irisheileen

Great suggestion... I left behind a pair of diamond earrings on a ship last year.

Yikes!:eek:

Irisheileen... sure, lol! :hearteyes: We’d been trying to start a family for a while with no success, and on a whim (literally— we had to book a guarantee cabin, normally for us a big no-no!) we decided a little rest and relaxation before starting fertility treatments would do us both some good. Well... let’s just say “the love boat” came through for us, because after we got home, I we found out I was having a baby. My hubs and I refer to our son as our cruising souvenir. Our son is currently four, has been on three cruises himself, and we sail again over Thanksgiving :):)

Beautiful!! So happy for your Blessing. I didn't see the story heading that way! Now I feel invasive asking.:o

Look at the luxury and upscale lines sailing round trip out of Bridgetown, those are not necessarily longer than 7 days.

Prices hold us back from the luxury lines.

There are two places to dock in Curacao. Smaller ships can dock inside the floating pontoon bridge (Queen Emma Bridge). Larger ships have to dock outside the port at the mega-pier.

 

We stayed until midnight in Aruba on Equinox and were allowed to open shops and casino after 7pm. EM

Thanks.

Last year we sailed Carnival Magic from Port Canaveral on an 8 day to the ABC's. She is either the last of the Farcus ships, or the first he did not do, but we found the decor lackluster. Boring. We just completed a 9 day on Celebrity Equinox to Key West and the ABC's from Miami. After 8 Carnival cruises in the last two years, we really enjoyed Celebrity. We love the S class ships. A few years ago I did Aruba and Curacao on a HAL ship and it was nice because we did not have to dock at the mega-pier. EM

Mega-pier?

 

Celebrity would be a very close second, especially if on a Solstice Class

 

I recommend cruising out of Port Everglades. Miami isn't bad, but not as convenient as PE. I've not had good experiences out of San Juan regarding behavior of fellow passengers.

Thanks. What makes Fort Lauderdale more convenient?

What do you like about Solstice class ships?

We sailed to Aruba and Curacao on Princess four years ago— it was a unique seven night cruise, round trip from Fort Lauderdale. I think now it’s an eight night trip, and they call at Bonaire, too. We loved it because it was a week, and was round trip. Princess isn’t our favorite, but the itinerary was perfect. And we came home with the best souvenir possible— our son, lol!!

May I ask you about your son being a souvenir? I get the idea it's a wonderful story.

The ABC Islands are on my bucket list and we are not necessarily tied down to a particular cruise line, but have cruised on RCL, HAL, Celebrity, Princess and Carnival. Carnival is my least favorite as we are not into flashy decor- we like a more sedate decor. the destination is what's most important on this future cruise! That being said, we are curious what you liked about:

1. Cruise line
   
2. Itinerary ports included
   
3. ship you sailed
   
4. length of cruise ( aware 9+ days)
   
5. Port sailed from
   

Thanks in advance!:cool:

I have been to all of the islands you mentioned (and liked them all especially St. Lucia) except the ABC Islands which are on my bucket list. After reading your post, I started googling the ABC Islands and found this PDF link to the ABC islands. I haven't read it yet, but it looks like a keeper for information.

http://freecruisingguides.com/sites/default/files/abc_islands_2.0_2015.01.31ad.pdf

edit- The PDF seems to have a lot of information regarding boating there.

I picked up this tip a few years ago when reading a thread here about the fire on Grandeur. The passengers did have to go to muster stations and someone mentioned that they had their passports, wallets and other valuables in a zip lock bag in the safe and it was easy to grab and go quickly. I have done it ever since. We also take a small flashlight with magnet back that goes on the wall next to the bed to quickly light the way if we ever have to leave the cabin with power out.

Great ideas!

In spite of what all the funny people are saying to you, yes you can do this.

 

Look at my avatar: it's our folding chairs off the back of a Princess ship in Moorea, in the shade, where there are loungers but no chairs.

 

Be sure to get the kind with the carrying bag and shoulder strap. We took them with us on shore to the beaches, too. Always had a place to sit in the shade.

:cool:

St Patrick's Cathedral is a short walk to/from the Boatyard. I went to mass at St.Patrick's on a Sunday and then to The Boatyard. They were still selling admission tickets but they could not guarantee a chair or umbrella as the club was packed by the time mass ended. The admission fee also includes one free drink and a return ride to the cruise port.

 

I decided to walk towards another beach club for a chair/umbrella. I walked back in the direction of the church and less than 1/10th of a mile from Boatyard entrance, I saw the public entrance to the beach used by The Boatyard. It is where the taxi drivers wait. Walked along the path onto the beach, removed my church clothes (bathing suit underneath) and placed my towel on the sand. No chair or umbrella. Taxi back to port was $5.

 

I will be in Barbados again on a Sunday this fall and I will first go to The Boatyard. They do have showers, changing area and restrooms. Keep my lounger with my backpack, walk to church and back to the beach after mass.

Good advice, thanks.

The all offer loungers and umbrellas for a fee; some include a "free" drink and a quick boat ride out to snorkel and swim with the turtles. Harbor lights is smaller and quieter. Boatyard offers water toys, a pier, etc. and tends to attract families and some of the ship's crew. Check the trip advisor reviews as well as the specific beach club web sites and see which one appeals to you.

 

Mitsugirly is a frequent poster and has photo intensive reviews of both the Boatyard and Pirate's Cove linked in her signature - check them out! ;)

Thanks.

Sure, bring it along. Finding a spot to set it up may be an issue.

I'm hoping I can convince her not to bother. I don't know where they would even permit her to put it so that it wouldn't be in the way. Thanks for your serious answer!

As long as she plans on sharing with me, yes. Any chair is open for grabs when she gets up.

:cool:

Sure. She may also want to bring an umbrella, small BBQ grill and a boombox. Just set up like it's a beach.

(n):(

Yeah I know very bizarre. She is aware that it can be difficult to get a seat in Solarium especially on sea days out of Bayonne on Anthem. She said that she is going to bring her own little beach chair so she know she has a spot. Do they even allow such a thing?:o:confused::eek:

I don't remember seeing any recliner type chairs in 270 when we were on The Anthem. It is still very relaxing to spend some time there though and the view is just amazing.

Thank you. Any other good spots on board to sit and gaze out in a super comfy chair with a book?

I loved to get a cup of coffee in the morning and enjoy it in Café 270, right by the wall of windows. There are large comfortable chairs there, and no crowds at breakfast time. Watching the water and the wake of the ship was so peaceful. (OH! Decent breakfast choices in 270 as well...)

Sounds heavenly. Some other ships we've been on there have been recliner type chairs that's face out the windows. Any of this type on board on Anthem?

Great review thank you very much. We will be sailing the Anthem on a 12 nigher this upcoming February and are very excited.

Each ship handles it a little differently; you'll receive instructions, not to worry.

 

One thing I like to mention is that we give our cabin steward turnaround morning off. We tell him or her not to come in that morning because they are just so busy preparing the other cabins. We put the Do Not Disturb sign in the door and tell the steward we just need evening service that day. They seem genuinely grateful as it is such a busy day for them.

 

Enjoy your B2B! :D

Nice!(y)

So only those who have somewhere on their Royal Caribbean's profile checked that they are willing to have upgrades will be considered? If so how does one go about choosing that option? You will not automatically be upgraded without cost will you? I say that in case somebody really likes the actual cabin that they have booked originally.

I've had bartenders who seek out various special ingredients from the kitchen or buffet to make certain drinks that need them for their customers. But you need to give them good reason to go out of their way to do that for you. :)

 

I also almost always return each night around closing time with whole pizzas from Sorrento's for my regular bar staff, too.

 

I suppose one is probably connected to the other. :)

Clever you!

Curious if they offered the special ingredients or did you request them?

Smoothies at the Solarium bar where all made with fruit on our February Anthem cruise.

Woohoo! We plan to make the Solarium our hang out spot, so perfect. Thanks.

Did you have a favorite?:tropical-drink:

We will be on the 12 night Anthem of the seas in January. I have purchased the refreshment package. Will the bartenders have the ability to use fresh fruit for smoothies and frozen Virgin cocktails? Or is it strictly pre made powdered or fake syrup's?(yn)(yn):tropical-drink: If so, are there only particular locations that would have this availability?