zebra

We will be spending one night in Civi prior to our cruise.  Presuming testing will still be required when we cruise in October 2022 can anyone suggest a place where we can get an Antigen test the day before cruising?  I know many are sailing out of Civi in the months to come, what are you planning with regards to testing..... a testing site or a proctored self test?  If you are using a proctoried self test, which is the best and easiest to use?  Thank you.

On our last cruise on the Serenade I was at the Taco Station. I asked for Pico de Gallo (also on name tag facing the diners) on top of my taco - the server looked confusingly up and down the serving station trying to figure out which was Pico de Gallo! All this time I was pointing to it while the impatient guy behind me was having a hissy fit ..... 

12 hours ago, je2350 said:

I believe the Windjammer has 8 freestyle- 4 on each side - although not all were operating.  Two outside Sorrentos, and two in the snack area near sports deck.

 

I was able to book Mama Mia as soon as I boarded, as well as all other entertainment via the app.
 

Windjammer was open for dinner.

 

 

Thanks for the info.

2 questions:

Was the Windjammer open for dinner? 

Aqua Theater - does one book as soon as we get onboard (where is the desk)  or online before? 

Many Thanks.

I'm a bit late to the party, but can I ask how you explained having to have a Covid test to her.  I feel your excitement and hope you have an amazing cruise!!!

On 2/25/2022 at 11:04 PM, vegascruiser1 said:

We were on the Allure two weeks ago and the Windjammer was open for dinner. 

Thanks for the reply, great news

Is the Windjammer dinner schedule back to normal again?  Is the Windjammer now open for breakast, lunch and dinner? It was only open for breakfast and lunch but we are particularly interested in having a casual dinner some nights........ 

Have you sailed on the Serenade in the last month out of Tampa?  I was wondering if show times have changed since Covid shutdown? It's the age old question - I have MTD and don't want the times to clash with the earlier show.  I need to book my dinner time when boarding, so it would be handy to knw in advance to be able to coordinate dinner reservation time and the show times.  Thanks.

On 10/2/2021 at 10:09 AM, Hlitner said:

Rhodes is actually a fabulous cruise port on many levels.  You will dock very close (short walk) to the walled Old Town which can easily be explored on your own (or on a tour).  That part of town has the Palace/Castle , plenty of restaurants, shops, etc.  Many first time visitors are happy to just spend their day in this city.  Otherwise it is a relatively large island with lots of decent beaches (many with facilities).  The most popular excursion or tour outside Rhodes Town would be to Lindos which has some ruins, a great view, and a few excellent nearby beaches.

 

Corfu is not quite as exciting as Rhodes.  But you can shuttle into town, go to a beach (this is not as much of a beach resort island as Rhodes)  or take some kind of tour/excursion that will show you other parts of the island.  To be honest, Corfu is not our favorite island except for the fact that it is the jumping off place for yacht cruises around the Ionian Islands.  We have done a couple of these yacht cruises and do love the Ionian Islands (not nearly as tourist spoiled as the island groups visited by large cruise ships).  

 

One thing for any first time visitor to Greece (and the islands ) who are concerned about language.  English is widely spoken and understood and most restaurants/cafes will have English menus.  So language should not be a driving reason to make you book a tour/excursion.  It is also possible to rent a car on most of the islands (reservations often necessary) which can be an inexpensive way to explore a lot of places.  We recently (August) rented a car on Rhodes, Santorini, Naxos and Paros because we like the flexibility.  Technically you do need an International Drivers Permit (available at AAA or CAA) to rent a car in Greece.

 

Hank

Hank, we will be doing Rhodes next year and are very interested in spending a few hours in Lindos as well.  Do you know which tour operator is the best for this?

10 hours ago, torpeedo said:

We renewed in August.  Took 14 days door to door and not expedited.  We live in SC and I don't know if that makes a difference but it went well.  I renewed a regular passport book only.

Wow, that's the fastest I have heard of during these Covid times. Awesome!

1 hour ago, DUTRAVEL said:

We sent in our passport renewals July 23rd and received our new passports at the end of September.

Thank you for your kindness and civility in answering my question..... I appreciate it!

Has anyone applied recently for a renewal of their US Passport?  I know they were closed for a while due to Covid but wondered if anyone knows how long it is taking at present to get your US passport renewed.  

1 minute ago, LXA350 said:

 

As of Singapore deployment the area of the Diamond Lounge used on China sailings as VIP Casino will be reconfigured back to the Diamond Lounge.

OK Perfect, thank you.

Thank you everyone for your replies.  We were leading with our choice of itinerary anyhow, but wanted to make sure we didn't overlook any pitfalls on either ship. We fully agree with visiting Sitka and Icy Strait while they are being offered. We have been to neither although we have done 2 cruise tours of Alaska and also spent 5 months there in our motorhome ..... we absolutely love Alaska!!

6 hours ago, LXA350 said:

Both Ovatiion and Quantum are identical. Quantum was orignally bult for the Western Market and eventually was used in China with only modiications that you had a Noodle / Dim Sum bar and that the Diamond Lounge was conerted to a Casino. Funamentally this was also the case on Ovation, except that it has Asian / Chinese art displays, but besides that the 3 sisters Anthem, Ovation and Quantum are identical.

 

Hence, when making your decision you should only worry about which itinarary matches you the most.

So does Quantum not have a Diamond Lounge any more?

Hi, we are a senior couple so not interested in the childrens or family activities that these large ships offer, but having said that we would like to experience the rest of what these ships offer.  We are looking at Alaska for 2021 and both of these ships will be options. I knw there are smaller ships (i.e. Radiance which we have sailed on 8 times) but thought it might be a nice change to experience one of the "biggies"!  I am very interested in everyones input (pros and cons) on these 2 ships - so my question is:  WHICH ONE WOULD YOU CHOOSE, AND WHY?  Thanks for your help.

We are avid RCCL cruisers EXCEPT for Alaska where I wouldn't use any other than Princess .... how strange is that.  Their cruises and cruise tours are magic I concur that Glacier Bay is a total must, and this is where I would definitely agree with the smaller ship.  We loved the way he stopped alongside the glacier and when it calved the sound was so magnified that it was etched our memory forever.  The Princess trains and lodges are amazing as well. I woud suggest doing the train BEFORE the cruise as the itinerary is much more go, go, go and then you can relax more on the cruise afterwards.  I don't think this is an itinerary where you will be needing all the "bells and whistles" because you do so much outdoor activity that you are pretty tired at the end of the day.  You won't be sorry if you choose Princess, they are so geared for Alaska ......... for sure!

Looking for WiFi info please. I usually use my laptop in my cabin onboard, but have not been on Rhapsody before and was wondering if WiFi is available in the cabins.  Is it?  If not, which part of the ship is WiFi available. 

2 hours ago, DavidJrandRichard said:

We got queen size. We kept the box while onboard and brought packing tape from home with us. We rolled it up very tightly, taped it up, and then put it in the original box and put it out with the rest of our luggage last night. 

Great idea thanks.

2 hours ago, DavidJrandRichard said:

Yes, but we purchased it not only for the cruise but also to replace our current one at home that is 6 years old.

I have two questions re the mattress topper.  Did you get a queen or king?  Could you re-fold it to be able to fit in a suitcase when you left?  Thanks.

Yes we are in the Zephyrhills area so it's a 50-60 mile roundtrip.  An Uber is $50 one way, hence $100 cost. It would be cheaper for us to park at the port.  Having lost our "usual ride" to get to the port we are now faced with having to look for parking alternatives.

I would appreciate help on which parking facility to choose from at the Port of Tampa.  We will be cruising on Royal Caribbean so either need it to be within easy walking access or a safe parking facility which includes a free shuttle back and forth.  I would appreciate your experience and reviews - inclusive of daily cost.

Wonderful news! Thanks for this info keywester33.  Is the bus stop (#4) pretty close to the dock?

On 10/25/2019 at 11:38 AM, Charles4515 said:

Heritage Wharf is next to Kings Wharf at the Royal Navel Dockyard. There are two berths there. About the same distance to the public ferry docks. Heritage might be a few steps closer. 
 

 

 

Thanks Charles.

We wil be docking at Heritage Wharf and wondered exactly where on the island this is located? Also what is walking distance there from the ship? I have docked at King's Wharf before, is Heritage wharf closeby and accessible to the ferry?