WarfRatWA

Used Blackberry last fall, LHR to Southampton and Southampton to London. Service was spot on and reasonably priced. I would use them again.

I get your point and I agree. Sailed in Star class on a Quantum class last summer. 3rd sailing in star (Oasis x2) and likely the last for the foreseeable future. Genie is great as you say for cutting the line and having drinks ready for us at shows, but the RCCL product really isn't our cup of tea and the services of the genie are not sufficient to overcome that. I could stomach lop sided financial metrics (which star class is) in the cost benefit if the intangibles did something for us...but, the intangibles, which are subjective, are quite average. We find NCL Haven to be a superior product in the mass market category.

Perhaps the 3rd wheel is under the age of consent (such as a 16yr), and therefore is only required to have the soda package. The approach to alcohol is very different in Europe. Not uncommon or unusual for teens to drink wine/beer when out with the parents or with their friends. Sharing is prohibited under both TC's.

Sounds like the change happened after final and just before departure. An increasingly common occurrence at NCL and frankly other lines. I wonder if the folks that did not receive emails were folks that used TA's.

"However, this third adult likes to have just a mocktail or a glass of wine from time to time" From time to time makes it sound like maybe once a day (if that is the true intention). On a ten day cruise, we're talking less than 150euro for these drinks. OP is working overtime to justify not getting caught breaking the TC's. Sounds like a budget issue. Perhaps the OP bit off more than they could chew on the price of the cruise and is looking for ways to cut corners.

We've been running around with NCL's sister, Oceania. She does things for us that NCL won't. lol. We are transitioning from a family of 4 to 2, and Oceania suits us as a couple. Other than NCL, we have cruised RCCL, MSC, Celebrity, Oceania and Seabourn. In regards to an extended family trip...NCL would be my choice, particularly on a BA/BA+ ship. My subjective opinion is that NCL food is better than RCCL in general, but that is my personal opinion (not trying to start debate) That said, for the younger crowd, RCCL would also be a good choice.

I got sucked into a 24yr tour of the world (and now on another one as a civilian). I was at Fort Benning for Jump school, very glad I was never stationed there. Sadly, I was at Polk more times than I have fingers on one hand. Calling it an armpit is an insult to armpits. Sorry LA residents. BTW, Benning is now Fort Moore, named after LTG Hal Moore, Vietnam Veteran. It's nice seeing veterans in the cruising community.

Realistic expectations will go a long way to ensuring a fantastic trip. Knowing what you are getting into before you get on the ship feeds into those realistic expectations.

Gary...really appreciate your excellent work on the "The Secrets..." series. I put your NCL secrets to use and looking forward to putting your Oceania secrets to use. Thanks again Gary.

I've used the veterans discount twice now. I appreciate the perk. I wish their sister line Oceania had it as well.

We did 3yrs in Vincenza before this tour, so I know where you are coming from. We are here for the same reason. Concur that everyone is different, but I will say, many people in our position end up saying saying the same thing in regards to travel with young children. Don't do it for the kids...do it for the adults. Just my 2 cents.

My family moved to Europe (we're Americans) when my kids were 6 and 4 (11 years ago), we dragged them everywhere to 'expose' them. When I ask them now if they recall those trips.....well, no they don't. The pictures are great though. They really didn't start to appreciate it til they hit teenage years. My 2 cents....Make the trip about you. Let them enjoy the stuff they kids enjoy, because frankly, that is what they will remember. Just giving you my experience. If sailing on NCL, look toward the NCL Breakaway/NCL Prima/NCL Viva in Europe in 2025.

I have sailed all 3 lines you mention. My preference is NCL between the 3. I don't know what this says about the cruise lines, but the NCL forum on Cruise Critic is far more enjoyable to read through than the Royal forum. NCL cruisers seem to be more passionate in their discussions than Royal cruisers. IMO. I don't know what classes you tend to sail, but on any given day, I would rather be in The Haven on NCL than Star Class on Royal. While Star Class is pretty amazing, once you exit the room, your in the general mix. I'd prefer the ship within ship design. I also think NCL does specialty restaurants better. We sailed RCL in June on the Anthem. Our best meal was at Izumi (sushi), we had negative experiences in every other specialty restaurant. We ate in the MDR once, it was fantastic. All that said, our kids will be out of the house in the next few years and we have started gravitating toward Oceania. We sailed once and have another booked. Ship size, food and demographic all contribute. If you are thinking NCL....book a Breakaway+ class ship in the Haven. You won't be disappointed.

We just did this, except we stopped at Stonehenge on our return to London after the cruise. That said, we arrived at about 11am on a Friday and it was glorious. The weather was perfect, wildflowers bloomin' and crowds non-existent. By noon, the tour bus parking lot was jammed and the site was crazy crowded. But that hour we had, was excellent and sufficient. If you can get there early, you may beat the crowds and its worth it. The stones have been roped off since 1977, so its not exactly a new development.

That I can't answer in general. We were in Star Class and could of boarded at 1030 and accessed our room if we wanted. When our friends returned to their room, they could access. It was after 3pm however.

Departed Southampton on 16 June 2023 on the Anthem. Traveled with another family. Our boarding time was 11am and theirs was 1:30pm. We all UBER'd together and arrived at the port at 11am. We all boarded and were having cocktails on our balcony by 11:35am. Per our friends, no one asked them about boarding times. I cannot speak to the app question, perhaps others might have insight.

That is an unfortunate series of events. We had excellent laundry service on the Anthem recently. Picked up when we left the room in the morning was delivered back to us before 5pm same day. We did 4 or 5 bags, never had an issue, but only sent washable items. The slips seemed to indicate the charge was per item, but we didn't pay as we were in Star class. For us, it is one of the better perks of Star Class. As a family of 4 were were traveling light and it helped a lot.

I am just off the Anthem in Star Class (our first time sailing on RCCL). Don’t sweat it. Let your genie handle it. They will plan your dinner’s and show times.

Makes me smile, smile, smile knowing there are like-minded folks cruising. Peace.

I am indeed…been on the bus since the early 80’s? You?

I had heard of the tax issue for NCL, namely it is less of a restriction and more a unwillingness to to pay. Though I, honestly do not know And NCL really isn’t talking. Though I have heard the issue is resolved. in regards to changing or dropping ports….Royal changed ports ports on us ….we were notified less than 24hrs prior to embarkation. I don’t really think NCL is the only cruise line doing that for non-emergent reasons. Royal told us it is a port crowding issue (sounds more like a lack of planning issue). We are 24hrs into our first Royal cruise, so not quite ready to offer an opinion regarding which is better, but I am sure I will before disembarkation.

Long time NCL cruiser here. Boarding the Anthem (first time on RCCL) in the morning and I am really looking forward to coming back to this thread and giving my thoughts.

Thanks Topnole....Appreciate the confirmation.

Thank you so much for the swift reply. This was really the last question we had prior to embarkation. The only things we have planned are the Chefs table and a couple of shore excursions. Feel's odd to leave it all up to someone else. But I guess that is the point. Thank you again. Much appreciated.

Hey there RFerrington, We are sailing on the Anthem next month. This is our first time in SC and our first time aboard Royal. Thank you for your comments in this thread, as they clear the smoke a bit for a first time SC cruiser. We will have friends (2 pax) aboard who are not SC. We understand the need to not cross that line. That said, we would like to dine together in the specialty restaurants. The OP made a comment that their Genie on a couple of occasions assisted with reservations that included non-SC cruisers. Is this something we can routinely request of our genie? That is to marry our non-SC cruising friends dining reservation to ours so we can sit together? Or should we just work with the dining venue to make it happen? Also, do you (or anyone else on this thread) happen to have any experience/insight with the Genie Carlos A.? Thank you for any input you may have!