whitsmom

We did the Northern Passage (Radiance) with a 3 day land tour post cruise and loved every minute.  We didn't do any strenuous as Hubby just had a stint placed a month prior but we saw whales, eagles, totem poles, glacier caving, dog sledding demo, panned for gold, rode the train and etc.  There are excursions to fit all fitness levels.  There were all ages on that cruise. 

We just booked the Ovation for June 2024 yesterday taking the family.  We booked 4 Jr suites.  We will be in our mid-60's and the youngest will be 16. 

On 11/5/2022 at 10:38 PM, PG Cruiser said:

I am not familiar with the AT&T Ultimate Premium. I was able to use AT&T service in St Thomas.  I’m not sure if I paid the $10 flat rate for AT&T International Day Pass

In St Maarten, it’s $10 per day (Day Pass)

I don’t think there’s cell service in Coco Cay. I always use Wi-Fi calling using my VOOM package

Same for us

On 11/2/2022 at 8:24 PM, wordell1 said:

I would add that many cell phone providers have an international plan that can be added. I have AT&T and pay $10 a day for almost every foreign country.

It does not work at sea - always have your phone on airplane mode once the ship starts to leave port.

This is what we do - phone is in airplane mode and we use WiFi calling and we use the $10/day on land if needed only.  We own our own business so we need to be reachable if needed.

48 minutes ago, Psycho and Barb said:

You couldn't pay us to sit through Cats.

I tried to like it but couldn't so we left early; however, my adult grandson loved it and stayed for the entire performance!

It is on your key card; however, you get Key luggage tag for disembarking.

My daughter & SNL went on the Symphony a couple of weeks ago and they could watch the Aqua show from their balcony.  I'm not sure what cabin # they had but they loved that location.

15 hours ago, habeebster123 said:

I bought the refreshment package for Odyssey on Dec 11th.   Is Vitality Spa the only place I can get fresh squeezed orange juice?  Can I get a triple shot of espresso as the premium coffee?  What are some of the mocktails you guys have tried besides virgin pina colada and miami vice?  

We ate breakfast in the main dining room and we got fresh squeezed orange juice even time. 

I have ordered a few door magnet signs from Zazzle that can be personalized.

On 8/18/2022 at 7:31 AM, She Sails Away said:

Thank you. One question… Would you say a balcony is essential for a cruise such as that? Seems like it would be but I don’t know. We usually get inside rooms.

 

any excursions you would recommend?

We were on the Jewel (Aug 19-31) for the British Isles 12 night cruise.  We had a balcony and was out there a lot.  I love a balcony and we had perfect weather the entire time.  We loved everything about the Jewel.  The crew all seems to go above and beyond.  The WiFi (surf & stream) worked great for WiFi calling and emails and what little surfing that we did (we didn't stream anything).  The food was good and we had the best servers and the Head Maitre d' made it fun no matter what time of the day we were in the dining room.  We used the dining room or the pizza in the solarium as we aren't fans of buffets (too many hands touching stuff).  The shows were good and our excursions were all RCI excursion.

We had no complaints with the Jewel!  We are on the Jewel (October 2023) for the Fall Foliage cruise. 

The inside passage has land visible on both side more that not if my memory (we did northbound on the Radiance) serves me correctly.  I get sea sick easily and I take Bonine at night.  I start taking it about 2 days before cruise so that it is in my system and I haven't had problems since I started do this.  I have been told that taking Ginger helps; however, I haven't tried that yet to see for myself.

When we flew to Amsterdam last month Delta changed our 2-leg flight to a 3-leg flight so I packed a carry-on with 3 days of clothes and all the underwear just in case.  Our luggage arrived with us but I would pack a carry-on at least to be on the safe side.

Also if you set your bags out the night before (they give you tags for "key") then you bags are in a separate area from all the others making it easy to find your bags and be on your way without having to drag them all out on debarkation.  The key was definitely worth it for us.   

13 hours ago, SewerUrchin43 said:

We’re on the IOTS right now and I bought the key because it was $2 more a day than the Surf & Stream during a sale. If you’re going to buy the internet package it’s definitely worth upgrading to the Key. We bypassed a long line at the Port to Security and checking in. Right on the Ship and straight to lunch after dropping off our carryons. So far that has been the best perks we used.  We also had priority seats at the shows, but the theater was only half full so that’s not really a big deal. I’m waiting to see about disembarking with Key if that adds any value 

When you disembark, the Key luggage is in a separate place from all the others making it easier/faster to get your luggage.  That was way better!!

18 hours ago, Rosebud11 said:

Hi I just wanted to comment on buying the key. I always buy it gor my husband and myself.  I wait till I get 30% off and save more money than just the cost of WIFI. I love the early check in and having the extra perks. Fir me it's having no hassle first day by relaxing with lunch at chops grill. Great start to our vacation! The last day we all hate getting up early and rushing! Then having to fight the crowd to just get a table in Windjammer. So I get to go to the dinning room and have a nice sit down meal nice relaxed meal with great server's. To me that's a great end to a wonderful vacation.  So sometimes your time is well worth abit more money if you get off ship when you are ready and not hustled in line with everyone else getting off. So for me in the long run we'll worth it.

We are the same way!  It is WELL worth it for us.

On 9/7/2022 at 9:58 AM, Mike n Ky said:

Pretty much the biggest mistake most people make is over packing. We still bring more than we need but we don't have three large suitcases in our stateroom anymore. Getting tips is a great start to making fewer mistakes. Hope y'all have a great time!

I am guilty of over packing.  I did a little better this last trip but still over packed (in my defense, it was my first 12 night and first Europe cruise). 

I got stung on my ankle there the 3rd week of July this year.  This is the first time ever getting stung.  I rubbed sand on it and the lifeguard had vinegar to spray on it and it stopped stinging after about 30 mins.  The lifeguard told me that there were lots of baby jellyfish....

22 hours ago, Fairlynew said:

I am trying it for the first time in October.  I usually travel in suites, but we are in a regular balcony on this trip.  I decided that the Key would replace some of my favorite suite perks-priority boarding with a sit down lunch, reserved seating for shows and easier disembarkation.  I will see how it goes.  

Another perk to the Key is the disembarkation.  You get Key tags for your luggage and it will be in an area only for Key luggage making it easier/faster to find your bags if you don't want to carry them off.

We have purchased the Key twice now and will continue to do so.  Having the priority boarding and wifi was the determining factor.  It is well worth it for us.  Both times we got there at 11:30 and was on the ship within 20 mins (Harmony and Jewel).

1 hour ago, BeachGal said:

I fully support you getting another cruise in... you need it, cruising is medicinal!!

1000% Yes!  We are flying to Hawaii in January for a week so that will help!

16 minutes ago, BeachGal said:

Woo hoo, congrats!!!  I hit Diamond in June, and get to take advantage of my sparkly new status in December.

We don't cruise until October 2023 (way too long from now) so I may have to see if I can squeeze in another one....

17 minutes ago, Bazza said:

Sounds awesome.

The only downside is you didn't get to beautiful Wales. 

Excuse to come back I guess!

I would LOVE to go back!  Some of the ports were an one drive from where we were going so that is 2 hours that cut into our time unfortunately.

25 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Please, please PLEASE give us some feedback from your British Isles cruise.  I've been thinking about you since August 19.  I am so disappointed that we didn't make this one !!  We should be on the Voyager Arctic Circle TA from Copenhagen right now....

It was amazing and wonderful.  We had perfect weather!!  We miss the Channel Islands due to the scheduling of the Locks in Amsterdam.  They have a low water issue right now and the ships have to be scheduled differently.  We got back into Amsterdam at 6 pm the night before disembarkation, we got to explore Amsterdam that night too with no set time to be back.  We went to Braveheart County and Stirling Castle in Edinburgh, Scotland; Dunrobin Castle in Iverness, Scotland (this was massive and beautiful and we also got to see a falconry demo there (which was a special treat), in Glasgow, Scotland we went to Glengoyne Distillery (bought some 18 year old whisky) and we went to the Greyabbey ruins.  We did the scenic tour Belfast Northern Ireland and walked around Donaghadee Harbour, in Cork (Cobh) Ireland we a city tour and had an Irish Coffee tasting,  in Dover England we toured Dover Castle (massive - I walked 29 flights of stairs! and we went to Canterbury Cathedral - huge and beautiful!!! and the port was in eye sight of the White Cliffs of Dover (amazing).  In Liverpool we went to Chester Catherdral and walked all around Beatle country.  You need to do this one!!!

We turned Diamond during our British Isles trip 8/19-8/31 on the Jewel.  I just looked and it is posted and official.  Now I have to wait 409 days until my next cruise!

3 hours ago, Matt G from Staten Island said:

Can't ask for extra outlets, only extension cords, which I did get, for my CPAP machine.

 

Yep, I'll bring only a USB Hub from now on.

The one I used last month on Harmony may not be allowed in Amsterdam on Friday, so I will pack a USB hub also. 

2 hours ago, berkeleykel said:

 to be clear, tipping isn’t so standard there as in the US so I don’t think you should stress over this at all if picking up some euros is difficult. But I think they’d be more offended that you’d think they wanted your dollars than if you didn’t tip at all. 

I don't want to offend anyone (which is why I asked the question in the first place) but I don't use ATM's so this will be difficult to change unless I can do so at the Hotel the evening before.  I just want to know what my options are so I can prepare before heading to the port.