recogneyes

I think you will be happy if you plan to visit Paradise Beach. We've been twice and recommended to numerous friends who have all loved it. I would definitely book a daybed (we prefer the beach ones to the ones around the pool but both are great). The drinks are terrific, the food is as good or better as on the ship and the service is wonderful.

Our family can totally relate to your consideration of two flowriders. In a nutshell, my crew prefers that we sail on the Oasis class ships so that they have a dedicated stand up flowrider (except Wonder as only has one). We did just sail on a B2B on Explorer but it was a cruise of the Greek Isles so we were focussed on the itinerary more than the ship. The crew was outstanding and while the ship is older, we had no complaints in relation to how the ship looked and felt. In relation to flowrider, there were few dedicated stand up times in relation to boogie and mixed wave...most days dedicated stand up was at most 2 hours per day (and usually split between morning and afternoon). That was not ideal but we made the most of it. Of course, there's always the option to rent out the flowrider for a private hour of time to use how you like it but that does get costly. If itinerary is more important...perhaps you have more port than sea days.. and you don't feel that limited stand up times will dampen your vacation then you should go for it.

Your video has us even more excited to sail on her!!

I agree - after four Anthem sailings, Odyssey looks like a nicer ship overall. We are partial to Oasis class but looking forward to seeing you on Odyssey!!

Have you considered looking for group rates through a travel agency? I have found some much better pricing with Harr Travel and Vacations to go with their group rates. Service has been amazing and most times the rates are refundable and come with OBC. We have booked Oasis and Quantam class cruises and none are directly through Royal.

We've sailed on Anthem a few times in the past couple of years and required reservations for Spectra's Cabaret and We Will Rock You. However, when we sailed earlier this year no reservations for WWRY opened up before sailing. Once on board they advised that reservations were no longer required for this show. Just get there early and you will get seats. I believe they showed it twice in the evenings and once as a matinee. It's a fantastic show. Enjoy.

We sailed on Explorer out of Ravenna in August. I contact Royal's main number and they booked us on the airport shuttle for $45pp. We were at the airport for 1030 am and our bus left at 11. There were lots of buses there and I believe when we booked they said buses would be leaving from 11am-1pm. They did not ask for confirmation of airport arrival (we were already in Venice so took a water taxi to the airport the morning of the cruise). Enjoy your cruise!

Another option is to compare Royal's let them pick / guarantee cabin and that of a travel agency with a group rate. I've found much lower rates and amazing service with Harr Travel. Many times their group rates are much lower and also offer a refundable deposit.

My preference would be hibachi for two reasons - firstly, you can have chops on most of Royal's ships vs hibachi being only available on some. Secondly, you get the built in entertainment factor with hibachi assuming your chef puts on a good show (which has been our experience)

I'm so happy it all worked out. Have a wonderful vacation.

I just did a mock booking and there are still 4 JS's on deck 14 and 2 on dec 10 (they are category J4). One suggestion if for your BIL to contact Royal without any back story and just ask for his room to be switched to deck 14 - as of now the cabins available are 14236, 14248, 14626 and 14650. Alternatively, you could call and ask to be moved to deck 10 - either cabin 10230 or 10236. This works assuming that's the category of room you originally booked. Otherwise you would have to pay the fare difference which likely won't make it worthwhile. Good luck.

If you are staying in Venice, Royal also offers transportation from the city centre - or, you can head back to the airport the morning of the cruise and take the bus from there. That's what we did last month and it worked great.

I had no idea your family was on this sailing either. For sure we need to meet up for a drink - I will look forward to meeting you and @WannaCruise

We sailed on Explorer in August and found that booking transportation directly through Royal was the easiest Note that they only provide this on the day of the cruise. If you want to travel to Ravenna earlier the you will have to find your own way there. You phone the reservation line and they will add the $45 pp fee to your reservation. At the arrivals area, you will find reps with RCCL signs and they check your name and then you get in line to be walked out to where the buses are. It takes about 2-2.5 hours to get to the cruise port and they stop for a quick stretch and bathroom break after about 1.5 hours. I recommend putting your luggage tags on your suitcases before boarding the bus as your luggage is taken directly from the bus to the ship (you can do it when you exit the bus but much easier to do before). We did most of our tours through Royal and all were fine. In Athens we booked a half day tour through PK Travel Greece. It was fantastic so I would highly recommend looking at their website and considering booking through them. Have a great cruise.

We are looking forward to this sailing as well!!

We sailed on Explorer last month and booked Royal's shuttle from Marco Polo. Super easy to find - at the arrivals area you will see reps holding RCCL signs. Approach and give your name and you will be put in a line up and then walked to the buses. We were there for 11AM and boarded our bus shortly after. There were lots of buses so I imagine this goes on for a good hour. We stopped to stretch our legs and use the washroom if needed (bring euros to pay to use - less 1 euro). Then we carried on to Ravenna - your luggage is taken from the bus right to the ship so make sure you put your luggage tags on before boarding the bus. Enjoy your cruise!

We are doing a B2B on Explorer 6th and 13th

We are sailing from Ravenna earlier in August and were told that there would only be one shuttle from Marco Polo to Ravenna on the day of the cruise and that it would leave between 11:30am - 12:30pm ($45pp). The City Centre option was at 9 or 11am or 12:30pm ($58pp).

It is still a bit early so that letter could be coming - but assuming it's not it sounds like your only option would be to head back to the airport from the city centre to catch Royal's shuttle (unless you prefer to arrange your own transportation). We have the option of both but are choosing to go back to the airport vs taking shuttle from tronchetta area. I would suggest looking at Hyatt Centric Murano - they offer a water taxi from the airport to their property and then you can check in / or at least drop your luggage and take the water taxi into the heart of venice. The morning of your cruise you can take the water taxi back to the airport. I'm hoping things go smooth for us with this plan but we are looking forward to staying at this property and the reviews for location are really good.

Did you receive an email from Royal regarding transportation options? We received ours a few months before our upcoming cruise and in the email it specifically outlines the two options and to contact Royal if interested in booking either.

I can confirm this - we were given options for our August cruise both the day of the cruise: 1) from Marco Polo airport $45 pp or 2) from Venice city centre $58pp. I spoke with someone at the regular RCCL booking number and while they initially said transportation is only from the airport, when I pushed back they put me on hold and came and confirmed both options and we booked accordingly. Call back until you get someone who can give you correct information.

We booked the same for our August cruise and while we haven't received any vouchers yet we were told the airport shuttle would start to board between 1130 and 1230.

We've rented beach beds in different parts of the island. At Chill and Breezy Bay I would probably book a beach bed again. At South Beach I don't really feel the need. There are lots of chairs and the food, drinks and bathrooms are so close. There are umbrellas everywhere so no need to worry about shade. The beach beds certainly provide more comfort than the regular chairs but if you get off the ship first thing and take the tram to south beach you should have no trouble getting chairs in the first few rows along the water. We don't tend to move around once we have our spot but you certainly can do so and come back to your spot. Being that it's your first time to CocoCay a walk around the island is certainly worth doing. Enjoy!

Yes - I should have clarified it is a short walk from where the ferry docks in town. Getting dropped off in town as suggested by @FionaMG would be the best option

Holland House hotel is a great choice. When exiting from the ferry it is to the right and definitely less than a 10 minute walk. Beautiful covered patio facing the water. We were 8 of us there in April and everyone enjoyed their lunch.