Bazza

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

Hey @Jim S Spoke to a customer of mine who happens to be from Italy and knows the area very well - she suggested I get train from Ravenna to Bologna as very cheap and quite frequent. Looks like website only goes about 3 months in advance but definitely gives me more options! There is luggage storage close the Bologna station too. https://www.omio.co.uk/app/search-frontend/results/LCBED9B8F9ED84A38911E4DA32E8CD599/train?locale=en-GB Have a good few months until Explorer!

Options for RCI's tagline: Have a Perfect Day at Coco Kay or Have a Perfect Wee at Coco Key?

I guess when you order and sign for the wine on your account with your 40% (or whatever the discount is) it is up to you what you do with the wine in relation to sharing it?! Hopefully won't have the wine-police on your back!

Hi @Biaggio Oasis is doing same itinerary 4 times back to back Jan 24. (When we booked it it was shown as 2 different itineraries but we are happy to do all of these twice!).

We were at Labadee last month and had pre-booked jet ski, zip wire and aqua park during Black Friday sales when there were around 50% reductions. When got to the kiosk for the aqua park for our time slot we changed our minds as it looked more 'kiddie' than we thought. We spoke to the guy in the kiosk and just said we won't do it and didn't expect anything back, was our loss of about $12 each I think. Without us asking, RC refunded the booking to our onboard account. Not sure if this is the norm but top marks to RC for that.

Hey @Midwest Cruiser Based on the dates I was on Grandeur and the way she was facing I am making the same assumption as you as it is listed as SST all 3 dates and she was in fact moored on the starboard side in Terminal G. Big thanks to @PPPJJ-GCVAB

thank you!

Drat!! Thanks for the reply.

Hi experts/locals Quick question - when going from Miami does Oasis always face forwards when parked up? I saw that she was last month when I had my first cruise from Miami, and only asking as I am on her for back to back cruises next January so hoping my balcony on port side is facing Star Island and not the containers/terminal! Thanks in advance.

Hi Jim Still no luck getting any kind of transfer to Bologna. As the booking is a 'group' booking RCI will not let me book a transfer with them. Unless a shore excursion gets added to take me to Bologna and not Venice I will need to book my own transfer! Boo!

Just had B2B on Grandeur after doing 14 days on her last year and she is lovely. Like the aunt who has aged very well and still has some glamour but creaks a bit! Can only compare to Ovation which was our first ever cruise and both have different pros and cons. The room was a little tired but was still comfortable and clean. Smaller gives access to ports the larger ones cannot get to (at least I am told that as Ovation could not get into Brisbane so had to use the container port!) and it is quite nice to walk from one end of the ship to the other without feeling like you should be changing time zones!! Staff equally as good on both from our limited experience. Explorer in September will give us an in-between experience I guess, and then Oasis next January should provide a clear picture whether size really matters!

Weirdly I was thinking exactly same when I did my first Miami cruise this month and saw so many ships - also happened to be in St Maarten when it was the busiest day ever so saw 5 ships as well as Grandeur that day! I really like the RCI ships that have the blue hull, and even more so when the large letters are printed. Back of Anthem looked gorgeous. I also liked the name on the side of the top deck on Freedom. I was looking at the other cruise lines too and thinking what I liked and didn't like in terms of livery/appearance etc. I think from the back MSC Seaside & Seascape looked lovely. Virgin Voyages livery and design looks really cool. Really do not like any of the Carnival ones I have seen to date! The brand new P&O Arvia looked good. Celebrity Edge did not 'float my boat' despite the external restaurant - I think maybe the dark blue is not as sexy as the RCI light blue?! NCL - just cannot bring myself to like the kindergarten wallpaper effects! Not seen any Princess to comment on but from photos they are 'ok'. Disney looks like Cunard with a ribbon and some ears! So subjective like most things!

Yes - Key West was rather pungent - I assume it is legal in Florida?? I feel for you but at least I did not imagine it! Enjoy the rest of the trip.

Strange thing is there were sniffer dogs when we were getting off but nothing when we got on - just usual cases taken from us and carry on put through the x-ray machines. Security were informed a few times so maybe people were 'caught'? It is not an easy smell to hide!!

Hi all. Just back after 2 great weeks on Grandeur of the Seas (5 day and 9 day B2B) pus a couple of days in Miami. First time cruised from there but coming back next year for 2 weeks on Oasis! We went on Lady G last year and knew what to expect and we were just as happy this time around. As usual most of the staff were excellent as well as the food and activities (if you wanted them). We really enjoyed Key West, St Thomas & Labadee (twice), but unfortunately St Croix was a very rainy day so not much fun. Excuse to go back I guess?! St Maarten was nice BUT with 6 ships (including Anthem & Symphony) docked there were over 30,000 people 'visiting' - apparently was a record high so the beach got rather chaotic! Dom Rep we only got off to go to a pharmacy but must say I was impressed with Taino Bay. It was the first time we have not had a balcony (ocean view on deck 2) and we were very happy with the room considering the difference in cost - and our steward (Wayan if that is spelt correctly) was fantastic. For some reason the Royal Up option didn't work for me as it did not recognise either booking number in the month or so leading up and had no joy getting a reason why. But at the end of the day the room was more than acceptable. Must say I was surprised with the number of children on board considering schools were back - I was expecting (hoping!) for not many but I guess people are taking kids out of school for either lower rates and/or because covid saw many previous bookings moved/changed/cancelled? One passenger said there is also 'home-schooling' which could be another reason? Whilst speaking to people from Symphony they said there were 'hundreds' on theirs and I guess much more to do with kids on there than Grandeur?! My only 'complaint/moan' was the amount of weed that seemed to be smoked on the 5 day cruise! I understand it is legal in some states, but I would have thought it was not really acceptable on a cruise ship?! There were a number of occasions where you could smell it, usually coming from the raised seating/sunbathing area on the front of the ship above Windjammer, and also appeared to be coming up from balconies below. Is this 'normal' on short trips out of Miami - or was it just bad luck to be in the wrong place at the wrong time more than once?! Overall a great trip made all the better (and easier) with the tips/advice/reviews etc from people on here. Explorer in September will take us to Diamond so looking forward to next January and the 'free' drinks! Happy cruising in 2023 all.

Hi @Jim S Just back from 2 weeks on Grandeur but no luck when asking guest services & Next Cruise about Bologna, so based on your comment above hopefully there will be an option for me to book and RCI transfer as you mention. Until then have a great 2023, safe travels and will listen out for you on board!

No place like home!! Just had same thing confirmed so now on the later flight too. Looks like a day of sightseeing in Bologna - I best do some research!! I will listen out for the Scottish twang! See you in September hopefully!

Arghhhhhhhhhh!! I only just had my flights booked so guess I will get same move!! Still better than Venice into Gatwick later that day. Thanks for heads up.

Hey Jim Thanks - hope you had a good one - guessing another bank holiday today for you?! My agent hasn't got anywhere with RCI yet but I am on Grandeur this Sunday for 2 weeks so will chat to the staff and see if they can find anything out for me and will let you know. Regards

Hey @Jim S . I am on the same cruise and just sorting my flights with cruise.co.uk as the package we have is 2 nights in Venice prior to the cruise with transfers to and from Venice airport. I have said I want to fly into Venice but out of Bologna (Heathrow with BA for both instead of Gatwick with Easyjet) and hopefully today will be booking the 2pm return flight - are you on that one? I am waiting for the TA to find out if RCI have any transfers to Bologna that morning - but wondered what you were doing on 1st October to get back to Bologna? Happy Hogmany!

Exactly what @Mike.ssays - done it for everything from drinks to dining to excursions and internet. Just be aware that sometimes the refunds can take a while to appear on the card and usually is shown as 2 transactions e.g. a 3 night dining package may have cost a total of £220 when you first booked it for two people then cancelled and rebooked for say £198, but refund will actually show as 2 x £110. First time I did it I didn't realise and kept looking for an amount that was not there! Always check when offers on as you can save considerable money at times.

Assume you can take some on at boarding as with canned sodas/wine etc?

Hey @PurdueFlyer - still no change to the 5 day one from 8th Jan too (yet!) so fingers crossed we both get those as per the original bookings! Enjoy.

Hi all Had an email from RCI yesterday to advise that the itinerary for my 9 day cruise from Miami on Friday 13th January (always destined for something I guess!) has changed due to an engine issue causing speed limitations. My 5 day on her from 8th Jan is not impacted but I am sure other dates between now and then will be. Will no longer be going to Puerto Rico, which is a pity as never been before, but I am guessing may be a bigger problem for people arriving into Miami same day of departure as it has been bumped from 5pm to 3.30pm so 90 mins less time to get to her. Email below relates to this - hope others are not having to quickly rearrange their plans. Merry Christmas from -3 degrees Wales, UK!