FionaMG

There's also Rimini, which used to be very busy with European charter flights back in the days of package holidays. I worked on that coast for a summer season and used to get the train from Ravenna to Rimini every week when it was accounts day. I'm sure it's all very different now and the airport appears to have only limited low-cost traffic, so also unlikely to be much use for most cruisers.

My pleasure. I'm delighted I was able to help.

Yup, I heard that too. Apparently Symphony's stacks fold.

Great start Jane. Sounds like it's going to be a wonderful trip!

Instant pinnacle

For Santorini, if you want to just do your own thing, you can. I visited there on Odyssey of the Seas last May and did an excursion which you can read about here: However, someone else on my sailing posted on my blog on another site, explaining their DIY day there. This is what they had to say: "Santorini...beautiful day...around 70, sunny with a cool breeze. * 7:15 am down to the No.1 tender. I heard 75 onboard...took about 10 minutes to reach the Old Port. * Took 8 minutes up the cable car to Fira. 6Euros/person one-way. You'll have to buy tickets again going down. * Option to walk up or ride the donkey (sorry, I didn't get the price for the donkey ride.) Walkers will go up approximately 500 big steps, winding up the hill and navigate around donkey dung. * We walked straight to the bus station. A leisurely10 minute walk; follow the yellow line on the sidewalk...or ask. * We took the 8:30 am bus to Oia (eeh-yah)...sight of the world famous and highly photographed "Blue Dones". 1.60Euros/person one-way. People huddled around waiting...then a very courteous gentleman started announcing "bus to Oia!"...a line formed and the bus soon arrived. Note: The man turned out to be the conductor. He firmly stopped those trying to cut the line. The bus was full with a few allowed to stand. The conductor collected the money and loudly announced each stop. (Best to have small bills or the exact change) * I believe there were 5 stops, but the bus driver only stopped twice...most of the passengers werr going to Oia. * Fira to Oia was less than 30 minutes...but the spectacular scenery along the way will want you wishing the ride was longer. * Oia...simply breathtaking. A short 5 minute walk will take you the Blue Domes...(yup, I took the time and kissed my beautiful wife.) * We shared that iconic spot with a few others...all of us mesmerized...then the crowds came. * We took the 10am bus (left at 10:15) back to Fira. This time the bus had plenty of seats...and no stops. Took only about 20 minutes to get back to Fira. * Walked around Fira and took in more wonderful views...be careful, lots of steps. Personally, the views were magnified and enhanced by the incredible aroma coming from all the restaurants. * Back down the cable car...on to the tender...and back on the Odyssey...1pm. What a beautiful day." Hope this helps.

Still waiting. Lots of posters on other boards also reporting the same. It was all a huge mess so I guess it's going to take longer to work through it all. Last time I cancelled cp items during a mess (spring 2020 just as covid was shutting everything down) it took 3 months and even then only after my TA intervened on my behalf.

It might be worthwhile enlisting the aid of a travel agent. Royal typically do not show all of their available inventory on their public website but TAs can often find rooms that are not showing up and so might be able to get a room for 4 that you can't see online.

I'm on the April one. To be honest, I wouldn't mind skipping Miami in exchange for extra time in PC as we're visiting the space centre. But assuming this is in response to that mess, there's no reason for them to change our itinerary.

Totally agree with @Pooch. A professional on land is someone you can build a working relationship going forward if necessary, which will be far more beneficial than working with someone you'll likely never see again after your cruise.

Looks like you're right about Allure. I found this report about Allure passing underneath a bridge in Denmark: http://edition.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/11/01/cruise.ship.bridge/index.html Guess that makes her a prime candidate to take over from Oasis.

Liberty is taking over from Adventure as the second ship out of NJ over the summer 2023 season (in addition to Oasis). Jewel will only be there for a short while doing fall foliage itineraries after returning from Europe. She is already slated to be in Europe again in summer 2024, so any sailings out of NJ would again be limited to late summer/early autumn.

If you use the app you can secure the boarding times you want without inputting any other information. Then you can do all the rest at leisure when you get home.

If I'm not mistaken that used to be Dazzles and was one of my favourite spots for some quiet time and people watching.

Don't count on them emailing you. I have never yet received a "check in is open" email. Keep checking on the app or the website to see if it's opened up. That way, you can get it done as early as possible and secure your preferred boarding time.

+1

The problem with the cruise planner sales is that stuff starts to sell out completely or go up in price after a certain number of places get sold. One of my excursions that was selling for $70.99 is now showing at $84 with no discount, and another that I got for $68 is now going for $99, also with no discount showing. I'm pretty pleased I was able to get them when I did.

Oh, wow! I had no idea! I booked this during the Labor Day sale for our cruise in April next year. I got the tickets precisely at the price you mention. With 2 seniors and one adult, we're still making that small saving on the gate price and to all intents and purposes that means the transport is free. Score! In the meantime I had not seen that price offered again until last Friday and they must have sold all of however many they were offering because it's back up to $84 now.

I can totally identify with this. Unfortunately, DH is the sort who needs to always have something to do, so the busier the better. Then, when he's worn himself out and falls asleep on a lounger, I can get my book out! Seriously, though, the thing that most bothers me on the big ships is having to book everything in advance. I prefer to be spontaneous.

In addition to the transfers with sightseeing + airport drop-off mentioned by @Carotthat, sometimes a straight transfer will be offered without sightseeing, but this would tend to be offered on board and you would see it in the daily compass rather than in the cruise planner before the cruise. You might be able to see them in some recent compasses posted here on the blog: https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/cruise-compass You don't need to look specifically for Liberty, as I don't think she's sailing or has recently sailed out of NJ. Look instead for Anthem, Oasis and Adventure, as those are the ones that have been or are sailing from that port recently/now. Even without the sightseeing component, they'll be quite pricey; Royal's transfers tend only to be cost effective if you're travelling solo. That said, if you're a nervous traveller who's uncomfortable with the idea of arranging your transport independently, the ease and convenience may be worth the extra cost to you.

I did this too, although by accident, and ended up getting a cheaper price than I was expecting! Score!

@Bruin Steve, if you're high enough up the C&A ladder, try calling their number instead. Quite a few people have been reporting elsewhere that the wait times are much shorter (10-15 minutes) and the reps have mostly been able to resolve the problems.

In a worst case scenario, if you can't get it sorted before you sail, you can go straight to guest services when you board and get them to cancel it for you. The cost will post as credit to your onboard account so you can recoup it that way.

It says something like "thanks for your order *name*". And I think it shows the order number too.

Yes, not showing the blue reserved on my Internet purchases but they're in my order history, got the emails and notification that they were charged to my card, so I'm not too concerned, since it's supplied by Royal. I might be a bit more worried if it were an excursion.