Mycalpal

On 7/27/2023 at 10:41 PM, TessOR said:

I am still figuring out timelines.  We plan to do the Norway sailing that is 2 days after this one.  Would like to see a show in NY while we are traveling, but I have not decided whether to do it at the beginning of the vacation, or after we get back from Europe.  Any tips on things to do while we are in Southampton for a couple days?

 

Also spending two days in Southampton.  On Saturday planning a day trip to Oxford, if my friend is still in school there, or to London.  Even if it rains, could still see the British Museum, or possibly a matinee concert followed by a nice tea.  

On 4/5/2023 at 9:10 AM, Dave Reeseg said:

On this cruise too.  I had kind of sticker shock when researching return flight from Heathrow to Newark.  I guess we will have to extend our vacation and visit Ireland where the return flights are more reasonable.

I’m also on board for Anthem’s TA B2B (after two nights in Southampton) with Norway Fjords cruise B2B with a Princess cruise.  And yes, you can book a multi city trip with Air Lingus, Lon to Dub, Dub to Ewr or any of their US cities for a low price and see Ireland, too!  May do the same after seeing family and friends.  We will be in Norway for Constitution Day on May 17th, too.  Looks like fun!  

On 8/11/2023 at 2:47 PM, Jill said:

Just wondering if anyone has heard what ship will replace Anthem. I was really hoping for Odyssey but Independence is still showing on the port schedule. Waiting to book Fjords for 2025 before Norway implements their zero emissions (or whatever the policy is) in 2026. Guess I’ll just scope out  cabins for both ships and impatiently wait until they release dates in November. Sigh. 

Was booked on Anthem next month for her fall transatlantic.  Had to lift and shift off to a Nov cruise.  Was hoping for similar TA fall 2024.  Saw this summer she was not returning to NJ or Southampton after 2024 season.  I booked Anthem’s Spring 24 TA and Norway Fjords cruise.  Not waiting for 2025, and maybe Indy.  Emma cruises was on May 22 and Matt from RC Blog this past May and both liked it.  And we will be in Norway for Constitution Day on May 17th, looks like fun!  Got both cruises discounted from United, plus OBC and miles.  Can you perhaps book an Anthem Norway Fjords cruise in 2024?  Was thinking the 2025 departures may be even busier, pricier, as more people learn Fjords are closing.  Good Luck!  

2 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

DBP for my next cruise is down to a respectable $66

$66 is after buy one get one 50% off on one our our cruises, too.  For a seven day cruise, with gratuity, it’s $1090.32 which is more than we paid for the cruise!  Going to wait for the Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale.  May opt for the Refreshment package instead.  Have a great cruise!  

On 4/29/2022 at 9:58 AM, jaedam0820 said:

So I had no idea about the importance of making reservations at the MDR so the earliest I was able to book is 7pm for our dinners. Can we try to go at an earlier time before our reservation? What is the best time to go if it is possible? I have a 3yr old and we normally have our dinners at 5:30-6pm at home. Will there be a penalty if we go for an earlier dinner time and cancel our reservation?

My Time Dining currently doesn’t open before 6:45.  You can ask your Travel Agent or call Royal if you booked direct, to switch you to fixed dining, the 5:30 seating.  7pm is quite late for dinner with a 3 year old!  Have a great cruise!  

On 4/16/2022 at 7:50 AM, mk-ultra said:

On the road!

Flight out from SFO yesterday started out great.  Quick stop into the Centurion lounge for the mandatory, "I'm officially on vacation" bloody mary.

Wheels up on time just before 0900 and we had a really spectacular tail wind which shaved 40 minutes off of the trip.

Landed in Miami and that's where the fun began.  No gates available.  OK, that happens.  Continue reading book.  30 minutes... 1 hour... 90 minutes... 2 hours.  I think the flight crew was at least if not more miffed than the pax.  Door opened to applause at the 2:15 delay mark.

Miami airport was having some kind of meltdown.  People sleeping on the floors; lady with a kid said they'd been waiting almost 3 hours for their luggage to get to the carousel.  Anyway, our flight's luggage came out in about 45 minutes and the ~15 minute taxi ride to the hotel was uneventful.

The hotel is nice.  It's a little away from the "dynamic" Miami stuff but still in a good location with an estuary and decent view of a slice of Biscayne Bay.   AMEX FH&R scored again.  Went from a floor 16 "city view" to a floor 30 water view.  I'd take some room photos, but meh?  It's a hotel.  Nice big tub, which I will poor-man's Jacuzzi.  It's a bit windy for the pool on 16.   You can see the ships in port from the balcony. 

Plan for today is to just pedestriate myself around and check out the area.  1130 show time for Boaty McBoatface tomorrow.

 

Thanks for the post and helpful reminder that flying remains chaotic and you can be delayed just getting off the plane and waiting for bags!    

11 hours ago, BigMac3001 said:

This is why I decided not to go with a package. For my wife and I next week, it would cost us a grand. That's insane. 

Thank you.  It really is too much.  The Memorial Day sale deluxe drink price for my 7 night cruise on Radiance in Dec was $66. per person, today it is still $66.  With gratuity it comes to $1090.32 this is more than I paid for the cruise!  (Ocean View)  
 

Having said that I still prefer that Royal does not bundle drinks and charge higher fares that some of us could not afford.  Am happy with what is included and the options/sales to buy the Royal Refreshment and Soda packages as well.  I do wish Royal had one more package that included Beer and Wine for those of us who don’t drink liquor.  

On 12/1/2021 at 12:41 PM, Matt said:

No, Radiance Class. But Serenade is doing world cruise

Interesting, Matt just posted a great video on the value of the smaller Royal ships.  Could be with Royal adding the new World Cruise for Serenade they are actually having to play a shell game with their remaining smaller ships?  Enchantment is leaving Baltimore and it is being replaced by Vision.  Radiance is coming to New Orleans this fall, but when it leaves the cruises from New Orleans stop, at least for the rest of 2023.  Maybe they should have held on to Majesty a bit longer? Baltimore requires smaller ships.  Is that also true of New Orleans?

According to the Royal website, Vision of the Seas does not have any Coke Freestyle Machines.  Plan on getting the Royal Refreshment package and wanted to ask if I can still easily get a soda in the Windjammer at lunch or dinner?  How about the Park Cafe?  Have any of my fellow Diet Coke lovers cruised on Vision lately  Thank you!  

Question on 2023 sailings, can anyone help?  I was booked on Rhapsody for a Transatlantic, Miami to Rome stopping at Villefranche sur mer, May 2022 that cancelled.  I was able to transfer to Voyager in Sept for another Transatlantic.  Just wondering, is there any chance Royal may offer the same Transatlantic to Rome again in May 2023?

Royal’s Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale has been extended till the end of 12/1.  I got us the Royal Refreshment package for just $17. a day each and I was able to use my $100. onboard credit in my cruise planner which cut the cost even further.  I was going to buy my friend the Refreshment and just get myself the Soda package, only $6.49 a day, plus a couple Coffee Cards, but for only $50. more I can also have bottled sparking/still water, fresh squeezed OJ, and more than just two upscale coffee drinks a day on our 14 night cruise.  Just too good to pass up.  How were the prices for other cruises?  Did anyone get a better deal?