Jill

We did a few of these ports on Odyssey back in 2022. Ephesus was awesome. We used Ephesus Port Tours Rhodes we did a sailboat tour to 3 different coves with a Mediterranean buffet lunch that was amazing. Very relaxing day but the city of Rhodes was very charming. Didn’t have time to do both.

Highly recommend Taxi Mister Cab Driver in Naples. Absolute blast! Known as the singing cab drivers. We did Positano, Sorrento and Pompeii with them. Had a great lunch in Sorrento before heading to Pompeii taximistercabdriver.com

Awesome! Scotland is my favorite country along with Italy.

Happy Anniversary from Jill and Bob!

Fjords?

I will say there are many “soft seating” areas especially back by aqua dome market. Icon had tons of “conversation areas” on the pool deck and you can find chairs in the shade. Cloud 17 (the original adult area) was pretty decent with a plunge pool. Just have to get there early

I swore we wouldn’t sail icon class again but Royal forced it taking almost all oasis class to 3/4 nights. We have Star booked for next May. I loved everything about it below the pool decks. Pool decks just crammed full of everything imaginable and it just wasn’t enjoyable. The 2200 kids didn’t help lol it’ll be interesting to see if more kids stay in surfside on Star as they added more “big kid” stuff down there Looking forward to Back to the Future and Lincoln Park

We’re June 26 on Apex. At least I stayed in the family!

I did miss the solarium. The overlook is nice but it’s not a “bathing suit” type venue like the solarium. Personally we hated the hideaway. Super crowded, little shade and highly annoying, super loud techno club music.

He’s one of the most popular CD’s in the fleet. He’s also one of the nicest people. Crazy Quest can get extremely raunchy and that’s the whole point. Sounds like you didn’t research

I was able to book it on Allure with UDP. I’m assuming I’ll just be charged $50 per person at the end of the dinner

We FINALLY have a stop in St Thomas that is long enough to get to St John. RC excursions are ridiculously high to St John. $94 p/p just to get the ferry. (St John on your own) There are 6 of us (all adults). I just need to know if it’s difficult to get a taxi. Very familiar with St Thomas and the kazillion taxis right there at crown bay so I’m assuming it’s easy. I’m also assuming it’s easy to get one at Red Hook to get back to the port. (Crown Bay ferry only runs on the weekends so can’t do that option) Is it in fact easy or is there something more I need to know? Not concerned about missing the ship doing it on our own. We’re experienced enough to allow ample time to get back.

Hey @Matt, have you heard this?

He was definitely customer focused, something that is now lacking IMO

The ships water is reverse osmosis and is quite good. You can bring a refillable water bottle from home and that should work fine.

The latest earnings call said the status match was hugely popular. Ummmm…how? Certainly not from Royal to Celebrity.

Most all river ships have what is called a French balcony. Basically a sliding door but balcony “railing” is right there

I’ll be there Thursday. I’ll ask and see what’s up

This is what I do: I book UDP and then book CT at the prevailing price just to save our spot. I currently have it booked for the family for thanksgiving cruise on night 5. When we board, I will go and cancel it for night 5, then book our 6 spots that I just canceled under the UDP price. *if you do this, be sure to book no earlier than Night 3 as you have to cancel 48 hours in advance.

I survived Icon (barely!) with 2200 kids on our sailing. It can’t be worse than that, right? Plus there’s a real solarium on allure to escape to I lost both my parents in the last 5 months and they loved cruising. I’m taking some of my inheritance to pay for this trip. Going all out. Unlimited dining, chefs table, coco beach club and a Royal Signature excursion in St Kitts for everyone. I know my parents would approve

We were on a 12 night Holy Land on Odyssey in 2022. We enjoyed the ship. Still prefer oasis class but we had a great sailing. Had a junior suite on deck 7 and loved the split bathroom set up. I’m also in Jax (well St Johns) and we prefer sailing out of Canaveral but choices are getting very limited. Fort Lauderdale is ok (leaving from there in October and November) and we avoid Miami. It’s the worst port to get into. It has to really be a special itinerary or ship to go through that mess.

Civitavecchia has a wonderful guide, Pamela Marchetti. She’s on Facebook. She has a food tour there or can take you to the surrounding areas. Naples: Taxi Mister Cab Driver Naples Amalfi Coast are excellent. Super fun. Several tours to choose from. Also on Facebook. Ciro LaMotta is the owner. Makes sure it’s his page you go to. There are some imposters of his page Ephesus we used Ephesus Port Tours. They were excellent too and have several tours to choose from Santorini we did a ship excursion just to get off early

Any thoughts? I’ve reserved it because the beaches are my least favorite there

I can highly recommend Pamela Marchetti. She’s a guide that lives in Civitavecchia and will take you to Rome for the day. That’s the way I’d go. Rome needs 3-4 days minimum but if you want to hit the highlights, go private. if you want her contact info, post here or PM me

We used Through Eternity for colosseum, palatine hill and the forum as well as Vatican museums and Sistine Chapel. They were excellent! if you’re going this summer, it’s Jubilee and will be more crowded than usual