Suzieanna

Thanks for posting. I am wondering, you mentioned basketball. Where do you get the ball from? I have often wondered when seeing people playing these games too, do you have to book the court? And if so, where? Loving your positive report!

I will miss having the picture to help me choose. Yes, I know that makes me sound like someone who doesn't get out much... But there you go!

What nights does this happen? I know about night 2, what if you are on for 14 nights?

Great news! Nice to read something positive too.

I probably spend the majority of my money in the casino. I have a budget of $40 and when that is gone - so am I - until the next evening when I start with a new $40 budget - ad infinitum................

I am bound to win big one day - aren't I????

I have never heard of POTUS before... Every day is a school day!

I think the balance now is pretty good, except for grats which I feel should be part of the base fare.

When drinks packages etc are "included in price", all that really happens is the price has been raised to allow for that. I like a drink or five but what about the people who dont? They are paying for something they dont want. I wouldn't use the internet, so my fare is raised for something I dont want. Lots of ships have things like Learn to Cha Cha - and half the ship turn up to it, so you dont really learn to cha cha because there is no room! Doesnt matter for a bit of a basic dance lesson - but for something where you might need supervision, eg Yoga, I think $$ is fine because it keeps the classes at a manageable size, and makes it more likely that you will get a proper session.

Hi Mono

Rome is a great place, and you will have a brilliant time but Travelex are not the only ones who might wish to seperate you from your Euros. I have been through Termini on more than a few occasions and I really want you be extra vigilant when using the ATMs/ticket machines etc... . Watch who is watching you, be aware if anyone tries to "bump" into you by accident - and make sure to decline any offers to "help" in any way whatsoever.

I know this sort of thing happens everywhere - but I am always avery ware of what is going on around me - and I have seen more stuff going down in Termini than I have even in Barcelona!!

I think short shorts and hairy underarms in a vest top are great! .................. when you are walking around poolside or maybe even grabbing a snack at the windjammer.

But - I don't want the bare backs of sweaty thighs on the nice fabric chairs that I might then be expected to sit on the night after in my nice dresses.

Flame away. I dont care.

ooohhh!! this is quite exciting news I am reading! We have a package as part of our fare too, and my daughter is not a drinker at all - I am going to put her on the Royal Replensish and spend the difference on myself in the spa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! hahahahaha!!

isnt speciality coffee included in Replenish though - I thought it was?

We did one once. It was very nice, but nothing I would be in a hurry to do again. It wasnt that much nicer than MDR and I dont think I could justfify the $$$ However, I am not all that interested in food, so its a no brainer... I probably spend those $$$ on something that somebody else isnt bothered about.

Horses for courses!

I think it's a bit late in the day now to be announcing a royal/formal/dress your best - call it what you will night............. and then deciding that there is to be dress code of any type (The Grande excepted) is a bit of a shock to me.

I thought all this ship wide clothing segregation nonsense had been done away with??

I like dressing up - but I wholeheartely defend the rights of those who don't.

Running out of Prosecco - oh dear! I am not a wine drinker myself, but I know this is a popular drink because all my friends drink it.

So long as they dont run out of Whisky - I will be calling for a mutiny if this happens!!

A royal evening? I wonder does that mean white tie?? Calm down, I am only messing... It probably means you get an extra prawn or something

Thanks for your updates so far. Really appreciated! Can you recall if you have seen Guinness for sale anywhere. Thanks

Suz

Thanks bob!

My first time too with a drinks package. I was wondering are the cocktails featured on restaurant menus included too?

I suppose they can say what they want and do what they want, and if the company feel that keeping prices up in an attempt to gain/retain exclusivity is a good idea, then that's up to them.... The final decider will be whether enough people continue with RCI or will they take their vacation dollars to a different supplier? It might be viable to have a half filled ship leave port, but for how long?

Hi Davey

And welcome! Its TOO exciting isnt it!!!

All I know is if I can't make myself a cuppa whenever I want I feel very much out of sorts.... silly I know. Room service is just not the same. I would sooner do without than have some poor soul traipse up all them stairs with a mug of Tetley or PG just for me!

I think there will be kettles in the rooms. (fingers crossed!)

When we were on the Brilliance of the Seas a few years go, that had kettles - and that was leaving from Barcelona.

Is tea/coffee only a British thing?

Travel writers all over the world are surely obsessed with food!

Why are travel kettles not allowed? I haven't heard this before?

Am I the only one who finds these packages shockingly expensive?

?? I booked Anthem for 20th June several months back with this same company mentioned by the OP, and one of the very first things out of the guy's mouth was words to the effect of "do you know about dynamic dining and how it works?"

If something has always been "something", then when the advert says "This changes Everything", then the purchaser should know he is not going to get the same as he always got.

I like formal night, and yes I will miss it. But I think it is unfair to blame others because of a lack of research on your part.