SarahD112

1 hour ago, mom2two2 said:

I hope you are right as we are planning on using the sofabed on our trip

You might want to call - I couldn’t find anything that confirmed actual sofabeds. The family staterooms that sleep six had true, unfolding, mattress-inside-of-them sofabeds. But the balcony cabin had the lay flat sofa back that the room steward put bedding on. My 8 year old was uncomfortable. It would be way too small for more than one teenager or adult, in my opinion. 

I’m curious about this too. When we sailed on the Mariner years ago, the sofa bed in the balcony cabins was really just a sofa whose back laid flat and they put a bedding pallet on top of it. Super uncomrtable even for kids - and small. Does Navigator have the same? I thought I saw that it got actual sofabeds, with mattresses that unfold, but I can’t find it anywhere now. 

On 2/21/2019 at 9:34 PM, SherriZ366 said:

Thanks -- best idea is to have Breakfast before the back to back meeting.  I don't think the Diamond Lounge will have continental breakfast on disembarkation day. 

 

Of course, we won't have our luggage with us on that day.  I wonder if you can get back into your stateroom.  

That is a great question...I’m assuming you would no have access to your stateroom from about 9:30am to 1:30pm?

35 minutes ago, cruisequeen4ever said:

Well, even though this summer is around the corner, we’ve bought some of our Europe tickets in January, some in February, and some in March. I begin tracking in the fall but don’t buy until closer to final payment. Your case is different, though, because you’re locked into 1 airline and need to use miles for 2 tickets. Then the other 2 tickets are going to have to be the same flights as the mileage ones. That could result in you paying more than the cheapest rate. In other words, the mileage flights aren’t necessarily the routing you’d get the best price on by paying cash. I think you should heed your TA and buy earlier to ensure you all end up on the same flights. 

Good point - I am restricted to one airline, so I can’t risk those flights filling up. And the price is so much less from JFK than BNA, that I’m probably going to book two of us on southwest from bna-lga. I have a lot of moving parts. 😂

Crazy! Looked at flights on American for this May. Nashville to London $1436+. JFK to London $673. Even crazier is that Charlotte to London is $1550, but New York THROUGH Charlotte to London is $673. As I said, we should have at least two tickets free with American Airlines miles, so need to stick with that. But may be flying southwest from Nashville to New York. Will mean having to get from La Guardia to JFK. Using miles, you pay A LOT of taxes to fly a partner airline, so need to stick with AA flights. It’s an additional $500+ in carrier fees to use AA miles on British Airways. 😳

54 minutes ago, cruisequeen4ever said:

Europe cruises are so port intensive and focused on the culture and exploration that the focus isn’t on the ship half as much as it is in the Caribbean. You’re exhausted when you return to the ship, so it’s more about resting up for the next exciting port adventure than doing it all onboard. The sea days have the same typical activities and are the time to soak up ship time. You may have cooler weather, but you’ll still have plenty of fun. That cruise likely won’t have as many young people for your kids, but there should still be some. London is awesome and should be explored; 2 days is a good amount of time. Take the tube everywhere because traffic is awful. Yes, definitely fly in the day before at least. Airfare is all over the place, so track it when it first comes out and see if you feel it’s a fair price. If so, book. The flight times will likely change a few times between booking and flying. I recommend starting to track prices now, pretending you’re going this summer/fall to get a rough idea of pricing. Happy planning! I ❤️ Europe!

I would love to get a rough idea of flight costs, but I’m thinking it may not be apples to apples for this May, since it’s so close. My travel agent advised buying 9-11 months out, and is guessing $1100-1300/ticket. She said if I see less than that to jump on it. I don’t know if i could watch another time of year that would be similarly priced- Christmas, for example? But I’ve no idea if that will be more or less - or a good comparison. Might have to do some research there. Surely someone has out that info out there. We’ll be flying American Airlines, since we’ll have enough miles for two of the four tickets I’ll need. 

1 hour ago, vacationlover_mn said:

Planning a European cruise is so overwhelming for me!  With DH having way less vacation than me, we have limited time...  and, there are just so many options!  And it’s so pricey for a balcony (if we’re going to go, I for sure want a balcony).  It seems like every year, I research a possible European trip, get overwhelmed, then book something different 😉. Our 25th anniversary will be in 2023, and DH will have more vacation then, so maybe that is a good year for Europe 🙂. 

I hear you on the cost! One thing I found out in booking the kids’ interior cabin - all interior cabins on Anthem are virtual balconies - so you can at least see live picture of what it outside. 

29 minutes ago, cft8 said:

We did the 7-night Northern European Cities this past summer. The only port we did not have was La Havre.

 

Oslo was actually probably our favorite place. DH and I just spent the day on our own. It's so convenient being docked right in town! We walked to the Opera House and walked on the roof, which was really cool. The inside of the building is beautiful, too (and it has free restrooms!). We took the tram up to a stop near the Royal Palace. I wanted to go to Queen Sonja's Art Stable, but we did not have time. We walked through the park and saw the Palace from the outside. I was disappointed we had missed their summer opening by a week or so, because I have a strong interest in European monarchies. From there we went to the National Gallery of Art, which was amazing but is now closed because they are combining it with the National Museum. It does reopen sometime in 2020, though, so you might keep an eye on that. From there we walked down Karl Johann's Gate (the main shopping street in Oslo) and then took the tram back to near the port. 

 

Bruges was a close second. We did a walking tour that included the Begijnhof. Then we had some free time and so I went to the Church of our Lady to see the Michelangelo sculpture that was rescued by the Monuments Men. After that we took a canal boat tour, had a bit more free time and then finished up with a horse-drawn wagon ride back to where the buses pick up/drop off. 

 

In Hamburg we went to St. Nicholas Church, which was bombed in WWII and is now a museum about the war. You can also go up in the tower in a glass elevator. Then we went to Miniatur Wunderland. We could probably have spent all day there. It was absolutely amazing. It's very crowded, though. People told us we were lucky to be going in the afternoon because it's more crowded in the mornings. I'd hate to see it in the morning! The coffee shop next door is excellent. 

 

Our cruise was in August and we had 3 sea days. On our busiest day, we did the All-Access tour, had lunch, and went to the ice show. The other two days we really just puttered around. We'd spent 9 days in London before the cruise and honestly it was nice to just relax and read! I've never been on a Caribbean itinerary, so I've never been in the pool on a cruise! Just the hot tubs in the evening! 

Thank you for all the specifics! I’m taking screenshots in case I can’t find the thread a year from now. Did you book independent tours or rccl tours? And how did you find the dinner dress code? I’m trying to keep it to one suitcase plus a carry on and backpack per person! Usually I would wear a nice top with capris or a sundress, but I don’t think it will be warm enough for northern cities in end of May/early June.

Thanks again for all the feedback!

This particular cruise on Anthem is 8 nights - and I’m hoping for some kids, teens and young adults, not trying to avoid them. Our UK friend sailing with us is bringing her younger two, but the older one (15?) will not be able to go because of exams. Maybe there will be other American kids on the ship. Schools in the south will be out for summer, like ours. I think quite a few northern schools still in session. But if you want to do the itinerary...it’s only offered once a year. So we didn’t have any choice of dates. It is what it is. Just glad we were able to make it work for us next summer - between high school soccer for one kid and a college age student,  we have a narrow window to work with!

9 hours ago, kernow said:

The Friday that you board will be the last day of half term in the UK so probably not too many kids on your cruise, they will be on the one before. 

Weather in May/June in the UK and Northern Europe can be anything from cloudy, rainy and a bit chilly to warm temps in mid 20s and glorious sunshine so come prepared!

Cruises from the UK tend to be quite dressy with the majority abiding by the formal night suggestions and even on other nights lots of smart clothes. Many of your fellow cruisers are likely to be British so less people having to fly.

 

As others have said Paris is quite a distance from Le Havre so lots of time spent travelling and you won't have much time to see everything. I would pick the Normandy beaches if they interest you.

 

We did a fairly similar itinerary last year on MSC and will be doing a 7 night on Indy in May with Oslo, Hamburg and Zeebrugge stops which I'm sure I will post about when we return (or maybe even from the ship).

 

Julie

I will definitely look for your posts in May!

We have sailed many times in the Caribbean and have been to Europe a few times, but this is the first time to combine the two. We are sailing May 29 of 2020 on the Anthem out of Southampton England to Oslo, Norway, Bruges, Belgium, Paris/Le Havre, France and Hamburg, hGermany. 

I haven’t been been able to find any posts except one from 2013 comparing European sailings to Caribbean sailings. We have chosen My Time Dining because it sounds like excursion days will be long, but we might want to eat earlier on sea days (there are three). Anyone know what to expect for dress code in the dining room - both regular and formal nights? I’m assuming a little dressier than Caribbean?  Not as warm either, so a different type of clothing altogether, I’m thinking. 

Late May/June in Northern Europe will be much cooler than any time of year in the Caribbean. So what does everyone do all day on sea days? I’m guessing not lay by the pool! Or does Anthem have covered pools? Are there more non-water activities going on? We’re used to steel drum bands, frozen drinks in hand and sun by the pool. 

Any guesses as to whether there will be kids/young adults onboard? My kids will be 17 and 30. Friends we’re sailing with have kids more along the ages of 11 and 13. I’m thinking that since Anthem is one of Royal’s larger ships, the demographic may skew a little younger than the smaller ships in Europe?  

Any tips anyone has are much appreciated. We’ve not been to any of the towns we are visiting, so what to see would be great. If it’s safe, I’d like to go into Paris, but husband interested in Normandy excursion. Thinking to fly in a day ahead of time and spend two days at the end in London. Best bet to book airfare as soon as it comes out?

Thanks.

I know the different ships have different eating venues - can anyone tell me if Frappuccinos are available on Liberty? Thanks. 

3 hours ago, LovetheTXsun said:

Thank you for the Cemetary Beach suggestion.  Planning our second ever cruise and Jamaica & GC are throwing me for a loop.  

Not sure what you like to do, but our second best ever excursion was in Jamaica. Mystic Mountain - although it wasn’t called that by RCCL. It was a ski-lift type chair ride up. They had a pool with a slide and food, as well as a store up top. The zip line was at least nine or ten zips, I think. They were excellent. And there’s a bobsled type roller coaster track. It’s a single person car, and you can attach two cars together if you want. It was pretty neat. Our best excursion, but the way, was the ATV tour in Aruba with Around Aruba Tours. The zoo was awesome - and the ATV tour itself was fantastic. 

Just now, Host Clarea said:

Doubt you can get anything useful in writing from RC.

I know...you’re probably right. But I’d rather try than just wing it and see what they say at JR. It seems that the whole milkshake-included thing varies by ship - as well as whether you have to purchase food or not. I googled and saw some email responses from RCCL telling people they were included but I didn’t think my screenshot of that would go too far. 😂

I have the same question as OP about the milkshakes. We’ll be on Liberty in a few weeks. I have the alcohol package, but my elderly father has the refreshment package - and a crazy sweet tooth. If I could get an affirmation from RCCL, I’d print it out and take it with me! Who would I contact to get a straight answer? 

Rccl sofabeds tend to mean a sofa that lays flat that bedding is put on top of. Very small and very uncomfortable. Pullman beds have actual mattresses, so those are better. We happily gave up a balcony cabin after our first cruise with the kids to book two promenade rooms. No balcony, but a window to promenade. Definitely worth it for true beds for all, not to mention two bathrooms, two closets, more floor space. 

I’m interested in this place as well - looking for a nice beach day with water toys and shade. I’d almost rather there weren’t animals, since it doesn’t seem like the right weather for some of them, but as long as they’re not mistreated I’m ok. We’ll be on a royal Caribbean ship in early February. 

We are cruising in February with our 16 year old daughter. She wants to swim with dolphins. In Cozumel we usually take a cab to Playa Mia, so I need some help. Which of these places is better to swim with dolphins? It seems like there is a little more to do at Chankanaab. I’ve been all over th Chankanaab website and can’t find the dolphin encounter info, other than a listing that says there’s an extra cost. When I try to book, it only gives me $21 entrance fee option. I don’t want to have to wait around for hours and hours until it’s her swim time. Do either of these places let you book a specific time? We’re on RCCL, so can’t book Dolphinaris through Carnival - and only daughter wants to do the swim anyway. Help! 

It looks like Galveston Express is $30 to the pier, and $35 back if I want to go before noon. Royal Caribbean charges $60 round trip. What’s the advantage to booking independently? Or to using RCCL? If we use royal do we still claim bags at pier or do they transfer directly to airport and we get them there?

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Need to give Uber correct destination!

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Me too! My sister has to forward to me. It’s a pain as the links go right to her account. I have called - no luck. When I check the box to receive emails, it says I already do. [emoji849] I’ll try adding the donotreply email to my contacts.

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FYI - we booked as soon as they went on sale in November to fly down in June, thinking summer would be peak season. We did ok for flights out of Nashville but for those flying out of Atlanta, they were much cheaper a few months ago. My sister rebooked, saving over $100 pp. Unfortunately it has to be used by each ticketed person a year from when it was booked, so has to be used by November 3 this year.

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Sailing on RCCL Freedom next month and Royal just cancelled the fishing excursion three in our party had booked, including my son and husband. They’re looking more for inshore than deep sea, half day is good. Does anyone have any recommendation? I’ve only found one and it was $500.

Thanks.

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I would feel underdressed in jeans in the dining room but I’d change after dinner and spend the evening in them without a problem.

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The Family staterooms on Freedom class are huge. There are some interior and some overlooking the promenade. Not sure if there any that have balcony. I think these are on adventure class too but not positive. Anyway, they have a bunk room with a curtain for a door that has a set of single size bunks and a closet. There’s a large living room area with a couch that folds out into true sofa bed. And two twins across from it that can be put together into a king. The closet is big - walk in size. Bathroom has a tub, which is unusual on royal ships. If you have young kids this is ideal. If your kids are at all older, book connecting rooms instead. You’ll get two bathrooms.

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