KiwiGal117

Hi Harry - I was pondering your deep dive into the financials while driving my son to the bus (yes, my life is THAT exciting)... how are the tips treated by the corporation?  Are they income?  They must have to go through the balance sheet no?  If they are income do they then take some to offset the tax liability?  

On 1/19/2024 at 10:30 PM, harryfat1 said:

After a quick scan of our sea passes and stuff, she took our pictures again.  Now I must be a crappy portrait photographer as I took everyone’s pictures on the phone app from home weeks ago as part of the check-in process. 

 

The same thing happened with the Navigator check-in back last August where they had to re-take everyone’s pictures again.  Same with the Odyssey, all 4 of us had to have our pictures taken again even though we did it on the App previously.

 

Is this common for y’all?  I would love to hear about your experience if you had your sea pass picture re-taken at the terminal.

 

Yup - every time - always have to have the pictures redone.  I no longer bother doing them at home.

On 8/23/2023 at 7:32 PM, harryfat1 said:

 

At the risk of sounding paranoid, do you folks check/double-check each corner of the hotel room before checking out? Always worry I will forget something important in each hotel room. Yeah, yeah, 9.2 on the scale also includes being paranoid…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just to justify your paranoia, when we were at an AirBnb in Civitavecchia, I left my Kindle on the nightstand (black cover, black nightstand). We got a call from the owner right after we boarded Harmony, and I had to go back to the AirBnb to pick it up. I had plenty of time, but it totally wrecked the first day vibe!!  I guess if it's justified, it isn't paranoia right?

Anyway - nice to see you back!  I was late to the party here, but thrilled to see another Cheapo Dad review!

Crown and Anchor Member Benefits (royalcaribbean.com)

Here is a link to the benefits.  Platinum members get 2 coupons for 50% off a glass of wine, beer or soda, and a 10% off on a glass of wine, beer or soda.  Not great, but it is something.

We usually get the drinks package, but given how expensive it has become, we are going to pay as we go on our September cruise.

Check this review out - he has a screen shot of the transportation options.  We arranged our transfer from the ship to Bologna airport via our travel agent.  You have to call in to arrange it,  but it is available.  As others have reported there should be a shuttle at the train station and there is apparently RCI reps there to direct you.

Unfortunately, we have two ships leaving at 7pm, ours departs at 8pm and the last for the day leaves at 9pm, so I don't think that there is going to be a point after 5pm where you're not waiting in a long line for the cable car, which holds 600 passengers an hour each way...

In your case, I think you'll be fine as plenty of time between the last departure and yours.

Check out the Greece Ports forum, here:

Greece Ports - Cruise Critic Community

There are lots of discussions of how best to do Fira/Oia.  We settled on the "Oia on Your Own" tour, and we are thinking about arranging for a private car transport back to Fira later in the day as the tour is only about 3 hours long.  We don't seem to be able to escape the cable car though, and we are in port with 3 other ships.😒

If you go to Naples you can do a day trip to the Amalfi Coast, or Capri.  From La Spezia, you can do Cinque Terre.  I believe from La Spezia you can also go to Florence, although that would be a long day. Likewise, Civitavecchia serves Rome - also a long day.  But the itineraries are generally set up for that - early arrival, late-ish departure.

We have done July and August cruises - super hot and lots of tourists much like ourselves. We are going the end of September this year (Eastern Med though) and I am hoping it will be less of the "vacation of the sweaty back".😂

On 6/22/2023 at 5:56 AM, Longstockingpippi1 said:

Great rundown, exacly the reason I’ve been hounding cruise critic and social media sailing groups to confirm or deny the existence of a port to Bologna train station shuttle. RCL says there is but can only be booked on the ship. I’ve yet to see it mentioned on any of the threads I’ve scoured so I am doubtful of its existence. My daughter is in a wheelchair and would be very helpful to just take the shuttle to Bologna, but all people wanna talk about is hiding/ finding ducks 😣😣. 
 

Hi Longstockingpippi1 - I have booked the ship transfer from Ravenna to Bologna airport through my travel agent for our September Royal cruise.  You can call to book it, so I would guess you could call to book to Bologna train station shuttle as well.  Not available on the website, but should be available if you call.

2 hours ago, Bizzie07 said:

Thank you for that...not sure I like pain🤣  Enjoy the rest of your cruise and I hope the trip back to venice goes well. 😀

You don't need to be in Venice first.  You could start off in Bologna.  RCI has a transfer between Bologna airport and the Ravenna port.

Thanks for sharing.  We are heading there on our Explorer of the Seas cruise in late September.  We're really looking forward to a chill day being able to walk off the ship and just wander.

Hi Visitors4:

Do you happen to know if the Welcome Pickups people would have been able to take you back to the new port?  I have heard there are taxis there, but cruise ships seem to only transport excursion passengers there.  I just wondered if you are on the excursion in the morning, could you be dropped back there (thereby avoiding the cable car) at the end of the day for the return tender?  Thank you for a very helpful post!

We are using RomeInLimo in October. Also check Stefano's Roman Cabs just as a comparison.  They also get good reviews here for their tours etc.  

In 2016, we used See Amalfi Coast, a tour company based out of Naples, I believe.  As there were 6 of us, we hired a private driver for a tour.  He did an excellent job and started us at the opposite end of where most tours start so the roads were quieter as were the towns.  They appear to still be around.  We had a long port day, and had no trouble being back well before all aboard, but maybe we just go lucky!

I don't have an answer for you, but I would check with your tour company.  My instinct is that that Athinios area is limited to cruise ship coaches only.  Hopefully my message will push your inquiry back to the top and someone with more knowledge will be able to weigh in.

10 hours ago, 2wheelin said:

Would love more info. Seasoned Carnival cruiser being asked to do RCL Freedom in less than a month. Difficult finding information here. Things like:

ultimate drink pkg cost?  Is it good on private island?

When can you check in? Choose arrival time? How does it work with RCL

If booking this late what are the chances a guarantee would be assigned one of the few remaining open cabins? Or will others be upgraded and guarantee given deck 2?

Thanks for any help as we need to book ASAP

I can't answer the questions about guarantee cabins, probably only Royal or your travel agent can help you with that.  We've been on a number of Royal cruises, and I love Freedom - one of my faves.  The ultimate drink package cost is likely around $70-$80 a day, but may go on "sale" (or not).  It is good on the private island.  It is always cheaper to buy ahead of time rather than waiting until you get on board.  Arrival time is assigned when you check in, but typically isn't enforced (ie you can show up whenever).  I say typically as this is dependent largely on the port employees and I'm not sure off the top of my head where Freedom is sailing from these days.  But most everything I've read on these boards is that arrival times aren't strictly enforced out of the various Florida ports, but YMMV.

What cruise line?  I know that Royal is offering a shuttle from the Ravenna cruise port to Bologna airport, but you need to call them to book, or wait til you are onboard to book it.  We called to book ours, it isn't available in the cruise planner.

Other option is bus (Royal is offering a shuttle, but I have read that there is a local bus) from the cruise port to Ravenna train station, train to Bologna, and airport train from Bologna Centrale to Bologna airport.

Check next week, maybe it will be on a BOGO offer!  By one get one for $64... 🤣

I agree that is crazy.

They do offer it, but you need to call in to book.  It is also available onboard.  If you look at this recent review, he has a screenshot with the various options.  We have booked this exact transfer, so it is available, just not easy to find!

On 6/3/2023 at 2:01 PM, slyster said:

When do they begin taking reservations on embarkation day?  What time does it start?

On my upcoming cruise they start at 12:00 noon.

1 hour ago, S.A.M.J.R. said:

How late do they offer massages though (I'm surprised they offer any on embarkation day)?  Do lunch first, then the massage. 

It seems they offer them from noon onwards, into the evening.  Any opportunity to squeeze some more revenue!!!

I just checked my September Explorer cruise and Chops is available for lunch on embarkation day.  Maybe it's just Jewel?

I held off replying as I don't have personal experience with this.  But will offer my thoughts for what it's worth, based on what I have seen before and what my upcoming cruise is showing for availability. I think it will be tough to do the massages before lunch, as you will be counting on getting an early embarkation time, and the lunch hours on embarkation day aren't typically very long (for example, maybe 12-2).  On my upcoming cruise the earliest available time slot for a massage is 12:00.  By the time you get in there, out again, changed etc, they recommend allowing 1 hour 15 minutes for a 50 minute massage. The last booking time for lunch is 1:30.  So it may be possible assuming that you have an early enough embarkation time, but it will be rushed.

Looking forward to this!  We are doing the Explorer cruise out of Ravenna in September, though we have some different ports of call compared to your cruise.  London is one of my favourite cities and I have been there a number of times (my brother lives not far from London).  Enjoy it all!  I'm looking forward to coming along for the ride, even if it is virtual.

On 5/28/2023 at 10:08 AM, ChicagoCubsFan said:

Does anyone know if we arrive from Bologna via train, can we pick that shuttle up to go to the pier thru RC?  When we disembark do we need to purchase tickets in advance to go to the Train station, or can we just get on and pay?  Any information is truly appreciated.

Yes, but you need to call RC to buy the tickets.  It's not available online.  I assume that you could probably just get on and pay at the time without a reservation, but I am just assuming, don't know that for a fact.