helpthejuggler

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/quantumoftheseas/dining/restaurants/

RCI 'Dynamic Dining' announced for Quantum and Anthem may interest many NCL fans. It seems like they have copied NCL and even taken the next step with no MDR at all and taken 'freestyle' to the next level.

Does this appeal to you and/or define the new that might be seen on Norwegian Escape?

I like it.

...and the definition of formal wear is quite flexible.

Yes there are up to 3 formal nights.

This was repeated last week and is on Iplayer.

search for "Timewatch".

Very interesting

An update to the summary is attached.

The info from post#80 has been added as a new column as it applies to all ships.

M Class Stateroom Matrix 2014 Mar 21.pdf

The problem is, the ports are very similar, making it harder to choose. Italy is my #1 priority, but I would also love to go to Greece, and Barcelona.

Celebrity Reflection/Silhouette are in the Med for 10nts that fit.

Emerald Princess have some matches that fit your wish list.

An option for Barcelona, Greece and Italy and 12 nts in Sept>>Oct 2015 is Norwegian Spirit.

Routes are between Barcelona to Venice or Venice to Barcelona.

If you sacrifice Greece, NCL Epic is also an option from Barcelona for 7nts

If you sacrifice Barcelona NCL Jade is an option from Venice for 7nts

Extending a 7nts with a couple of nights in Barcelona or Venice is worth considering.

"Button Down Shirt" always confused me.

I thought for some time it was a button down collared shirt.

Would anyone know if it you wear a Button Up Shirt instead?

Do button order police exist?

We spent a day with a group from our CC roll call on a tour from

http://www.sicilywithmario.com/

A very good tour through the many sights from Messina and it worked out great value for a full day.

It depends......worth how much?

Reading between the lines...I think the OP has not been to Rome before.

In which case it really is worth arriving early to spend time there as there is no shortage of things to see. The famous sights are enough alone to make it worth the hotel stay.

The 'port for Rome' is over 1hr travel from Rome itself so that part of the transfer needs to be planned. I'd arrive early, have a great time in Rome, stay overnight before heading to Civitavecchia for the cruise.

We used cruisingexcursions.com for transport to Florence. Good value. They park next to the train station and escort you to the Duomo where you meet again later for the return walk. This is about 10 min walk.

From there you explore on your own. The Gallileo museum is next to the river close to the other museums. I estimate 10 min walk but we did not walk straight there, going in the duomo first then stopped for a drink.

We enjoyed the Gallileo museum. We spent around 90+ minutes in the museum which contains lots of varied exhibits. Their website is good to gauge your interest before you visit.

It took us a little searching to locate the Gallileo museum entrance.

A link would be helpful to non quidco users.

http://www.quidco.com/celebrity-cruises/

If you have not used Quidco before.... you still eventually book direct with Celebrity.

The referral fee Quidco receives gets passed back to you after the transaction has completed. It can take some time to get paid, but does work.

Of course the 123Go prices are elevated at the moment to include drinks, grats, OBC etc.

In effect you get a 4% rebate on cruise, drinks, flights and hotel costs altogether in that transaction.

Just noticed that Celebrity Cruises list a 4% cash-back from Quidco at the moment

It may just be for the duration of the 123Go offer until end of Feb.

Of course it could continue.

If you were booking a cruise anyway...quite a nice little earner.

Just noticed that Celebrity Cruises list a 4% cash-back from Quidco at the moment

It may just be for the duration of the 123Go offer is on, or could continue.

If you were booking a cruise anyway...quite a nice little earner.

Or use of Michaels for suites and Zenith is just daytime when it was otherwise closed.

Still open in the evening for everyone else?

and of course youtube is worth a look

The cruise line web site has loads.

Google image search will give you loads

Joe, What are you looking for photos of?

We have been on tasters with P&O, Cunard, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity from UK.

All were very good fun but are busier and more lively than longer cruises. Plan to do more of them in future. I would try them to get to know if what you enjoy.

A lot of people are jumping to the conclusion that Michaels club is being sacrificed. As I read it, this is the same daytime perk now being offered to Zeniths etc.

I suspect Michaels will be open as normal during the evening. Having converted to a craft beer venue on 2 ships it seems odd to abandon that plan.

Save your shaking for the party band.

On Solstice Class ships Verandah, Concierge, Aqua and Sunset rooms are almost identical in size and layout. Some rooms 'on the hump' have larger balconies.

Concierge and Aqua have more amenities.

SV rooms are limited in number but share the amenities of verandah rooms. Some find the rear facing view a bonus, overlooking the wake.

Small number, they are sometimes in higher demand so sell for higher prices.

Obviously there is less wind and you can see port and starboard sides to some degree. They are overlooked by rooms above and the terraces so may not be to all tastes.

There is no rear stairwell which some see as a disadvantage.

I suspect for Alaska they would be a good choice, but have not been there myself so far. But it depends upon how much you use your balcony.

Exactly.... saying 2014 gives an idea of current sailings as they happen.

All sailings to date would skew opinions as more have sailed on the older ships.

Which ship did you like best in 2014?

Only vote if you have actually sailed on that ship.

Many refer to Cunard in this thread but I'm intrigued how many of the posters have experience of Cunard ships. I feel that the reality is not how it is widely, incorrectly perceived.

Just like the specialty places on X. If you pay more you get to dine somewhere different. If separate dining is so objectionable X should close Tuscan, Murano etc as it seems to be at odds with their guests wishes.

Early in this thread NCL was also discussed for their 'class' system, but I've not heard anyone write they dislike that system equally.

Not sure if you have found your roll-call.

Should be in here somewhere

http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=573

There will be lots of past Eclipse cruisers chatting away and making plans.