Tuggboat

1 minute ago, Ampurp85 said:

@Tuggboat you actually cannot buy now for all sailings. I have a sailing about 349 days out and nothing but Cococay passes are available. As I stated during a large sale like black Friday, all bookings could be open.

Sorry, I edited my post

Just keep checking cruise planner. As soon as it's available, I say grab it, and then just cancel and rebuy if you find a lower price afterwards! I bought mine on Black Friday for my July cruise.

On 1/28/2020 at 4:47 AM, SMOKEY0202 said:

when working with private tour companies just verify guarantee back to ship on time and read reviews online from other people who have used that particular company.  as far as Rome, it can be busy at some of the main attractions for one and second you must allow a good hour drive each way back and forth to the port.  if you go with ship excursion there is going to be probably a large number of people so you are going to be on a group agenda which to me isnt always the best if you want to spend more time doing something and go at your own pace.   just weigh all your options before you assume your only option is utilizing a ship excursion.  i have done many excursions thru tour operators in Europe ports that were much more quality, small groups and cheaper than a ship excursion and ending up being much more rewarding with so many memories.

Which tour operators did you use?

On 1/28/2020 at 10:32 AM, Mturk said:

In 2014 we used a private tour operator for each of these 3 stops and don't regret it one bit. In fact, i would highly recommend it! For the Rome segment, we were picked up somewhere between 7 and 8AM, don't remember exactly and we had a fun and very active day. We saw pretty much all of the main attractions in Rome, Pantheon, Coliseum, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain (which unfortunately was being renovated at the time) as well as a driving tour of the city. Our guide took us to a local restaurant that we had him recommend for lunch and we ended our day with a 2 hour tour of the Vatican which the tour company set us up with our own personal guide to show us around. We honestly think that these private tours really made that cruise a step above what it would have been had we done the ship's excursions.

And we made it back on time!

Which private tour operator did you use?

Just now, KenCP said:

@Tuggboat Can not see why you would not be ale too.  We have used our DBP for just drinks in other specialty restaurants.

thank you!

I'm on Allure in July, so I'm hoping things will be a better by then. I'm sure if Royal cancels on us, I would think we would get full refund. At this point, my only non-refundable purchases are my airline tickets. I'd suggest you check with your travel insurance. 

On 2/22/2020 at 9:22 AM, KenCP said:

@Clay Purvis

If you have the beverage package milk shakes are included as well.  The rules I believe differ on different classes how the food works.  On Quantum class ships you pay for each menu item, and on the other ships It is a flat fee for your food and you pay for your milkshakes if you do not have a beverage package.  Not sure which ship you are going to be on.

I have the beverage package on Allure. Can I get a milkshake to-go, or does this have to be a sit-down meal?

On 2/19/2020 at 3:44 AM, dAnleighw said:

Hi everyone,

I'll be boarding Vision of the Seas in August 2020 and one of the ports we stop at is La Spezia. I would like to visit Florence and wondered if anyone could recommend any private tour/excursion companies as I don't want to do do any of the ones that RC offer. I've seen one by Viator and wondered if anyone has ever booked an excursion through them?

Also any recommendations for what sights are a must see in Florence are welcome!

Thanks

I’ll be in La Spezia (Allure of the Seas) in July. I haven’t been on any tours yet, but I’ve booked a Florence & Pisa tour through Italytours.eu. Reviews look good, and they pick up at La Spezia. I can let you know how it goes.