Norwich Cruiser

Personally I’d try and get a small group together ( maybe via your roll call ) or maybe six to eight persons and book a private tour with Romeinlimo and pay the extra for a guide.

Superb reliable company.

We recently returned from a Caribbean carnival cruise and although we’ve cruised many more times with Royal think you’ve given an extremely fair assessment.

We’ve always thought the cruise lines were more similar than not and at present time we think that the food especially the on deck burgers and MDR on Carnival and in all most other venues is definitely better than what Royal is offering.

Entertainment is similar Carnival is probably that little better on most ships except on “ o “ class where Royal is probably better than what Carnival is offering.

On 2/27/2024 at 12:48 PM, island lady said:

Saw InTENse last night on Wonder.  They have changed the show.  More high diving, but are not doing the suspended lady that glides over the audience now.  It was good, but IMHO....I think we liked the old production better.  Still quite the show!   

We also preferred the original show.

15 hours ago, HicksRA said:

If you have any self pride, you dress accordingly. 
if you’re a slob, you dress accordingly. 
Some dress in between. 
It’s actually up to you. No one’s going to throw you out. 
 

(But watch out for the side eye from the Pinnacle couple in the tuxedo and satin ball gown…). 😉

👍

I would definitely sail on Allure in preference to Anthem.

Hiro

You’ll be fine arriving then we normally aim to be there also about that time.You certainly won’t be the first in line.

Definitely Barcelona 

The port is about a 20 minute taxi ride from the airport.

Hotel suggestions

Jazz

SB Diagonal Zero 

Hilton Diagonal Mar

Barcelona if sailing on an “ o “ class ship is regarded as day one with Rome ( a minimum 45 minutes transfer time over an hour in heavy traffic ) regarded as interporting,

Be sure to pre book any visitors tickets you may need for Park Guell or La Sagrada Familia.

If you have the time I’d recommend a minimum two or probably three days pre cruise.

Taxis are plentiful and there’s also a very good metro system. 

We recently had an 11.30 embarkation time at Port Everglades checked out of the hotel at 10.15 arrived at the port at 10.30 and were onboard by 11.00.

I honestly don’t think it’d be an issue.

It’s very easy to do on your own.

With a 10pm flight that’s definitely the way I’d go.

We thought the MDR albeit we usually found something we liked had definitely deteriorated but the Windjammer was as good as ever.

On a Mediterranean cruise the main difference is you’ll probably get longer port days.

English / American will most certainly be the main language spoken by both crew and passengers.

All shows entertainment etc will most certainly be spoken in English and maybe followed on by Spanish or Italian.

You’re certainly getting about.

This looks like a completely different demographic cruise hope all goes well.

We last visited Gran Canaria nearly two years ago and taxis were lined up at the port.

I’m pretty sure they’d be highly delighted to drive you to your tour pick up point.

4 minutes ago, HicksRA said:

My thoughts are that it’s a total waste of $50 but others may think differently. 

I totally agree.

Thank you so much for once again taking the time and trouble to write such an amazingly honest review.

Your thoughts by the way on Quantum class are exactly the same as all our families.

Thanks again.

From our experience we think Coastal Kitchen is overrated.

We’ve booked a few guaranteed staterooms and never been disappointed.

Our daughter on an extremely late booking ( about a week before departure date ) got a junior suite when originally booked an inside guarantee.

We used Amazon 

We always make reservations for dinner as in the past “ walk ins “ have been turned away.

4 hours ago, KarlK said:

Do people actually cruise for the food? I will admit, I am a pizza in the windjammer over MDR kinda guy. I hit great foods while in port, a true goal of mine, be it stewed cows foot in the Caymans, gibnut in Belize, Mexican seafood off the boats in Ensenada. Mass knocking out meals on a boat cannot compare to a land based restaurant. Even back in the day when I would go to the MDR, I would not say the steak or lobster was prepared spectacular. Is what it is, never horrible, but fine dining in this day an age of more people on board means more money is past history.

We don’t cruise just for the food but yes it’s a big part of it.

I’d definitely recommend Wonder over Odessey 

Oasis

Freedom and Voyager 

2 hours ago, little britain said:

Just left Sydney en route to NZ on Ovation 

 

 

That’s great trust everything is going well.

Perhaps we can touch base on your return. 

4 minutes ago, little britain said:

My USA guy 

 

- its 21.40 here.. sitting in Boletos drinking margaritas.. as you do! 

Oh so sorry I wouldn’t have disturbed you didn’t realise you were away slumming it 😅 

Where exactly are you?
 

It’s nearly time for elevenses here.

Now tea or coffee not quite the same as your margarita.