jjjandkk

Thanks so much for the recent review.  We have the Explorer booked for a back to back that will take us from Miami to Venice IT.  Less than 4 months away and we sure are looking forward to it.  Only ship we have been on similar was the Voyager of the seas 10 years ago.  

This was great information to know what to expect.  Never been on a cruise longer than 7 days, and last cruise was 2018.  We were on a plane to Miami on 3/13/20.  When we got off the plane, it was announced all cruises were cancelled.  TA on Explorer coming next April, with a d2b to Venice after that.  Got crazy and booked the Odyssey for the TA the following year as another b2b.  For,those on the b2b, how did the menus change, since they seem to be set up on a 7 day rotation?  

What are the options for getting from the Revenna port to Venice, (not the airport, as we are spending a few days there before returning home).  The only train schedule I see is 8:45 departure from Revenna and we are unfamiliar with the area.  Does RCCL have a bus to Venice?  

Well, I am sure we we will get more notice than last year.   We were on the flight to Miami when our cruise got cancelled for Saturday March 13.  

We still haven’t heard anything official from Royal. My sister, who is C&A like we are received an email, and she doesn’t have any cruise booked at this time.  We have an empress booked for July to Bermuda.  My question is, if we used FCC to pay for that one, do we get 125% FCC on that as well? In other words, I feel we had cruise that cost $1000, and we’d got a future CC that bumped to $1250, does it now bump to $1560? 

We had our teen age son in our room with pull out couch.  It was tight when couch was open, but housekeeping would fold up every morning.  

Sorry you are struggling with all the “stuff”.  Just realizing how fortunate we are in the US.   Not sure about all parts of the US, but in the Midwest, anyone can get tested at any time at no charge.   Just make a reservation at a testing site and drive up for the swab test.  Our son’s college is testing everyone, every two weeks, and it seems pretty common at most colleges in the area. 

We received a letter from RC today that our 12 day June 2021 cruise out of Barcelona was canceled.   We will be getting a full refund, or if we choose another cruise within 3 weeks we can get a $100-$200 credit depending on length.  

Our cruise on Symphony of the Seas was cancelled while we we’re flying to Miami on 3/13.    We received FCC on 4/15. port taxes and cruise planner items were put back on my CC 12 weeks to the day on 6/6.  

Have a great time.  We are onboard next week.  

WE WILL be on the Symphony in March.  We went zip lining last time we were there, and then to a beach.   We had a great time.   Do watch your step while swimming.  Stepped on a piece of fire coral that burned for about a day.   We can only cruise during spring break as DW is a school teacher.   We are looking forward to it.   

I saw the 12 water and 2 bottles of wine rule per person, or per cabin? 

Dont wear a bikini on the flow rider.  Many people have regretted that decision.  

If you ever ever bring kids, encourage them to write a note to the captain telling them how much fun they are having, how old they are, and some of the things they are doing.  If they are young, thanking the captain for  the weather is great.  We have done this numerous times, and it has been a fantastic experience for our kids.  Sometimes it is a hand written note from the captain, or maybe a plate of strawberries.  While we were on the Voyager several years ago, an officer knocked on our door, and asked for Our son.  Gave him a note asking him to be on deck 10, on the forward side of the promenade deck at a certain time.  The captain met us there, and gave all of a tour of the bridge.  

Every night in Central Park there is some great music.  There is usually only 15-20 people there.  One night it was 1 guy playing electric guitar,  he did some requests, but had his own set as well.  I specifically remember his haunting rendition of Stairway to Heaven.  Check the cruise compass, but I think it was about 9 or 10 pm.  

Monarch of the Seas.  4th week the ship had passengers in the early 90s.   Southern Carribean out of San Juan.  We flew from the Midwest on the same day the cruise left, and got on board about 30 minutes before she sailed.  That was the last time we ever flew on the same day As  the cruise.  

Sweet we’re on the Majesty of the Seas in the early 90’s, and an elderly many had a heart attack in the hot tub next to us by the bar.   I think his was was in early onset dimentia.  The bartender asked if he was ok, and she replied he was resting.  He called the dr.  That was when we found out that there was a morgue on the ship.  

Our family cruised on the Allure last March. It seemed the menu had changed from the Rhapsody the previous March. I talked to the Head waiter. From my observation, the variety had declined a bit, but the quality of the rotating entrees seemed better. I rarely order a steak on board, because I am from the Midwest, and they are pretty good here. So I order something I can’t get as easily at home. The “catch of the day” rotated, and I found the salmon, cod and grouper to be exceptional. Like some others have said, I don’t have to cook or clean. Sounds like a win win. If I were to go back to our first experience on the Monarch of the Seas in the early 90’s, it seemed amazing. But, it was our first cruise, so I had nothing to compare it to. The funny part was we were in the lowest priced cabin on deck 2 on the MOS, and Somehow, we were invited to the Captain’s Table. We dined with Captain Tor Stangland. It was surely an evening my wife and I will never forget. I did order the beef fillet that night, and it was fantastic.

Loved hearing Captain Johnny saying “Good Morning, Good Morning Good Morning. This is Captain Johnny from the bridge”. By far the most customer friendly and interactive Captain we have ever had on a cruise while on the Allure in the. Mediterranean cruise in 2015.

First time we took our kids on a cruise was on the Grandeur in January 97. They were 3 and 5. The head waiter let our 5 year old play the grand piano in the dining room during supper. He was hesitant, but she played some Beethoven, and impressed those around.

Thanks for the great review. We were on the Allure in March and had a fantastic cruise. Our dining room staff was fantastic. We asked our head waiting how long he had worked for RC. I think he said 33 years. He had worked on the Nordic Prince, which I think is scrap metal in Indonesia now. Years ago we were on the Majesty. I think it was her 2nd week of sailing. A couple at our table was determined to trip up their room steward so they wouldn’t have to leave a tip. We figured out where their room was, and then their steward. Every day we would ask them what they did. It would be things like write on the mirror when steamed up to see if they cleaned it, or leave a plate under the bed. We would find their Stewart and let them know the hidden thing. The passengers ended up being amazed at how good the Stewart was and ended up giving them the full tip. (Back then You handed everyone you were supposed to tip and envelope with cash on the last night). Thanks again for the great review. I agree with one of the previous posts. A bad day on a cruise is better than a great day at work.

We had the WiFi package. We could text or call each other using FaceTime e audio or video.

Of course tastes are subject, and we are all experts on our own opinion. Just sales on the AOTS in March. Noticed that the MDR menus had changed a bit from our cruise on the Rhapsody a year earlier. Every night there were about 5 items that were the same. A steak, pasta or chicken breast. There were about 3 or 4 items that changed every night. I personally thought the new items were a bit of a step up in quality, even if there were fewer options. Our family enjoyed the MDR every night. We altered between WJ, Park Cafe and Solarium for breakfast and lunch and always found great food. I would have to say that I have never had a burger or pizza on any RCL Cruise. Like others have said. I don’t have to cook, or clean.

On the Royal Caribbean press release page it talks about ship upgrades. It listed the AOS as getting some upgrades next spring. Sounded like maybe a refresh on some dining and water slides.

Roatan has a great non cruise afiliated zip line tour. You can find it on Trip Advisor and is called zip line with monkeys. The monkeys is how you can distinguish from the other ziplines. There were over 20 separate lines. We have done zip line tours, and this one was the best. They took us to a beach after zip lines and we snorkeled right on the beach. Lots of fish right by the shore. Costa Maya is just a great beach day. We ate and used the beach at a place called The Krazy Lobster. There was free (spotty) WiFi on the beach. Cozumel is Paradise Beach for sure. However, we did a snorkel tour that we booked with a guy in the shopping area by the port for $40. We were able to dive on 3 different reefs.