Roybthered

And you can use your spouses to get a drink so 5-3 etc.

Last say 3-4 cruises we have had the UDP and enjoy it. We are Prime and Diamond so have the lucky charm of a comp'd cruise to use, so getting the UDP is a worth while expense due the free cruise. Also to be honest I think we would get it anyway as we like the more intimate dining rather than the MDR. however it should be each to their own.

Have just gotten off Symphony on Thursday 7th Sept and we had transfers from FCO upon arrival and upon the completion of the cruise back to FCO with RCCL. It was so better knowing that they would get us from the airport and back upon the end of the cruise. The trips both ways was easy and to be honest set our minds at rest knowing it was sorted. We did look at transfers privately before we booked it with RCCL however I was not confident with them and the prices were not too different.

So the Norm is that he is getting a decent wage to do a job but still expects tips (of whatever size) to do that said job? Or he might not provide the service that he is paid well to do? You keep hearing (typed) people on here going on about tips making up a crap or non existent wage so tips should be forthcoming no matter what but the above blows that concept out the water (so to speak). Tipping is a personal thing and in many cultures it is not the norm but some on here seem to think everyone should do as they do! People should do as they want (its their money) and should not feel pressured into giving or not giving tips either auto or extra. Its a very emotive subject and there will never be a right answer.

You will just have to keep checking the site and if it goes down cancel and rebook the package. You will find that it goes down and up a certain times and there is no logic to it at all, you just have to keep an eye out and act when your at a level you want to pay and if it goes cheaper then all is good.

I am assuming that you will be travelling from a US port then? As sailing from Europe the age limit would be 18. I find it very strange that your laws prohibit alcohol until 21 but your allowed to enter military service, get married (raise a family) but are not allowed to purchase/consume alcohol. I understand each country has its own laws and am well travelled to know and understand this but it seems strange. As to your OP I would assume that one or two drinks would probably go unnoticed.

Usually sailing in Europe they will show the Premier League Football matches, either in the seaplex, sports bar or pub on board.

We sail on Symphony at the end of August and no UDP, 3, or 5 nights are on the planner at all. Each specialty restaurant is on there but that's it and we are 6 weeks away! very strange. It is a 7 night cruise.

Totally agree with all your suggestions except one (an hour odd of my life I will never get back). 😅 Favourite place is the Solarium were the other half always finds me in the morning chilling before breakfast.

You will only find the price out once you have booked a cruise and they are available on the manage my booking on the RCCL site or on your App. The prices will be different between cruises.

You will be fine in there. Enjoy the cruise.

It's your cruise go and do what you want (within the rules!!!) 🙂

Agree, a lot of things happen that don't effect you or have no impact upon you but if it does and you are not happy then yes you should make the call to go and see someone about it. In an ideal world it would not happen or a member of staff would sort it straight away but that's life.

On every cruise we go on I am always up and about first thing in the morning and head to the solarium to chill, listen to my book and have a coffee or two. I will stay there most of the morning and can honestly say have never been bothered by any kids (maybe lucky), however to be honest if I did I would seek a member of staff to point out its an adult area.

North Star and IFly are booked on the day if in port as its free, you need to go on the app first thing and book them.

We sail Symphony at the end of August on a Wester Med cruise, Rome (Civitavecchia) Naples Sea day Barcelona Palma De Mallorca Provence (Marseille) Florence/Pisa (La Spezia) Rome (Civitavecchia) As you can see very port intensive with only 1 sea day. Most Med cruises are port intensive no matter where you go. Am sure you will enjoy it wherever you go.

Sailed on Oasis in October last year from NJ, a great ship with lots to do. Do not be put off at all, lots of venues are open late, lots of places to eat throughout the day and night as well as lots of activities as well. Go and enjoy yourself, we did.

Sailed from Rome last year and boarding times not even checked, in fact don't think I have ever had a check in time looked at?

Call them, they will take your payment and it should be fine. DW calls them every time we book her Prime cruise.

We are on the same cruise and are looking forward to it, we have sailed Anthem 3 times (twice straight after Covid 4+5 night out of Southampton) and also a 2 night this May. We have enjoyed ourselves and will be joined this time by our two friends who will be sailing for the first time. We do fly and have been on a number of ships however Southampton is convenient in the fact that we can drive there and back the same day of sailing and returning from the cruise. Everyone has their own preferences and other should not slate them for having them! Yes it would be good to get a bigger ship into Southampton but unfortunately that not up to us, so long as we can cruise am happy. We like going on Royal and as has been posted on here so many times things have changed over the years post covid but guess what if your happy to stay with them great and if not then go somewhere else. 97 days to go and looking forward to a great cruise!

Yes only individual, we have always seen UDP for sale on all the cruises we have been on. Strange as there is always seats available when you are on board and throughout the cruise.

We sail on Symphony at the end of August (7 Nights) and on the cruise planner there are all the specialty restaurants priced to purchase, however the is no UDP for sale at all. We keep going on to look if the price is right to maybe get it but it is not listed at all. Has anyone else noticed this? Oh the UBP is £76 pp! that's £1064 for the trip.

We did it last October on Oasis and had about 4 1/2 hours in Universal, coming over from the UK it was worth it as we had our granddaughter (6) with us. Word of warning though our coach broke down on the way back and we had to jump onto another at the roadside making it back a little later than planned. It's a good job the transport was booked with RC as if not we might have been waving goodbye to the ship.

Thanks you for a really good review, we are on Anthem again in October (was on her in May for 2 nights) and are looking forward to sailing on her albeit to sunnier locations! Oh and you are right about only having to drive to the port rather than having to fly, it's so much better.

Will let you know as we sail on Symphony at the end of August out of Rome and then sail on Anthem beginning of Oct out of Southampton. We sailed on Anthem in May as soon as she came over on the transatlantic on a 2 night cruise over to France and back (needed the points for our October cruise to be Diamond). This was our 3rd time on Anthem and the October one will be our 4th time, we did originally have the Aug one booked on Anthem but decided twice was enough and wanted to go on another Oasis class (done Oasis last October). Anthem is a nice ship for what it is and we enjoy it but you need to understand each class of ship differs from another, unfortunately for us in the UK Southampton is the only port being operated from by RCCL. Now if they started using other ports and had other ships coming over am sure the take up would be a lot more. We like Royal (wife is Prime so Aug is our free cruise!) and will be diamond in October so will not be getting the drinks package. It is expensive but you should look at it and if you feel you will get your monies worth then great but if you don't then pay as you go. Same applies to the UDP. On another note this is Cruise Critic and everyone is allowed an opinion as everyone has their own likes and dislikes.