AndiD

Congrats on the booking, William! That should be a perfect time for a cruise! (Of course....any time is a perfect time for a cruise, isn't it?!)

We enjoyed our bus tour of Aruba as well, Adrienne - we went this past fall. We love lighthouses so that was fun to see one there, and then we did spend some time at a beach resort...that was the warmest, calmest water....it was just nice to bob about out there in the water!

Jackie - I couldn't get anything from the link except a fatal error message......

Bon Voyage, Jackie & Tony! You just booked this and here you are...almost on your way. Have a great cruise!

Hi Summer! Glad to have you join us on the friendliest cruise community on the web! So happy that you are going on another cruise after all these years. Be sure to post a review when you get back so we can all share in what is sure to be a great time! Hope that you visit and post often on the different boards. There is a lot of great info here and a lot of shared experiences.

Bon Voyage, Rose! So nice you can sail away again!

Sounds like a good candidate for "World's Dumbest Criminals"!

Congrats Jenn! That sounds like the same itinerary we did in 2009 on the Island Princess. If you can, go into Vancouver a day or two ahead - it is a fabulous city! we loved sailing out of Vancouver and then once we hit Whittier - the transition from ship to train was flawless! And flying home from Anchorage...our flight was late at night so Princess kept our luggage all day in their hotel office while we toured the city. Princess has everything figured out perfectly for this cruise vacation - You will have a marvelous time!

Bon Voyage, We2Cruise! Hope you have a great cruise - will look forward to your review!

Bon Voyage, Select7777! Hope you have a great cruise on the Island - that is one of our favorite ships!

We loved the newly solsticized Infinity on our 15-day Panama Canal cruise in March/April. The new spaces were beautiful and it did not feel like they had "crammed" things in just to add them to the ship. The Martini Bar and Wine Cellar were our favorites (in more ways than one!)

I agree that this all would be in how the news was delivered.... plus - did they drop their luggage at the ship...was it taken directly from a flight? How did all of their things get lost? It certainly seems like there was not good communication or attempts to figure out what happened to their luggage since there is definitely bad feelings here. What a sad story!

Jason thought these might be of interest to cruisers who want to stay a day or two pre- or post-cruise! These are three of our favorites: Hilton Ft. Lauderdale Beach (preferred over the Hilton Ft. Lauderdale Marina!) This one has a great pool/sundeck and a very good Mediterranean restaurant (on the expensive side, though.) It also has a Starbucks on the ground floor that serves great pizzas and paninis. It is right across from Ft. Lauderdale Beach. Most of the balconies angle toward the ocean so has a great view. Rates start at about $129. Hyatt Pier 66 is on the intracoastal waterway which makes it easy to tool around Ft. Lauderdale on the water taxis. They also have a shuttle to the beach. It has a huge marina - it's kind of fun to see all those fabulous yachts - and a very large pool area. Good steak and seafood restaurant but also some fun casual spots out by the marina. This one is very close to the port. Rates start a $100... FOR A SPLURGE: Also right on Ft. Lauderdale Beach is The Atlantic. We stayed there two nights before our Panama Canal cruise in March. Sigh . The room was huge with an entry foyer that led to the two-sink bath area with standup shower, separate tub and enclosed toilet. The closet with dressing table and mirror was to one side of the entry foyer and the sleeping area was on the other. It had a mini-kitchen area and all the standard amenities plus a beautiful balcony - our room faced the portside so we watched all the ships leave each afternoon. Free wi-fi/internet in the rooms, which was very nice. They also had Samsung computer pads in each room. Restaurant served a great breakfast with a lovely porch area overlooking the beach. Rates run around $250...gulp but nice for a special occasion. The two beach hotels are within walking distance of the Beach Place shopping/dining complex which is fun, and an all-night CVS just in case you forgot something.

Truly looks like a boat floating in mid air - fabulous!

We get a magnet of the ship and always buy one picture from each cruise. My husband saves his seapass card from every cruise. But you are right, Michael and Amy - the memories are THE BEST!

Thanks for the review, Tim! Sounds like you did the perfect cruise activity - RELAX!

Loved the whole diary! The Norway cruise is on our bucket list and we are Celebrity fans so happy to read your assessment. Thanks much!

Bon Voyage, Mmketeer! Hope you have a wonderful cruise!

Bon Voyage, TheCruise59! Hope you have a wonderful cruise - the Sapphire is one of our favorite ships!

Bon Voyage, Yeli! Hope you have a wonderful cruise!

Bon Voyage, Garyh! Hope you have a wonderful cruise!

Fabulous! And very easy to relate to since we have felt all of those same emotions. The butterflies never go away, but it is from pure joy and excitement to be off on another cruise!

We love Celebrity, but have never cruised in a suite...probably never will........

Great start, Stacey! Alaska was our first cruise, although we planned for years for it. Can't wait to hear more!

Bon Voyage, Bull! Hope you have a wonderful cruise!