CSHS1979

Back from Agra, long trip

Daybreak in Sri Lanka

Cute little guys

2 hours ago, LadyZolt said:

Today is Day 137 of 274, marking the half-way point of the cruise.  They served this cake in the Windjammer at dinner to commemorate this milestone...

And another certificate 🤣

1 hour ago, Ocean Boy said:

Does he have the Sri Lanka transit visa that was talked about earlier? Did RCI take care of that for all of the full word cruisers?

Full world cruisers were on their own for that one, as well as several others. India, Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam Nam, etc..

Royal is pretty much only doing visa's  for world cruisers doing Africa. Probably because they changed the itinerary.

1 minute ago, Jimbo said:

So have you all figured out the Visa Issue? Will he be allowed to board the ship?

He had Sri Lanka worked out before he left. Latest hurdle was a Singapore arrival card. Filled it out before he boarded his flight from JFK

According to an oboard entertainer who is dating an engineer, she was told her boyfriend has seen plans for a new Royal ship under 100,000 tons.

Defined third hand information 

John uses a giant telephoto on his camera. 70×300 and 150 x 600.

Image Stabilization is key

John is on his way back to the ship. Getting back on in Singapore. I believe he's now in Qatar with a 6 hour layover.

He got to fly in or out of the top 3 airports in the world. Hard to believe not one US airport made this list

It was nice he could come home for a couple weeks. 

The variety of ways Royal can grab your money is mind boggling

Serenade is doing $69 per leg for all digital and up to 100 prints. That price is good if you commit to at least 9 of the 17 legs. 

55 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

Arent you tempted now to return with john and book the extra legs? 

Rolling Stones in June 

5 hours ago, A&L_Ont said:

If you leave the ship on a 7 day cruise, on your own free will, it’s on the guest unless they have insurance.  Why would there be a difference for the world cruise?

 

If anything is more interesting it is being able to rejoin the ship in between the embarkation ports.  I do not know if that is a possibility or not. 

With the Africa change, Royal offered to refund your pro rated fare for the days you wanted to miss. Plus you could leave your stuff in your cabin. Very generous. 

For those staying on, Royal refunded 25% of the affected daily rate. It was given in a refundable OBC. Showed up today.

John needs to call Royal and see how his was handled since he closed his account yesterday

14 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

Are they letting world cruisers come and go from the ship as they want or are they allowing it on a case by case basis?

Usually you submit a trip interruption request. Not a big deal, but port needs to have immigration agents available. 

John was an emergency request, and they made it happen

11 hours ago, delmom18 said:

Is Singapore when you get back on also?

 

No, I return in Barcelona

John left the ship in Seoul to spend time with Bella and I. He should return in Singapore

On 4/1/2024 at 1:41 PM, elizabethbp said:

I booked the New Year's cruise after the World Tour.  I was curious as to the condition of  the ship.  Any info appreciated. 

Once you do NYE in Rio, every other one will be a letdown 

14 hours ago, sgmn said:

This is part of an unique one off world cruise (274 nights) so things may be different than normal.  Because of its uniqueness there's a lot of people blogging on other sites, may be worth checking those out. There's also @island lady cruise critic blog but she's not on it at mo and it's gone a bit quite. 

 

 

On my four night cruise out of Singapore last month on Spectrum the headline acts were acrobatic and magic type. I don't remember any classical or jazz, just a pub singer.

 

Serenade is one of the smaller Royal Caribbean ships

6 days out of 7 Royal has a string trio in the Centrum during afternoon and pre dinner

While sailing round Hong Kong Island, the ship had to alter course when an unlit ferry crossed her path. The action caused a huge wave in both pools that flooded the pool deck and into forward elevators. Glassware in Schooner came crashing down as well. Not sure about any other damage. Happened sometime between 9 and 930

12 hours ago, bobmacliberty said:

 

Is that Anne Burrell?  I've seen her Worst Cooks show a few times.

Yep, also met Scott Conant. He makes a fabulous meatball

Who knows what today will bring

21 hours ago, dm1336 said:

When I was on Spectrum last year during times when the ship was in China waters (even in Hong Kong and Taiwan) Starlink does not work and they had to revert to using the older Satellite network and it was very slow.

 

The next port of call is Hong Kong and the ship is in or nearing China waters so we would likely see less posts until folks get Hong Kong wifi or cell phone data.

 

The next 5 or so days is going to be a bit quiet for Serenade posts until out of Taiwan

 

(I’m not on the ship for a few more months)

Yep, getting close to Hong Kong, but Starlink seems to have a hub there.

I'm enjoying my Food Network charter and have a new bestie😉

20 hours ago, xpcdoojk said:

I just did a math guess of 3% required withdrawal, and rounded it up to the next million.  We don’t know when the poster started withdrawing so 3%, 4%, 5% all are options.  Maybe even 2%.  I am not an expert on this, but yeah, you are probably correct.  I, personally, can’t think why I would feel the need to share this information, but hey, it is all good.  🤣. Nothing scary out here on the internet.

 

jc

 

 

Bragging rights 😉

12 hours ago, Russ Lomas said:

 

I never invested in the long lenses.  A few short ones which are excellent, but really heavy.  The new mirrorless cameras do photos just as well and are so much smaller and lighter.  Too bad I invested in the full size camera and lenses, because it is so hard to give up after a large investment.  I will be bringing my full sized DLSR with a couple shorter lenses to the leg starting in Southampton.  I will have to chat with him again when we board.  I am sure there will be days though where I leave the full sized camera on the ship and just venture out with the camera phone as well.

John went mirrorless for this trip, but stayed with Canon and an adapter. The expensive lens isn't long, it's just really heavy. Look him up when you board 

16 hours ago, orville99 said:

I paid more than that just for my lenses😇📸

Lenses?

John paid that for one and he never uses it because it's to heavy🤣🤣

It's a ridiculous hobby.

Sunset tonight, all cell phone through a window