bosco85

Highly recommend Hotel Do and Hotel Grand Central Barcelona

Highly recommend Hotel Do and Hotel Grand Central Barcelona

We got back about two weeks ago from the symphony. We did not do a drink package. We definitely would not have gotten the value out of the package. Caribbean cruises always get the package, but Mediterranean is a different animal.

We packed a duffle bag and purchased a bottle of water to put in it and check on to the ship. No problems receiving it onboard. We also brought on our two bottles of wine. Upon arrival at the port, we passed through check in and security. The ship had a few minutes until it was open for embarkation... and there were stores there for you to purchase additional bottles of wine before walking up the gangway. We purchased another red and a cava for about 10 euros each, and took those onboard as well without issue.

Onboard, we each had a BOGO beer and a BOGO wine loaded onto our cards for C&A offers. They also offered the 10-drink card around day 5, which was perfect since the last day was the only sea day. By bringing onboard our wine, and using their coupons and offers onboard, we came no where close to using a drink package worth of value.

We just got a message from Royal that our outside cabin on the Symphony in two weeks has been updated to now having an obstructed view. They stated they are applying $50 OBC to our account as a goodwill gesture. Has anyone had experience with something similar? Is it worth it to try to call and get more or is this just an accept it and move on kind of thing?

Playmakers menu (courtesy of A&L_Ont)

 

That menu looks surprisingly good. Now to see the beer menu...

I finally got a response to my complaints on this cruise. I was given 20% FCC and I am to contact the guest relations manager a week or so prior to our next cruise so he can arrange free specialty dining or OBC on that cruise, since we were past final payment and they couldn't apply the FCC to our upcoming symphony voyage. Seems like a fair outcome to me and I am content with their offer.

Hooked is going above the solarium. Deck 16 I think?

When you cancel to re-buy at the lower price, will the original payment be refunded immediately or does it take a while to get it back?

It has always been refunded to our card within a few days

We are on freedom now and the menu's have changed. I'm sorry but I don't have them available to post right now. They are condensed (apps, entree, dessert) onto one page with no menu holders, and with a couple fewer choices. No spice named menu's, but the items seem to be pretty much the same. Such as the mojo pork chop from night one is now a spiced pork chop. They also want you order dessert as the same time as the rest of the meal.

Currently on board Freedom. This cruise is no where near the standards we have from a over dozen previous cruises. Dining venues on the first day weren't open upon boarding, and didn't open until after noon (compass said they would open at 1100). Dining room service the first night, the dining room didn't open until nearly a half hour after scheduled time, and the service has been spotty. Didn't receive drinks or coffee that was ordered, didn't receive salads ordered, etc. Didn't receive turndown service our first night here. The shower in our cabin has broken twice. The pub entertainer was a half hour late last night.

The staff seems to be trying, but seems to be overwhelmed. Our waiters are really nice, I think they just have way too many tables to serve everyone efficiently and with proper levels of service. Our shower has been fixed promptly both times, but still... its happened twice now in three days. If this was our first cruise on Royal, I don't think we'd be back. A letter to corporate is being written for when we return.

Thanks for clarifying Bob:

 

Can't help with Photobucket But I have 9 youtube videos of the cruise that I published last year if those will help guide you.

 

Thanks Steve, I will take a look at these!

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but the photo links here don't work anymore. I was hoping you could update your settings so they return as we look towards your experience to help us plan our cruise next year

May 2 is showing available again on the US site. June 7 still isn't. Someone must have chartered that one.

According to some other posts, dry dock is scheduled for Oct/Nov 2018, so unless they moved the dry dock, I don't think that's the reason.

There's a couple voyages still for sale between these, it's just these two sold out. So, I don't think it's a dry dock issue

hello,

Anyone have any insight on why these cruises are showing as sold out? It seems late for a charter to be sold and also that there are two 12 day cruises that are sold out?

Thanks!

Hello,

We'll be on the Star next month. It doesn't depart until 8:30PM. We are taking the train in, which gets in a bit after noon. For those of you who have done this trip before, what is the first day onboard like with the late departure time?

We're used to Caribbean cruises that leave early evening, and are sunshine and fruity drinks from the time you get onboard. Just wondering what you do on embarkation day in Alaska.

That's a good point about sailing to Venice, I've heard that its questionable how much longer they'll allow ships in. Thanks for your input. Any qualms from you about missing Barcelona or some of the other Italian cities?

Based on time off from work, we're not certain we'd have time after the cruise to go to Venice, nor are we sure how much time we'll get to have ahead of time to try to see Barcelona. Thanks for the input. We keep checking out all the ports, they just all seem interesting for us newcomers!

Hello,

I currently have a 11 night booked on the Crown Princess for next May. It would go from Barcelona to Marseille, Florence, Olympia, Mykonos, Santorini, Kotor, and end in Rome.

I just also found a NCL cruise aboard the Spirit about the same time. This ship goes roundtrip from Rome to Dubrovnik, an overnight in Venice, Koper, Split, Corfu, Olympia, and Valletta.

The Spirit is a bit smaller and I've never been on NCL so I'm a bit hesitant, but the price is lower as well. We usually sail Royal now, but have done Princess as well. I've also never been to Europe. The first itinerary on the Crown seemed ideal for us to see many different places, but an overnight in Venice seems awfully appealing as well.

If anyone has any insights here to help this decision, it would be much appreciated.

Hello,

I was on the inaugural voyage of the crown and currently have a 11 night booked on her for next May. It would go from Barcelona to Marseille, Florence, Olympia, Mykonos, Santorini, Kotor, and end in Rome.

I just also found a NCL cruise aboard the Spirit about the same time. This ship goes roundtrip from Rome to Dubrovnik, an overnight in Venice, Koper, Split, Corfu, Olympia, and Valletta.

The Spirit is a bit smaller and I've never been on NCL so I'm a bit hesitant, but the price is lower as well. I've also never been to Europe. The first itinerary on the Crown seemed ideal for us to see many different places, but an overnight in Venice seems awfully appealing as well.

If anyone has any insights here to help this decision, it would be much appreciated.

new menus look pretty good, though I am also disappointed to see the cold soups being eliminated. hopefully they roll these out to the Allure and reconsider adding some cold soups back in!

Hello, We will be taking the Star Princess southbound from Whittier on May 13 next year. As I look at the Alaska Railroad trip, for this year, it shows train service on the Glacier Discovery does not start until the end of May. Does this mean that the train to the ship is not an option, or will they run a train due to a ship being in port that day? Thanks

After the automatic tips, you'll have just a few bucks to spare, so you shouldn't have an issue.

a photo or small item from the shops such as shot glasses or a deck of cards, or a couple extra bucks to your favorite bartender, will finish off your credit.

Overthinking.

 

:)

I figured as much :)

I just rebooked my cabin on an Allure cruise next year to 6704. However, I'm a bit worried now that being aft and starboard on deck six may be less than desirable with sound and smell from Johnny Rockets. Can someone advise on if this is a reasonable concern, or if I'm overthinking. The next option would be to pay a bit more to get a D8 and a similar location but on deck 8.