Audrey V.

If there is we, you just multiply the number times the amount of people.  Also, if you do not have the drink package, two 750 ml bottles per cabin.

Lots of nice hotels downtown,  but with MetroRail, you could probably stay in the Dadeland area with a heck of a lot of shopping and restaurants,  and in the morning take the train and people mover to near the oirt, and then catch an Uber or cab. 

Visit Florida is the official travel site. They would have itineraries that meet your needs. They also have a website called Florida Vacation Auction where you can get some really good travel deals. 

I am a native Floridian.  There are a lot of places that are very different than the road more commonly traveled.  Have fun! 

BTW, Buc'ees is really weird. Good brisket and kolaches. 

When we did our first cruise with kids, my sons, about 7 and 9, were not offered a children's menu, and they only ordered from the regular menu. They also spoke politely to our other dinner companions and ate like an adult.  I advocate cruising as a good way for teaching dinner manners to young gentlemen and to keep them from being finicky eaters. 

Saw a Norwegian Cruise Line Ship docked in Leith when I was in Edinburgh.  Looked like passengers were tendered in. 

We did the Anthem transatlantic last May, and in November,  plan to go back to the USA on the smaller ship Vision. Our idea of a transatlantic is for transportation rather than a vacation in and of itself. 

We do not drink and the MDR / Windjammer is fine for food (mostly). We are not into the art shows or casinos.  I like the solarium in Radiance,  and will probably do so while reading. 

Vision had three visiting ports,  and we are Floridians. So I based the decision on location and price over size of ship and "extras". However,  I think you need to factor in whether the transatlantic is the vacation or if it is part of a bigger adventure.  

If you get a great deal on a big ship and it's where you want to go,  then I would select it. 

We like to go early to the MDR. Room gets tidied earlier and we can hang out there or go to night shows. If the meal was mediocre or need more veggies or dessert, we head over to Windjammer. 

I remember traveling in the 1960s and 1970s, and maybe it was just my parents, but we had smallpox vaccines and others. Can't the cruise industry still require the vaccine, but not the testing?

There is a full bar in the Windjammer,  but the freebie beverages are good. Juices (some weird smoothies at breakfast too - like cucumber and melon),  coffee, tea, lemonade, assorted teas, etc. Also, if you need a chocolate milk (or almond or oat), they have it available for the asking. 

On 5/25/2022 at 6:19 AM, Fran14 said:

Hi, if I don't buy the drinks package, is there any drink that is offered during meals ie at the Windjammer?

I have only bought the refreshment package for one of my kids. The other would not drink soda. If you have a die-hard beverage drinker, go-ahead, but I am a water drinker,  and there is juice for breakfast, coffee,  tea, lemonades, milks (chocolate too), which are included in the cruise.  

More than once we went to Windjammer following our MDR dinner.  Sometimes their concept of veggies is 2 spears of asparagus. Come to think of it, eating beforehand may be good, so as to stay away from the breads and starches.  

Our next cruise is not scheduled until November 4th, from Barcelona to the US. I am cautiously optimistic!

When we went on Radiance OTS, we thought it was a very big ship.  Now I have been on Anthem OTS, a mega ship. In November, we will be going back to the US on Vision OTS, which is one of the smaller ships.  All of these are much bigger than the ships of the seventies and eighties, which have been long retired.  

I used Next Cruise for my next cruise. The selling point was that the OBC could be applied to the cost of the cruise AND your regular travel agent gets credit,  so I will also be getting a Costco Cash Card after the cruise (plus the 5% cash back from Costco for the Visa). Pretty much a win win. 

Being adverse to any specific brand cruise. Yes, some cruises may cater to a different group, but it can still be an excellent experience with the right attitude.  

And another thing, Costco pharmacy has meclazine for $3.99 for 100 tabs. That's a lot of cruises!

I am just grateful for a paper menu. Hate having to put my phone over a coded block.

Lowered to Level 2 today!

On 3/7/2022 at 12:20 PM, need2cruz said:

Guest service gives out free sea sick medicine, should you need it.  My husband got sick on day 2 of our 7 night cruise.  He went back 3 times for more meds.  Next time we'll be more prepared.

Costco pharmacy has generic meclazine tablets. Take one before you board and then use as directed.  

We did the July cruise years ago. We had a balcony.  At all times, the sun was shining.  Even with blackout shades, the room stayed light. 

Dress in layers. It will be cold when you get to the glaciers.  Some of the towns will also be cool,  while others will be warm. In the ship will be the same as anywhere else. 

Some things can be ridiculously priced. I suggest at a minimum:

Meclizine or equivalent.

Pepto Bismal

Headache medicine 

Bandaid and any ointment

Sunburn relief spray 

Sunscreen and chapstick 

Hopefully you were permitted to quarantine at home. Feel better 

We took our kids on cruises a few times before they were ever offered a child's menu. They declined, being old pros with calamari,  soups and adult meals. 

On 3/3/2022 at 8:47 AM, HGUK said:

Sorry folks slight change of tack, we are flying to Orlando (International Drive hotel stay) from UK and will need to test again prior to embarkation on the Harmony 3rd April, Does anyone have advice on the cheapest and best place to get a test done given our location. 

Given we are not US citizens we wont be charging against Insurance hence the need for prices.  I have seen the proctored tests from RCL but these will not ship internationally to UK. Delivery to the hotel is an option but I am cautious of it being lost. We are not intending to hire a car either so drive through testing is out I guess also ....

Has anyone travelled from UK recently and what did you do please.

Any advice / direction greatly appreciated.

Lots of CVS / Walgreens on International Drive in Orlando. You should be able to walk to a pharmacy for a proctered exam.

Doing a TA soon. One of the folks on  the message board suggested a Clothesline.  We are planning a back pack trip to Europe upon disembarkation.  Plan to wash my delicates by hand, and hopefully can wear a shirt more than once. In middle school we changed out our gym clothes once a week. Kinda will feel the same. 

4 hours ago, Cj wadsworth said:

Received different answers from rc

Representatives.....can only be refunded by CRUISE CREDIT for only one year...so if you start a new job, your stuck!

You can let your new employer know you had already paid for a cruise before applying and accepting the job. Many will let you have the time off without pay or delay the start date. If you are exceptionally lucky,  the new employer may advance your paid vacation time.