SuzyPaulB

Hi we have now booked our second cruise after a fantiastic time on the Discovery last month- The Fjords Explorer next August.

 

The kids loved playing shuffle board and table tennis and we really enjoyed sitting in the glass house after dinner. Therefore, I'm asking is there table tennis on the Explorer (which deck) and is there something similar to the glass house where we can sit and relax in a evening and look out onto the fjords with a drink. (preferably inside or at least sheltered because it's the very end of August) Thanks

Hi, we returned from the Explorer just over a week ago.

The Indigo bar is at the rear of the ship and will have great views. Also the Squid and Anchor pub on the side too. The Mediterranean area, which is a bar and has the all inclusive eating options of Tapas one side and pasta/pizza the other would also be good, imo.

Loved the ship and can see why she has been rotated to do the Fjords. I'm sure you'll have a lovely time!

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Hi, we are on Highlights of the Med and dock in Marina Di Carrara for our trip to Florence and Pisa. We are due in at 7 and scheduled to leave at 7pm. Long enough for the 10 hour trip.

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Hi, we got off of Indy yesterday and upgraded from Select to Deluxe as soon as we boarded in Southampton. We were charged $15 a day.

We did goto Spain but not until 4 days into the cruise and have no idea if the Spain thing affected us. We seemed to have paid the same as others on the previous cruise.

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Hi, we've done a two nighter and all kids clubs were open.

Enjoy.

Hi, new to Royal Caribbean so am looking for all of the best tips please!!

Due to the fantastic offer at the moment, thinking of booking one week, ex-Southampton next May. Can we upgrade from the free select package to premium? If so, can I do it at booking or on embarkation?

There will be two adults plus a 17 and 12 year olds. The main reason want to go is because of the truly tricky children, hubby and I would be happy at sea in a hammock!! As it's probably going to be our main holiday next year, would like to book a balcony. Hoping that there are pullman cabins as my two will not share a sofa bed!

We have cruised before so know the general bits but what should we know or do when cruising RCI?

Thanks in advance!

Hi, they haven't been released yet, but there is a thread further down for the Dream drinks list to give you an idea.

Suzy

A point I have just made on the other Mayflower thread. I reallly don't care whether I can get on the ship early, have lunch or have to wait. I just want to be in or around the port in good time to allow me to embark.

Let me drop off my luggage, provide a shuttle and I'm happy to clear off for as many hours as necessary - but what I refuse to do is book a taxi to arrive at 3pm. How big a contingency do you build in - half an hour, one hour, two hours? That's such an unknown quantity that I'm not prepared to take the risk and therefore like many others arrive early if we're lucky enough not to have travel problems. Perhaps thinking outside of the box to acknowledge passengers' problems and concerns in this respect might help. (A shuttle to town? I'd much rather spend an hour or two in John Lewis than sitting in the terminal!!)

I am with you Kruzseeka. We travel a long way and would not want to take any chances with traffic. We always leave around 8 am, and have arrived at the Terminal at various times. I think shuttle buses should be provided into town so that there is a option for passengers.

With regards to spending, my family have a tradition to toast the start of their holiday with a glass or two of champagne so we do start spending as soon as we embark.

As Englishlady said in her very informative post, the embarkation process has had to change, let's hope it evolves towards the much more efficient American ships.

We've booked stay and cruise, boarding on the 6th August too!

Thank you for your review. Glad you had a good time but sorry that you missed a port. Hope that you had a lovely Anniversary. Where to next, I wonder?! X

Hi and welcome!

Have not been on Britannia yet, so can't comment on the particulars of individual cabins. However, have had inside, outside obstructed views, outside, balcony and superior deluxe balcony on some of the rest of the fleet, with 2 adults sharing with 2 children, and can say that the newer ships are less cramped in our experience, whichever grade you choose. For example, there is no difference between an outside obstructed and inside on Ventura and Azura, but an outside on Oriana, when she was a family ship, was a little cramped but still an amazing cruise!

With regards to your age question, my two were certainly very into the clubs when they were younger, as they have got older we have chosen to cruise with Thomson as my children aren't worried about clubs as much and we all want sunshine.

Saying that, I would book another P & O cruise tomorrow if pennies allowed more than one cruise!

We have looked at RCI, but have been put off by additional costs incurred onboard.

Happy browsing,

Suzy

Lovely to read, Pensioncruiser. So glad you had a lovely time x

Hi, the drill is normally around 7-8 in the evening after the last flights arrive. So you will be able to go into Palma!

Hi, you will be given a time to disembark later in the day to coincide with transfer times etc. If I remember correctly you have to be out of your cabin by 8, suitcases will be already gone on to quayside in arrivals. It will just be your hand baggage that you keep with you. Make sure you keep swimwear if required as will still be able to use pool!

Thank you all!

Hi, can anyone help? We are scheduled to go on the Vista next year and my sister and family are on another line and would like to have a day pass. Is this allowed? We will be in Civiteveccia.

Thanks.

I have had another amended invoice through with a different balance on it! My lovely Ramsgate Thomson branch have yet again reassured me!!

Wouldn't it be nice though.[emoji2][emoji6]

The itinerary is lovely! Fingers crossed for lottery win.

Have now received two new confirmations both saying transfers not included. Rang my lovely ladies at Thomson shop and the manager, who happened to answer the phone, said we can't even book a stay and cruise without transfers! She rang the head office who said they couldn't change anything for now but has sent me a confirmed transfers highlighted on another booking!!

I know I paid £25 for the pleasure of booking with the shop but they are so good and save me hours on the phone!

What a lovely review Stevie. It's always great to read a first cruise review as it brings back those memories!

Now that you have found your feet with the minefield that is the first cruise - quick book another!

We have cruised with our children since they were toddlers and would agree with your observations, however when we cruised on Azura in Whitsun half term it was a completely different atmosphere, lots more families.

If you like ex-Southampton then it will have to be RCI or Princess research, but if you can consider a 2 hour Palma flight why don't you look at Thomsons?

Whichever way you go, it will be another cruise hopefully and let's face it, what could be nicer?! [emoji6][emoji6]

Hi, welcome!

Wherever you dock you can either do a DIY trip, walk, bus or train depending on research or what you want to do or you can book a tour with Thomsons. They do either half or full day trips of lots of variety. If you look on the website under your area of cruise there are some examples of tours and prices.

Evenings are smart casual but long trousers for men, except Captains night which is a formal evening. However, you can wear smart cas but go to the buffet.

Inside cabins are fine and there is a webcam on the TV to see outside. We have had 4 berth inside and out and you are quite right, in the great med weather it really doesn't matter about windows.

You can book a drinks package. However, all food and entertainment are free all day and night. There are supplement restaurants but they are optional.

We have cruised with our children since they were small, they are now 15 and 11. It is a fantastic holiday and I'm sure you will all love it!

Suzy

Can we extend it to 1972 as hubby and I did that too and are still alive to tell the tale. Although our kids don't think we were ever their age!

If you look in the deck plan and check out reviews on here, it might be that you want to be in a particular place. We pay for example, as we like deck 6 outside plus positions as opposed to deck 5. (Also, deck 5 has had historical plumbing issues) it depends on the type of cabin booked,but even though it's your first time I would look at the plan and check above and below potential cabins and see if you want to pay for a certain number.

Hi, have been on the Dream twice but both times in the Med. Although have cruised at Christmas with another line!

You will have a fantastic time, the ship is very much geared towards families. I know from you tube and FB that Christmas and New Year onboard are fab. Have you paid £42 for cabin number? You might want to consider that?

My understanding of most of the ports is that they can be done DIY, but others will have advice on that, I'm sure!

Make sure you take a Christmas themed door hanger or print and laminate a Christmas good wishes for your door, it always looks lovely in the corridor!

I would imagine New Years Eve is a formal night.

Happy planning,

Suzy x

Hi, if it's the grade that you booked in stern deck 7 yes. We have booked a stern junior suite after paying the £42.

When P & O launched Ventura everyone said to avoid a new ship for a year to allow everything to settle.

Having been on both Ventura and the Dream in their first years service I can say that I wouldn't have missed either for the world and hope to have the same experience aboard Discovery from August 6th next year! Can't wait as not cruising this year so am already very excited!