Lyneham1

Milk in the US is pasteurized and I guess the Aussies object to pasteurized milk but the taste of our milk is wonderful IMHO.

Milk in Australia is also pasteurized (and tastes great) - that is a different thing to UHT.

I think it's Illy's.:)

Illy coffee is very good. It's unfortunate that they have to use UHT milk on board as that totally ruins the taste of the coffee.

Does anyone know the brand or where I can buy the Royal Roast Coffee served onboard all RC ships?

Not too sure why you would want to as it is not very good!

I could make a meal out of the appetizers, especially the grilled pepper bacon!

Have to agree - that grilled pepper bacon is just the best!

I didn't see a thread for this yet.

 

Royal Caribbean is changing it's cancellation policy effective March 7th.

 

The cancellation penalties now start at 90 days out for all cruises 5 nights or longer.

 

Much tougher conditions here in Australia !

Cancel Before * Penalty per person

151 days no penalty

150 - 71 days deposit paid

70 - 46 days 25% of total price (taxes and fees excluded)

45 - 31 days 50% of total price (taxes and fees excluded)

30 - 15 days 75% of total price (taxes and fees excluded)

14 days or less No refund except for taxes and fees

I would vote for Rome because you would then be able to spend several days, pre- or post-cruise, to see and do all there is. The Vatican, St Peters, the Colosseum, etc. It's an amazing city.

 

The port of Civitavecchia is also an easy 60-minute train ride with four stops from Roma Termini. Approximately five € one way.

 

With that said, Barcelona is equally as amazing!

One thing to watch out for if you do decide to go from Rome and take the train. On the weekends (and especially on a Sunday) it seems like most of Rome wants to take the train to the beaches (which are close to the cruise port) in the mornings so if you are not boarding at Rome Temini but one of the other Rome stops then you just won't fit on the train. It should be OK to board after about 12:30.

Going on Baltic cruise. Want to know whether distance between ship and city is walkable or whether a coach transfer is required. Ports are:

Copenhagen

St Petersburg

Muuga

Estonia

Helsinki

 

Thanks

Copenhagen and Tallin are definitely within walking distance. St Petersburg is a long way from the centre of the city and Helsinki is also more than walking distance. Can't help out with Muuga.

Now only 10 days to go! Can't come soon enough.

We are on the Legend of the Seas from Brisbane to the South Pacific leaving on 8 February 2016

Very tough to decide on a best sail away. We would have to put Sydney, Venice, Stockholm, Santorini and the Norwegian Fjords all up there but trying to pick one is just too hard.

We did a B2B2B on the Legend 2 years ago in the Mediterranean and had a fabulous time on the ship. Everything was always clean and tidy, the crew were really great and, being a smaller ship, got to know you and remember who you were (which doesn't seem to happen on the larger ships). We're doing another cruise on the Legend later this month and are really looking forward to it.

Thankyou Royal Caribbean Crown & Anchor Society.

 

We have just received a free upgrade to a GS on Legend of the Seas for next months cruise. Woohoo:D

 

I often read that us Aussies rarely receive upgrades or get price changes honoured, so this is a really nice suprise, especially since i purchased this cruise as a gift to my wife.

 

Hugh

Just wondering which cruise on the Legend that you are on.

Now down to 40 days. Definitely getting close enough to feel it.

We're on the Legend of the Seas 27 September 2015 Fremantle to Singapore 14 nights

We were on the Voyager last year heading towards Japan and you would never have known onboard that it was Easter.

I suspect that any new suite "perks" will come too late for our GS on Rhapsody in 3 weeks time!

I can't comment on the trip itself but I have been on both the Radiance and the Brilliance. They are both the same class of ship and very similar so if you liked the Brilliance then it is a pretty safe bet that you will like the Radiance.

HI listed below is the renovations as per the list sent to my Agent.

 

 

Please find below details of the revitalisation that Explorer of the seas is undergoing. She will be sailing out of Southampton this summer so great news for all your customers that have already booked!

 

86 new staterooms

Adding Flowrider

Adding Outdoor Movie Screen - Deck 12

All new landings and corridors

All stateroom carpets will be changed

Deck 11 - Chops Grille will replace Portofino's

Diamond Club replaces 19th Hole - Deck 14

Digital Wayfinding System

Flatscreen T.V.'s (LED)

Giovanni's Table will be replacing The Chamber (disco) on Deck 4 (the night club experience will be moved to Viking Crown)

Izumi - Deck 14 (replacing Cloud Nine & Seven Hearts)

New Luxury Leather Shop - on Deck 5

New Photo Gallery - photo carousels with binders as on Oasis class (no more photo walls) - Deck 3

New Specialty Shop (not sure which one yet - will not announce actual name) - Deck 5

New Sports Bar - on deck 4 - replacing Aquarium Bar (port side)

Pervasive Wi-Fi

Removal of In-Line track due to addition of Flowrider and Sun Lounges

Spa & Fitness refresh

There will be a VIP area within the Casino

Virtual balconies (LED screens) being added to existing interior staterooms on Deck 9 & 10 (81 Virtual Balconies being added to existing staterooms)

Public Restroom refresh

Main Dining Room refresh

Art Gallery will be re-located starboard side Aquarium Bar Deck 4

Champagne Bar converted to R Bar - Deck 5

Was hoping to see that they were adding Sabors as they did on the Navigator

Wow.... I think I'll definitely have to consider an Asian cruise next time. Just have to try and get a flight for a decent price.

There is some cruises currently available on the Legend at the moment that include flights. Haven't really looked to see if the prices are higher because of that though.

We were on the Legend in August 2013 and Luca (from the Concierge Lounge) surprised us with invitations to sit on the Captain's table for dinner. It was extra special as it was my partner's birthday (I suspect that Luca knew this). Everyone at the table, including the Captain, sang her Happy Birthday!

They have Illy in the Promenade. It's better than Starbucks anything IMHO but I am married to an Italian so drink it in Italy where its reasonably priced, not this$5/cup. They also have their own brand, Carribean I believe. It's to the back of the Promenade cafe and is free.

Illy is very good coffee. For me what spoils the flavour of the coffee on board is the UHT milk that they use - I much prefer fresh milk.

When we were on her last week the web cam needed a clean.

Not the same webcam!

Yes, but does travel insurance cover cruises that change their itinerary because od cyclones?

 

And would you get travel insurance if the cruise company gave you a future cruise credit, even if you were unable to find another cruise at that price?

Good points.

Possibly more to do with the time of day - looking pretty much towards the sun