Just Boarded the Rhapsody in Venice

[makiramarlena]

was on a Baltic a week ago and they collected passports from non-Europeans prior only to the final stop in Belgium. Then we had to pick them up again after the port call. And they didn't even stamp them or anything.

[booze brothers]

Balconies look tiny. What's the condition of your cabin (mostly bathroom)? Are you able to visit the concierge lounge ? thank you..

[Biker19]

Balconies look tiny. Compared to what?

What's the condition of your cabin (mostly bathroom)? Good

Are you able to visit the concierge lounge ? Sure, if you are in a suite or D+ or P.

 

See above.

[klfrodo]

Balconies look tiny. What's the condition of your cabin (mostly bathroom)? Are you able to visit the concierge lounge ? thank you..

 

My aft balcony is huge.

 

Condition of cabin???

It's a JS cabin so a little bigger than a regular balcony. The bathroom is small. Little to no countertop. Bathtub with shower.

 

We're only Gold status and only a JS so no concierge lounge for me.

[WineEnthusiast1]

The Captain is pretty funny.

 

Yesterday as he announced before leaving port said that we would be on our way shortly. As soon as the Engineer could find the keys to start the engines.

 

Then today, he said something about dropping anchors, 1 or 2 of them, they haven't decided yet.

 

Regarding vibrations,,, last night we slept like babies.

 

Oh, we did have to move our clocks up 1 hour at midnight 2nd day. Prior to Katakolon

 

Who is your captain and do you know if he's staying on thru September? I'll be on the Sept 16 out of Venice and just curious! I'm sure they are all great as I've read the crew for this ship is great.

[BermudaBound2014]

Hello Klfrodo, just checking in to wish you a happy day and wondering if those hidden beers ever made an appearance :) :) :).

[Biker19]

Who is your captain and do you know if he's staying on thru September? I'll be on the Sept 16 out of Venice and just curious! I'm sure they are all great as I've read the crew for this ship is great.

 

I forgot his name but it's his first captain job (he's more a sub) - even though he tells you he is one of the very few who has served on every ship in the fleet. He's a bit of a comedian and mingles with customers. He took over when the ship arrived in Venice (early May) and I think he's due to rotate around the time you board.

[klfrodo]

The Captain

Actually officially listed as Master of the Ship

Johan Malmberg from Sweden

 

Remember my comment about tight slots in the casino?

My wife earned a W2G last night. Now we have to make sure we get a Win/Loss Statement.

 

The other beers

Buckler

Pilsner Uruquell

Bass

Becks

Amstel Light

[BermudaBound2014]

The Captain

Actually officially listed as Master of the Ship

Johan Malmberg from Sweden

 

Remember my comment about tight slots in the casino?

My wife earned a W2G last night. Now we have to make sure we get a Win/Loss Statement.

 

The other beers

Buckler

Pilsner Uruquell

Bass

Becks

Amstel Light

 

Thanks KlFrodo! He'll find something in there. If it was a bass two-hearted ale I'm in serious trouble for the week :).

 

That is a different captain than is currently listed on the 'current captains thread'.

 

Since I had no clue, I looked up W2G. Congrats on the Win!! Hopefully at the end your win/loss statement will still show positive gains :).

[klfrodo]

Thanks KlFrodo! He'll find something in there. If it was a bass two-hearted ale I'm in serious trouble for the week :).

 

That is a different captain than is currently listed on the 'current captains thread'.

 

Since I had no clue, I looked up W2G. Congrats on the Win!! Hopefully at the end your win/loss statement will still show positive gains :).

 

If a US citizen,,, any "jackpot" winnings over $1199, you are given a W2G for tax purposes. (Earned Income). Her payout was significantly higher.

 

The Win/Loss Statement allows us to write off her winnings against our combined losses. In other words, if she won $5000 and the win/loss statement shows we lost $4000, we would only owe earned income taxes on $1000.

Edited July 10, 2016 by klfrodo

[Coralc]

In CA you can use all of your gambling losses to offset your winnings. Don't forget about all of those losing scratchers and Lotto ticket purchases. :D

 

Congratulations on the big win! :D

[mil5156]

We sailed on Queen Victoria last year (Mediterranean) and they held our passports.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[fragilek]

how much are the drinks packages on board- looking to upgrade on board from select to premium, thanks

Edited July 10, 2016 by fragilek

[klfrodo]

In CA you can use all of your gambling losses to offset your winnings. Don't forget about all of those losing scratchers and Lotto ticket purchases. :D

 

Congratulations on the big win! :D

 

The funny thing is that as always, she was playing max coins. In this instance 300 credits. She THOUGHT she was playing penny slot. Someone before her had changed the denomination to .10.

:eek: she was playing $30 a pull :)

[Biker19]

how much are the drinks packages on board- looking to upgrade on board from select to premium, thanks

 

It should be $11.80 per day ($10+18% tips).

[fragilek]

It should be $11.80 per day ($10+18% tips).

 

cost us $15 last time but there were some reports that recently on a cruise they charged $24

[klfrodo]

Thank you for a day at sea.

Last night was the Euro Cup finals up on lido deck.

What a great experience sitting in the middle of a bunch of Europeans for a championship soccer game. Almost like being in Vegas for the start of March Madness.

[klfrodo]

OMG!!

 

Chefs Table is a must experience

[BermudaBound2014]

Thanks for info on chefs table and watching the cup sounds like a memorable experience :). Quick question. Can you look in the Daily and let me know when they stop serving dinner in the buffet? Some of our stops are quite late and we won't want to go to the MDR. Thank you!

[klfrodo]

Windjammer Cafe hours

6:30PM to 9:00PM

[Biker19]

Park Cafe will be open later.

[WineEnthusiast1]

OMG!!

 

Chefs Table is a must experience

 

 

Can you tell us a little more about it? I'm definitely considering this but $85 seems a little steep (though I do realize it comes with wine pairing which accounts for about half).

 

Also, if I do book it I want to be sure its not the same night as either of the formal dinners. Is there any way to know these dates prior to boarding because I'd want to book my chefs dinner soon, as to schedule it on a sea day.

[Biker19]

First formal night is day two while the second will be around day 8 or 9. Don't be pressured to book this before the cruise - you'll have time to do it on board and maybe even get a discount.

[klfrodo]

Can you tell us a little more about it? I'm definitely considering this but $85 seems a little steep (though I do realize it comes with wine pairing which accounts for about half).

.

 

Starts off with a casual meeting of the guests that night in the R Bar which includes complimentary champagne. This lasts about a half hour.

 

It's a 6 or 7 course meal.

Each serving includes a wine pairing.

 

Each serving is explained by the chef what ingredients are used and how those ingredients are blended and matched. What did I learn here? What I do is cook some food. The chef is an artist.

 

Then after the chefs explanation but prior to presentation, the waiter will explain each wine, where its from, and why it pairs well with the meal.

 

This is not a 30 minute dinner. Total time for us was close to 4 hours.

I love children, I have grandchildren that I love being around, and even on the ship, I love the sound of children laughing and playing.

 

This is not an atmosphere to bring children under 16. My daughter might have been ready at 16. Not my son.

[EllaDuChien]

Starts off with a casual meeting of the guests that night in the R Bar which includes complimentary champagne. This lasts about a half hour.

 

 

 

It's a 6 or 7 course meal.

 

Each serving includes a wine pairing.

 

 

 

Each serving is explained by the chef what ingredients are used and how those ingredients are blended and matched. What did I learn here? What I do is cook some food. The chef is an artist.

 

 

 

Then after the chefs explanation but prior to presentation, the waiter will explain each wine, where its from, and why it pairs well with the meal.

 

 

 

This is not a 30 minute dinner. Total time for us was close to 4 hours.

 

I love children, I have grandchildren that I love being around, and even on the ship, I love the sound of children laughing and playing.

 

 

 

This is not an atmosphere to bring children under 16. My daughter might have been ready at 16. Not my son.

 

 

 

I've done chefs table on both the Freedom and the Enchantment and I loved both of them! We have pre booked for Saturday night, after Thessaloniki because Sunday is a late dock day and I didn't want to have to wake up early after a 3-4 hour meal!

 

I am bringing my 19 year old son, but certainly not my 14 year old!! He will be much happier in the windjammer anyway!