FionaMG

The only time in recent history that I can remember was the Black Friday sale last year when lunches were marked down quite a bit. I don't think I've never seen individual dinners marked down, so I'm thrilled that it's happened when I have a cruise on Symphony coming up. This will be our first time trying Hooked and 150 CP.

Whatever it is, I'm pleased to be able to take advantage of what I know to be a real sale for once (since I check prices daily).

Oh, now that's interesting. I wasn't seeing that earlier on today when I made my bookings, it just said 20% off, but it does now say C&A member sale.

There are some good discounts for booking specific restaurants ahead of time. For my Symphony cruise in February I got hibachi lunch for $31.99pp, Hooked dinner for $43.99pp and 150 Central Park for $51.99pp. If I had wanted a third dinner, and depending on what restaurants I chose, I could conceivably have got them for only a few dollars more than the 3-night package but securing the times and days I wanted rather than having to wait to book onboard.

There are a few Europe cruises up on Royal's website for summer 2025. It looks like it's going to be same old, same old. These are the ones I'm seeing:

You may be able to book it on the app.

Exactly my strategy!

Excellent. I hadn't actually booked yet as I was hanging off in the hope of getting a good price during the BF sale but I snapped this one up as soon as I saw it! I couldn't figure out how to change the thread title but I did add both tags.

Oh, interesting. Both of my upcoming have Jamies so maybe that's why it only said Jamies on my Cruise Planner. Good to know it's available for Giovanni's as well. I'll see if I can change the title of the thread ot reflect that. I prefer the Giovanni's Table menu over both G's Kitchen and Jamies but definitely happy with the price.

Give it a shot. The worst they can do is say no... I actually prefer Giovanni's to Jamies.

For World Pasta Day, in case anyone's interested. I got boarding day lunch at $15.99pp.

I would love to get one of those and I agree 100% that it means you must cruise more.

Years ago, travelling to the US as Europeans, we had to surrender our passports when we checked in for our Royal Caribbean cruise. They were returned to us by immigration officers who came on board a few days later in St. Thomas. All non-Americans (I guess Canadians were maybe exempt) had to present themselves to the officers in the MDR to collect their passports before being allowed to disembark.

It will be interesting to see what she has to say after she finally gets home. @Ampurp85 I have been following your trials and tribulations all this time and I have to jump in now and say what others have been saying all along: You are amazing. I don't how you managed. I have been my family's unofficial TA in the past but never for such a complicated group as yours. I would have been a total wreck by the end of the first day. I hope you're able to get some well deserved rest and relaxation in the next few days and that you'll be able to tell them all firmly to take a running jump next time they ask you to be their group TA!

She did say there was a massive group of 900 on board all wearing matching t-shirts, but it sounds like she was running around like the proverbial scalded cat trying to keep her own group in line so she could totally be forgiven if she did miss it.

My pleasure. Delighted to have been of assistance.

I wonder if it is or if the opposite is true. I expect the bean counters have their eye on this. It would be interesting to see some numbers. I'm sure thay have them but do they share them with anyone? Shareholders I suppose would potentially need to be informed.

I have no idea about the plans for Ovation but when I was on Anthem back in April and asked about upcoming itineraries at Captain's Corner, he said that Anthem would be relocating from Europe to Singapore at the end of the European season 2024 (those repos are already on sale), doing some cruises from Singapore (I'm fairly sure those are already on sale too but can't double check as the system is down for maintenance) and dry-docking. From there she is supposed to go to Australia and Alaska but I don't know what the schedules will be for those itineraries. I'm not sure how they would fit in (m)any Australia sailings between Singapore and Alaska in the March/April 2025 time frame but, following the summer 2025 Alaska season, relocation to Australia would seem very possible.

Woohoo! So pleased to hear this. Wishing you the smoothest of sailings from now on!

Keeping everything crossed for you.

Oh wow, what a mess! I'm not sure whether I should be commiserating with you for having your travel plans upended or congratulating you for getting to see a tiny bit of Lisbon after all.

You can book it at Next Cruise. Just ask them for an open booking. It's the same reduced deposit and then you can convert it to the specific sailing of your choice once they're released. If you've booked your current cruise with a travel agent, the open booking will be assigned to them, so you just have to get in touch with them to let them know what sailing to convert it to. If you booked direct with Royal then you just have to call them when you've picked your specific sailing. And you'll still get your OBC as long as you pick your sailing within 60 days of booking.

There are a few Alaska sailings online now for summer 2025. Although it's a bit early, this must be a test load ahead of the scheduled release at the end of the month. These are the ones I'm seeing at the moment.

I'm not surprised the flight was rough. We have a huge storm front here right now. A ship (can't remember which one) that was supposed to be calling at Lisbon yesterday had to cancel the port call. I'm like your wife and would have been terrified too. It's a shame you didn't make it into the city but hopefully you will have another chance in the future. Safe onward travels. I hope the seas will be smooth for you.

@teddy I'm so sorry to see the weather is being so horrible for your layover. I can't remember if I already mentioned it but if you want something indoors to do I suggest you check out the Oceanarium: https://www.oceanario.pt/en