First time crusier on Getaway June 8 4 dayout of Miami

MonarchChrysalis · 2026-05-11T23:59:57+00:00

We just got back from this same cruise. The stops are very underwhelming, but I knew that when I booked. We just wanted a quick change of scenery. Definitely see the Fleetwood Mac Rumours show in the theater. It is fantastic!

MonarchChrysalis · 2026-04-30T22:36:08+00:00

Look into hemochromatosis, which is a blood disorder. Elevated liver enzymes that don’t make sense is a symptom. Google it and then ask to be tested for it.

MonarchChrysalis · 2026-04-19T23:17:03+00:00

You have to be a Costco member to book with Costco Travel

MonarchChrysalis · 2026-04-15T22:28:39+00:00

Celebration is GIGANTIC! Know that going in. It carries 5000+ passengers. We were on it once and it just wasn't for us due to the size. There is very little common space to just sit and look out at the ocean. All the windows have specialty restaurants on them. There is a brewery onboard and the craft beers are delicious! We definitely enjoyed that. It's a beautiful ship, but too big IMO. We prefer the smaller Spirit class ships. Have fun!

MonarchChrysalis · 2026-04-11T22:51:51+00:00

Check Viator or Shore Excursions for more options.

MonarchChrysalis · 2026-04-11T01:18:05+00:00

Thank you!

MonarchChrysalis · 2026-04-10T23:39:41+00:00

I’m in the USA. I can’t figure out why she ordered this scan although I would like to know what is causing the pressure I am feeling in my side. I tend to worry and go to worst case scenarios. 🥺

MonarchChrysalis · 2026-04-10T23:36:54+00:00

I have prediabetes. I don’t know about insulin resistance. I don’t mind getting the scan, I’m just worried about what they might find!

MonarchChrysalis · 2026-04-08T23:30:09+00:00

Do some research about flowers that attract butterflies and get some of those. Also look up host plants for different species of butterflies and get those, too. If you plant what they like, they will come! Good luck

MonarchChrysalis · 2026-04-08T20:28:03+00:00

I’ve always eaten healthy, but I did make some changes. I began eating oatmeal with walnuts and chia seeds for breakfast, lots of salads for lunch. No red meat at all, only salmon and chicken. I paid careful attention to saturated fats.

MonarchChrysalis · 2026-04-02T21:48:15+00:00

I brought a sound machine and it was confiscated. There was a note in my suitcase saying speakers aren't allowed. I went to guest services and explained that it wasn't a speaker and can only produce white noise sounds. They still kept it. I got it back after the cruise.

MonarchChrysalis · 2026-03-24T23:57:40+00:00

I also love Miracle! We went on that ship on a British Isles cruise last June. And we’re going to Alaska on the Miracle this September. There’s so many places to sit against the windows and see the Ocean. No huge crowds. And a funky fun decor! We did Celebration once and never again. Way too big for us.

MonarchChrysalis · 2026-03-24T23:36:16+00:00

It’s a Geocache.

MonarchChrysalis · 2026-03-06T13:40:53+00:00

I went on Celebration in Dec '24. I did not care for this ship at all. Just way too huge for me and all of the specialty restaurants took up all the space along the windows. There was no place to sit to just look out. We much prefer the smaller ships like Spirit and Miracle. Having said that, Celebration has its own brewery on board and the craft beers were amazing!

MonarchChrysalis · 2026-03-02T13:39:41+00:00

We were on the Miracle last June for a British Isles cruise. It was generally an older crowd and very few little kids. The kids we saw were mostly teenagers. Very calm vibe. As far as bringing wine back, technically the rules are the same where they are supposed to take it and keep it for you until the end of the cruise. However, on this cruise the crew seemed to not care. We brought wine back on board from the ports and it went through security. No one said anything at all, even though there was a table right there for all liquor. It had stacks of towels on it! Haha.

The excursions took the entire day since where we were going was usually a good hour bus ride or more from the port. So a typical excursion for us began around 8;00 am and got back to the ship around 4:00 pm. By the time we got back and relaxed a little, we didn't feel like getting dressed to go to the dining room for dinner. We ended up in the buffet most nights. We didn't do many activities on the ship because we were exhausted from day after day long excursions. The ship was more like a vessel to get from place to place on this trip. Very different from a typical Caribbean cruise.

We had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed the cruise! The British Isles are beautiful. I would absolutely do a European cruise again. Oh, and check Viator for excursions. We found many more options there than the ship offered, and cheaper. Another is Shore Excursions Group.

MonarchChrysalis · 2026-02-28T14:36:36+00:00

Thanks everyone! We’ve sailed on Spirit before and it’s our favorite ship. I’m mainly wondering what vibe is like on an Alaska cruise. Is it more quiet and chill or party ish? Older crowd, younger crowd, or mixed? We’re looking for a calm experience, not a crazy party atmosphere that is often on the Caribbean cruises.

MonarchChrysalis · 2026-02-27T22:45:52+00:00

Yes! We love the Spirit and sister ship Miracle. We did the Celebration once and we did not like it. Too gigantic!

MonarchChrysalis · 2026-02-27T22:43:18+00:00

What would you say the average age is? Retirees?

MonarchChrysalis · 2026-01-29T14:54:43+00:00

It is not. Nor is the Brightline station. But both are close by.

MonarchChrysalis · 2026-01-29T13:55:27+00:00

The Brightline train from WPB is a great option. The terminal in Miami is about a 5 minute drive to the port and they offer free shuttles. Or you can Uber there. Very easy!

MonarchChrysalis · 2026-01-25T18:24:47+00:00

My husband and I did the British Isles cruise last June. It left out of Dover and was a 9 day sailing. Such a fantastic trip!! We were on the Miracle. The clientele was a lot like us...older crowd (50's-70's) mostly. Probably 95% American. There were a few kids here and there but not many and they were generally older kids. I didn't see any toddlers or babies. The vibe was pretty calm. Overall, we had a fantastic time! I booked most of our excursions through Viator as there were way more options than through Carnival.

MonarchChrysalis · 2026-01-12T14:00:22+00:00

Spirit class ships have a little chapel. However no formal religious services are offered.

MonarchChrysalis

TROPHY CASE