hayley_bopp

Quick! Someone start a crowdfunding page: @twangster on a cruise with no live blogging doesn't bear thinking about!

PS Not a stupid question: no one wants to miss the ship!

Usually you HAVE to be back on board 30mins before departure but like @tiny260 says, you should aim for at least an hour before unless you're on an excursion booked directly with RC.

We were on Navigator in 2016. No tickets needed for theatre shows. Ice shows were allocated based on Muster station ie it was this muster station's 'turn' to tho to a particular showing and again you just showed up. If you wanted to go to a different showing, you had to turn up and see if there were any spare seats about 10mins before the show

I can't believe how big Playmakers is!

Just saw this video looking at the new features on RC's Facebook page

Thanks the review. Your night shots are awesome!

I think you owe it to us really! ?

Loving this review. Thanks for sharing ?

We went to JR on Navigator in 2016. Being on a 14 night cruise we didn't mind paying the $6.95 charge to add a bit of variety. If the new price is on Indy when we sail on her later this year, I doubt very much we'll be eating there: would rather order from room service and only pay $7.95.

I don't think you'd get noise from the gym on the deck 11 cabins unless you're in the one which shares a wall with it. The door to the gym would be between the stairwells I imagine so don't think you'd get gym users going past your door either.

Gibraltar- go to Cathedral Square and get a shared mini-van to do a tour of the rock taking in viewing points, St Michael's Cave (breathtaking)and top of the rock. Think it was about €20 per person when we were there in 2016 and well worth it. You will likely only have a few hours in Gib as it's more a refuelling stop so not much time to do much more. We'll be back this summer and are going to visit the siege tunnels and/or the WW2 tunnels this time. Barcelona - a fabulous city. Hop on Hop off bus is a good option but there are at least 2 (and possibly 3) routes that you can do - impossible to do them all in one port day I would think so have a look beforehand and decide which you'd prefer and choose a couple of places to hop off at. For a first time visit, I'd recommend taking in La Sagrada Familia (Gaudi's still-to-be-completed cathedral). I've never been inside but it's massively impressive from the outside. Parc Guell is another Gaudi spot that's worth a look, although you'd have to 'Hop Off' to see it. I believe there are renovations currently taking place and they are limiting the number of people who can go in at once. I don't know when these are due to finish but if you can get in there are spectacular views across the whole city to be had if you climb to the top of the steps right at the back of the park. The tour of the Camp Nou football (soccer) stadium is well worth doing if you're a fan. Las Ramblas is great for the hustle and bustle, stalls and street entertainers. We go back there this summer too and are considering an electric bike/segway tour. I also want to take in more of the gothic quarter. Malaga would be the port from which to visit the Alhambra. I believe it is quite a distance from the port so personally I'd be more comfortable booking with RC to visit there. We haven't done that but also visited Malaga in 2016. It was a beautiful city with plenty to see and do. We took a horse and carriage ride (€40ish for 30 mins) which was a different, peaceful way to see some of the city but there was no narration/explanation of the sights (or our driver at least didn't give any). We then went to the cathedral (spectacular) and the Roman fort - this place was AMAZING: €2 to get in and we were there for a good 2 hours. You also get fantastic views of the ship in the port. We'd love to go back and visit the castle/fort that is at the top of the hill above the Roman fort and the Picasso Museum. The beach looked nice too if you just want to relax. Haven't yet been to any of the other ports so can't advise on those I'm afraid although we are going to Nice this July so depending when your cruise is may be able to give some info - we've booked a coach transfer with RC. We will be visiting Cartagena next year so would be interested to hear what you decide to do there.

Haven't been on HoTS but had a look on deck plans: it's got cabins above and below and is away from elevators with only a few cabins past it so unlikely to get much foot traffic past the cabin. I'd be happy with that.

Thanks for sharing your cruise with us ?

I want to sail on Oasis MAINLY for the chance to see Cats!

Thanks for the wonderful pics. I too am thinking I neglected the WJ on my first RC cruise in favour of the MDR and that I need some kind of strategy for rectifying this on my next cruise.

Then yes, you are doing it right! ✔?

Following. Have fun ?

Tulum is supposed to be very good and much closer to Costa Maya than Chichen Itza.

I enjoyed several very nice wines both included and which I paid extra for on Navigator in 2016 in both MDR & Vintages. Can't WAIT to hit Vintages on Independence in July ?

?? Nope! I'm a child the 80s but was given the nickname after the comet ?

I've clearly been packing wrong my whole adult life! This will be rectified the next time I leave the house.

Possible important sub-question: Are you allowed to bring a corkscrew on-board? Apparently on P&O you're not so have to take screw-top or pay corkage fee.

That's because Canadians use proper English ? ?? (The England flag appears not to work so the Union Jack will have to suffice)

Looking forward to following along with your cruise ?