budmeister

On 2/25/2024 at 9:53 PM, Hlitner said:

I have no clue what that person was talking about, but it is simply not true.  If you tender ashore, independently, you will be let off the tender at the small port below Fira.  The only ways out of that port are: 1.  The cable car, 2. Taking a donkey up to Fira, 3.  Walking up to Fira or 4. Taking a boat somewhere.  That is it.  End of story.

 

Once you are up at Fira you can walk to the road, the bus station, the big taxi parking area (near the bus station) or to various rental car agencies.

 

Hank

It is true. The whole post that the quote came from provides context.

On 2/25/2024 at 9:00 PM, cpl100 said:

What tour company did you use that provided this please?

Is true. We took the Oia on your own excursion, that went to a different port , and informed the bus driver that we would not be getting on the bus. The sailing excursion company that sent us a taxi to pick us up at that little port was Vista Yachting. There was a restaurant with outdoor seating to sit at and have coffee or breakfast .

Not in Orlando last month.

I email specialneeds at least a few weeks b4 the cruise and tell them that we need the mattress topper because we both suffer back pain. I also add that I understand that they may not use mattress toppers any more, and an extra comforter under the sheets will be fine. When I get on the ship, I check with the cabin attendant and insist if necessary.  I have only had to insist once, on the Wonder last month. 

9 hours ago, RobInMN said:

It didn't start with Icon, the Viking Crown doesn't exist on the Quantum class either.

 

I also miss it.

On Wonder, that location is now a suite and pinnacle neighborhood or lounge .Very Disappointing.

9 hours ago, cruisinghawg said:

Sitting here at Coco Cay looking at the Mariner berthed next us a was suddenly stricken by the departure RC has made with the launch of the Icon. Gone is the one feature that set a RC ship apart from the other lines, the Viking Crown is no more. Since it’s beginning the Viking Crown was the major external focal point of this cruise line now it seems just the color scheme is all that is left. Nostalgia over comes me this morning. 

That was my go-to place on the ship. I miss it. Why take away one of the only places that you can quietly watch the sea in all weather on a cruise ship? Isn't the sea a main draw for others too? Iwas wondering if the pod area in the aquadome has enough seating to replace it. I guess you just answered my question- not a replacement.

We were on the Wonder a couple of weeks ago, and it was cancelled at least 3 times, maybe more. Perhaps the shortened version is to avoid complete cancellation. We did not end up seeing it. 

Wonder Jan 7th

11:30 -1 lunch.

12 time slot for boarding but got on at 11.

On 1/20/2024 at 3:01 PM, blueslily said:

 

Do you know if these are new cruisers or not? I wonder if they are new cruisers and just don't know any better ? Meaning they don't know how much of a ripoff that is. Just wondering.

 

But, as you said, folks have the right to spend money as they wish. I just wish their spending did not impact how much I have to spend the next time I want to book a cruise. I say "want to book" because at the current prices, I am not booking. Man. 

I stopped booking too. Nothing booked, would usually have two .

The ship products are between bad and awful. Bring your own, at least for washing hands. If you use ship shampoo/conditioner combo, bring a leave in conditioner.

I would not go when school is out. We have always gone when school is on session with no issues.  This last one 2 weeks ago school calendars were odd and school was out. The ship was noisy crowded and loaded with kids. I would not choose to do that again.

On 1/21/2024 at 9:56 AM, cruzvaca said:

My favorite thing is dinner, drinks and a show each night. Considering there is no broadway show on wonder I was looking forward to this when I am on her soon. If I have already seen the juggler on another ship that will be disappointing.

We are identical in our favorites. We loved the shows on the Wonder a couple of weeks ago and thought the headliners,  and including the juggler. 

Beach Club is paid but was quiet. We were on the Wonder and Independence was also there.

23 hours ago, Halfpound said:

Thank you for your review. My family of six are on the Wonder in April. Regarding the shows, could you please tell me which nights and times they are? I’m trying to plan our dinner times. Thank you

 

 

Hi.

Most have multiple viewings and thing changed even from when I could reserve and whne I got on the ship. 8:30 -8:45 dinner times allowed me to see everything. 5-5:30s probably would too.

19 hours ago, pyrateslife4me84 said:

I read on Facebook that Tap Factory is ending. Is this true? 

It was not on the Jan. 7th-14th cruise.

1 hour ago, Lv2sail_18 said:

Thank you for the detailed review! Given your experience leaving the shop on the last day, what would you recommend? Taxi? Uber? Pre-paid shuttle?

We intended a taxi, but the line stating taxi turned out ot be the shuttles. I don't know how or where Uber would have worked. The pre-paid shuttles turned out to be the same shuttles as those in the taxi line. People were made because they thought pre-paying would get them on sooner, but it did not. 

I think I would try uber next time. I am not sure how it could be worse. 

We have been on both. Definitely go Harmony.

Only if you want it to be. People do what they want to.

On 1/5/2024 at 5:27 PM, toxicfairy said:

I was in a boot after shattering my heel. The scooter wasn't a thing I liked too bulky  and I hated using the wheel chair. However a knee scooter was a life saver. Just don't be a dare devil on it or you'll wind up on your arsss...lol.

Agreed! My nurse told me of a patient that got going too fast and flipped over the top and shattered his knee. My husband  was picturing going right through the window on the disembarkment ramp.

On 1/9/2024 at 10:18 AM, pcur said:

You are welcome!  Yes, it sounds like the same one. Great for long tender lines.

This stool saved me when we had to wait over an hour for a taxi after getting off the ship.

A few dollars more a day than internet. We enjoyed getting on the ship asap, dropping carryons at dining room and both key meals. We were on the Wonder,  with no tenders. I thought it would be a great benefit for reserved show seating,  but was disappointed. Their were about 6900 people on our cruise, and plenty must have been key purchaser's or suites because these seats were full at 20-25 min b4 a lot.

3 hours ago, yogimax said:

Just be aware you may have to wait for the ship tram.  For some reason they use smaller trams from the ship and there can be a line if you get off the ship at a popular time.

Agreed. We got off at 8:45 and skipped the first tram. Wish we had waited.The pier is way too long if walking is  challenge. At about 1, we waited about 15 min. And there was a place to sit down.

KEY welcome lunch was exceptionally good.

There was a person making specialty reservations with a short line at the key lunch entrance. Next to it is Hibachi, and you have to make Hibachi there. That was a 20 minute line at 11:00.

Diamonds still get full access into Crown lounge, but it is on deck 4, no windows. It has good coffee, was comfortable. and was not crowded for breakfast or 6:pm. The breakfast was not as fresh as I  expected. Bagels and lox pre- made, cold, and cream cheese thin and cracked,less condiments. Concierge was very nice and helpful.

Bathrooms had  larger showers, 4d balcony room. Guessing at 8-10 inches wider at widest part. The soap for washing hands is still revolting. Def bring your own, even if you don't bother with your own shampoo/ conditioner. 

Nightstands very narrow,  about 6 inches.There is an outlet and a USB outlet on each nightstand, and still the regular connections at the desk. Nice for cpap users to plug in at bedside,  no extension cords needed. But as shelves are very narrow too, can't fit a large book, magazine, iPad, and only cpap fits on surface.

Hangers come out of closets normally! And no clanging in the night!

No in wall closets. 2 closet cabinets cabinets turned out to be plenty of space. I either had more room than usual or less stuff.

The  bathroom no longer opposite closet, or in front of door.

Tv large on a wall directly across bed. Perfect viewing leaning back in bed for both people. Lots of sports came through, and  great selection of maybe 20 or more on demand movies.

This is the first time I have felt over crowded on a ship. It seems noisy everywhere too, except Central Park and Crown/diamond lounge, even on port days. It may be because there are TONS of children. We always sail this week each year, on an oasis or similar class ship. We have never felt crowded and have hardly noticed children. I have answered many posts saying children have not impacted our cruise on these big ships. This time was different.  I overheard someone say the school year was weird this yr. Maybe that is the difference. If feels like there were a 1000 -2000 kids on the ship, and they were much more noticable in the shows and just out and about around the ship, and in the hallways, than ever before. 

The elevators handled the capacity well. We did not wait longer than other cruises, and I think less than some.
 

Sorrento pizza was very good and cafe promenade served starbucks coffee as the coffee you would pay for.  It counts for refreshment package. There is an actual Starbucks stand that does not.

Aqua show seating all had backs to the bleacher type seating. I think maybe another ship did not. However it was cancelled  3 times or more. So I did not see the show.

The main theater has plenty of drink waiters again, as does some of the lounges around the ship.

The shows we saw have been the best on  cruise so far. The headliners were Adam something , a juggler and comedian,  and he was fantastic at both. We also saw 7th Heaven,  and that is musical heaven for me. The adult comedians were funny. They had some vulgarity but not meanness. And I almost skipped the ice show, thinking it was a repeat for us, but if was not. It is by far the best one we have seen. Costumes and the tech were new and fun. They made it look like fish were swimming under the ice and other fun tricks. The talent was the best yet with fast and fun dance music, I would guess a lot of 60s through 80s.

Captains corner talk was interesting and fun. Captain is a true comedian, knows his stuff, and enjoys talking about it.

All the specialty waiters have been unusually exceptional. They all asked us go do the surveys but did not asked for 10s.

I am not a fan of the Windjammer, but hubby likes it so we go a couple of times. There has been plenty of  waiters walking around with water, lemonade and cold tea offering drinks. This is a nice change.

Sometimes I skip the production shows, but I am glad we saw Voices.  If had a background of what my husband says was recorded base, but the rest was voice only, no band.The effectors2 was better than expected.

A common theme among all shows has been snippets of many songs with a focus on 60s-80s moving quickly from, kind of blending from one song to the next with fun we know lyrics. No more long drawn out slow music or the traditional production show music .It has been a great focus on what I consider fun music.

The pools are odd. There are several small pools, but not one main or large one. Actual swimming pools they were not. There were chairs sitting in shallow water and some wide  cushioned bleachers.

 The Viking crown lounge, the large one near the top on front of the ship that is 3/4 floor to ceiling windows , is now  a suite and pinnacle lounge. I asked the diamond lounge concierge if there was any other indoor comfortable place to settle in and watch the water,  and she confirmed what I found- no. It is the Windjammer or some specialty restaurants,  but no lounge to enjoy the view for those not in suites  or a Pinnacle. If I did not have a balcony room, that would have ruined my cruise. Luckily,  I did.

I didn't pay for the airport shuttle because it was at 8:30 and wanted the nice key breakfast. I thought i would get a taxi at 9. The "taxi" line was really for airport shuttles and the crowd was like getting out of a concert.  Jammed and chaotic. You just paid at a stand outside.  No taxis. And the people that paid for the 8:30 were still waiting at 9. We waited  1 hour 10 min to get on the bus. There has to be a better way to get 6900 people out of the terminal. We have not had this trouble on other Oasis class ships.I expect that some people missed some flights.

Restaurants are very subjective, but here is my opinion:

Masons Jar C-

Hooked A

Giovannis A

Johnny Rockets B

Chops B-

Central Park B-

Hinachis A

Izumi A 

Windjammer D

Key lunches A

Diamond lounge treats C+ - B

Sorry, wrong forum.

 

I rented the knee scooter. Thanks for all the advice!