bonsai3s

We cruised Celebrity before RCCL...we love both. Like everyone else, we cruise with RCCL when we're with family. Our last Celebrity cruise was on the Solstice, Aqua Class...it gave us access to The Blu restaurant (breakfast/dinner) and spa...both were phenomenal. The shower in our cabin had 6 water jets on the wall...it was heavenly.

Bravo! Human caring, kindness...genuinely friendly conversation. We would often find that many of the crew members that we met years ago (and spoke to), still remember us. It is genuinely an incredible feeling when a Restaurant Operations Manager or Food and Beverage Manager comes up to us and say: "Mam/Sir, I was your waiter...I will always remember you...thank you for your simple encouragement".

Here's sone photos sailing into Prins Christians Sund, Greenland (Voyager, 2022)...from our balcony.

Wow! I may have some ShipShape dollars in the garage. I'll go through some boxes when we get home...about to board the Spectrum.

Salamat po.

Just a few random notes for DIY bus to Oia: * Find out how many ships will be there the same day...our ship arrived first, about 8am, and so no queue for the cable car...took 8 minutes from bottom to top...2 ships arrived later that day. (www.cruisemapper.com) * Best to be on the first tender off the ship to Fira. * When you get off the cable car on top, up in Fira, the pedestrian only walk paths meander and can get confusing...just politely ask for directions to the bus station. About a 10-minute walk. * The bus station is an open square area where buses arrive and pick up passengers. A bus conductor will announce the bus for Oia (eee-ya)...a queue will start as most passengers (mostly from the ship) will be going to Oia. The bus conductor will take your fare and will appreciate it if you have the exact amount. (Our fare was 1.60€/person each way.) About 30 minutes from Fira to Oia. Happy sailing and have a memorable time in Santorini.

Does anyone remember getting a free hotel stay (1night) in between 2 cruises (S2S) not ending/starting the same day? We were fortunate (and extremely happy), to get this perk. * First cruise ended on Saturday...second cruise didn't start until the next day, Sunday...RCCL gave us a complimentary stay at a hotel in between cruises.

Look for the "Royal Burger" during lunch in the MDR...the burger has a couple of onion rings IN the burger...but I often politely ask for a bowl of extra onion rings on the side. They have given it to me every time.

They return all* confiscated items back to the passengers at the end of the cruise. * Of course not the items you can be arrested for...

"Clothing optional" on top deck. * I read Virgin Voyages is bringing this back.

new_cruiser...I just wanted to say "Thank you" for all your help and detailed information you provided. Can't thank you enough. I followed all if the steps you provided...and yesterday, I got my new passport (renewal)...San Francisco, Dept. of State. Today, we are flying to Singapore. Thanks again! * I hope to share this experience as well.

San Juan, PR: A short walk into Old Town San Juan...lots of shops, restaurants, and the forts. Phlipsburg, St. Marteen: There's a shopping area at the terminal. Town can easily be reached via shuttle or ferry...or walking. (We walk to and from town for exercise...go outside the terminal, turn left...about a 15-minute walk. Beach, shops, restaurants, and casino.) St. Thomas: Shuttle to town ($4)...or shuttle to beaches. Bermuda: Local buses are cheap and fun to use. Try www.whatsinport.com Happy sailing!

What about an inside promenade cabin? Prices for these cabins are sometimes reasonable. Deck 6, 7, and 8 with large bay windows overlooking the promenade.

On the Navigator, I can ask the waitstaff for all those items and they are happy to get them. In addition, the Windjammer is just outside Chops...I can ask for my favorites...cinnabon and smoothies.

The menu is the same...but the service at Chops for breakfast is miles better than the MDR.

No Vitality Cafe on the Quantum.

When I run out of clean towels..... I go and unfold the towel animals in our cabin.

Earlier this year, we were on the Quantum TransPacific, from Brisbane, Australia to Vancouver, Canada. The ship was in great shape and the crew was outstanding. * I gained 18 pounds.

Speak to the suite concierge, or your genie (if Star class)...you should be able to get priority tender. Happy sailing!

We do mostly DIY...for planning and research, we use Cruise Critic, YouTube, and www whatsinport.com Happy sailing!

We have avoided the ship's shore excursions...it's expensive, especially for big families. We do mostly DIY...we are comfortable using local transportation and genuinely love the planning and research. * We use Cruise Critic, YouTube, and www.whatsinport.com.

Santorini is truly magical and yes, with breathtaking views. It is important to know how many ships will be there and what time you arrive. There is really no way around walking...both Oia and Fira are navigated by walking up and down stairs/steps and narrow alleys. With your booked tour, you will have priority tender and you would only have to deal with the cable car once...on the way down. Your tender will take you to your ferry...the ferry will take you below Oia...then a short bus ride up to Oia. After Oia, you'll take another bus (approx. 30 minutes) back to Fira. You'll have time to walk around Fira...then ride the cable car back down the hill...then tender back to the ship. * Yes, there can be long queues for the cable car...or you could get lucky and no queue. Is it worth it?...IMHO, yes. * You can read our DIY experience in the Santorini Forum.

Just a small correction: After the tender, they will board a ferry. The ferry will drop them off below Oia...then they will take the bus up to Oia...After Oia, they will take the bus back to Fira. Happy sailing!

We go to each bar...ask politely and add a few $ tip...we usually go back to the bar closest to our cabin. Sone will even give us bottled water. * It could be difficult to carry the cans and bottles at the end of each night back to our cabin...and we embarrassingly look like alcoholics riding the elevator with our hands full. * We now ask for a plastic "bucket"...from the bar or our cabin steward...and use it to carry the cans and bottles. Happy sailing!

Our fridge...Voyager. * We give some to our cabin steward.