Just Boarded the Rhapsody in Venice

[BermudaBound2014]

Day 2 8AM

 

 

 

Just observation

 

 

 

The Purell police are out in force. I guess nobody informed them that Purell does nothing to combat Noro. Maybe it's just for psychological aspect and overall cleanliness.

 

 

 

Guy in yellow vest standing over and near the pool. Lifeguard?

 

 

 

Another crew member walking around to enforce Chair Hog time limit. Around the pool only.

 

 

 

Someone asked about condition. Not sure how to respond. We haven't sunk yet, so I'm thinking she's in great condition. The staff is very friendly. Lights are all working. It doesn't have that run down part of town feeling, so I guess she's doing okay.

 

 

 

Briefings and announcements are done in English, Spanish, Italian, French, and finally German.

 

 

 

People from all around the world seem to be more in touch with the upcoming Presidential vote in the US than I am.

 

 

 

I'm both amazed and ashamed. The default language spoken is English. I can barely say yes, no, please, and thank you in different languages.

 

On that topic, if you have a smart phone, check out Google Translate app. You can type or speak into it and it will translate into any language. Has a speaker function for you to listen to the translation. You can also use your phones camera and it can real time translate (think menu)

 

 

 

Heading to guest services to ask about passport question.

 

 

 

Klfrodo- thank you so much for the live reports!! Some good news about chair hog police, now if we can only get him in the solarium.

 

I love google translate- saved me several times.

 

Let us know what they say about the passport collection. Someone reported they did NOT need to relinquish passport on rhapsody with calling in Kusadasi just last week so maybe it's a new thing.

 

Any favorite bars? Bartenders? Wait staff?

 

Thanks again. Live reports are so much fun:)

 

 

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[bjtll]

So happy to hear anything about Rhapsody. We don't sail until April 2017 but was beginning to wonder as our roll call is vey slow.

[klfrodo]

Great- I also have a lot of Marriott points. Did you like the hotel?

 

Just going to be honest here TeeRick.

I'm a Courtyard kinda guy. This place was over the top on service and kinda made me uncomfortable.

Bellboys grabbing the bags and getting them to the room sooner than we did almost. At check in, the receptionist escorted us to our room. The consierge was very helpful. They provide turn down service at night.

 

The service was great. Just a little over the top for us. Then again, at $500 a night,,,,,, that's why I used points.

 

From the airport we used the Aliguna (sp?). First stop on the Orange line. Short 3 minute walk over zero bridges to get to hotel. Beautiful garden in back. Plenty of great places to eat in a 3 canal bridge area.

 

Comp boat service to and from St. Marks Square.

[klfrodo]

 

Let us know what they say about the passport collection. Someone reported they did NOT need to relinquish passport on rhapsody with calling in Kusadasi just last week so maybe it's a new thing.

 

Live reports are so much fun:)

 

 

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I spoke with guest services. They told me that the reason they were keeping all non EU Passports was because of the port stop in Turkey.

 

However, we all know what happens when you call Royal 3 times with the same question.

[klfrodo]

So happy to hear anything about Rhapsody. We don't sail until April 2017 but was beginning to wonder as our roll call is vey slow.

 

:) I understand. Our countdown clock started at 345 days

[klfrodo]

In cabin TV.

 

Cannot see your Sea Pass account information.

Cannot order room service off of TV

No kiosks to check Sea Pass account.

 

Current download speed on Internet,,,,,,2.88Mbps with Miami as the test server.

803 ms ping time.

Edited July 5, 2016 by klfrodo

[Langley Cruisers]

klfrodo, you sound a little bummed, to be honest. Are you not enjoying yourself? Sincerely asking.

[bigeck]

Not surprised it's showing a bit wear and tear.

It's getting a refit in November just before it's Ta from Malaga to Miami

Voom probably will be upgraded as well

Edited July 5, 2016 by bigeck

[klfrodo]

klfrodo, you sound a little bummed, to be honest. Are you not enjoying yourself? Sincerely asking.

 

Not bummed at all.

Then again I never get overly excited about things.

[BermudaBound2014]

I'll be excited for the both of us Klfrodo :).

 

I did think of two questions that might be easy:

 

1) Are there chairs and chaise lounges available on the promenade or just one or the other (or neither)?

 

2) Any chance I can get a beer list. DH loves his beer, and I'm totally crossing my fingers for an IPA (unrealistic I know, but sometimes in Europe they carry different brands).

 

Thanks again!

[Biker19]

Biker- any improvement in speed since you

Sailed or is it the same old slow voom?

 

Nope, it was a fairly consistent .5 MBs down and 600+ms ping at various times - this was on the SURF package. Others have reported up to about 3.5 MBs down on STREAM but the same sucky 600+ms ping. YouTube is watchable on SURF but many interactive uses are painfully slow.

[Biker19]

i

Voom probably will be upgraded as well

I hope so but not betting on it.

[cc-riderslc]

Following. On Rhapsody, same itinerary as yours 26 Sept.

[sandancer]

We were on rhapsody two weeks ago and european pax had not to give their passports to the rcl staff!

 

 

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We were on the Jewel last week and they kept all passports, EU or not.

 

 

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[klfrodo]

I'll be excited for the both of us Klfrodo :).

 

I did think of two questions that might be easy:

 

1) Are there chairs and chaise lounges available on the promenade or just one or the other (or neither)?

 

2) Any chance I can get a beer list. DH loves his beer, and I'm totally crossing my fingers for an IPA (unrealistic I know, but sometimes in Europe they carry different brands).

 

Thanks again!

Chairs only. Didn't see any lounge chairs.

BTW smoking is on the starboard side.

 

We're in Olympia today, will get beer selections tonight.

 

We ate at Izumies last night. Food and service was very good.

We had Pot Stickers, shashimi, and Hot Rock sea food and veggies.

[BermudaBound2014]

I hope you have a great day in Olympia. Thanks for the chair info and thanks in advance for the Beer Info. According to my DH this is critical stuff lol :)

[klfrodo]

Beer Selections

 

Bud

Bud Lite

Michelob Ultra

Corona

Dos-Equis

Heineken

Miller Lite

Huddingtons Pale Ale

Guinness

Red Strip

Strongbow

Samuel Adams

Amstel Lite

Stella Artois

 

Then 3 others that appear to be imports but label is hiding behind other beers

[klfrodo]

As stated earlier, wife and I are in aft JS Balcony.

 

Last night around 2:30AM, we almost got bounced out of bed by the ships vibrations.

At first I thought we had come into port and was docking, until I looked at my watch.

Lasted for about an hour.

 

Can't say I'd recommend an aft cabin if this is a normal thing.

[BermudaBound2014]

Thanks agAin! If the hiding beer makes an appearance please tell- dh is still holding out for an ipa:)

 

I love the aft balconies but they definitely do vibrate more than the rest of the ship. Sorry you were awoken :(

 

 

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[adamdiane]

Klfordo: First I've heard of this also and I've been researching tons too. I wonder if one of the previous cruisers can comment whether or not this is something entirely new. Are you doing the 11 night (with a stop in Turkey) or the 10 night (which doesn't stop in Turkey). I know that last time I sailed into Turkey the cruise line (Princess) kept passports while we were in Turkish ports (Istanbul and Kusadasi).

 

On another note I am THRILLED to see a live posting from Rhapsody and want to wish you an absolute stunning sail!! I'm gnawing my knuckles off to get some more information about this Mediterranean itinerary and will appreciate any information you can pass along.

 

More Specifically: How was tendering in Santorini, Kotor, and Mykonos? Did it run smoothly? I recently read a report from the Vision that stated the lines for Kotor took several hours to clear. This will effect what time I set up a private tour.

 

Any other information you are willing to share would be much appreciated. Get a great spot for the sail away from Venice. It is my absolute most favorite sail away port!!

 

Hi Bermuda,

We were on Rhapsody in May and visited both Santorini and Mykonos.

Santorini (Rhapsody and Jewel were tendered) - we were on one of the first tenders off the ship as we were walking to Oia. No problems noted.

For the return it was very busy at the tender port (we ended up walking down as the queue for the cable car was horrendous 2 hours before sailing). There were different lines for Rhapsody and Jewel with no staff making sure you were in the correct queue (small signposts were evident though).

Mykonos - we were docked at Mykonos with 2 choices for getting to the town centre - 1. walk along the road (no pavements) which took about 30 minutes and 2. take the water taxi which I think is about €2 and can be boarded at the opposite side of the dock.

 

For what it is worth we were also in Kotor 2 years ago on Splendour and had no issues with the tender service there.

 

I cant comment about the passports as I hold a British (EU??) passport - we also visited Turkey but held on to our passports.

 

Adam

[BermudaBound2014]

Thanks so much Adam. We have the exact same plans for Santorini- get off as quickly as possible and walk to Oia for sightseeing then bus back to Fira and walk down avoiding the queue. We are sharing the ports with 4 ships but we are the first ones in. Is there anything about that hike you would do different? Anything you would recommend we not miss? Was there water available along the trail?

 

In Mykonos we are taking a private sailboat to Delos with snorkeling, so it's better we are docked outside of town as that is closer to the cab to the marina.

 

Thanks in advance :)

 

 

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[Scotland01]

As stated earlier, wife and I are in aft JS Balcony.

 

Last night around 2:30AM, we almost got bounced out of bed by the ships vibrations.

At first I thought we had come into port and was docking, until I looked at my watch.

Lasted for about an hour.

 

Can't say I'd recommend an aft cabin if this is a normal thing.

 

 

Oh dear we are in JS 8062 on Aug sailing hope thats not affected by vibration!

How is Chops? Thanks Margaret

[adamdiane]

Hi Bermuda,

 

The walk is fairly well signposted but there are minimal water points en route (I may be wrong as I wasnt looking out for them as we took our own water but I did notice there were shops at the top of the steps at Fira that sold water).

It took us about 2 1/2 hours but we stopped regularly for photos. We even found toilets (a hole in the ground) behind the church on the hill over half way round.

Once in Oia we had a good walk round but it was very busy. After getting some food we walked to the bus station to get the bus back to Fira.

We got on the tender boat at 7.30 and were at the top of the steps by 8am. We were happy that we had got up so early as it got hotter the further we walked (although no unbearable) but there is no respite from the sun during the walk. Make sure you have water, sunscreen and a hat to protect yourself.

 

There are threads about walking to Oia on the Greece Ports section of CC which you may find useful.

 

Adam

[JohnBoy in NC]

As stated earlier, wife and I are in aft JS Balcony.

 

Last night around 2:30AM, we almost got bounced out of bed by the ships vibrations.

At first I thought we had come into port and was docking, until I looked at my watch.

Lasted for about an hour.

 

Can't say I'd recommend an aft cabin if this is a normal thing.

 

have you found a few great bartenders? If so let us know! (sailing with 3 couples in September).

 

Thanks for posting live on the Rhapsody!!

[klfrodo]

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