cruisellama

South Pacific starting in Australia and ending up in the US or Canada.

On 7/3/2022 at 11:01 AM, cruisellama said:

Anyone able to bring this cruise up on the APP yet?   It shows up but when selected I get the beloved, "Still working on fun"  banner.   Totally understandable - but it is only 196 days out and they're done working on the fun  for our Allure cruise which is 336 days out.   So I guess its easier to finish fun on the older ships.

Fixed - just had to reload the APP and Wonder was accessible - Doh!

Just another entertainment venue.

4 hours ago, KalmKruiser said:

We live in the Dallas area and are sailing out of Rome in September on a Wednesday and are flying out the Saturday night before as reference. There's always a cheap hotel or airbnb option somewhere nearby.

You can get direct flights from DFW to FCO.

Direct flights if possible.   Get there a day or two early.

Anyone able to bring this cruise up on the APP yet?   It shows up but when selected I get the beloved, "Still working on fun"  banner.   Totally understandable - but it is only 196 days out and they're done working on the fun  for our Allure cruise which is 336 days out.   So I guess its easier to finish fun on the older ships.

Cruise ship NORWEGIAN SUN hit iceberg, damaged, bound for repairs VIDEO | NORWEGIAN SUN - FleetMon Maritime News

Enough damage to force an early return.

17 hours ago, TXcruzer said:

In March we had 12 people test at my house in less than 30 minutes.

Christmas week certainly did not do you any favors.

It really is as easy as I make it sound.

We too had issues before our June Med cruise.  The NAVICA APP would not recognize our tests as valid and after calling customer service, directed to use the web site to run through test.   Took about an hour to get through 2 tests.  As we were testing from our hotel room internet, very concerned with drop-off before completing the test.   Still don't know why the tests would not show as valid with the APP.

On 6/15/2022 at 11:12 PM, Ferramc said:

Hi everyone,

 

I’ve been a die hard royal cruiser for over 28 years (only a diamond as there were some lean, limited travel years).  I just got a really good deal on a Celebrity Equinox cruise - retreat class, royal suite - that I jumped on for next May.    Life has presented some unique challenges the past few months and it was time to do something positive.   This cruise it will be just my husband and me - we’ll be celebrating 35 years! 
 

Has anyone sailed the Equinox since it was refurbished? I know this is a royal blog but would love to hear thoughts on sailing the equinox compared to the Oasis class ships   Thanks  

 

 

 

 

Equinox is much smaller than Oasis and does not have any toys.   Pools, hot tubs, bars & restaurants.   Smaller ship, better crew/passenger ratio, and I've experienced a better service and dining experience.   Celebrity and Royal are different in what they offer.  Royal is clearly more of a family with/ or without kids line - lots of ship activities (water slides, rock climbing ,  carousel , escape room,  rock climbing, ice skating, and far more eating/drinking options) whereas Celebrity is more focused on adult clientele - no toys.  Quieter, focused more on dining and entertainment.  Both have casinos.  Oasis class offer large theater productions and aqua theater, Celebrity - more modest entertaining offerings.

1 hour ago, barjpoe said:

It states that its Formal attire. I'll be on Jewel in July and need to save weight can my DH get by with a dress shirt or should he also wear at tie. Do not want to take the suit jacket.

 

Yes

Next one Apex on 19 Nov 22

When ever I pay off, I call RCL and ask for a 0 balance folio.  They've alway's been good about it.

Sailed them once, and it was enough (just like Carnival).  Remember the service was exceptionally bad.

Not sure it really mitigates anything, catches a few carriers. But most likely a lot more un-confirmed +s are getting on-board.   As we've moved on to living with this bug, might as well drop it.   A zero infection case strategy is impossible.

9 minutes ago, cruisellama said:

As of 2 weeks ago, I didn't.      Had about $200 OBC in my bank.  I went to the casino and asked to move money from my ship account casino account.  They gave me a ticket to play in the machines, which I promptly played a spin then cashed out at the window.   I didn't see any charge on my folio. Other than the amount I moved.

I just rechecked my final  folio, and did not find any service charge for adding $$ to casino account from ship account.

As of 2 weeks ago, I didn't.      Had about $200 OBC in my bank.  I went to the casino and asked to move money from my ship account casino account.  They gave me a ticket to play in the machines, which I promptly played a spin then cashed out at the window.   I didn't see any charge on my folio. Other than the amount I moved.

8 minutes ago, SpicyCherry said:

Thanks....I saw some of the menus in the App and some were, as you said, less attractive. I found the same situation, at times, in Coastal Kitchen aboard Symphony. I didn't think to order from the MDR menu but it was probably allowed there as well. Won't make that mistake again!!

 

You can do the same thing at CK

Onion rings!!

The service is definitely better as there's a better guest/crew ratio.    Regarding the food, there are good menu days and less attractive menu days.  If you're not satisfied with the menu on a particular day, you can order from one of the 4 MDRs also.  We've done that especially for appetizers.

Odyssey in Naples with us this morning 

Currently sailing on a 3 June Med itineraries.  1968 boarded,  ship has a 1% infection rate.  Service great.   Masks required in casino, theater and Celebrity  buses.   All our ports have been normal as protocols are dropped Italy, Greece, Croatia, Montenegro.  Hoping the dropping of US return testing is real as we fly home early next week.   No official word from airline or cruise line.

Great. Current in Italy and fly home next week.   Have not seen anything from my airline or any change to VeriFLY.  Doesn’t come into effect until 12:01 AM Sunday.  Have tests just in case.

It's just a crap shoot.    But, wouldn't let that get in the way of a good cruise, especially if you're getting the right price.  If there's an issue, the ship will steer away from the bad stuff.  And there could be itinerary changes.  You just don't know in the Caribbean, which is I favor Alaska, west coast or Med cruises during hurricane season.

Yes - innovative hull design - different angle on the bow .  Also the blue coating is more than just a paint - its has a special composition to resist barnacles and reduce drag.  All the ships will end up with that same coating as it reduces fuel consumption.