Hecky thump back from NV 8th sept cruise

[Elizanessie]

Just home from NV 8th sept sailing....and just a quick post..sorry really pooped.

 

3 Medi Vacs

11 Alpha Alpha Alpha calls !!!!!!!!!!!

8 in Med centre with Bronchial pnemonia..(sorry spelling wonky)

 

Tons and tons of the older generation...electric scooters,wheelchairs,walking sticks etc etc

 

Bay of Biscay was not too bad...actually quite good.

 

When we left Gib though there was a Medi Vac and we had to go near Malaga for the airlift due to bad weather etc.

 

Food in WJ was changed for Europe sailings...sorry but wasnt impressed at all.

 

Didnt get to dining room...my son was ill in cabin for first 3 days with swollen glands etc etc..and wasnt up to meeting people much during the cruise.

 

Met some great folks from CC :D

 

Carlos brilliant in CL :D

 

RCCL transfers...stink :eek: ..never ever again....had to sit in Gatwick airport today for 10 hours.!!!

 

Declined dinner with Captain...as my son wasnt invited :(

 

Son wont cruise with RCCL again...the 18-21 group not well catered for at all.

 

Missed the buzz of cruising with my Cruise buddies from across the pond....really different type of cruise....having doubts about cruising again with RCCL on this side of the pond.

 

Will post more soon when I catch my breath....oh and dont mention Cybercabin agggggggggggggggggggggggg

[BobBeaSea]

Geeezzzz Liz, sounds like you had a tough sailing! It happens, as we all know :eek:. I hope your son is OK.

[Elizanessie]

Geeezzzz Liz, sounds like you had a tough sailing! It happens, as we all know :eek:. I hope your son is OK.

 

Yes quite eventful cruise :rolleyes: Alex is quite a bit better now,thanks for asking :D

 

There were some people put off this sailing,at Vigo after trouble in the Disco on Wednesday night...would have cost them a lot of money to get home..they were from USA :eek:

 

Spent first 3 days trying to get cybercabin working,with Alex being ill we really needed it as he wasnt fit to go sit at ships computers.

 

We werent impressed with our cabin steward at all,though he did improve slightly the second week.

 

As to the airport transfers..heck....we had to sit at Gatwick airport for 2 and half hours when we arrived in Southampton,waiting for a business class passenger to arrive from USA.When he didint appear by 12 noon we finally left for Southampton. The RCCL Rep by the way didnt even bother to show up at Domestic Arrivals to meet us and we were searching around for them,she was at International arrivals. There was meant to be 22 on our coach,there was in the end only 9 people.

 

Coming back there was 3 missing from transfer list to Gatwick. Having to wait 10 hours in Gatwick really was very frustrating when coming home. Our flights were booked with RCCL this time as they had special price for them with transfers. I guess it was my own fault as I should have checked about the time we would be leaving ship for return home....7.30AM transfer for 7.50PM flight !! Sorry RCCL but your transfers ...SUCK.

 

Alex and I had signed his Alcohol waiver (18-21 in Europe can drink)and handed it in at Southampton...emmm....well the Check In girl forgot to put it on....that caused a very embarassing scene at the end of the second week when we wanted to drink our bottle of champagne (from RCCI UK staff)

 

The Concierge didnt know that 18-21 guests are allowed in the CL after 5pm...I had to email RCCI UK VicePresident and he then emailed ship to confirm this. I must say though that Carlos is a great Concierge..wow did he work his socks off at night-time..full lounge every night.

 

We did have our Meet & Mingle and it was really lovely to meet the folks from our roll call. They were a fantastic group of people and very supportive when Alex was ill and we did have some fun together. We had a meet up on the last day to say goodbye etc. Actually one of our CC members was one of the folks treated in the ships medical centre for Bronchial pneumonia.

 

Ok I need to do more laundry and get some food in the house but will try post more later...if there arent any Alpha Alpha Alpha calls ;)

[JazzieB]

Food in WJ was changed for Europe sailings...sorry but wasnt impressed at all.

 

Missed the buzz of cruising with my Cruise buddies from across the pond....really different type of cruise....having doubts about cruising again with RCCL on this side of the pond.

 

 

Mum & I did the 3 nighter to Cork and felt the same way about the food and feel of the trip. It completely put me off of sailing out of Southampton.

[Elizanessie]

Mum & I did the 3 nighter to Cork and felt the same way about the food and feel of the trip. It completely put me off of sailing out of Southampton.

 

Hi Karen

 

I am having serious doubts with regard to sailing from Southampton again..I am booked on the Independence 21st May sailing and going to wait a day or two before I make a decision about that booking. My son does not want to go so either I need to cancel or I would need to find a roomie.

 

I have to say I still love the Royal product but I have to be honest I was actually glad to get off the ship...oh my gawd I cant believe I said that but sadly it is true.

 

I have to say...I did meet some wonderful people on the ship and some amazing crew members. The Guest Service Manager (Gary) is brilliant....thanks for showing me the pics Gary ;) Gary has some great staff at Guest Relations.

It was also great to finally meet "The Admiral" also...hope you get better soon Darlene :)

 

It was nice to hear Nestor welcoming everyone to the Windjammer again.

 

Big thanks to John the Hotel Director for the 3 fruit baskets and all the other food gifts sent to the cabin for Alex when he was ill.

 

Darn it the washing machine needs refilling.

[cruisinisforme]

Liz I hope I dont have as many alpha calls on my cruise next year. Sorry alex was sick, Im sure that put a damper on things. I think if you find a roomate for the Indie though you will be happy, its the ship itself that will change your mind...remember how much you love the freedom!

[Elizanessie]

Hi Janet

 

Heck I missed you and the other girls on this cruise...cant wait for AD in 09 with you all.

People kept asking where I got my blinky stuff as they wanted to buy some :D The rhinestone outfits were a hit also..particularily with the crew who kept wanting to buy my tshirts at the end of the cruise.:D Sadly no room in our suitcases coming home for the blinky glasses they had at the poolside party...which in its self was a big let down. I kept waiting to see all the dancing and the singing of Hot Hot Hot etc...didnt happen :(

 

Yes as you know I love the Freedom class and because of Ken Rush,Jimmy Blakemore and some of the crew members I will know on the Indie, I will probably still do it...I think:confused:

 

Your cruise on the Med shouldnt have all the alphas as you are going from Barcelona...our cruise was popular with the older folks and those with walking difficulties etc because they didnt have to fly to get on the ship at southampton.

 

Some people were complaining onboard about the Dining Room seating....sorry but wait for this one...mmm.....they thought that as their cabins were on higher decks they should be in the higher dining rooms !! they didnt want to sit with folks from lower decks!!!

 

Also...people got off the ship in Gibraltar and buying UK newspapers and expecting the LA to give them the cruise prices shown in advertisements by Travel Agents in UK for future cruises.!!

[heatherb1958]

People not wanting to sit with others from the lower decks !!!:eek: :eek: :D

They weren't snooty P&O or Cunard people were they?:p ;) .

[Elizanessie]

People not wanting to sit with others from the lower decks !!!:eek: :eek: :D

They weren't snooty P&O or Cunard people were they?:p ;) .

 

Hi Heather

 

Between the snotty ones and some folks who sounded like they were from the slums...it certainly was an "interesting" cruise. Thank goodness there was some really nice people onboard also All the folks I met from the roll call were lovely lovely people.

 

On a side note....I wasnt impressed by the CD..maybe he was just tired from a hard summer but...sorry Graham...the buzz was missing.

I only went to the Pub one night...I couldnt take to the singer there at all...maybe I have just been spoilt by being on 3 ships with Jimmy Blakemore.

As for the fella singing in the Schooner Bar..Banjy...oh gawd he was so rude and sarcastic about people he made me cringe everytime I went through the bar on the way to Casino etc.

Of course this is just my opinion ..others appeared to love both singers...each to their own I guess.

[jdkey]

Liz, sorry you didn't have the usual great cruise! Hope Alex is all better now. What a bummer to be sick while on a cruise.

Jerry & I were talking about you this morning..We have been in training for our Oct. cruise on Mariner. Two weekends in a row up past midnight! Last weekend at Myrtle Beach club then this weekend my Class reunion party. We said this morning Liz would be so proud! LOL

Jerry says HI!

Debbie

[Snowball]

Welcome back Liz!!! It sounds like despite having some issues on the cruise, you managed to have a good time anyway. I'm sorry to hear that Alex wasn't happy with the activities available for his age group. I think he would probably enjoy himself more on a Caribbean cruise because they seem to have a lot more young people on them.

 

I can't wait to cruise with you on the AOS in 2009!!! Since we are going in March, I'm sure that there will be plenty of people around Alex's age for him to pal around with.

[Elizanessie]

Debbie...Jdkey....I was thinking of you and actually talking quite a bit about you and Jerry while we were on this cruise. I was telling folks about the postcards you left for us on the Freedom one night, when I stopped by the Schooner Bar (for my sins) to chat with some friends..remember donna had to dance on the table ahaha...and also mentioned you and Jerry meeting us at Raleigh. I kept looking for you when I passed the pub...though I was covering my ears when I did :eek: I am very proud of you both for staying up late...and hope you continue this when you are on the Mariner again in Oct :D Hugs to you both...hope you got my greeting in August for your anniversary.

 

Debbie...Snowball...mmm ....dont know how to tell you this .....but I need a roomie for AOS or I wont be going...Alex refuses point blank to go on RCCI again...even mentioned how we have JS and maybe time in NY...but nope didnt want to know.

 

NV comments....For those who love the CL...forget dress code !!!...there were folks in shorts and jeans,although give Carlos his dues he did say to folks about it but of course couldnt enforce it...also some people who were in suites that didnt think diamond members etc should be in the lounge.

New thing for UK cruisers while booking another cruise while onboard the NV...you had to pay £100 per person deposit...normally UK cruisers dont pay deposit until they get home due to different cancellation policy.