FamilyCruiserUK

Miami was a little crazy in feb with all the traffic and whistles going on constantly so i understand what you mean. We will be staying with European cruises from now on..easier to get too from the UK and just more chilled check in, in my experience

Exactly, a short one week cruise means more passengers compared to a two week cruise. Also i would imagine alot of people who live close to florida ports go on a lot of small 4-7 day cruises as they are cheap, well compaired to UK prices. Also good weather to get away for a few days. I cant think of many two week cruises from florida, mostly rcl cruises are sold as 1 week and if people want longer they go B2B. The huge ships in europe do the same itinerary as they have been doing for years. (Esp from barcelona very boring) so the ship is often the destination. The smaller ones do better stops, greek isles, Croatia (Stunning btw) but then they are getting old but people who have been on the newer bigger ships want more.

Also i may be wrong but it seems the vast majority of royal ships sale to the same ports around the Carribbean, so whilst they allow huge ships it makes sence to build em and fill them and quick turn arounds.

Lol theres no meat on american bacon just strips of fat, well over cooked....normally covered in an orange liquid cheese flavour lol 🤣🤢🤮

I think the market is changing for cruise companies. The ship is the destination esp for the weekly cash cows to coco cay. However that said, there may be a market for more modern smaller ships esp if ports are limiting the number of large ships that can dock. But i dont think the maths for royals business model adds up for a smaller ship, sub 3k guests.

Have a good search if you havent already on youtube. Lots of good videos on their of ships and cabins. Some good impartial advice and tips too.

Last time i checked royal ships are not american soil, i believe they are registered in the Bahamas? So in essance people are not visiting america whilst on board. Maybe just to get to the ships, but not whilst cruising.

For the amount of time in a queue and no guarantee with the weather i wouldnt pay more then 50USD for the water park. Just much more fun water parks out there. Well esp in southern europe and i imagine in florida for the OPs price.

We got constant emails from MSC to upgrade via their bid program. As it was a very cheap and cheerful MSC taster cruise we ignored them. However a week before the cruise when i went to check in they had given us a free upgrade from an inside to a balcony. Happy days. I know its big on American cruise lines RCL and its a gamble as you dont know where your going to go. One of the good things with royal is you can choose your room at time of booking and not have to pay silly amounts extra like P&O saver/select fares. As for deals last minute, if i could i would. But work and a 9 year old stops me cruising last minute lol.

Personally i think its down to the ship you are thinking about. All cruise companies have good and bad points. All ships are different so for me i always decide Where i want to visit What is on the ship for us as a family to do Royal, love Oasis and freedom class Hate Quantum and what ever class brilliance is. ( Apart from briliance outside buffet seating at the back) NCL, only been on Epic but i thought the entertainment was way better then Royal. The rest was on par really. Except the sofa bed, kind curved, very weird lol. So i would look at where you want to go and what facilities you want on board.

Sorry from all of us cruisers from across the pond. Hope your mom has a speedy and safe recovery. I cant help with many of the questions you have asked but i would in your situation: 1, Speak to the doctor and find out what they say in regards to travelling. 2, Check if any insurance will cover them whilst onboard for the trip if they decide to go. (Not to get the cruise money back). Our travel insurance we have to declare any new medical conditions, which always bumps price right up. 3,Then make an informed decision and speak to royal. Last year my sister a few weeks before the cruise needed to remove her now ex husband. She spoke to royal they understood and gave her OBC for his ticket price. They may as a goodwill gesture give a FCC. 🤷 Or can you move the booking? But good luck and hope your mom gets better soon.

MSC have also done it for UK based bookers. If you use a different country website to book the same cruise you are charged graturites. When we went and chatted to the hotel manager they said their market research showed uk passengers prefer it that way as they know right away what they are paying BEFORE the final price page and its cultural as well. As well as kettles in the rooms. We dont have the same tipping culture, thankfully as others have said its a reward. We do tip but its above and beyond not just expected, or just added to the bill. In that case just call it a service charge.

We have never received our lapel badges...... 🤷

Not cheap, smart with your money. As you have pointed out you dont have to spend big on stuff. We are super cheap on cruises: Non drinkers (Alcohol) so at most refreshment package for mocktails and coffees. Water, ship water is fine and plenty of places to fill up a recyclable bottle. (But after tasting american water from the taps when in the states i can see why americans prefer bottled water) Dont need wifi can last two weeks without internet, but often get free internet ashore. Food is enough and good for us in the free venues. Sore excursions, way too expensive . We always explore ourselves. Room spend little time in it so always go with cheapest room option. Spa......emmm not needed, esp those prices!!! We still have a blast and really enjoy the cruise and gives us money for next cruise.

From our understanding there is a limit to the number of children onboard. We tried to book Azura for Aug 24 from Malta for a two week cruise. We could add a child for each individual week but not for the whole two week period.....go figure that one 🤷. We spoke to our TA who got onto the phone with P&O and explained that we could book the same two weeks individually but not together. P&O rep came back and said they limit the number of children onboard for kids club etc etc. However as we could book each week individually they opened up the two week option. Said its the way the computer program works or other technical mojo. We are booked onto the cruise we wanted so all good in the end but a stange glitch.

Yes was on oasis in feb was fun and often saw him play on the boardwalk as well. Usually dressed as a pirate.

Hence why the prices are daft at the minute. Also royal are currently building more Oasis and Icon class ships, so need money for those bills.

Totally agree. I have my phone on aeroplane mode, only use it to take pictures and occasionally look at the app. I would say its on about 1hr max a day. I dont bother with paying for the ships wifi. A holiday is just a get away from it all. I understand ships have apps, saves so much environment pollution with paper and inks. But is it such a huge problem to check it once in a while.? As long as they cater for people without smart phones or like my mum has no idea about technology.

Its a bit of fun. People of all ages enjoy a bit of hide and seek. Children love it as there is a prize at the end. Adults enjoy it too, some collect the ducks from other people all over the world and some use the ducks to advertise stuff and net work. I wont touch on the environmental debate . But some people need to just chill and enjoy themselves a bit and enjoy the enjoyment it brings to children and adults. Not every adult wants to sit at a bar or library in slippers drinking or snoozing on a cruise. Lol

Its after April 25 that people need to know. You would think royal would release the information the same time as other cruise lines. People like to book early esp here in uk as the deals are usually better.

I remeber our first cruise on sea princess, prob about 20 years ago so was in our early 20s. We were by far some.of the youngest people on there and received plenty of comments from friends and family about only old people cruise. The ship its self was amazing for us but now looking back it was all set up for the older cruisers. I can see how the cruise market has changed, now with more choice and more younger people, 1 affording to cruise and 2 more advertising and acceptance that cruising isnt just for old people. There is also more competition for passengers so cruise companies have to offer more. Post covid i read the newer big ships do not need to be at 100% occupancy to make a profit some can be as low as 60%. Also outside of school holidays lots of younger adults without children cruise. Where esle can you get all that food and entertainment for under £100 per person per day. Hence why cruising is popular and to all ages. Like i have said to my friends do your research before choosing a cruise.

Spooky but we have already been given a cabin number for our azura trip Aug 2024 and that is a saver fare!!!! Really didnt expect that tbh and will prob change by then.

Wow would be exciting if he keeps to his word. However things change. But will be interesting to see where she goes after April 2025 as before that shes in Florida/Bahamas I dont want to wish time away but roll on of it does happen.

I think royal are. All their new ships are geared towards families and spending money on board rather then smaller port intensive ships. Full ships, quick turnarounds, less ports, more stuff to keep people entertained.

You are totally right. Some of the silly cheap cruises royal offered for less than a week around the Bahamas and back. You cant compete with that in europe really. I think royals thinking is lots of 7 night or less cruises on full big ships. Cruises from.southampton you would need two weeks to get anywhere sunny, so their quick week business model may not work here. They are set up perfectly for the US passengers and P&O are set up for uk passengers. With princess and MSC getting on board as well. My next trip for 2025 i am leaning more towards the ship having been to most places i want to travel. So keeping on eye on prices for: MSC world Europa from barcelona Indy if true from southampton An oasis class ship from barcelona Dream wish Icon......🤣 From Barcelona.