EagleRockers

On 4/14/2019 at 9:32 AM, Balboa79 said:

In two weeks he will be a pro!!  Have a great cruise!!

 

You're a Sweetheart! Thank you!

3 hours ago, HBCcruiser said:

 

Yes, it did! Made the tour even better!

We're on the Royal in 2 weeks in a penthouse suite. Might I ask where your muster drill was held? My DH has a walking problem and I'm hoping the drill is not too far from out suite. Thanks and welcome back!

1 hour ago, Balboa79 said:

Rather than a walker, I would use a rollator which serves as a walker and additionally serves as a seat on long walks where benches/chairs do not exist!  I rent a scooter when on board because of the distances. It's incredible and gives me freedom - which is precious. I have used wheelchairs before but that makes the wheelchair pusher (DH) go where I want to go!  Also - the ship carries wheelchairs and will assist getting you on and off the ship - you just need to ask.

 

What great advice; thank you! I should have said he's using a rollator. He's just getting the hang of it now and hopefully, by our cruise in 2 weeks, will be a pro. Happy sailing, Balboa 79!

12 hours ago, kokopelli-az said:

You might want to check out this link from the Princess website.   Click on Accessible Cruising:

 

https://www.princess.com/learn/faq_answer/pre_cruise/prepare.jsp

Thank you!

On 4/10/2019 at 5:16 PM, spookwife said:

No.  You may want to ask for wheelchair boarding but otherwise, you’ll be fine on board

Thank you!

My DH’s doctor just ordered a walker/rollator for him to use due to a worsening walking disability. The walker should arrive in a week, which gives him about 10 days to get use to it before our cruise. Do I need to notify Princess Cruises that he’s using a walker? I think we’re good to go as far as being on the cruise itself.  When it comes to getting on and off the cruise, are there any special arrangements I should be making? We’re not taking any shore excursions.

Thank you all for any advice….and happy sailing!

On 11/11/2018 at 6:45 AM, APDMOM said:

After lunch we walk through Central Park back to the Schooner in order to wait for rooms to be ready

 

We did not buy the drinks package, as the 3 free drinks from Diamond are plenty for us.  We do allow a splurge every now and then, so my boarding treat was an Amaretto Sour.  DH asked the bar tender for a cherry, as he knows I like them.  The bar tender kindly added six!  😁

 

 

 

Hi there! I'm really enjoying your review. DH and I will be on the Harmony next April. We are Diamond members, but haven't cruised on RC in quite a while. What's the deal with 3 free drinks? Do you have to go to a certain bar at a specific time? Let me know how this works. Happy Sailing!

How did you like your cruise on the Harmony? My hubby and I are planning for one in April 2019. He has a slight disability which makes him walk very slow. Might the ship be too big for us? He really wants to go. Thanks!

- Martin in Pasadena, CA

Just off the Ruby where I had a vista suite. I had back problems every morning, much more intense than I do at home on my firm mattress. The "Luxury Bed" on the Ruby was just too soft. Glad I brought my pain meds for just this type of thing. (I've had lower back problems for 25 years).

There's also a fairly large smoking area on the port side of the Trade Winds bar, deck 16 mid-ship. It has tables and chairs, ashtrays and bar service!

Many thanks, Hlitner and riffatsea! You've given me great info - Happy Sailing!

Does anyone know the current one way taxi fare from the cruise port to the malecon? Can I tell the driver to just drop us off at Hotel Rosita which looks like it is at the northern tip of the malecon?

Many thanks for your comments!:D

Not that I have ever seen. I'd go into one of the restaurants.

We often use the one at the Sea Monkey.

You can click on a picture here next to the map:

https://goo.gl/maps/mQ6mrcDi55D2

Don't be afraid of getting a drink or something lite to eat.

We have even on occasion used the facilities without eating anything but that is not as nice a thing to do.

:* Thanks for your reply and recommendation!

Hubby and I will be taking a walk along the malecon in Puerto Vallarta later this month and we were wondering if there are public restrooms (not in a bar/restaurant) along the way? Thanks!

Why would dollars be good in a foreign country? You will need local currency... And/or use your credit card.

There are many foreign countries, for example Mexico, where American dollars are preferred and downright welcomed. Your snarky remark to the OP doesn't help one bit.:evilsmile:

Outside smoking areas on the Ruby are the promenade deck (7) aft starboard side, deck 16 forward port side near the Tradewinds bar and deck 17 aft starboard side. So in answer to the OP, the answer is yes.

 

We were on the Ruby in August and again next month.

Thank you very much!

Ruby Princess:Is there still a smoking area on port side of Tradewinds Bar on the Sun Deck? Many thanks for your replies!:o

Because it is easy money for Atlantis and on a smaller cruise ship compared to almost all of their other MEGA ships.

 

You have to look at it from a business perspective.

1. To your own point, It is the off-season (full cruise ship chartering is cheaper at this time)

 

2. The probability that the cruise line will sell the ship out is much lower than Atlantis selling it out. Atlantis comes close to selling out every ship they charter.

(the objective of the cruise line is to sail a FULL ship to maximize profits and ancillary incomes). The full staff of 800 workers will serve a non-sold out ship of 700 passengers equaling money loss because the same 800 staffers would be required for a sold out ship of 1800 passengers. Workers of cruise ships are typically on 6-8 month contracts to stay on the ship and live and work for that period, so the staff of a ship does not get cut based on volume of people. It's always the same. If you own a McDonalds and it is not busy one night, you can cut your staff back and let people go home early - here you can't.

This point was long so to recap, in short, the cruise line wouldn't be sailing with a full ship anyway ...so it is better to let Atlantis charter it to sell out the ship and guarantee the Cruise Line an income of "cash flow positive" in a world where people decide money is tight so no vacation this year.

 

3. The itinerary is always the same on the Mexican Riviera cruise by Atlantis (Cabo, PV, Mazatlan) so it's easy to recycle the outline of events, ...and it is also more manageable to wrangle 1800-2400 guests on this mid-size ship than it is on all of the other HUGE Atlantis ships that host 5000 plus guests.

 

4. Modern cruise ships (anything Atlantis charters) have good technology to be able to tell where storms are, with enough lead time to get to safety and shift the itinerary. The itinerary can always be shifted per your agreement of carriage. No refunds or credits unless it is at the expense of the line or Atlantis (if you get anything back it would be just for good customer service and PR - they don't have to).

 

Also, realize that the Atlantis "Staff" that they bring on are volunteers. They get a free vacation, the one that you get. But not a lot more than that. They're fanboys. The only people that are paid on the Atlantis crew by Atlantis are the Cruise Director and the "Producer" and DJs.

 

Hope this helps!

Thank you for your very thorough response.:D

i am interested in the Rotterdam and would like to hear from anyone who has sailed her in the last year. She supposedly is going into dry dock this Oct-Nov time frame....not sure how extensive her refresh will be. Any comments or feed back would be greatly appreciated....as I am on the fence about a cruise early next year out of Tampa.

Thanks

Ps....its been quite a while since I have been on HAL....thinking its time for a return🤓

Hubby and I were on the Rotterdam for 11 nights in March. It was our first HAL cruise and we loved it. Smaller ship, never felt crowded and the crew was the best! The only complaint, very minor, is that they close down the buffet for approx. 1 and a half hours 2 times a day. So if you're hungry during those periods the food choices are limited. It was a 'quiet' cruise which we found enjoyable. The BB King night club was rocking with an excellent band and singer.

Why does Atlantis schedule this cruise in October? It's rainy and hurricane season in that part of the world.

:(Is Miami airport know for flight delays? After landing in Miamirecently, we were kept away from the gate for over an hour because there was noplace to ‘park’ the plane. When we did deplane, it took 1 hour to retrieve mybags because they put 7 flights on the same baggage carousel.

10 days later, my flight was delayed 5 hours after a seriesof mistakes all due to American Airlines errors. A few years back I had aflight completely cancelled at the gate after checking in on time. Again, American Airlines.

Is it just my bad luck or do things like this happen at MIAon a regular basis?

Her name is Stevia Hunes, she is so talented!

Thank you so much! She was wonderful! ;)

:cool:I'm just off the Rotterdam after 11 nights and thoroughly enjoyed The BB King All Star Band. The female singer was great. Wish I had caught her name. Anyone out there know who she is?

I'm recently returned from an 11 night cruise on the Rotterdam. I was taken with the female singer in the BB King Blues Club, but failed to get her name. I believe her last name was 'King' but I'm not sure. Can anyone help me? My cruise was March 5 - 16. Thanks for your help! :cool:

I'm with you! I really like Oprah and am surprised by all the negative comments regarding her. I think the 'extras' being offered sound interesting.