fonemanbob

A private tour is worth the money. Just the driver and a guide. No lines or large buses that can not get in most places. Ours were fantastic and extremely knowledgeable.

We enjoyed our private tour there 3 years ago. The shhhhers have a great job going around saying SHHHHHHHHHH. Two ladies from our ship wandered away and got split up from us and missed the ship.

After you arrive talk to the hotel employees and get their take on where to go eat. We did that there 3 years ago and and the restaurant was fantastic. Sorry we don`t remember the name. And with the recent hurricane who knows whats open and available.

Get the deluxe package for yourself. Let her do alacarte for her beverages.

Hopefully by now you have rescheduled your flight and got a hotel room. ALWAYS fly in day before. And if driving from far away drive in the night before.

Funny how more and more propulsion and azipod issues keep coming up.

And how much more damage will they find in dry dock? And how much of that news will even be circulated. Would not be surprised to see the ship put back in service with a lot of work being done while ship is making cruises to keep income flowing in. And will they announce or publish it at all and to what extent. And why did it slow down so much. And last it creeps in under the cover of darkness. HMMMMMMM

And most of the spa personal have hardly any experience at all. Kind of like the former holiday inn commercial where the person states I slept in a holiday inn last night after being asked how good are you at a certain job.

Too many intangibles and no time to spare. Not worth the stress. For instance bad weather, ship does not clear customs. Or harbor pilot issues. Traffic issues. Missing luggage and so on. So what happens if you miss the 10:15 flight. Then what? Two better choices. Much latter flight or stay overnight. And last and something I don`t bring up much what about ship issues. They are rare but do happen.

Thank you

We are doing Embassy in Sept.and going on Anthem. So your recommendation is don`t take the hotel shuttle to the pier? Take a taxi/Uber? Just 2 of us. Are they readily available or do I have to call for one. How far away is the pier? Thank you in advance.

Save the money and do some excursions. The tour of the Vatican in Rome is pricey but so worth it. If you are in Santorini, Greece do the Amazing Santorini Wine tour. It is awesome. And in Athens we did a private tour that was absolutely worth every penny. And get some nice unique souvenirs.

We bring 2 bottles of wine and buy wine every cruise. Like Todd W stated nothing worse than getting a bottle of nasty tasting wine. Then again they do let you taste it before pouring a glass. That works out very well. I cover the cork screw with a piece of lead so the x ray machine won`t detect it. Works every time. Did I just say that. Silly me. Too much vino I guess.

We buy toiletries and sunscreen before we go to the boat. As well as snacks and 2 bottles of wine. That way our luggage is not weighed down before flying. If driving then no problem. Early on we would over pack. Not anymore. Just lay stuff out a few days or weeks before you leave. And yes you can get by with the same clothes for more than 1 dinner. That in itself helps a whole bunch. I bring 2 ties and 1 dress shirt for 2 formals. Underwear you can wash in your sink or shower and hangar dry. Don`t leave it on the balcony unattended. Beware it will take flight.

Actually Euros. We brought some with that we had purchased before leaving and used an A.T. M. while over there. And then converted them at the airport before flying back home. The charges we made were converted to euros. Our credit card does not charge for those transactions which also helps.

We are on Anthem in Sept. and hope the old mugs are still around. Probably wishful thinking.

What ever you desire. We have seen the whole gamut of tips. Coins,1`s ,5`s,10`s, 20`s. We did a private tour in Athens last year and gave the driver 20 and the guide 50. It was so worth it. Otherwise we decide after every excursion haw much we leave. Their is no real set amount to give. We did tip in the restaurants also while over there. Again that is personal preference.

For us it`s all about the itinerary. Now that we will be moving back to Fla. we will just drive everywhere. All those connecting flights the past 10 years can be a pain. We do a lot of non round trip flights which gets us better flights to what ever city is our final destination.

Absolutely. Allows you room in your luggage for any purchases you might have made.

The beauty of having a travel agent gets us an extra $50 O.B.C. and a bottle of wine and a specialty dinner. All of that is in addition to R.C. on board credit. If you don`t have a T.A. then get one. No cost to you. And a good T.A. at a reputable company is so beneficial. If you booked thru royal just get a T.A. and transfer the reservation over.

A perfect mug for your perfect day at your perfect place. The new mugs are truly hideous. A perfect way to ruin a perfect cruise. Cheaper than past mugs allows for more of the C.E.O. bonus check.

We do all of the above and it works. Especially giving the cabin steward $ 20 up front. It works. As does giving the bar tender at the pool and extra amount up front.. They will remember your name and beverage. Handing out cash goes directly in their pockets. Prepaid gratuities goes to everybody. Like the old adage: Money talks, B.S. walks. On many occasions we have walked up to a packed pool bar and in moments are drinks are ready. If someone grumbles that we cut in or something we just say we forgot our sea pass. And leave an extra gratuity as well. ( Cash)

Nothing worse than a perfect chain to wreck a perfect cruise. Only to get a perfect rash to remember some of the many IMPERFECT things Royal does at times.

Bring your own. If flying get your shampoo and rinse before you board so as to cut down on luggage weight. And your snacks and 2 bottles of wine.

We always get the insurance. It is so worth the peace of mind. We have witnessed 2 helicopter and 1 boat pick up of ill passengers over the last 4 years. Anybody young or old can get injured or take ill. Dunn`s River Falls is notorious for causing many injuries. It`s like that slogan. Don`t leave home without it.