hayley_bopp

Hi Suzi, I'm from Coventry, England. We've done 2 Med cruises on RC (Navigator and Independence), a Scandinavian on Criwn Princess, got a Med booked for this summer on P&O Azura and just booked our first Caribbean cruise for Christmas on Allure ? so I'll be interested to hear about your experience on Oasis

This is my husband's reasoning for: a) wanting to book bigger shops rather than smaller - then he just lies by the pool and naps on sea days b) refusing to book a cabin without a balcony - then only ever poking his head out onto the balcony as were enter a port c) wanting to book RC over other cruise lines that don't have the enormity of foods on offer for breakfast that the WJ does - then he eats the same 'full English' every morning of the cruise ? Thanks for the blog, I'm looking forward to following along with you

Hi Dee and welcome to the boards ? 1) On embarkation day, when your room is ready, you'll meet your cabin attendant and can ask them to empty the fridge. 2) There's the kid's club 'Adventure Ocean ', pool, kids' pool, sports court, rock climbing wall, games arcade (for an extra charge) and there'll be things in tbe cruise compass aimed at kids so should be plenty for them to do. 3) I haven't been on Radiance so can't help you there. I personally use an app called 'Ship Mate' to familiarise myself with the layout of tube ship and venues. There are also reviews on there (though take with a pinch of salt as with all online reviews)

On our cruise on Independence last year we tried traditional dining for the first time and had the late seating. We were at a table for 6 but there was only ever us and 1 other couple (the same couple) at dinner each night. We never saw tbe 'third' couple. In such a case,it would be conceivable that they could have put a couple who'd missed early seating with us so I suppose it never hurts to ask I'd you've missed your early dining slot.

I'd say you can definitely get the quiet you're looking for on an RC cruise and although I've never been on Brilliance, the fact that she's an older, smaller ship would, I think, mean it's s quieter cruise (something I actually aspire to). Having read others' live blogs, I'd love to sail on Brilliance one day.

If you drink it whilst standing, it will cost you about €1. If you sit down, the price will at least double. Also, as you have to pay about €1 to use a 'public' toilet in Italy, you're as well to go to a bar, order a standing coffee and then use their facilities ?

I've been known to cruise with 12 pairs ?????

By 'someone' I mean me or my husband. Or possibly my mum or sister or a girlfriend. Not just any old random cruiser ??

I love a toilet inside a closet - that way someone can use the toilet while someone else is in the shower! ?

Livorno - just an industrial port and residential area.

Lisbon - ship docks right next to the start of the old town and I can be enjoying a very good €2 large glass of vino verde within 10 minutes of getting off the ship. Also lots of fantastic places to see, eat at and shopping shopping all within walking distance. Barcelona is a close second but you need (really) to get the shuttle bus from the ship to the edge of town.

From previous live blog, I know OP is based in USA. Recommendation from Barcelona airport is to be checked in for non-Schengen flights at least 3hrs before boarding. https://www.aeropuertobarcelona-elprat.com/ingl/check-in.html

I'd say do the trip. You'd need to be checked in for your flight at 12:55 so getting dropped at the airport at 12:15 will be perfect ?

All the better for me! #cruisegoals ? Thanks for sharing your cruise on this fantastic ship.

Oh well. Will just have to book another cruise ?

What he said ^^

On my upcoming Allure cruise, I will hit platinum ? I think on day 2 or 3 - I currently have 28 points. My question is, will the Top Tier event be after this? And if so, will I get an invite or will I need to wait until my next cruise ie where I'll be platinum from the start of the cruise? TIA

I'm SOOOO excited! After a rather lengthy hiatus from these boards (which I didn't think anyone would notice but the eagle-eyed @JLMoran did!) I'm back and looking forward to not one but TWO cruises ? Having 2 cruises booked has been a dream since I joined these boards and fell in love with cruising in 2016 and saw just how many cruises some of you take. Also, having 2 cruises in the space of one year was another RC blog-inspired #cruisegoal of mine! (I'm blaming you @Matt and @twangster !). We have a 2 week Med cruise booked for August on P&O's Azura and have just this morning booked Allure for Christmas with a pre- & post-cruise stay in Miami's South Beach where we'll be staying for NYE! I'm a little sad that our summer cruise won't be on RC but I'm looking forward to experiencing a British brand and I'm soooo excited to try an Oasis class ship. When I first cruised on Navigator in 2016, I loved the look of the Oasis class from people's posts on here but didn't think I'd ever get on one. Now I'm going to be! We'll also be introducing 2 of our friends to cruising on Allure. Although I've tried to explain, I don't think they've got any idea how big she is. I can't wait to see their faces when they see her for the first time! On both cruises we've got an ocean view balcony (large balcony on Azura; Deck 10 on Allure) and I'll be Live-ish blogging and periscoping from both. Now, just 108 days to wait until the first cruise...

Have done 2x 14 night European cruises. No free lobster in MDR but available for an upcharge. Did get free lobster tail at the tutti salad bar in the MDR one day though. Only saw it once and the server (who was also my assistant waiter for dinner) made a big thing of it so think it was probably just a one-off.

I was going to ask if this was an option ?

We went with a guaranteed balcony on Independence last year. We ended up in a connecting cabin which allowed lots of noise bleed next from the noisy family in the next cabin which kept us awake every night for the first week until we spoke to them about it. Wouldn't risk it again.

? Mega post-cruise depression with no future cruise booked meant I couldn't face the boards ?? But by the end of today I should have not one but TWO cruises booked! ?

Thanks for your live blog. I'm going to book a cruise on Allure tomorrow and it's been great to read about your experience ?

Unless you're bringing a UK hairdryer - the difference in voltage means the one in the room will actually be more powerful. Similar for 'straighteners' as us Brits call them - UK ones don't get hot enough to work very well. I've invested in a pair from the US for travel purposes. The difference it makes to my getting-ready-for-dinner stress levels is well worth the expense IMHO ?

When is everything scheduled to be finished? We are (hopefully!) going to Cococay for the first time in December and just wondering what will be available to us.