Ilovesailaway

It is a bit frustrating. I have cruised NCL, Princess, Royal, Carnival, Virgin, Hal...and I still have to pay for laundry lol.

12 minutes ago, pinklucky61 said:

My experience as a solo cruiser on glory with FTTF.  I went to MatreD on embarkation day, but he couldn't switch me to 2 top until second night for early seating. Next solo on Valor I did YTD, no problems getting 2 top.  Just be aware that both cruises for sea day brunch, despite not touching the "share a table" I had to ask at check-in if I was getting a solo table. I think there's a glitch concerning sea day brunch on the app.

Very helpful thank you!!!!

9 hours ago, jjow said:

If you want to sit alone the only way to guarantee that would be with Your Time Dining

Thank you, I have switched to ytd

Would I be able to get a solo table assigned for my early dinning time on Carnival Conquest? I have cruised solo before and only went to the dinning room once for dinner, but that was anytime dinning.

I'm aware that seating with others or eating in the buffet is an option. I would prefer a sitdown meal solo. Thank you for any info...

I just did 9 connsecutive sea days on a crossing. I will be leaning toward a port intensive itinnerary for my next cruise. But this was a bit extreme. 

Gennerally I prefer port days. I don't gamble and seldom shop so those being closed doesn't effect me. If it's a port I don't care to visit at the moment I enjoy a less crowded ship. Good time for sunbathing, hot tub, gym...

We are taking the Scarlet Lady in a few weeks Miami to Barcelona. Our ittinerary says we arrive in Barcelon at 0630. How late can we stay on the ship before we get the boot? I would like to use the ship's gym after breakfast if that's possible. 

And a completely random unrelated question that I have been meaning to ask.. Is soap, shampoo, and conditioner provided on VV? 

Not sure why just the 2 choices but I think you would be better off at the Hampton Inn and Suites Brickell Downtown Miami.

OP use google maps. Pick an adress on the beach in an area your interested in. Click nearby hotels. Put in your date(s) and you will see prices and availablity.

4 hours ago, waterbug123 said:

another option, if the hotel doesn't operate its own shuttle- ask if they can arrange a cab for you in advance.  Hotels usually have a reliable cab service that they call, which relies on being dependable to continue serving that hotel's guests. 

Agreed... I would definately discuss my need for an early, relaible ride with the hotel staff. I am sure they are familiar with this typical problem and how best to handle it.

16 hours ago, 300dtc said:

then supposedly returning to Baltimore on April 21, where we would get our car and drive home

$107 for a flexible train ticket on Amtrak,  Norfolk to Baltimore on 4/21. Cancel for a full refund if necessary. I would book this as a plan B before it sells out.

I also would make sure I park my car where I would have access to it when I return the night of 4/21. Or if I decide to stay in Baltimore till 4/22 before driving I can get it then.

you can find tuk tuk tours on tripadviser

When returning to the ship from a port stop, does VV allow you to carry on a bottle of wine?

On 3/12/2024 at 10:06 PM, Host CJSKIDS said:

The Hampton Inn is still great.  Just stayed there last night and actually was at Batch for a drink and appy late in the evening.  Same great owner.  

That is great to hear. I am booked next month and look forward to visiting the bar.

As I research my trip I came up with the same question as the OP. I have decided to use the metro rail. My flight lands at 3 and I am pretty familiar with MIA and where to pu the metro rail.

Just did my first interior GTY with HA. 

I have learned here on CC that it's common for HA to assign closser to embarkation date so I was just waiting it out when they sent out a second round of upsell offers 20 days before my sale date. I ended up grabbing a midship balcony so I never did find out what my inside gty room would've been.

This has been pretty standard since the restart. I have booked 3 gty inside cabins, 1 with HA, and 2 with another line. All 3 times I ended up taking an upsell offer to a balcony for a lot less than it would've cost at booking

51 minutes ago, c-leg5 said:

Which beach do you end up at?

Sorry I don't know... It was along a stretch of other resorts and beaches.

Just got back from a HA cruise that stopped in Cozumel. I did an excursion called ATV & Beach Adventure, sold through the cruiseline for about $100.

It was a lot of fun and I would recommend it to anyone who wants an excursion that splits half the day blasting around a very challenging trail and the other half relaxing on a beautiful beach. It is a challenging ride and you need to be in decent shape. They break you into 3 groups based on experience. Even those who had never ridden an atv had a great time and did the full trail several times. Bring an old ball cap for under the provided helmet.

I don't usualy recommend excursions through the cruiseline because I think they are often very over priced. This one was worth the money and I would do it again in a heartbeat. 

On 2/14/2024 at 10:53 AM, bookbabe said:

Just take the bus or a taxi shuttle directly to the beach of your choice.

bookbabe, what beach or access point would you recommend? I will be visiting on a cruise with a buddy. We are just looking to maybe buy a few local beers at a store and head to 7 mile beach. Not sure where we could go to hang out and maybe rent chairs. Can we bring beer to the beach?

On 1/13/2024 at 2:31 PM, pjhootch said:

We are going to be there the first week in February and I just bought a day pass for Coral Beach that day.  Will give it a try and see how it goes.

How did it go?

How was boarding? Curios about what time your arrived at the terminal, was it crowded, and how long to get on?

I am on next lol

15 minutes ago, d9704011 said:

You'll probably be arriving in Florida later in the afternoon or in the evening; I'd say you'd be better off coming into FLL and getting a hotel for the night near Port Everglades.

Totaly agree.. 

And FLL is so close to PE it's just so convenient when coming in late. 

OP if you want to make sure you can have a nice dinner when you land I would find a restaurant in the area of FLL and PE then book a hotel with easy access to the restaurant.

20 minutes ago, Fouremco said:

The Nieuw Statendam uses RFID chip technology

Ty this was very helpful. I have another phone case that is almost as slim and has a built in sleeve for a card. It will be easy to just pop out my card and hand it over. It still meets my goal of only carrying one thing. I guess I was hoping they had a hand scanner or just needed the number.

Can I carry my card in my clear iphone case? I would have it facing out so it could be read. Can I do that? Can It be scanned while in the case or would i need to take it out every time I ordered a drink? Any concern that the phone will de activate my card?

6 minutes ago, Crew News said:

Feb 3d, I arrived at 11:25, dropped luggage with porters, asked at the terminal door if I had a barcode, queued for carry-on Security scan, completed facial recognition scan, and arrived in my stateroom at 11:50 AM. Reminded me of the pre-COVID days.

Good to hear. I will be boarding NS in 13 days at Port Everglades. I have not been assigned an arrival time yet but will keep an eye out. If I don't get one I guess i will head to the pier at noonish. 

3 hours ago, cantgetin said:

I've read that a shot of expresso is $3 and waives the fee,

That's awesome ty. I love espresso in the morning.

5 hours ago, twprincessfirsties said:

We get it — you’re good. 

Following allong cause I will be cruising on NS on 3/3. I spit out my coffee laughing when i read this lol.