ccotting

I enjoyed Izmir as well, are they offering tours to Izmir? I echo the Ephesus trip and House of the Virgin but would argue that the rug places are fun to see too. Even if you don't buy they do the whole demonstration sales pitch and I found that fun to watch. As a child we used to see that mimicked in cartoons and I always thought it was exaggeration but no! too fun, a real spiel. The traditional pottery is lovely too if you like majolica and the pottery places are often included on the tours. Watch out for the beggar children and do not give them any money.... Some of them have been trained to steal (we toured with a diplomatic representative and were so advised). This is a beautiful area with lovely beaches. We have stayed in a resort in Cesme and I could go back anytime!

Ok, but the advertised sale price that I see given when I look at my dashboard, is it pre or post 18%. I am assuming pre, correct? So then if the advertised price is $65, I am really paying $76.70 all in?

It's been a while since I did the math and considered booking a package. Question for those of you currently booking. If they quote a daily price on the RCI website does it include the tip or is the 18% added after? So if the sale price is $65 per day is it really $76.70 once you put your money down?

Looking at what is above is always important. We had the experience of a full aft right below the spa in one of the vision class for a back to back Caribbean and Panama canal. All through the Caribbean it was very quiet. Apparently there was a 7 am fitness class on the spa deck and no one came. Come the Panama Canal leg came the fitness enthusiasts and we were up every morning early thanks to them. So this can really vary according to your cruise colleagues. Also for the Panama leg, the cabin below us started celebrating the transit at 7:30 am with champagne just as it started then moved on to jello shooters after (God knows how they did that!) and partying hearty thence forward. So noise can come from all sides. We love the full aft for the view, the balconies and the cabin sizes (ship depending) but it does have things you have to consider. On that Caribbean cruise no issue with smuts but with the Panama and faster speed by the ship after canal transit, along they came. You are more conscious of the engine pod noises on some ships and depending on how high you are may notice that. It doesn't bother us, DH is retired Navy and will, on occasion, give a play by play of what the pods are doing! The full aft are the best view for anything where you want both sides like the Panama canal, the St Lawrence River cruise or Alaska and we heartily recommend them.

Yes please and ditto!

Wow that pizza looked good! One thing I do feel could be improved on both Royal and Celebrity are the pizzas

OK, bear with me for the HR speak. They are on variable compensation just like the CEO's of Fortune 500 companies. Higher ratings, higher percentage they get to keep of the pot of their pay which is defined as 'variable'. So they stress about it and tell you when they give the survey information. In their mind they are banking on the maximum possibility. Course, very human, they forget the time they thought you were a challenging customer for asking for something. I think our responsibility as customers is to be honest but give due consideration to staff being new and not knowing, which is always a training issue and, the responsibility of their senior.

Everyone's thermostat is different. Age, current environment and, health related. What you are used to.

I echo the comments the weather can be mixed but sorry 'Mr Dane', ladies pack a scarf and/or a hat of some sort. DH grew up east coast and he would agree with you. I grew up west coast and feel things a little differently. It doesn't have to be a wooly scarf, a polyester "silk" look scarf is quite warm I find (pure silk not so much) and is not bulky to pack. You can wear it around your neck or use it as a head kerchief like Queen Elizabeth does and, it it is handy to have in your pocket when things get crispy. We had lovely weather late July but the cruise ahead of us had many storms. Also, when you sight see you start early and things can warm up so the layers are really good advice. I didn't feel the need for gloves on this cruise but July in the Scots highlands....well.....another story!

We've loved the 6163 on Infinity. Point to note, depending on the ship these balconies have shade covering or not. We did and we loved it. Only other comment is to note that next door on the side away from the penthouse suite is a small sort of alley before the cabin next door. It is for staff and we had a fellow who was always in that alley not doing his job and on his cell texting etc. Took away from the privacy a bit and, also, from the service support. That said, we would definitely consider booking that room again but only if it had the overhead covering.

In another posting someone mentioned Enchantment is going into dry dock 4th quarter 2023 but I can't find any other source that shows that. Does anyone have further information? Cheers aye!