2catsand2kids

5 minutes ago, scottraveller said:

Whilst I totally sympathise with the people in northern Italy for the catastrophic flooding which brings things into perspective, it shouldn’t detract from RCI doing the right thing for its guests. Will Royal Caribbean be offering a full refund as I for one (and my family) go on holiday to have fun and chill and not have to worry about getting there or indeed home. I can probably get to the pick up in Venice in time (if it is sailing from Trieste) but getting back to Bologna airport in time for a flight at 12.55 on 4th June for me seems to be virtually impossible. I’ve researched and getting a transfer for 7 of us including small kids is a major issue. It would have to be by train and it doesn’t appeal having to lug 7 suitcases all the way there and takes around 5 hours. The key thing for me is that Royal need to make a decision about where my cruise is embarking and disembarking from by Monday. I can then decide on my course of action which would be to cancel if it’s from Trieste. Clearly that is a major change to the cruise arrangements and should therefore constitute an offer of full refund. Any views

We are on the same cruise and I’m really hoping they decide sooner rather than later so I have time to cancel and rearrange hotels (currently staying the night before in Ravenna and can cancel for free until Monday but then have to pay and have the train booked). We’re also on the same flight as you on the 4th and I’m nervous about getting there on time if we dock back into Trieste. Fingers crossed a decision is made sooner rather than later (and they don’t then change again). 

I was looking at the Norwegian Fjords cruise on Sky summer 2024, but the prices are currently ridiculous (way more than double what we are paying for the same ship but with a slightly different itinerary for summer 2023). It also wasn't loading up available cabins correctly and said all the ocean views were already sold out and there were hardly any other cabins in other categories listed as available. Unless the price comes down significantly we won't be booking for 2024 (especially given the increase in Plus package).

Does anyone know if this price increase will also apply to those booking from the UK? We currently have to pay £40 for plus and I haven’t yet added it to my cruise for next July but will do it now if the price is going to increase. 

I have had an email from our travel agent (we are UK) saying we have until Sunday to book the deluxe drinks package at £43 but after that we won’t be able to book the deluxe package at all, only new customers will at the time of booking their cruise. I’m going to phone them to clarify as we were going to wait and see if the package was cheaper on Black Friday and haven’t fully decided if we need one or not, but am nervous about not having the option of booking one at all. 

Thank you all for the suggestions. In the end we have booked the Pensione  Guerrato in Venice and the Casa Masoli in Ravenna, fingers crossed they work well! 

I’ve read on here previously of people having the option to get transfers to Venice and Bologna on disembarkation. I certainly hope they do Bologna as I’ve just booked flights home from Bologna after our cruise on Explorer next May! 

Myself, my husband and two children (12 and 10) will be cruising (1st time ever) from Ravenna next May. We are planning on spending two nights in Venice before the cruise then getting the train to Ravenna and spending one night there before we cruise on the Sunday. Does anyone have any recommendations for pleasant hotels in Venice and/or Ravenna that would be suitable for a family of four and aren’t eye wateringly expensive. Thank you.