berkeleykel

Today I just did Stay Awhile on the Rhapsody out of Venice and wanted to report back on the details, as it seems like this program is a bit different depending on local authorities and ship. 
By the second to last day of the cruise, we had to go to excursions desk and tell them the number of “checked” bags we planned to have and paid $6 for each of them. We were given Stay Awhile tags for each and told to place these outside our stateroom by 11 pm the evening before disembarkation. The fee is apparently charged by the port of Venice to store the luggage throughout the day in the terminal.
On disembarkation day, we had to check in with the temporary Stay Awhile desk (set up in conf room C right off the Centrum on deck 4) by 8:30 am. We could leave any carry on luggage that we didn’t want to cart around stored in the conference room for free until we were ready to depart the ship.
Per the requirement of Italian customs/immigration, the only times you could leave the ship were 1 or 3.  You had to choose this time in advance.  Then 15 mins prior to our chosen time we had to meet back at the conference room and everyone with that time departed the ship together (we were 3 mins late and were paged over the intercom, so be on time!).  Once off the ship we picked up our checked luggage which had been roped off in a separate area of the terminal.
We were able to combine Stay Awhile with a bus transfer to the airport organised by Royal Caribbean (guest services rep told me this was not possible but I knew he was wrong so concierge worked it out for us). We left in the 1 pm Stay Awhile group and booked a transfer that left the port at 1:30, so the timing worked out well. 
We were allowed to go to any public places on the ship.  There were no periods where we had to leave from/go to a specific place because of cleaning or anything. I’d estimate there were about 30 or so people doing Stay Awhile.
It was a little weird at first because the crew was busy cleaning and all of the food/drink venues were closed. No entertainment, live music, etc.  The crew were working flat out cleaning and prepping so didn’t have time for formalities.  However, this was short lived because by 10:30 am everyone had their game faces on again as new guests were boarding (fyi, the last call for guests from our sailing to depart came at 9:40 am, so there was only a very small turnaround time before new guests boarded).  I was one of the first guests at the poolside bar with a lovely Tequila Sunrise around 10:30.
We mainly stayed in the pool area, benefitting from an empty pool and first choice of sun loungers. We then grabbed a Windjammer buffet lunch before departing (including some of the “welcome aboard” cake which we felt a little guilty about).  The main pool and hot tubs were closed in the early morning but opened up between 9:30 and 10.  Never more than 5 people in the pool (including us) from then until we left for the Windjammer at noon.
We had had a port intensive itinerary with only one at sea day, so it was nice to be able to take advantage of some extra relaxation around the pool deck, which had been hard to squeeze in during the cruise itself. I think it was a good choice and would do it again.  It was also nice to bookend the cruise with lunches at Windjammer.  lt felt like we came full circle on the trip rather than being rushed off first thing in the morning.
 
 
 
 

Today I just did Stay Awhile on the Rhapsody out of Venice and wanted to report back on the details, as it seems like this program is a bit different depending on local authorities and ship. 
By the second to last day of the cruise, we had to go to excursions desk and tell them the number of “checked” bags we planned to have and paid $6 for each of them. We were given Stay Awhile tags for each and told to place these outside our stateroom by 11 pm the evening before disembarkation. The fee is apparently charged by the port of Venice to store the luggage throughout the day in the terminal.
On disembarkation day, we had to check in with the temporary Stay Awhile desk (set up in conf room C right off the Centrum on deck 4) by 8:30 am. We could leave any carry on luggage that we didn’t want to cart around stored in the conference room for free until we were ready to depart the ship.
Per the requirement of Italian customs/immigration, the only times you could leave the ship were 1 or 3.  You had to choose this time in advance.  Then 15 mins prior to our chosen time we had to meet back at the conference room and everyone with that time departed the ship together (we were 3 mins late and were paged over the intercom, so be on time!).  Once off the ship we picked up our checked luggage which had been roped off in a separate area of the terminal.
We were able to combine Stay Awhile with a bus transfer to the airport organised by Royal Caribbean (guest services rep told me this was not possible but I knew he was wrong so concierge worked it out for us). We left in the 1 pm Stay Awhile group and booked a transfer that left the port at 1:30, so the timing worked out well. 
We were allowed to go to any public places on the ship.  There were no periods where we had to leave from/go to a specific place because of cleaning or anything. I’d estimate there were about 30 or so people doing Stay Awhile.
It was a little weird at first because the crew was busy cleaning and all of the food/drink venues were closed. No entertainment, live music, etc.  The crew were working flat out cleaning and prepping so didn’t have time for formalities.  However, this was short lived because by 10:30 am everyone had their game faces on again as new guests were boarding (fyi, the last call for guests from our sailing to depart came at 9:40 am, so there was only a very small turnaround time before new guests boarded).  I was one of the first guests at the poolside bar with a lovely Tequila Sunrise around 10:30.
We mainly stayed in the pool area, benefitting from an empty pool and first choice of sun loungers. We then grabbed a Windjammer buffet lunch before departing (including some of the “welcome aboard” cake which we felt a little guilty about).  The main pool and hot tubs were closed in the early morning but opened up between 9:30 and 10.  Never more than 5 people in the pool (including us) from then until we left for the Windjammer at noon.
We had had a port intensive itinerary with only one at sea day, so it was nice to be able to take advantage of some extra relaxation around the pool deck, which had been hard to squeeze in during the cruise itself. I think it was a good choice and would do it again.  It was also nice to bookend the cruise with lunches at Windjammer.  lt felt like we came full circle on the trip rather than being rushed off first thing in the morning.
 
 
 
 

Today I just did Stay Awhile on the Rhapsody out of Venice and wanted to report back on the details, as it seems like this program is a bit different depending on local authorities and ship. 
By the second to last day of the cruise, we had to go to excursions desk and tell them the number of “checked” bags we planned to have and paid $6 for each of them. We were given Stay Awhile tags for each and told to place these outside our stateroom by 11 pm the evening before disembarkation. The fee is apparently charged by the port of Venice to store the luggage throughout the day in the terminal.
On disembarkation day, we had to check in with the temporary Stay Awhile desk (set up in conf room C right off the Centrum on deck 4) by 8:30 am. We could leave any carry on luggage that we didn’t want to cart around stored in the conference room for free until we were ready to depart the ship.
Per the requirement of Italian customs/immigration, the only times you could leave the ship were 1 or 3.  You had to choose this time in advance.  Then 15 mins prior to our chosen time we had to meet back at the conference room and everyone with that time departed the ship together (we were 3 mins late and were paged over the intercom, so be on time!).  Once off the ship we picked up our checked luggage which had been roped off in a separate area of the terminal.
We were able to combine Stay Awhile with a bus transfer to the airport organised by Royal Caribbean (guest services rep told me this was not possible but I knew he was wrong so concierge worked it out for us). We left in the 1 pm Stay Awhile group and booked a transfer that left the port at 1:30, so the timing worked out well. 
We were allowed to go to any public places on the ship.  There were no periods where we had to leave from/go to a specific place because of cleaning or anything. I’d estimate there were about 30 or so people doing Stay Awhile.
It was a little weird at first because the crew was busy cleaning and all of the food/drink venues were closed. No entertainment, live music, etc.  The crew were working flat out cleaning and prepping so didn’t have time for formalities.  However, this was short lived because by 10:30 am everyone had their game faces on again as new guests were boarding (fyi, the last call for guests from our sailing to depart came at 9:40 am, so there was only a very small turnaround time before new guests boarded).  I was one of the first guests at the poolside bar with a lovely Tequila Sunrise around 10:30.
We mainly stayed in the pool area, benefitting from an empty pool and first choice of sun loungers. We then grabbed a Windjammer buffet lunch before departing (including some of the “welcome aboard” cake which we felt a little guilty about).  The main pool and hot tubs were closed in the early morning but opened up between 9:30 and 10.  Never more than 5 people in the pool (including us) from then until we left for the Windjammer at noon.
We had had a port intensive itinerary with only one at sea day, so it was nice to be able to take advantage of some extra relaxation around the pool deck, which had been hard to squeeze in during the cruise itself. I think it was a good choice and would do it again.  It was also nice to bookend the cruise with lunches at Windjammer.  lt felt like we came full circle on the trip rather than being rushed off first thing in the morning.
 
 
 
 

Rude much

Rude much

Thanks, I didn't realize there was a specific suite-related penalty.  But I knew I was still very much undecided when booking so booked under a UK offer with only £75 deposit.

This is something I've been thinking a lot about as I'm trying to make a similar decision.  Actually have the same suite booked for one of the October Med sailings for Allure.  I've been debating switching to two connecting balconies because it would allow us to move the sailing to a warmer month (due to small party size we can't book the 2 bedroom grand suite in the prime months so am stuck with Oct for now).  One thing that I've been thinking about (to try to convince myself to give up the lovely suite) and you may want to consider is the fact that you could buy the Key and still get a lot of suite-like benefits.  However in your situation I'd take the 2 bedroom due to the separate living/dining space, better balcony space and ability to have room service dinners. Of course I have no actual experience except the fact that I've been googling this for two weeks straight!

Thanks, I didn't realize there was a specific suite-related penalty.  But I knew I was still very much undecided when booking so booked under a UK offer with only £75 deposit.

I take this a step further. I EAT with the kids at the Windjammer at 6pm then drop them off at AO at 7pm and then enjoy dinner in MDR at 8pm.

But the next sentences contradicts that.  Very unclear.  They need better lawyers.

Hi all!  I’m new to this board and wanted to introduce myself.  My husband and I are Americans living in London with a 3.5 year old.  We’ve been on a couple of Carnival cruises, mostly recent one was 4 years ago, so none since our son was born.  We have our first Royal Caribbean cruise coming up in September, 7 night Greek Isles from Venice on the Rhapsody. 
I've been lurking here for a few weeks and have searched past posts, but I haven't seen too much specific to cruising with toddlers/pre-schoolers, so that's what most of my questions relate to.
1.  Adventure Ocean -- I think you guys more than most would understand our complete joy and relief that in the last couple of weeks my son has finally turned a corner on potty training! Of course when I booked this cruise ages ago, I purposely chose a date after my son would have turned 3 so he could make full use of the pool and Adventure Ocean, naively thinking that he would of course be potty trained by 3.  But after wrecking our nerves and making us consider cancelling altogether, I think he will go into the cruise about as potty trained as you could hope for a 3 year old to be (poop smears notwithstanding)!  So, my question is...the past posts I’ve seen about 3 year olds in Adventure Ocean all indicated that people only left their kids for a limited time, checking in on them regularly and/or picking them up after 2/2.5 hours.  Our son does full days in nursery 3x a week, and he’s pretty sociable and adventurous, and loves to stay up late and party, so I think he’d be fine staying longer/later.  But I’m also worried he’ll be the only young’un left hanging past 10 pm and might get lonely/we might look like crazy parents.  Anyone here drop their 3 year old off at Adventure Ocean for longer periods?  How’d they do?
2.  Dinner --  I had intended to eat in the main dining room for most of our evening meals with My Time Dining.  Is this typical or do people with young kids often just go with Windjammer?  (I don't think we'd get much from the speciality dining so haven't planned for that).
3. Excursions with young kids --  We picked this itinerary for the ports and want to make the most out of them with excursions. I don't feel I get much out of just walking around ports aimlessly. Is it fairly common for young kids to join their families on excursions, or is that considered poor form?  We will try to keep him quiet/behaving, but with toddlers you just never know.
4. Excursions generally (finally not kid-specific!) -- there isn't a wealth of information and reviews out there about Royal Caribbean’s excursions on this itinerary (ports: Kotor, Corfu, Piraeus/Athens, Mykonos, Argostoli).  If you have done any of the official excursions at any of these ports I’d love your thoughts on dos and don'ts.
Thanks!

But the next sentences contradicts that.  Very unclear.  They need better lawyers.

Thanks, @Matt .  One of the first things I noticed about this board that I think is fairly unique is the fact that no new topics go unanswered.  You seem to make a real effort to help everyone.  Appreciate it. 

Thanks, @Matt .  One of the first things I noticed about this board that I think is fairly unique is the fact that no new topics go unanswered.  You seem to make a real effort to help everyone.  Appreciate it. 

Thanks, @Matt .  One of the first things I noticed about this board that I think is fairly unique is the fact that no new topics go unanswered.  You seem to make a real effort to help everyone.  Appreciate it. 

Thanks, @Matt .  One of the first things I noticed about this board that I think is fairly unique is the fact that no new topics go unanswered.  You seem to make a real effort to help everyone.  Appreciate it. 

I just booked the same itinerary for next year.  It's not showing up in my cruise planner right now, which I think is odd because for my upcoming Sept cruise on Rhapsody from Venice I'm pretty sure it has been listed in the cruise planner since the beginning of time. 

I just booked the same itinerary for next year.  It's not showing up in my cruise planner right now, which I think is odd because for my upcoming Sept cruise on Rhapsody from Venice I'm pretty sure it has been listed in the cruise planner since the beginning of time. 

My sailing on Rhapsody out of Venice next month has this option for $42 a person.  There's also something in the fine print about a charge of 5 euro per bag.
@ANGELA ROMAN , you didn't find it depressing to see all the happy newcomers on board who were just beginning their cruise while yours had already ended?  That's whatt I'm most concerned about.  On a port intensive itinerary some extra time to relax by the pool doesn't sound too bad, but I'm worried I'll just end up sad!

Ahh this has just made my day. I can drink my weight in Bellinis.