oddjob26

Yes Strongbow is included in the select package in bottle and on tap. Might just have to make it my drink of choice tonight 🍺🍺

Strongbow is available in small bottles all over the ship, but is available on tap on the top floor of the music hall. There is another cider on tap in the pub but i can not remember the name

This might be old news but I just received this from Royal. My guess is Port Everglades schedule change.

Any one know for sure?

 

 

Hello, this is Royal Caribbean International. We are contacting you regarding a change to the upcoming sailings of the Oasis of the Seas.

 

Please be advised that the Caribbean and Transatlantic sailings departing between November 15, 2014 and April 30, 2016 will depart from Fort Lauderdale, Florida at 4:30 PM. All passengers must be checked in by 3:30 PM.

 

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and look forward to welcoming you onboard the Oasis of the Seas.

Interesting as this suggests that Oasis will be doing a transatlantic in 2016

Our flight out of FLL doesn't leave until 8PM after we get off of the Oasis. Does anyone have suggestions on what we can do to keep entertained until we can check in at the airport?

Are you on BA flight 208 after the transatlantic per chance? If so I am in the same boat

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For St. Petersburg no visa is no individual visa is needed if you are on a ship tour. If you go individually you have to apply for a visa on your own beforehand. The city is safe but go with official transportation. No visa requirements for all other countries on that trip, just passport (if you are from Europe or North America).

 

There is a train from London (Paddington I believe) to Harwich that stops directly at the ship. Runs frequently, just google it.

If you go with a local tour company in Russia you do not need a visa either. Basically as long as you are in a tour group, either ships tour or local tour company then they will do you a group visa. However if you want to explore by yourself then getting a visa is the only way to go. I believe the cost is in the region of £150pp for a Russian tourist visa.

When we went we booked a local tour company tour for day 1 and the ships shopping tour for day 2. The beauty of the shopping tour was that you got approx 2hrs in St Petersburg unsupervised to explore, without the need for a visa.

The train for Harwich leaves from Liverpool St in London. There is 1 specific cruise train available on the day, however, it is much cheaper to book in advance and change trains at Manningtree (this does involve carrying suitcases up and down stairs to change trains). The train company to Google is Abellio Greater Anglia.

The best info on here can be found in the Baltic port section and on your specific roll call board.

By the way, Tallinn, Estonia is a beautiful city, a real gem of the Baltic region and the ship docks almost in the middle of the old and new town.

The sail in and out of Stockholm is quite something also.

Hope this helps

Rob

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RCCL is opening a training center in China. This recent article states that in six short years China is expected to account for 50% of global cruise travelers. Without a doubt the fastest growing area for cruising and you can be sure that RCCL is going to be there. This may also include Celebrity sending more ships.

 

http://www.seatrade-insider.com/news/news-headlines/cssc-joins-race-to-build-chinas-first-cruise-ship.html

Too right, what business would miss out on such a opportunity. Thing is will the industry be able to keep up with the projected growth (If it does grow as forecast). Very interesting times ahead.

According to the RCI website, there are 5 ships sailing the Asian itineraries in 2015 and they are Mariner, Explorer, Voyager, Legend and Quantum.

I thought he Explorer was going from Southampton to Australia via Asia? Not actually home porting there

I think this includes Celebrity

 

Ah I forgot about them, thank you

Just googled RCI and noticed this news article.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/business/24-Aug-2014/royal-caribbean-sets-up-staff-development-centre-in-n-china-city

5 new ships for China? anyone heard this before? maybe it is just a bit of misreporting? Might be 5 ships new to China? I can only think of Mariner, Voyager and Quantum, probably adding a new Oasis class makes 4.

Interesting times ahead

NorbertsNiece

I am loving the review, the pictures and the food. But it is driving me mad, I look at the pictures and I see warmth, good times and happiness, I step outside the office in Wapping and I see people dressing up as polar bears for warmth. Na its really good to see people enjoying themselves on holiday. One of the best things about Royal, if there is a issue and you make them aware, they go out of their way to correct it. Now all I need to do now is wait 42 days for my own sunny (hopefully) adventure.

Kind Regards

Oddjob

Hi

Sorry to be a pain, we will be in Madeira on the 14th May on the Independence of the Seas from 9am to 4pm, can anyone recommend a good place to go nearby for a steak on a stone for lunch.

Any help will be much appreciated.

kind Regards

Oddjob