dancer11

Engine fire causing ship to skip a port and travel to Venice. 21 crew members & guest treated and released for smoke inhalation.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/22/travel/royal-caribbean-cruise-ship-fire-feat/index.html

We cruised on Crystal several times, and doing laundry never presented a real problem. On our Queen Mary 2 world cruise, laundry was often the subject of conversation among passengers, as there were lines most of the time and sometimes funny events when people weren't there when their machines stopped, or some people had a sense of entitlement about doing laundry ahead of others based on accomodations. Actually funny.

So question is, are Riviera's laundry rooms usually full of waiting passengers?

Thank you for the great pictures and reports. As we are doing a combination of 2 cruises, one almost mirrors your cruise. I lhave made several notes, especially about Red Ginger

We've cruised quite a bit, but we are booking our first Oceania cruise, on the Riviera. I'd looked at vidoes on You Tube, but the pictures on their web site left nothing unanswered, except one question:

What is the best cabin location on deck 9?

Thank you so much

http://www.thepreismans.com/riviera_mayan.htm

I love reading the world cruise blogs, even if I have to skip the part where the poster tells us what time he got up, what time he had tea, and how many minutes he exercised. People have such great experiences at the ports. And there's the amusing stories involving the launderette.

When we did the world cruise, I blogged at the request of some friends, and enjoyed doing it. We'd get emails from many friends who read it to keep up with our trip. It's so easy to do and saved me from sending out multiple email. They are especially nice when pictures are included.

So let's hope we find one somewhere!

Twice we've sailed Br. Club, once for 1 week, the second for 94 day World Cruise. The only difference from regular Brittania is the dedicated dining room and where the cabins are located, but they are the same cabins. We also sailed QG, and loved it.

On a world cruise, there is a lounge set aside for those passengers. There is a concierge to handle tours, restaurant reservations, etc. as well as various daily newspapers. It is another opportunity to meet people. I found we met most people through activities: we dance almost every evening and we started seeing the same familiar faces. I played bridge on sea days, and had several nice coffees with several players. I showed up to play social bridge, and people got to know me, so sometimes I'd be pulled in as I walked by to make a table of 4. On excursions, I met other very nice people.

If you wish to breakfast alone, I'd order room service if you are in QG. You don't get alone time in any dining room, unless you've asked for a table for 1-2, and in the grills the table you are assigned is your table for all meals.

Breakfast items, such as fresh berries and fresh orange juice (not reconstituted) are things you don't get in the main dining room, but you can order them in Club and the Grills. It's nice that your waiter is with you for the entire cruise, he brings your beverage the minute he sees you, no need to ask for it.

On the world cruise, towards the end of each segment, our maitre'd would quietly ask us if we wished to change our seating. We were a table for 2, and there were 4 such tables lined in a tight row. All of us declined, we were so happy with the independence of when we ate, but still could catch up on our neighbors' even if they were finishing early to see a movie. We all enjoyed the companionship of talking amongst the tables, but also liked that we could order and be served on our schedule, not waiting for all 8 to arrive at a round table. On this last point, it's not that they hold early diners orders for late diners, but if you are roughly at the same time, it seems that the delivery is paced so all eat at the same time.

You will meet people in the Grills lounge. As the group is smaller, the faces become familiar. And as you mentioned you like to use other lounges and bars, you should have a lot of happy company.

This topic may be worthy of its own thread...

 

We are traveling in PG on QV in April and will be disembarking the ship at FLL. ...

I hate standing in lines. We have US passports and use Global Entry when flying back into the country.

 

We will be through customs before 11:00 AM?

Unfortunately, there is no global entry at the cruise ports. It would be very expedient if they did, think of all the passengers you could deal with rapidly.

There is a web site for the Everglades Port Authority that lists what ships will be arriving each day in Ft Lauderdale. It is really bad when there's a dozen ships, never enough customs and immigration staff to handle all those ships, more so as they get larger and larger. Checking the web site may give you an idea of how busy they will be.

And for those critical of U.S. Customs, I agree to a large degree. But having traveled in Britain extensively, I think they are even more security conscious than the U.S. and flying out of Heathrow is much more complicated than flying out of a U.S. airport.

On a nice day, if you are on the sun deck for the grills, a cart will come by with ice creams, as well as the later cart with tea. Sun block and tanning lotion are provided at a table by the door.

The dining menu in Queen's grill is much more extensive than at the other levels, plus they are happy to prepare flambeed dishes, pastas, and Caesar salad table side. You have the same table assigned to you for all meals, no one is going to be sitting at your table but you (or your party of 8, if that's what you've requested).

The 2 bottles in our sateroom bar are replaced every time they are getting low. The bath has a separate shower and jetted bathtub.

I wouldn't say the canapes are great, but it's still nice that they are brought to you each evening.

Should you desire to have a small cocktail party, the butler will set it up and serve.

The Grills lounge has several different newspapers printed for us in the lounge, in addition to having one of your choice delivered daily to your room. You also receive that day's menus delivered to your stateroom each morning.

Your butler can be asked to unpack for you. I've not done that, I want to know where things are.

it will not get one off the ship any faster at ports except the final one. It does not entitle you to think you can ignore the cue at the launderette and think you don't have to wait like the others (but it's fun when someone tries to claim such a privilege).

Good news that they were working in Queen's room only late at night.

Apalling news of that restroom situation. I can't believe male passengers had to live with that! So an attendant is going to stand by with a bucket of water for another 12 or more months, really!!!!!

Not long ago I read a posting here that there was scaffolding in the main lobby area, and now someone writes that they are fixing the sink holes as they sail. Is this what they've decided to do rather than dry dock?

While I've been on ships where carpet was changed out on days most passengers were off on excursions, these 2 postings make it sound like the ship is being remodeled while it sails. This is not just the run of the mill touch up painting that always is going on.

I have a cruise booked in 2015, but if the ship is going to look and sound like a construction zone, I think I would rather not sail on QM2 next year.

Not only can you get tea, sandwiches, scones, and the like at the Grills deck, they deliver ice cream during the afternoon as well! And there's sun block and ice water at the entrance. Probably not for a crossing, but for good weather, that is a real jewel. It's quiet and very pleasant. I normally don't sit out in the sun, but I was happily surprised when I joined my husband one day. You could really gain weight from using the deck.

The canapes delivered to the room nightly aren't great. I think there's extra things the butler can bring if you ask him what else is available. I opted for wine rather than liquor, and he always left an extra unopened bottle at the bar.

The concierge in the grills lounge will book restaurant and excursion reservations for you.

Just so you know, you will really miss it if you go back to regular cabins.

We've sailed Crystal Cruises several times, and they have excellent alternative restaurants where the setting is beautiful and the food of excellent quality--and no charge.

So when we sailed for 90+ days on QM2, I was turned off by the charge and by the fact that it's a glorified cafeteria setting, adding a light screen between the diners and the endless foot traffic that uses King's Court as a hallway. Since we were receiving excellent service in Brittania Club, we never once used the alternative restaurants. We also sailed Queen Victoria and were fortunate to be upgraded to Queen's Grill. That being so great, there was no temptation to try alternative restaurants. So now that it's $15 per person, I'm sure I won't use it on our next sailing.

If it were as nice as other ships' alternative restaurants, I would not resent the charge.

We have booked Quebec to NY for next Oct. 4 with a group of friends. You never know when the fall colors will appear, but I'm curious to hear what you see on your cruise.

What a relief, no stair well across from the cabin. Next time I'm onboard, I may have to do a video for myself up and down 11 so I can answer this question in the future.

Anyway, the kindness of all of you is very appreciated.

We once were across a service door that constantly slammed shut for 94 days, so I'd prefer to not repeat that experience. Is there a storage closet or a stairwell across from cabin 11090?

Last time we had a very quiet experience, but we had been upgraded to Queen's Grill.

I really appreciate your input.

That sounds like a floor plan I can live with. Thank you

I saw a you tubevideo mentioning glass door on bathrooms of small cabins. Are alll cabins done this way? Looks like a lovely ship, but I think this is rather odd.

If I have to look at my travelling companion sitting on the toilet, that's a deal breaker.

During the world cruise, our passports were in and out of our hands many times. As one post states, the purpose is to allow for the mass review of passports by the authorities. For countries that require seeing each passenger, the tables are set up for one to pick up passports. Then times are set up to visit the officials in the Queens Room or the bridge rooms. I was always pleasantly surprised how quickly these lines moved along. You'd enter the Queen's Room and think you'd be there forever, but the line moved continually.

There are countries that require you leave the ship with your passport, as they don't come onboard to process visas. As I recall, Russia was one.

We've also sailed with Crystal, and all passports are retained, at least for a few days. I remember our first trip to St Petesburgh, when a couple had to leave the ship due to illness. As the woman got in a taxi to follow the ambulance, an officer rushed down to hand her the passports.

I always carry a copy of our passports when I leave the ship. I've never been hesitant to leave my passport with the ship, nor heard any rumors of one being misplaced. You must present your room key in order to pick up your family's passports, little danger of giving it to someone else.

I do love the suggestion of having a copy of your passport on your phone. I do caution you to have a security code for the phone, so that if the phone is stolen you aren't giving them that precious information.

I think allowing the ship personnel to retain your passport is just not worth worrying about

Hi to all,

 

We have just booked the World 2015 on QE and I am reading all of your posts to pick up lots of tips etc. I hope you all have a lovely time and for those who are on for the whole trip I am particularly interested if the entertainment for each segment is repeated or is there fresh talent and shows ?

 

Also any info as to dancing ?... Are the gentlemen hosts still on ?

 

Last time we were on the QE the gentlemen host were awful ( sorry to say that but it is true ) they just shuffled about .. it was embarrasing and a couple of the ladies did complain ... I dont understand why they are not interviewed and assessed.

 

Enjoy it all ...

 

Koo

On our QM2 world cruise, new entertainers arrived constantly. We had different speakers as well. It seemed that at every port someone was being changed. The variety was meant to satisfy many tastes: classical, broadway singers, comics, magicians, etc. The speakers also varied from politics, port information, and entertainment industry, and it seemed that they changed every week or so. Everyone's favorite was a former head of the London Ballet, Harold King, who also gave the most marvelous little dance classes. He was so loved, he was back for one of the final segments.

Some of the dance hosts wanted to sail the entire 3+months, but it's a good thing Cunard doesn't allow that. They do get tired, and it can show. One of the dance hosts had a frown on his face most of the time, just part of his personality. We saw him at a dance in our hometown and he told us he'd been fired by Cunard. Too bad the quality of dancing sometimes is not good. I think the majority were satisfactory.

We sailed towards Egypt during the big uprising 3 years ago, and wondered if we'd be able to visit at all and what would happen if the Suez Canal was deemed unsafe. Luckily, just days before we were due there, the announcement was made that we could go. The people who work in the tourist industry were clearly relieved to see us. Very tight security, armed security man on each bus to Luxor. Horrid drivers in Egypt by the way, some buses were racing and passing each other on the return trip.

We've been in Brit. Club twice, once for world cruise, 94 days. Our last sailing, we booked a special rate for PG, got upgraded to QG. No one has mentioned one of our favorite things about grills--the lounge and deck for the grills.

At times I found the QM2 overwhelming because of the number of passengers. For our QG experience, we were on QV. We were delighted to have a quiet lounge to read in late mornings on sea days, and for drinks with new friends in the evening. The concierge handles reservations of all sorts, no lines for you at the tour desk. My husband was in love with the deck for the grills, with sun block, lotion and ice water at the door, and a cart came around with ice cream, then tea. No searching for a lounger, quiet, just a dream. So don't think of the extra money as an expensive meal, it's the feeling of being on a much smaller ship. If it weren't for our love of dancing, I don't think we would have spent any time in the larger public areas. Be prepared, it does spoil you.

I don't think I would enjoy sailing with a lot of children. But it is a time for big family travel. Not criticizing, just a preference

We were onboard and I made a booking, even received a confirmation while we were still sailing after giving them a credit card for the deposit. A few days after returning home, I emailed my agent to let her know about the booking as instructed--and there was no booking!!!! They had magically deleted a reservation on a sailing that was very popular and we were booking the last Princess Grill cabin. I was so furious, I booked with another cruise line instead.

I called Cunard, she apologized. I would have been more impressed by someone following up with a letter apologizing. She did make sure we got a refund on the credit card.

So if they tell you they don't make mistakes, quote me.

Good luck

Learning a social level of foxtrot is manageable in a few lessons, enough to get by and enjoy yourself. I'd stick to that and chacha if I were you. We are gold level dancers in American style, but don't compete. After watching the beautiful dancing of the British and Australian passengers, we decided we'd learn the quickstep and Viennese Waltz. Almost 2 years later,incorporating it into our weekly lesson and dancing socially at least once a week, I have many days when I wonder why we branched out. They are HARD dances and if you continue dancing in the U.S. you will find they are rarely played.

During formal nights, the dance floor onboard will be very crowded. It's nice to go early and dance to the recorded music, when there are a lot fewer people.

Nothing truly scary about it. After all, you are telling anyone whom will read it about your affairs, but then again, scariness might be experienced by some. Even though I have been on more than 100 cruises on over 10 different cruise lines, including Cunard and American Queen Steamboat Co, those are the only two boards I religiously read. I can assure you that if you post a similar complaint on the Costa or Carnival boards I won't be the one to notice it.

This seems to be a bit sharp. the original post was a question that I didn't read as a big complaint.

I don't recall the exact details, but it seemed to me that the bus pulled into the building itself and you were met as you exited the bus by personnel from the shop. You weren't let off the bus at the street. I suppose if you knew before arrival, you could insist not entering the store.

In 94 days onboard, this was the only shuttle that was run by a retail establishment. Most places had a courtesy shuttle bus to the center of town if you chose not to go on a tour or if you had extra time surrounding your tour.