Mike6453

4 hours ago, Gilley said:

Thanks.  I see Symphony and Odyssey there.  Got my fingers cross for Wonder maybe not this year but in the near future.  Gotta get to the Mason Jar.

wonder is doing short crusies in its next deployment.

Odyssey 10/27

On 9/28/2023 at 3:08 PM, JasonOasis said:

That is about $1,583 per person roundtrip or $791.50 each way.  I hate to say it but that isn't a bad price at all for Europe.  And of that $9,500 dollars or $1,583 dollars per person how much of it was taxes and fees?  Depending on the airport you are flying into in Europe the taxes and fees can vary widely in some cases adding more than $500 dollars to the price of your ticket.

For those Americans who have a European cruise booked for summer 2024 I would say you need to be flexible.  If your cruise is leaving on Sunday, instead of departing the US on Friday why not depart the US on Thursday or perhaps even Wednesday or Tuesday.  Those days are much cheaper to fly out of the US to Europe than leaving on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday or even a Monday. If flying out earlier isn't a choice look at other major airports around Europe.   Europe has a fantastic network of trains it may be cheaper to fly into a different international city and take a train to the cruise port.  Another thing to look at is your departure back to the US again leaving Europe on Saturday, Sunday even Monday is going to be expensive try leaving on a Tuesday or Wednesday.  You have to be flexible if your going to save some money.

Also another tool you can use to save money especially if you are not loyal to one particular airline is Google Flights.  For example on Google Flights is someone needs to fly Chicago ORD to Rome FCO in August 2024 if they were to leave ORD on a Wednesday their flight would only cost them $669 dollars roundtrip but that same flight leaving on Friday would cost them $1.185. 

for sure, we left the wednesday before the cruise. We also used google flights, atlhtough sometimes those added fees and taxes are not clearly shown and class of tickets can differ (like delta basic to delta main)

On 9/26/2023 at 7:28 AM, therealbigredrules said:

I'm seeing the cost of flights to Europe for the summer of 2024 more than double the cost we paid in the summer of 2022.  I have read it is the "revenge travel" impact from covid.  I thought much of that would have hit last summer.  Now, I would certainly expect some increase in cost over this time period, but more than double seems aggressive.  Anyone have some insight into if and or when they may be coming down and when the best time to book?

Much of what I read is demand related... so I get that... just looking for thoughts on if they might be coming down due to overpricing, /   have they overpriced and will they be coming down type information.......... I guess a guy can hope.

Cheers.

 

 

we just took odyssey for greek isles out of rome, we flew to rome from NY family of six (all economy) on delta came out to 9500. i was shocked when i booked, i even watched the prices for six months (the prices never dropped below 8500 and went as high as 15,000). were on the TA just my wife and I and this time decided to fly into Milan instead and will train to Civitavechia, its a bit of a train ride but well spend a few days in Milan, point is we got a much better deal into milan. it might be more affordable and a bonus stop to not fly to the city of the port and travel to port city on your own. 

52 minutes ago, TheMaxRebo said:

Saw the video @Matt put out and thought he made a good point - or at least a hopeful positive take - that maybe this will lessen the crowds in the Oasis pool which would be nice as that got pretty crowded and was jumping with party people a bit during our last cruise 

dont forget that there will now always be two ships with celebrit ships now joining the party

29 minutes ago, RoyalGreg said:

Just noticed that all of the cocktails are listed at $15 on the Anthem currently. I'm not onboard, but have a cruise scheduled in a few months. 

Can anyone confirm whether they're actually charging $15 now? Will these be included in the drink package? Will they charge the $1+tax overage?

It's clear that the drink package is intended to include all the standard cocktails, but this pricing seems to be above the limit.

I took a look at the pricing on the Odyssey (also quantum class, and also sailing in Europe), but all the cocktails are priced at the expected $14.

Here are screen shots from the app: Schooner bar, Pool bar, and Boleros.

if you have the deluxe drink package i would not worry about it. The only time i have paid above was for glasses of wine. Anthem is also homeporting in the UK which could have different rules. I do feel they raise per drink allowance recently as well.

1 hour ago, Va4fam said:

Agreed.   Part of the reason we were looking at the BOGO and Chops +1 is the price and lack of options.

i have five cruises booked of the four i can check (odyssey, wonder, liberty, anthem) only liberty showed chops +1 for $99, this is a five night cruise to bermuda out of cape liberty. 

to add, Anthem while a nice ship is not known for their specialty dinning options. if you are not going to go places more than once this may affect your decision in purchasing a package or just trying the D+ BOGO. The ship has Chops, wonderland, izumi and jamies italian.

4 hours ago, Mike.s said:

The rumour is we're getting Independence back again.

while they have not dropped crusies for fall 2025, Odyssey of the seas is replacing Anthem of the seas in 2024/2025 in NY which summers in the UK. Its been this way for quite some time. 

every time i cruise i pack less and less.....on our recent cruise as a family of 6 we took four bags that were 50lb each (had to fly).... (electornics were in a different bag lol)

8 hours ago, Ian T said:

 

My wife and I are looking forward to taking our first cruise as Diamond C&A members in January - a B2B on Symphony, Yay! - and have a few questions...

1. in Matt's article from Feb 10th he lists the following amongst the on board perks:

* 50% off coupon for any glass of wine, beer or soda (two coupons per sailing)

* 20% off any wine, beer or soda by the glass

Given that there is no mention of coupons for the 20% discount, does this apply throughout the sailing or is it a "one and done" deal?

2. Either way, do we need to ask for the discount to be applied or is this done automatically?

3. We will be sailing with other family members, 2 of whom are Gold and the other 2 are cruising newbies, and we all have a dining package. Can we go to the Diamond Concierge on Day 1 to organise our dining reservations rather than one of the venues?

4. If so, can we do so for all of us despite our other family members not being Diamond (our bookings are linked)?

Thanks in advance as always!

we did just discover on odyssey that you can use a drink voucher and automatically get 20% off bottles when combined with diamond benefits

same....a drink voucher and $4 gets a pitcher of beer which is 5 beers...

we live in NYC, we did the SB to vancouver last summer and got a pretty good deal flying Jet blue direct from vancuver. We stayed the weekend in vancouver after the cruise and took a red eye home sat night. i do recommend vancouver its a beautiful city. you can drive to seattle but depending on where you are going it may or may not be cheaper.

also just a recommendation, flying to anchorage is not cheap do not wait to book.

2 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

Well, there go the days of being the only ship at Coco Cay.

 

https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2023/08/15/celebrity-cruises-just-announced-more-caribbean-cruises-visit-private-island?fbclid=IwAR0lS1GsYe4tTkAO_uEe0P6epfAyeNcocgR2cChgaQXpAYEv0ZogTpjQB1I

ive been to coco cay a few times now, and every time ive been there, there have been two ships, typically ive been on anthem and usually freedom was there as well. granted not two oasis class ships  but still 7000-8000.

i dont have icon booked, but if i did why would i get off after having spent a small fortune for the on ship water park  to then go pay for another water park or pay for an adults only section...seems silly to me, but then again i didnt book icon....

6 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

I know there's more out there than this, but this is what we have on the most up to date list 

August 2023

3 - Sweety (Vision)

13 - Rackham (Allure)

20 - Waaaytooo (Mariner)

24 - Lovetocruise2002 (Liberty)

26 - Kimmy Anne (Mariner)

August 6th Odyssey 

9 hours ago, CravingaCruise said:

@Mike6453 - I saw you would be on Odyssey next and again in the near future. Are you going to be on the Vancouver to Hawaii cruise?

No, were on Greek isles out of Rome this Sunday and the the transatlantic back to ft Lauderdale in October.

6 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

That is the source of my main frustration as well.

You are so lucky your school board allows you to do that. We cannot take personal days that back into a holiday or summer vacation, even if it's just meetings all day.

This is how it is in Ontario, where we live. The school year always begins the day after Labour Day and runs until the end of June. 2 weeks off for Christmas/New Years, 1 week off in March, and then of course the shorter Thanksgiving, Easter breaks. Now you can see why we always cruise July/Aug/end of December/March lol

We are prepared to pack some layered outfits for this upcoming one.

But you know it's Liberty right? That's 9 nights of MDR and WJ. 

She is definitely awesome!

Yup! 5 Star and 2 genies only.

I was considering liberty for a five night time Bermuda....no royal suite class but not a bad ship...they do have savor and the usuals lol ...never understood why they don extend perks to the older ships....

2 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Yes lol, the freeloaders are going on the next one. We sail Odyssey about a month after you so blog away, I will definitely follow along.

The key to that photo is to be really miserable and grumpy

We’re actually headed your way

I would love that but Hubby never likes to sail the same ship so close together. I have to give him enough time between ships to forget it, then it’s like a brand new ship to him

Liberty…9 night Canada/NE…thinking about blogging it. It’s going to be a very busy port heavy sailing though…
 

I hear you loud and clear. Our girls are the same age…it’s not any better in Canada.

You know I did! Lol!

But I would never get so lucky to win twice in a row. I would be stunned. 
 

We didn’t even look. Please don’t hate me, but we are not into the whole duck hide and seek thing. 
 

Especially after @Matt’s latest blog post on prices staying high…yikes! 

The first is with the whole family, the second is for our anniversary. We were looking at odyssey or symphony ta back....wife liked the Odyssey itinerary better so.....

26 minutes ago, Sweety said:

Yes. My Bucket Year.

Wow I have three on the books and possibly a fourth still weigh that one.

1 minute ago, Sweety said:

Next year we have seven cruises. I can’t wait. From Freedom to Utopia.

Wow...all RC?

On 7/23/2023 at 4:15 PM, Lovetocruise2002 said:

I just took off the bedding a bit and can confirm that the master bedroom mattress is one whole piece. Cannot be split.

We have a cruise next week on odyssey and then transatlantic back we're excited for that too....it will be like seeing everyone you just met in the crew again two months later ....never had that before.

6 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Solarium 

Both Hubby and I agree that this is a huge improvement from the OA class ships before this one. It is air conditioned. The space also seems more vast and open. 
 

One nice thing they took from quantum class.... Can't wait we're booked for Feb on wonder.

8 hours ago, bobroo said:

Thanks

 

Direct from the Turkey e-Visa FAQ:

"According to the Law on Foreigners and International Protection which entered into force on 11th April 2014, those foreigners who arrive at sea ports and intend to visit the seaport city or nearby provinces for touristic purpose are exempt from visa provided that their stay does not exceed seventy two (72) hours. However, if you arrive in/depart from our country by air for your cruise tour, you must obtain a visa." 

So real visa question is, Are you flying into or out of Istanbul for your cruise?

BTW, It is the port of Kusadasi and city of Ephesus is nearby.  We were there in 2015 and I'll tell you, a popular question amongst cruisers is What is the most beautiful port you have been to? I've been to all the usual suspects and I gotta say that Kusadasi is right up there with the perennial favorites Venice and Valletta. It is a stunning port and the Turkish flag on the hillside really puts it over the top. I'm jealous!

were booked on odyssey for the 8/6 sailing out of rome. the ship stops in ephesus. In the cruise docs its says that Turkey requires an e-visa for US citizens but the wording is vague. Checking online The turkish website states that they dont require visas for those arriving on crusie ships who do not leave the port city (we were planning to get off the ship and go to a local beach close to the dock). There is also in the cruise docs written under additonal informatio...

"guest without this visa will be denied airline or ship boarding / entry into turkey. In transit cruise guests who are US or canadian do not reuqire a visa for turkey."

this seems completely confusing as to whether we need a visa or not as a family of six this adds to $300. im concerned calling RC would be a waste as its a very specific question.  as well im worried about being denied boarding in Rome if this needed.

does anyone have info or experience on this...

thanks

59 minutes ago, barjpoe said:

I think the place to make your lunch res. is at Chops.

You can actually make that reservation from anywhere that takes a specialty reservation. Generally there is always a crew member set up on embarkation in the promenade, just go up and make it. I agree it should be as soon as possible. While the club has the little bites, there is no other food on the island till 11. To do a quick breakfast and get off the ship is recommended if you want a pool bed. you shouldn't have an issue with a lounger unless you want first row. The beach club does sell out so lack of seats shouldn't be an issue. 

Have fun

2 hours ago, Lori Hawthorne said:

Did anyone figure out exactly what a sunset view  balcony is? Even RC couldn't answer this question and it's not listed as a category on their website. ... But I just got the exact same offer as the OP . Is this possibly the aft facing balconies? If so, id be interested, but if not, Im not. I'm already in a OV balcony on the side with the sunset heading north. Weird that they would have you bid on cabins that they can't explain!! 

In my experience it's an aft facing balcony...but this is not a guarantee as obviously it depends on the direction of the ship. For comparison purposes the sunset suites on icon of the seas are aft facing balconies. Long and short royal is up is raffle that no one understands if you would like to take a chance go-ahead assume your room will stick.