  Glasses of water are aways available for pouring into personal bottles.  Of course, there might always be someone who disregards that.

We fill ours from our bathroom taps, as well as in the WJ.