xSAILEDx Enchantment of the Seas July 3, 2023 - July 10, 2023 Barcelona to Rome

[CynBeth]

Hello! Looking forward to this cruise hope nothing unexpected happens to prevent us from going on it.  Would love to hear from others to discuss our plans and help the time go by.  I am from MD and will be traveling with my DH and DM. 

[Khaki]

I’m from Virginia & looking forward to this cruise too!!  I’m taking Amtrak up to Newark the day before!  A girlfriend from Myrtle Beach is flying up to join me.  We’re staying in Rome for a few days!!  

[CynBeth]

We are flying out of Newark on Friday night and arrive in Barcelona their time  in the morning on Saturday barring any delays.  After the cruise we are doing a few days in Venice and a few days in Rome.

[CynBeth]

Just wanted to say hi and see how everyone is doing and how the planning is coming along.

[vacationer]

Me too. What should we wear on our shore excursions? I have seen that several are marked as conservative attire, and yet they involve walking on a lot of cobblestone or steps. I have also read that Italians don't wear running shoes, so in order to stick out we shouldn't wear running shoes, or workout clothes, or a baseball cap. That just about sums up my summer wear so.... How do you wear nice shoes and walk up uneven steps or long distances without worrying about a fall? Sometimes it's "casual" clothes, and other times "beach attire" yet all are different from "swimwear" - which I totally get (at least I think I do).

So, what to wear for women, and men for conservative strenuous walking excursions over cobblestones steps, and uneven terrain or long distances?

Ditto for casual?

I'm guessing beachwear means what I normally where, shorts and a t-shirt and running shoes. Maybe a cap.

I know what to wear formal nights on the ship, for women heels one wouldn't walk outside on during an excursion, and maybe a nice dress, and guys a dress shirt and dress pants - that's fine. It's where the fashion meets functionality offshore that has me a bit concerned (especially if it means we can't get into some places because we don't meet the dress code).

 

Thanks!

[CynBeth]

Happy Check In Day! 

We are coming in a few days early and staying almost another week after so plan to be comfortable mostly will be wearing either shorts or pants and t-shirts or slightly nicer shirts if going in a cathedral along with tennis shoes. I will alternate between a sun hat and baseball cap and my husband will wear his baseball cap which of course we will take off when in certain places. For dinners on the ship in the MDR I will bring some dresses and wear dress shoes. My husband will have some nice shirts and pants is not bringing a suit and tie.

[CynBeth]

I can’t believe we are so close. How is everyone doing? Hope nothing happens between now and then to prevent us from going.

[cedricmr]

There is no problem with dress code.
But in Rome, there are many religious places and therefore, it is not possible to enter with a short shorts or a tee-shirt too... mini (nor bathing suit). Some tourists do anything so we have to remind the logical rules

[vacationer]

On 6/17/2023 at 10:48 PM, CynBeth said:

I can’t believe we are so close. How is everyone doing? Hope nothing happens between now and then to prevent us from going.

 

On 6/18/2023 at 1:04 AM, cedricmr said:

There is no problem with dress code.
But in Rome, there are many religious places and therefore, it is not possible to enter with a short shorts or a tee-shirt too... mini (nor bathing suit). Some tourists do anything so we have to remind the logical rules

Thanks! Yes, we're getting excited too. 

[CynBeth]

Happy 7 Days Until Our Cruise!

[Casino chip collector]

Dear All,

i collect Royal Caribbean chips.  While you are onboard, could I troubler you to check out the casino.  Do they use casino chips with Enchantment of the Seas on it.  If they do, could I troubler you to get me two of the $1 and two if the $5 casino chips.  I will pay for the chips and shipment along with the troubler you go through.  Thank you in advance.

‘Regards,

[vacationer]

Suggestion: Rome Pisa and beach - allow people to leave early. The beach is very hot. There is no air conditioning in the building. You arrive around 12 after being in the sun at Pisa and stay in the beach until time to go home at 4 pm or so. We were told on the bus that if we're tired we could try to ask to sit on the bus but it will be very hot there is no A/C when it's not running and it will not leave until the end of the day to go back. There needs to be an air conditioned place people can cool out or some people may be overheated. The temperature in farenheit was in the triple digits. If you get sick there is very little option but to lay out in the sun under an umbrella and try to stay alive until it's time to go home. Tip if you want to go to the pool where we went it required a swim cap. You can bring your own or be prepared to buy one there.

Rome: LIkewise be forewarned in July the Coliseum has no bathrooms, it is difficult to get a ride on the one small elevator you have to get permission, and the coliseum is not air conditioned, with long lines. The stairs are hard to negotiate. I did see medical attention called to a woman who had collapsed. She looked to be in her 50s-60s. It was a difficult tour for July.  The tour takes a while due to the talking about the coliseum it's not in and out and it's all in the heat. At the Basilica women will have to cover their shoulders - the guard will stop them, and they don't have alternative wear to give you at least on on our day. This adds to the heat. Technically you need to cover your knees too. Although men's shorts were not strictly enforced if they were bermuda. Womens' shoulders were.  Basilica is better heat wise because of the covered building. Not so much the Coliseum - very hot. Evening at the hotel had nicer weather. Dinner is served at a late hour then closes surprisingly somewhat early so prepare, and everything closes up in the middle of the day for a couple of hours, so if you need something like a pharmacy be on the lookout for when it's open.

 

France - cooler, on the days we went. Even if it doesn't say you can bring beach wear if going to the Riviera, you may have 10 minutes or so, or some free time. Beach on the riviera was a fun little break. Absolutely loved France. Some stores are A/C and there was a really nice department store. Amazing cafes. Also going inside a perfume factory which is A/C and smelling a bunch of perfumes pretending to be "the nose" was a lot of fun.

 

Portofino, Italy, some people we were wading by the rocks taking off their shoes, to cool off. It's beautiful there. Get an excursion to guarantee a timely tender because in our experience if you did not have one you could not tender off the boat until very late due to Portofino not able to have boats to tender and RC having to do 100% of the tendering, so there weren't enough boats, which were quite crowded, for everyone to get off right away.

 

Cinco Terra - loved it. Look for a place that has a good bathroom early, not all bathrooms are the same, by the time you get to your second stop if you are stopping for lunch/free time. You'll need to buy something, like lunch.

 

Masks - doesn't hurt to bring along just in case, if it's super crowded in an area or during transport. Got covid likely in Italy, diagnosed upon return. Towards the end and on the plane a lot of coughing by a lot of people.

 

Love: RC transport services.