F19810

7 hours ago, fredflint said:

Did you pay the rate for 2 people, you "should" get the points in my opinion.

I did pay the rate for 2 people.  RCL give 2 points when you do that, I guess NCL does not.

3 minutes ago, KeithJenner said:

Solos don’t get extra points on NCL.

Even though I pay full price for the room?  This is not a solo room.

I booked a studio cabin for an upcoming cruise.  I know with the studios, you only get one point/night.  The balconies came down in price so I upgraded to the balcony.  As a solo passenger, will I now get two points/night?  I know on RCL, I get two points as a solo passenger in any room except studios.

Thanks

I'm on a cruise in May and Messina has only 2 excursions, neither of which go to Mt Etna or Taormina-the most popular excursions.  Catania doesn't have any excursions.  I found this very strange.

Thanks everybody, I'll call NCL and tell them that I need a medical refrigerator.

Judy

I have medicine that needs to be refrigerated, are the refrigerators in the studios true refrigerators?  I just came off of RCL Explorer and RCL rooms have coolers, not refrigerators and I had to arrange for a medical refrigerator.

thanks,

judy

Your cruise is a year away NCL will offer more excursions once it gets closer.  I have a cruise in April and May and there are not many excursions listed yet.

Judy

Glad to hear, that's where I'm staying in Oct.

39 minutes ago, jonsmom said:

Mick - reading your posts have given me anxiety LOL.  We aren't sailing til October 2024 also on the Explorer and navigating to Ravenna is overwhelming.  So...couple of questions....would I be able to fly into VCE, I know Bologna is easier, but never seeing Venice, I would really like to spend a couple days, take the train from the airport to  a hotel, on my own, without transfer, then take the train to Ravenna and then bus #90? What area do you recommend?  Piazza Roma near the train station?  Thanks for posting

Why don't you take Royal's transfer from Venice to Ravenna?  I'm taking it from Ravenna to Venice after my trip.  Believe that I paid $58 from Ravenna to Venice and $38 from Bologna to Ravenna.

Judy

I switched from NCL to Royal because Royal had broadway style shows.  When NCL started doing broadway shoes, I thought that I would try them again.  I have Viva booked (for the ports) and was excited to see that Beatlejuice will be on her.  After this cruise, I may have to go back to Royal.

Judy

22 hours ago, Biker19 said:

As soon as you clear the formalities of the second cruise, you can go wherever till about 90 min before sailing.

I was wondering how long the formalities take and if there is a shuttle to city center and back.

Do you know if those who are on a B2B,  can go into Ravenna on turnaround day?

Thanks

Venice is one of my favorite cities.  Funny thing is I get lost easily but I've never been lost in Venice.  All signs point to St Marks, Rialto bridge or the train station, so as long as I know where I want to go from those places, I'm ok.  Loved the review.

Judy

12 hours ago, MeHeartCruising said:

I Am currently on the Explorer doing a B2B.  The attached file show the transfer timing from our turnaround day in Ravenna yesterday, May 14.  I would expect similar with future sailings.  I agree with the previous poster who suggested you research a flight that departs Venice at 12:20 pm and gather all the facts about it.  Then tell Royal Caribbean that is your flight.  They will link that info on your account, but I’m pretty certain they do not validate this with the airline.  As you can see, the will be starting very early for Venice departures.  They warn, however, that it can take 3 hours for the trip.  So even the 6:30 group might not get there much before 10am.  I doubt that bus will leave at 6:30.  That’s when people would start off the ship, get their luggage, find the bus, get loaded on the bus, and wait for everyone else to do the same.  I would expect a 7am bus depart, at best. 

Do you know if you can go into Ravenna after checking in for your second cruise?  Theist departure listed is 9:45, are there any shuttles for B2B people and are there shuttles to go from Ravenna to the port?

Judy

9 hours ago, Jimani7 said:

Just joined this forum.  I don't understand.  Why would Royal Caribbean do transfers to Venice when Bologna is a much closer airport?  I expected to see transfers become available as we get closer to our July 16, 2023 sailing.  However, I expected Bologna, not Venice.

If you want to book transfers before your cruise, you have to call NCL.  One reason why they may have transfers to Venice is because more flights go to Venice.  If you haven't been to Venice before, I suggest spending some time there, it is one of my favorite cities.

If you get a chance, can you find out if there is a shuttle from Ravenna port to city center or train station?  I'm doing a B2B and was planning on spending some time in Ravanna on turn around day but I read that there is no shuttle this year.  Trying to figure out if this is true.

Thanks

Judy

Thanks for the replies.  I knew that the wine pairing was extra and I may do it.  I don't usually drink wine but having wine that is specifically paired with the course might get me to enjoy wine more.  I'll ask about getting something besides the tuna tartar but if I can't, no big deal, there is enough food.

Judy

I'm thinking of doing the Taste of Royal lunch on my up coming cruise on the Explorer.  The first course is tuna tartar.  I do not eat raw fish, would I get something else?  Also, is the wine pairing full glasses of wine or half glasses since it is a pairing?

Judy

Enjoying this review.  I'll be on the Explorer in Sept, Lisbon to Rome and then Rome to Venice.  You don't see many reviews of the Explorer so thanks for doing t his.  Also, I love your pre cruise info too.  I always travel solo and love it, do what I want when I want!

Judy

I booked 2 cruises for next fall with free cancellation.  I just found out that my niece got engaged and is planning to get married next fall.  I was thinking of booking the same two cruises for next spring with free cancellation and when I find out her date, cancel one set of cruises.  Does anybody see any problems with me doing this?  I would cancel about 6 months before the cruises.

Judy

I' m going on a b2b out of Ravenna Italy in the fall, will I be able to spend several hours in Ravenna between cruises?  The ship doesn't leave Ravenna until 7:00 pm.  The only b2b that I did was on NCL in Barcelona and was able to spend the day touring but I don't know how long RCL formalities are with b2b.

Thanks

Judy

According to the rep that I spoke with, I am signed up for a transfer to Venice "city center".  I'm staying at the Hotel Olimpia which is near Piazza Roma.  If I get dropped off at the airport, no big deal.  In Bologna, I was told that there is only one shuttle and that is from the airport.  I'm told that I am signed up for both shuttles but there is nothing showing up in my cruise app.  Also, no email confirmation.  I'll call back to make sure that everything is set up.

Judy

Where does the shuttle drop you off in Venice? I need to find a hotel that is easy to get to from where we are dropped off.

Thanks

I use a medical refrigerator from 4AllFamily.  It is about the size of a Yeti thermos.  The one that I have can be plugged in and has a digital readout of the temp and can be powered with a USB,  portable charger or regular outlet so I mainly use it to go to and from the hotels.  

Judy

I just want to say, enjoy your first solo cruise.  Since my travel buddy got sick over ten years ago, all of my vacations are solo trips and I love it.  I find that traveling solo, I meet more people and have more freedom to do what I want.  I'm so used to traveling solo, the idea of traveling with somebody just doesn't appeal anymore.