bobroo

You know you are addicted to cruising when you stand back and look at how complex you've made your life onshore by obsessively charging everything to a certain credit card in order to accrue airline miles so that you can fly to your next cruise for free.

 

And, further complicate your life because that credit card offers more than average miles at certain restaurants or certain online retailers or certain gas stations--which you will gladly go way out of your way for--just to attain a few more miles.

I like to think European cruises are where you take your training from going on Caribbean cruises and put it to good use.

 

All your European cruising questions are welcome here. It would not be unusual to have many of them.

Wow just saw this......Thanks for the info. very interesting. and definitely looking forward to seeing it now. I very much doubt I will be in the group that leaves at intermission.....thanks. Bob

 

That's why royalcaribbeanblog is a great website. Ask a responsible question and there will be someone who has an experienced and solid answer.

 

There are a lot of reasonable Royal Caribben questions.

Sorry to say but the Concierge Lounge on Adventure is ummm..... Real, real low on the list of RCL spectacular spaces. I think it was formerly a library. So there are no windows and no sense it is a unique place. Some other ships have some really outstanding Oh Wow! spaces.

 

Now for the good news. Our cruise in a GS on Adventure last March had a really outstanding concierge, Ryno. You will be getting an introductory email from whomever the concierge is about a week before you sail. You will also receive in the mail from RCL a quite nice package of pre cruise documents with luggage tags etc.

 

If you would like to go on any of the tours (the Bridge Tour, Entertaimment Tour, Behind The Scenes Tour, or GalleyTour) you can go for no charge; but, you will need to ask concierge to attend. Ask and you can magically receive Group 1 disembarkation luggage tags, even if you don't require them.

 

Keep in mind the concierge carries a lot of weight on board. And it's his or her job to take care any difficulties. So, for suite guests there are no sold out excursions, specialty dining is never fully booked, and it's amazing how fast an extra pillow or hangers will brought to your cabin.

 

Enjoy your doorbell room, they are quite a treat.

Because this is a UK site are we sure these prices are in US dollars?

 

I know that RCL official currency is the US dollar but since the UK decided they don't want to be part of the Euro; is there at least an outside chance that these are being quoted in pounds of sterling, farthings, sixpence, or quid? 

BRAVO!

 

Thanks for sharing!

A couple important notes about the Oasis production of Cats:

 

Cats productions are personally authorized/scrutanized by Andrew Lloyd Webber. This is taken quite seriously, you will never see Cats at a community theater or at your local high school. Mr Weber retains the right to fire any Cats cast member at any time. There is something like 12 or 15 Cats sets, meaning there can only be a maximum of 12 or 15 (or whatever the number is ) productions going on in the wold at any one time. One of which is in long term residence on Oasis. 

 

Mr Webber mandates Cats to be preformed with a live orchestra. In contract negotiations with RCL, the orchestra requirement was bypassed. Instead the music is recorded and on a click track. However, Mr Webber requires a conductor (Mr. Webber's personal choice) to be on board and in charge of the click track during performances (a full scale theater production at sea can have unexpected surprises--see below)

 

In other words, the Oasis production is the identical full scale, authentic show that you would see on New York's Broadway or London's West End. No scenes are cut, it is full cast, and of course there are the costumes... And the tradition continues that the audience is invited to take pictures with the cast members in character after the performance.

 

Here is what happens during Cats. The first act introduces you to the cast. The flamboyant costumes are awesome! You here the familiar songs from the production. Cats is in British English, and there are words and phrases that unfamiliar to a lot of people. And, at the end of the first act, "Memory" is sung. For many, many people the show is over; so they bail. They've seen the costumes and heard "Memory". Add-in a little difficulty in completely understanding what is being said--many people don't have the patience for Act II.

 

Where to sit? I don't think it really matters that much to be honest. I promise you'll be able to upgrade to just about anywhere for Act II, perhaps front row.

 

Cats is free and a part of your cruise fare. Also free and a part of your cruise fare is Meet The Cast (find the day and time in the Cruise Compass). It will be held in the little Comedy Club (I forget what the name of the club is). Here's what happens at Meet The Cast: It only happens once a week for about an hour or a little better. There will be 5 or 6 cast members there (I guarantee at least one or more from Cats, I also bet heavily on divers from the aqua show being there) and there is open question and answer for everyone who attends. You get to ask about how long it takes to get into costumes, the actors previous theater experience (you will be pleasantly surprised at just how good these actors are), what happens during rough seas, and finally what happens if there is an Alpha, Alpha, Alpha call during a Cats production. Alpha (and some similar calls) are required by maritime law to interrupt everything onboard a ship....everything. So, the music stops during a performance, does the click track stop too? or, does it continue silently in the background? and, what happens if you are in a choreographed dance while this happens? An Alpha call will probably last 15 seconds or more and can be an eternity if you are onstage and not sure what to do. Hmm...good question!

 

Also for free (for certain levels of Crown and Anchor) is Behind the Scenes. Again look for it in your Cruise Compass. Behind the Scenes (much like Meet The Cast) happens in the theater. You get to go onstage, behind the stage, touch the sets of Come Fly With Me and Cats, meet the sound and lighting guys, and really see how big and well equipped the theater is. It's really a multi million dollar facility. Also you see where they cut the budget when they made Oasis and a dressing room backstage is nonexistent. Hmm...more good questions.

 

I suggest you get a video of Cats and review it before you sail. Certainly go to a production. Go to Meet The Cast. Armed with some interest and some background, you'll really, really enjoy Cats and have some appreciation for what is really going on...unlike those who bailed after Act I.

We have been Diamond members on two cruises now both on Voyager class ships.  On these ships you needed to be in the Diamond lounge much earlier than 5pm(happy hour?)to get a seat.   Not sure how much bigger the Diamond Lounge is on the Oasis class ships but I would think you need to get there early also.  We are going on the Oasis in June so I will find out for myself but let us know how it goes  Thanks ...Mike

Not all DLs are created equal! I've found they can vary greatly as to how "nice" they are.

 

Sorry to report but you are going to find the DL on Oasis is surprisingly quite small. The view (which is full windows, two story, dead-on view of Coney Island and the Aqua Theater) is fantastic! The upstairs (there are two levels) is very undesirable, and not many are willing to walk the narrow stairs to get there; even with a full house down stairs.

 

By comparison, the Voyager class DLs with the outside deck areas that overlook the basketball/volleyball court, that's some good liv'n right there! They should all be like that.

 

All the DLs I have seen have the same amenities, the same appetizers, the same two computers, the same coffee/cappuccino/expresso machine, the same concierge, and different but similar furniture. Where they are located on the ship, their size, whether they have exterior windows varies. They can be a glorified cubicle or they can have a stunning view being a part of the Viking Crown lounge.

I am a roulette player.

My last 4 cruises have been comped

in a balcony room.

My rebates have averaged $2500  to $5000

 

Average bet per spin is $150.00

Is this picture real????

 

If so, I have a few serious questions: How long did it take to cash everyone out? What was the expression of the dealer/croupier/roulette marble person when it landed on "0"? A calculator was used for the green chips? Did the green chip holder tip? Finally, kind of like witnessing a 300 game in bowling; the entire casino stopped didn't it? 

 

I'll hold back my tax questions for later...

Just a view from a guy who has been there: Don't let recent political events, actions by terrorists, or an unfamiliar culture influence your opinion of something you have never seen for yourself before. Turkey is an absolute gorgeous and wonderful country. It deserves none of the bad press it has received.

 

The port you are sailing to, Kudasi, is picturesque and drop-dead gorgeous. The view from the ship is really something (and only to be outdone by your stop in Malta).

 

The ancient town of Ephesus is a long way from the streets of Istanbul and I would give a second thought to visiting it. Whether you go for religious reasons to walk in the steps of John and Paul or to see Marys house or you are a lover of architecture; a day spent in Ephesus is well worth it! You will have spent too much money and traveled too far not to take the few extra steps to see it. Do yourself a favor...

 

I wouldn't single out Turkey because it is a Muslim country. There are other stops on your cruise that have seen similiar recent events, the same as what you have read about in Istanbul. Don't let the separatist movement in Barcelona stop you from visiting Sagrada Familia, the public demonstrations decrying the bankrupt country of Greece keep you away from seeing the Acropolis in Athens, the homeless Syrian refugees from exploring Santorini, or as you will find at any of your stops in Italy; that Italy is open like a 7-11 and has very little in terms of security, policing, or who comes and goes.

 

I'm not sure if you have a direct flight in/out of Barcelona (a port which is also open like a 7-11 BTW) but if you layover at the Frankfurt airport, take a train in London, or walk down a street in Paris (all popular stop overs for US flights)--those have also been terrorist bombed too.

 

After your trip is over, perhaps on that long flight home; I'd like to hear about your trip! Warts and all. Would you mind getting back to us with a report?

A strip of bells (Christmas) attached to the doorknob out to do the trick. Low cost, easy to pack, and gets the job done.

Some helpful advice about the "mini fridges".

 

Cold is not a tempreture they are capable attaining, they are not designed to. There is no tempreture control; they are factory set to "can of pop left out on the counter for an hour cool." This is true for all classes of rooms.

 

RCL does not call them refrigerators but rather "chillers."

 

Where this becomes a real issue is those that put medicine (diabetics) into their room "chiller" and it spoils.

There are many different Mayan sites that are available as an excursion,

 

The ones located on Cozumel aren't nearly as impressive as the major sites you can take an excursion to (either Cozumel or Costa Maya).

 

My favs:

 

1. Chitzen Itza

2. Tolum

3. Coba

 

In anticipation, I recommend watching Breaking The Mayan Code on Netflix or there is an older episode on Nova with a similar title and the same story how anthropologists figured out the Mayan language and thusly a landslide of learning about a culture we knew very little about.

+1 for Park n' Cruise

 

We fly into Orlando and park our rental cars there and do 3 nighters.

1) Bluetooth Speaker for the balcony

 

2) Binoculars for the balcony

 

3) Magnetic Signs for our door that way I only have to remember what floor I live on. ( I can usually get the right floor consistently about Wednesday)

Selling off Legend of the Seas does NOT make a lot of sense to me.

 

Stand back and take a look at what has happened particularly over the past 6 months:

 

 

 

Empress is brought back, upgraded, and prepared for Cuba itineraries. This I understand and agree with the necessity.

 

Majesty (equal in size to Empress) is given a bunch of upgrades and continues to sail the "rocking chair" route of Miami to Nassau for a number of more years. I sort of understand this.

 

Harmony (Oasis III) joins the fleet. Okie Doke, I like bright and shiny new things.

 

Ovation is brought into the fleet. OK, more bright and shiny...

 

RCL has contracts to purchase another two Oasis class and another two Quantum class ships in there next couple years. I am not completely convinced this is the proper thing to do for a bunch of reasons I won't get into here; but let's note, there is going to be continual near term impact. 

 

 

So, in my thinking; taking a look at all of this; why is it important to sell Legend? Why get rid of that one? Why get rid of any of them? They've brought back and paid a lot of money to revitalize smaller ships. Is it's traditional routes going to be taken over by an Oasis or Quantum class ship? lf so, then whatever new ship sailing those routes will not have the spectacular numbers as might be reported. 

 

Is Legend in the worst shape? Did RCL will receive good money for it? These "could" be possible motives. But I assume the Legend of the Seas is paid for and sails at capacity every week.

 

Taken as a whole I don't understand Royal's game plan, their MO, or why the knee-jerk reactions to spend billions upon billions.

Worth noting: Puerto Rico is one hour ahead of Eastern Standard time.

The drug dealing reference and potentially purchasing something big dollar and then perhaps not declaring it to avoid taxes; the circumstances are very similar and the reason I've told the drug dealing story.

 

Let me tell another quick one involving buying a Rolex:

 

A few years ago while in port in Cozumel my wife and I wondered into the official Rolex dealer there. The name escapes me but they are also the Cartier dealer and it's on the way to La Choza (a fantastic restaurant in town).  I was told there was a "promotion by the country of Mexico that for large purchases over a certain dollar amount (and may have been jewelry specific IDK) that the the country of Mexico would send a rebate check of some 8% of the purchase amount once you got home." The sales person said it takes a couple weeks but the check would indeed arrive.

 

Guess you'd better declare your purchase when you buy under this circumstance, huh?

 

 

So yeah, even though you may shop at a well known, authorized retailer in a third world country that does not have the appearance to care; I don't think you become immune from paying taxes.

 

In full disclosure I have looked and looked at Rolex and Panarai watches when we travel but I have never pulled the trigger.....yet.

I have wanted to post this story for a long time to all the RCBlog readers here; mainly as an FYI. Perhaps this might apply to a large $ jewelry purchase???

 

 

Here's How A Drug Deal Can Go For Visitors Of St. Lucia

 

 

Let's say a person gets off the ship in good ol' Castries. And let's say they bump into a drug dealer and buy some weed. This person likes the sample of what he has bought, exchanges some pleasantries with the dealer including "my name is John and I'm on the Jewel of the Seas, I have to be back on board at 5 pm." The drug dealer replies "OK Mon', we have the best weed here in St Lucia I can sell you some more to take home if you like. Like buying Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee, John buys a pound or two to bring back home; his only concern being how to get it past the Royal Caribbean security. Doing that, particularly in the chaos of an hour before the ship leaves port; has got to be quite easy.

 

A successful hook up? Not so fast.....

 

The drug dealer; after taking John's cash and making a profit; talks to the local police. Perhaps in exchange immunity or perhaps for $, he squeals that he sold John on the Jewel of the Seas a couple pounds of weed a short while ago.

 

The country of St Lucia has no resources and no desire to capture/ prosecute a drug using tourist. If they did there would be no room in there jails for the natives. So what do they do?

 

The St Lucia police make a phone call to US or British customs. (Really, it's a phone call). It is not inconceivable that there might be some money for information exchanged at some point, but I am not sure of that. But if I were a betting man....

 

So.....US customs is waiting for "John and a couple pounds of weed" upon disembarkation when he arrives in San Juan. Now, they have no idea what John looks like. But that's where the dogs enter the story....

 

While we are all waiting in line to get through customs so we can catch those flights at the airport; the beagles are working and looking for "John with two pounds of weed." The Customs officials seem to be taking their time.

 

The beagles and their keen noses are trained to sit when they smell dope. They don't go ape shit crazy. There's no barking. Just a calm "sit". They are sure to get a confirmation from a couple different animals. Certainly that area is under video surveillance and really being observed by more Customs people behind the curtains than you think are really there.

 

So if you are going through Customs and you see the dogs working, it is very possible that they are looking for a guy named John who was really set-up and game over long before he ever realized it. John, his wife, and all their luggage are politely asked to step into the office when they reach the customs desk. Then that process through customs for the rest of us goes lickedy split.....

 

 

 

My wife and I have seen this happen couple times in our cruising history. 

Just a general cruise related TSA FYI:

 

 

What I have found 100% red flags my carry-on backpack is the cardboard tube with the two rolled up magnetic signs for our cabin door.

 

TSA has never disclosed what they are looking for, but I have figured it out after a few times of getting my hands swabbed, an extra pat down, and a manual search of the backpack. I don't know if they don't like the magnets or the shape of them being rolled in a cylinder. But now I make sure to put the tube into a bin separately so they can quickly examine it and I can be on my way.

Here is my beef with TSA:

 

This intense flight security has now been going on for years. Yet the security checkpoint areas are still just roped off areas of former hallways. Scabbed in temporary fixes that have remained for years.

 

If this was so important it seems to me that special security areas would have been added to airports years ago. Security areas that are designed to efficiently process large volumes of people and their luggage. Taking pointers from your local amusement park, security areas that provide visual interest or important information while in line. Security areas that monitor passengers while they are in line. Security areas that are designed by queuing theory. When I go to McDonalds I know exactly where to go to order and receive my food with no signage or retractable safety belts what-so-ever. Why is TSA such a puzzle?

 

***And here are the two biggest pet peeves of all***

 

1) TSA wants me to take off my shoes, belt, and empty my pockets but makes little effort providing an area for me to put myself back together. And just not the  token spare benches or extra chairs, but an area for all the folks who go through security should be provided.

 

2) If bringing in coffee, water, hygiene items over 4 oz, or other liquids is so damn potentially dangerous; why are they just thrown into a garbage can??? WHY AREN"T THOSE OVERFLOWING GARBAGE CANS OF WATER BOTTLES, STARBUCK'S CUPS, AND MOUTHWASH TREATED LIKE THE LETHAL WEAPONS WE ARE TOLD THEY WERE??????

 

 

I want airline flight to be safe. I am willing to go through some discomfort and inconvenience for this. However, I truly feel TSA contributes to part of the problems and have not necessarily done their share to properly execute this important process.

We have just found this out ourselves about a week ago....there are hotels in Orlando near the airport that are offering the fly to MCO, we pick you up at the airport, stay overnight at our hotel, we will bus you to Port Canaveral in the morning, and finally pick you up at Port Canaveral and drop you off at MCO when your cruise is done.

 

There are defiantly Hilton hotels just outside of MCO doing this and I can only assume that the other large chain hotels are offering the similar service.

 

The Hampton Inn just outside MCO offers a program called "Park, Stay, and Go" for a fee that does just this. 

 

Again, I am sure there are other chains doing similar.

I am sorry, I have misspoke a little bit.

 

1) Yes, surprisingly there is no security, customs, or anything once you pick up your luggage at the port. Pick up your bags and walk out the door.

 

2) The travel time between the port and BCN is like 15-20 minutes by taxi.

 

3) ***The baggage check-in and security are on the first floor of BCN. The shopping area, the better restaurants, and the outdoor cafe are also on the first floor but you must go through security to get to these areas. The international gates are on the second floor. Once you take the escalator or lift to the second floor, THERE IS NO RETURNING TO THE FIRST FLOOR. Well, you can exit the airport and go through security again. So don't venture to your gate too early. There is a lounge on the second floor. I forget who's lounge it is but I do know as a United super flyer person I was not allowed in.***

You are over thinking it, just use a cab! The port and BCN are quite close to one another. There will be plenty of taxis available. 

 

There won't be any customs to clear after you collect your luggage in Barcelona; so that part goes really quick. Once you are at BCN, I have found the time it takes to check your luggage at the counter and then go through security  is "normal" say an hour to an hour and a half. Your results may vary.

 

BCN is a large, beautiful airport. It reminds me of Texas. A native Texan would feel right at home there. Anyway.... Once you go through security at BCN for international flights; you are sequestered to the second floor. The second floor doesn't permit access to the shopping mall or the really cool outdoor cafe. So if you arrive early check your bags and stroll around for a while. (The second floor does have a McDonalds, another fast food type restaurant I am unfamiliar with and finally an airport gift shop that offers booze, cigarettes, candy etc) 

 

My advice is to hold off going through security and enjoy a pretty cool, unique, and very modern airport.

I have a question, perhaps some here might have an answer.

 

The Cruise Critic article states 44 passengers departed the ship. We can assume they left because no accommodations were available for them or they simply chose to leave. Seems to me like fair compensation was being given by RCL. Some folks will be able to handle this disappointment better than others. I think a generous olive branch was extended. 

 

However (and here is my question), 45 passengers were relocated. Relocated where??? Meaning, there were about 20 cabins unoccupied? Well, that could be true but I am of the thought that nearly RCL sailing is at or above capacity; so about 20 idle rooms for this sailing seems unusually high. Did they bunk up with other passengers willing to take in a roomie? If so, were the unaffected passengers either 1) told they had to accept a relocated passenger by RCL or 2) the unaffected passengers compensated in one form or another? What happens in situations when passengers are required to be relocated???