Friday, October 24, 2014
Quantum of the Seas sails soon!
I am somewhat obsessed with Quantum of the Seas. I love the new innovative designs and her clean lines are stunning. I was perusing the boards at Cruise Critic and found an awesome thread of live reporters who are going to sail on her maiden transatlantic Southampton (that's the UK to you and me) to Bayonne, NJ which is Quantum's home port.
How exciting to hear all that these (very lucky!) reporters are going to say about this fantastic ship, not to mention all the fun they are going to experience. SO jealous!!
This ship has so many firsts, although I've already mentioned that on an earlier blog. I love her because she's a lean, mean, fighting machine. She's sleek and a bit smaller than the Oasis class.
Want to follow this thread? If you're sailing on her or not, it's a great read.
Click here!
Happy sailing,
Mary
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Dynamic Dining...say What?
If you're cruising the Quantum of the Seas (I wish....) you would be aware of Royal Caribbean's unveiling of Dynamic Dining. So what is it?
It's a new way of dining. Instead of a main dining room and the standard fixed times of 6pm and 8pm, you will be given the option of five complementary dining rooms. That's free to you and me. However, there are 18 amazing food venues across the ship. They come with whimsical names like Wonderland, Silk, Chic, Chef's Table and more. Even those cruising in suites have their own restaurant, Coastal Kitchen. RCCL's website describes it as " Coastal Kitchen fuses Mediterranean influences with the unmatched riches of California’s bountiful farmlands. This is a destination that exudes pure freshness."
Not all venues are free, many have a charge to eat at a specialty restaurant like Chops Grille which has been a favorite among cruisers for ten years.
With the changes of Dynamic Dining, there is a much more casual approach to dressing. You're welcome. There is one exception and it's called The Grande. The Grande is formal wear all the time. It's a nod to bygone times of cruising when one dressed for dinner. Somehow I'm typing in an Enlish accent. That's what it reminds me of.
What would be amazing dining without celebrity chefs? Jamie Oliver, Michael Schwartz, Devin Alexander, and Cornelius Gallagher. I know!
Quantum of the Seas will be the debut ship to offer this but the Oasis class, Allure of the Seas, will be next. Will it be fleet-wide? There's a good chance.
Reservations are a must - and you can reserve restaurants through the Royal Caribbean website at www.rccl.com.
Check it out and see what you think.
Happy Sailing, Mary
It's a new way of dining. Instead of a main dining room and the standard fixed times of 6pm and 8pm, you will be given the option of five complementary dining rooms. That's free to you and me. However, there are 18 amazing food venues across the ship. They come with whimsical names like Wonderland, Silk, Chic, Chef's Table and more. Even those cruising in suites have their own restaurant, Coastal Kitchen. RCCL's website describes it as " Coastal Kitchen fuses Mediterranean influences with the unmatched riches of California’s bountiful farmlands. This is a destination that exudes pure freshness."
Not all venues are free, many have a charge to eat at a specialty restaurant like Chops Grille which has been a favorite among cruisers for ten years.
With the changes of Dynamic Dining, there is a much more casual approach to dressing. You're welcome. There is one exception and it's called The Grande. The Grande is formal wear all the time. It's a nod to bygone times of cruising when one dressed for dinner. Somehow I'm typing in an Enlish accent. That's what it reminds me of.
What would be amazing dining without celebrity chefs? Jamie Oliver, Michael Schwartz, Devin Alexander, and Cornelius Gallagher. I know!
Quantum of the Seas will be the debut ship to offer this but the Oasis class, Allure of the Seas, will be next. Will it be fleet-wide? There's a good chance.
Reservations are a must - and you can reserve restaurants through the Royal Caribbean website at www.rccl.com.
Check it out and see what you think.
Happy Sailing, Mary
Friday, October 10, 2014
Cruising Alone? No Problem!
If you're wanting to cruise but do not want to pay exorbitant "single supplement" rates, try Norwegian. Since the NCL Epic came on the scene, singletons (including those widowed, travel widow (spouse doesn't like to travel or unmarried) have a wonderful option. They are called Studio cabins and they not only are perfect in size for one but they also include the Studio lounge for meet and greets, drinks and snacks.
What I love about the rooms are the ambient lighting, compact (but adequate) size and the option to do a solo cruise. Don't get me wrong, I adore my husband and love cruising with him. There is an idea brewing,however, and that would be a lovely little getaway all my myself. There is a window to the hallway that can be opened or closed depending on your need.
Norwegian Epic, Breakaway and now Getaway all feature these rooms and I think they are BRILLIANT! I love the cozy size and color scheme.
As nice as the cabin is, it comes alive at night. How fun is that?
Not only do you have complete privacy but you have the option to mingle with the other studio cruisers whenever you choose.
The Studio Lounge is a great option when you want to meet other singletons or if you just want to find someone to talk to or dine with. It's a great space to have a drink, get to know your neighbors, read a book or play games all rolled into one.
Thank you NCL for having this option. Otherwise, if you want to cruise by yourself, you have to pay 150% of your cabin, which can be frustrating especially if you can't help that you're alone.
NCL has gone above and beyond to remedy the situation. If you're in the market for a single cruise, I hope you will look into this option.
Happy sailing,
Mary
What I love about the rooms are the ambient lighting, compact (but adequate) size and the option to do a solo cruise. Don't get me wrong, I adore my husband and love cruising with him. There is an idea brewing,however, and that would be a lovely little getaway all my myself. There is a window to the hallway that can be opened or closed depending on your need.
Norwegian Epic, Breakaway and now Getaway all feature these rooms and I think they are BRILLIANT! I love the cozy size and color scheme.
The Studio Lounge is a great option when you want to meet other singletons or if you just want to find someone to talk to or dine with. It's a great space to have a drink, get to know your neighbors, read a book or play games all rolled into one.
Thank you NCL for having this option. Otherwise, if you want to cruise by yourself, you have to pay 150% of your cabin, which can be frustrating especially if you can't help that you're alone.
NCL has gone above and beyond to remedy the situation. If you're in the market for a single cruise, I hope you will look into this option.
Happy sailing,
Mary
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Thank you Cruise Puppy!
I found an app that I love. It's called Cruise Puppy and it gives you price drops. I put in my cruise and it lets me know when the price drops and also prices for the next couple of months for inside, ocean view, balcony and suites.
There are some wonderful deals right now if you can cruise within a week to a two month period. I happened to share this on Facebook and my girlfriends are jumping on it. Let's do a girls cruise!
Looking at an inside room, for a 7 day Caribbean cruise with Carnival Cruise lines - the Carnival Glory, 7 night eastern itinerary leaving November 29th would be $209 (plus port fees of course) for a whole week. A WEEK! Sign me up! Screenshot:
I'm serious about this. If I can get my friends on-board, we could have a blast. Hoping and dreaming this comes true!
You can find Cruise Puppy in your app store today. See it for yourself!
Happy Sailing,
Mary
PS: I am not affiliated with Cruise Puppy, just a fan.
There are some wonderful deals right now if you can cruise within a week to a two month period. I happened to share this on Facebook and my girlfriends are jumping on it. Let's do a girls cruise!
Looking at an inside room, for a 7 day Caribbean cruise with Carnival Cruise lines - the Carnival Glory, 7 night eastern itinerary leaving November 29th would be $209 (plus port fees of course) for a whole week. A WEEK! Sign me up! Screenshot:
 |
| Cruise Puppy App |
I'm serious about this. If I can get my friends on-board, we could have a blast. Hoping and dreaming this comes true!
You can find Cruise Puppy in your app store today. See it for yourself!
Happy Sailing,
Mary
PS: I am not affiliated with Cruise Puppy, just a fan.
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
Ways To SAVE On A Cruise
I really want to book a trip before our cruise to the southern Caribbean in Feb. 2016. I'm looking at Alaska, Caribbean and Bahamas. My wonderful hubby has always wanted to go to Alaska. However, it's pretty pricy not to mention flying into either Seattle, Vancouver or Alaska. I've also looked at the Bahamas, pretty inexpensive and the Caribbean.
I'm trying to watch the prices and see where we can cut down IF we can book another cruise. First, what's the best deals. Celebrity has the 4 perks you can choose from - a big perk when one includes free select drinks!
I'm a balcony snob. Can't help it, I love the breeze and ocean view. That being said, could I book an inside room so I could afford going on another cruise? ABSOLUTELY!! It would be different and I don't like the boxy feeling of it, but we have a grand suite booked for the southern Caribbean and we could certainly make it work.
Another way to save - cheap flight. Perhaps Spirit instead of Delta or American. I don't like their customer service...heck...what customer service? But I could do it to save money and be able to get to my destination.
Forego the pictures, souveniers,etc. UGH! I don't know if I could do that. I love the pictures, but if it means cruising vs. not cruising. OK! I can do that!
Specialty dining - It's not that expensive but it does add up over time. Eating only in the dining room and free venues wouldn't be tough at all. Easy peasy.
Drinks - c'mon now. Let's not get THAT drastic. Cutting down on the number of drinks would save money. We could do that right? We can do that. Yeah.
So there are ways to afford a cruise even if it's not what you normally prefer. Stepping on the ship makes all of the above so worth it, so why not economize and still enjoy an awesome cruise?
Happy sailing,
Mary
I'm trying to watch the prices and see where we can cut down IF we can book another cruise. First, what's the best deals. Celebrity has the 4 perks you can choose from - a big perk when one includes free select drinks!
I'm a balcony snob. Can't help it, I love the breeze and ocean view. That being said, could I book an inside room so I could afford going on another cruise? ABSOLUTELY!! It would be different and I don't like the boxy feeling of it, but we have a grand suite booked for the southern Caribbean and we could certainly make it work.
Another way to save - cheap flight. Perhaps Spirit instead of Delta or American. I don't like their customer service...heck...what customer service? But I could do it to save money and be able to get to my destination.
Forego the pictures, souveniers,etc. UGH! I don't know if I could do that. I love the pictures, but if it means cruising vs. not cruising. OK! I can do that!
Specialty dining - It's not that expensive but it does add up over time. Eating only in the dining room and free venues wouldn't be tough at all. Easy peasy.
Drinks - c'mon now. Let's not get THAT drastic. Cutting down on the number of drinks would save money. We could do that right? We can do that. Yeah.
So there are ways to afford a cruise even if it's not what you normally prefer. Stepping on the ship makes all of the above so worth it, so why not economize and still enjoy an awesome cruise?
Happy sailing,
Mary
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