Pencruise

I am cruising solo( not something I normally do).

 

Going to some place very unfamiliar to me.

 

Will be there just one day.

 

So I think a ship excursion ( again,something I never do) would be my best bet.

 

$200? While I have no problem with that,I doubt I would spend that much in one day.

We were there in July and did the 4 hour walking tour of Old Havana and I am glad we did as otherwise I don't think we would have known where to go. We changed $100 US to CUC's and I believe we received 87 CUC's - we did this at the terminal immediately after leaving the ship. After the tour our guide recommended a restaurant for lunch which was a Palidar (family owned) I forget the actual name but we had walked past it on the tour. The food and service were very good and we were able to use US dollars there too if wanted. We walked back to ship, took about 10-15 mins.

1 day till Rhapsody birthday cruise !

Usually fairly quick. I don't know about global entry

 

 

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We were on the Empress last month. Got off the ship very quickly but no Global Entry.

I am unfamiliar with Nancy, but know Dexter. Considering booking soon.:confused:

Nancy is a sweetheart, she was in Suite Lounge last week of July when we were onboard.

When flying we always put ours in our carry-on, then at security take it out and put it separately with liquids etc., - have learned the hard way having the carry-on completely emptied otherwise.

We have used Zellit Limousine every time we have taken a cruise from Civitavechia, which is many many times, in fact we have just disembarked Jewel yesterday and they brought us here to our hotel in Rome and will be taking us back to the airport tomorrow. 110 Euros Airport to Civi, 110 Euros Civi to Rome hotel and 55 Euros Rome hotel back to airport tomorrow. Very efficient and always arrive 10 mins earlier than reserved. I wouldn't hesitate to use them again.

I second that. Our experience has been that there are a large number of Brits on board the TA, so maybe that will help tip the decision towards keeping the menu.[/quote

 

Update: spoke to the Hotel Director, Peter, at the Suite/Pinnacle cocktail party as we sailed into Cagliari at noon today and he told me that they will be keeping this menu on for the TA in fact he said as from Sept 10th they will expand the curry offerings (they currently have some Italian Specialties on this separate menu too) He also said that once the ship gets to San Juan they will see how popular the dishes are and then decide whether to continue it. Looking forward to our curry tonight !!!!

Thanks so much for reporting back on this - great news :). Will you be able to ask if this is a permanent thing? i.e. will they still have it on the TA in November

I spoke with two officers yesterday and was told that this "separate" menu has been introduced initially for the European Season, they both indicated that no decision had been made as to whether it would continue when the ship returns across the Atlantic. Sorry I cannot be more helpful, but will try and ask again at "meal with an officer tomorrow".

What was included other than the polish? Do you know the difference between that pedicure and the Exotic Sole Pedicure? I know the price difference, I am more interested in what makes them different.

I think the fire and ice bit relates to the cooling liquid they apply to the feet and legs followed by a very hot towel and this was repeated twice. She also spent a great deal of time on massaging the feet (not sure if this would be included in the sole delight) however it was so relaxing that I kept nodding off to sleep !! Sorry I cannot be more helpful.

I had a Fire and Ice Pedicure this afternoon on the Jewel and it was $70, included nail polish.

Jewel cabin 1100 entering the harbor in Rhodes Greece....

 

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We are in 1100 right now on the Jewel !

Glad to hear this. Are they giving you a different Indian menu each evening?

Yes Bob the Menu was different last night, they had a Local Fish curry and a Chick Pea Masala dish, again served with Raita, Roti and Poppadums. They are also putting on an Italian Pasta dish on this special menu too, last night it was Spaghetti Carbonara. I have not managed to find out yet if this going to be a permanent offering, bit will do so.

We are boarding in a few hours, will try and find out and post back.

Current onboard pricing on Jewel is as posted above on the flyer.

Glad to hear this. Are they giving you a different Indian menu each evening?

Will check it out tonight.

I am pleased to report that the separate Curry Menu is alive and well on the Jewel. We had a delicious Lamb Curry last night along with Raita, Roti and Poppadums !!! Enjoyed it immensely but ate far too much !!! Time for a long walk in Barcelona.

Please come back and let us know whether they are still doing - and will continue to do so going forward. We are on the TA in November and have fingers very firmly crossed that it's still available.

Yes, will do. Tonight is our first night in MDR as ate in Chops last night.

Anyone recently returned or are currently onboard Jewel? Looking for prices for Deluxe Beverage package, Beverage package and Surf, and just Surf for 1 week. Thanks

We are boarding in a few hours, will try and find out and post back.

Thanks to both of you very much :D

I'll take little britain's times as more solid only because they were from the 7 day itinerary vs. the 9 day or TA.

I also finally noted the Compasses which were posted on the other recent Jewel thread. I'll be booking MTD's at 6:30pm then, ample of time to get to trivia and shows :)

We board the Jewel on Sunday and have 2nd seating for dinner which it states on our docs is 9pm. A bit late for us but I am sure we will cope with more time in the CL !!

Thank you both for your replies.

 

I think it does seem like the package would be good. I might just wait until I get on-board and see how I feel after the first day. I assume if I purchased the drinks package on-board, it shouldn't cost more?

 

Cheers.

On a recent cruise we did with friends the drinks package online was $44 per day and onboard it was $58, they kicked themselves for not buying it in advance.

We are on Allure right now, will try and find out today and post back.

We are on Allure at the moment Deck 8 Junior Suite on the hump, fantastic location and very convenient for Central Park, extremely quiet.

Hotel director Peter promises me that this is a "soft launch" this week and from next cruise it will be advertised.... and will be on all future cruises including the TA!

 

 

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Great news ! We board Jewel next week.

Normally, I would agree with you, but this is more of a port focused trip for us, so the feature of an aft cabin is what we want.

That, and this is a very good reply to anyone who is thinking of a JS on the Empress- a JS that is more familiar to you would be on deck 9, whereas the aft ones are more like traditional balconies.

We were on the same cruise as you and also enjoyed it immensely. We had a JS on Deck 9, 9110 - and even though probably only very slightly larger than a regular D1 on other ships it was fine for a short cruise, and we did have a large sofa in the room, however the bathroom was tiny. We did an RCCL shore excursion, walking tour of Old Havana, which was very interesting but such a hot and humid day until the rain started which was welcome. Incidentally we had been told by Royal before the cruise that in order to get off the ship we had to book a ship's excursion, which obviously was incorrect.

6 Hours !!!! Key West and Havana here we come !!

Here's a good list of Havana restaurants:

http://www.lahabana.com/guide/havana-guide-home/restaurants/

 

For example, Los Nardos (on that list, in Havana Vieja) serves a lamb entree with a nice salad (anything other than shredded cabbage is a luxury in Cuba) and a glass of sangria for 11 CUC.

 

For another example, a great lunch sandwich at a tourist-oriented hole in the wall in Vieja was 4 CUC.

 

Some of the 5* on that list may run 25 CUC+ or so pp with drinks and/or wine, according to reports, but most should have entrees around 8-10 CUC.

A drink (mojito, daiquiri) at a tourist oriented place might be around 6 CUC, less at a local bar.

Thanks so much for that link, very interesting.