moakes

 @mousefan73were you able to find anymore info on the shuttle? Does it run only at certain times? Or when a van is full? We too are looking to DIY Honfleur but don't want to spend $100E for a taxi.

Unfortunately we won't be able to travel to Europe and sail the Rhapsody of the Seas departing on August 2 out of Rome on a Greek Cruise. We just cancelled 7152 corner D1 as well as the Inside across the hall 7153 (L - Large Inside).

If anyone is on that sailing and wants an aft, try and switch... Bon Voyage

Nope - typed habachi into Google and I got loads of references for hibachi, none for habachi.

From Urban Dictionary:

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=habachi

We were in Katakolon last week and booked George for a full day. We are a family of 4, kids are 17 and 20. George was amazing. He responded very quickly with options and prices. He followed up with emails from time to time and right before the cruise, he sent a google map picture of the port with arrows as to where we should go to meet him based on where our ship actually docked. He was waiting for us when we arrived. Spent most of our time at Olympia and he gave us a book to take in with us while we toured the ruins. He came to the ticket booth with us to buy the tickets, our 17 year old was free and the 20 year old had a discounted admission. After the ruins, we spent a little time at the museum. We had planned to go to the Mercouri winery, but George suggested we go to the Olympia Land winery instead as it would not be a crowded at the time we would be arriving. He called ahead so they were expecting us. It was a great choice. There were just a few taxi's of people there so we were well taken care of. I believe the tour was 8 euros with 5 wines to taste and a nice little plate of tomatoes and cucumbers right from their garden along with cheeses, meat, bread... Wine was very good and several bottles came home with us. Finally we went to a little beach near the ship for about an hour. No charge for the chairs and umbrellas. Mythos beers were cheap and cold. George was outstanding. Free wifi in the taxi was a bonus too. I can't recommend him highly enough.

Hello Kim,

May I ask how far in advance did you book George? What were the hours of your visit? Did George come into the site and provide a tour of Olympia? How long did you stay in Olympia before moving on?

Many thanks in advance.

We are looking at a 2015 Summer Med Cruise. We've had it on our wish list for a long time now, and since Carnival isn't putting a ship over until 2016 in the Med, and our only Royal Caribbean cruise was during Hurricane Sandy and it was very unpleasant. However, I am a firm believer in second chances, and "Buy One get the 2nd 50% off" sales :D

 

Anyway, both leave from Italy and head for the Greek Isles. I've personally always wanted to see Rome, and the sailaway from Venice is suppose to be beautiful, but after looking more into it, we could take a train from Rome to Venice or vice versa, so I'm not looking at departure ports anymore.

 

Both are 7 days, 4 Ports of Call.

 

Rhapsody-Leaving from Rome, going to Santorini, Athens, Mykonos and Katakolon.

 

Splendour-Leaving from Venice, going to Dubrovnik, Santorini, Katakolon and Ephesus

 

Which do you think is the better ship, and itinerary? I'm focused more on the itinerary however.

 

Thanks!

We initially booked the splendor itinerary, then saw the rhapsody itinerary and switched. While we've itching to go back to Venice, we really wanted to focus on Greece.

Ships are fairly comparable. The Splendor is a slightly different variation of the Vision class, with the Rhapsody being slightly larger.

While the price didn't change for the better, I was able to increase by OBC for our cabin on the Rhapsody +$75…as an earlier poster said, "..that's a few drinks"!

Thanks,p Kuldaiai. I think though we want to eat on top of the caldera. Anyone know how far in advance to reserve for a rail location outside at a restaurant?

How far in advance to restaurants take reservations? Argo looked really good!

be aware that in Europe most airline only allow 1 carry on - I have even seen them make someone put their Kindle in the one bag as carrying it separate was not allowed. You are not even allowed to have a large travel wallet/ purse separately.

That's true…It pays to do a little research when picking airlines. We've only has one instance in Europe where we couldn't travel with a carry-on roller board and a separate backpack. In the end it was what it was and checked in and hoped for the best.

Cruises are easy to pack for in only a carry on. Especially Carribbean cruised. We travel with a intl size carry on roller boards which are about 1 inch smaller than the FAA allowed, and we only travel by carry on. We pack for both casual and formal nights as well as pool/beach by day and can fit it all. My wife also had no issue and generally brings 4-5 dresses of varipying formality, 3-4 pairs of shoes a pair of capris, 3-4 swimsuits, cover ups, and t-shirts. I bring a suit, 2 dress shirts, 5 casual evening shirts, 2 khaki type pants, 2, pairs of shorts, 3 swimsuits and 7 t-shirts, 1 pair of dress shoes, flip flops and workout gear (maybe once or twice I get to the gym).

How you pack also effects how much you can fit in too. Click on the video demo at the link below on a method that I find works well:

http://www.packinglight.net/travel_info_depot.aspx

For the most part we can pack for 7 days (for any climate - though not counting a big coat for cold weather which we would be wearing) no matter where we travel. If travelling to Europe and our trips are 7 days or longer we are usually rent an apartment with a w/d making it an easy process to pack.

Before switching to carry-on only, I had too many trips ruined (both biz and leisure) because luggage went missing.

this ship is easy to get around

I think my son paid $2.00 for cotton candy....it was a huge serving

QUOTE=Bugsy4271;42646708]

Spent a lot if time there 2 weeks ago. Greg, Alistair, Suzy and the rest of the sports staff were all great

On Allure 2 weeks ago booked Splendour 2015 out of Venice in E1 and a N Inside. With BOGOHO changed to Rhapsody out of Rome and upgraded to a D1 corner aft and a L inside across the hall for $1200 less! kept the on board credits $100 for balcony and $25 for inside + diamond balcony discount. Also think the Rhapsody itinerary is better than the Spelndour one so very happy. The savings pays for 1 /4 airfares.

http://cruise-international.com/jamie-oliver-reveals-menus-for-quantum-of-the-seas/

Looks delicious… much better than Giovannis or Portofinos...

I figured it was worth the risk of noise from below…snagged 7152 on the Rhapsody (corner aft) for our Greece cruise! Also got the inside across the hall for our DSs. So to recap my week…saved $1400+ on this cruise AND got a corner aft…All in all a great week!

Any noise from the lounge below?

I usually start around 9am with a mimosa or 2. Probably 3 drinks out by the pool. It isn't even dinner time and I've already hit my break even point for the day. Add a few drinks with dinner and then a few more during the shows/bars I've come out ahead. Oh, wait. I drink bottled water and maybe a couple sodas in there too. Your right, Rccl is screwing me.

I agree wholeheartedly with you. The only thing I will do is to change up your example a little bit.

Start out with a water by the pool in the am, maybe a soda as well. After lunch have maybe 2 cocktails by the pool, maybe another bottle of water. With dinner 2 glasses of wine, the a drink during the evening show, another soda/bottle of water, and a final nightcap before bed at something o'clock in the am. I am very much ahead and not drinking all day long!!

To those who say yes this is for the at sea days, this is why you need to consider your cruise itinerary into the picture as well. We did the package on Allure where there were 3 sea days along with a day on Labadee (which in essence is a sea day as drinks purchases get applied as they are on the ship). We knew we had a morning excursion in Jamaica so would be back on board shortly after lunch so again this day was just about like a sea day. The only day we "fell short" was Cozumel.

The choice of whether you purchase a drinks package and whether it is a "good deal" for you is such a unique decision where your drinking habits (on vacation, not your normal day to day habits), itinerary, cruising companions, etc all play into it.

I really wish those who do not feel it is worth it because "they don't drink" would stop berating those who do enjoy having a few cocktails on board. Why are you even opening the threads about the package if you don't drink??? I like to enjoy my vacation, and that includes a few drinks. Having said that for my next cruise I probably won't purchase the package as the itinerary is much different, but haven't decided yet.

LIKE!

Quote function doesn't seem to be working right…but the above is from akcruz

It's not for everyone and that's ok…for those that don't drink more than a 2-3 on a given day…go ala carte. For those that drink more than that it'w worth considering. No one side should be berated or castigated. I did the math for our Allure cruise and it made sense - 3 sea days plus a de facto sea day for us in Nassau. 4 bottles of water a day, three daytime cocktails or beer, 2 glasses of wine with dinner and 1 post dinner drink. On port days, I didn't even think about not making a quota…in fact on sea days I also didn't think about making a quota….I drank when I felt like it without having to think about the per drink price. It was freeing. In the end, probably broke even or slightly ahead but it was nice knowing upfront what my final bill would be.

Next year we just booked a Med cruise - more port intensive…long days in port, and the math will probably not make sense -- As Akcruz said, many factors beyond math, or normal/personal drinking habits should be factored.

Is this happening to anyone else? I am trying to do a booking and when I go to book it, the prices jump up at the end?

 

The itinerary/date is valid since I see the 50% discount for the 2nd passenger, but the fare is increased.

 

Does anyone know what's going on?

 

Thanks.

Per an earlier post from Marci:

When you choose a particular cabin, a window will come up to the right, click on 'view summary of charges' and you will see how the discount was applied.

I just went through a booking and it looks like the price that was showing initially was the already discounted price for passengers 1-2. So you will not get a discount off of that price.

And

Your first picture shows the price of 1&2 after the discount has been applied.

Your second picture shows the actual breakdown (non-discounted price and how the discount was subtracted, plus fees). It is the same amount.

 

I don't think they should show the discounted price until the room has been selected. It is confusing people.

How long of a ride is it? Thanks!

A little over 30 minutes... We hit some traffic around Simpson Bay

She's on her way back out. Hope the patient and his/her family will be ok.

If I'm signed in the price of the cabin is $100.00 more! ? ! ? The difference is PLUS $51.00 for being signed in! ! ! ! Now I'm really confused and upset! :eek: :cool:

Your location indicates Panama…maybe the promotion is only valid for US/Canadian citizens????Not sure but that maybe why your pricing is fluctuating…

Just read the T/Cs…US and Canada residents only:

Offer applies to sailings departing Jan 1, 2015–Apr. 30, 2016; all stateroom categories. Cruise must be booked May 1-31, 2014 (the “Offer Period”). Offer provides for 50% off cruise fare of second guest booked in the same stateroom as a first guest who books at full fare. All other charges, including, but not limited to, taxes, fees and port expenses, are additional and apply to all guests. Offer is combinable with standard/full fare rates and Crown & Anchor discounts and benefits. Offer not combinable with restricted rates (including, but not limited to, seniors, residents, military), Interline, Travel Agent Rates, and Net Rates. Offer excludes Quantum and Anthem of the Seas and third and higher occupancy guests. After the Offer Period, the Offer will be removed from the booking if the guest cancels and reinstates the booking, applies a fare change, or changes the ship or sail date of the booking; certain other changes to the booking may also result in removal of the Offer. Offer applies to new individual and named group bookings only. Offer available to residents of the United States or Canada. Offer is subject to availability and change without notice, capacity controlled, and may be withdrawn at any time. Refer to royalcaribbean.com for complete terms and conditions. Royal Caribbean International reserves the right to correct any errors, inaccuracies or omissions and to change or update fares, fees and surcharges at any time without prior notice. © 2014 Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Ships registry: The Bahamas.

Onboard the Allure couple of weeks ago, booked 7 day out of Venice for next August - A balcony and an inside across the hall. Just hung up with RCCL and if I kept the same itinerary would have saved $1000…Changed to the Rhapsody out of Rome (same type of cabins) and saved $1400 and change!!!! That's one airfare! Kept the NCC onboard credits too. Pretty good day so far!

Whoever mentioned the buy one get one half off sale yesterday....THHHHAAAANK YOUUUU!! I am so excited, even after raising the price for the sale I still saved over $200.00 and my cousin save $420.00! Nice, it was no problem either, I just gave them my reservation number and they gave me the discount. No hassles. :D

Changed itinerary to the one we REALLY wanted but was pricer than we booked and managed to save $1500! THANK YOU CC!

There is definitely more selection and variety in Windjammer than in the MDR. WJ has SOME of the MDR offerings plus a multitude of offerings not available in the MDR. You will not however find some items like the roast duck or lobster tails in the 'Jammer.

 

Windjammer is highly underrated for dinner; I agree it can actually be a nicer setting than MDR. Lights are dimmed, it seems not as loud or busy. Much easier to go on your own schedule.

Couldn't agree more. Just returned from the Allure MTD and it literally was like somewhat setup our table in the middle of Grand Central Station. Guests, waiters, asst waiters, carts rushing back and forth, noisy…

We went up to the WJ for a couple of nights and while yes you have to get your own food, it was sooooo much more relaxing and yes plenty more variety than the MDR (with some of the same items). You could eat at your on pace; take a break, not have to wait for bread..refill service…and at least on the Allure/Oasis… MUCH BETTER views…especially at sunset!