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

1 minute ago, Ryan79 said:

No, but I’m doing the Apex fjords next June so you will have to tell me how it was. This cruise is a 12 day British Isles going to Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and France.

Awesome! Scotland is my favorite country along with Italy. 

On 4/26/2025 at 1:08 PM, Clear Laker said:

Anniversary Cruise

 

Jill & Chris

Happy Anniversary from Jill and Bob! 

Just now, Ryan79 said:

I’ll wave to you since we will both be in Southampton! LOL

Fjords? 

5 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

Will be looking forward to your thoughts. It will be Star for us in 2027. We're used to tons of kids but of course lounging in the Solarium helps with that.

The new food, bars/drinks, and entertainment all looks great... but even as someone who spends an awful lot of time eating and drinking on cruises, we need some sort of pool lounging area (with shade). I could probably deal with the Overlook but I don't think my wife would want the non-bathing suit aspect as you mentioned.

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 

1 minute ago, OCSC Mike said:

We're not trying Icon class until March 2027 so I haven't done any serious research/planning but I already know we'll feel the same way. We spend zero time in the sun and definitely make use of the hot tub/pool in the Solarium (especially my wife) so I'm really not sure where we'll wind up lounging in the morning/afternoon when not doing stuff (which is a big part of our usual routine).

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

On 6/1/2025 at 12:42 PM, Ryan79 said:

June 26 - Regal Princess

Sorry for the stray!

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. 

On 3/7/2025 at 10:23 AM, Woody14 said:

infinite verandas? 

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

On 4/18/2025 at 2:06 PM, JohnK6404 said:

Thanks! 

I'm assuming when you click on Chef's Table to purchase it, it still prices at the regular prevailing rate and does not reflect the UDP discounted upcharge of $50?

I doubt the CP is that smart! 

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. 

On 4/8/2025 at 4:28 AM, tonyfsu21 said:

Thanksgiving week is amazing on a ship. We have done it with the family for many years. One thing to keep in mind is the endless number of kids on a holiday sailing. I welcome the craziness as I have a couple of my own  but some people do not…

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

On 3/20/2025 at 8:17 AM, Baked Alaska said:

Which private transfer service have you used? Also, did you use tour operator(s) for the Roma area? Ive been looking at Through Eternity for tours. We plan to experience Rome for 4 days before our Celebtrity cruise in May of 2026.

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