Bazza

I would throw a warning around the phrase 'Small group' as not sure RCI's definition of 'small' is the same as other people's!! Booked the 'small group' on Explorer for Dubrovnik, which was cable car and guided tour of old town. Expected a small van/minibus and about 10 to 12 people, hoped to be getting off first and reduced waiting times etc etc. Ended up on a full size coach with about 25 people. We were 2nd or 3rd bus to the cable car so waited about 20-30 minutes to go up - not a major problem and well worth it for the views, but not quite the small group experience you would hope for! Was a decent tour, but for about $100 each not what we expected based on the description. If go to Dubrovnik again will just get local bus or taxi to old town and pay to do the walls as there was not enough time to do that with our 'free time' on the group tour.

Then there is always getting a job on the ship!

Winning the lottery is still my plan!

I think an adult only beach would be a nice option but should be zero cost. It's Ok to charge to go into an adult-only 'club area', but surely a 'free' beach would make sense???? #freebeach #freepizza #kidfree

Maybe somebody is working their way up to a much bigger diamond heist and starting with a few drinks....??? https://people.howstuffworks.com/five-largest-diamond-heists.htm

Hey @Luly Thanks for this. Virgin Atlantic emailed yesterday to say flight has moved to 22.40 now! The day use of hotel probably our preference now!

Thanks @FionaMG - have booked it anyway for now as easy to cancel for something else or if cost goes down between now and then. Much appreciated.

PS Hop on/hop off bus is only $48pp if booked directly so that plus possible luggage storage and an Uber to MIA would be a lot less than $260 total I'm sure!

Hi all We are on Oasis in February and our flight back to UK is not until around 7pm. Originally had an excursion booked with RCI which was going to be about 5 hours starting at 09.30 so MIA about about 14.30-15.00. Perfect. Email yesterday to say it has been cancelled, so all that I am left with through RCI is the hop on/hop off bus, a tour we did this year, for about $130 each(!) or the Everglades one (about $65 each). Everglades one is appealing BUT it says it is 08.30 start and only 4 hours so that would mean very early to MIA. Even with lounge access 6-7 hours is a lot of time to kill! Firstly - has anybody done this excursion before, and if so, is it worth it? Secondly - any other suggestions for the day? Preferably without incurring multiple uber costs! We have never 'stored' luggage at the port so any tips on that would be appreciated if we did arrange our own stuff from Bayside. Google lists a few places but wondered what the experts did! Many thanks

May explain the poop problem people seem to be referring to on social media outlets! Never cruised with kids so not had the pleasure! Thanks though just in case ever have grand children to worry about!

@twangster Sorry - I missed your PES comment earlier in the thread hence my suggestion above. My bad.

Charge for cleaning poop from the swimming pools - may encourage swimming nappies/diapers. Charge to remove and store towels from 'reserved' loungers so people who want to use them can use them. An upgrade cost to have furniture on the balconies otherwise it is just somewhere to lay down. Keep one lift/elevator in each section only for passengers who purchase 'The Lift Pass' at a set amount per day (maybe even by the hour!) - limit the number of passes and cost can go 'up and down' (see what I did there) - e.g. embarkation and dis-embarkation days higher, port days cheaper except in the first 2 hours of the day etc. Charges for use of shower gel & shampoo by the oz and toilet roll by the sheet. Bed included but additional costs for sheets, pillows etc.

Hey all Pre-booked beverage water package for upcoming Explorer from Ravenna. When we booked it was showing as San Benedetto 16 oz cans x 12 or 24 so bought 24 for £16.69 (c.$21) as pretty good deal. In the beverage packages now that has been replaced with 1 litre Evian bottles - 12 for £28.92 (c.$37) or 24 for £51.17 (c.$65). Anybody know if they are still supplying the cans if that is what you ordered, or will they automatically swap for the Evian? Not bothered either way, but don't really want to pay extra for RCI's amendment if it is changed! Thanks

I think Mitch @CruiseMsclDad may need to bring loose weights around that as don't think gym has enough for him! #hecanhavemylounger!

Actually edited mine after I posted it - did the same research! Lol!

Pretty sure not only Oasis class have the ice rinks - I am on Explorer next month and deck plan shows one. According to the RCI fleet list, Oasis, Freedom & Voyager class all have the pad to fall over on!

Thank you @Crown&AnchorEsq If you mean under the shore excursions, this is what is currently showing for the disembarkation day in Ravenna: Sorry if misunderstood the question!

Hi experts Never seen the 'Stay Awhile' option on any of my previous cruises (may have been there just not looked!) but it is listed for Explorer next month. Saw a thread asking about this for Barcelona, but started this as may differ by port. Anybody had the pleasure of this in Ravenna previously? If so, what time do you get 'kicked off'?! Our flight from Bologna is not until 7pm so won't need to get to airport until around 4 or 5 - a few hours on the ship may be a nice way to spend the last day instead of lugging cases/finding storage etc. Reading the description the Freestyle cups will still be usable as well as the dining venues being available so won't starve or dehydrate! Thanks.

Anybody else looking to get from Ravenna to Bologna airport then here are a couple of links for the main train line and then the direct link to the airport... https://www.italiarail.com/ https://www.marconiexpress.it/en/ Costs are around £8/$10pp for the train (hourly) and £9/$12pp for the Marconi Express - although family tickets also available for around £18/$24 for 2 adults & 3 children. Hope this is of use.

They cancelled my Oasis cruise next January (problem we had we were B2B so only half was cancelled!) and this was the email: ABOUT YOUR UPCOMING TRAVELS Dear Guest, We’re reaching out to let you know that, regrettably, we have to cancel our January 21st, 2024 Oasis of the Seas sailing, as it has been chartered. We know how much time and effort go into planning your cruise, and we’re sorry for the inconvenience. Every aspect of your time with us should be enjoyable, so we’ve put together some alternate options that we hope will work for you. Option 1: Re-book one of the following 2024 7-NIght itineraries departing from Miami, Florida onboard Oasis of the Seas: Sailing to Nassau, Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay, Labadee, Haiti and Falmouth, Jamaica on: January 7th, January 14th, January 28th, or February 4th What you’ll receive: Your original stateroom category price will either be protected at your original cruise fare rate or reduced to the current cruise fare rate (whichever is lower). This excludes taxes, fees, gratuities, and other non-cruise fare items. If your booking was already paid in full and your cruise fare rate decreases, we’ll provide you with a refund for the difference. You can expect to receive your refund to your original form of payment within 14 business days after we move you. Kindly note, refund times may vary depending on your financial institution. To sweeten the offer, you’ll receive a credit to spend onboard per stateroom: $100 USD for Interior, Ocean View, and Balcony staterooms | $200 USD for Suites Plus, an additional $50 USD for each third or more guest to spend onboard And, you’ll also be reimbursed for non-refundable, pre-purchased transportation change fees incurred (such as a flight, train ticket, or rental car). We’ll cover up to $200 USD per guest for Domestic changes, or up to $400 USD per guest for International changes. Please email your receipts and booking information to [email protected] for review and reimbursement. Option 2: Re-book any other Royal Caribbean International sailing If you prefer to re-book another sailing not included in Option 1, we’ll waive any non-refundable deposit change fees. Please know, you’ll be responsible for any difference in pricing for your cruise fare, taxes, fees, gratuities, and other non-cruise fare items. If your booking was already paid in full and your cruise fare rate decreases, we’ll provide you with a refund for the difference. You can expect to receive your refund to your original form of payment within 14 business days after we move you. Kindly note, refund times may vary depending on your financial institution. And, you’ll also be reimbursed for non-refundable, pre-purchased transportation change fees incurred (such as a flight, train ticket, or rental car). We’ll cover up to $200 USD per guest for Domestic changes, or up to $400 USD per guest for International changes. Please email your receipts and booking information to [email protected] for review and reimbursement. Option 3: If you can’t find a new itinerary that works for you and choose to cancel, we’ll be sad to see you go. You’ll receive: A full refund of any paid portion of your cruise fare (including non-refundable deposits) and any pre-paid amenities to the original form of payment, within 14 business days after we move them. Kindly note, refund times may vary depending on your financial institution. If you used a Future Cruise Credit on this sailing, and you request a refund instead, we’ll refund any NEW funds paid above the certificate amount, and we’ll reinstate your original certificate. If you booked your airfare through Royal Caribbean International, it will be automatically refunded to you. However, if you booked on your own, please contact the service provider directly for your options with them. Please note, if you choose this option, we will not provide additional compensation. It’s important to us that you find the best cruise option. Please call us at 888-281-9344 or contact your Travel Advisor by April 27th, 2023 to let us know your decision. And please know, hold times may be longer than usual. If you decide to go with Option 3, there’s no need to call us. If we haven’t heard from you by April 27th, 2023, your reservation will be cancelled. If you have any questions, please contact your Travel Advisor immediately or contact us at: 1 888 281 9344 in the U.S. 1800 754 500 in Australia / 0800 102 123 in New Zealand In the UK only, by using our webchat service or by calling 0344 493 4005 All other countries, please visit http://www.royalcaribbean.com/contactus for your local Royal Caribbean International office phone number. Thank you for understanding, and we hope you find another cruise with us. Whether you are celebrating a special occasion or looking to explore, relax, and recharge, we have no doubt your time with us will be nothing short of amazing. Sincerely, Aurora Yera-Rodriguez AVP | Guest Experience Royal Caribbean International Was not ideal as had flights, hotels and parking all booked around the 2 cruises so had to do a lot of re-arranging. Incurred some costs, lost our flight upgrades on the return flight and still not had the compensation but we did manage to get on Oasis a week later instead so not all bad.

See the review in the post 'MY TRANSATLANTIC ON SYMPHONY FROM MIAMI TO BARCELONA - GENERAL OBSERVATIONS' and try to watch the YouTube video Ben & David posted....hopefully was a one off.... Hope you have a great trip.

Gutted as this sailing was to be B2B and our first at Diamond level!! We will find an alternative solution by either adding the 4th Feb onto the 28th Jan booking or even swapping to another ship around the same time and hope to move flights! It did get me thinking though about chartering an Oasis class and what that would cost! Found this https://www.royalcaribbeanincentives.com/discover/ship-charters/ I guess for a very large organisation it could be a pretty cool staff scheme!

Hi @Cory We are on Explorer in September and are flying into Venice to spend a couple of nights there but then flying out of Bologna the day we get off the ship, as it is closer to Ravenna. Not sure if any use but thought would share! Enjoy.

They are called Baristas - what was his/her/their name and I hope you tipped them!??!