ckelly14

Do they have "premium" brewed coffees at the Cafe Promenade or only expresso drinks? Just wondering vs. going to Starbucks...

My understanding that with the “free” drink packages on other lines, comes decreased bartenders and other ways of limiting access...

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I have them all. I will post this week. It’s funny how they don’t state Day 1, 2, 3 etc...as there are guests that embark in Rome as well.

I don't think the Rome embarkations start until June 21st but maybe they are already ready for it.

Rick:

Did you keep any of the compasses from the cruise, or does anyone know of any that have been posted?

Great thread! Thanks for the info.

Chuck

What is the lobster upcharge in the MDR?

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Looking at my cruise planner and noticed there has been a significant change in the Hooked menu compared to the first version. "Version 3" has significantly pared down offerings but nothing "at market price".

Perhaps they were initially a bit over optimistic??

The upcharge plus additional fees they originally proposed was ridiculous.

Can't say I understand half the references on the thread but I'm enjoying the hell out of it...

We did a Southbound on the Celebrity Millennium - same itinerary as the Radiance. Almost went on the Radiance, but the dates didn't work out. We did our own week long tour pre-cruise and then took the Alaska Railroad down to Seward the day before the cruise. In Seward, we did a Kenai Fjords Cruise with Major Marine - so wonderful! Got close enough to a glacier to see & hear it calving. So glad we did because we didn't get close enough to Hubbard in June 2013 to experience that. The Kenai Fjords cruise was also a jackpot as far as wildlife. The day of embarkation we went to the Alaska SeaLife Center and did a Behind The Scenes tour before heading over to the ship.

 

 

 

I looked at the northbound and southbound port times and I think 5 years ago the southbound port times were a little longer (maybe 30 minutes?) and I wanted to maximize our time in that beautiful state. Enjoy your trip. Hope you find time for all the planning. Don't forget to check out the Alaska boards here on CC for lots of great ideas on things to do/see and independent excursions.

Did the same tour 2 years ago. Highly recommended.

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I believe he said it was the W Barcelona

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Rick:

Taking the family to Cinque Terre when we stop in July on the Symphony. Best towns? Did you just take the train? Did the little ones go with you?

Thanks! Chuck

Gosh. I cannot knock your dining choices but alas this just falls into the hands of Royal to reduce the MDR offerings to push more people into speciality dining. I’m guessing in 10 yrs there will be no free dining options and everything will be chargeable.

 

 

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Not completely excluding the MDR yet, but we weren’t impressed on our last sailing 2 years ago...

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Feb 2, 2019

 

 

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I sailing on July 12th and don't see it offered yet.

No I'm not seeing Dining packages yet ....$53.90 for Chops....they are kidding right?!

I was only on one prior RCL sailing (Radiance in Alaska). I really loved Samba and Giovanni's table, but my meal wasn't great at Chops. Nothing I would spend $50/pp for, especially considering I am flipping the bill for a total of 6 people.

I waiting for some reviews before I figure out which specialty restaurant we will be hitting. I think Jamie's Italian and 150 Central Park are likely, depending what deals come down the line.

My teenage kids loved the Windjammer, so I'm sure we'll spend plenty of time there. Didn't like the MDR, but will try again with the new menu. I sure we will hit Johnny Rockets and Sorrento's quite a bit.

Hooked lunch now $20.90 and dinner $42.90..... a little cheaper due to lack of bookings??

I hope so. My sailing is July 12.

I don't see a discounted dining package listed yet. Waiting for it as we are not big MDR people.

I love seafood but will probably pass on Hooked. The cover charge does not include "premium shellfish" and the menu looks quite basic. I think I'll wait until I get back home to Charleston!

It’s a seafood restaurant... they have a sample menu in the planner for our sailing. We are going to try specialty restaurants only package, on Symphony, and I’m super excited about it! For our 7 day, it’s $204 per person.

 

 

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I'm sailing in July and don't see this offered yet. When are you sailing?

Thanks Bob!

Any suggestions on what restaurants to make a priority?

When does entertainment reservations open typically?

Chuck

I was just going to ask this question. First time on Oasis class- my 90 day countdown to my Symphony cruise coming up in a few weeks.

I looked in the planner and they have some dining choices available, but I was surprised at the cost. I don't remember it being that expensive on the Radiance (my only other cruise) in Alaska a few years ago. Rep from RCL said dining packages will come online at 90 days. Do you think it's worth waiting to see if there is any discounted dining packages? Last time on the Radiance, only went to the MDR once in 7 days...

Will consider going from Rome. I think the excursion from La Spezia is out.

OK. So Florence is out.

Would love to go to Cinque Terre, but concerned about my parents mobility there. Also considering Pisa (kids would love it), Lucca.

There is a tour of Lucca and the "Italian Riviera" (Forte dei Marmi and Viareggio).

Any thoughts on these?

Will consider going from Rome. I think the excursion from La Spezia is out.

Thanks for the info. I think an overnight trip is out due to the composition of our party- not interested in being responsible for kids, parents and bags on a train.

We are on the Symphony of the Seas in July 2018. Taking my parents and it's their first time to Italy. We are staying in Rome 3-5 days prior to the cruise (still a work in progress).

My wife and my mother really want to go to Florence. We are considering a private tour from La Spezia (12 hour stop), but the tour operator (as well as a number of people on these boards) were hesitant to recommend it due to distance and logistic of the port (shuttle). They recommended this trip:

http://www.romeinlimo.com/la-spezia/lucca-and-the-tuscan-riviera.htm

As an alternative, I was considering a train ride from Rome to Florence for the day and seeing Florence on our own vs. motor tour from Rome, but it looks like quite a drive from Rome compared to La Spezia. I will have 2 elderly (but mobile) parents and 2 pre-teens in tow, which complicates matters.

Any thoughts?

RC has been doing interporting from Rome and Barcelona for a few years.

Thanks. Didn't see it as an option when it was first released...

I booked my West Med cruise RT from Barcelona on Symphony when they first opened . I was checking the website today and now it is offering cruises departing from Rome as well. Looks like they are doing alternating ports on the same circuit like NCL does with their ships. When did this happen?

There is no question that the (rumored) smell of smoke in and around the casino on the Epic and Breakaway have kept me away from booking a Europe cruise on Norwegian. My wife's nose is like a bloodhound. I feel sorry for my children...