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All Access Ship Tour

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Clarea

Clarea

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I will only consider it if i get it complimentary for being in a suite.

Speak to the Concierge about tours if you are in a Grand Suite or better. They probably won't give you a complimentary All-Access tour, but they should give you some choices of complimentary tours, such as the bridge, galley, or theater.

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Paulette3028

Paulette3028

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We were given a brief galley tour as part of lunch at Giovanni on the Explorer cruise in late November last year. The executive chef also provided a demonstration on pasta making.

 

We had a wonderful demonstration on pasta making as part of The Taste of Tuscany specialty dinner that they used to offer on Her Majesty of the Seas....it was fun....and lots of food and wine included, but offered no more.

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rae8836

rae8836

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I'm kind of a ship nut so I try to pick up the All Access Tour whenever I can. I think I've been on either 4 or 5 and I'm booking one on Anthem in June of '16. We are D+ so we get offered the 'free' tours, but they are only a small slice of what you see on the All Access Tour.

 

The tours are 'conducted' by a member of the Cruise Director's staff, but that person just escorts the tour folks around. The actual 'presenter' is someone (usually a junior officer but sometimes someone more senior) who is directly responsible for or involved in the particular area you might be viewing.

 

Two precautions: 1)Typically the All Access Tour won't run unless a minimum number of people sign up. That number has been between 10 and 15 - I've had one case where I signed up but the minimum wasn't reached and my money was refunded. 2)As mentioned by others, the usual duration is on the order of 3-4 hours. You are walking, going up and down stairs, and standing for almost the entire time. Make sure you are up to it.

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Chipmoose

Chipmoose

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1)Typically the All Access Tour won't run unless a minimum number of people sign up. That number has been between 10 and 15 - I've had one case where I signed up but the minimum wasn't reached and my money was refunded.

 

We really lucked out on our all access tour on the Brilliance, it was just my wife and I and a third person that signed up. I was sure it would be cancelled, but was not! we had an almost private tour, and as others have said, definitely worth doing at least once. My favorite part was the crew areas, such as the crew bar and food spots. Wife's favorite was he laundry.

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chiguypaul

chiguypaul

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Has anyone been on a behind the scenes / all access ship tour before? Where do they take you and are you allowed to take photos during the tour.

 

I was just on the Navigator and talked with someone who took the tour who said it was expensive, but well worth the money. Went to the bridge, kitchen, behind multiple theater stages, etc...

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maryjaden

maryjaden

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We were on the all access tour on the Oasis last March. The only place we could not take photos was of I-95, the corridor that runs the entire length of the ship. This was for security reasons. We could however take photos in any of the storage rooms that were connected to the corridor.

 

One interesting note on our tour, there was a malfunction in the aqua theatre and the pool was drained so they were able to show us the lifts and the underwater caves.

 

We felt the tour was well worth the $150.

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Paulette3028

Paulette3028

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I did the tour on Allure back in 2013, it was quite expensive. And as good as the tour was but for $150pp, once was enough. Cameras were allowed and they allow you to snap away quite happily.

 

Bear in mind that no one tour is the same even on the same ship. Some tour might miss bits out but another might include it. So it all depends on the day and your tour guide. The whole tour lasted 3-4hrs with some steep crew stairs to walk. Don't forget you need to wear long pants and closed toes footwear.

 

At the end of the tour, each person got some RCI souvenirs too.

 

On our All Access Tour they were not strict about wearing pants and closed toed footwear, and they should be. Several areas of the ship were fairly chilly and the steps are steep, much steeper than the public areas for cruisers. My suggestion wear pants or at least capris for women and sneakers.

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mets07

mets07

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On the Oasis, the tour director sent a gentleman that showed up in shorts and sandals back to change.

 

Same happened on Anthem in November with an individual getting sent back to change attire.

 

Greatly enjoyed the All Access Tour... and there were plenty of sea days, so that aspect was not a concern for us.

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RFerrington

RFerrington

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While they certainly have the option of cancelling the AAT if they don't have enough participants (not sure how many that is), we were very fortunate a few years ago to have them give us this tour with just the 2 of us. It was wonderful...so they may offer the tour even if nobody else signs up.

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  • 2 weeks later...
LBCABob

LBCABob

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Will be on Allure in April. AAT is offered on each of the 3 sea days, 9:00am & 9:20am. Plan to book online. Is one day better than another? Is 9:20 better than 9:00 (thinking the 9am group must keep moving so the 9:20 group doesn't catch up - or maybe each group visits places in a difference sequence?). Likely makes little (if any) difference but since all tours are available, may as well try to make the best choice. Thanks!

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PoohUnderstands

PoohUnderstands

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Will be on Allure in April. AAT is offered on each of the 3 sea days, 9:00am & 9:20am. Plan to book online. Is one day better than another? Is 9:20 better than 9:00 (thinking the 9am group must keep moving so the 9:20 group doesn't catch up - or maybe each group visits places in a difference sequence?). Likely makes little (if any) difference but since all tours are available, may as well try to make the best choice. Thanks!

 

Where on-line would you book it? I looked but can't find it. Also, do you get any goodies on this tour? Did similar tour on Princess and they gave you a chef's coat, a bathrobe, and 3 5x7 pics(one of production group, on bridge with captain, and in engine control room)?

 

Pooh

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Turtles06 Great Review Rare

Turtles06

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Where on-line would you book it? I looked but can't find it. Also, do you get any goodies on this tour? Did similar tour on Princess and they gave you a chef's coat, a bathrobe, and 3 5x7 pics(one of production group, on bridge with captain, and in engine control room)?

 

Pooh

 

Once it's available for booking, it should show up in your Cruise Planner. On the Anthem TA, this was quite close to sail date.

 

They gave us a cheap, crappy mesh cap that said Anthem Inaugural Season that was too shallow to wear. Really junk. Fortunately, we hadn't taken the tour for a souvenir.

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LBCABob

LBCABob

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Where on-line would you book it? I looked but can't find it. .....

 

Pooh

 

For my April Allure sailing, the tour is listed under Entertainment & Activities in the Cruise Planner function. If you do not see it for your itinerary, I can only guess the booking procedure varies by ship.

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HeidiHo

HeidiHo

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Thanks to this thread I just booked the All Access Tour. I had considered it before but had decided not to do it because of the expense and I thought it was kind of long but after reading here how almost everyone who has done it thought it was well worth it I decided to do it. I know my husband will really enjoy it. I will too but he will really get into it. When we were on the NCL Epic there was a bridge viewing area and he went down there a few times just to watch and we will get sooooo much more with this tour. :D

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  • 5 weeks later...
DontTreadOnMe

DontTreadOnMe

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...They gave us a cheap, crappy mesh cap that said Anthem Inaugural Season that was too shallow to wear. Really junk.

 

Have things improved from this lowly state? Sailing Anthem in March and considering the All Access Tour.

 

I took the "Behind the Fun" tour on Carnival Pride which took us through essentially the same areas of the ship. I think the fee was $150 just like Royal. The tour also included a picture with the Captain, chocolate dipped strawberries delivered to the room that evening, a ball cap (that actually fits!), a light-duty bag, neck lanyard, and a mimosa at the end of the tour.

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