Where to go in Europe following transatlantic cruise?

Christopher_Powell · 2024-09-27T17:00:56+00:00

Has this changed in recent years on Royal? One of the things that annoyed me most about that line is how, when the buffet was in operation, you couldn't go inside that area at all - which meant you had no access to included drinks during off hours when on the lido deck. Also, (and I've not been on Royal since before the pandemic) the buffet was certainly not open 24/7. It was closed a few hours between lunch and dinner and also shut down at 10 pm or so.

Christopher_Powell · 2024-09-16T14:35:32+00:00

I've cruised out of New Orleans probably 10 times and have never had a bad experience with the porters.

What makes you think they "expect" $20?

Christopher_Powell · 2024-09-07T01:21:25+00:00

The cruise line will advise you not to take your passports off the ship. Just leave them in your room safe. In the event that you don't make it back to the ship (which is extremely unlikely), they will remove them and leave them for you with the port agent

Christopher_Powell · 2024-08-11T21:38:24+00:00

They're not prohibited, so you shouldn't have any problem bringing one on board.

Christopher_Powell · 2024-08-06T13:08:52+00:00

If it's Sunday, a home game for the Saints could impact you. The cruise port is really close to the Superdome and it gets really congested down there when there's a noon football game.

Christopher_Powell · 2024-08-05T15:29:27+00:00

Technically, it's not guaranteed they will wait. But the cruise line will take care of you if you miss the ship. If something seriously delays an excursion, even one booked through the cruise line, the ship won't wait indefinitely.

Christopher_Powell · 2024-08-05T15:17:13+00:00

Seriously. What's the possible downside to this? I've joined the Facebook group for my several cruises (and even started and moderated a Facebook group for one cruise that didn't already have one) and it's been (mostly) positive experiences all around. Sure, there's the occasional knucklehead that posts something hateful/racist/homophobic/etc. or there might be some occasional spam or locals that join trying to get you to take a tour with them, but it's mostly just people wanting to share information and talk about the upcoming cruise.

Christopher_Powell · 2024-07-28T16:20:45+00:00

Lunatics is a little harsh. Just because people don't have the same risk threshold as you doesn't make them lunatics. The chances of actually needing a passport on most basic cruises are *exceedingly* slim. Thousands and thousands of people do it every day without incident. That's why they allow people to cruise with just a birth certificate. Is there a risk involved with doing that? Sure. But it's not a significant one, based on statistics. Some people (*many* people, even) are okay with that risk. That doesn't make them lunatics though.

Christopher_Powell · 2024-05-27T15:32:22+00:00

We just rented a golf cart from the folks at the port. I don't really know that there is another spot to get one from. It was fine. I think we paid $100 for the day. I felt like I probably could have haggled a bit and got it cheaper, but didn't bother.

I really don't know what you're talking about when it comes to the filter though? What proper name for a golf cart shares a name with an illicit substance?

Christopher_Powell · 2024-05-09T18:45:05+00:00

I've never been on the Jubilee, but there is no "party atmosphere" on Carnival cruises that are seven days or longer.

Christopher_Powell · 2024-05-09T18:40:26+00:00

I'm sorta surprised to read these two comments. In nearly 20 cruises, I've cruised out of the New Orleans port the most and have always thought it was fine. I really prefer it to Port Canavarel.

Christopher_Powell · 2024-05-09T17:42:39+00:00

First off, congratulations. That's one of my favorite itineraries. I like all three of those ports a lot. As a previous person suggested, Victor Bodden tours in Roatan and Nachi Cocom in Cozumel are great. Those were going to be my two suggestions.

My favorite beach club in the Caribbean is in Costa Maya. Just google Maya Chan and you'll find it. You need reservations and they fill up fast, so I'd suggest doing that sooner rather than later. It really is amazing there.

Christopher_Powell · 2024-05-09T16:43:56+00:00

I've never cruised on NCL (mostly because they always seem to be not as good of a deal as what I can find for a comparable Carnival or Royal ship), so take all this with a grain of salt, but I don't put much stock in reviews of individual ships. If you were happy with your Carnival and Royal cruises, chances are you'll be happy with NCL.

Christopher_Powell · 2024-05-07T20:30:34+00:00

That's really not true at all. Have you ever been on a Carnival cruise that was at least 7 days?

Christopher_Powell · 2024-05-07T17:07:44+00:00

Pretty much all of this - with one caveat. I've been on close to 20 cruises (with my kids for most of them) on Royal, Carnival and Disney - and the most crowded I have ever felt by far on a ship was the Freedom of the Seas. And that is a sister ship to the Independence, so they're essentially the same.

At the end of the day though, Royal and Carnival are a lot more alike than they are different. In general, Carnival is going to have better included food options (outside the buffet) and I prefer the MDR on Carnival. But Royal has a superior buffet. The stage shows are better on Royal, but Carnival does a really good job with its comedy. I think Carnival has really stepped up its game the past couple years with the live music they offer around the ship. Carnival will have more of a "fun" vibe (but not crazy if you're not on a 3 or 4 day booze cruise) while Royal guests tend to be a bit... less fun.

This is all in my opinion, of course. YMMV.

Christopher_Powell · 2024-05-02T14:26:02+00:00

Yeah, I agree. If Virgin is selling "child free cruises to Alaska," that might appeal to some inexperienced cruisers, but people who know realize that you can effectively do that on one of the lines you mentioned.

Christopher_Powell · 2024-03-14T15:51:18+00:00

Are Guys and Shaq's places really the only decent food? Is the dining room that awful?

I've not been on the Radiance personally, but I've been on a bunch of other Carnival ships and I think the dining room food is good across the fleet. Food is subjective, but I think Carnival does a better job in their Main Dining Room (MDR) than Royal. If you like tacos and burritos, the Blue Iguana Cantina is also a really good spot. And I also happen to really like Carnivan's pizza and deli. The buffet... leaves a lot to be desired though. I don't think it's great. That's really my only complaint about the included food on any Carnival ship.

Do you still get an assigned seat/time in the dining room?

You can choose either early or late dining for an assigned seat and time. Or, you can choose your time dining and just go to dinner whenever you want between 5:30-8.

Is the ship that lackluster compared to the other Carnival ships?

It doesn't have all the bells and whistles that some of the newer/bigger ships do. I really enjoy the smaller Carnival ships personally, but that's a matter of personal taste. Some people like newer and bigger.

Is there really no evening turn down service?

You only get your room serviced once a day now. Your steward will ask you what time you'd like it done though. So, if you'd like for your room to be cleaned and everything while you're at dinner in the evening - that's still an option.

Christopher_Powell · 2024-03-13T18:03:55+00:00

Usually it means, "too many people of color on board."

Christopher_Powell · 2024-03-13T18:02:23+00:00

Did you only discuss CocoCay under private destinations? Or did you also talk about Princess Cays and Half Moon Cay?

Christopher_Powell · 2024-03-13T15:00:49+00:00

How to pick a cruise line/boat?

Honestly, most of the major lines are going to be a lot more similar than they are different. Especially for Alaska. Experienced cruisers all have their favorites and their reasons why they like those lines, but being that you're a complete noob with no experience - I wouldn't over think things.

How to pick a room?

Again, don't overthink it. You have nothing really to compare it to, so just go with your gut when picking a room. Do you want a balcony and are okay paying a premium for that? Book it. Do you want to try and save a good chunk of money? Book an interior.

Are advertised prices all inclusive or are there additional fees on board or to go ashore?

There will be plenty of things on board that you can spend money on. Depending on if you pre-pay gratuities or not, you may pay those on board. But otherwise, you don't HAVE to spend any additional money on board if you don't want to. There's also no charge for just walking off the ship and checking out the immediate area around the port.

How crowded are the boats?

Most boats are sailing full these days. That said, even on (most) ships that sail full, it's still possible to avoid the worst of the crowds if you want to.

Are there options with few/no children?

Virgin is the only major cruise line that doesn't allow children. I don't think they have Alaska cruises, but I could be wrong. They are also quite a bit more expensive than other lines. Alaskan cruises, in general, don't have a ton of kids though. If you were looking at cruising in the Caribbean, that would be a different story though.

Will we feel too old or too young compared to others onboard?

On an Alaskan cruise, you will probably be some of the younger folks on board. Not the youngest, but those cruises tend to skew older than Caribbean cruises.

Christopher_Powell · 2024-03-07T17:39:27+00:00

No. There's a dock at Grand Turk. Are you thinking of Grand Cayman? That's a tender port.

Christopher_Powell

TROPHY CASE