Joanandjoe

Jeff and Eagle Forest, obviously we need a bigger class of ships than the Genesis class, such as the Stadium class. See our latest thread.

Why should Royal Caribbean stop with ships of a mere 220,000 tons and 5,400 PAX? We propose creation of the Royal Caribbean Stadium series of ships. They could take a stadium full of sports fans, put in some tiny staterooms, and float the whole thing. You'd not only get a large ship: you'd have people who all have at least one thing in common: the team they root for. Imagine the competition among sports venues: will the first ship be the 110,000 PAX "MS U of Michigan". or the smaller, only 55,000 "MS Yankee Stadium"? The new ships could dock at cities along the coast lines, with sports games played at each stop. Crazies are creative, so we're sure there will be some great suggessions for ships in this new category. Surely there must be some limit to the "bigger is better" syndrome.

Well, Joey, you could say what we say - YUCH!!! 3,000 is way too big, 5,400 absurd. That will overwhelm even large ports such as NYC.

We've made our thoughts pretty clear: we like small ships, and wish the cruise lines would build new ones. That's apparently not in the cards. Obviously our answer is "YES-way, way, way too big". Heck, we think the HAL Vista class is too big; but once the Noordam is delivered, every ship on order will be bigger than the 1,848 to 1,918 PAX Vistas, mostly much bigger.

Mazel tov. Enjoy your cruise. Considering the name of your ship, we'll change "Amor omnia vincit" (love conquers all) to "Cruising omnia vincit."

If I read her post correctly, Lisa left home at 6 a.m. this morning, so it's too late to wish her a good cruise. Instead, I'll wish that she returns home safely from a wonderful curise!

There have been a number of tragedies involving passenger/car ferries. While they are generally safe, a poorly distibuted load of cars, or a bulkhead not properly closed, can make a ferry unstable. This sinking is certainly a terrible situation.

Mebert, you're from NYC, so you presumably have the same weather today that I've had in Bergen County and Westchester. Today is similar to a June day in Alaska: it started out raining, misty, and about 45 degrees, and it will be around 60 and sunny later today. (OK, in June in Alaska the high would be more like 65 than 60). Dress as you dressed this morning, and you'll be OK. For me, that meant wearing a lined raincoat on my morning walk (which made me a bit too warm, but would make you comfy), then switching to a windbreaker to go to work. When you get on the plane for Seattle, take a lined raincoat and a rain hat, and throw them into the overhead rack. That will leave room in your suitcase for layers of clothing. You won't regret bringing the coat, and you can zip out the lining for days when the weather is in the high 50s.

Mebert, you need to be prepared for anything, hot or cold, sunny or rainy, windy or calm. Expect high temps in the low to mid 60's, lows in the mid 40s. It's very variable. When we were in Juneau it was 45 and rainy; my brother got low 80s and sunny. Here are Juneau averages and records for June from weather.com: http://www.weather.com/activities/driving/...16&climoMonth=6 Sort of like June weather in Seattle, but with even wilder swings. It will seem cold near glaciers, unless you get a very warm day. As a person who likes cool weather rather than hot, I mostly enjoyed Alaska weather. Then again, we've been on seven cruises, six of them to cool places (Alaska, Canada/New England, Med. in November). The only time I (Joe) was uncomfortable for most of the cruise was our one cruise to the Caribbean. I was hot and miserable, and it took some bravery on my part to try the Noordam to the Carib. this November. If I once again hate the hot weather, I'll probably never try the Caribbean again. At least Bermuda (Zenith) is cool, not hot, in May. A hot weather fan will probably need gloves and sweaters at some point during the cruise.

Jeff, did the Horizon add balconies before they took it out of the fleet? When we had our suite in 11/03, the Horizon did not have any balconies.

Congrats on your new booking. For some strange reason, we're not surprised that you're going on a line other than NCL. Can't image why!

We had four in the Caymans, and it was not a problem. Eight--Ouch. In Roatan there were more ships than docks and no tenders, so we had to wait our turn. We've looked at Crucal for your cruise, and it's astounding. In Miami the Valor will be at port at both ends with the Victory, NCL Jewel, and two RCCL ships, Radiance and Explorer, with a sixth ship, the Oceania Regatta, on 6/26. 7 other ships at Grand Cayman, 4 others at Cozumel, which is temporarily a tender port. Even another ship in Belize! Wow, the Caribbean is crowded in February. It almost makes up for that fact that Joe, CPA, can't take vacation in the winter. Have a great time!

Shari, try to do your Bermuda cruise soon, and on a ship small enough to dock in Hamilton, rather than King's Wharf. There are currently three ports in Bermuda, but the government is considering eliminating the two smaller docks (Hamilton & St. George's), and having all ships dock at the Panamax ship pier, King's Wharf a/k/a the Dockyards. It's expensive to have post-9/11 security at three ports in one small island group. Something will be missing if you can't sail into Hamilton.

We never sailed on either of her incarnations as the France or the Norway, but the bolier explosion was tragic, and it's terrible to see such a grand old Ocean Liner (not cruise ship) dying such an awful death.

Rita, can you give Mebert more infor on the Mercury, and on the ports we didn't visit? On Celebrity we've only been on the older ships: Horizon and a new booking for 5/13/06 on the Zenith. Great Pic. Who are you with?

Gracias. Merci. Obrigado. Danke. Thanks. It's great to have another cruise booked.

Our Alaska cruise in 1998 was the one way type, Vancouver to Seward, on the old HAL Noordam, so it has some relevance but isn't "on all fours" with your itinerary. For what it's worth: 1) Seattle is a lovely city, well worth a few extra days before (preferable) or after the cruise. 2) Juneau. We had awful weather, so stuff like the helicopter to the Mendenhal glacier and the tram ride were cancelled, and we went to see a museum and other indoors stuff. We also went on a wildlife bus and boat trip (see our Ketchikan comment). If you feel wealthy, go for the glacier; otherwise take the tram or a ship's excursion. 3) Skagway. Haven't been there. We saw a PBS special on the White Pass railroad, which sounded wonderful. 4) Hubbard Glacier. Spectacular, even if Celebrity doesn't go to Glacier National Park. Bring binocs and warm clothing. 5) Ketchikan. A good place to just walk around and see the wooden town and the salmon run. In one port, at least, take an excursion to see wildlife. Despite the rain, we took one in Juneau, and another one in Valdez. (Damage from the Exxon Valdez oil spill was still evident.) The eagles on every telephone pole for about 5 miles on our bus ride were unforgrttable, and we still think of them evey time we see an eagle in our local zoo. 6) Inner passage. Also specatular, but much of the cruising is at night. 7) Prince Rupert. Haven't been there, but I once worked for an accounting firm that had an office there. Supposed to be very rugged and lovely, and a good place to take a fishing trip. Unfortunately, the stop is mainly to satisfy U.S. rules about visiting foreign ports, and you won't have enough time to do much. Enjoy. We're city types, not outdoors people; but Alaska is amazingly beautiful in the summer. (Wouldn't want to be there in the winter.)

More information on Roatan. While the Honduras mainland suffered extensive damage from Hurricane Gamma last Month, Roatan had a lot of rain but very little damage. It's still a very impoverished but very beautiful place. Fosters has also had problems, a fire last summer, but it seems to be OK now. They offer a combined price for transportation, food, and beach use. Worth looking into. What ship will you be on? Often the cruise line can help with vow renewals. We were in Roatan on the Celebrity Horizon, in 11/03, on a route now taken over by the Zenith.

On our trip to Roatan, we went to the Sante Wellness Centre, a day spa, where we received massages and good food in a tropical paradise. We haven't been to Fosters, but it is mentioned often on another cruise board. Would you like to have us post your question there? Meanwhile, congratulations on your renewal of vows. Does this mark some special occasion? G-d willing, Joan and I plan on renewing our vows on August 1, 2017. Why then? Because I proposed to her on August 1, 1967, using the following words (at least as I remember them): "I can't imagine going through the next 50 years without you: will you marry me?" So I guess our warranty runs out on 8/1/17, and we'll have to renew our vows. Joe P.S. Thanks, Keith & Rita. I hadn't noticed that Marcia was a Newbie. Welcome to Cruise Crazies, Marcia!

We sympathacize, Lou. Thuis is Joe's busy season, too. We need a vacation NOW, but it won't happen. We put in for late March, and it was denied, so we'll have to wait until mid-May. That's much too long a wait!

We've never sailed on NCL, but we know people who have (and didn't like it). Surely there must be some people who enjoy NCL: we simply haven't met them.

After saying that we'd only have one cruise this year, we've just booked a second: Celebrity Zenith, 5/13/06, 7 night Cape Liberty (Bayonne), NJ to Bermuda. This is in addition to our 11 night, 11/25/06, Noordam cruise from NYC to the Caribbean.

... your "Type A" personality morphs into Type B, and you experience what it means to be laid back.

We hope you're OK. That's certainly a downer! Does it make you want to swear off NCL, or do you think this could happen anywhere, even on Crystal or Silversea?

The offer included port charges but not taxes or insurance. By the time the discounter got back to us, their price was the same as the cruise line's. No bargain. However, another discounter came through with the prices of the original discounter, so we booked it. I believe we have concierge class on the 5/13 cruise. (Joan booked it while I, Joe, was at work). I'll put in a post, and put it on the calendar, when I have details.