1st time to Bermuda Questions - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

Luckystars777 · 07-14-2009, 07:46 AM

Hello Everyone!

I am so excited to celebrate my 1st wedding anniversary with my husband

by sailing to Bermuda with Royal Explorer. I can barely sleep. We depart from Cape Liberty July 18th. My grandmother 74yr of age will be with us.
I have only sailed once before with Carnival to Canada. So, I don't know very much.
I have tried hard to read other peoples post regarding Bermuda and WOW lots of information. I am so impressed with this site.
However, I cannot find information regarding a few things I would like to know. I hope someone can help me.
We arrive at 8 a.m. and depart the next day at 5 p.m.

1st-Has anyone ever been to the perfume factory? I found some good reviews and would love to know directly peoples opinions. Is it worth the trip and how hard is it?

2nd- My grandmother has some problems walking long distances. I would love to take a trip to Horseshoe beach. With the trolley assisting, do you think it will be okay for her?

3rd-Would we be saving money by adding on the wine before we sail? or is it the same amount of money on the ship?

4th - We are on deck 8 room 8390. When I booked the rep told me we are in the back of the ship. Is anyone familiar with deck 8? If so how is the view? Is it cold at night time to sit on the deck? How is the movement? Will we feel much?

5th- I am almost done, speaking of grandma, is there anything special for her age that someone wants to suggest that we do with her?

Last, can anyone give me advice for the Captains dinner on what to wear? I have a variety of dresses.

Thank you all in advance. I cant wait to goooooooooo to Bermuda!!!

Char · 07-14-2009, 08:18 AM

Hey there! Welcome to our friendly cruise community!

We have sailed just about everywhere except Bermuda!

However, we have some knowledgeable folks here who should be able to answer your questions.

Just wanted to give you a welcome and tell you we are happy you have found us.

Happy anniversary! Enjoy your cruise and come back and tell us all about it!

Luckystars777 · 07-14-2009, 08:19 AM

Thank you for your note. I am so excited.

Char · 07-14-2009, 08:41 AM

Hope some of our members will be reading this soon!

In the meantime, since you are new here, you might find these 2 threads helpful to learn a little about CLF.

links -->
Get the most out of your time on CLF - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews (Get the most out of your time on CLF)

Frubals? Ships? Titles? - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat Fro (Frubals? Ships? Titles?)

Luckystars777 · 07-14-2009, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Char

Hope some of our members will be reading this soon!

In the meantime, since you are new here, you might find these 2 threads helpful to learn a little about CLF.

links -->
Get the most out of your time on CLF - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews (Get the most out of your time on CLF)

Frubals? Ships? Titles? - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat Fro (Frubals? Ships? Titles?)

wow, thanks so much!! I learned a lot! I cant wait to share my experience and help others too.

patsea · 07-14-2009, 09:01 AM

I have sailed the Explorer a few times and it's a lovely ship. I have not been to Horseshoe Beach so you'll have to wait for info from others.

Formal night is everything from a lovely long sundress to a formal gown and for the men from a sport jacket to a tux. On regular nights you'll see people in decent shorts but it's not recommended like it is on Carnival.

One suggestion, as soon as muster drill is over, have your husband run over to the viking crown lounge (dizzys) and get seats for you and your grandmother (while you go put your lifejackets back in the room) because the view going to the Verrazano and under it is spectacular.

If there's anything I can help you with regarding the Explorer please feel free to ask.

Luckystars777 · 07-14-2009, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patsea

I have sailed the Explorer a few times and it's a lovely ship. I have not been to Horseshoe Beach so you'll have to wait for info from others.

Formal night is everything from a lovely long sundress to a formal gown and for the men from a sport jacket to a tux. On regular nights you'll see people in decent shorts but it's not recommended like it is on Carnival.

One suggestion, as soon as muster drill is over, have your husband run over to the viking crown lounge (dizzys) and get seats for you and your grandmother (while you go put your lifejackets back in the room) because the view going to the Verrazano and under it is spectacular.

If there's anything I can help you with regarding the Explorer please feel free to ask.

Thank you, I love the advice on having hubby grab seats. I cannot wait to see the view

Luckystars777 · 07-14-2009, 10:59 AM

ok, so I am sitting here ironing my clothes and looked up on Royal to see if they have irons in the rooms and it states no. So how do I press any clothes that will need it?

ziggysun · 07-14-2009, 12:09 PM

Hi DeAnna

Welcome to CLF!

I'll try to answer some of your questions....

Horseshoe Bay Beach is quite a walk from the main road if you use public transportation to get to it. It's all down hill, but sometimes people with bad knees and walking long distance problems have issues walking downhill so if your Grandmother is joining you, I would opt for the ship's tour to Horseshoe Bay, even though it is more expensive, as it will take you all the way down to the beach area and come pick you up with less walking for her.

The wine package was the same price onboard the ship that it was purchasing prior on our Brilliance cruise when my friends purchased it. Also, if you wait until you board you can see the bottles in each package. They usually set up a table with the available packages right outside of the Windjammer on embarkation day.

Your cabin is a corner aft balcony and a very desirable location for many cruisers! I've never stayed in a cabin in that location, but you will have a view from the back and possibly the side of the ship when on your balcony. Your balcony will also be longer in size than the standard balcony length so you may have a lounge chair or two out there. As to whether it will be chilly outside, it could be since you'll be in the Atlantic Ocean, but if you bring a sweater that would probably be all you would need. With the aft location some people say they feel a slight vibration from the engines but not really much ship "movement". All this is dependent on weather conditions and if you have calm seas.

If this is the 5 night cruise to Bermuda, there will only be one formal night during the cruise. You'll see women dressed in gowns or what I refer to as "what you would wear to someone's wedding". Whatever type of dress you're comfortable with between those and you should be fine

I'm sorry but I've never been to the perfume factory so I can't comment on it.

As to something to do with Grandmom, what does she like to do? Is she into history? Beaches? Shopping? Water activities like snorkeling? Bingo? Casinos?

The one thing I would recommend is going to the Ice Skating Show. Tickets for this go very fast so check the Cruise Compass (the daily paper) for the date and time they'll have the tickets available and make sure one in your party is there to get them for the 3 of you.

Irons are a fire hazard onboard ships. If you need ironing done you can send it to their laundry service for pressing only. Or you can hang what you need ironed in the bathroom while someone gets a shower or turn on the shower to try to steam it. If you "roll" your items when packing and unpack right away once onboard the ship you may not have to worry about it.

reggierail · 07-14-2009, 12:31 PM

One point, wait till the ship is in International waters before you purchase the wine package. Don't do that as soon as you board the ship or you will pay local sales tax. That could be as much as $10 to $15 extra. Wait till your first dinner at sea and make sure the local tax isn't added.

Your cabin is a wonderful corner aft cabin, definitely a sought after cabin.
I've added a PIC that shows 8690(port side) which is the same cabin as yours but the mirror image on the starboard side It is however a very long way to the nearest elevators, probably close to 300 feet or the length of a football field.

Reggie