skyhoosier

Marketplace menu changes daily and is very extensive. The smaller restaurant menus do not change but worse than that, there is currently a consistency problem. First visit to Sakura we had the Wagu Beef Tataki and it was awesome! Returning on the 2 leg we ordered it with great anticipation and it was inedible; literally. It was fatty and grisley, definitely not Wagu Beef and smothered in a sauce presumedly trying to camoflage it. We both sent it back and had reports from others on the ship who did the same. But the first visit, it was truly wonderful. My guess is they ran out and tried unsuccessfully to punt.

2 guest laundries, 2 washers + 2 dryers in each. No instruction and no explanation to the symbols on the buttons. Dryers are ventless so there is a drawer that needs to be emptied that fills with the water being extracted. Not user friendly for short passengers.

Those of us who boarded in Copenhagen to UK had no shuttle offered in Hamburg and when asked "I don't know" was their only answer. Brugge was worse as one was offered but did not exist. Like Wheelhouse posted, there was not one staff member who had the right info, although they all thought they did. Daily sheet says to check the timings on the schedule for the shuttle into town at the exit; there were no signs, no info, nothing about any shuttle. Exit staff had no info and said to go to Reception. I went to Reception who said "Check with the Exit staff" and so it went. The only shuttle was a 2 minute bus ride to the port gate to join the queues of Aida passengers buying bus tickets into Brugge with a schedule posted that showed the return was too late for Explora passengers, and a long line for taxis.

As you know, no included tours and those offered are very expensive. Complementary shuttles into town did not materialize for Hamburg nor for Brugge, despite the many confused answers and directions by Reception. A big let down.

No instructions and very confusing, especially for the Americans who have never used a European machine. Each room has 2 washers on bottom and 2 dryers too high for the short passengers to see the control symbols to select time and heat, so total of 4 washers, 4 dryers. Plus there is a long tray that collects water that must be emptied frequently since they are ventless, and that too is without instruction and too high for short passengers. Ditto with the filter, as it must be raised straight up. Group help was hilarious as we all pooled what we discovered to help each other. Reception was called and the helpful host came up with notes which she referred to, looked at the buttons, back at the notes and said "I have no idea". Many were dismayed to find they had selected a 3 1/2 hour option. One who wanted the shortest one wouldn't believe me when I explained that it was rinse only. Repeated requests for instructions that explained the symbols will hopefully be forthcoming.

By any chance did they give any bags or back packs? We usually take an extra but so many cruises have provided a logo bag of theirs, I don't want to have to pack a bag into a bag coming home.

Yes, thank you! We are leaving this week for the Rome to Nice leg and good to know the extra things you answered. How dressy were the ladies at dinner? I am just at that part of packing....