Sunnydale

Tank you for your replies, we will look further into a private tour, and will see if there is any group already formed on the roll call.

Malcolm

Thank you - will check it out

We are looking at the Eclipse next February that has two nights docked in Rio during the the Carnival period. Has anyone experienced the Sambadrome by taking ships tour, any idea of the cost and was it worth it? Private tours are another option, but as it does not start until 10.30pm and runs until 4.30am we are hesitant to be in the streets of Rio without the relative safety of a ships tour. Malcolm

We are looking at the Celebrity Eclipse next February that has two nights docked in Rio during the the Carnival period.

Has anyone experienced the Sambadrome by taking ships tour, any idea of the cost and was it worth it?

Private tours are another option, but as it does not start until 10.30pm and runs until 4.30am we are hesitant to be in the streets of Rio without the relative safety of a ships tour.

Malcolm

We are looking at the Eclipse next February that has two nights docked in Rio during the the Carnival period.

Has anyone experienced the Sambadrome by taking ships tour, any idea of the cost and was it worth it?

Private tours are another option, but as it does not start until 10.30pm and runs until 4.30am we are hesitant to be in the streets of Rio without the relative safety of a ships tour.

Malcolm

Donna

Mike Hunnerup is replacing Gordon from late Sept to 28 November

 

We were hoping for Joff Eaton on our 2nd November sailing on the Ovation but he joins on 28th November - what do we know about Mike Hunnerup, his name pops up now and again, but is he good, bad or indifferent, what what I read there are mixed reviews. Thank you in advance of your replies

What is the latest trend for the formal night attire, we are sailing on the Ovation next month out of Sydney to New Zealand, but what will be the dress code. I know that anything (within reason) goes nowadays, but we like to go with the majority rather than the minority.

We do prefer the traditional formal night dress code, at least in the main dining rooms, but it probably depends on the part of the world, ship and the climate.

European cruises perhaps still have the majority in formal attire, the Caribbean less so, but we have never cruised Australia or New Zealand before and not sure what to expect.

Obviously flying from the UK, and also including a stay in Australia with internal flights, we have luggage allowances, but quite prepared to bring formal attire as long it is appropriate to the cruise and does not spend the 12 days hanging in the closet!

Thank you for the anticipated response.

Malcolm

We usually cruise in Europewith Royal Caribbean and know what to expect for the two or three formal nightson the older ships.

Next month we are on the Freedom of the Seas out of Fort Lauderdale for eightdays, therefore presumably two formal nights.

How should we pack for theses formal nights, black tie?lounge suit? open neck shirt?

Although it is more relaxed than years ago, we do like to goalong with the majority.

Luggage restrictions (from the UK) mean that it is not feasible tobring various options and then decide on the day.

Thank you for all your replies, no suit will be coming, probably just a jacket with a smart shirt.

We usually sail with Royal Caribbean, but next month moving over to Celebrity (eastern med on the Silhouette) and the 'Chic Nights' will be new experience.

As I understand it, the idea is that while no strict dress code is in force it is expected that people will not be in casual attire and dress smartly.

No problem with that, but as we are flying to the port luggage has limitations and do not want to bring unnecessary options 'just in case'.

How do the majority dress, lounge suits with or without a tie? smart trousers with an open top shirt? I know the idea is that we wear what we feel comfortable in, but in reality we will feel more comfortable if we blend in the the majority.

When in Ashdod we intend booking a taxi into Jerusalem.

There are conflicting reports regarding where the taxis pick up from, will it be at the ship or at the port gates. Also conflicting reports if we can expect a free shuttle bus to take us from the ship to the port gate or if is an easy walk.

Any help would be appreciated, we will be on the Celebrity Silhouette 1st November.

We will be in Ashdod in a few weeks time and intend booking a taxi onto Jerusalem.

There are conflicting reports regarding where the taxis pick up from, wil it be at the ship or at the port gates. Also conflicting reports if we can expect a free shuttle bus to take us from the ship to the port gate or if is an easy walk.

Any help would be appreciated, we will be on the Celebrity Silhouette on the 1st November

On ships with a speciality night theme party such as a white party, 70s disco party, British party, etc., there is no expectation that any theme attire be worn to dinner. In fact, most folks don't even know out any theme parties until they are actually on the ship and read it in the compass.

 

I've been cruising since the mid-80s and I don't recall seeing a suggestion or expectation that guests wear a certain color clothing to dinner.

 

Enjoy

 

M

When I think about it, you are correct, it was for the dancing party out on deck and not suggested for dining room attire - although some did just because they were going partying afterwards. Will just wait and see what they decide, probably depends on the weather if they have a party under the stars anyway.

Does anyone know if the Independence of the Seas still have a night when they suggest black and white attire for the dining room, if I remember correctly it was followed by dancing under the stars on the pool deck

Thank you for all your prompt and helpful replies

Malcolm

Sounds easy enough - presume that the organiser obtains numbers, day and time, then makes arrangements with the MDR once on board.

I have read about a cruise critic lunch in the MDR on a sea day - is this possible and how can it be arranged?

It's not usually this difficult, but this time, we have conflicting info, and a CD double-booked on two ships at the same time. (Dru on both Allure and Anthem) I'm hopeful that it's as easy to resolve as having the wrong dates!

 

(I will be on Anthem on March 4, so I will resolve this myself by then if we don't have the answer sooner!)

Another double booking

Brilliance - Ricky Matthews begins March 26 for 2 months

Independence - Ricky Matthews February 21 until early June

Probably somebody currently on the Independence can clarify

We know about the train from Katakolon to Olympia, also the limited timetable.

Does anybody know the cost of a taxi from the dock into Olympia?

Thnakyou