Camillus112

Thank you both bitob and Lois!

2 hours ago, bitob said:

I am a devout user of luggage forward. We always ship our luggage. They are the best   I’ve used them at least 12 times. Flawless service

After a week in Madrid in December without our luggage (one still unrecovered), we are thinking of using Luggage Forward for our next cruise.  My question:  would they deliver to the ship, and/or the hotel?  In your experience, which would be your best option?  Thanks for your help.

I have been to Cádiz, Gibraltar and Sevilla.  I would prefer Cádiz or Sevilla.  If you have enough time for a thorough (or somewhat thorough) visit, Sevilla would be preferred.  Cádiz, however, would not disappoint...and it is very walkable.

Thanks, RELS, I need to re-check my selection.

Good news, slidebite, thanks for the clarification!

Another excursion availability question:  I booked our desired excursions and, at confirmation, one of them came up as reserved.  Is this indicative of wait-listing?  Thanks if you can help.

So, no priority check-in or priority boarding for penthouses...

Hello Jamon, we will be sailing Serenade in May, sorry I cannot help you, but, would you post comments/review of your cruise when you come back?   I will be very thankful since it will be our first in Royal...a Caribbean cruise out of Tampa.

On 11/2/2022 at 9:43 AM, kool kruiser said:

Here is a link to a section of the Explora online brochure:-

 

https://explorajourneys.com/uk/en/life-on-explora/dining

 

If you scroll down below the dining options, you can see that music/entertainment is indeed envisaged, although there will not be a traditional cabaret/theatre lounge.

 

Hope this helps.

Thank you for directing me to entertainment information., kool Kruiser!

We are really interested in a Dec 2023 cruise.  We understand that there is no theatre for shows, but there is no mention of music at the bars or any other place.  We would love some classical music, but also some lively pop music at the bars.  If not, it would be too boring for us. Am I missing something? 

Thank you flpenguin for your reply!

Our first ever RCL cruise will be next May on the Serenade.  We have booked a Grand Suite, and our family members will be on Junior Suites.  Does the Serenade have a Suite Lounge, like other bigger ships?  Does it have a Coastal Kitchen as a perk for suites, or any other venue?  What other perks can we expect?  Thanks so much for you help!

2 hours ago, BellaOnline said:

 

It was a long bus ride (9:44am to 10:12am) to get to the central area with the mosques. Once there we walked through the obelisk plaza and over to get in line for mosque #1. This line was slow enough that he told people who needed to to run over to the bathrooms and then come rejoin us in line. A few people did. I don't know how clean those were. Then I don't recall any bathroom breaks in the second mosque line until we then walked to the Turkish palace plaza. Once in the plaza complex, when we were set loose, he pointed us toward a bathroom and most people went. But those were ATROCIOUS.

Thanks so much for your reply.  I was considering a 2023 Regent Athens-Athens with overnight in Istanbul, but would not be able to enjoy Istanbul at all!!

I have enjoyed your travelog so much!  You are a very good writer as you engage your followers in your adventures, perceptions, and feelings.  I am so sorry it has ended!  However, I am so glad you overcame blistering difficulties on your way home!!  Regent should make good on the fact that they abandoned you to such turmoil.  

On another note, regarding Istanbul and your mention of bathrooms...did the tour provide with reasonable bathroom breaks, say every two hours?  You mentioned once a filthy bathroom, was this a one off or is this what you would find?  Having a small bladder, Istanbul might not work for me...

What a disappointment, we will be sailing the Serenade from Tampa and it seems not to have a Coastal Kitchen!  Anything particular for the suites?  Thanks for the help.

Hi all, RCL newbie with question...in Grand Suite or Junior suite, is CK an included venue with free drinks?  Just booked and the website does not help.  Thanks for any help.

1 hour ago, Lirio said:

I will be in Tampa this week to attend a conference. I will have 1 free day. Any recomendation? I do not want to go to any park....

You may enjoy eating at Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City (part of Tampa).  It is a fine Cuban restaurant with traditional food.  It is a lively, interesting place to interact with locals of the Hispanic community.

On 6/7/2022 at 5:52 PM, Gpilon said:

Three months post cruise….dust has settled and now want to make a few more comments. Splendor was beautiful and staff great, for the most part. Our suite, 1201, was terrific except for strong vibrations at night in the bedroom. From, the ship. Dining for the most part ranged from “not so good” to “very good”. Pacific Rim was exceptionally disappointing with no sake served and mediocre food.  It did not help that a server spilled a plate of food on our table. Our favorite was Sette Marie…..consistent, excellent food and service. Certainly can not say the same for other dining venues. CD Nevin was AOWL virtually the entire time. Did we get our money’s worth in a Grand Suite? Not at all. One bartender, Vita, stood out and was sensational. Will we cruise with Regent again….for sure. But not in one of the “named suites” as we just don’t see the value attached to them for price charged. Costa Maya POC cancelled due to apparently rough seas. No credit given. 

Hi Gpilon, this is your Syracuse secret friend who would have shared this cruise with you.  Thanks for your thoughts and impressions!  After many SS and SB and a few Crystal cruises, we have only one cruise in Regent Explorer under our belt.  We agree that we were underwhelmed by Pacific Rim...but somehow we never ate at Sette Mari!!!  We did enjoy Chartreuse and Compass Rose.  We are Penthouse people, and, although not Crystal, Regent's were very good.  I would recommend if you try Regent again.  

I have only visited Liverpool once; my DH's Concerto for Trumpet was played by its orchestra.  I was charmed by the city, and would like to visit again for more time to enjoy its sights.  Maybe a cruise segment including the city...

I am late to this game... Tennis (never sneakers) and Hellman's...preferred mayo.  This from Puerto Rico.  However, now living in Central New York.... I was once instructed by my good friend from Trumansburg, NY, that, because of my Spanish accent, I pronounced the word 'introduction" with an emphasis on the TR, whereas it should be pronounced "innerductshun".  She really wanted me not to make a fool of myself,  therefore I appreciated her suggestion.  Every time I spoke publicly, I excused my Spanish accent...

Well techno, since I was once a local, insects recognize me and leave me alone.  Better bring repellent...just in case they don't love you. 😇

If you have the time while in San Juan, I recommend a hiking tour to the waterfalls of the El Yunque Rainforest.  Beautiful!!

The T-shirt, clever take on my favorite song from a favorite duo.  Now I'll be humming all day long...

One factor, aside from unfulfilled expectations, that may be considered when evaluating compensation is the cost of lost time.  Vacation time is precious to many people...whether they work, have caring responsibilities for family members, etc.  Not everybody can re-allocate vacation time at will.  This factor would be considered by an "expert witness" in court...not that it will be necessary...but should be taken account by those negotiating compensation.

Many years ago we visited the original, and then only, restaurant in Via de la Scrofa, which created the Alfredo sauce.  The meal was prepared table side, and it did not contain cream al all!!  Lots, lots, lots of butter in the pasta.  The butter created a cream like heaven where the pasta flowed.  Unfortunately, we in the USA expect an Alfredo sauce to be cream based...and I know differently (smiley face here).  Just saying this since I agree with the OP that the Carbonara should not have cream...neither should the Alfredo.