cruzgryphon

Other than Google Maps (I won't have a computer with me and the data plan for my smartphone is ridiculously expensive for Europe) - does anyone know of a site or place from which to get a detailed map of Gamla Stan?

Thanks

Hi,

Does anyone know what hotels Royal uses for pre-cruise stays in Stockholm? I searched the RCI site but couldn't find anything.

Will be on the Infinity at end of June and was wondering the same thing.

CG

Time of year will depend on what wildlife you want to see. Whales you'll get throughout the season. Same with eagles. Salmon runs and bears you're looking at August. Rain is hit and miss - although September tends to be more rainy - but again it's hit and miss throughout the season. Lots of snow on the Mountains - you're looking more May/ June.

Just wondering if the stores/ restaurants (especially the crab shack) in Icy Strait Point accept credit cards or is it just cash?

On my last couple of cruises RCI sent me an email (one I got after I had checked in) suggesting that if you're on such and such deck to check in at such and such time. At the port they don't check and say well you're such and such deck so this is your check in time. They have the usual check in stuff - priority check in line based on C&A status - but no recommended check in time based on C&A status.

It will be interesting to see how much longer they send out the emails.

CG

One thing to consider when picking when you go is what sort of wildlife you want to see. If bears and salmon runs are of interest, then the August time frame is better. Whale watching you'll get throughout the summer.

In terms of September, I found it quite rainy compared to other times in the summer (mind you the chance of rain is a constant throughout the summer period, but more so in September).

For the most part the menus are the same on the Med cruises as they are on the Caribbean cruises. You will hear announcements in different languages as opposed to Caribbean being pretty much English only. You'll find the dining times are likely later as well - so early seating in Caribbean might be say 5:30pm whereas in Europe it will be 6:30pm or even 7pm as Europeans tend to eat dinner later than in North America.

I think part of the reason the prices are higher is that the port charges and taxes tend to be higher in Europe vs. the Caribbean and the ship has to pay for supplies etc. in Euros which cost something like $1.25 USD per Euro. On board the ship if I remember correctly everything is priced in USD.

Hi Glad you liked the review - It wasn't very long tendering at all. Think it took about 10 min or so. Also there were no queues to get on the tender - but we had a RCI trip booked so met in the theatre and then were walked down as a group to the tender

 

I liked the look of Villefranche so If I were you with an afternoon trip I would go ashore in the morning and enjoy the port - go back for lunch and then Join your trip.

 

Have a great time - I am very Jealous !

 

regards

 

Sue x

Thanks very much for the feedback. I'm glad to hear about the tender situation being so short. My tour doesn't leave until 2pm so I can spend a little time in the am in Villefranche as you suggested. I may have some other questions...but time will tell.

Great review...I'm on the September 1st sailing and this gives a good idea of what to expect. Do you remember how long it took to tender into Villefranche? I have an afternoon excursion and wondering if it's worthwhile tendering in in the morning for a couple of hours.

Thanks very much,

CG

does RCCL also give double credit for solo booked cabins?

Unfortunately nope...mind you with the change in RCCL's points plan, I'm not sure they would try and copy Princess.

As with others I frequently travel solo/ have my own cabin. In 2009 Princess started giving solo passengers 2 cruise credits/cruise when you have your own cabin. None of the other cruise lines that I've cruised solo on (NCL, Royal Carib, HAL, Costa) have this type of arrangement.

So I think gradually cruise lines are realizing the economic value of solo cruisers.

Happy cruising.