Jarronwood

Excellent report, thanks!

Hi

I am sorry everyone for the joined up words. I didn't check before I posted so edited it which has taken me over an hour as I also thought of some other things to add to it. However when I went to post my edited version, it threw me out saying I could only edit within 30 minutes of posting and basically I had taken too long to do so, so please forgive this version.

Its been nearly 2 months since my cruise and I thought I would just briefly (I hope) give you a review of our cruise. Any questions please feel free to contact me. Ok here goes :

We stayed for 2 nights in theHotel Continental in Barcelona. Nexttime I would choose another hotel. Thehotel was right on Las Ramblas and so the location was perfect but (and this ismy opinion) I thought it could do with a spruce up. I know some rooms have been recently refurbished and despite me e mailing the hotel several times to check we had a room over looking Las Ramblas and also requesting a refurbished room, we only had the room overlooking Las Ramblas. There are probably a lot nicer hotels forless money and the only good side to this was the location. The hotel offers and purports to offer, 24hour food all day with wine and beer. Yesit does, but only white wine no red but it served our purpose. The food…………….. um well let’s just say was pretty muchinedible although some people seemed to be enjoying it.

Prior to arrival, we purchased the Hop on Hop off bus tickets for the Saturday and took the red route (about 2 hours) around the city. You are given earphones to plug into your seat to hear a commentary of landmarks etc. We then got off and hopped on to the blue route bus to take us to La Sagrada Familia as we had purchased online tickets for 2.30 pm. The cathedral was amazing, we also purchased the Tower tickets taking us up to the top of the cathedral but a rather long walk down which had to be done quite slowly as it was fairly narrow and could be dangerous if you lost hold. It was pretty crowded but enjoyable.

One thing of note was that when we were on the red route bus it took us down to the port terminal but also along the seafront where we spotted a Italian restaurant (La Trattoria, I seem to recall) and we said we would eat there that evening as most of the food places in and around Las Ramblas were tapas bars and neither of us really wanted tapas for dinner. We did in fact get a taxi from the hotel to this restaurant and it was really very nice and plentiful. Both my husband and I prefer Italian and our only complaint was that the portions were far too large! We then walked back to our hotel stopping at a couple of bars for a night cap.

Sunday morning, the day we board the ship arrived and wewent out for breakfast. We found alovely little café in Las Ramblas and had a really nice English cookedbreakfast. Then back to the hotel tofinish packing and to check out. We leftthe hotel about 12.30 and got a taxi to the Port.

On arrival at the Port there was a hive of activity which seemed a it chaotic but we left our bags witha porter and I noticed two very large entrances one without any people and the other really really full of people trying to get into the terminal. Me being me took the virtually uncrowded entrance and walked straight in and placed our luggage of the scanner and then joined the queue for the check in. For some reason, we were called forward to an employee whodisengaged the rope barrier and secured it behind us………….and then walked us to an empty check in desk. I have no idea why (we are not diamond members nor booked into a top suite or anything like that) but that was a really nicestart to the cruise. Perhaps he thought I or my husband were famous!!!!!!!:D

Anyway, we had our photo taken and happened to bump into our friends who were joining us for the cruise and who were just finishing checking in. We then boarded the ship andwent straight to the sky bar for a couple of drinks. Then to the cabins to unpack.

Then to fire drill and then thebar and then change for the evening. I know the fire drill is a must and we jumped to attention so tell me why there are people who feel they need not attend because at each station the crew have a list of cabins etc that they tick off their sheet and they were calling out to see if some passengers had not "checked in with them". So off goes a crew member and comes back with these other passengers. We were standing there for ages and ages.... And then.... those late passengers wouldn't get into line they just stood there until a crew member pretty much said they had better get into line as he was responsible for them if in the unlikely event we had to evacuate the ship. He further said that unless they got into line he would have no choice to reported to the Captain who could ask them to disembark! I just don't get it. Why do people think they are above everyone else?

Main Dining Room – we ate heretwice – the food was very very good, nothing to complain about but it took atleast 2 hours from sitting down to leaving. We had Leo and his assistant serve us and although we were in a cornerwith a window the whole dining experience seemed to be rushed. By this I mean, people coming, people goingand the waiters, their feet did not touch the ground and although we were a bitout of the way but from where I was sitting everything seemed chaotic (I shouldhave really sat with my back to everything and probably would have had a more relaxingexperience).

Giuseppe’s – we ate here once onmy husband’s birthday. Now……. That wasso different from the main dining room. Much more quieter and calmer, no one was in a rush and made for abetter dining experience. The food wasvery good.

Windjammer – we ate dinner/supperhere 4 times during the cruise. We also hadbreakfast - the food was on a par with the main dining room, plenty of it and Iwas very selective on what I ate. Onenight I had a piece of steak – in fact it was better than the main dining room…….

Chefs Wine Pairing Dinner – this tookplace on the 3rd floor elevated part of the main dining room. We were both a little disappointed in thismeal as we very much liked the food in the MDR, Windjammer and Italianrestaurants and were expecting something amazing. Not so, nothing wrong with it but we boththought that the food and the actual wine pairing could have been a lot better. In fact, both my husband and I who havecruised with Celebrity and Azamara said that we thought the food was a lotbetter on RCCL BUT the wine paring we had on Azamara beats everything handsdown. Each course on Azamara was delicious andamazing not to mention the particular wine chosen for that course. Each course was extremely innovative whereasthe RCCL wine pairing was nothing special. The presentation of each course – well, I think I could certainly havedone better and I don’t cook!!!!

Bars – we didn’t get to go in allthe bars but the ones we did I found relaxing - each bar had a different cocktail list and that was quite enjoyable havingdifferent menus. BUT my favourite wasVintages. I loved the ambience in there –very quiet. My husband and I had quite afew chats with the sommelier and tasted different wines and learnt a lot about them. We met anothercouple who enjoyed the wine bar as well. Many a night was spent sitting on the bar stools putting the world to rightswith them and the sommelier.

Entertainment – sadly and I haveno idea why but we never got to see any entertainment. Probably having too much of a good time inVintages.

Excursions – First stop Marseille– we stayed on the ship and chilled for the day. It was warm and sunny and extremely quiet –we stayed by the solarium pool catching a few rays and having a few drinks.

Villefranche – we organised atour with the ship. Unfortunately, weleft it too late to arrange a private tour as we usually do and so went withthe ship and used our ship credit to pay for this. It was very interesting learning about Monacoand its Prince and seeing the Monte Carlo Casino. Also standing on the world famous corner onthe Grand Prix. However, my recommendation would be to make sure you book a private excursion not with the ship as when there are only a few of you, the tour is more bespoke.

Florence – we organised a privatetour with our friends and another couple who unbelievably turned out to be ourwine drinking buddies. Well David was ashis wife doesn’t drink….. The journeyinto Florence was about 2 hours BUT I did fear for my life at times on theroad. My husband say next to the driver, then our friends and myself and David and his wife in the back. I said we would all swap around on the way back giving the back passengers to sit up front and when we came to go back, I offered the front to David and his wife and they emphatically said "NO" "we would rather sit in the back as we cannot see the road" so they too didn't feel comfortable but all in all we had a nice time in Florencewith a private guide who took us to all of the important sites. For my part I wouldn’t go to Florence againunless the ship docked pretty much within walking distance. I just felt it was too long to get intoFlorence.

Rome – again a private tour with2 other couples. This for us was thehighlight of our trip. Again we had aguide who picked us up in the people carrier and talked to us about the historyof Rome and dropped us off at most of the important landmarks giving us timefor a quick toilet break or coffee. We didn’t have towalk far at all, just down a little street and there was the TreviFountain. Another stop and across theroad were the Spanish Steps and all the time Max from RomeinLimo telling usabout each site. Then off to the Coliseumand going round and round the huge famous roundabout and slowing down on theroundabout so that we could gaze in awe at the buildings. Then stopping for 20 minutes right outsidethe Coliseum. Then back on to anotherplace, again driving slowly past a couple of famous small churches and explainingthe history. Then stopping for about anhour so that we could get some lunch in a little market square. Then back to the Port.

Finally, our last port of callwas Naples. Our friends had been toNaples before and suggested we take the ferry across to Sorrento. So glad we did. We had a lovely chill out day wandering thestreets then having lunch in a little café then back on the ferry to the ship. Note - check the times of the return ferry - we thought it ran every hour, not so from about 2 pm until 4.30 there is no ferry and by the time we knew we had already got down in the lift to the bottom. There is a life for 1 euro that takes you to the top of the cliff which is where all of the little streets and cafes etc are. There is not much down by the sea although you could walk up the road that vehicles use but it would be a very very steep walk I would think.

Our last day was spent at sea andafter breakfast we spent time on our corner aft balcony reading and chilling.

Up in the morning and off theship in record time into a taxi back to the airport for our journey back to theUK.

All in all we had a lovely cruiseand I can honestly say for me it was the best cruise I have been on. In fact we are looking on going on Independence of the Seas from Southampton beginning of July 2019 for my nephew's 18th birthday and are waiting for the itineraries to be published.

Any questions please feel free to ask.

What would be the least calorific? Do they do mock cocktails and agin, what would be the least calorific?

Why can you not pay it online? I can pay mine online

Customer Services said some can and some cant. !!!!!!!!!!!!

This phone number has been reported to be free from the UK: 0800 018 2020.

Thanks Bob - Using that number I was answered quickly and have paid it now. Just a bit upset as I always do any shopping through TopCash Back and would have probably got about 200 pounds back.

My daughter paid for a Sandals Holiday and went through TopCash Back and got 270 pounds back. I paid my cruise deposit through TopCash Back and they are refusing to pay out until the whole balance was paid. Now I have lost that money because I couldn't pay it online.

Why can't you pay your balance online? You've been able to do this for many years, you just log into your "My Cruises", click on the reservation, and make a payment.

 

The exception would be if you used a TA to book, and then you would have to pay through them. In that situation calling Royal wouldn't help either.

 

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I have tried that and put all the details in for my card, however I did notice that it was showing minus 300 pounds (which was what I paid for the deposit) and the error said it was not possible. Guess if it showed the outstanding balance it would have accepted it. Customer Services say that some people canand some cant and they do not know why this is.

I find it unbelievable in this day and age I cannot pay my balance online but instead I have to ring RCCL on an 0844 number and hold on and hold on to pay it. How safe is this.?

I have never had coffee/tea machine in a cabin other than JS and above.

 

BTW: That coffee is terrible IMHO!! I just take the machines and store them out of the way untouched.

 

Much easier to take our coffee mug to the coffee stations, or do as many do...order room service.

It was more for a cup of tea on waking in the morning but hubby can always go and get two mugs somewhere although I am thinking of taking a travel kettle and my own tea bags and grabbing some milk and sugar from the Windjammer.

What type of cabin are you in? To my knowledge, on JS or above have tea/coffee kettles.

 

Worst case scenario, you can just go down to the Cafe Promenade to get some coffee or tea. They had lots of varieties of tea as well--green, black, English breakfast, Earl Grey, chamomile.

 

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HI Andy

We are in a normal balcony cabin (albeit on deck 7 corner aft!) - my friend always has a balcony nothing special and says she has always had the facility.

Hi everyone

I have been speaking to my colleague at work who is off next Monday for two weeks on Indy and tells me that they have coffee.tea making facilities in the cabin. I didnt know this - we are off in October on FOS (sister ship to Indy). Can anyone advise whether this is true?

It would be really nice if it is.

 

I can't speak regarding the comment made by the poster you have questioned. However, as the original poster, I feel that I that I can say I was "owed" a courtesy phone call to let me know the cabin status. It would have been the respectful thing to do, especially since my original booking for an aft cabin was made 18 months ago. If it had been your reservation that had been altered, would you have been happy about the change and lack of notification?

 

In reality, I guess they owe me nothing, if you go by the cruise contract. However, I guess I don't have to offer my loyalty anymore, either. They obviously have no concern for my continued patronage. I have been loyal to Royal as proven by my Diamond Plus status. Perhaps that needs to change.

 

I am quite aghast at reading this thread. Isnt RCCL part of the Azamara umbrella or vice versa? When I booked my last cruise on Azamara about 2 years ago now for March 2016 sailing I had to get my daily fix from the relevant forum. When something wasnt right and a customer posted their thoughts or disappointments or anything about their upcoming cruise Azamara sorted it. They had a dedicated person who scoured the Azamara forum and who gave advice and contact numbers on who to address their grievance to. It was sorted. Alternatively she would find out herself from the powers that be and report.

 

For instance, we booked for a 12 night cruise from Singapore to Singapore for an April sailing. 8 months from departure I read on the forum that the cruise had been cancelled as the ship was going into dry dock for those 12 days for a refit. I couldn't believe it. We had booked 6 months previously and at the time of booking were able to secure a very good rate and within our budget. To cut a very long story short, my TA had no knowledge of it being cancelled despite me saying it had. She even supposedly telephone Azamara and rang me back to say it wasn't cancelled. In all of this time, the forum was going crazy with the cancellation. The cruise was no longer showing on any website and my TA said it was because it was full.

 

I then decided I would ring Azamara direct and guess what, yes it was cancelled. Sorry I digress please bear with me.

 

Azamara compensated us so well for the cancelled cruise. They didn't have to. I am a lawyer I know contract law, they could have just returned our deposit. But no, they said we could choose any and I mean any cruise from the 2016 or 2017 brochure and they would honour the original price we booked for the previous cruise provided it was in the same category. PLUS they gave us $500 OBC.

 

Now that is what I call loyalty.

We try to book afts whenever we can. We had a D 1 in November for 2 and have a E1 booked for next November for 2. RCCL would not let me book a D 1 aft for 2 in May. I tried to book a preferred view on Vision for January on board ship and they said no. I called when I got home and they said yes. ( these are larger ocean views with floor to ceiling Windows)

 

All that said it seems to depend on how and when you book. However we have never had a cabin taken away. I would be very upset and fight it. To me if they let you book it they should honor it or upgrade you big time.

I booked middle of October for next October 2017 med cruise through the RCCL website and booked the corner aft on Deck 7 on FOS. There are just the two of us. Does it make a difference if its booked in the UK? I would be extremely disappointed if they "upgraded" me to a higher category unless of course it was a suite.

About 8 or so years ago I was able to booked a corner aft on Celebrity Summit two week cruise through the Panama Canal. This was booked through a TA. Everything was fine. But that was in the day before these forums were up and running I think.

I am into planning in a big way. Is this spreadsheet available in excel format? I would so like to have a template.

Boleros drink menu

 

 

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OMG Love the cocktail list - Ive def got to try all of these next October. SO long to wait.

Better is relative, but we ate at all three specialty restaurants. They were all excellent. Which type of food do you think your husband would like best - Italian (Giovanni's), Mexican (Sabor), or Steak (Chops). My personal favorite is Giovanni's Table.

 

 

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A very good steak or Italian. Whats the ambience in both of these restaurants? He tends to like excellent service, bottle of extremely good red wine and excellent food.

Hi everyone

My husband and another couple are on Freedom next October and I know it is ages away yet but I do like to plan.

It will be my husband's birthday in the middle of the cruise and I would very much like to surprise him with something. The day of his birthday we dock at La Spezia, Italy. I don't intend to book any special excursions that involve too much travelling to get to anywhere. A short journey somewhere would be good but its the evening really.

Should I book a table in one of the speciality restaurants. If so, which one is "better".

I would welcome any ideas or maybe someone has done something similar for their husband?

Although our flights to Barcelona are not international, we fly from London Gatwick and I was very very surprised by the hike in air fare for the particular time we are cruising next October.

We fly to Spain (Malaga) twice a year usually on Norwegian I always book our flights and pay the little bit extra to book one of the extra leg room seats I have always got a very good deal mainly because I booked a good 9-11 months out.

With this October 2017 cruise we originally ticked the box for RC to include the flights with BA when we booked but within 48 hours I cancelled because we wanted to fly out two days earlier do a bit of sightseeing in Barcelona (having never been to this City before). At the time of deciding whether to cancel the flights with RC I was able to secure a really good price on Monarch Airlines but had to wait about 14 days before I could book the return flights after the cruise. Suffice it to say, I kept checking every other day to see whether they were out and purely by luck was able to book via the Opodo web site with Iberia Airlines and again got a very cheap deal.

The Iberia flight now is £250 more than what I paid.

However I did notice that when each dedicated airline published their fights the prices had hiked to pretty much treble if not double double prices.

Maybe there is something "special" going on in Barcelona that time of year?

Who is super mario

Yes, that definitely was an an Azamara ship in port with us in St. Maarten. I've often wondered about their cruise experience, thanks for sharing yours [emoji3]

 

I have a feeling you will notice the difference between the two ships, but I can tell you that the crew on the Freedom are really great, which always makes a cruise that much better!

 

 

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HI again,

Our very first cruise was a week long one about 10 years ago or probably more now I come to think about, Western or Eastern Caribbean on RCCL Explorer of the Seas and we loved it. Those were the days when there was no choice re dining in the main dining room and it was a set time, either 6.30 (too early for us) or 8.30 (too late for us). We have also sailed on Celebrity Summit, 2 weeks Panama Canal and again there was no main dining choice. Whilst it was great to get all dressed up, husband in his tux and me in my "ball gown" we felt we had exhausted the cruising experience as we both had taken up golf and our holidays centred around playing golf in a different country (to get out of the unrealiable weather here in the UK)

Then this year was a big birthday for me and we wanted to do something different, hence the Azamara Quest from Bali 16 nights to Japan. The ship seemed to tick all the boxes and at the time the cost was no more than 2 weeks in Europe or Caribbean apart from flights. Having said that we were lucky at the time they were offering double upgrade and since all the drinks, tips etc were included it was a no brainer. Having said that unfortunately Azamara cancelled our cruise (it was originally 12 nights Singapore to Singapore around Thailand) but they were very generous in their compensation and we ended up doing the Bali 16 night to Japan for the same price.

The ship only holds about 630 passengers and there is never ever any over crowding. The officers and crew are first class and whilst there was not many bars/restaurants to choose from - well 2 restaurants and 3 bars - the service was second to none. The shows were more personal in a cabaret lounge so none of the all singing all dancing three tier theatres that the bigger ships have. As I said before, the Captain and other senior officers were always there to welcome us back on board or wish us a good day when we got off and it was those little touches that make Azamara so good.

Then this year, after our week long October holiday in Spain and the log jams on the golf courses we decided we would do something else in our October holiday that got me looking at a cruise in the Med. It was picking the right ship and my colleague at work always has her holidays on RCCL ships and cant stop talking about her fantastic experiences.

Whilst I loved Azamara and will sail with her again, entertainment wise was a little bit non existant so I looked at going back to RCCL and choose Freedom next year in October 2017. I know its a long way off but I do like to plan.

I am hoping that there wont be too many children on board - and its not half term week for the UK and the sailing after ours is a TA - I am very much looking forward to it and have managed to snag one of the aft corner balcony rooms on the 7th deck.

Both my husband and I hate crowds, I tend to get a little bit panicy when there are so many people around me and this is the only thing I worry about but I know if I breathe deeply and think nice things I will be ok.

Friends of ours are also coming with us and staying in an interior room and if it gets too crowded we can always chill out on our balcony with a nice glass of wine or something. We were able to take advantage of the BOGO half price plus free wifi plus $100 OBC plus free drinks package when we booked (although I know that at the end of the day there is no such thing as a bargain because the actual cruise price on its own is less than what we paid and it all adds up to the same price whatever offer is on at the time).

I so look forward to reading your posts everyday and glad you are having a great time. Maybe on one of your cruises we may meet up, you seem like a lovely person.

Is that an Azamara ship in port too. Sailed on the Quest in march this year and adored her and the crew. Capt Jose and Russ the Entertainment director were amazing as was the rest of the crew. Welcoming you on and off the ship at each port with a class or two of bubbly, cold towels and other refreshments. We sail on freedom next year and I know it will be so different in so many was, some good and some not so good, it's going to be different but I am looking forward to Freedom, there seems to much to do on board.

Hi everyone

My husband and I and another couple are all booked on Freedom next year for a Med Cruise.

We both booked direct on the UK RCCL web site. Should we try and get our bookings linked? Just that after reading some posts people/groups "link" their booking.

What is the advantage of doing that? All I know is that we have both chosen the Anytime Dining and will probably meet up in the evening for a few drinks, a meal and to watch the show. WIth the Anytime Dining can we just show up together and ask for a table for 4?

Thank you EnricM. I really appreciate the speedy response and clarification. We will arrive in Barcelona, from our cruise, on May 4, 2017. We arrive very early. We have one day to see what we can see. We plan to go to Sagrada Familia. We are wondering if we should do a HOHO bus? Does anyone have any thoughts on that?

Hi. We've booked this hotel based on the good reviews from trip adviser. We go next October 2017 for 2 nights pre cruise. Be interesting to have your feedback when you get back home.

Protein drinks are not included in any drink package.

WHat is the price of a shake? I guess it depends what ingredients go in it. Are they all natural veg and fruit with a dollop of protein/whey powder?

Was just on Freedom. Squeeze is just a bar with smoothie/protein shake options (or every other drink ie alcohol under the sun options, no coffee or anything like that and no food) and you can get the fresh squeezed OJ there too. I stopped by there after my visits to the gym. IIRC my protein shake was around $5-$6.

Would these protein shakes be part of the drinks package or extra?

Very Comprehensive list of cocktails , perfect for enjoying during the sunny afternoons and will likely round off the evening with a few Gin and Tonics but thought I'd have been able to see somewhere which wines are available to enjoy by the glass on the drinks package and maybe get a few bottles for research purposes to sample while im still on land between now and then !

 

Having a few glasses with lunch is one of the things I'm looking forward to most !!

 

 

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You sound like a girl after my own heart. Have you tried the white Bombay Sapphire Gin? Hendricks used to be my fav and my go to when I want to spluge but the Bombay Sapphire White Gin is cheaper than the other Bombay and IMHO much nicer.

Shame we are not on the same sailing next October.