Jill

We bought during the pandemic at almost rock bottom stock price. $31. So far we’ve gotten a total of $700 in OBC. 

We really enjoyed Odyssey. Did a 12 night Holy Land out of Rome last October. We love oasis class but besides Odyssey, I’d go Freedom, Mariner, Indy or Navigator. 

4 hours ago, gi333 said:

Us too we are looking at Bermuda next year. Let me know how MSC was if possible. 

Royal offers Bermuda from Orlando Aug 16 amazing itinerary adventure of the seas and very expensive.

Mariner has an 8 night Bermuda/Perfect Day September 29 with an inside cabin starting at $399! (Port fees of $202). There’s another Mariner Bermuda October 13 for $459 inside. Same port fees. You can find these at the link below. 

Bookmark this link and check it often. It usually updates on Tuesdays. I’ve never seen a Going Going Gone with only inside cabins available. 
https://creative.rccl.com/Sales/Royal/Promotions/rci_sales_event_USD.pdf

Book early and avoid prime season. Some of the least expensive sailings are between thanksgiving and Christmas. April will be more expensive. A good travel agent may have group rates available too. 

5 minutes ago, Mike6453 said:

while they have not dropped crusies for fall 2025, Odyssey of the seas is replacing Anthem of the seas in 2024/2025 in NY which summers in the UK. Its been this way for quite some time. 

However, Indy is showing up on the port schedule. 
 

We did Italy, Israel, Greece, Turkey and Cyprus in one cruise (Holy Land) 

We’ve had our bands on our last 6 cruises. Way less bulky than plastic clips

Per Michael Bayley:

On 8/11/2023 at 7:56 PM, smokeybandit said:

I'd love to know what percentage of vouchers go unused (or go for N/A items) on a given cruise.  

All 10 of ours are alcohol and are usually gone before dinner

Just wondering if anyone has heard what ship will replace Anthem. I was really hoping for Odyssey but Independence is still showing on the port schedule. Waiting to book Fjords for 2025 before Norway implements their zero emissions (or whatever the policy is) in 2026. Guess I’ll just scope out  cabins for both ships and impatiently wait until they release dates in November. Sigh. 

So OP was given the wrong information via phone call with Royal. 

Unfortunately, the law is the law and son was denied boarding. 

Royal’s customer service is abysmal especially since the restart. It seems every employee is new and clueless. I believe the call center was moved overseas. 

I feel Royal should make some type of restitution to the OP since it was their employee that gave wrong information that basically ruined their vacation. The recorded call is proof. 

We usually go the Airbnb route. Cheaper and more room. 
 

Last hotel we stayed in was Hilton Garden airport/cruise port. It was fine for one night. I looked at it for next April Icon sailing (we never stay in Miami) and it’s almost $400 a night. Got a great Airbnb for $275 for 6 of us instead. 

Every ship has Covid on it. It’s endemic and a part of life now. 

Hopefully “Discovery” class to begin replacing the older, smaller ships.

Once all the Icons are built, that’ll put Royal at 9 mega ships and 9 mini mega’s (quantum and freedom class). 18 BIG ships. 
 

Time to bring in some new smaller ships. I personally love the size of voyager class. 

Well I’m booked for next April and booked the day it was released. Got it for a good price but already telling myself she’s probably a one and done. Mostly for the engineering marvel she will be. 
 

I’ll report back late April. 

I just ordered one for our October Allure. Taking a chance we can switch out the bud light. We usually always make friends with a bartender or two so I’m sure hubby will get them switched to a better beer at that same price point 

Even better is I used our $50 shareholder OBC to buy it!

I would just have the taxi drop you at the shuttle station. It’s likely the taxi won’t have access directly to the terminal. They need a permit. 
 

You could take the train from Rome and easily walk to the shuttle station. 
 

You could hire a private service that regularly makes that run and they’ll drop you at the door. 

4 hours ago, Bingee said:

We are doing the Western Med. cruise later in the year and I am planning to source most excursions myself, the only one which worries me is Pisa & Florence from La Spezia.  Is it worth the extra £100 per head via RC to ensure getting back on the boat or will one of the many other operators get us back on time?
Also do you have any recommendations, please.

If you’re on Facebook, go join Cruise Tips and Tricks for Mediterranean Routes. You can search Pisa/Florence in the group and/or ask for 3rd party tour recommendations. That group and the group Discover Italy are how I found the tour groups we booked with 

Ditto smokeybandit. 
 

Use Trip Advisor and research tour companies. Go to their websites. 
 

We used all third party tours in Israel and Turkey. These companies live and die by reviews. 

Highly recommend Ephesus Port Tours. They were fantastic! 

3 minutes ago, Biaggio said:

Costco card…3% back on travel

Plus no foreign transaction fees! 

1 hour ago, Rackham said:

The implantation of zero emission ships in Norway's World Heritage fjords has to start no later than 2026, but certain rules may go into effect before then. Quality information is somewhat hard to come by, but there is a chance certain rules might go into effect in 2025 which would prohibit Royal from running their ships in these fjords. We'll find out later this year if Royal will be able to run itineraries with these stops. Though due to the cruise contract, if Royal is uncertain themselves, they might go ahead and put itineraries with these ports on sale, then change the itinerary later (because the cruise contract allows them to) if they're unable to visit.

Dang. I can’t swing 2024. Already have Icon and a Viking river cruise booked in Europe. I’m crossing my fingers. 

I was planning to book alaska in 2025 but now seriously considering Norway. It’s on our bucket list. I thought the changes in Norway were after the 2025 season. I hope so.  
 

I was all excited when it was thought odyssey was replacing anthem in the UK and I wanted to book Odyssey to Norway. Now the port schedule is saying Independence out of the UK. Guess I’ll know come this November when dates are released. 

I wouldn’t mind if they kept the smaller ships as we are getting to that “age” where the ports are the main focus. Just would like to see them updated.