Jan115's Content - Page 146

Escape to These Cozy, Intimate Places on a Cruise Ship

Jan115 posted an article in Romantic Cruising

[Here are some excellent ideas to help you find some alone on a cruise ship full of fellow passengers, some without spending an extra dime!] Cruising is by nature a group experience, but sometimes you want to get away and enjoy some down time. Here are some intimate shipboard places where you can be alone, either by yourself or just the two of you. Stateroom balconies: In balcony cabins you can catch views and feel the ocean breezes, and even pretend you're on your own private yacht. But some balconies are more private and more spacious than others; consult with your travel agent. Thermal Suites: These spa retreats have saunas and steam rooms, relaxation areas, sometimes even hydrotherapy pools. They are reserved for adults only. Because you have to pay a fee to use the facilities, these areas tend not to be crowded (though you may have to take turns on the heated ceramic loungers, a heavenly place to turn to mush). Luxury suite complexes: At The Haven on Norwegian Cruise Line ships, including the new Norwegian Getaway, your Haven suite comes with access to a private restaurant, pool and sun deck, reserved for passengers in top accommodations (you can't even get into the complex without a private keycard). The Yacht Club on MSC ships has a similar VIP setup. Adults-only sunning: Head to the adults-only open-deck space, called The Sanctuary on Princess ships (the largest being on Royal Princess), and hang out in plush loungers while your drinks are brought to you by attentive servers who may offer to mist you with cool water if you start to sweat. A fee is charged. Private cabanas: On ships such as Holland America Line's Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam you can pretend you're a sultan while sipping champagne behind the billowing curtains of your private poolside cabana. Look for cabanas, too, on the cruise line private islands. A fee applies (extra if you want in-cabana massage services). Daybeds: Covered daybeds on ships including Carnival Sunshine can be positioned on the rail of the deck, so you can watch the sea views without interruption. On SeaDream Yacht Club's luxury ships you can spend an overnight outdoors in a balinese daybed dressed with linens. In-cabin dining: On all-inclusive luxury lines such as Seabourn, Silversea, Crystal and Regent Seven Seas, enjoy a private meal, elegantly served in your cabin course-by-course. For a fee, Princess ships will prepare a lobster and champagne dinner served on your balcony. On Norwegian ships, order a pizza for a casual date night anywhere shipboard. Exclusive dining: Book dinner in an alternative restaurant (where tables for two are most plentiful), or splurge on a small group Chef's Table experience as offered on select Royal Caribbean, Norwegian and Princess ships, among others. Do your own dinner party in a beautifully decorated private dining room onboard Oceania Cruises' Riviera or Marina. Private Porch: For an experience akin to sitting on your own front porch, book one of The Alcoves (a fee applies) on the Celebrity Reflection or Celebrity Silhouette. The covered retreats overlook the ship's real grass lawn where people play croquet, walk barefoot, watch concerts and picnic. Couples massage: For a romantic interlude, nothing beats a side-by-side massage in a spa villa. Some of the spaces, such as those on the Disney ships, are equipped with open-air tubs for a private bath. For help planning your next intimate cruise vacation, contact a travel agent specializing in cruise vacations. By Fran Golden (USA Today, "The 10 Most Intimate Spaces on Cruise Ships") For more cruise news & articles go to http://www.cruisecrazies.com/index.html Re-posted on CruiseCrazies.com - Cruise News, Articles, Forums, Packing List, Ship Tracker, and more Featured photo credit: Norwegian Cruise Line

Time Matters: When to Watch the Cruise Clock

Jan115 posted a topic in Let's Talk Cruise!

When we think of a cruise, we perhaps think of a week-long sojourn at sea, where time stands still, and the only thing we have to think about is what swimsuit we'll put on or what we'll have for lunch. The 70's band Chicago got it right when they sang "Does anybody really know what time it is, does anybody really care?..." In all actuality, without a working watch or other accurate timekeeper, we could be in for a rude awakening. There are specific occasions on a cruise when watching the clock and careful planning is necessary to avoid unpleasantness later. Here are five of the most important instances when times does matter: Flying to the ship. If you're booking the cruise-line's air, they will offer you flight times that coincide with your itinerary. However, if you're booking your own flights, you'll need to pay close attention to the flight times. While it doesn't matter much if you're flying in a day ahead of your cruise, it certainly will kill your cruise plans on embarkation day if you don't schedule your flight to the ship in a way that will have you arriving to the port on time. Generally, you'll need to arrive for check-in no later than one hour before sail-away. It's always wise to fly in a day in advance, but if that's not possible, try for the first non-stop flight of the day. If you must change planes, pay careful attention to the connection times. If your layover is super short and the first leg of the flight is delayed, you'll wind up on a later connection, increasing the possibility of missing the ship. A guideline of air arrival and departure times will be included with your itinerary. Be sure to read them so you can plan accordingly. Fixed Seating Dinner. If you've chosen traditional dining, please arrive on time - especially if it's the first seating. Not only is it rude to wander in late, keeping everyone waiting, but it also disrupts the waitstaff who must get dinner served and cleared in time for the later sating. If you're tired from a long day of touring or you've chosen the evening to dine in a specialty restaurant, call the dining room ahead and let them know. Independent Excursions. Are you meeting an independent tour first thing in the morning? Be sure to allow yourself ample time to meet them on shore, especially if you must tender in. I speak from experience. On a Carnival cruise many years ago, we were unable to get tickets on the first tender to port and missed our snorkel boat tour. If you are unsure whether you'll be able to meet up on time or if it's a tour requiring complicated or long travel, book a ship excursion. Or stay on board and enjoy the peace and serenity of an empty ship! Returning to the Ship. How many times have we stood at the ship's rail and seen the latecomers running frantically for the ship at the last minute? Even more pitiful are the poor people left standing on shore as we wave a sorry goodbye. It's rare, but it does happen. First, it's important to pay attention to the stated time to be back on board - not the sailing time. Next, make sure everyone in your group is synchronized and that your watches or phones are set to the current time for whatever time zone you're in. Lastly, keep tabs on the time while you're out and about on your own. It's easy to lose track of time when you're having fun. The Flight Home. If you are booking flights with the cruise line, they will offer you flights that will allow you plenty of time to get to the airport. If you are planning your own air, you will have to make sure you plan the flight home for the appropriate time that will give you a leisurely transfer to the airport. No one wants to end their cruise rushing and scrambling to get off the ship. That cheap 8:30 am flight may look attractive, but if the ship docks at 7:00 am and only begins letting passengers off at 7:30, sorry - you won't make it. Pay close attention to the time it will take to travel from the ship to the airport and the recommended minimum time to make it through airport security. Your cruise itinerary will state the earliest time you can book a flight home. Follow those guidelines, and you'll arrive to the airport with time to spare and in a peaceful state of mind. CruiseCrazies Article Signature By Janice Neves, CruiseCrazies Contributor For more cruise news & articles go to http://www.cruisecrazies.com/index.html View full article

Time Matters: When to Watch the Cruise Clock

Jan115 posted an article in Cruising Tips and Tricks

When we think of a cruise, we perhaps think of a week-long sojourn at sea, where time stands still, and the only thing we have to think about is what swimsuit we'll put on or what we'll have for lunch. The 70's band Chicago got it right when they sang "Does anybody really know what time it is, does anybody really care?..." In all actuality, without a working watch or other accurate timekeeper, we could be in for a rude awakening. There are specific occasions on a cruise when watching the clock and careful planning is necessary to avoid unpleasantness later. Here are five of the most important instances when times does matter: Flying to the ship. If you're booking the cruise-line's air, they will offer you flight times that coincide with your itinerary. However, if you're booking your own flights, you'll need to pay close attention to the flight times. While it doesn't matter much if you're flying in a day ahead of your cruise, it certainly will kill your cruise plans on embarkation day if you don't schedule your flight to the ship in a way that will have you arriving to the port on time. Generally, you'll need to arrive for check-in no later than one hour before sail-away. It's always wise to fly in a day in advance, but if that's not possible, try for the first non-stop flight of the day. If you must change planes, pay careful attention to the connection times. If your layover is super short and the first leg of the flight is delayed, you'll wind up on a later connection, increasing the possibility of missing the ship. A guideline of air arrival and departure times will be included with your itinerary. Be sure to read them so you can plan accordingly. Fixed Seating Dinner. If you've chosen traditional dining, please arrive on time - especially if it's the first seating. Not only is it rude to wander in late, keeping everyone waiting, but it also disrupts the waitstaff who must get dinner served and cleared in time for the later sating. If you're tired from a long day of touring or you've chosen the evening to dine in a specialty restaurant, call the dining room ahead and let them know. Independent Excursions. Are you meeting an independent tour first thing in the morning? Be sure to allow yourself ample time to meet them on shore, especially if you must tender in. I speak from experience. On a Carnival cruise many years ago, we were unable to get tickets on the first tender to port and missed our snorkel boat tour. If you are unsure whether you'll be able to meet up on time or if it's a tour requiring complicated or long travel, book a ship excursion. Or stay on board and enjoy the peace and serenity of an empty ship! Returning to the Ship. How many times have we stood at the ship's rail and seen the latecomers running frantically for the ship at the last minute? Even more pitiful are the poor people left standing on shore as we wave a sorry goodbye. It's rare, but it does happen. First, it's important to pay attention to the stated time to be back on board - not the sailing time. Next, make sure everyone in your group is synchronized and that your watches or phones are set to the current time for whatever time zone you're in. Lastly, keep tabs on the time while you're out and about on your own. It's easy to lose track of time when you're having fun. The Flight Home. If you are booking flights with the cruise line, they will offer you flights that will allow you plenty of time to get to the airport. If you are planning your own air, you will have to make sure you plan the flight home for the appropriate time that will give you a leisurely transfer to the airport. No one wants to end their cruise rushing and scrambling to get off the ship. That cheap 8:30 am flight may look attractive, but if the ship docks at 7:00 am and only begins letting passengers off at 7:30, sorry - you won't make it. Pay close attention to the time it will take to travel from the ship to the airport and the recommended minimum time to make it through airport security. Your cruise itinerary will state the earliest time you can book a flight home. Follow those guidelines, and you'll arrive to the airport with time to spare and in a peaceful state of mind. CruiseCrazies Article Signature By Janice Neves, CruiseCrazies Contributor For more cruise news & articles go to http://www.cruisecrazies.com/index.html

Anyone have a news about the Allure of the seas?

Jan115 replied to frostyboy64's topic in Let's Talk Cruise!

The Allure is undergoing repairs this week and had to cancel the Feb. 23 sailing. Here's the info from RCI: http://www.royalcaribbeanpresscenter.com/press-release/1050/royal-caribbean-announces-allure-of-the-seas-will-undergo-repairs-in-february-2014/

7 things you didn’t know you could do on a cruise

Jan115 replied to Jason's topic in Let's Talk Cruise!

These are certainly not your great-grandmother's cruise ships. As for skydiving, I'll remain a spectator, thank you very much.