RoyalGreek

Thanks Rackham for posting that PDF!  
Kelly and Vanessa Travels

and

Ryan and Kayla 

are really good channels!

This small channel has some really good content on cruising and overall travels.  "Kelly and Vanessa Travels". 

Here is an affordable option that has really worked for us when cruising from Port Canaveral.

https://youtu.be/jLLGCmCzhUE?si=0CFLJ-DAb6UBYjn7

Susan is still on Adventure. We sailed with Susan this week. 

We were on Enchantment last week and at the Crown and Anchor reception the hotel director said the following:

The new Discovery Class will be a "white paper" design. Meaning that it will be a whole new design from the keel up. New technology will be incorporated in its design and systems.  The size will be in between the Radiance class and Voyage class ships.  The design will allow Royal to continue sailing from the ports with bridge clearance requirements.  

I would not be shocked if this class did not include Fuel Cell technology for propulsion and power. That would solve a lot of future port environment requirements.

Maybe I’ll see you on board. So you saying the day we arrive into Tokyo we clear customs? Not on the second day which is debark and embark day?  Do they do this on the ship or when you get off?

We are sailing on Anthem OTS in April 2025 from Singapore to Tokyo and doing the B2B from Tokyo to Seattle.  If anyone has done a B2B in Japan can you tell me how this is handled on board/Customs?  We have done several B2B in the US and Europe but never in Japan.  Trying to plan what to do on turn around day based on time needed to complete whatever the procedures are.  Thank you in advance for any input.

Congratulations!!  We ALWAYS use one of our BOGO's at Chops on boarding days when they open at noon.  It is never busy and it is a very peaceful place to be on boarding day.  We normally drag out our lunch until cabins are ready.  Much less stressful than the Windjammer on boarding day.

The easiest thing to do is to get an Uber or Lyft XL from the airport to your hotel in CCB. For the return use RCCL transfers. You can book it from the Royal App. It’s listed under the Orlando/Port Canaveral tab in excursions. 

Both Countries are pretty much the same:

Taxi Cabs: No (download the Bolt App) for use in areas in Greece and Italy.  UBER also works in some of the areas as well.

Private Drivers: Yes (tours or taxi tours)

Restaurants: Depends (high tourist areas most of the time yes) No tourist area that are "Mom and Pops" no.

TIPS:  If you have never traveled internationally make sure you have a Credit Card with no Foreign transaction fees.  Both countries use the EURO.  Only use Bank ATMs for cash withdraws.  When using ATM's  NEVER CHOOSE the "USD Conversion" option.  Only EURO (local) conversion.  The bank fees are extremely high if you have them convert to USD.

Both Countries are very safe and the people and food are incredible.

Tell us about your trip.

If you have been on this port stop, can you please inform me how the shuttles run to Saigon from the Port?

Do you have to by an excursion through royal or does the city run buses so you can visit on your own?

I know they can’t keep these forever, I just wish they would refresh them some and keep sailing them until a replacement ship is launched. Love that class of ship!!

You are better off in an AIR B&B in Ravanna. Here is one we stayed at for 2 nights with 4 adults. Great location and a really nice property. 

I have been their three times.  Explorer and Jewel.  If you arrive at 7:00 am then it will be about 7:30 when you can get off.  There are plenty of Taxi Tours in the port an they are fine.  If you just want to get a ride into Athens then you will have to walk to the port gate for a taxi  or you can call an Uber to pick you up in the port.  You can also do a Hop-On Bus tour as well that will take you from the port into the city and back.  NOTE: Traffic in Athens is terrible.  Plan on leave the city center a full 2 hours prior to all aboard time.

One thing I would love to see on a new replacement design would be a nod to the past by bring back a round Viking Crown Lounge up top. This would be a fitting tribute to Royals Past and would be awesome to have an updated space that gives you that same feel as those wonderful old ships. As a long time cruiser it’s my go to spot any time of the day or night. 
 

My wife and I are currently on Millennium and there is no wait staff at the bars to take orders at your seat. Also only one or two bartenders at the bars. This is our first Celebrity cruise. Is this the norm?  If so, not good at all. 

Yes, Royal does provide a shuttle for side to side from MIA to Fll cruise ports. My wife and I have done it twice. Once on board the first cruise check with the front desk to set up the transfer. You can also speck to the Loyalty Ambassador as well. 

You can have your state room attendant bring a fresh bucket of ice each day and store it in the fridge. It works really well. We do that each time. 

The best and easy way to get to Venice or Bologna after the cruise is by booking the Royal Caribbean shuttle. Departures from the ship begin around 8 am. Here is a tip. The only way you can book the shuttle is if you are flying out the same day. If you are planning on staying in Venice or Bologna a few days afterwards you MUST inform Royal you are flying out on the same day. The shuttle will take you to those airports. From there to can take a taxi to your hotel. To book just call Royal. Have a flight number for the same day ready to give them even though your flight is a few days later. 

Once again Royal Caribbean steps up to do the right thing with its various relief efforts.  As a "Loyal to Royal" Diamond Plus and Stock Holder cruiser, I am very proud of this company.  My wife and I were on Empress for the first relief sailing to the Bahamas following the hurricane there.  It was truly something to see how the crew and company stepped up to help in a time of need.

Has anyone tried to bring fresh cut flowers on board after a port visit. We are going on Explorer to Greece and thought it would be nice to have fresh flowers in the stateroom. 

The Trainline app is what we use in Europe. You can book your tickets directly from there. 
 

There is a train that leaves Ravenna at 10;45 and arrive at Termini at 2:43 pm. Only one change in Bologna. $42 pp or $68 pp for 1st class

Boarding Oasis for the first time on April 9.  Where do you like to have a relatively quite boarding day lunch other than the Foodjammer?

If you travel a lot!! The only service to have is T-Mobile Magenta Max Plan.  It give you unlimited WiFi, data and text coverage in 215 countries, plus WiFi on most airlines. About the same price as the other carriers.  I have used it in 49 counties and it has never failed me.

For a number of years prior to all of the renovations on  Coco Cay, my wife and I rented the basic cabanas, the only ones they had then, for $225.00 per day. Those same cabanas today rent for $1400.  WOW!