hayley_bopp

Is this your own video? It's fantastic!

1 hour ago, Wilmsta said:

 

They really have scored a massive own goal with the UK customers

Saw an influx of new members on a P&O FB group I'm in yesterday, all saying they're looking at P&O cruises to replace their cancelled Indy bookings. 

3 hours ago, Kriazerie said:

Sweet! I'm surprising my gf with a beverage package, pretty sure she can make up the cost on frappucinos alone!

I definitely got my money's worth - especially on the alcoholic ones!

Yes they're included and I don't think there are any limitations

6 hours ago, foxrunner said:

We want to book specialty dining, but don't want to do so on formal night. According to RC website, there are usually 2 formal nights on Allure in the Western Caribbean; on Day 2 and Day 5.   New Year's Eve is night 3 on our sailing.  Do you think that they will add a 3rd formal night, or will they simply use NYE as one of the 2 formal nights?   

Anyone know if formal night is likely to change on our Christmas sailing on Allure? 

Our itinerary is:

Day 1 - Embarkation

Day 2 - Sea Day

Day 3 - Sea Day

Day 4 - St Maarten (Christmas Day)

Day 5 - St Thomas (or not ) 

Day 6 - Sea Day  

Day 7 - Cococay 

Day 8 - Time to hand over to @foxrunner

Pinging @twangster as I know you were in St Maarten on Christmas Day, although not sure what ship. 

I really want to try 150 CP but don't want to miss it if they do something special in the MDR for Christmas day

5 hours ago, foxrunner said:

sailing on December 29, 2019, on the Allure 7 Night  Holiday (New Year) cruise in the Western Caribbean. 

You'll be getting on as I get off

1 hour ago, CruiseALot said:

I know formal night is a very tired subject.  My apologies for adding to the tiredness  We're experienced cruisers, but haven't been on Royal in many years.

IMO, different cruise regions have different formal night expectations.  For example, the Caribbean Sea, Australia, and New Zealand are more relaxed.  How about Europe, are they into that tux / suit thing?  There will be a range of dress, I'm sure.  I'd like to be in the middle of the pack.  Women can pack very efficiently for formal, pretty can roll that dress compactly.  Men- not so much.  Tuxes / suits  take up a lot of room in the luggage.

Just to clarify, I am not suggesting ratty t-shirts and flip flops in the MDR.  But because of the long flight and luggage limitations coming from the US, I'm aiming for long sleeve button down with tie and dress slacks.  Will this suffice for Baltic on the Serenade?

52 minutes ago, mom2mybugs said:

And to piggyback this...Mediterranean/Greece in the middle of summer on vision?  There is no way I’m making my husband pack a sport coat for a 16 day trip...   jane

I've done 2x Med cruises on RC and long sleeve shirt with tie and smart trousers will be fine. 

I've not done Baltic with RC but done Scandinavia with Princess which I'd imagine is a similar demographic. I'd think what you're planning on will be fine@CruiseALot

36 minutes ago, mom2mybugs said:

Do you book this before??  We are doing Barcelona day tours the day we arrive.  Jane

No. Picked one up on the street by the World Trade Centre which is where the shuttle from the port dropped us off

Get a rickshaw tour of Barcelona - great way to see the sites and can be personalised. 

Have a stroll around the gothic quarter and stop for tapas on one of the squares. Picasso museum is also located here and worth a look if art is your thing. 

How does the balloon work? What (if anything) is stopping it from crashing to the ground?

1 hour ago, twangster said:

Consequently I cancelled this tour and will make my own beer sampling event in Sitka.  

Ever the resourceful traveller

2 hours ago, Dave26 said:

Every other element of the ship is still operational and you get to enjoy it as the ship heads home at 1/3 speed. And absolutely worst case, BOTH of the other pods go down and it's dead in the water, still not THAT bad. Again still a fully functional ship aside from propulsion. Plumbing and food venues still up and going, pool is still open, flow riders still flowing, bars still serving. And you enjoy the ship as you wait for tugboats to come drag it home.

The longer it takes to get home b the better in my book

I haven't stayed here for a long time so can't help regarding hotels but visited on Independence last summer so let me know if you need any pointers for sightseeing before your cruise. 

Regarding location, I have stayed on Avenida Diagonal by Placa de Fracesc Macia and also in the area between Plaza de Catalunya and Av. Diagonal. That was the better location in my opinion. Walkable to the fantastic bars and restaurants of the Gothic quarter. 

No. You'll have to buy an internet package if you want to check them at sea. If you can wait until you're in port, you can probably find a bar/cafe with free wifi. 

We went on the waterslides on Independence and had them to ourselves

Yay! Another @twangster live blog to look forward to. It's almost as exciting as going on a cruise myself!

51 minutes ago, CrusingWithMatt said:

 

*Sorry for the lack of pictures form the first day. Was a little hectic.

 

 

Don't apologise - you're enjoying yourselves. ANY photos you share with us are a bonus!

Looks like you're off to a great start! Have a fabulous cruise. 

11 hours ago, WannaCruise said:

Do you get much of a tour on the Gallery Lunch? Or is it more about the lunch?

Lol...is there a glass of wine with each course?  Could be an interesting meal. 

If you were to pick one...which wins?

You get a compete tour of the galley. You get to see all the different prep areas and the route the waiters have to take when they go to collect your food. 

Chef's table- yes a glass with each course. Although only small glasses. 

Personally, I'd pick Chef's table but then I am a real foodie and love my wine. 

They're both good options though. 

Thanks @Lovetocruise2002 - that menu sounds amazing. Think. We'll YOLO have to go. I just don't know how I'm going to be able to choose what to eat...

14 minutes ago, spiralqueen said:

 

Thanks! Please let me know if there is anything in particular you are curious about or would like a picture of. 

I'm considering booking 150 Central Park so if you could get any photos of the venue or menu that would be great

Thanks so much for your live blog @SweetPea I've loved following along

Just now, hayley_bopp said:

Have always done it with water but never beer

And I'm of Irish descent. I'm going to be cast out of my family if they ever come to hear of this

1 minute ago, Jason12 said:

We stock up on water for excursions, cans of coke which some places like the doghouse sell and lots of bottled beers..need to get your moneys worth..

Have always done it with water but never beer

7 minutes ago, Jason12 said:

If you have the package get a few bottles while strolling around ask for caps on then stock the fridge up and enjoy on balcony, remember the bottle opener tho there was not one in our Oasis cabin.

I was wondering if you could do this