CruisnUSA64

I actually enjoyed the museum much better than the Sistine Chapel. Wall to wall people and the constant shushing from the guards.

 

Also, enjoyed the Catacombs were most of the past popes are interred. Quite interesting and very little advertising .

We went in the middle of summer at a peak time. The never ending hallways were packed with tourists, shoulder to shoulder and there was no A/C. I at least urge anyone visiting the Vatican to go in the evening when it's less crowded. St. Peter's was also amazing, I actually preferred seeing that (which is free and separate from the Vatican).

Do yourself a favor and don't waste too much time in the museum part of the Vatican. The Sistine chapel is the main attraction, and the museum is very big and will take a long time to walk through, so don't get caught up admiring each rug, unless that's your thing.

On the ships that uses the Royal IQ app, there is a loophole that makes iMessage work. I'm not sure if it works all the time.

Does the Allure have the Royal IQ app? Will it have it by the 8/26 cruise I'm going on?

I've read conflicting things regarding iMessage. Some users reportedly get iMessage's without having to buy anything while others claim you have to buy some sort of internet package. Apparently this work on the Harmony? I'm not really sure what the rule is. I can last the entire cruise without buying internet, but since I'll be with a large group it'd be nice to use iMessage in case we split up. Does anyone know what the deal is?

By the time I booked my cruise, the 8:30 same time dining wasn't an option, so my party of 7 took the my time dining. I've read horror stories here about the My Time Dining experience on the Oasis-class ships. How bad is it? Should I be concerned or possibly switch to 5:30 or try again with the maitre d after we board? Or will I be ok if I book reservations every night for 8:00 PM with My Time dining? Eating at the main dining area is a must for us.

We've been to Maya Key (an excursion offered through the cruise companies) and we'll probably be going to Little French Key (private beach booked separately) when we go on the Allure in August (although, I'm a little lukewarm on how they treat their animals there). Maya Key also has snorkeling nearby.

RCI Oasis class ships do not tender at ANY ports, which is why the Allure canceled the whole season.

What is considered "the season"? I'm going on the 8/26 Allure western caribbean itinerary and it was supposed to stop at Roatan. Last I checked it still was. What stop (if any) is being replaced with Roatan?

Did you feel the magic in the air?