Tin can

Things seem a bit different in Europe. We were surprised how smartly dressed people were most nights on our recent Greek Isles cruise on Explorer. This may be due to the majority of the passengers being from Italy and Spain.

We are not long off Explorer. 1 I think the shuttle from the ship to Venice was $65.. It was never listed in the cruise planner you purchase from a QR code in the cruise compass on board. 2. It leaves at various times and you pick the one that suits you. I understand it can take 2.5 - 3 hours. 3. The shuttle after the cruise to Ravenna again leaves at various times and you book the same way and it costs $10. A lot of people on departure got the shuttle to Ravenna then the train back to Venice. You would have to change at Ferrara but it would be quicker and cheaper than the shuttle. We got the train from Venice to the cruise and then the train from Ravenna after the cruise to Bologna. It was all very easy. Have a great time on the cruise, we really enjoyed Explorer from Ravenna.

This was exactly our experience two weeks ago on Explorer. There were nearly 2000 Italians on our Explorer cruise, I wouldn't say it was traditional formal wear as there were not many tuxedos' or ball gowns etc on show but most passengers were very very smartly dressed on formal night. It was like a Prada, Versace, Gucci fashion show and we really enjoyed it. I personally wouldn't take a tux but if you want to dress up you will be in good company with the Italians, you will have a great time on Explorer we really enjoyed the Italian vibe.

It was on Explorer last week, three Heidi machines. You can turn the sound down but then it is full volume for the feature 😀

Personally I think the reason is clear, if Royal is at 100% capacity it doesn't necessarily want the experienced cost conscious cruiser like you and me who recognise the cuts in service. The last thing Royal wants is ships full of price savvy, high loyalty status returning passengers with their two bottles of wine making their drinks vouchers last all day and not spending on the ship. New cruisers is where it's at for Royal and that's clear with Icon, advertising outside of the usual recognised avenues and instead using Apple TV, MLS or whatever will draw in this required demographic (just my opinion).

I think your right about underestimating the "pulling power' of football in general and various associations with clubs by Royal Caribbean could be a genius move especially with the US hosting the World Cup in 2026. After all who would have thought we would see the day that Super Bowl winning legend Tom Brady would buy a stake in a UK football club (Birmingham City).

I thought it was just me, I tried the Lavazza coffee machine once on our recent Explorer cruise and I could have had a helicopter hovering outside the balcony to winch me off making less noise. We are from the UK so predominantly tea drinkers but in all seriousness I am assuming that fancy coffee pod machines don't usually make that sort of noise.

You're right, I couldn't find out any information about the shuttle to/from Ravenna before hand from customer services. It was only from here and FB groups that I knew there was one and then when I arrived there was Royal representatives everywhere. I don't know why this wasn't conveyed or promoted as I'm sure a lack of information of the logistics of travelling from either Bologna or Venice to the port put a lot of people off booking.

Yes it was $10 each way. We just turned up at the shuttle point going and they added our room number and we were charged to our room. The shuttle back to Ravenna does not show up before hand. You scan a QR code on board and book the time you want and again it is charged to your room. People on our FB group got really stressed with the transfers from Venice or Bologna and then how to get to the port but it was really easy and well organised.

Interesting report and we were on 20th August Explorer sailing - Greece and Montenegro. We also had problems with our shower (cold then hot) and we were in one of the new cabins on deck 12 at the front but our experience was we have never seen such happy staff and the food was a hundred times better than our Anthem cruise at Easter from Cape Liberty. This was the overwhelming opinion of our FB group as well so strange how experiences change one week apart. Just out of interest did you have a really large majority of Italian and Spanish passengers. Sailing from Italy we expected a large number of 'locals' but Brits and folks from the US were massively in the minority and we absolutely loved sailing with the Italians, so much fun they just never stopped. Dress code was something else as well, Casual nights was very Casual (I have no issue with that) but formal nights wow..... it was like a Gucci, Prada, Versace fashion show. Like you we enjoyed a stay in Ravenna, we organised though our own Venice and Bologna transfers ourselves on the train. I note your comment about the cost for next year, its small margins I think as all the boxes were ticked for us (perhaps more luck than judgement) and we got a real bang for our buck. This wasn't the case at all on Anthem from New York though at Easter so I know exactly where you are coming from and if this one hadn't already been booked I don't think we would have taken it.

I would really recommend considering the train from Venice. You change at either Ferrara or Bologna and it is very easy. The main line to Ferrara or Bologna are super efficient modern trains, we booked 'Executive' with Trenitalia which was 60 Euros and had lunch and drinks served in a carriage with 10 aircraft first class seats. It was a highlight of our trip and was like flying in a private jet 😄.

We are just back from a cruise with Royal out of Ravenna. Flew into Venice for a few days and then took the train to Ravenna. After the cruise we took the train from Ravenna to Bologna to fly home. All very easy (even with luggage), reliable and cheap on the train.

Just back from a cruise out of Ravenna. There are almost no taxis available, we were sailing with Royal Caribbean and they provided a shuttle and from talking to reception in our hotel most if not all cruise lines do. The train from Ravenna to Bologna both ways worked well, was reliable and was cheap.

Its needed... We were on Anthem out of Port Liberty over Easter. The biggest billboard in Times Square was for MSC. We went to the NBA in the evening and they were giving out free MSC Knicks caps. Driving to the port on the morning and another billboard for World America and I can remember it now 'American service, European style' because it was plastered everywhere in NY. We are UK based but it's clear the behemoth that is MSC is now embarking on an offensive in the US that we have seen here in the UK and Europe for a number of years.

We quite enjoy the breakfast offerings and the coffee machine in the morning but our experience since the vouchers were introduced is people do not visit the lounge in anywhere near the numbers they used to. Frankly I'm amazed that Mr Bayley was asking for ideas to reduce the crowds! I'm probably in the minority but I liked the ritual of the lounge, the hustle and bustle, the crowds even the boisterous atmosphere at times from the groups who made the most of the 'free drinks'.

That would be my thoughts, I can think of nothing worse waiting to go home being surrounded by excited new cruisers and hearing welcome aboard announcements. I would rather be sat at the airport...

To be honest I think that's a fair comment, it you are asking if its safe then it is something rightly or wrongly that is concerning you. If your gut instinct says danger then you are probably best to obey it and not be swayed. We have been lucky enough to travel around the world and it's my golden rule, if something doesn't feel right we are out of there. We have probably missed some great experiences but I never override my gut feeling.

Apparently ‘beyond the fence’ it’s very nice. We have friends who traveled across from the Dominican Republic and stayed in the Cormier Beach Resort last summer which is a couple of miles away from labadee and they had a great time.

Thanks for the review, we are on the same itinerary next year on Liberty and really looking forward to it.

For Royal I agree (same ships and repeated itineraries) and although we are UK based we rarely sail Royal out of Southampton. The cruise passenger numbers for Southampton however are comparable or better than most European ports other than Barcelona.

I only did the status match recently (a few months ago I think) as I was looking at a few options with MSC at the time. I'm definitely Diamond with MSC and only Diamond with Royal, maybe I slipped through the net 😄. Its a shame Royal don't status match and then I could have reversed matched and come back to Royal as Pinnacle 🤣

Very strange, I just checked and I was definitely matched Diamond with MSC and I am Diamond with Royal.

We haven't cruised with MSC but went through the process to get matched and was given Diamond (we are Diamond with Royal) I believe you get early embarkation, bathrobe, a speciality meal and strangely a dance class. There are no drinks vouchers which are a real benefit with Royal.

If it's any consolation I joined the FB group for the current Liberty cruise that has just stopped there (we are doing the same itinerary next year) and everyone seemed to have a great day. The conflict was discussed a lot before arrival but only positive things from the actual experience. Just reading a comment now "beautiful island and people'. I'm not making light of the situation in Haiti but isn't the worst of the gang violence in LA only 30 miles away from Beverly Hills and Malibu. I believe Labadee is six hours away from the main area of trouble. (this was posted yesterday on the FB group)

Genuine question as I am not a US citizen but would there be any political reason why your government would advise you not to travel to Haiti. I took a quick look at the other countries in US advisory level 4 - Yemen, Syria, Afghanistan, North Korea amongst other such delights so the comparison seems a bit extreme to me. Just across the non physical border and into the Dominican Republic and it's a level 2 'caution' viewed the same as Sweden and funnily enough the UK. I'm obviously aware that Haiti has unique issues compared to the DR but it's the same Island. Just curious by this.