Linda R

I often stay at Springhill Suites on trips.  I like them.  But have not stayed at the one in Newark so cannot comment on specifics there. 

On 12/6/2023 at 2:17 AM, OCSC Mike said:

SY out of the northeast should be released the week of 2/12 (along with all northeast sailings).

SY listed under “other Caribbean” the week of 2/19.

Thank you

On 12/6/2023 at 2:17 AM, OCSC Mike said:

SY out of the northeast should be released the week of 2/12 (along with all northeast sailings).

SY listed under “other Caribbean” the week of 2/19.

On 12/1/2023 at 10:34 AM, daha699 said:

Normaly you would be correct but the cruise  i am questioning is a month long vacation and it took a act of god for my wife to get the time off , and her boss told her to never ask for anything again like that , and  $4000 airline flights from florida to Australia and and $2500 of hotels , so yes i am worried !!!!

flights and hotels should be covered by travel insurance.  And possibly the cruise if not fully refunded. 

On 11/28/2023 at 7:33 AM, ultimate_ed said:

I've never actually booked a GTY room as I've always wanted to specify groups of rooms close together.  I've considered it for future cruises where it would just be my wife and I with one cabin, but this does give me pause.

It also means that I'm never going to skip the travel insurance, especially when there's air travel involved.

I agree, always book travel insurance.  I also do not do GTY cabins.  I do not want a cabin in the bow, so always book the cabin location.

8 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

What other 7N itineraries are you expecting?

Looking for Symphony fall 2025.  Anyone know when it will be out?

I think most ships now are pretty full.  I never have felt overwhelmed with the amount of people on ships.  There is definitely times and places there are lots of people at one time but also are places to get away from people.   Even though the larger ships have more people, they also have more space.  So it all equals out. 

I would go for CP view personally.  I like having a window and the light.    CP balconies are nice too.  Less money than an ocean view balcony and can get fresh air and some sun.

Also limited seating in Hibachi.  Used to be they gave you a credit there, now is a surcharge.  And I have also been on ships where Hibachi is not in the dining plan at all.  

Some ships Hibachj has lunch also.  A better time to go I think.

I have not had any issues using Wifi on any of the ships.  

1 hour ago, happy cruisers 2 said:

Congratulations on reaching Pinnacle, Linda R !!  Once we complete our 3 (so far) cruises in 2024 we'll be close to D+ but I really don't see us ever getting to Pinnacle.  Maybe the Ultimate World Cruise (or multiple segments) would do it??!  We used to live in Seattle also.  Have been gone for 12 years now.  Thanks for your tips!  We're in the process of looking for an agent.

Where in Seattle area did you live?   I lived in Isssaquah.  Moved there in 80's on plateau when no one lived there!  haha

 I do not know of any specific drink right now.  But I often just go to a bar and just ask them to make something without alcohol.  Often I will go back and ask what it was so I can have it again.  

4 hours ago, DoomSlayer said:

My wife likes dressing up on dress to impress nights and I just comply with her desires (happy wife, happy life).  She likes the buildup to the evening by getting her hair done, picking a dress, and making sure I have a coordinated outfit to somewhat match, and looks forward to eating and going to the show as a cute couple afterwards.  At the same time, we are not critical of how other people dress and it just becomes a you-do-you and we-do-us thing as long as everyone is happy. 

I do not get an opportunity to dress up very much and look forward to it on a cruise.  

On 11/18/2023 at 7:36 AM, Plasticbrain said:

Seems they have added -50% for kids to the sale now, but they often have kids sail free, so if that is a good offer is a whole different story... 

The kids sail free is never good for holidays, summer, etc.  If the 50% off for kids is available for more sailings, ones where kids sail free is not offered,  it could be a good deal.  

My choice would be Harmony.   I love Central Park area.  Also has more restaurants, shows, bars, etc. Newer ship too. Yes, there are more people but it is also a larger ship.  I never felt any more crowded on an Oasis ship than on a smaller ship.  

Oasis class is my favorite.  I like newer ships.  More restaurants, entertainment, etc.  Of the Oasis class my favorite is Symphony.   Anthem  class  I also enjoy, especially Odyssey.   Have not been on Wonder or Icon yet.  Have Icon booked for 2 weeks next year though.  I had to cancel Wonder 2 week cruise last month.   Except for Wonder I have been on every ship Royal Caribbean has. 

I like dressing up and wish more people did.  But pretty much anything goes these days.   

12 hours ago, happy cruisers 2 said:

Many years back, we used travel agents for various trips and cruises.  Recently though, doing multiple Royal Caribbean cruises, we just search the web site for cruises and select on our own -- sometimes using Air2Sea if we need to fly or arrange transfers.  Now we are realizing that we might be able to save some money (or get added perks) by getting a travel agent involved.  I guess the questions are these:  Do you frequent cruisers use a TA all the time or most of the time?  Is it truly a mistake (price-wise) to find and book cruises ourselves?  If we decide to find a TA, do you recommend a reputable agent in our neighborhood/city or is it just as good to deal with a large group such as MEI, that is in another state?

I cruise a few weeks a year.  And have been cruising since the 80's.  Just turned Pinnacle this year.  I always use a a travel agent.  I research cruises and choose the ones I would like to book and pick the stateroom I want.   I mostly book a cruise as soon as it becomes available to get the best rates.  My travel agent is in Seattle area, where I used to live.  I now live in Montana and still use her.  She has been my TA over 30 years.   Mostly she has helped with issues/problems I may come across with cruises.  Any problem she is right there to take care of it.   Faster and with more knowledge than I have.   Saved me lots of money and many hours of time.  She can also help with any transportation I need, hotels, and tours.   I highly recommend using a TA all the time.   They can save you so much time and money.   

11 hours ago, Matt said:

I use a travel agent every single time. 

It’s not about booking the cruise.  It’s about who’s there to fix it when a problem occurs.

I agree

There is always a possibility.  But I would say unlikely.   I did not know you could even book for 2026 yet?

Unfortunately I doubt if you will get higher that Jr Suite because they will offer Royal Up's to suite guests.  They will bid on larger suites leaving Jr suites left.   

15 hours ago, TessFromFlorida said:

I set Google Flight alerts and "reprice" my Delta flights when it drops (sometimes by several hundred dollars) by switching back and forth between flight times or comfort + and main cabin. The savings goes towards ecredits. I am out of Tampa and fly into Heathrow, so I am fortunate to have enough flights running daily between Delta and Virgin to be able to do this. Unlike cruises, the best price on flights isn't when it first comes out so you need to keep an eye on it. This plus Skymiles takes a tiny bit of the sting off at these prices. I also fly in and out Tuesday or Wednesday when the prices are typically lower. 

Agree.  Best prices are not as soon as you can book them, unlike cruise prices.   Just check to get a base price and keep checking over next few weeks or months.   Most expensive days to fly are Fridays and Sundays.    London has 3 airports. As many cities have more than 1 airport or another airport very close.  Check all those airport options when looking for flights.  Look for deals.  I have booked flights from less expensive airport to or from Europe, and then another flight within the US to home.  Lots of ways to save money.  Also get an airlines credit card.  You sometimes can get enough points by just opening the account for Europe tickets.  At least 1.   Or roundtrip US tickets to a less expensive airport for Europe.    Or be creative, like some of our friends.  They got 3 credit airline credit cards for the points they offered for new accounts.  They then took 3 different airlines to and from Australia.  

18 hours ago, Starrynight0154 said:

Flights just opened today for my 9/2024 Greek Isles cruise from Rome. It’s $4,000 for 2 people Delta main cabin/economy. It’s been years since I’ve booked international flights, really hoping rates come down, even $500 less would be good.

Just keep checking every couple days.   I am thinking you will get a better rate sooner or later.   I always chack as soon as they are available for a base cost.  Then keep checking over next couple months. 

On 11/7/2023 at 10:04 PM, Traveling Mike said:

I like the prices but I cannot book when the Cruise is $1,400 and the flight is $5,000 for economy class.

I just booked Comfort Plus on Delta for $1376 for  next May. And used airline points for one of them.  So on second free flight only paid taxes.   This year  in May I had  got tickets for under $1000 per person main cabin.    You just need to check around for flights once they open up and check with what the cruiseline can do for their flights too.   I always book my own though, and do better.  Check rates often, and usually on Tues or Wed.   I also will stay a day longer or before if rates are better for a certain day of the week.  As long as the savings are more than the cost of hotel room.  Flights open up for booking about 10 months in advance.   

I think they will still dock in Lahaina as many people go to other areas on the island anyway.   I often rent a car when in Hawaii on a cruise stop.  On the big island I rent a car as  can see both Hilo and  Kona.  Plus orchid farm and macadamia nut factory.    Have a great time.

I avoid summer cruises because of mostly too hot of weather and more kids.  I also avoid holidays mostly for all the kids on the ship.