Mike.s

Taken from the Royal promise "All guests and crew will be required to wear a mask onboard. Specifically, guests should wear face masks in nearly all public settings regardless of physical distancing measures" So you need to wear them when on deck or round the pool, not sure I'm keen on that.

Looks like they'll be operating at 50% capacity, there is finally light at the end of the tunnel https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/23639-here-are-royal-caribbean-s-new-december-cruises.html

It's part of the cruise cost on the current MSC sailings, surely the cruise lines will look at it as a small price to pay if it restarts cruises, and we as the passengers will ultimately end up paying for it, it will just be hidden as part of out cruise fare.

We enjoyed sailing from Tampa on Rhapsody earlier this year, loved it, can't wait to get back on the smaller RC ships again soon

It's the way forward, test all the passengers before they board the ship, Costa are doing the same when they recommence sailing

Matt posted this a couple of days ago, last paragraph explains how to pre-pay. https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2020/08/22/should-you-prepay-gratuities-royal-caribbean-cruise

She's now moved on to Civitavecchia, not sure if she has passengers onboard, I assume she has as she's then heading to Naples. Not seen any feedback following last week's cruise, only what was shared during the cruise. Fingers crossed we only get positive stories.

Sadly we've not much else to do

Certainly if things go well in Europe it will help the Global restart, by the end of September/early October there should be 4 cruise lines sailing, TUI will have 3 ships, Costa are starting up sailing with Italian residents only, as mentioned AIDA are due in September and Marella (also confusingly owned by TUI) are looking at the beginning of October. I've seen no negative press from the first couple of TUI cruises, funny that, had there of been a problem the press would of been all over it

This link gives an overview of the cruise, the lady presenting it (in English) knows the guy featured in the video. Looks positive, perhaps finally progress in the right direction.

Just reading the T&Cs associated with the benefit, it says not available with travel agent rates, I assume you have to book direct with RC to get the benefit or am I missing something?

All depends on what you're looking for, Canary Islands, warm sunny, not too much to see/do (other than extinct volcanoes), Norway, stunning scenery, (think poor mans Alaska) not so warm. Both have a sea day (or 2) from Southampton before you get to the destination.

It was the same menu in each, just missed the big restaurant experience over 2 floors, nothing wrong with the food, just preferred having a single MDR, bit more sense of occasion

We didn't like the fact that the MDR is actually 4 smaller dining rooms, kind of spoiled the experience for us, other than that Anthem was fab, loved 270, really unique.

Aida looking to start sailing in August, short itineraries, half full ships but it's a start https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/23205-aida-to-offer-cruises-in-august-on-three-ships.html