Hi! I'm Bonnie, your trusted cruise travel companion. From 68 countries and 43 unique cruises, I've gathered experiences to guide you through your cruising journey.
On Bon Voyage, launched in 2020, I review various cruise lines, offering videos on ship tours, dining, and activities. I'm here to help you pick the perfect cruise-because the right choice can transform your experience!
Each week, I share videos on travel destinations and savvy travel tips, from pre- and post-cruise hotels to extend-your-cruise ideas.
I'm not selling cruises or planning trips-my mission is to inspire your own adventures. So join me, let's set sail together, ignite new adventures, and celebrate the joy of travel. The more you know the better traveler you will be! Welcome to Bon Voyage!
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I'm cruising on this ship in two weeks time sailing the south Pacific to Fiji. We booked early dinner sitting in the Allegro room. However, after watching some videos I came to the conclusion that the Concerto dining room looks nicer. Does anyone know which is nicer ?
It depends on the weather. The open decks can be windy, but the sheltered areas are pretty much not. Sail aways, the jogging track can be breezy. Just bring a light jacket like a windbreaker. If the ship is not moving fast it’s less wind too! Thanks for watching! ☀️🚢
Ask for a paper copy of the Pitter Patter daily event paper so you can know what is going on. If you have my time dining the hostess station can book your times the night before. You need to tell them you don’t have your phone. I think guest services maybe can help but the lines are usually long. If you have a set dining time it will tell you your table on your app. Possibly they can inform you at check in. They use a medallion and everything is scanned for your identity. I would print your boarding documents from home so you know your check in time. I think the check in can tell you your muster station and dining table. They just need to scan your medallion to look everything up. When in doubt ask a person in uniform! It is possible to not work with your phone.
All of the dishes you showed looked delicious!! Did the food taste as good as it looked? Sailing on the Meraviglia for the 1st time in January 2025...so excited. Thanks for sharing!!
It is Mediterranean cuisine and ai thought it was great. I know some people feel the portions are small or the variety isn’t much but I did enjoy it! Speak up if you need extra! It is fast paced in the dining room. Try to get an end table! I had fun on that cruise. 🚢
Oh I’m glad you liked it! It was super convenient for a quick overnight by the airport! The area is a nice change from a hectic downtown! Thanks for watching!!☀️
Hi :) That looks beautiful but cold! Im taking my first cruise in November on Royal Caribbean. Very excited, and glad for the warm weather then as I live in Colorado! How many years have you been cruising?
It was a garage on the outskirts and we walked in as a group. From there we had free time for a few hours. It was a beautiful place. I enjoyed the theater and ruins. Enjoy! 👍
Thank you sharing this very useful tips for exploring civitavecchia and bus route between cruise terminal and train station! Subscribed and thumbs up! Blesses and all the best ♥！
Thanks so much. If you venture to Rome book ahead for online tickets for the Vatican and St Peters. it can save you so much time and your day will move faster. tickets.museivaticani.va/home. You can also get tickets through Viator. Happy travels!
The Regal Princess was a good time for us! The Voice of the Ocean was fun to watch! If you sing, try out! I show a bit about that in my Regal Princess Playlist. Thanks for watching!☀️🚢
Thanks for watching! If you are going to Rome book your tickets 2 months in advance and try to get late morning. There isn’t much time if you are doing a bus drop off! Enjoy!☀️🚢
Well it’s fun to feel relaxed when everyone is rushing around trying to get organized. I like that! Embarkation day is always so hectic! Thanks for watching! ☀️🚢
That’s so exciting! It is a whole new way of traveling and just try to get involved in all the centrum things like their 70’s party and use your royal app to figure out the events you want to do ahead of time. You will have great weather in the Caribbean. Nice and warm! Thanks for watching! ☀️🚢
My boyfriend and i are taking a Royal Caribbean, Brilliance of the Seas cruise 🚢 Thanksgiving week! Ports will be Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Jamaica. Very excited. My first cruise. :)
Thanks for watching! Cozumel is beautiful with lots of snorkeling. Depending on where you dock, you can walk to downtown. I think if you never have been there before, you might want to try snorkeling. 🤿 Grand Cayman is beautiful. I don’t know much about Jamaica. Bring sunscreen! Have a great time! 🐠
Tpically, the people greeting are in baggage claim and then they direct you to a portable desk where someone checks off your name, gives you a boarding number and you wait for a bus. Ask someone in baggage claim. They can direct you. The Royal Caribbean representatives wear white shirts, a blue scarf and navy pants. They usually are holding a white lollipop sign, like a shore excursion.
been aboard the Royal twice and Regal once. Also on the Sapphire once and the Diamond in Alaska. This will be our first time on the Caribbean Princess Dec 15th. Looking forward to it.
I think you will enjoy this ship. It has many features that the Grand Princess has. I enjoyed it in the Western Caribbean. I liked the aft deck area and the Princess Live Movie Area. Enjoy!
I know there are vegan and vegetarian options. I have seen Gluten free in the buffet. Probably you will work with dining staff once on board. I have seen the Head staff present menus and then they can accommodate your needs based on the menu. I think there isn’t a complete gluten free menu, they just accommodate based on your preferences. On day one go to the dining room and talk to the host/hostess after you board to double check they are aware of your food situation. Also make sure you notify they on the phone so they can put that in your reservation. They are really good about making sure you have the best meal possible!
Great video. Where did you stay pre embarkation? I will be sailing put of Galveston in November and is wondering if we should stay in a Galveston or IAH hotel. Thank you.
We flew into Houston Hobby, stayed at a nearby Holiday Inn Express and took a Lyft from there to Galveston. I booked my hotel through booking.com. Just know their shuttles don’t run after 9pm. 🕘 www.booking.com/Share-2frn2f. I believe Hobby is a little closer.
I don’t know anything about that. Usually you can get a VAT form for major purchases in stores. I know that receipts need to be stamped before a submission. I have only done that out of Paris, where there is a whole VAT window before security. Just ask around, someone can direct you. It may be done at the airport.
Bonnie , thank you so much for this. I am travelling solo to French polynesia on Royal Princess in October and this has been just so informative. Thank you again Bonnie
Thank you for showing vegan options, especially since they're new! This is the first video I've found that showed anything about choosing items off the vegan menu. Thank you!!
You're so welcome! My daughter is vegetarian and likes vegan. So she ate off of both menus. Make sure you let your waitstaff know your wishes in advance!
Thanks so much for the kind words! I love traveling to Europe. It is so easy to see a bunch of places since everything is close to each other. I definitely will be returning and doing more videos! Have a good trip!
Another great video! We head on Explorer OTS from Barcelona to Miami this November; however we sail on Odyssey OTS from Civitavecchia next October and this video is very helpful! Thank You 😊
No the locker room and sauna on the nonthermal side are open for free. The other side with the thermal suite is for a cost. It may have a different changing area. I’m not sure. But the free side is open for showers and sauna!
Hi there! My experience has been that usually there are some euros to be had in the ATM near guest services or guest services can exchange dollars for euros. That being said, I have also experienced times when guest services didnt have Euros and told us to exchange in the terminal at an ATM. It really just depends. I didn’t exchange money with the Regal Princess, but usually there is an 🏧 nearby. Just bring a little cash in dollars (small denominations) and bring a credit card.
