All Things Voyager of the Seas Please!!

[Riley's Mom]

We just got back a week ago (2/10) and we "self-debarked" (carried our own luggage) and we were out in 15 minutes, if that.

 

 

 

5. Ship is scheduled to arrive back in Galveston at 7am. How much time does debarkation take - I'm looking to find out how early of a flight we can get headed home. See my comment above. Self-debark if you can. They'll let you do it if you have no more than 2 pieces of luggage per person.

 

 

Do they actually count the number of suitcases you are planning on taking off the ship? Would the 2 pcs of luggage be two acutal "suitcases" plus any carryons or a total of 2 pcs of any type luggage per person.. I am asking because Carnival never counted our luggage and was not aware that RCCL did.... We did self disembarkment the past 2 yrs with Carnvial . We had a total of 2 suitcases each plus our carryons..makeup cases,weekender bags etc.....

 

Is this going to be a problem with RCCL??

Does anyone know?

Thanks,Carla

[DFW-Cruiser]

Do they actually count the number of suitcases you are planning on taking off the ship? Would the 2 pcs of luggage be two acutal "suitcases" plus any carryons or a total of 2 pcs of any type luggage per person.. I am asking because Carnival never counted our luggage and was not aware that RCCL did.... We did self disembarkment the past 2 yrs with Carnvial . We had a total of 2 suitcases each plus our carryons..makeup cases' date='weekender bags etc.....[/b']

Is this going to be a problem with RCCL??

Does anyone know?

Thanks,Carla

 

Carla, Policy requires that you MUST PERSONALLY be able to carry ALL of your luggage off the ship. No one was counting. However, if you fail to set our luggage out the night before, you'll have no choice, and you'll get no help. CAVEAT: Once you've walked down the gangplank into the terminal you MUST maneuver your luggage AND have a FREE HAND in order to use the long EXCALATOR down to ground level. A guard stops passengers who don't and directs them to a small, slow elevator just to the left of the escalator. Depending on the amount of luggage, it may only hold 4 to 6 passengers at a time. We only had to wait 3 or 4 minutes for it, but more passengers debarking at the same time will mean a much longer wait. We had received somewhat conflicting/confusing instructions as to whether we needed to wait in our rooms til called or wait in the La Scala Theater with passengers who had only carry-on luggage to handle. While grabbing a quick breakfast we realized debarkation groups were being called 15 minutes early. We rushed back to our somewhat aft cabin, waited only a couple of minutes for the AFT elevators, and would probably have gone to La Scala to wait for a few minutes but could see down from the elevator that there was hardly anyone in the AFT lobby on Deck 4 - so went on down. The AFT exit was completely clear. We paused just long enough to gather ourselves, ask the employee if we could go ahead and debark, and proceeded immediately out the door. From cabin to gangplank was no more than 3 or 4 minutes. We were on the gangplank when our group C was called. There was a very long line extending out the FORWARD exit. - (WARNING: Because Studio B bloacks the way, you can not get from aft to forward (Carmen Dining Room to La Scala Theater) on Deck 3. Deck 4 requires a smokey, crowded trek through various bars and the casino. If you want to go from aft to forward more or less unimpeded, you must go down to Deck 2 or the Promenade on Deck 5 and use the stairs or the forward elevators from there.) We inadvertently managed to beat a rush, but still waited about 20 minutes in line to get to customs. We were in still in that line when the first passengers who had sent luggage ahead began arriving to claim and get in a then shorter far line, who then added to the bottleneck at Customs. I understand it got really crowded and slow after that. Still, we were out of the terminal by 8:35. Due to fog delay, the previous week's passengers didn't even begin to DEBARK until 1 pm and were still debarking at 2:30.

 

Linda

[luvmy2doxs]

I agree with all of Linda's comments. I was on the Voyager and self disembarked 1/27/08 which was the day of the bad fog which delayed our departure. Our group all had 2 bags each plus a carry on bag. As long as it can fit on your shoulder or sit on one of your bags, I don't think they really care. I think they stress the point of 2 bags to make it more managable for everyone to leave. If you have 3 roll bags you shouldn't be in the early departure group. We waited outside the theater because we got down there about 30 minutes prior to our original departure time. Of course, we just stayed there during the delay because we didn't want to lose our spot and move our luggage anywhere else. It was a long morning but not much could be done. Once we did make it to port and they started letting us out, we were in customs with 15 minutes. They were also letting the first set of colored tags off the back of the ship but they were holding them up in line down where you get the luggage because their luggage was just being unloaded so we got through customs first. As Linda said, if you don't have a free hand, you can't go down the escalator you have to use the elevator which holds you up a bit. Other than that, early departure is pretty painless and usually works very well.

[pboedeker]

I've spent the better part of two days looking for this thread!

 

Thought perhaps others might be interested!

[Snoozeman]

I've spent the better part of two days looking for this thread!

 

Thought perhaps others might be interested!

 

good eye;)

[rsjc]

does anyone have pictures of the children's area? also is there a pool area suitable for our twin 5 year olds.

[petel]

good eye;)

 

Anybody home?

[Dphipps2]

We're going on Voyager in Jan, '09. Can't wait!!!!! We're a little worried about the weather though.

 

Sailed on Navigator before and loved it, hope this one compares:)

[Snoozeman]

Anybody home?

 

you bet....

[patsyc]

What an informative thread! I've read through most of it (!!!) and feel I have gathered enough information to answer questions myself! We'll be sailing on VOS end of August. Can't wait! And thanks all for your contributions to this thread/forum! ;)

[JakeJMcGuire]

According to the site: http://www.italiantourism.com/

 

Roma - October 12 - November 29, 2008 International Festival of Holy Music and Art

 

This Festival of Sacred Music,

unique in the world, takes place in the Autumn in the Papal Basilicas of Rome. The Orchestra-in-Residence is the Vienna Philharmonic. The purpose of the event is to increase the public's awareness of the institutional activities of the Fondazione Pro Musica e Arte Sacra which raises funds for the restoration of religious artifacts and buildings. The "Festival Inter****onale di Musica Sacra" is central to its benevolent activities. Since its inception in 2002 the Festival has gone from strength to strength, winning the plaudits of the public and critics by proposing the spiritually enlightening marriage between world-class performances and outstandingly beautiful sacred venues.

 

Limited traffic areas in Italy: Drivers be aware!!!

[luv2cruzfrmtx]

We're going on Voyager in Jan, '09. Can't wait!!!!! We're a little worried about the weather though.

 

Sailed on Navigator before and loved it, hope this one compares:)

 

We sailed on the Rhapsody in Jan 06, weather was great, smooth seas and nice warm weather in Cayman and Cozumel. Were booked Jan 11, 09 and can't wait!!

[J & G]

We brought back all of the Compasses from our Jan 08 cruise and they are scanned into one LONG pdf file. If anyone would like to have them, please either post an e-mail address or e-mail me at enstedda at aol dot com and I will reply with the file.

 

Regarding self-debarkation, we did it on Jan 20 (also a late arrival due to fog) and vowed to never do it that way again. We stood from 6 AM to 10 AM in one place, with more and more people (and thier mountains of luggage!) trying to crowd into the same small space. There were no RC employees in sight to monitor, provide information, or assist in any way. That was a real bummer.

 

We self-debarked because BIL and SIL had a noon flight to catch (they barely made it). We all agreed that a later flight and a more relaxed debarkation would be the order of the day next time.....we might still carry our own luggage, if allowed (don't like leaving it in that hallway the night before), but we will wait for our colored tags to be called.

[Cancunense]

4 months from today we will be back on the Voyager in Barcelona...for a 22 day cruise... we have sailed on her several times before, I wonder if she has been upgraded ? I remember that there was some wear and tear going on...she was beautiful, I am sure we won't have complaints.

[ncb106]

We brought back all of the Compasses from our Jan 08 cruise and they are scanned into one LONG pdf file. If anyone would like to have them, please either post an e-mail address or e-mail me at enstedda at aol dot com and I will reply with the file.

 

Regarding self-debarkation, we did it on Jan 20 (also a late arrival due to fog) and vowed to never do it that way again. We stood from 6 AM to 10 AM in one place, with more and more people (and thier mountains of luggage!) trying to crowd into the same small space. There were no RC employees in sight to monitor, provide information, or assist in any way. That was a real bummer.

 

We self-debarked because BIL and SIL had a noon flight to catch (they barely made it). We all agreed that a later flight and a more relaxed debarkation would be the order of the day next time.....we might still carry our own luggage, if allowed (don't like leaving it in that hallway the night before), but we will wait for our colored tags to be called.

COULD YOU SEND IT TO ME AT NCB106@YAHOO.COM

[J & G]

COULD YOU SEND IT TO ME AT NCB106@YAHOO.COM

They are on their way.....hope you enjoy them. :)

[GalvestonCruiser]

I just sent an email but if for some reason you don't get it can you please send them to zane_anthony@yahoo.com. Thanks!!

[J & G]

I just sent an email but if for some reason you don't get it can you please send them to zane_anthony@yahoo.com. Thanks!!

The file is on its way.....please let me know if it is not attached.

[Sugar*Magnolia]

I have a pretty random question to throw out there.....

 

the starboard forward elevators interior (not the glass ones looking onto the centrum)- is it a bank of two or one elevator? I seem to be SO confused! having been on VOS twice and then Explorer, just curious if it is one elevator or two? Not sure why we felt there was a difference....trying to solve this mystery of ours lol If it cant be solved I will just have to book Voyager again!! :D :D :D

 

Thanks in advance!

 

 

Live from Explorer 07/07

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=591340

Live from Explorer 12/07

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=12909710&posted=1#post12909710

 

__________________

My Newest Explorer Review! Check it Out!

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showt...1#post15337008

[Darkwolfe]

We're going on Voyager in Jan, '09. Can't wait!!!!! We're a little worried about the weather though.

 

Sailed on Navigator before and loved it, hope this one compares:)

 

 

Voyager is exactly the same class as Navigator so it will be very familar. Doesn't have a Chops though and I think Navigator does.

 

As for the weather, I had the misfortune of living in Houston for a time. Galveston might be in the 60s, but it could easily be 70s too. Rarely, you will get a cold snap that might bring a little ice, but that only happens every 10 years or so and won't be too likely to reach all the way to Galveston itself.

 

Take a jacket for embark and debark days and that will likely be the only time you need it.

[Mart44]

We brought back all of the Compasses from our Jan 08 cruise and they are scanned into one LONG pdf file. If anyone would like to have them, please either post an e-mail address or e-mail me at enstedda at aol dot com and I will reply with the file.

 

I would love to have the compass - my address is 'msgreen44 at hotmail dot com' - Many thanks.

Martin.

[J & G]

I would love to have the compass - my address is 'msgreen44 at hotmail dot com' - Many thanks.

Martin.

The Compasses are zipping through cyberspace at this very moment. Enjoy!

[Cruisetini]

Hello, Have a friend booked for November 2008 -7 Night Classic Mediterranean Cruise leaving from Barcelona Spain. I have not experienced RC and was hoping someone out there might be able to help. Are soap products available in cabins if so what brand? Are suit jackets/ties required for dinner? I believe he has an inside cabin - and this is his first cruise experience! Any other helpful hints are appreciated for this ship! Happy cruising.....Thanks Kathy

[DFW-Cruiser]

Hello, Have a friend booked for November 2008 -7 Night Classic Mediterranean Cruise leaving from Barcelona Spain. I have not experienced RC and was hoping someone out there might be able to help. Are soap products available in cabins if so what brand? Are suit jackets/ties required for dinner? I believe he has an inside cabin - and this is his first cruise experience! Any other helpful hints are appreciated for this ship! Happy cruising.....Thanks Kathy

 

 

We've not done a European sailing, but did sail on the Voyager in January for a Caribbean cruise. Yes, there are soap products in the bathroom but as for brand, have no idea. I believe the soap in the shower was both bathing and hair, but I wouldn't use it for such and recommend he take small bottles of shampoo and conditioner instead. In the dining room, jackets and ties are not required for dinners, and although there will likely be 2 "formal" nights, even then we had one man in a tux and another in a corderoy sports coat with simple tie at our table in fact. No one made any issue of it at any time. Just no shorts, though jeans are okay the rest of the week. If he's not in to formal at all, he can always opt out and eat at the Windjammer buffet. If he's interested in alternative dining in the Portofino Restaurant, then he will need coat and tie. Best advice is to have him join a CruiseCritic.com roll call group where he can meet some of his fellow passengers and ask his own questions. One location that is not so much hidden as not obvious is the overlook into the Bridge on Deck 11, I think. Go all the way forward past the pool toward the spa. Just before you enter the spa are doors leading out to a narrow exterior walkway. Follow that to the front of the ship where he can peer into the Bridge. Another fun location is the very point of the bow. Take the exterior promenade deck all the way forward, climb the stairs and he'll find himself on the bow of the ship where the heliport is located. In the buffet, have him go all the way to the back of the ship where the Grille is located. There are other offerings there, including made to order items, and the view out the aft windows on a sea day are marvelous. If he's in a hurry for an excurions, he can grab something from a small breakfast buffett in the dining room on his way, which we found was fater than the Windjammer buffet, or hang around for a made to order sit-down meal.

 

He will certainly enjoy his cruise!

 

LindaMc

[TxBubba]

The Compasses are zipping through cyberspace at this very moment. Enjoy!

 

Oooo can I have one too please? tron2k1 at yahoo dot com

 

Thanks!