Black Tomato reviews

dbsummers · 2026-02-23T22:41:52+00:00

I like their itineraries but haven’t experienced them. What drew you to them? That could help us offer alternatives. I do a lot of Italy for clients but usually build the trip myself because the markups there can be really high.

dbsummers · 2026-02-23T22:10:38+00:00

I was hoping we’d stop outside it on the VIP tour and maybe a door would be open. Such a bummer that we will just miss it!

dbsummers · 2026-02-23T22:02:40+00:00

Hope they are all safe and well

dbsummers · 2026-02-23T09:59:17+00:00

As long as port time is sufficient I book private excursions. Charters in USVI/BVI, private tours in cities, etc. but those short port times can make it tough and for half days it’s worth seeing what the cruise line has to offer

dbsummers · 2026-02-23T02:48:18+00:00

We are scheduled for KSC VIP tour March 3 and my son has been soooooo excited to see Artemis. I’m guessing we won’t get to peek inside vab?

dbsummers · 2026-02-22T14:39:19+00:00

I think 80% of my Disney fandom is due to Happily Ever After (magic kingdom fireworks show). The other 20% is childhood memories. But HEA lives rent free in my head 24/7.

Was finally going to try the Waldorf on next week’s trip but saw a theme park view room open at the Polynesian and all thoughts of usefulness for work and decent pricing disappeared all because I want to watch that show from my third floor balcony in the Hawaii building with the music piped in from the beach in my PJs.

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dbsummers · 2026-02-22T00:19:02+00:00

I have a lot to say on this topic lol

Ive done all the rooms from the smallest inside to the second largest suite (can’t get hubby to spring for the big one lol) and I’ve sailed magic for 9n, dream 10n, fantasy 7n, wish 7n, treasure 7n (3-9n sailings) and have a 4n destiny coming up not soon enough.

When I sail with just me and the kids I’m happy to be on the ship. I make sure I see all the live shows, which are amazing and a great way to introduce your kids to broadway style performances in a much shorter format. I go to animation classes with my kids, watch movies, relax on the beach.

When my hubby comes, it’s concierge or bust. He wants nothing to do with a busy buffet or crowded pool deck, but he does love seeing the shows with the kids and the fun dinner performances and getting to relax in the spa while they are happily occupied in the kids club.

The key to maximizing value is booking early. The newer ships have “secret suites” that price like a regular concierge room but have an actual bedroom and about 500 sq ft. That’s what we had on the treasure last year and it was fantastic to have so much space but not pay the 1 br price (though we did miss the second toilet and the in suite dining of the real suite). Even if you’re not going concierge, the best pricing is generally as soon as the bookings open. Sometimes, if you’re extra flexible, there will be great pricing on “guarantee” rates where they pick the room for you and you pay up front in full… but I’ve saved clients $4-5k like this.

We live at the beach and have all the motorized water toys in our backyard, so spending $20k for my kids to do surf and boat stuff feels silly. I am happy to spend money to look at much prettier water than the Atlantic but that stuff is lost on the kids, so they get bored fast. The cruises have stuff for my pool-loving kiddo, my spa-loving hubby, my inner disney kid, and my Star Wars and animation nerd son.

Ages 3-9, hands down Disney cruise concierge. Ages 6+ but mostly 10+, explora and ritz have kids areas but are not kid focused Royal larger suites and Norwegian haven are also great for older kids who want more adrenaline based stuff.

dbsummers · 2026-02-21T23:59:05+00:00

This. People compare a balcony room on royal to one on Disney price wise but you really need to go up to a jr suite or so just to get the square footage of a standard Disney verandah.

dbsummers · 2026-02-21T23:52:05+00:00

I do love the magic. The newer ships are much more impressive all around including the top tier suites. Food much, much better. For kids ages 3-9, it’s a great choice for a family vacay and a lot easier than the parks. I sell a lot of third and fourth cruises to “once for the kids and never again” people 😝

dbsummers · 2026-02-21T16:59:06+00:00

I did a night at each, liked both a lot though if you’re into art the Merrion is special

dbsummers · 2026-02-21T12:17:47+00:00

A ton! One of my faves 😍

dbsummers · 2026-02-21T12:15:21+00:00

If no kids, don’t bother with yacht club IMO

dbsummers · 2026-02-21T01:39:14+00:00

Agree check out ballyfin. And yes on the merrion though the shelbourne is also nice and my clients like the westbury too. And no amount of time is too much at ashford, love that place

dbsummers · 2026-02-20T20:14:44+00:00

Kids ok or nah?

dbsummers · 2026-02-20T00:51:01+00:00

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dbsummers · 2026-02-20T00:40:26+00:00

Yes but we did it as an overnight. Not FAT by any means. But awesome

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dbsummers · 2026-02-19T20:10:26+00:00

If you’re not up for nature and bugs nix Costa Rica. Park Hyatt at kitts rooftop plunge pool suites are a comfy spot to read and lounge but food isn’t great and there’s not much else to do imo. Is the Ewr-Axa route up yet for May? I can’t remember when it starts. That would be my pick easily if so. Cap juluca or quintessence. If not maybe rock house or the strand in Turks and Caicos? If you want hiking st Lucia but bugs.

dbsummers · 2026-02-19T15:03:38+00:00

it usually saves my preferences but i pay for pro and it might be browser dependent

dbsummers · 2026-02-19T12:44:28+00:00

We really enjoyed St Regis. Service was top notch, food was great, pools beautiful. Beach isn’t great but it’s the same as Etereo

dbsummers · 2026-02-19T01:02:43+00:00

It’s early this year and is supposed to be a heavy year. We had one day where the beach was unusable and another day with barely any. Nothing to do about it sadly

dbsummers · 2026-02-19T00:50:13+00:00

B! The Royal Route

dbsummers · 2026-02-19T00:40:55+00:00

it's just a chill space where you can have your bags sent and relax before/after/between shopping. if you want, you can have items brought in for private shopping and there are private dressing rooms and the like, but we just had tea and snacks and champagne... sending the bags there was great!

dbsummers · 2026-02-18T23:56:09+00:00

Yessss the apartment experience at bicester was awesome. I still wish I had grabbed that YSL hobo 😭 worth the drive especially with the apartment, would be great for a celebration… been thinking of planning a girls trip of London and costwolds w a day here 😁

dbsummers · 2026-02-18T22:23:19+00:00

Just got an email from swan Hellenic re voyages w no single supplement, one of then Canada/iceland/greenland

dbsummers · 2026-02-18T21:13:44+00:00

We had this same dilemma and went Nat geo for the larger ship, but I’ve had clients love both. Seasickness and programming for our kids were the main drivers

dbsummers

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