Suzieanna

Washing towels too often ruins their absorbency as well. Face towels/cloths used for washing obv. are a different story, but a towel used purely for drying purposes I think can be used a bit more??

Ship sponsored excursions get a hard rap because the sellers frighten people into thinking all sorts! eg.. a private tour might not get you back in time, or if you go wandering on your own you might get mugged!

Yes, these things are true, but if you go with a reputable firm you will get back on time. I can't recall any "private" tours I have been on being back late, but I have seen plenty of ship sponsored tours limping in late because the 40 minute potty stop took 55 minutes, or somebody got lost in a gift shop.

BUT, - I think these ship tours are good for some people. If I was for example older, on my own, less mobile - then they are perfect.

Now as for splurges - you could spend $1000 on something and it not be a splurge, because you might have had a lot of return on that spend...

I feel my biggest splurge recently was highlighted on my bank statement received the other day £100 for 2 sandwiches, a burger/fries, a schnapps and a couple of beers. but it was canalside Nyhavn - and will be something I will remember forever. I don't feel the £500 spent for a wonderful 3 person 2day tours with TJ travel as an extravagant splurge in the same way that sandwich was!!!

I feel that the way things seem to be going lately, its hard to tell what is "normal" to expect any more

For example, the third person in my cabin was sleeping on a folded down sofa. This sofa stayed in the bed position for the whole fortnight. I suppose if wanted it turned into a sofa for daytimes badly enough I could have asked - but I can remember also when the steward was not expected to turn a room on their own and they used to have an assistant.

Personally, I would expect sheet changes on the 7th day. I don't change my bedding at home that regularly, but you know if I had staff (or a mum looking after me ;p) , that's what I would want for sure!!! - probably as part of their "Sunday" routine...

I bring my own snorkel and mask. mine has a breathing "thing" at the end near the mouth so you can blow out if you want to, I have just found out they are called a purge valve and are useful for getting rid of water that does get in. the one time I didn't bring it I was on a quite expensive trip and they gave me one of these ---- sad times! I struggle with breathing at the best of times so its a good idea for me to have all the help I can!

As for whether a person should buy one or not - depends on how often they plan on snorkelling too I suppose. in the Caribbean you might use it every day - so it probably is worth having your own good one. if it's a "one off" splashabout and you are a good breather - then its probably not necessary. My husband has always been happy with the equipment he has been given.

There may well be public swimming pools that allow these diapers. But things are different at sea. Any illness would spread so much quicker through a ship's environment.

Have you EVER seen a "washy washy" in a restaurant on land.... I haven't. same principle

I am not going to tell anyone how to parent, but if a person prepared to ruin 5 other vacations just because their 1 year old might throw a tantrum then this parent is going to have a horrible 20 years or so going forward.

Hi Ben

looking at your very first post, I am intrigued as to how you managed to change cabin and get money back. I note you live in London. I didn't know us Brits were able to take advantage of such things?

If you like mojitos BTW the best ones are coconut flavoured in - I think it was called Boleros?

this is the type of thing I use. casual but not scruffy. little zip to put the seapass card so I always know where it is. Zip parts put against body when off the ship..... big enough to hold a bottle of water and an iphone. cheap enough to throw away at the end of the vacation.

I would never use a fanny pack.... my young adult daughter might. On her it would look very fashionable. On me it would just look awful.

Swoopy - I did indeed complain about the room service charges - (but only to Miami months ago)!!

I haven't got any friends - so I don't think it would have been that.

It didn't enter my head that it might have been a mistake. Hopefully if this was the case they were just sent another one.

A bottle of sparking wine was delivered to our stateroom, don't know why? It was called Michelle, which I found highly amusing as that was the name of the person doing my work while I was on vacation!

Is this a new RCI thing? It was very nice, and I will be looking to add it to my repertoire of "light" drinks ;)

There was a particularly upsetting incident in the nightclub on the Navigator of the Seas just last week. A group of 4 men would be at this venue every night and would put lots of requests to the DJ, which were always played. What they wanted to hear did not really fit in with the "vibe" of the nightclub but they would be played nonetheless..... the result of which would be every time- the dance floor would empty while their songs were on. On the night in question, one of the men started arguing with the DJ because either his song hadn't been played (or he had missed it - I am unsure)... and he accused the DJ of holding all sorts of prejudices. The DJ snapped in a big way, turned his music off and put the house lights on and was very very upset at the accusations these guests were throwing his way. Well, the entire night club stopped, all sorts of security was called up - and the DJ went back to playing his set to an entire room (minus 4 men) chanting "Tic-Tok"....

Following along. Just off this ship myself and had a great time!

My favourite place was the casino. Not sure my bank manager would agree though! I am a good player apparently (but the cards were just not falling my way!)

In my opinion, the best thing about this ship was the staff. They were super nice, and relaxed and able to have a laugh with you.

I am here quite a lot, if you want to know anything just ask. if I can help I will be glad to.

Don't read them Jayne. No good will come of it!!

Following and enjoying. Thank you!

I love the food pictures too..... that sushi looked particularly yummy!

Not that anyone cares, but I have 3 vacations coming up the next few months, only one of which is with Royal. The first one "had" a select drinks package, free room service, no corkage fees at time of booking. ALL gone now.

So, following this I will be on a land based vacation, and then with A N Other cruise.

As for room service making a "free" delivery to Grand Suite - they could order every thing and make themselves sick, they could put it directly in the bin, they could feed it to the birds if they wanted. It's not relevant what they choose to do with it. T&C's say for particular cabins it's free delivery to that location. That's all it says. There are no further stipulations.

I am bored of the self righteousness on this forum.

I bet he is!

Happy sailing!

I have seen Gators! Just remembered! all that arm flapping and the other lot shouting DUKE!

Thanks in advance for doing this!

I will be on 14th June sailing and will be following your trip with great interest!

will you be doing organised trips or will you by DIY on the ports?

You found the chutes to throw yourself down then;p

I went on that climbing rope thing, but about 3 planks in I shiitaked myself and had to get off!

A young fella like you should be able to walk from the Vatican!

I wish do there was a convenient metro stop for it though

I have a tip for people doing their own version of Rome in a day. Get off the train at St. Peter's And then start your homeward journey from termini. This is the best way to make sure you get a seat on that train back. Some people start at termini at work their way back but I do like a nice sit down

Agree about Naples! Didn't they used to say See Naples and die?

Knew you would love the escape. Don't miss the glow party! It's FAB!

There's a few nice long shutes to throw yourself down?

Aw!!! That's kids for ya!

Everything changes .... for the better !

I think surveys are a crock. I will play the game and tick the 10 box. I will take their surveys as seriously as they do.

If something is not to my liking I will bring it up at the time and know that if it can be sorted, it will be.

If there is a serious staffing issue, well - I am not Royal management. It's not my concern. I don't pay $$$ to be an assessor of their staff. I would expect their management to notice and rectify such things.

I was wondering where the little Captain Tax fella was? Have you left him at home deputizing? he is "your" mate isn't he?

Escape and Getaway are brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I liked the rock shower thing in H20 on Escape - and just about everything on the Getaway!

its a shame about the weather - but what can you do!

Always fun to follow your trips Rick.