Tin can

I've just read the article and what a depressing read it was. Although UK based like yourself we cruise as much from the US with Royal as we do from Europe and even we are getting a bit fed up with itineraries going to Coco Cay. I absolutely love cruising with Royal but I had a look at the NCL website after someone mentioned the Iceland itineraries above and was amazed at the variety of cruises they offer. I really like the Royal product though 😐

We looked at the Fjords for 2025 and others may disagree but I think Haugesund and Skjolden (as lovely as it is) are not the best ports to visit.

You're right it's probably a 'Sunset View' now and $$$ , it was a long time ago and we couldn't believe our luck at the time.

Royal considers (or at least used to) some of the Aft cabins obstructed, we had a GTY a few years ago and got 6710 which was classed as obstructed and it was partially by the rear structure but it had a great large balcony.

This wouldn't surprise me at all for the 5 night Hamburg and Rotterdam itineraries and I think it would be out of necessity. We have taken many short Spring Break cruises from the US as it tends to coincide with the two week Easter holidays here in the UK. Nothing has compared to a short Royal cruise from Southampton especially if it has the big family groups and hen/stag parties. I'm no prude and I like a good time (often my Diamond vouchers are gone by late afternoon 😄) but that itinerary and the three nighters with drinks packages would attract a certain type of cruiser which would be too much for me.

She was great on our summer Greek Isles cruise, we had no complaints at all apart from the Wi Fi which was hit and miss but not a massive problem.

Yes we are, early fall colours sounds nice. Thank you for that.

Hi all We are looking at a one way Royal Caribbean cruise from Vancouver that has the same itinerary sailing both the last week of July and the last week of August. The August cruise is significantly cheaper and I was wondering why this might be, from a bit of research Canadian school holidays run until early September and the weather historically looks about the same. We are coming from the UK and mock flight bookings seem to indicate that flights are also significantly cheaper in August. Am I missing something that makes an Alaskan cruise at the end of July as opposed to the end of August more appealing and therefore more expensive. Any thoughts would be appreciated as its a big holiday for us so if its worth paying a bit more for July I will. Thanks 🙂

I don't know why (I should have expected it) but I'm amazed at how expensive they are! Perhaps I'm a bit behind with things but I have noticed aft balconies are now called 'Sunset View' or something like that and are even more expensive.

We got the train from Venice changing at Bologna and stayed a night in Ravenna, Ravenna was fantastic and we enjoyed it almost as much as Venice. I really don't understand why Royal doesn't at least advise people of alternatives to the 3hr coach directly to the port.

'The star is Alaska' is exactly my thinking for favouring Vancouver to Seward. I'm a bit out of my comfort zone though with this cruise, perhaps I am over thinking things but being from the UK its a big trip for us and I want everyone to be happy with the choice of ship/itinerary..

Thank you that is really helpful as I like the idea of the one way from Vancouver on Radiance. Our son will really enjoy the ports and is not too concerned with having the ‘bells and whistles’ of the newer Royal ships but I know he will like a few other kids on board to hook up with in the evening.

Thank you for all the comments. What to do...... the Quantum class ships from Seattle tick all the family boxes but the departures from Vancouver with the smaller less family friendly ships have the better itineraries. Being from the UK its a tough decision as Alaska is likely a one off.

Hello all I am after some advice please for Alaska 2025 on the ships and itineraries that usually attract families with children for our son to possibly pal up with. The two Quantum class ships from Seattle look the best bet obviously but we like the idea of the Inside Passage from Vancouver. I just can't see though Grandeur Of The Seas doing the Vancouver return or Radiance doing the one ways from Vancouver or Seward having many families on board. Vancouver sailings seem to be an older crowd (nothing wrong with that as I am in that camp 😄) but I have to be mindful that Grandeur or Radiance for a 14 year old with no children his own age may not be much fun. Any thoughts from season Alaska cruisers very welcome.

If you switch a cruise with a NRD I understand the $100 pp charge but are there any restrictions such as it has to be for the same grade of room or cruise length for example. I assume then you have to immediately pay to make up the difference for the deposit on the new cruise.

Exactly the same for us, a lovely harbour and a very easy train to Monaco.

Like many others have said atmosphere and service is the reason we like Coastal Kitchen. It can be a sanctuary from the noise and chaos sometimes in the MDR.

A good point but I’ve not seen such high August demand from Southampton 11 months out before. I’ve just done a mock booking 7 day cruise in June for the three of us in a balcony and it’s nearly £4k 😳 I really thought with ship fatigue from another Anthem season and the new MSC Euribia arriving that it may have thrown us some really good deals but I’m not seeing them.

I'm sure you are right but we are restricted to travelling during August in 2024 and prices still seem very high to us. Especially departures from Southampton which are horrendously expensive with limited cabins choice especially suites which are pretty much sold out on all August sailings. I thought MSC debuting Euribia out of Southampton may have influenced Royal pricing but apparently not.

I'm finding the complete opposite for European cruises and especially UK departing cruises. We are flying London - JFK for 9 nights on Liberty for less than 7 nights on Anthem from Southampton in 2024. Just checked now and no price cut so you have a very good TA working on your behalf.

The same I reported ours to our steward. I'm from the UK so to me it was a nice cup of coffee but I'm guessing when something makes as much fuss and noise as that thing does then to people who know their coffee it must be very good.

I'm the same, when I hear the clanking noises of docking I want off. I don't even stop for breakfast, I'm not sure there is anything more depressing than last morning Windjammer.

As others have mentioned this is still offered in Europe. Personally I think its a terrible idea, who wants to be on board at the end of your cruise with excited new cruisers coming on board listening to the Cruise Directors announcements knowing you are going home, It is though very popular by all accounts, apparently Royal are unable to offer it in the US due to a requirement for a zero count before new passengers are able to board but I may be wrong.

Not that it is a big problem but ours recently on Explorer was exceptionally loud. So much so that I had concerns about using it very early in the morning out of courtesy for our in neighbours in rooms next door to us.

Agreed, I was just making the point that where they can they will. I think your comment was that they (Royal) were pandering to smokers elsewhere but they aren’t in Australia but it’s just business. Statistically any casino that allows smoking will generate more income than one that will not. Statistically any casino on cruises from the US or UK will generate more income than an Australian cruise that will not allow smoking. I don’t smoke and don’t like smoke in the casino but if I owned a casino I would want smokers.