little britain

11 hours ago, CountryStyleMe said:

Jason Liberty already explained over 3 years ago that due to Harmony Of The Sea's getting bad reviews from the UK Press and Media that is why they never sent over Symphony Of The Seas, Wonder Of The Seas and why they won't send over Icon Of The Seas, Icon Of The Seas 3, Star Of The Seas to the UK. 

Possibly because Harmony was not finished when she arrived in Southampton for those first sailings… it was a PR disaster. Wires hanging out everywhere, water flooding through ceilings, workmen drilling at all hours, shows not ready and … glass panel missing from pool deck leaving sheer drop to Central Park below. I was on those first 2 sailings. We got 50% refund for the first cruise and 25% for the second.
RCI  then lied and tried to mitigate the disaster by saying they were “shakedown” cruises as an excuse for things not being finished.. but strangely no one had any prior paperwork stating this! 

3 hours ago, Saab4444 said:

And Wonder as well.

Didn’t Wonder sail briefly in the USA first before returning to Barcelona? 

On 8/23/2024 at 8:06 PM, nursemom2 said:

The Allure of the seas has a cruise that is starting out in Barcelona June 8,2025, then stopping in Rome June 12 and picking up new passengers, continuing on to Barcelona, unloading the June 8 passengers and continuing on to Rome to drop off the June 12 passengers. 2 overlapping cruises. I’ve been cruising with Royal for over 15 years and never seen this happen! I was confused when I met a person who was doing the June 8, 7 day cruise. Thought I had my dates wrong 😱 hope I’m making sense!!

Not new. They have inter ported in Europe for about 10 years… 

17 minutes ago, Another_Critic said:

You got Anthem fresh out of the oven.

Lol… in 2015… I guess asking for a new one every 11 years is being plain greedy! 

1 hour ago, Southern Dan said:

Aware of that thread but was curious if anyone would know off the top of their head without me digging through it all.  Guess I'll look to see.

 

Update, so yes a post from Oct '23 someone said 2.5 years until Icon III delivery which would put delivery at Apr '26 that would fit in nicely with it starting in Europe before a TA in Oct '26.

Or they send her straight to the USA ‘cos we never get anything new in Europe!! Nice thought but I’m not holding my breath! 

I am DBE but DH is not. Will he be allowed to board at the same time as me? 

7 hours ago, island lady said:

 

Must be nice.  As a Pinnacle we don't get anything...even when I asked.  Only when we are in a GS and above...which is most of the time.    But when I can't get a suite...the "all in one caustic body wash" is all you get.  

 

Now I always bring my own...even in a suite (don't like the new products in those either).   Though the lotion is nice still.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Strange. We always get the 4 separate little tubes. Sometimes they are even there waiting for us. 

2 minutes ago, FionaMG said:

 

If it's just a standard mandatory dry dock it's probably about two weeks so I'd guess sailings could start as early as mid-April.

 

I have sailed on Harmony twice in the Med, the first time in 2016, which was the inaugural season (still have the t-shirt! 😂) and the second time was in 2021, one of the very first sailings after Covid with about 1,000 passengers. That was so weird.

 

Guess I should make a habit of it and book for 2026 too. 😁

I did Harmony’s very first two sailings from England - The Ones Where She Wasn’t Finished —-! We got 50% back on the first and 25% on the second! I guess I should really see her when she is finished and there isn’t water pouring through the ceiling and glass around the edges missing! lol! 

1 hour ago, riandei said:

We have booked the EXMO package with a generous ship credit.

 

if I book shore excursions now, will they be charged to the $300 ship credit thats given with EXMO or do I need to do something to make that happen?

 

thank you

You have to call. The UK office dealt with this promptly today.  We should still have some OBC remaining but this isn’t showing yet.

I had sent a message via Twitter last week asking how to book as their FAQ instructions ( posted ^^ earlier) don’t work and what to do, but am still waiting for acknowledgment of message and a response 🤷‍♀️

Personally, my hair loves the gloop and it has never looked so bouncy!  I try to use the gloop alternating with the stuff in the little tubes and I think gloop days are better. 
The brand is Salt & Breeze. 

2 hours ago, cublet said:

Hello,

 

I think Michael Bayley has 'gone native'.

 

Regards,

 

Cublet

Did you watch the Icon programme on Ch4 on Sunday night? I’m still undecided! 

8 hours ago, not-enough-cruising said:

It's a funny thing about Royal isn't it.

 

Harmony in July, Adventure in May, Odyssey in February; none had alcohol at the top tier event.  

Brilliance in January

Ovation in January 

Spectrum in February 

Oasis in April

Anthem in June 

… all served cheap bubbles at the top tier event. I always have the non alcoholic punch which is very nice 

12 minutes ago, artvlay said:

How do you book the Ravenna to pier shuttle?

I believe you just turn up at Ravenna train station and are directed to the bus and they take payment ( or charge it up your room). Have never done it. 

One of the best Plaka restaurants 

https://psaras-taverna.gr/

The cheese in filo with honey 🍯 is delicious and worth the trip there alone. Stunning setting on the steps 

2 hours ago, chemmo said:

Cruises that have significant changes to itinerary can be a bargain. For example, Infinity in the Mediterranean as the Israel/Egypt stops were cancelled. If you simply wanted a Mediterranean break at a good price….I know several UK cruisers have picked up on these, especially if you are not ‘room faddy’. Suite prices haven’t particularly fallen nor have Aqua but verandas and below have.

I don’t think a balcony in the Med in Feb would get a lot of use! 🌧️ 💨 🌊 

You’re not kidding about the tiny and I mean teensy tiny $ sign next to the lobster!!! 🦞 Wow! Need to keep an eye out for that! 

24 minutes ago, Andy_P said:

Some very thoughtful and interesting points - thanks. 

Infinity in the Med over this winter is as cheap as chips. 
On our November cruise we have had over $1200 in price drops; and we’re paying $1486 for 11n in Feb in OV. $81.28pppn

** update **
 

Visa NOT required for cruise passengers 

21 hours ago, Grandma Cruising said:

This is what Azamara say about doing it online

Using Onboard Credit to Book Shore Excursions

To use your onboard credit (OBC) to book shore excursions, after logging into your account: Scroll down to Shore Excursions and select “Book” on the $0 Onboard Credit item to authorize use of your onboard credit Book your desired Shore Excursions Once your Shore Excursions are booked, navigate to the payment screen and click “Cancel" Your selected shore excursions are now booked, and onboard credit will be applied

I am not seeing any $0 OBC item… where is this please? Can you kindly do a screen grab ? 
 

I’m logged in, I can see we have $150pp OBC…but when I select a $99pp excursion it wants me to pay 💰! 
I also assume we will have to book this excursion separately as the $150 is loaded pp? 
thanks 

4 minutes ago, chemmo said:

My experience with Pinnacles has been on RC ships. We are D+ as well as being E+. One of the differences we have noticed between the lines is how little loyalty level is discussed on Celebrity and how much on RC. I wonder if that is just our experience?
 

We have never been massive users of the suite lounge or Diamond lounge etc but it is nice to access some of the time. I am sure, like so many changes, we start of talking about possible negatives that may not materialise. 
 

I am sure you will be welcomed aboard for who you are not what you are…

 

 

You’re not wrong! I’m sure it’s those stupid badges that does it! I have even heard that some Ps have asked for Z name badges on X!! Ffs 🤦‍♀️ 

I personally have no interest in going into a lounge for drinks - I have the ability to have drinks at any bar: as on RCI I have little interest in being in a lounge with the badge wearers  ( my name badge has never been taken out of the box let alone worn! ) whose sole conversation is “ how many points do you have”.  And yes, on many times the ship has had hundreds of Ps onboard so we have not made the cut to be allowed in to CK or the lounge. 

We actually had several X cruises already booked as we don’t like the direction RCI is heading in focussing on huge ships, short repetitive itineraries and families;  so when this match happened it was icing on the cake!  I am very surprised at the number of Ps who apparently have never stepped foot into an X ship though. 
I am embarrassed by some of the comments I have read about the behaviour and attitude of some of the Pinnacles onboard X ships. Perhaps it is these aforementioned first timers; I can assure you we aren’t all like that!  

Having read many comments on these boards, I do feel that some Zs resent our presence and inclusion: I am wary that on some cruises as the Z numbers are low, sitting at the table for the lunches could be somewhat frosty or awkward.  I hope I am proved wrong. 

2 hours ago, island lady said:

 

RCI came up with that....not the Pinnacles or the Zeniths...(or you) have control over that new program.  Their cruise ships...their rules. 
 

 

I get the distinct feeling we red headed adopted stepchildren really are not going to be made to feel welcome by some people… 🤷‍♀️ 

1 hour ago, cruisegirl1 said:

OP - if it matters. please be aware the Izumi is not Hibachi, only sushi, with perhaps a hot item on the menu (generally chicken or steak teriyaki).

 

If you are a new cruiser, you might enjoy the dining room or Windjammer with an occasional specialty dinner.  You can pre book a particular venue at a reduced rate. Or, they generally offer a discount for single restaurant once on board (ranging from 20-50% off). 

 

If you cruise frequently and  are tired of the MDR menus and want something different, then specialty is the way to go. 

 

We have experience with unlimited dining packages but generally on Oasis  class ships with a different restaurant every night.  We've never done dining with such limited options. 

 

enjoy

M

 

 

Izumi on Jewel is not just sushi; they do a $39.95 meal deal with 3 courses including noodles etc; it was so good we went twice. I do not eat sushi 🍣 

I agree you don’t need UDP on Jewel 

^ just to let you know only one h - Southampton FYI ! 

5 minutes ago, wrk2cruise said:

 

Maybe they didn't understand the privilege.  On E class ships once you are in the lounge (key card access) there is nothing preventing you from accessing the Retreat sundeck other than you understanding the benefit.   Zenith are not extended the privilege of use of the Sundeck, only the lounge.

My friend on apex last week also confirmed full access and she certainly wouldn’t go anywhere she wasn’t allowed.