Jill

Well it would be nice if they told you you had to book once onboard. Izumi isn’t done this way. I also was going off what I was told in another post to book then go to guest services once onboard to get the credit back as OBC. It really should be in the description. It’s just not very clear. It’s only $100 but still. Most of the time Chefs Table is sold out before you get onboard

So I purchased Chef’s Table last February for this week’s cruise on Wonder through the cruise planner. We go tonight. Bought UDP last August. The only way to get the $49.99 price is to book once onboard. They are refusing to give me the difference in OBC. I went round and round at Guest Services this morning as well as speaking to someone higher up. I asked that person to have Food and Beverage Manager to contact me. I also pled my case to Diamond Concierge. They won’t budge.

So now that we’re pretty sure she’s coming to PC to replace Allure and mention of the China market re-opening sometime in 2024, do you think Wonder will head to the far East where she was originally intended to go? That would leave PC without a 7 night oasis though.

Just remember Odyssey is not like her sisters (no indoor pool). We did the 12 night Holy Land on her last October and LOVED it! I could do a TA on her but she’s not as “indoorsy” as far as the pools go.

The one thing they can control is food cost. From a VERY reliable source, they are using “no roll” beef. You can Google that. They are BILLIONS in debt. Honestly, the food on the mega ships has never been mind blowing. How can it be with 6,000 passengers? Every other cruise line in this market is having the same issues. Adjust your expectations and be happy you won’t gain 10 lbs

I checked in recently at 6:30am and the first available was 11:30. Several in our Facebook group checked in after noon and got 10:30. How does that happen? I wish they’d go back to C&A priority boarding. Pre Covid we were able to board oasis class ships in about 15-20 minutes without boarding times. Remember RC’s old slogan, “car to bar in 15 minutes?” They were able to do it pre Covid, why not now?

We were on her last sailing before her last dry dock in 2019 so yes, she’s due for her mandatory 5 year check up in 2024.

So since this was my post originally…..I booked a great Airbnb in Civitavecchia right at the port. $200 for the night for all 4 of us. Had an awesome 4 course tapas with wine pairing that night. We thoroughly enjoyed it plus we were on the ship by 10:30. I booked all of our transfers with Daniele Your Driver in Rome. Excellent company. On time every time

We stayed there. It was not good. Heavy air freshener smell in hallways (probably to cover up mold/mildew). Felt very humid in there. Stayed at Hilton Garden Airport/cruise port and that was fine. Walking distance to the big town center for dinner. Offered shuttle to port but we had our car. I have since priced that hotel for our April Icon (we never stay in Miami) and it’s close to $400 a night. There are 6 of us on that cruise so I’m going Airbnb for that one.

After 187 nights, I’m looking for love…….down by the river! (cue Chris Farley/Matt Foley) Just booked our first river cruise and first outside of Royal. Christmas on the Danube with Viking. Budapest, Vienna, Krems, Regensburg with post cruise in Prague. I’m expecting total shock lol. 190 passengers. We had to bring along 3 other couples as our emotional support cruise buddies. It’ll certainly be a big change and I don’t feel THAT guilty. Royal doesn’t do rivers! European Christmas Markets are supposedly “magical.” Price was good and I lost that Christmas cheer several years ago. Looking to get my Christmas groove back on. Now I have to wait until December 2024. We’ve got Wonder, Allure and Icon to hold us over. Excited but hope it’s not a cruise of the living dead.

We’re on Wonder in a few weeks. Haven’t sailed since October but we will choose evening. We’re pool/beach people and will take a nap in the afternoon. I’d rather a fresh made bed for bedtime.

Not true. A friend of mine was a hotel director for Royal for 20 years. The captain and senior officers (of which hotel director is) go over every single survey answer.

Simple googling around finds this

It’s the little strip of land right at the Nassau port.

I purposely avoid itineraries that include Nassau. Have been 11 times from 1987-2019. 5 times as a land vacation (Atlantis and Sandals), 6 times by cruise ship. By ship, we’ve never spent any significant time off the ship. Will have Nassau in October for our 4 night Allure. Plan to stay on the ship. Pretty sure I’ll never see this beach club either. I live in Florida. 30 minutes to the beach. I’m not paying $200/$250+ to sit on a beach. I won’t pay it for coco beach club or this one. I imagine those who are landlocked or those with unlimited funds will pay it.

Priority boarding would be nice. Pretty much did away with it during Covid when they switched to check in times which no one follows anymore and rarely enforced. I have heard that Galveston is doing priority boarding again. Costs nothing but to me a nice perk

I have found that CP sales generally populate a year out. I’m expecting to see a sale for our April 2024 Icon this next sale or the one after. Sales happen about every 2-3 weeks or so

Save your money and get one at home before you leave.

Just download “bedtime fan” from App Store. Works great for white noise

We were in Israel this past October and opted for tours through Guided Tours Israel. They were PHENOMENAL! We did semi private (16 of us) to Nazareth, Sea of Galilee, Masada and Dead Sea. Opted for private tour (our party of 6) for the Old City. Started at Mount of Olives. A truly incredible experience. We chose not to go to Bethlehem. Had US Military with us in our party and definitely a no go. Overall the most incredible experience. Highly suggest this tour operator. https://www.guidedtoursisrael.com/

$283 for our April 2024 Icon. We will likely try Hideaway. If Hideaway is ready for our late October Allure 2023, we will scope it out then .

Be sure to get a good travel insurance policy

Our upcoming Wonder had the over water cabanas for $3799. When there was only one remaining it dropped to $1899

Agree with @Matt. Haifa is far enough away from Jerusalem/Gaza/West Bank We were in Israel last October (Holy Land cruise) during Sukkot and had some minor concerns but had no issues whatsoever. I wouldn’t be concerned leaving out of Haifa. Even Jerusalem’s port (Ashdod) is quite a distance from where the turmoil is. Royal will not put you in harms way.

I’ve always been able to select seats (American). Been able to upgrade as well (bulkhead, exit rows etc) Normally not until tickets are paid for however I’ve had certain legs open for seat selection without being ticketed.