How many formal nights on a 14 day med cruise on LOS

[Jarronwood]

I know this has been discussed before but not too sure whether the 14 night cruise has ever been answered.

 

ANy one know please, pretty please?

 

Also, do they do suit hire on the ship for the med cruises out of Southampton and returning to Southampton.

 

On a previous cruise out of Miami 7 nights I hired a tux for hubby which was absolutely perfect. I see from the same hire web site that there is no menu for a med cruise hire (unless I have not looked properly) as all the prices are in $ not sterling pounds. Any advice pls.

 

I have been keeping an eye on e bay and was out bid by £1 for a super dooper suit. Hubby is quite tiny, being a 30" waist so tux are few and far between.

 

Thanks in advance for any replies and advice.

[maxs mom]

Hey Josie,

 

There should be 3 formal nights on your 14 night cruise and you should be able to rent a tux right on board. We have done that several times....no problem. In your cruise documents you will also have the information to take care of that ahead of time and the tux will be waiting in your satateroom when you board.

[cruiser_carol]

I know this has been discussed before but not too sure whether the 14 night cruise has ever been answered.

 

ANy one know please, pretty please?

 

Also, do they do suit hire on the ship for the med cruises out of Southampton and returning to Southampton.

 

On a previous cruise out of Miami 7 nights I hired a tux for hubby which was absolutely perfect. I see from the same hire web site that there is no menu for a med cruise hire (unless I have not looked properly) as all the prices are in $ not sterling pounds. Any advice pls.

 

I have been keeping an eye on e bay and was out bid by £1 for a super dooper suit. Hubby is quite tiny, being a 30" waist so tux are few and far between.

 

Thanks in advance for any replies and advice.

 

Hi Jarronwood...we've past each other on these threads many times. We returned in August from a Med cruise on the Legend. There were indeed 3 formal nights. The First was on the sunday..Day 2...and our first day at sea. This was also the night of the Captains cocktail party and Captains formal dinner. So the most important of the 3 events. The Next Formal night was on Thursday..Day 6...again at sea.. the day before Rome. the last one was on the Following Tuesday... Day11..at sea before our last 2 ports.

 

There is a rental shop onboard...not sure how much choice they offered, or how expensive. However, The majority of men wore simply a dark suit on our cruise. Only a small per centage wore tuxedos. It is purely a personal choice issue....not a necessity by any means. My husband had a black suit... and a lot of fun remembering how to tie his bow tie from his Navy days. He looked as Good as anyone. I was very worried about my clothes..as we seldom dress up and go out. But there was No need to worry. There were all levels of dressiness.. and no stuffy atmosphere or snobbishness. I wore a simple ankle length black skirt on 2 ocassions with different dressy tops and was fine. I Never felt out of place... and a different colored long skirt and top for the 3rd. We had our photos taken by the photographer.. and they came out lovely by the marble stairs in the atrium.

 

During the cruise,We also had 2 chocolate buffets in the dining room..and 2 pool deck midnight buffets. Which were really Good.

 

We were on the Classic Mediterranean itinery....and are booked for the Mediterranean Treasure itinery for August 5, 2006. It features 2 overnight stops in Barcelona and Palma. Which one are you taking?

 

It was an amazing cruise..we had a wonderful time. Cheers for now, Carol

[Jarronwood]

Hi Carol

 

3 formal nights - um.... undecided whether to get hubby to get a tux or just wear a dark suit. Me, personally I like to "dress up", in a nice long dress, with my hair up and a few nice sparkly bits. Hubby has got a dark suit and I know he will be more comfy in this than a tux but if everyone at our table is not wearing a tux and just a suit then he will certainly feel over dressed or vice versa, again if he wore a suit and everyone at the table wore a tux he would feel uncomfortable. Guess the thing to do is try and find one on e bay or wait until we get on board and speak to the others on the table to see what the men are wearing. He can always nip to the onboard hire shop I suppose. He can bring his shirts, bow ties etc anyway. He bought all these when we got married a few years ago, we just rented the suit.

 

Our iternary is classic med, visiting Prai de Rocha, dont suppose you know about the golf there do you?

 

ALso visiting Gib, Lisbon, Vigo, Corsica, Nice, Barcelona, you did the same in August I believe?

 

Carol, can you help or anyone else for that matter, when we stop at Barcelona that will be my actual birthday, (50th ouch!!!!) to be precise. Does anyone have any good ideas what I could do in Barcelona to make it a really memorable birthday???

[Grumm]

Hi Josie

 

I have gatecrashed your golf question. I love golf, but I would not risk attempting even an RCCL organised excursion in the Algarve. The courses are out of this world (especially at Quinta Do Lago), but you simply WILL NOT have the time for 18 holes. By all means check out the courses for furure reference, but please don't waste time or money in booking a round.

 

Alan

[Jarronwood]

Hi Alan

 

Surely if we tee off about 9 ish, say it takes about 5 hours to get round (hubby and I play a lot in SPain, Santa Maria, Miraflores, Guadalmina (cant afford Valderrama) then we would have time?

 

Well, if the course is not too far from the ship that is. Just thought it would be really nice to have a game whilst out there.

 

We recently came back from Spain and the cost of a round was exhorbitant. To play Santa Maria including buggy hire cost us nearly 200 euros but it was worth it.

[Grumm]

Hi again Josie

 

I know the temptation is great, but honestly, to play a worthwhile course is going to be too risky. Try to factor in all the potential pitfalls-ship late (last time on Sea Princess we were delayed by 4 hours), laissez-faire attitude of the "official starters" at the good courses, potential travel hiccups...etc...etc... PLUS (and please don't ignore this) last time I played Quinto, I shot a 92 and I play off 4.

 

Alan

[Jarronwood]

Ok Alan

 

You have convinced me. Have to make do with the 18 hole course on the ship then!

 

I play off 18 and hubby about 20 so a 92 on handicap 4, um..... neer mind.

 

Thanks anyway - just have to think now about what to do when we get to Praia da rocha.

[Grumm]

Sorry Josie

 

Didn't mean to rain on your fairway. You could get a taxi to Alvor (about 10 minutes) and play an excellent 9-hole pitch-and-putt course. Sounds boring, but there are some lovely holes with water hazards etc. Speaking of which, you could always leave the golf theme to one side and go to Slide & Splash which is a really good water park nearby. My guess is that once you see the beautiful beach, you'll just chill out with some sun and a beer.

 

Alan

[Jarronwood]

Hi Alan

 

The 9 hole sounds good. Thinking about playing a proper game though, it will be end of June and from experience in Spain playing golf, end June/July is far too hot. Guess the 9 hole sounds promising. Although as you say, chilling out on the beach sounds better.

[cruiser_carol]

Hi Carol

 

3 formal nights - um.... undecided whether to get hubby to get a tux or just wear a dark suit. Me, personally I like to "dress up", in a nice long dress, with my hair up and a few nice sparkly bits. Hubby has got a dark suit and I know he will be more comfy in this than a tux but if everyone at our table is not wearing a tux and just a suit then he will certainly feel over dressed or vice versa, again if he wore a suit and everyone at the table wore a tux he would feel uncomfortable. Guess the thing to do is try and find one on e bay or wait until we get on board and speak to the others on the table to see what the men are wearing. He can always nip to the onboard hire shop I suppose. He can bring his shirts, bow ties etc anyway. He bought all these when we got married a few years ago, we just rented the suit.

 

Our iternary is classic med, visiting Prai de Rocha, dont suppose you know about the golf there do you?

 

ALso visiting Gib, Lisbon, Vigo, Corsica, Nice, Barcelona, you did the same in August I believe?

 

Carol, can you help or anyone else for that matter, when we stop at Barcelona that will be my actual birthday, (50th ouch!!!!) to be precise. Does anyone have any good ideas what I could do in Barcelona to make it a really memorable birthday???

 

Hi Again Jarronwood, It will be great to celebrate your birthday in Barcelona. be sure to let RC know so that you get a cake and serenade of Happy Birthday at dinner. Congratulations on being "50"...I'll trade with you..I'll be "56" on New Years' Eve. Time seems to fly by these days.. and the best thing to do is make the most of every minute and be "happy"!

 

I have been to Barcelona many years ago and stayed a few days. In fact I was 21 and with my parents. This summer was my first return in 34 years..and I photograhed the place we stayed at..way back then. Cosmos also has the cafeteria on the Ramblas where we ate our breakfast each day. We went up on the aerial baskets to Montjuic..where there are fountains and used to be ferris wheels and a bit of a theme park. We also visited a miniature villiage called pueblo espanol and generally around the shops on the Ramblas. Saw the Sagrada Familia etc.That was Back Then... This visit was only for a very short time..so we only visited the Ramblas area. We missed the open top bus that takes you all around the city. We will try to do that this time.

 

You are going to love the Classic Med. itinery...the ports are all wonderful and lots of time to enjoy the sea...every evening...as well as the full sea days. That's my only drawback...along with missing rome...we will lose some of the evenings at sea. However, we will also arrive at some ports later in the day..so will gain that time...particularily on the 2 stops in Palma and Barcelona where we are overnighting. We arrive at one in the afternoon..and the other I believe around tea time.

 

If you have formal clothing...by all means wear it and enjoy it! You will Not Feel out of place if your husband is in a tux.and others at the table aren't. Or the other way around. Unless the type of people change dramatically, from this year, Whatever you wear will be met with approval. I have a very limited wardrobe as I am at home full time and only in the house...cooking, washing and looking after my grandaughter. Weekends are just a bit of shopping etc. So I really was worried. My kids were great..helped me get some stuff in sales and bought me loads of gifts of costume jewelry and a lot of clothes off EBay shops. In the end, I wasn't covered in glitter..or overly formal...but fit in fine..with longish skirts and dressy tops. People around me were mixed styles..but we all chatted and there never appeared to be any snobbishness in regard for what people were wearing. You are going to have a wonderful cruise and a Great Time!! regards, Carol

[Jarronwood]

Hi Carol

 

Yes we did look at the other med cruises but because I wanted to be away on 3rd July being my birthday the only one was the Classic Med and quite honestly we are delighted with that. Hubby has always always wanted to visit Rome, to see the Sistine Chapel (he adores art and cant wait to see the ceiling painted by Michael A), he wants to visit the Vatican and is keen on the Scavi Tombs. I want to throw some coins into the Trevi Foundation. Just hope we can get all of this in. I am very reluctant to pay someone to guide us (it is just so over priced) so we are going to go by train.

 

On another forum board there is an excellent detailed review (not sure whether I am allowed to mention it here) but the particular poster has actually written out a step by step guide from the boat to the train station with pictures. So we shall follow his guide to the letter.

 

I think we have to pre book the Scavi Tours and the Vatican but its early days yet Guess I had better start posting advice on the Europe forum.

 

Have to say I do like the idea of staying overnight in a port. That way you can have dinner somewhere else. When we cruised the Caribbean a couple of years ago, the only negative comment I had was that I just wished we could have a long evening in port, it would be nice to have a few drinks and something to eat with the locals. Still I would never change cruising for that minor point.

 

One thing, we dont leave Villefranche until mid-night to we can have something to eat nearby, say Nice, Monte Carlo or Monaco? (+ Plus take out an extra mortgage for the privilege!!!)

 

I seem to have got the crusing bug a bit, am looking at cruises for 2007, maybe a Panama Canel cruise, or Hawai or Alaska. Hubby would like to take a train ride through the Rocky Mountains and then get on a boat and cruise Alaska. Bit cold for me.

 

What we might do is have some idea by next June and then book it whilst on board. I want to see what the aft of the ship is like and if I like it then see whats available for 2007. Thing is, I do hate the long haul flights.

[tommoore1]

The ONLY thing I didn't like about that inenerary was that the ship (Legend) was the only one in the fleet that was entirely based on Pounds Sterling--the gift shops, the spa---even the casino! It was very confusing, and the credit card company charged a conversion fee to change the Sea Pass charges back to $$$. I hope they change that policy AND SOON!!!

Other than that (and the outbreak of Legionairs' Disease while in Barcelona!), it was one of our favorite cruises, ever...

--Tom

[cruiser_carol]

The ONLY thing I didn't like about that inenerary was that the ship (Legend) was the only one in the fleet that was entirely based on Pounds Sterling--the gift shops, the spa---even the casino! It was very confusing, and the credit card company charged a conversion fee to change the Sea Pass charges back to $$$. I hope they change that policy AND SOON!!!

Other than that (and the outbreak of Legionairs' Disease while in Barcelona!), it was one of our favorite cruises, ever...

--Tom

 

Hi tom...I can see where it would surprise you. The reason the Legend decided to gear itself to pounds sterliing on the Med/Canary Island cruises... instead of the dollar as usual.... is because the Legend is advertised as exclusive to the UK for 6 months of the year.

This is obviously because it sails out of Southampton.. and it is 95%.. or more.. British passengers. Therefore the Majority of people are already using the pound. Otherwise thousands of passengers would have to change to dollars each cruise for 6 months.

 

For this years cruises... very few US posters appeared to have known about the Med Cruises out of southampton. As it now seems to be much more generally advertised for next year...there may be a lot more American passengers deciding to sail with her next season.

 

Regarding the money...If you take the pound price..example £20...and take 3/4 of that number and add them together (eg 20 +15 (3/4 of 20)= 35) that will roughly give you the value in Dollars. So £20 is roughly $35. This just gives a guideline...not exact. Obviously exchange rates go up and down..and you can use a calculator to work out exact exchanges. This just gives a quick comparison. I only hope RCI have given us in the UK , the same drink prices etc. as they do on their ships in the US. Converting money is always a bit of a shock at first...but doesn't take long to catch on. Same as using the Euro..and working out its' value.

 

So Glad you had A great Cruise...We sailed on July 30th and had a fabulous time.. We Loved the ship and the friendly atmosphere. The ports were Fantastic. We are booked again for next August. Regards, Carol

[tommoore1]

Cruiser Carol:

You were getting ON the ship as we were getting OFF!

On our cruise, most of the Brits were just as upset about the currency change (especially in the casino) as we were--a LOT of them had exchanged their Pounds Sterling for Dollars prior to the cruise.

We were informed about this cruise by our dear friend the Loyalty Ambassador (Runi), and that's how we learned about this itrnerary. We were two of only about 150-200 passengers that were American, and we've NEVER had a better time! At dinner we were a novelty to the others at our table because we were the only Americans there. We had a BLAST. All our table-mates were curious about our traditions and our (gulp!) POLITICS, but we never felt uncomfortable or like "foreigners". All things considered, our shipmates were the best we've ever had the pleasure of sailing with!

I can't WAIT to repeat this cruise next year!

--Tom

[Jarronwood]

So Tom

 

WHen do you cruise next year? Could it be with me????

[tommoore1]

Jarronwood:

We haven't set it up for next year yet, but we're saving our pennies (I have 15 Pounds Sterling left from the last trip that are burning a hole in my pocket!!!).

[cruiser_carol]

Cruiser Carol:

You were getting ON the ship as we were getting OFF!

On our cruise, most of the Brits were just as upset about the currency change (especially in the casino) as we were--a LOT of them had exchanged their Pounds Sterling for Dollars prior to the cruise.

We were informed about this cruise by our dear friend the Loyalty Ambassador (Runi), and that's how we learned about this itrnerary. We were two of only about 150-200 passengers that were American, and we've NEVER had a better time! At dinner we were a novelty to the others at our table because we were the only Americans there. We had a BLAST. All our table-mates were curious about our traditions and our (gulp!) POLITICS, but we never felt uncomfortable or like "foreigners". All things considered, our shipmates were the best we've ever had the pleasure of sailing with!

I can't WAIT to repeat this cruise next year!

 

 

Hi Tom....Small world that you were getting off the Legend as we boarded.She was such a beautiful ship.. It was a positive dream come true for us. we had been thru so many years of sickess and troubles...it changed our life. I have never known my husband to be so relaxed.. or enjoy himself so much. It all came about accidently. I knew RC when I lived in Florida over 24 years ago..but didn't even realise they sailed from Europe. I had lost touch with ships altogether..and they were a big part of my past life. So traveling to the Med was Magical... I was 21 AND with my parents when I was last in Rome and Barcelona...I am 55 now. For a very short time, I was young all over again and tracing old footsteps. It was Great! My husband had never been on a ship. or to any of the ports.

 

These message boards have been a new lease on life. Bringing me back in touch with fellow Americans that I have been away from for such a long time.and in touch with ships and cruising again. I heard about the changes in currency to Pounds sterling on CC..we were about to order Dollars as well.

 

We never plannned to go back again next year..but it was so wonderful and my husband will be 62..so need to go before retirement..we will never afford it then. We also booked our daughters and their steady boyfriends a cabin for their 21st birthday. they are Great kids..and their fellas will help contribut. But some problems have come up that might stop us from going. It would be a dissaster as we would lose an awful lot of money. We actually booked onboard with Runi at C&A and then transferred to our TA locally. Another poster..Rubbrick from Arizona writes here regularly and has been on the Legend 4x. He is friends with Runi and asked her to look out for us. she treated us lovely and although we were only on deck 3 in an ocean view cabin..we felt like VIP's! Rick (Rubbrick) has beome a lovely friend and offered me loads of information about the Legend before we sailed. He also sailed in May out of southampton and celebrated Legends' 10th birthday..with Capt. Nik. He also found the Brits. to be OK and made some close friendships.

 

We were on the Classic Med itinery this year..and are booked for the Med Treasures..August 5th next year. It misses Rome and Praira Da rocha..but adds on Palma, Mallorca and Malaga instead. The rest of the itinery is the same..with overnight stops in Palma and Barcelona. We really hope that we will get there. It would be wonderful. Keep in touch....Cheers for now, Carol--

[cruiser_carol]

Cruiser Carol:

You were getting ON the ship as we were getting OFF!

On our cruise, most of the Brits were just as upset about the currency change (especially in the casino) as we were--a LOT of them had exchanged their Pounds Sterling for Dollars prior to the cruise.

We were informed about this cruise by our dear friend the Loyalty Ambassador (Runi), and that's how we learned about this itrnerary. We were two of only about 150-200 passengers that were American, and we've NEVER had a better time! At dinner we were a novelty to the others at our table because we were the only Americans there. We had a BLAST. All our table-mates were curious about our traditions and our (gulp!) POLITICS, but we never felt uncomfortable or like "foreigners". All things considered, our shipmates were the best we've ever had the pleasure of sailing with!

I can't WAIT to repeat this cruise next year!

 

 

Hi Tom....Small world that you were getting off the Legend as we boarded.She was such a beautiful ship.. It was a positive dream come true for us. we had been thru so many years of sickess and troubles...it changed our life. I have never known my husband to be so relaxed.. or enjoy himself so much. It all came about accidently. I knew RC when I lived in Florida over 24 years ago..but didn't even realise they sailed from Europe. I had lost touch with ships altogether..and they were a big part of my past life. So traveling to the Med was Magical... I was 21 AND with my parents when I was last in Rome and Barcelona...I am 55 now. For a very short time, I was young all over again and tracing old footsteps. It was Great! My husband had never been on a ship. or to any of the ports.

 

These message boards have been a new lease on life. Bringing me back in touch with fellow Americans that I have been away from for such a long time.and in touch with ships and cruising again. I heard about the changes in currency to Pounds sterling on CC..we were about to order Dollars as well.

 

We never plannned to go back again next year..but it was so wonderful and my husband will be 62..so need to go before retirement..we will never afford it then. We also booked our daughters and their steady boyfriends a cabin for their 21st birthday. they are Great kids..and their fellas will help contribut. But some problems have come up that might stop us from going. It would be a dissaster as we would lose an awful lot of money. We actually booked onboard with Runi at C&A and then transferred to our TA locally. Another poster..Rubbrick from Arizona writes here regularly and has been on the Legend 4x. He is friends with Runi and asked her to look out for us. she treated us lovely and although we were only on deck 3 in an ocean view cabin..we felt like VIP's! Rick (Rubbrick) has beome a lovely friend and offered me loads of information about the Legend before we sailed. He also sailed in May out of southampton and celebrated Legends' 10th birthday..with Capt. Nik. He also found the Brits. to be OK and made some close friendships.

 

We were on the Classic Med itinery this year..and are booked for the Med Treasures..August 5th next year. It misses Rome and Praira Da rocha..but adds on Palma, Mallorca and Malaga instead. The rest of the itinery is the same..with overnight stops in Palma and Barcelona. We really hope that we will get there. It would be wonderful. Keep in touch....Cheers for now, Carol--

[cruiser_carol]

Tom...Sorry I typed out one post that didn't go thru. I rewrote it and for some reason it has gone thru twice. Sorry about that.

 

One other point..I didn't notice any problems with smokey cabins or other areas on the Legend. How did you find your cruise? I read so many posts about this on the US sailings. Also long waits in the Windjammer and difficulty getting a table . We did eat at various times..but even so..we never had a problem getting a table for 2..ususally by the window. I loved the views over the bow in the Windjammer. We saw dolphins leaping once. There were never any queues for the food either..only for ommelettes in the morning..and only briefly. I could find no faults except the coffee (a bit too strong) and the windy weather we had. Carol