J_Keeble

its swings and roundabouts for different people. its a shame I wont get to visit Bahrain but 2 days in Abu Dhabi sounds good to me

BREAKING NEWS ABOUT YOUR UPCOMING TRAVELS Dear Guest, Before you get ready to join us onboard the Jewel of the Seas, we have an important itinerary change to share with you for our upcoming March 2nd sailing. Last week, there was news of conflict in the Persian Gulf. Since then, we’ve been closely monitoring the area along with our Global Security and Intelligence Team. While it’s safe to visit the Arabian Gulf, out of an abundance of caution, we’ve decided to cancel our visit to Bahrain. Please know, we didn’t take this decision lightly. Instead, we’ll overnight in Abu Dhabi before making our way back to Dubai. We’re terribly sorry for this unexpected change. After some back and forth, we agreed this would be the best alternative to our original itinerary. We hope you’ll enjoy the extra time exploring everything Abu Dhabi has to offer! Below, please find our revised itinerary. Day Port of Call Arrive Depart Mon Dubai, United Arab Emirates 5:00 PM Tue Sir Bani Yas, United Arab Emirates 8:00 AM 6:00 PM Wed Doha, Qatar 8:00 AM 6:00 PM Thu Cruising Fri Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates 8:00 AM Sat Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates 8:00 PM Sun Dubai, United Arab Emirates 8:00 AM Mon Dubai, United Arab Emirates DEBARK Full of immersive, educational, and historical experiences, Abu Dhabi offers endless ways for you to make good use of your extra time! While there, take a behind-the-scenes tour of the Emirates Palace – a five-star hotel that explores Abu Dhabi’s Arabian architecture, rich decor, and top-notch technology. Then, discover the largest mosque in United Arab Emirates, the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. It spans over 30 acres and features pool-lined arcades, golden columns, sky-high minarets, and so much more! And, if you’re looking for adventure, Abu Dhabi has a multitude of thrilling activities to choose from like sand boarding or kayaking. Whatever you choose to do, we know you’ll love it! Any pre-paid Royal Caribbean International shore excursions booked for Bahrain, will be refunded to your original form of payment. In the next few days, you’ll receive an email with your refund details. Then, feel free to browse all the exciting shore excursion options for your sailing in Cruise Planner! Thanks for your understanding and cooperation. We can’t wait to welcome you onboard soon! Sincerely,

I'm sure there is a blog post but I've googled it and all sorts but couldn't find anything. I'm looking at planning a group cruise for my friends and family but know they will have many questions. I want to compile some sort of information pack for them to help them understand why a royal cruise is the way to go! I'm sure there is a post about the top 10 questions and answers that are asked about a royal Caribbean cruise. Any suggestions would also be appreciated. Also any other main points I need to include too

Everything seems back to normal now.

I'm going on one of the last ones in march but as I've said, the facebook group is reporting things are back to normal.

This would of been a UK offer that is all inclusive When in reality all they do is bump up the cruise by £350 for a 7 day cruise and market it as "free drinks package"

I have never seen a BOGO offer for drinks. sometimes the travel agents have offers from royal which include the drinks package but In reality the price of the cruise goes up to accommodate the "free" drinks package in regards to hotels there are many around the dock area. take a look on booking.com is a good start.

is that this year?! November? the vision cruise I mean

Doing a mock booking and if you click my time dining the gratuities are compulsory if you do set time you have the option to remove them.

Maybe it could just be a UK thing.

I've been on explorer and the smaller ships which you talk of. vison, rhapsody, grandeur and enchantment are all of the same class. Enchantment is a little longer and has a few extra bars etc. i'm on vision in Novemeber doing a great itinery and its more for that and not the ship. saying that I like big and small ships alike. you just have to know what to expect. for me all I need is a pool-bar and some music. All ships have that … ooo and some good food. yes smaller ships have less options but how many options do you really need?

Some good responses here guys. It seems like there may be an error and he has been misinformed.

if he were to have set dining at 6/8 then he could remove them but if he wanted my time he was told he could not remove the gratuities.

For example my friend who wants to book and cruise was told if he wanted my time dining he would not be allowed to remove the gratuities.

THIS IS NOT A DEBATE ON TIPPING !!! WE ALL HAVE OUR OWN OPINIONS ON THAT. I would like to see whether it is true that gratuities are now compulsory with My Time Dining? This seems to be the case for my 2021 bookings. However on a booking for set dining gratuities do not seem to be compulsory. Has anyone else experienced this?

Ebay is often very over priced so best bet is to hope someone on here will be kind enough. I'm on jewel soon but that doesn't help you ?

https://www.facebook.com/groups/617524912351272/ it is private but your request will be accepted fairly quickly.

I have just seen on Facebook group that military jets planes have just flown over the cruise ship ? lets just say I don't think it was the red arrows display

was this a response to you reaching out to them? an email or social media messaging service?

speak for yourself. I See no problem going on this cruise. Saying that, if I become inactive after march you know I made the wrong decision :L

Royal has been very quiet on the matter so my guess is that they are not worried, usually they plan a week or so in advance for say things like hurricanes or cruise voyage disruptions due to unrest but nothing at all has been published apart from they are monitoring the situation.

They used to sail out of Harwich UK as well as Southampton with multiple ships but from 2020 there is just Anthem of the Seas now ? It seems they are using other European ports more and more.

Is anyone else getting excited to hear what Wonder of the seas has in store?! Do we know when she is due to sail? end of 2021?

I highly suggest joining the Facebook group, its certainly keeping me upto date on peoples experiences for the Dubai season. I have not heard anything negative so far. apart from Sir Bani Yas being cancelled due to wind. Jewel of the Seas 202 Dubai and UAE season - All you Neeed to Know!

I'm booked on March 2nd and am part of a Facebook group for the Dubai season. Everyone seems to be having a good time and getting on with the cruise without any problems. hopefully it continues that way and nothing happens which would effect the cruises.