Tin can

Point taken, a ship visit though in Southampton in January that isn't sailing and is far superior to the ship you are actually selling or ever likely to sell locally seems a tough gig to pull off. In fact I think it would have the opposite effect, client phones up and asks to book the new ship that has been in the media and you say you can't have that one but we have one 10 years old sailing and not as good with half of the attractions.... the phone would be put down and you'd take a look at MSC. Its not as if its going to get the American public excited to make a booking on Icon, would you be able to see yourself on her paying top dollar in the Caribbean whilst seeing frozen travel agents in coats in the English Channel with the pools closed! People have to sail it from Southampton or the media/travel agent event is a non starter in my opinion..... I would though hope RCI does 100% disagree with me 😀.

I agree, the interview says trade events though planned in Southampton. I was replying to the comment from the other poster about 'whining Brits' (as if we are ever that 🤣) as we should know the ship can't sail with passengers from the UK in winter. Why then would it be different for travel agents and media, you really aren't going to boost sales with travel experts in coats, hats and scarves being blown around deck in the North Sea. There must be something planned for paying passengers in Europe, personally I would base it in Madeira or the Canary Isles for a couple of weeks of short 'soft' revenue cruises, unless it is going from shipyard straight to crossing the Atlantic.

I agree, so therefore what is the point in having trade and media sailings from Southampton. The interest in this ship here (UK) in Winter is going to be very low especially if no one can sail on it. A few 25% full cruises with travel agents from Southampton and then a $2 billion ship fired into 5 days straight across the Atlantic seems a risk to me. I'd want it fully tested with the demands of paying passengers with the manufacture on the same continent to attend to any issues before embarking on the Caribbean season but maybe just me.

I would have thought they would have had a few 'soft' passenger sailings somewhere in Europe to iron out any teething problems rather than straight out the shipyard into a 5 day Atlantic crossing. Obviously not if you say its straight to Miami for her.

Wasn't it confirmed that there were sailings initially from Southampton, I might have the wrong ship though or that plan may have changed 😀

Never saw him on Anthem in May 😐

Personally I would at least go and have a look, if its not for you then you can return to the ship. I'm not sure what you are expecting to get out of trying Royal Caribbeans 'mega ships' and its theme park Island if its not for you both. Seems a strange bucket list to tick off but it may just be me. Whatever you decide enjoy 😀

Even with the cost of flights (and we are UK based 😀) we are sailing out of Galveston in 2024, booked on Harmony and looking forward to visiting Texas.

We had exactly the same on our last cruise and as my post above it was the same cruise that had to leave 6 passengers behind at a port. I'm not sure if it was the pandemic but their seems to be an increase in entitlement with passengers since then and the 'ship will wait' or 'I'll get off when I want' attitudes.

We were on a Fjords cruise in May, not exactly pier runners as two strolled back about 45 mins late and 6 passengers were actually left behind.

The same on Anthem in May, I'm guessing therefore if its 100% now that no rooms are being held back anymore for quarantine.

In May we never asked for a paper copy of the compass but but got one every night. Someone saw me reading it one morning at cafe promenade and said their room attendant had stated he couldn't get them and when she asked at customer services they didn't have them either. We were just lowly Diamonds 😀 staying in a JS so not sure why we were chosen to have a paper copy.

There were quite a few reports over the summer that Oasis on the same itinerary was often late arriving at 3pm(ish). We are on Anthem in April and note that shore excursions in our cruise planner doesn't actually show us stopping at Port Canaveral anymore. Hopefully just a glitch.

Ah yes you are right about the gratuities being included in Australia. In theory yes the gratuities included in the fare should go straight to the staff. I'm sure 'inclusive of gratuities' pricing will come here soon.

Bonus 😀

It was a few years ago now, not sure what terminal it was but we were queuing outside which stretched to near a multi storey car park. Inside was just as bad, it was an Easter cruise so maybe just a bad day for Port Canaveral.

I know that ships that sail out of the UK pay the staff more than they do out of the US. Our minimum wage here in the UK does not apply to the staff in UK waters so this doesn’t replace the lower tips earned. In the good times pre covid it was difficult to get staff here in the UK who could, and perhaps would prefer to be, in the Caribbean.

There can be a lot of activity in and out of the crew areas with doors slamming, just something to be wary of.

I agree, don't be pressurised into tipping however the odd tip to the bar staff does improve the overall experience in my opinion, you are remembered and get a better pour. Whether this is right or wrong is a whole different conversation but it is an American ship with American customs so as someone from the UK where tipping isn't customary I accept it as how it is.

Just out of interest if you have a table for two that isn't near other similar tables how do you find the service. My fear, perhaps unfounded, is the larger tables would get the service and attention from the servers.

Great news, I thought that would be the case. Enjoy your cruise!

I think there is a mono rail from the airport to the city centre in Bologna that takes about 5 minutes if the RCCL shuttle only goes to the airport.

Absolutely right, I can't remember the ship but there was a row of three tables for two people near our table for four. After a couple of nights there was a bit of interaction between the three couples but also privacy for the couples to talk alone. It seemed the best of both worlds to me.

I printed a big card myself with the ship and destinations on it and superimposed my wife's and sons head on to people at these destinations. It wasn't difficult to do and was very funny even if I do say so myself, they were confused initially and then very excited so it had the right effect.

This might not be the general opinion but we found Port Canaveral very poor for embarkation and disembarkation. Long queues and chaos at both, on boarding we were lining up outside in the car park and it was just as disorganised inside. Boarding and disembarking Spendour in Dubai was our best experience but of a course a smaller ship so less passengers.