swoopy2110

Same for me. Auto grats left in place. Usually give $10 / $20 more to cabin steward & dining staff. I think I probably 'over-tip' compared to a lot of British people on a cruise. Back in Britain it's just a usual circa 10% on meals out etc.

Ooo, we are on Oasis the following week. Wonder if they'll have some left over tat still to hand out 😄

Sadly the Explorer doesn't have PlayMakers so you might be out of luck. The 'Sport24' channel is the one that shows PL games. Maybe if someone is onboard at the moment can confirm! (I'm also on Explorer next February and also interested... would've been fine if they'd added PlayMakers during the refurb as was originally planned).

There clearly is, or they'd be letting you ride.

This seems like a very outdated law.

What would happen if you didn't tell them though? Could they stop you from just catching up to the ship and getting on again.

Royal never see to offer anything 'new' nowadays. They do the same calls every year from UK / European ports.

I only have one experience of the onboard medical facility and the notes and itemised bill were delivered to the cabin the day after treatment was settled. I just assumed that's what they always would do, but it seems not going by other stories now.

It's not for me. Really surprised they're marketing it to the UK guests (and presumably worldwide) in the way they have been. I have no intention of flying in to Florida to spend 3 or 4 days on a ship this size, but I know why they're doing it. I think it's not a good decision but I'm sure cabins will fly out.

It sounds like Independence will be going back to the UK in 2025. Can't wait to read your report then on how the shows haven't changed etc. Since the last time she was there. They'll also be charging high prices for a ship that is 17 years old!

Don't pay it. The only way they'll lower the prices is if people start voting with their wallets.

Yes, fine. We did self disembarkation at around 645am to make sure we had no issues. Our flight was 1115am.

I've booked with a US TA recently, for a 2025 New Zealand Cruise.. It was £1000 cheaper than booking in the UK and included $150 Onboard Credit. Not even comparable! A google search brings up quite a few. The one I booked with has their own UK phone number which goes through to the US free of charge.

What did RC say when you called them ?

Not all flights. EZY LGW > VCE and FCO departed this morning. There'll be others too. Definitely would not want the stress of knowing there was a strike on the day you were due to travel though.

If you book guarantee cabins, there is nothing to assume they will be connecting. You can 'request' connecting cabins but they don't have to honour that request. The price of interiors is now more expensive that the original cabin category you booked with it being so close to sailing. I don't think you have a case here I'm afraid.

Yes

The UK site is here: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/gbr/en/flights/bookFlights

1100 is great! Go for it right now.

Any UK guests that book with US TAs had any trouble since this was released? I am strongly considering booking a cruise with a US TA, price is £900 cheaper than booking in the UK and includes $175 OBC! Unsure if this update to the contact could get me later down the line though. Thanks.

Like yourselves, UK residents are unable to get price drops on Royal Caribbean Cruises once booked, however, they usually allow us to upgrade to a higher category of cabin (which can sometimes be cheaper than what you've booked). For those of you who have booked on Day 1 of sailing release before, do prices tend to go up or down from that point ? Looking at booking a 2025 NZ sailing when they are released this week but unsure whether to hang on until later down the line or not. Obviously it's going to depend on how the pricing comes out anyway! Even if they are priced highly I'd be hoping they'll drop over time and even if I book the cheapest interior I'd be able to up it to a higher category of cabin later. Thank you.

Genuinely, what do you want ? Anthem is due to be replaced in 2025 by Odyssey... also not good enough according to some in this post. Newer ship, different shows, different layout, dining room etc. Oasis class ships will never suit the UK climate. Would you really want to be 'downgraded' back to a Freedom class ship? This is honestly why I try not to sail out of Southampton anymore as it's just listening to moaning Brits the entire time moaning about trivial things. There's a whole world out there!

You cancelled your cruise because you couldn't buy a dining package Jesus whept.

They went through a phase once of saying that an onboard booking for UK guests could have one re-pricing done to it. I bet the CSRs in Guatemala weren't informed of that though.

It's easy to get from Southampton Central to the port. We have walked it with out suitcases before (although we are in our 30s 😉 ) Also agree with Thejuggler who said don't use the trainline! Use any of the the train operator websites instead.