Softball20

Just posting to follow up on our day in Mykonos. We did dock and took the water taxi to Mykonos Town; very easy. We walked around town a bit and made our way to the bus station and caught the local bus to Platis Gialos, which was also super easy. Once there, we got loungers in front of a local hotel. Per the waiter, there was no charge for the chairs so long as we ordered stuff, which we did throughout the day. It was a really pretty beach with beautiful clear water. We also had lunch at Avli tou Thodori, which someone on one of these threads mentioned. It was very good and quite reasonable. Even our beach waiter mentioned that it was a good place and didn't mind that we didn't eat at his place as we were ordering drinks all day. When we were done with the beach we got the bus back to town and back on the water taxi. We had purchased our return bus tickets in the morning when we purchased the out bound tickets, which worked very well.

To all who chimed in with advice, thanks!

This is no good without a copy of the video. Your mission, Softball20, if you decide to accept it, is to find a copy of this video and post it here on CC.

 

As always, should you or any of your Cruiser Force be caught or killed, the Secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions. This post will self-destruct in ten seconds. Good luck, Softball20.

:)

Sorry I wasn't more prepared to handle the mission. Sadly, the muster video did not self-destruct; we had to watch the whole thing!

We just got off the Refelection this morning, and I agree, the video was just plain stupid!!! Please go to the Sunset bar and tell Rickey, that Brian and Lisa already miss him!!

Have a great cruise

We've only been on since about noon today, but Ricky has been great!

The muster video is still stupid. I'm sorry I didn't get any kind of video of it. Glad we are not the only ones who found it painful!

We just boarded the Reflection today in Civitavecchia. I have to say the muster video is about the most stupid thing I've ever seen! I understand the need for the drill, and we always go and pay attention - as we should as it's necessary and important no matter how many cruises one has been on. However, this new spy-themed video was ridiculous. When did they start this? I was on the Silhouette in January, and we got the regular safety information, not this corny video.

It's an awful site; completely not user-friendly!

Don't try to understand a meaningless mindless policy.

But do note that you can fly to London with your Kindle, you just can't have it with you on the flight back.

Is this a done deal now? Last I heard yesterday they were just considering the ban for flights from Europe to the US but I hadn't seen where is has actually been passed. Does anyone know when it begins?

Hopefully you will be just as upset if those adults at the table next to you are laughing loudly or the ladies at the next table who are not quiet and polite, etc. And hopefully those who want to get up and walk out if a child acts up will do the same if an adult acts up.

Very good point; what's good for the goose.......

We were on a ship several years ago and the table next to us in the MDR was quite loud. It was a large group so you expect/understand the noise. However, they started making sounds with/on their beverage glasses - wetting the rims and running their fingers around the rim to makes sounds. When we looked their way, they just did it more and louder. These were mainly adults doing this, and a few older teenagers. It was obnoxious and no one did anything about it. I'll take the well behaved three-year old!

Another time, I confess, we were the loud ones. My kids were 17 and 20 at the time and there were ten of us. We were in a specialty restaurant on Princess, thankfully in a little alcove. Someone at our table told an very funny joke - the kind where you laugh until you cry and can't stop laughing. Across the restaurant a very well behaved little girl, maybe around seven, shot us a look. She was right; we were too loud and calmed down.

Who are any of us to say that this particular parent is placing onerous burdens on her child or whether or not this particular child is equipped to handle the situation? Wow - this woman wants to take her daughter on a Baltic cruise. What an experience for a child! Will she remember most of it? Probably not specifics, but she will remember the love, attention and experiences her mother gave her, and by the fact that her mother is interested in taking her places and introducing her to different cultures, she'll be exposed to a whole lot more than chicken nuggets and video games.

I'm sure we've all been in situations where we've seen a child misbehaving - or simply acting like a child. The burden there is on the parent to recognize and deal with the situation. I know I've seen both - where the parent deals with it appropriately or acts obliviously to it. Many here seem to be assuming that any parent will simply be oblivious to the behavior and allow it to continue and that every child in this situation will be a problem. Not so! There are children who can handle such situations and there are adults who cannot. By the fact the OP is asking the question to find out the policies, it seems to me like she is cognizant of the fact that there may be some venues that may or may not be appropriate for a young child, and she's doing her homework to be sure of what's allowed and what's not. She's also specifically asked about the one of least intimate/formal and most interactive of the dining venues available, which implies to me (IMO) that she is being considerate of others by understanding that perhaps some of the other dining venues might not be the best choice in this situation. Kudos to her for wanting to give her child such experiences!!

I originally refrained from commenting on any of the negative posts. I was taken aback at how rude some of the comments were. Since I'm the original poster I will add my two cents. I wasn't looking for anyone's opinion as to if I should take my daughter, I just wanted to know what the policy was on the cruise line. For the record, I am a single mother and I travel and dine with my daughter often. She IS my date! I give her my full attention during dinner. I am working very hard to teach her about how to behave in many different settings, especially at restaurants. I also like to expose her to many different cuisines. She can recognize more herbs than most adults.

I actually feel bad for those people who don't understand the joy a child, especially of her age, can bring to any experience. My daughter, like most children, is full of joy and wonder and notices things that I am no longer sensitive to. She enhances every part of my life.

I specifically was curious about Q'sine because I thought it would be fun for her but I wanted to make sure it wasn't akin to Alinea in Chicago(although I really didn't think it could be). This is a cruise ship and a vacation. It's should be fun.

Thank you to those who came to my defense, I appreciate it.

Enjoy and have a great time! It's trips and experiences like this that will teach your daughter so many invaluable life skills and so much more than just about the food she is eating. My girls, thankfully, always did well in restaurants when they were little, and we didn't refrain from taking them places, on cruise ships or otherwise. It's because of that that they learned how to behave in various settings, carry on conversations and do well in social settings, as well as many other life lessons that have served them well as they grew up. They also never ordered from kids' menus and have grown up eating and appreciating all kinds of different foods and cultures.

We are using him in a couple weeks. He's been great to work with thus far. He is sending one of his other drivers, Sebastian, as he will now be out of town due to the G7 summit and the craziness of Taormina in the coming weeks.

We used Roberto Mirabile a few years ago and he was wonderful! Very personalized service! I would not hesitate to book with him again the next time we are in Sicily.

Good to know; thanks. He's been very helpful and responsive. We are actually going with one of his other drivers, Sebastian. Things are a bit crazy in Taormina with the G7 summit, so Roberto will not be available.

HI

 

Thanks for the suggestion. After much research I decided to go with Sicilylife tours. I'm already happy with their flexibility and responsiveness in planning our transfers and tours. I'll report back after our trip. Less than two months away!

 

Tom

Sicily Life is really good; we've used them a few times. We are actually not using them this month when we are there - no issues at all with them, and I contacted them first. I just thought since we've been to the area a few times that maybe someone else might have a different perspective to what we are seeing. We are using Roberto Mirabile as he also got great reviews. Sicily is wonderful; you'll have a great time!

Just bear in mind that this map reflects only the risk from terrorism and political violence. Jamaica is shown in green (Negligible Risk), but I certainly wouldn't consider it one of the places to go "if you want to feel safe".

I've been to Jamaica 17 times, mostly land trips with just two cruise stops, and I have never once felt unsafe. One of my favorite places!

No, not canceling plans to cruise in Europe this summer, either; never gave it a second thought.

Went to the local Safeway and found a bottle of the Villa Antinori Toscana. Having a glass right now.

 

I definitely feel a bit better about choosing wine in Italy now. Thanks!

While the Antinori is not a bad wine at all, if you can get it at home, try something different in Italy! As others have said, any of the local wine shops will have great, reasonably priced wine, and you can try stuff that you won't be able to get here. I love a good Brunello, and I can't wait to be in Italy next week to have some when they won't cost as much as they do here :) An Amarone is quite good, but it's a big wine, and is much better with the right food as opposed to just having a glass to drink on it's own.

The knees/shoulders covered rule applies to all -- men, women, and children.

 

Not all churches will have someone there to strictly enforce this rule (although the major cathedrals will). However, to me it is a matter of courtesy. All of these churches open their doors to often thousands of visitors a year and most charge nothing for the privilege. The least I can do is be respectful and comply with their request to dress appropriately.

Agreed - it's respectfully and expected. I saw a post on a thread on Trip Advisor the other day where someone warned another poster that the "fashion police" were at the doors to a particular church and turning away people who had on tank tops, shorts, etc. and offered them shawls to cover up. She seemed miffed. Unbelievable!

Thanks everyone. I am thinking we will wait for a time without the kids.

Our kids loved the Equinox; twice! Actually, we took them on a couple RC ships as well, and they much preferred Celebrity. Sure, you won't find all the schtick on the Celebrity ships, but none of that stuff really impressed them (or us). My kids were between 13 - 16-ish the last time we were on Royal and afterwards they both said that they never would have missed all the "stuff" if it wasn't there. Keep in mind, too, that in July, there will be many others their ages, if that's important to them.

I got the promo chips for table games at the cashier. I didn't do the promo credits but I would presume you go to the cashier and they transfer the OBN to slot credits on your sea card based upon the amount you request.

Thanks.

Yes you can use OBC in the casino. They do not charge a fee for this.

 

For gaming tables they give you promotional chips. Winnings are given in regular chips which can be cashed in. You must lose all your promo chips because they cannot be cashed in.

 

On the slots, you play your promo credits until they're all gone. The winning credits can be cashed out. The promo credits, if any remain, are forfeited at the end of the cruise.

How do you get the Promo Credits?

If you use them, could you please report back? Thanks.

We decided to go with Rome Cabs. We've used them several times, so it didn't make sense not to do so for a few euros difference.

Great review so far. :)

 

I have may missed it, but may I ask if you are a male or female?

 

And have things changed on the ship regarding the drinking age? When we cruised with our teens (now young adults), and they were 18-20 years of age, they were allowed to drink once we reached International waters. We had to sign a waver, though.

Our daughter was allowed to drink when she was 20, as we had signed the waiver. That was in 2010. That only applies, however, to sailings that originate from Europe or South America - at least that was the policy at the time. I thought that it still is the current policy.

Great review, by the way. Our kids were on Celebrity a couple times as older teens and even one as very young teens. They have loved them all, and it's line they prefer.

We love Rome Cabs, too, and have used them in the past many times. This is kind of a last minute plan, and Rome Airporter was a bit less expensive. I don't know anything about them, however. I should probably stick with Rome Cabs :)

Whether you need to bring your own depends on how particular you are. Gilchrest and Soames are a respected company who make fine products so for most people the toiletries are fine. Based on my personal experience, I would rate their conditioner as 'medium' strength. If you have normal to oily hair they work fine. If your hair is very coarse or dry I suggest bringing your own.

Thanks; nice to know what they are using now. I think we used the shampoo when we were last in AQ, and it was fine, as was the body lotion. I believe what they had before was a different brand, but for shampoo, this will be just fine. Conditioner is another story. I have very long, thick hair, so it's probably better to bring my own.

Did anyone use Rome Airporter? Thinking of using them next month to go from Rome to Civitavecchia but can't find too much about them.

Thanks for all the replies. Trying to decide if I want to bring stuff from home or not. I can probably use the shampoo, but I'll likely bring my own conditioner.

Just curious about the current brand of bath amenities in Aqua Class cabins - shampoo, conditioner, lotion, etc.

Thanks!