little britain

9 hours ago, elaine5 said:

PH2. We have young 20s. We've been on Anthem (similar to Odyssey) and Explorer (to similar ports last summer). Both will have plenty for a 20 something (putt-putt, comedy, DJ, flowrider, ice show, skating. O will have a bit more stuff and be newer. Either will be fine. Explorer had a bit of rust on parts of balcony (and the balconies are set back (look at photos). We had and excellent cruise. 

Ravenna is 2.5 hours from Venice-RCCL has a shuttle to the ship ($60 one way). We flew to Venice and returned to Florence/Rome and flew back from Rome.

 odyssey does not have ice skating ⛸️ or mini golf ⛳️ 

6 hours ago, NMTraveller said:

I suspect that number is growing as the price of Celebrity's premium package is very pricey.  Compare it to Princess who gives you unlimited specialty for roughly the same price ...

Corkage fee does not apply if you have Classic or Premium package.. with all my cruises the Classic was included in the price so I still think the numbers actually effected are small. Added to those who say they are never charged corkage because the staff don’t want the hassle… it’s hardly a big revenue stream I suspect 

How many people in reality do not have a drinks package? They are exempt from this corkage fee. 

1 hour ago, cruiseboy89130 said:

You can have her! Good luck 🤞!

I love odyssey so I’d be quite happy 

Agree with your layout comments- we got dizzy crossing from one side of the ship to the other!!!
Also with their need to be “different” - why can’t they send out bag tags beforehand like any normal line instead of making people wait outside the terminal? My friends who did the cruise between yours and mine were waiting outside for 45 mins .. thank goodness it wasn’t raining in Portsmouth! 

We had no issues with food quality or service but as a fussy eater I did literally only have a few items in each menu I would eat. I cannot imagine someone only doing this as their one cruise line of choice as they are a one trick pony and it would get very repetitive imho - yes, we have got a MNVV and will do one more in 2026. But that will be for itinerary, to try other dining venues and ties in with a land based vacation - But then that will be us done I suspect 

7 hours ago, Jumping Cruiser said:

Unknown at present. She is heading to Europe for Dry Dock in March.

 

There are currently no visible port bookings for Odyssey in place for Summer 2026 in any European ports, despite Explorer and Brilliance both being listed on the Athens schedule! 🤔

So there is the teensiest beacon of hope that she could be in Southampton?!?

Pls can someone remind me where Odyssey is? Rome again? 

1 hour ago, GetToLivin said:

I have a girlfriend who wants to do a Greece trip next year so I've started researching, looking at Sept/Oct 2025. I have a couple of questions for those who have taken similar itineraries.

 

Did you have a preference for flying into Athens or Venice? Is one "easier" than the other? I have global entry if that makes any kind of difference.

 

My friend wants to see Athens so I think we could arrive a couple of days early and explore more versus just a port day (plus time to time-zone adjust). But I think it's a longer flight haul from what I'm seeing so I'm weighing that as well.

 

This brings me to another question, did you use Air2Sea or independently book your flight? The most I've flown recently is around 5-ish hours to Puerto Rico for a Southern Caribbean cruise so I'm adjusting to the thought of this flight haul 🫣

Voyager in October 2025 may be cancelled as they may reroute her around Africa so don’t count on those itineraries going ahead. 
Athens is probably an hour further than Venice, do not really an impact on flight duration 

Cruises leave from Ravenna which is 2hrs south of Venice so you will need to factor in that travel time/cost. 
Piraeus is only a €25 drive from

Athens. 
Global Entry only applies in the USA 

My EU adapter plug which has 2 usb and 2 uk plug adapters has been plugged in on my desk on Voyager for the past week.
 

23 hours ago, Cruisegirl6 said:

Hello, I truly appreciate you giving me the brands, although I do not care for danzante I do love whispering angel and the Bon Jovi I definately will give it a try.  As long as I have whispering angel I am keeping the package, thank you.

I may have drunk all the BJ HW!!!! 

Exact departure times of all the shuttles to various destinations- September 2024

3 hours ago, Kdmansfield said:

I think I've had Danzante Pinot Grigio on every ship the past 5 years included in the drink package. 

Make that 10 years!

There is a delicious Bon Jovi Hampton Water rose wine.  Or Whispering Angel rose ( but that price varies by ship any may not be within your allowance) 

13 hours ago, sgmn said:

Loved my 14 day cruise a few years ago from Southampton. Right down into the Med. 

 

There's not a lot of places you can go on the 3 to 9 days cruises they are doing from Southampton from next year.

 

Surprised the uk office doesn't have more say in explaining  the demographic in the UK to head office. 

Most people have 4 to 6 weeks leave a year in the UK and three to five cold and windy days to Rotterdam and Hamburg is not appealing 

Do you remember the 18n round to Venice and back? Now that was what I call an itinerary! 

On 9/19/2024 at 2:03 AM, ecslady said:

 

So what is Liberty doing between late June & mid September 2026?  Back to Cape Liberty, NJ for a short season there? Anyone have a clue as I'm wondering what ships will be in NJ in summer 2026.

The same boring itineraries from Southampton that they do every year I suspect. A few up to Norway, a few down to Spain ..

38 minutes ago, springaussie said:

Voyager of the Seas now has new bookings in Brisbane Ports until 11 April 2027.

New dates added January, February and April 2027.

I’m on Voyager now: she’s going in for a short 2 week dry dock at the end of this October prior to her TA crossing 

Update: September 2024.

Price has increased to €1.60pp e/way. 
 

The ticket booth mentioned previously is actually outside the further port ( where the ferries are). If you dock nose in - facing the buildings you are at that one. 
 

Otherwise the other dock you are parallel to the land and they should have a manned ticket booth.

We hired a car and drive to Orvieto for the day. Allow 2hrs each way. Beautiful scenery 

23 hours ago, euro cruiser said:

Thanks for posting this.  Just so I'm clear, this is what was information made available to you on board the ship, not in advance of your sailing, correct?

 

That's an acceptable deal to the Ravenna train station.  Of course it's more expensive than your other option, the public bus, but not so much more that I'd really think hard about it.  And it's less than a taxi for two people, assuming you could even get one.

Yes this was info on board the ship. 
 

Note they “fib” saying there is no public transport in Ravenna, when we all know there is a bus 🚌! 

Sea bus prices September 17th, 2024

Boarded yesterday: one of the quickest processes ever. Straight through and onto ship within minutes. We arrived about 11:20am

RCI Voyager of the Seas. 

On 9/14/2024 at 3:03 PM, UKCruises66 said:

In fairness to Royal we sailed with them a lot when our children were younger but now they are grown up (over 18) our needs have changed, so perhaps that was a factor in how we felt about the trip on Anthem last year. If we ever have any grandchildren then perhaps we would go back but until then there are much better lines out there with better food (Virgin Voyages), a nicer environment where we can find a seat in the evening and see the sea (P&O Iona/Arvia), no awkwardness with regards to gratuities, ratings, etc and no nickel and diming (Virgin & P&O). Royal seem to have forgotten it is supposed to be a holiday! 

Totally agree! VV is so refreshing with outstanding food quality and presentation, the staff are efficient and friendly and simply Doing Their Job; they aren’t trying to be your best friend to get tips or begging for a 🔟; it’s so nice not having to sign any paperwork 📑 when you get a drink or finish your meal. I think they will shake up the cruise market - especially here in England where we Brits generally hate all that faux friendly stuff. 

10 hours ago, Karen Lynn said:

Anyone know for October sailings in the Med what time the show times might be in the evening ?

Much appreciate , thx 

7.30 and 9.30

@caribbeanboy - perhaps you can contrast and compare to our recent review!?

The food wins hands down! I’m actually thinking in my upcoming RCI cruise this weekend I’ll be saying “ it’s not like this on Virgin”!! 

On 9/12/2024 at 4:21 PM, Kordy said:

What about afternoon tea?  most cruise companies seem to offer this daily (around 2 or 3pm) and it's a popular choice?

Tea bags are PGTips and plenty of skimmed milk. 
 

for a comparison with RCI…