adam7392

53 minutes ago, AdventureKenandCar said:

Is there a possibility that this remote docking is a one-off?  Maybe there was an overbooking conflict at the central port?  After all, this is the first Voyager trip to Riga this season. Perhaps future cruises will dock closer to Old Town?

I suspect not, the link I gave above for the ship movements shows all Voyager visits at that dock.  Also I had previously seen that the max length for the central dock was somewhat less than Voyagers length

That site shows Riga Passenger Port in the picture which is part of the Port of Riga.  The port starts from the estuary down to Riga.  It then lists all ships visiting Port of Riga though not specifically Riga Passenger Port

This site lists cruise ship movements in the Port of Riga and you'll see all Voyager vists are listed as KRS which is the KS port or Krievu Sala

https://rop.lv/sites/default/files/2022-06/Kruiza kugu saraksts_07.06_eng.pdf

About half way down this site you'll see a map showing the KS port in relation to the other ports and Riga

https://rop.lv/sites/default/files/2022-05/Riga – cruise destination_0.pdf

and this site shows all the various ports making up Riga port, KS is the 8th green dot from the bottom of the map on the left bank.  Click that to get a lovely high definition 360 degree view of the delights of KS port.  We'll have 2 days to take in the views of the magnificent warehouses, pipes, loading cranes and coal piles.  Those on higher decks with a pair of binoculars will be lucky enough to see Riga in the far distance.

https://rop.lv/en/map

4 hours ago, Stuart Suss said:

From what I see,

https://www.cruisemapper.com/ports/riga-port-53 

the August 3 docking location of Voyager of the Seas is at a central location, within walking distance of the center of town.

That site shows Riga Passenger Port in the picture which is part of the Port of Riga.  The port starts from the estuary down to Riga.  It then lists all ships visiting Port of Riga though not specifically Riga Passenger Port

This site lists cruise ship movements in the Port of Riga and you'll see all Voyager vists are listed as KRS which is the KS port or Krievu Sala

https://rop.lv/sites/default/files/2022-06/Kruiza kugu saraksts_07.06_eng.pdf

About half way down this site you'll see a map showing the KS port in relation to the other ports and Riga

https://rop.lv/sites/default/files/2022-05/Riga – cruise destination_0.pdf

and this site shows all the various ports making up Riga port, KS is the 8th green dot from the bottom of the map on the left bank.  Click that to get a lovely high definition 360 degree view of the delights of KS port.  We'll have 2 days to take in the views of the magnificent warehouses, pipes, loading cranes and coal piles.  Those on higher decks with a pair of binoculars will be lucky enough to see Riga in the far distance.

https://rop.lv/en/map

4 minutes ago, lionheart said:

So the ship was late getting into Riga?

Was scheduled at 11am.   For our 31st july sailing arrival is 7am.  

It's especially annoying as RC have made this an overnight stop - we were looking forward to walking off the ship after dinner into Riga and get a drink in the old town.  Now it looks like that is not going to be feasible.  Disappointing that RC didn't consider that for an overnight stop (one replacing the splendour of St Petersburg) that it would be good to be able to take advantage of the overnight.

3 minutes ago, PNW Traveler said:

  We enjoyed a walking tour excursion in the old city, so that's how we got into town.  The walking tour was leisurely, interesting, many photo ops, and great guide.

 

was that a RC tour or a 3rd party tour that picked you up from the port?

do you know if the RC shittle was free ?

54 minutes ago, DragonOfTheSeas said:

I am very sorry to read this.  Since we have an overnight port, this will be a big problem.  

my thoughts exactly.  Also ship only docked about 12:30pm local time (also has overnight).

I'm on Voyager that will be in Riga early August so following this.  Just been watching Voyager approaching Riga on cruisemapper for its first entry to Riga this season and unfortunately it is not at the port in the center but at the KS terminal 12km drive from Riga

Thanks for the review and taking time to provide your thoughtful answers

Voyager currently in the Baltic

Reina / cublet / FamilCruiser - yes but don't give up - it does seem to be possible as I just proved.   

OP here - So big update.  Needed to pay balance so called RC, said I'd like to change room and pay balance.  Gave a couple of rooms I knew were available but she said not - probaly because my assigned cabin was a 2D and these were 5D.  Quickly became aparent that I could chose a 2D cabin so ended up with 7316 on the hump (Voyager), no extra charge all very easy.  All quickly confirmed on cruise planner and email. 

I did raise a complaint about this directly with RC customer services (not so much not being able to swop but that US customers could swop but not UK / Others) and recevied a very vanilla T&C etc type reply.

So it seems that UK customers CAN change their guarantee IF you get the right person or some other mysterious alignment of the stars occur.   Original guarantee balcony back in march 2021 was £1089 each (taxes, fees included but not gratuities) and new cabin was £2208 each on same basis so its not as though there was a price drop.  

Its strange I couldn't go to a 5D category as these were listed as about £300 cheaper than a 2D but I'm super happy as I feel a deck 7 hump is better than the deck 6 near forward stairs that we had.  From what I can see deck 6 balconies have a solid metal rail but other decks have glass.

Are you doing a self test - if so you might not be allowed to board.  I think you need to have someone either doing the test for you (antigen or PCR) or have the test where you logon to a website and someone watches you do the test (i.e proctored).  If you are just self testing then uploading a photo of the test then I fear you will be turned away (I've done similar Randox tests before like this).  Taken directly from MSC website (https://www.msccruises.com/en-gl/Travel-Requirements-Northern-Europe.aspx) is following quote:

'To note: Antigen self-test is not accepted for embarkation.'

7 minutes ago, CatLadyFemme said:

I would say there were a few tuxes, many more blazers/suit jackets, and a some folks not really dressing formal at all.  No tank tops and shorts at least. The later seating seemed to do it up a bit more. I think you would not be out of place in a tux, but definitely in the top third of dressiness

Good to know, thanks.  Tux it is then, also means I have to do a quick refresher on tying a dickie bow but not sailing till 31st July so plenty of time.  Hope the weather holds for your sailout from Stockholm tomorrow which I believe is a bit of a highlight.

• Guessing you'll have had a formal night by now, were many people properly dressed up ?  I do like to wear a DJ/Tux but prefer it if I blend in a little rather than get mistaken for the maitre'd.  Hoping that on a Baltic cruise dress standards might be raised a little.

Great review so far, loving the detail and pictures.  Are they showing any decent movies in the evening on the giant screen by the pools?.  It's something we really like when sailing on Princess.

On the 31st July sailing so following all the Voyager Baltic posts at the moment.  Enjoy London, weather is going to be good here the next few days.  Hope you have a fantastic cruise and looking forward to hearing the details.

11 minutes ago, swoopy2110 said:

I have heard before that UK guests can't change a GTY cabin once assigned.

What surprises me more is that US based guests are able to change it. What's the point in getting assigned a GTY cabin if they just let you change it afterwards?! I feel the policy should be consistently applied of not being able to change it worldwide but it's not.

 

Sadly, picking a GTY gets you a lower price, but no flexibility if you aren't happy with your cabin assignment.

Couldn't agree more - where there is no legislation driving the decision then make it consistent across markets.  I'm happy enough to accept the cabin assigned so no issue there - it's what I paid for over a year ago and I accepted it.

However, as a little kicker, I also have a summer 2023 booking on Rhapsody for a guarantee inside and surprisingly got assigned a deck 2 inside cabin last week.  This was booked thru a UK TA.  I called the TA (based on peoples' posts on cruise critic) to change to same category on deck 7 and the TA did it within an hour no charge.  In fact although category was the same I moved from a forward to a midship assignment that based on the RC site had a small upcharge.  It's the inconsistency that annoys me not the issue of a guarantee assignment.

I get there are different policies per country around financials such as price drops, payment protection etc many historically based around consumer and political campaining and enshrined in national laws.  But something like allowing a cabin switch is purely down to the cruise line. So to allow in one country but not others makes RC look a bit pathetic.

Have been assigned cabin number on Voyager for Jul 31st sailing (booked guarantee balcony).  Seems like US guests are often talking about being able to call RC at this point and change the assigned room to one of their preference in the same category for free.  Have called RC today and was told definitely no unless I pay more than double what I am paying at the moment to 'upgrade' based on current price for a pick your own balcony room.   Then tried the webchat and same result.  

Have any UK or non US guests had any luck getting a different cabin to the one assigned, if so how did you do it (I booked direct so no travel agent to lean on).

I'd probably have been happy enough with the assigned cabin but after having the hope of a 'better'  cabin (to me but RC consider them to be the same) based on US experience I'm a bit miffed with the varying treatment between nationalities.

Did you need to show  a c19 test result?

Hi Little Britain thanks for the early heads up, fortunately I'm not on until end July.  Can you let us know what is actually up to par - hoping for a long list here !

2 hours ago, lionheart said:

Thanks I was thinking would do a museum as they are closed on Monday and after collect the luggage and head to ship by 200

We're on the same sailing, out of interest which museums are closed on Mondays?

2 hours ago, Saab4444 said:

In Riga only smaller ships up to Vision Class size could dock in the City Centre, bigger ones dock about 30 min outside with a long shuttle bus transfer. In Gdansk you dock in a different city called Gdynia which is about an hour away by Taxi or bus transfer

Voyager will be docking in Riga center, - following from http://www.latecruisenews.com/2022/03/08/riga-latvia-is-ready-for-new-and-redirected-calls-record-number-of-cruise-ship-calls-is-expected-this-year-at-the-port-of-riga/

Above site states:

"Twelve vessels plan to visit the port of Riga for the first time, including the largest of them – the 15-deck ship Voyager of the Seas of the cruise company Royal Caribbean International. It is 311.1 meters long and can carry more than 3,600 passengers at a time.

The first cruise ship in the port of Riga this season is expected on April 13. It will be the German liner Hamburg of the German cruise company Plantours Kreuzfahrten with about 400 passengers on board.

It is expected that this year we will be able to see bigger ships in Riga than before, and good news are that 25 cruise ships plan to stay in the port of Riga longer – two days. The highest number of expected calls is from the US and German cruise companies."

Have sailed RC and Princess.  Did a Feb 2022 7 night Dubai cruise on MSC Virtuosa in balcony cabin, Fantastica level (i.e.not YC).  Came back last saturday and on sunday booked another 7 night Dubai cruise next year on MSC Opera.  Yes embarkation was a trial but that is due to covid and all the paperwork.  Once on board everything was great.  Wife and myself not too fussy on food, ate in MDR all 7 nights and I'd say 4 nights were good, 2 were v.good and 1 was adequate.  If ordered different courses results may have differed.  Used MDR for breakfast a couple of times and that was good.  For lunch used MDR 3/4 times and that was a bit hit and miss, not much lunch choice.  Mainly used buffet for snacks which was fine.  MDR service and bar service was excellent.  Went to 2 theatre shows, one was ok the other we left after 10 mins.