gumshoe958

You’re comparing lunch vs dinner. Although it’s the same menu IIRC.

Looking at the prices they’re charging, people for whom money is no object.

The Bloc is actually inside the South Terminal, so for convenience it can’t be beaten. Most rooms are very small though, and not all have windows so choose carefully if that’s important to you.

Beware: there is currently a proposal (not yet approved) to end the current hourly direct trains from Southampton to Gatwick Airport sometime in 2024. If it goes ahead, you would have to change trains en route, adding extra journey time (and hassle).

There are no direct trains from LHR to Southampton so it’s a fairly tortuous journey by rail. National Express coaches run direct about every 2 hours so they are easily the best option.

No need to prebook for such a short journey, just jump in a normal cab outside the terminal.

There’s a branch of Marks & Spencer (famous UK department store chain with good food halls) in the West Quay mall next to the Moxy. It doesn’t open until 11am on Sundays though.

Yes, unless you’re in a suite.

1) Typically you can expect to be allowed off the ship around 30 minutes after arrival, although it’ll depend on how long it takes the local port authorities to clear the ship. And tendering adds an extra complication as priority for the first tenders will be given to people on RCL shore excursions and those in suites or who’ve bought the Key, for example. All aboard time is normally 30 minutes before departure but for tender ports the last tender may well be earlier than that.

Wow, you’re right. It was $14 when I got mine 18 months ago. A 50% increase. That’s inflation!

It’s the $14 tax non-Americans who don’t need a visa have to pay to enter the US.

They typically open around the start of the month before the month of departure. So, for example, for a cruise departing in January, expect reservations to open on or soon after December 1st.

I know what you mean. I’ve cancelled all my planned trips to the US because Alaska’s only 55 miles from Russia. It’s just not safe.

Yes. There are underground tunnels with moving walkways. Follow signs to the Underground, then to the terminal.

T2 & T3 are close by so one car can take you to both. Easiest option would be to use Uber, or call a cab at the hotel on the day.

If it wasn’t, it wasn’t champagne.

Your cabin steward should be able to leave you a copy each day, if you ask.

A 1245 flight from LGW is quite tight. There’s no direct bus so you’ll need to book a taxi/car service and make sure you’re on the road by around 8.30 as it’s a 100-120 minute drive. West Quay Cars are often recommended here, based in Southampton, but there are others.

At this stage the best advice is probably to be patient. Odyssey is/was due to call at Haifa tomorrow and Ashdod on Monday so Royal’s top priority will be to sort out the current cruise. Early next week, once the situation has become clearer, I would expect a decision about what to do with the next sailing. Ordinarily a missed or substituted port would not automatically entitle you to cancel for a full refund/FCC but this may be different so hang tight - I know everyone wants answers right now, particularly those with flights to Rome looming, but these things inevitably take time as there are many logistical issues at play.

45 days before departure.

@dickinson When searching for Premier Inns you will probably come across several that call themselves “Hub by Premier Inn” which may appear to be cheaper. Beware - the rooms in Hub hotels are considerably smaller than in the standard PIs and don’t always have windows. Which may or may not be an issue for you.

Assuming your ship docks at the main cruise terminal in Amsterdam - and not IJmuiden or Rotterdam - it’s only a 5 minute cab or tram ride (or 10-15 minute walk) to Centraal Station. So a noon train will be more than fine. In fact I’d even go for an earlier one, say 9 or 10am, if there is one. But do check your cruise terminal to make sure.

I fear you won’t get to see Hairspray I’m afraid. That’s normally on nights 1, 2 & 3 ex-Barcelona or nights 4, 5 & 6 ex-Rome on the standard 7-night Med circuit. As you’re on the one-off, end-of-season 3-nighter from Rome it probably won’t be scheduled. You’ll get the other production show, Flight, as well as the ice and aqua theatre shows.

Yes, no problem. I’ve had it as a solo before.

I honestly don’t think they care. As the number of D, D+ and Pinns keeps rising they have to give away more and more free drinks and clearly they’d much rather attract new, younger cruisers who’ll happily spend more on board.