mom2mybugs

What is the itinerary? We are booked on the 12 day vision med/greek isles for july 2019...8 ports and 4 sea days. It will be our 2nd trip to europe! 1st to that area! Jane

I know that I jumped over to freedom for a repeat because it was so much cheaper than the oasis trip. I think I'd like to try oasis class once for the dining if nothing else, but I think I'd have to get an ocean balcony because I'd miss the ocean feel. Playmakers sounds like a fun spend a couple hours... if it's successful I wonder if they'd start eliminating Johnny rockets on the ships... I'm not sure Howe long their contract goes but I'm seeing increased complaints about the quality and the value with the increased prices. Jane

I thought el morro was more interesting than the other fort (which is smaller). The views from el Morro are amazing. Definitely consider the trolley... there might be a wait but it will take you to both forts as well as stops in old sam Juan... which you should try and walk down a couple streets in. There are hills everywhere...be careful with your knee. We embarked from San Juan so had more time to explore but I would do these 2 things. Matt had recommended an amazing little restaurant before in old San Juan that I can't remember the name of... it was wonderful. That was pre hurricane though. Love San Juan...get off and spend any time you can and spend lots to bolster the economy. Jane

I always brought a glass of wine with me, and then ordered before it was half gone. Service was better on freedom than on my adventure cruise where the bar service was pretty nonexistant. Jane

Is the ice at nachi a concern? Thinking about all the cocktails with ice.... hadn't even considered it might be a problem. Jane

Yeah... ditto what Sabrina said! Jane

From my experience, mei had been way better than AAA for cruising. My take with aaa never once checked fares or rebooked anything, nor contacted me when gratuities were going up. Sharla with mei however had already rebooked once and the next sale checked again and let me know it wouldn't save me money... and this was all on her own. For what it's worth, your questions seem great. I think you will get a feel for whomever you pick pretty quick and don't hesitate to switch your t's if things don' seem good. Jane

I'm guessing we will be outta money and skip the restaurant but I'm hoping there are other places we can get to around there. Can't wait to be on a beach (we got another nch of snow today! ) thanks for all your help tony! Jane

It is pricey...we will have to decide if we think we will ride all over or not. I did load the app... thanks for the info billy! Jane

I could spend days in that hanging deck chair with my drink pkg. Looks like an amazing suite. Jane

We took our dessert to go. It made a wonderful breakfast the next day! Jane

This all makes me so excited to be there the end of March. We have booked the Hilton marina for the day before the cruise and plan on catching the water taxi and doing touristy stuff. On the day back we will stay at W. I'm a tad worried that one will be too different for me (and that after the drink pkg I will be seriously jaded about prices) but the beach should be wonderful! I'm trying to find 2 things... the water taxi route/ if I should buy ahead and a good printable map of the tourist areas. Jane

I will let you know how he does! Jane

Sorry... brain melted down and I meant Viking and mixed up into ncl...I stand corrected! I just thought it was interesting that carnival was in the Shore excursions tops (and nowhere else) ..I know that people often complain that rc excursions are overpacked and pricy (I have found then to be expensive but great). Jane

It was interesting to see that rc and celebrity were way out in front. Where they weren't though was for first timers (Norwegian was all over that) and shore excursions (where carnival was everywhere). Just kinda random... Oh yeah, and someday I'm going on celebrity! Jane

Oh yes...me too! At some point they don't WANT to spend time with you! I don't think I will see my 15 year old on freedom except for fighting over the bathroom and the beach day at nachi. In terms of the drink pkg, figure out what's most important. If you pay an extra 49 bucks but it's prepaid, is that ok? Will you stress every time you buy a drink of you don't get a pkg? Will you make yourself drink mite because you have it? Are you on a port heavy cruise? Will one person make up for the other? Will you chance the drink card? Figure out what will make you have the best vacation and don't look back. We've gone both ways and both times we were fine... And I refused to do the math afterwards because it wasn't worth it. Don't stress, enjoy the vacation and don't let it get you angry over a company policy! Just my 2 cents worth... Jane

I've never had to make a claim but both travel agents I've used have gotten me allianz and i think it was well priced and very clear on what was covered. We were able to get cancel for any reason for the summer hurricane season southern Caribbean cruise and basic for our others. They covered all travel (including pre/post cruise hotels). Jane

We will be trying a river cruise for the first time...on Viking. I'e never been to Europe so im beyond excited! We will stay in Paris the week before so any advice would be hugely appreciated! We were all off on Friday..I teach preschool and before/ after school and husband is a high school teacher... love snow days when you actually get to stay home and not drive in it! Jane

For which trip? We leave ohare on march 24 for ft lauderdale for the 6 day...we paid 550 on american...sw never did come down at all... for paris we found flights out of ohare in july for 880...and thenthey dropped after we bought! Argh. We are much closer to ohare (arlington hts) than midway so when i look at southwest i have to take into consideration time to midway, parking, etc. But i really really like southwest airlines...of course i wasnt flying yesterday when they cancelled all flights when they ran out of de-icer. Ouch! Where in illinois are you from? Jane

I'm On freedom in 42 days for the 2nd time. She is a great ship! Jane

Mine has her birthday 2 weeks before we cruise all the time (spring break). I never had to try and move her (she wanted to move up) but I've always thought they should do it by grade as opposed to straight age. Anyway I have heard the strict thing... though on smaller ships and less busy weeks they combine all the teens anyway. Sabrina, I would suggest going in immediately on the first day and talking to whoever is in charge. And if it's a problem keep in mind that they often don't stay in the teen center anyway... just use it as a base to start. And some activities do combine. Jane

Thanks so much for taking the time to post this. These blogs really get me through to my next cruise! Jane

Hi...so we have a big 12 day med/greek isles cruise planned for july 2019, but i started looking at spring break 2019 yolo bookit cruises and found a good 5 day cheapie on navigator that we could swing. The problem is that it goes to labadee and nassau. This isnt a problem for me who likes beaches sun and doing nothing. However it will be a deal breaker if i cant give the husband something good to do or see in nassau that doesnt involve beach time. Any suggestions? Jane

That first night is crucial...after that my teen would meet her friends at the teen area and then wander. Dinner didnt matter because she and her friends ate sorrentos all the time! We have a late my time reservation for night 1 so we will just hang with her at the windjammer and then go to dinner when she goes to the teen center. Im pretty certain i had to register her! Just fyi. You can check in with them on embarkation afternoon...times are listed in the cruise compass. Jane

Ive never locked mine but have also used the zip ties. Just make sure you have the nail clippers in your carry on...mine were in the outside pocket of the one suitcase that arrived after dinner. It was interesting trying to figure out how to get them open! Jane