Tin can

We are just back from a cruise with Royal out of Ravenna. Flew into Venice for a few days and then took the train to Ravenna. After the cruise we took the train from Ravenna to Bologna to fly home. All very easy (even with luggage), reliable and cheap on the train.

Just back from a cruise out of Ravenna. There are almost no taxis available, we were sailing with Royal Caribbean and they provided a shuttle and from talking to reception in our hotel most if not all cruise lines do. The train from Ravenna to Bologna both ways worked well, was reliable and was cheap.

Its needed... We were on Anthem out of Port Liberty over Easter. The biggest billboard in Times Square was for MSC. We went to the NBA in the evening and they were giving out free MSC Knicks caps. Driving to the port on the morning and another billboard for World America and I can remember it now 'American service, European style' because it was plastered everywhere in NY. We are UK based but it's clear the behemoth that is MSC is now embarking on an offensive in the US that we have seen here in the UK and Europe for a number of years.

We quite enjoy the breakfast offerings and the coffee machine in the morning but our experience since the vouchers were introduced is people do not visit the lounge in anywhere near the numbers they used to. Frankly I'm amazed that Mr Bayley was asking for ideas to reduce the crowds! I'm probably in the minority but I liked the ritual of the lounge, the hustle and bustle, the crowds even the boisterous atmosphere at times from the groups who made the most of the 'free drinks'.

That would be my thoughts, I can think of nothing worse waiting to go home being surrounded by excited new cruisers and hearing welcome aboard announcements. I would rather be sat at the airport...

To be honest I think that's a fair comment, it you are asking if its safe then it is something rightly or wrongly that is concerning you. If your gut instinct says danger then you are probably best to obey it and not be swayed. We have been lucky enough to travel around the world and it's my golden rule, if something doesn't feel right we are out of there. We have probably missed some great experiences but I never override my gut feeling.

Apparently ‘beyond the fence’ it’s very nice. We have friends who traveled across from the Dominican Republic and stayed in the Cormier Beach Resort last summer which is a couple of miles away from labadee and they had a great time.

Thanks for the review, we are on the same itinerary next year on Liberty and really looking forward to it.

For Royal I agree (same ships and repeated itineraries) and although we are UK based we rarely sail Royal out of Southampton. The cruise passenger numbers for Southampton however are comparable or better than most European ports other than Barcelona.

I only did the status match recently (a few months ago I think) as I was looking at a few options with MSC at the time. I'm definitely Diamond with MSC and only Diamond with Royal, maybe I slipped through the net 😄. Its a shame Royal don't status match and then I could have reversed matched and come back to Royal as Pinnacle 🤣

Very strange, I just checked and I was definitely matched Diamond with MSC and I am Diamond with Royal.

We haven't cruised with MSC but went through the process to get matched and was given Diamond (we are Diamond with Royal) I believe you get early embarkation, bathrobe, a speciality meal and strangely a dance class. There are no drinks vouchers which are a real benefit with Royal.

If it's any consolation I joined the FB group for the current Liberty cruise that has just stopped there (we are doing the same itinerary next year) and everyone seemed to have a great day. The conflict was discussed a lot before arrival but only positive things from the actual experience. Just reading a comment now "beautiful island and people'. I'm not making light of the situation in Haiti but isn't the worst of the gang violence in LA only 30 miles away from Beverly Hills and Malibu. I believe Labadee is six hours away from the main area of trouble. (this was posted yesterday on the FB group)

Genuine question as I am not a US citizen but would there be any political reason why your government would advise you not to travel to Haiti. I took a quick look at the other countries in US advisory level 4 - Yemen, Syria, Afghanistan, North Korea amongst other such delights so the comparison seems a bit extreme to me. Just across the non physical border and into the Dominican Republic and it's a level 2 'caution' viewed the same as Sweden and funnily enough the UK. I'm obviously aware that Haiti has unique issues compared to the DR but it's the same Island. Just curious by this.

Just out of interest I checked the British Government advice regarding travel to Haiti. The advice not to travel was updated before the US government update but further states 'if you do choose to travel to or stay in Haiti against FCDO advice, you should keep a low profile. Be vigilant, try to avoid all crowds and public events, and take appropriate security precautions'.

If it’s a European or UK cruise you will find that people dress up. Especially here in the UK, we are still quite formal lot here 😀. Just noticed that you are sailing Liberty in August which I believe is sailing from the North East. We sailed from Port Liberty over Easter and whilst nothing was enforced the New York crowd really dressed up. Our cruise last summer from Fort Lauderdale was the complete opposite. Not saying either is good or bad, right or wrong just that dress wise New York departing is different in our opinion.

There will always be local customs, traditions or routines you encounter when travelling. If you cruise out of my home country (UK) there is nothing to say that you as Americans have to drink tea but a lot of us 'locals' will be 😄. For us embracing a bit of the local way of doing things is part of the enjoyment of travel around the world. We visit the States probably 3-4 times a year and I'm sure if we didn't follow the local custom of tipping there would be considerable upset. Its totally alien to us in the UK but we accept and embrace it as part of the experience of travel.

100% this, I like to save my Diamond vouchers for cocktails in the evening and occasionally when ordering a soda or a beer in the afternoon the voucher is automatically used. When processed they are unable to correct, its not an issue as they are trying to be helpful but something to be aware of.

I guess it depends on the demographic. Our FB group for our upcoming Greek Isles cruise is made up of a lot of first time Italian cruisers. If the 400 odd members are a representation of the overall ship when we sail then its going to be a week long formal fashion parade. It might be quite nice to see to be honest, I might dust the cobwebs off the tux 😄

😄 Being from the UK I have been pulled up on this mistake before. A New Yorker then claimed Anthem as it sails out out through New York waters under the Verazzano Bridge (may have spelt that incorrectly). I don't know whether there is any basis to that but it was an interesting thread.

I can understand that but our cruise from Dubai with Royal was without doubt one of the best holiday experiences we have ever had. I would be on the next ship if Royal ever deployed from there again.

Absolutely, you should wear what you want on holiday. I think though you will be turned away from most church's in Italy or Greece in shorts, it may be different in the US? You may also find that a higher proportion of Europeans choose to dress formally on a European cruise than the traditional folks vacationing on a Florida cruise not because of any 'fashion police' or rules but because they choose to.

I'm not disputing what you were told but that is a high percentage of American guests. All our European cruises have had a lot of different nationalities and whilst US citizens make up the majority they account for 30 - 40% of the total passengers.

There was a happy hour a couple of times on Anthem over Easter in the pub on the Royal Esplanade. I'd have to look at the compass but I recall it was 40% off late afternoons on sea days. There were something like 1600 kids on boards so mostly families and I guess the alcohol wasn't selling as much as it usually does.

We were staying by Dubai Marina and took a Metro to a station nearer the cruise port and then caught a taxi, you will definitely need a taxi at some point as the port is huge and I couldn't imagine dragging cases in the heat. It was a bit of a hassle to honest and as aussie cruiser says taxis are cheap so if doing again we would get a taxi straight there. Have a great time, Dubai is fantastic!