kmdress

5 hours ago, RobInMN said:

Congratulations!

We did the same cruise in 2018, also Rome to Rome and also on Symphony (her inaugural season). 

Basically, you are doing days 5, 6, 7, 8 (nights 5, 6, 7) of 1 cruise, and days 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (nights 1-4) of the next cruise. If they keep things the same, about 2/3 of the people port from Barcelona, and about 1/3 in Rome. 

This was pre-COVID, and so the muster drill would have been everyone in the theater, but I honestly don't remember if we (Rome passengers) had to do this on embarkation day, or if everyone did it on Barcelona embarkation day regardless of where you boarded.

Didn't really seem to be a big deal to be a port day for most of the ship. I really don't remember things being real different or anything. Luggage worked the same, can't remember if they still had people stay out of the halls until like 1PM or anything (either port).

The only thing odd was that the "Bon Voyage" party was day 4 for us. And the app was a little messy. at that time, you had to select the cruise you were on, it was all information, not interactive. So you had to select the Barcelona cruises, and change cruise part way through. Hopefully they have that working for the instructiveness the app has now.

 

Are you spending any time in Rome before/after? We loved Rome. Spent a week before and still have a list of things to do if we get back there. This is the main reason we picked Rome over Barcelona for our embarkation port.

 

 

We’re boarding in Barcelona and our day in Rome is a holiday, so we’ll see how that goes! Thanks for the information!

We will be on our first Mediterranean cruise in June. Symphony of the Seas has a 7 day Rome to Rome on 6/18 with a stop in Barcelona on 6/25. Our cruise is Barcelona to Barcelona starting 6/25. I’m used to the usual ‘welcome aboard’, check at muster station, check reservations, wait for luggage, etc. How does it work if half (?) the ship is full and our boarding is just a port for them? Seems like it would be a nightmare for staff.

Thanks for any insight.

We were on the Ovation last month and they had 2 omelette stations and after giving your order they did give you a beeper so that people were not hanging around the omelette stations

16 hours ago, Ashland said:

How long ago was this ? We'll be there in September.

We were on Ovation of The Seas 5/13-5/20/2022. 

We used this company and had a great day. Cost is $10 pp for just the transportation, but the driver was entertaining. They bring you to Fortress of the Bear for about an hour( plenty of time), then on to the Raptor Center for an hour. We took the free pier shuttle to the downtown area and got our passes there. You pay your own admission to both bears and raptors. We returned with plenty of time for some sightseeing and shopping, then took the shuttle back to the ship.

We just used them on our Ovation cruise 5/13-5/20. They drop off at the visitor’s center. They also honored our National Park pass and deducted $5.00 pp for the four of us. Very easy to use and they have a ticket booth right on the pier. We did the tramway first, then got the bus to Mendenhall.

This is from Ovation of The Seas last week. Hope it helps

On 5/17/2022 at 5:15 PM, RW20 said:

I am loving this review! The pictures are getting me excited for my cruise on Ovation to Alaska in August. The Ovation looks like it will keep the teenage boys well occupied!

I do have one question. I want to get an ulu (knife) in Alaska. Are you able to bring them back on the ship? I heard some cruises take them and you get a receipt to get it back at the end of the cruise and others are not allowing them and require you to have it shipped home before you board.

I bought one and literally forgot it was in my bag. Went through the scanner and was asked if I had a knife. My tired brain replied that I don’t have a knife ( was thinking weapon type knife). She then asked if I bought an ulu, I started laughing and said YES! She let it through and just said to keep it in my room. I assured her that I had no intention of cooking on this cruise.

11 minutes ago, Ozark_Kid said:

We stayed at Hampton Inn and Suites.  They have a shuttle service for $30 each.  We leave here at 10:30.  Our boarding time is at 11am. 

We stayed at the Fairfield Inn. Limited exploring yesterday with the rain. We also board at 11:00. Bon Voyage to all!

38 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

Just out of curiosity, are you familiar with the RAPID TEST location at or near the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel?  

 

That's a plan B for me just in case something goes sideways with my testing in the U.S. on Tuesday, the day before I leave.

 

I saw the eMED site here in the U.S.  But, they're selling in bulk of 5 tests.  I only need one test.  The rest will go to waste and not worth me buying.

 

Testing in the U.S. at some of the big drug store chains is covered, so no cost to me personally.  I like that direction.  But, in case my results get lost, my testing time is for some reason cancelled, etc, I want to have a back up plan.

I ordered mine using the link on the RCCL site through Optum. You could order by a pack of 2. I think the 2 pack was around $69 US. The telemed is available 24/7. Our local Walgreens and CVS are not doing the rapid Antigen and only doing the send out PCR and antigen. Our insurance covers 100% of testing but buying them was worth the peace of mind for me.

Cruising on Ovation May 13th, final payment was made. Noticed a price drop and called. We have 2 staterooms booked and a $350.00 per stateroom OBC will be applied. I was told it could take up to 2 weeks to show up. The call was almost an hour but we’ll worth it!

Please check where the boat will take you. We thought about a boat and decided to go to Money Bar. Food was great, drinks were good, no admission and we watched about 4 different excursion boats stop by and snorkel in the same spot we could easily swim too. We were inside the buoys and they were just outside.

I was told, if you are booked on the 6/12 cruise, you have until 11:00pm EST to change to the 5/29 cruise and keep your room. The cruise is being released tomorrow to the public. You have until 6/10 to change and keep the same rate. Calling tonight to find out the complete itinerary change.

This is pretty scary and upsetting. I have 3 cabins booked for Thanksgiving week and have been using the "my cruise" link almost daily to add excursions, dining and drink packages. So far so good, but really hate having one more thing to worry about. :eek: Shame on RCCL IT dept for not correcting or disabling the link.

6 more days until Oasis. A quickie 2 nighter,but it will make us Diamond before our Thanksgiving cruise!

Not to interrupt this great debate, but I would like to again focus on Playa Uvas. (for the record, I agree whole heartedly with Indie. Many signs in many countries are politically connected and not necessarily in the best interest of anyone or anything)

My family spent March 15th at Playa Uvas and would do it again in a heart beat. Carmen greeted us at the entrance and gave us a brief tour. We met our server- Santos, who was very nice and attentive. My kids did the kayak first followed by the snorkeling tour,and had a great time. My 4 year old and I spent that time in the water. While it is not a sandy entrance it is managable with water shoes. The food was fantastic. We all had fajitas- chicken, beef and mixed. No need to comment on the drinks-they just kept coming! I enjoyed this so much, that I wrote on my RCCL comment card that they should consider using Playa Uvas for one of their excursions.

Hola Eduardo- Thank you for a great day!

My apologies for any misunderstanding. My intention was not to dig any parent on a well deserved vacation. I have friends (with great kids) who vacation without. As a working Mom, I'm a big believer in quality not quantity of time. My point was, I choose to bring my children to an adult recommended venue, I'm there and able to discuss the event with them. I do not have that option when not with them. I appreciate no one can be there 24/7, you have to have alittle faith in what you have taught them. They have also attended the Love and Marriage show and can appreciate that sneaking "it" is nothing new. The answers from the oldest couple are as funny and interesting as the newlyweds! Again sorry for any misunderstanding.

Thank you OP for the warning. Most trolls do not defend their posts. I've been to numerous Quest shows and by design it can easily get out of control. In Becky's defense, they have a large area to watch. Perhaps your topless lap dancer was not noticed initially. I enjoy the Quest as it is usually PG-13 at most. My "spoiled" children (ages 13 and 15) have attended for the last 3-4 years. It further reinforces their belief that adults are morons, and they get a good laugh also. They have been to a lot of places one would not bring children. They have worked at soup kitchens, visited jails, psych floors, cancer floors, and a cadaver lab. They've always been given a choice, but wanted to stay and see what Mom does. DS is a leader in his school's gay/straight alliance club.They attend conferences that would make most adults uncomfortable, but they have a deeper appreciation for diversity. The giant leep by AMYBEAR that children viewing Quest would be the next Brittany was laughable. Do you really think the Anna and Brittany's grew up cruising with their families? I worry about the kids left home while Mom and Dad take a vacation. Sorry the OP had the experience he/she did, but no one has to leave or sit by. Perhaps handing the women her top and asking her to take it to her room would have helped.(probably would have been booed by some I'm sure). Life happens - all you can control is your response.

Thank you to all for the wonderful reviews and comments. I emailed Eduardo last night with a few questions and he responded immediately. I then sent the request and this am had my confirmation numbers. Not sure if Eduardo gets any sleep, but his customer service is exceptional! I can not wait to see for myself! Looking forward to the new reviews also!! My kids and their friends are looking forward to the kayaks and snorkeling. Thanks again- Karen

Our kids (currently ages 3, 13,14)have loved every age group of Adventure Ocean. Your stateroom attendant will leave the cruise compass and a program card for the appropriate age in your room each night. The younger programs offer a pager/beeper if you wish. We've always elected to take the pager and only ever got called once when our son decided he wanted to leave early (over tired!!) It is wonderful to have a few hours a day of peace, quiet, and sun! Karen