tonyfsu21

Epic. I read them from start to finish and it gets me in cruise mode. Keep up the good work!

Mike- you write some epic live blogs! I’m just looking for a simple format to relay some random thoughts on each ship.

Agree. Live blogs should be filled with pictures and thoughts while onboard. I am requesting something like the roll call sub but for ship reviews. I guess you could just write a review in the live blog but a roll call set up would be much cleaner.

Agree. IMO the onboard experience is better. I prefer the options and upgrades available for a fee and I believe the included options are still pretty generous. The loyalty program is top notch and I can only hope the company uses this to their advantage.

Yep, kids school schedule won’t allow.

So I am due a pretty good casino certificate on this Odyssey voyage at 9000 points and want to use it for Harmony next year in Barcelona 6/7. The certificate list does not show Harmony and ends on 6/1/26, will they make exceptions?

One thing we learned the hard way, if you plan to take the ferry to Capri while in Naples. Either book the RC excursion at the premium price or book via ferryhopper.com well in advance of your sale date (like now) to secure the best times.

Yep, I hear you. I am hopeful RC still sees the value in separating themselves from the other brands by offering the best ships, activities and loyalty program in the industry. I will reserve judgement until that changes or a better option emerges. We are in the last two days of a fantastic Mediterranean voyage onboard Odyssey and I have never had a better time. Highly recommended to anyone on the fence re: Europe.

@Matt can you please consider another sub for RC ship reviews? It would be so beneficial for this group to be able to reference a sub that detailed ship reviews and was not a live blog. I personally have lots to share but don’t prefer the live blog format. Thanks.

The problem is, MSC would follow. We as consumers are at the mercy of these dumb decisions because cruising revenue is at record highs. They don’t need us (or at least they think they don’t). It’s sad.

Yes, I see one of Odyssey. IMO, waste of prime real estate.

This should be interesting. They clearly made a decision (signed and sealed) w/o consideration to the loyal CCL cruisers (thankfully I am not one of them). It’s not surprising considering how quickly the industry forgot about the pandemic struggles and how the “loyal” cruisers (including banks) kept them afloat. I do want to mention the RC “top Tier event” is an embarrassment and a direct reflection on how this company views the loyal cruiser. I wouldn’t be surprised if they try to implement this same program in the future.

Horrible feedback as expected. What a slap to the face to any loyal cruiser that has sailed CCL. The ambassador (John Heald) should be embarrassed to have to sell this program to his followers. I am gonna make an early prediction and say he resigns/retires over this mess.

This program change will swiftly be reversed soon. They set it one year from now to let the idea bake a bit. It’s not gonna fly.

Don’t think of it as a downgrade at all, it’s just a different experience. Icon is the absolute best ship in the fleet IMO, however, Oasis class is the class that literally set the standard for all ships moving forward. Oasis is a great ship and provides plenty of activities, dining and other options to make sure you have an excellent vacation. I’ve sailed Oasis a handful of times and Icon twice and would not hesitate to book another cruise on Oasis. Enjoy!

Haha! Interesting name (named after the factory that once occupied the space. Can’t say enough great things about this hotel.

We had a sunset catamaran booked until we found out we would be essentially stuck on the ship until 5pm (ship arrives in Santorini at 11am). We rebooked a tour that started early to enjoy a full day on land. The tour desk had lots of upset people who had no idea how difficult it is to get off the ship when you add in the impact of the tenders. I should have done some more research but I now understand you need to book a tour as early as possible. They added the tour below (and even discounted $50/pp). We are about 1.5 hours away from Santorini and we are excited to spend the day there. The sunset catamaran will have to be booked on a return trip. FYI- The ATM on the ship (Odyssey promenade) dispenses Euros and the casino ATM dispenses USD.

My family and I enjoyed Venice for a few days before heading to Rome via speed train and really enjoyed the Hilton Molino Stucky. I highly recommend you consider this hotel if you are going to be staying in Venice. The hotel, food and staff are 10/10 all the way around. This is NOT your average Hilton resort. My family and I arrived by train to the Santa Lucia station and boarded a water taxi direct to the hotel. The Molino Stucky is located across the lagoon from the San Marco Piazza water taxi stop and the hotel offers a very reasonable ($15 per adult) daily pass to use their water taxi that shuttles you to multiple stops in Venice on the 1/2 hour. We booked with Amex and got access to the executive lounge which was an essential stop for water and some Peroni beers after a long day sightseeing. The breakfast buffet is “the best in Venice” according to the Tauck tour operator who was lecturing the tour group staying at the hotel and I happen to agree (by the way the buffet was included in room price). The hotel has a sky bar and a rooftop pool with absolutely epic views of the city and is a great place to relax after a long day. We are already planning a return trip, it’s that good!

Just reporting back regarding CabRoma. We had a great experience yesterday morning from our hotel in Rome to the cruise port to board Odyssey. We received an email about 2 days before detailing the drivers name, phone number and email address should there be any issues. The driver was about 15 minutes early and took my party of 4 adults and 4 children + luggage in a black Mercedes van to the port. The trip (Sunday AM) took a little over an hour and we were in line at the terminal before 10am. I have the same company booked to take us from the port to the Rome airport this Sunday at the conclusion of this amazing vacation. ~$400 round trip and well worth the money after seeing the volume of people waiting for shuttles at the terminal.

So I know it’s a long shot but wwyd if you won a RU on the way to the port and had no method of printing out new tags? I could probably handle this back home but it might be more difficult in Italy if we have already left the hotel and are en route. Do you just wing it and grab the bags (hopefully in the hallway) of the original stateroom or mark up the tickets at the port? Also, I know the EU tipping culture is pretty much non existent but I can’t help myself. Do you tip tour guide, porters in the cruise port? Thanks!

Note the Fort Lauderdale stop is downtown on Broward Blvd. A ride share or cab will be needed to get to Port Everglades (10 min ride).

They should eliminate the vintages on the older Oasis class ships located in CP and replace them with non smoking casinos!

Agree. I’ve noticed that.

Interesting. Hopefully it’s legit because more machines means more fun!

One category 5 hurricane this season blows them into 2027!