MLP12

Do you get your Crystal Block while on the current cruise when you reach the number of nights or do you receive it later?

What time do they usually play pickleball on Odyssey of the Seas?  Do you have to make a reservation?  

I just got off a mediterranean cruise on Odyssey of the Seas.  I found that I did miss the two time daily stateroom cleaning.  If the cabin steward was easily accessible, once daily cleaning would have been fine.  However,  if I needed a clean towel or extra glass, I had no way of getting it. A stateroom attendant was nowhere to be found.  I did call and finally reached someone, but then had to wait an hour for them to bring me distilled water for a cpap machine.  With all of the other cut backs that I've seen, (23 cruises with Royal), I am switching to Celebrity or another line. 

I booked a tour through Royal entitled "Fira On Your Own".  It states "avoid the hassle of getting to Fira by enjoying a ride on a bus that takes you to the center of Fira".  I booked it thinking this would avoid the necessity of using the cable cars/donkeys.  Another post I read states that this is not the case; that we will still need to take the cable cars to the top.  Has anyone done this tour who can explain how the transportation is handled and is the "bus" worth the price of the excursion?  Thanks

Visiting Santorini in August.  We would like to find a nice restaurant, moderately priced, not too far from the cable cars in Fira to eat dinner.  Our ship doesn't depart until 11:00 p.m. so hoping to eat around 7:00 p.m. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Are there many steps to get up to the cable car when going back to the cruise ship?

Can someone please give some advise on how to best enjoy Santorini/Oia.  I booked a tour through the ship,  but it looks like we will still have either extensive walking or use the cable cars to get back to the ship. The tour states you go by ferry and then board a bus to Oia with return to Fira .  I have read so many horror stories about large crowds, long lines, etc., I'm thinking about cancelling the tour because my husband has some issues walking long distances.  Is it as bad as I've read?  Is it worth getting off the ship to see?  I guess I'd really like to hear someone else's perspective who has actually visited there.  

I've been on Oasis twice.  It's an amazing ship!  There is more than enough to do in the day.  In the evening, there is so much to do you'll have to choose what activity you want to go to.  Yes, sometimes it is crowded; like when leaving the theater because it is a very big ship.  Also, on sea days, the pool is crowded. I loved Oasis and would sail her again.  

My husband and I will be in Santorini in August.  We booked a tour through the ship that states you board a ferry and then take a bus to Oia.  The bus then returns you to Fira to look around on your own.  Will we have to use the cable car to get to the ferry boat to board the bus to Oia?  

How early can you board the ship when sailing out of Civitavecchia?  We will be leaving Rome at 7:30 a.m. by private transport and  am wondering if I need to plan something to do near the port.   

I was considering the half day excursion to Pompeii with guide on RCI.  Does anyone know if the tickets are included in the price of the excursion?  Also, if anyone has done this, was it worth it or can you do Pompeii just as easily on your own?  

10 hours ago, robmtx said:

I never got a crystal block for passing 140.. Is this an automatic process or should I invest some time to make a phone call?

I believe it is supposed to be automatic.  However, if you didn't get it on your last sailing, you should call and inquire.

We are staying in Rome for 2 days prior to our cruise.  I am looking for recommendations for hotels.  Also, what is the best way to get to the cruise port in Cevitavechia?  

I am on Apex January 7.  I just checked the app on my phone and it is listed under restaurants.  The full menu is listed.

I have been trying to make a reservation for Eden and all of the days are full. I've checked both the website and the app.  Will I be able to make a reservation once on board the ship?  Also, should you make a reservation for a different main restaurant than the one you're assigned or can you just show up and get a table?

I sail on Apex on Jan. 7 and the room service charge on the app is listed as it's always been; only late night.

We are going to Nachi Cocom next week.  What did you think of the lunch that was served?  Also, were there chairs available in the shade near the pool area?  Sorry the weather was so poor the week you were on the ship.  Hopefully, ours will be better.  

On 12/19/2022 at 10:19 PM, De Colores said:

Thank you both so much…booking it now! We did a move up to Aqua but there is only one cabin left so not likely. If I did get it I am sure they would refund my spa purchase. 

 

Thanks

I did get the move up to Aqua Class the last time we sailed.  I enjoyed the thermal spa, especially the heated loungers.  The changing room is very nice, also.  I always took a change of clothes and showered there after using the steam room.  Enjoy!

We are sailing on Apex January 7.  In regard to the infinite balcony...If you are sitting on the balcony part with the window open, the room gets hot and humid?  There is no way to prevent this?  In your opinion, how was the food in the buffet?   

On 12/14/2022 at 12:54 PM, karmamule said:

One of my best purchases on Amazon was this bowl with lots of small hand sanitizer bottles. I keep it out in the kitchen of our home and in addition to everyday uses for ourselves and house guests,  any time we leave on some sort of trip it's easy to grab a couple bottles to take with us.

 

https://smile.amazon.com/PURELL-Advanced-Hand-Sanitizer-Refreshing/dp/B004T0GJDO/ref=sxts_rp_s_1_0?content-id=amzn1.sym.17af0c91-9bbd-4b60-8f2f-e62e6e6651a5%3Aamzn1.sym.17af0c91-9bbd-4b60-8f2f-e62e6e6651a5&crid=CE1CB3Z1UNMZ&cv_ct_cx=hand+sanitizer&keywords=hand+sanitizer&pd_rd_i=B004T0GJDO&pd_rd_r=9f060e01-71d1-417b-b9a0-1a1d9780a192&pd_rd_w=4ByoO&pd_rd_wg=pZHCR&pf_rd_p=17af0c91-9bbd-4b60-8f2f-e62e6e6651a5&pf_rd_r=SKD6YTAHVM9750SE0H9K&qid=1671040365&sprefix=hand+sanitizer%2Caps%2C81&sr=1-1-f0029781-b79b-4b60-9cb0-eeda4dea34d6

Thanks!  Love this idea

Great review!  So looking forward to going on my cruise on January 7.  Your review answered so many of questions.  Thank you.

12 hours ago, barbeyg said:

The food is mostly self serve.  There are sandwich, stir fry and pasta stations, where those are prepped/served, and some items are in individual containers, but the rest is self-serve.  We always carry hand sanitizer with us to clean our hands when we arrive at the table before eating, and of course wash before going into the buffet.  We have done that for years, if attending buffets. 

The hand sanitizer is a great idea.  I always wash before going inside, but then you have to touch all of the serving utensils, which kind of defeats the purpose.  

If you could only choose one of the specialty restaurants, which one would you choose?  Also, was it difficult to find a chair at the main pool ?

On 12/12/2022 at 5:40 PM, barbeyg said:

We ate in the Oceanview Cafe several times.  Ken does not like buffets, and we usually pass on the Windjammer on RCI, because there is nothing that stands out enough for him to eat the buffet.  Celebrity is definitely a step up with their buffet, and we grabbed several quick meals at Oceanview, including the pizza in the restaurant that is directly behind Oceanview, aft on the ship. This was the best pizza we have had at sea.  And the pizza restaurant is open when the buffet restaurant is not. 
 

One day, I grabbed a cake dessert that was infused with some kind of liquor, maybe rum? Anywho, this cake tasted like pure rum, so strong that I could not eat it. It was dripping with rum. 😂 I told Ken that whoever made it must have forgotten they had already poured rum over the cake, and poured more.  Ken liked it though, and finished it for me. 🤭 That was the only food item I tried onboard and couldn’t eat it.

 

Another day, there were some wonderful cakes out for lunch dessert.  We both enjoyed the carrot cake. 

 

 

Are they still serving the food to you in the buffet vs. people helping themselves?

As Elite members, my husband and I each have one free use of the Persian Garden to use on a port day.  I have used the Persian Garden before and loved it.  My husband, not so much and won't use his pass.  After I use my free pass,  can I use my husband's card to use his free pass for myself?  What do you think?