Tin can

It's like insurance I guess, of no use until you actually need it. I got embroiled in the Thomas Cook bankruptcy over here in the UK a few years back and was taken care of and flown home. They were probably the same size as Royal, although not suggesting that Royal would ever be in such a position but things do happen. I'd certainly like price drops though, although as mentioned above as we cruise peak period, for as long as I can remember no matter when we book our cruises only ever increase in price. Lifes a gamble, consumer protection and pay for it or you don't. I have a very good friend here in the UK who is on work visa in the US and I don't know the full details but he either has no US medical insurance or the very bare minimum. I can remember him telling me he would rather have the $400 a month he would pay for his medical insurance in his pocket instead.

I think it is because we travel peak time due to our son still being in school. We have cruises booked 24/25/26 and no reductions on any of them even if we could take them. It's not as if all our booking are UK or Europe where we are based, they are all over the world. It is genuinely good to hear that people are bagging price reductions 🙂

Thats an interesting comment about Nassau and all opinions of course. We are from the UK and have been to Nassau a few times now and have noticed most US folks feel the same and refuse to leave the ship. I can only assume that the US accent attracts more 'interest' from the locals. The last time we were there, as a family we spent the day on our own at Junkanoo beach and had a great time and its been the same when we have spent the day around town and we have always enjoyed it. I'd be lying if I said there has never been any confrontation but some choice words have easily dealt with things. We didn't though enjoy Niagara Falls, the OP's plan. The falls and boat trip were great but we didnt like the town on either side, its all options I guess 🙂

I agree about the consumer protection when booking from the UK. I have to admit though it would be nice to get price reductions, I can't remember though post pandemic any of our cruises ever coming down in price after we have booked them.

Thanks for that, very helpful. It sounds a bit complicated like the US, we are probably a bit spoilt here in the UK as there aren't any rules really regarding children in bars. A good or bad thing I guess depending on your outlook on things but I like taking my son to the pub for a couple of drinks if the weather is nice. Funny you mention being a CAMRA member, I am one also. Real ale and craft beer is really big here now. Thanks again for your reply.

A bit of both, why would you pin the badge right at the front in the ‘business’ area. Hey if your pinnacle you’ve earned it I guess so do as you want I just found it a bit unusual.

Thanks for the tips in this post. Could I ask please what are the rules in Canada regarding children in bars. We have been to the States many times and they are very strict about this which is fine.... when in Rome and all that. Here in the UK this is all very relaxed so I was just wondering what to expect when we stay in Vancouver pre cruise.

Its no joke, I have had the misfortune to catch a glimpse of the bright gold pinnacle badge right on the front of the tightest trunks I have ever seen anyone wear. It was on the tiered suite sun deck of Adventure out of Cape Liberty. Still haunts me….

Blacklane are an intermediary booking service connecting customers with drivers. I have had them provided for me on business trips but personally I would rather be dealing directly with the driver or a company directly.

What we did was a taxi from the cruise port to Kowloon Station where there was a left luggage facility and spent the day exploring Hong Kong on our own which is very easy on the metro. Then back to Kowloon for the express train direct to the airport. English is obviously widely spoken and it was perfectly safe walking about, if you haven't been before HK is great.

Excellent point, Barcelona and Rome especially. I wouldn't be so concerned about wearing jewellery as any risk will be from opportunist pickpockets. We have been to both many times with no issues and with very simple precautions you will be fine.

I applaud anyone who travels to a cruise with no checked luggage, three of us flying to New York from the UK this summer for 9 nights on Liberty and three checked bags.

Thank you all for your comments, you pretty much confirmed what I have learnt elsewhere that it can be a bit of a lottery. Plenty to think about I think as the cruise we are looking at only stops at the one Japanese port so the thought of being stuck on the ship for hours doesn't really appeal 😐

I think you will find that your fellow passengers on a European cruise will be a really varied mix of nationalities which can be great fun. I would expect it to be a bit more formal dress wise, and as others have mentioned, as it will be port intensive the vibe around the ship will be different to the Caribbean. Not better or worse just different. Depending on when you are going the Euro 2024 football tournament is being held in Germany, if your dates coincide expect any bar with a television to be packed and if it interests you at all the mix of Europeans on board will create a fantastic atmosphere.

Hi all We are looking at a cruise from Shanghai which has one stop in Japan. I've done a bit of research and it seems that Japanese customs are sometime ill prepared for the number of passengers getting off a cruise ship and some people have reported waiting hours to be called to be cleared. I was looking for some opinions on this please if anyone has any experience with this. Thanks

Even playing online you are signing up to this very loose t & c. The house will nearly always win.....

The only stress for us with RoyalUp is despite a number of minimum, average and a fair few maximum bids we have not had a sniff of anything 😐

Yes, have to agree it is much improved since restart.

I actually like it, I’m on a cruise and on holiday so I don’t necessarily want dinner to be like an experience I would have at a restaurant at home.

Yes the same reason we are looking into Spectrum from Shanghai, the prices are very reasonable.

You won't know this until onboard, the price will be dynamic based on online sales already made. Your son may get lucky buying on day 3 and save some money but I have never seen on board package prices anywhere near some of the online sale prices.

There are a few 8 nights dotted around the schedule and a good looking 7 night which goes to Yokohama (Tokyo), Kyoto and Osaka which we are looking at.

I wasn’t keen on the manufactured port area. After a lot of persuading of the security guards I took a walk into Falmouth. Right outside the gate was chaos and whilst there isn’t much in Falmouth itself, it was interesting enough for an hour. I got the impression that unless on a tour not many people go for a wander in Falmouth.

We have always had priority boarding with a JS. We are though looking at a cruise out of Vancouver as you are taking and my general impression is that boarding is very chaotic and no one seems to get priority…. only 2-3 hour waits in various queues.

Yes I agree, I can see big changes coming along those lines and a revenue based system. I may be way off the mark with this but I can also foresee a combined single RCI Group loyalty scheme with the ability to earn points across RCI, Celebrity, Silversea and whatever that Tui/Hapag German line is.