PolytheneGirl

On 3/27/2024 at 12:44 PM, island lady said:

 

Mmm...nice!  He did manage a couple of those 2 years ago when we spent a few nights in Barcelona before we boarded for the B2B in the Med on Wonder, which we stayed on for the TA to PC to start her runs out of here a couple years ago.  🙂 

 

 Looking forward to seeing Barcelona again.  

Can highly recommend a nice craft beer place in the marina area (Barcelonetta) called Black Lab Brewery. 

I've been to Barca 4 times in the last 2 years and it's a mainstay. The beer is good, the cocktails are good and they do good food. Not a huge selection of food but burgers, ramen, gyoza. 

The beer is brewed on site as well. Nice outdoor area to sit. 

34 minutes ago, doghog said:

I know have the song, Polythene Pam by the Beatles stuck in my head. Your screen name. 😉

Ha sorry! 

Although it is from a song - Polythene by Feeder

Safe travels to those leaving the shop today! 

7 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

I'd like to see everything stay on this thread.

Same here. 

Plus people late to the thread can go back and read

I just want to say thank you to @island lady and everyone else posting and taking us with you on this journey. You've become part of my daily routine to check in and see what's happened and where you are 🙂

23 hours ago, island lady said:

 

Me neither.  But it seems this is a rather unusual cruise for RCI...so it is a rather unusual situation. Not sure this was really thought out in advance.  🤨

Isn't that the way of most med cruise stops? I know we had a couple when did wonder in 2022 that were basically industrial ports with no proper pier and you had to get buses out of the port area

6 hours ago, cusematt4 said:

Hi - does anyone know if the wonder of the seas has the freestyle soda machines for seltzer or flavored soda?

 

If yes, where are these located?  Do they work by room key, or would I have to have and carry around the royal caribbean soda souvenir mug to use the machine!

 

Thank you.

Yes it's the freestyle machines and yes you need the souvenir glass to use them, it's not room kay based

3 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

Wonder ended up on the GGG flier with discounts just 6 months after her debut - though it'd be a bit longer journey to get to Icon for you.

We ended up on Wonder "by accident" really - we were moved onto her post Covid. Its given us a taste for the bigger and new ships though 😄

We're ok with a journey - it'd be a Big Holiday for us and we'd tie it in with a week in the US 🙂

I'm really hoping it does come down. We won't be booking for at least 12 months but I'll check it regularly. We enjoyed Wonder so much this summer that I'd love to try Icon.

I thought i'd go and price up something today - Try and cheer myself up a bit. Not a chance 😞 $8-10k for a JS and $10k plus for a Sky JS 😞

I didn't know this was a thing 😄 I'm hoping that we can get it in the UK via paramount plus 😄

3 minutes ago, BlondeKajun said:

We are elites on other lines but this is our first time on Royal. When we purchased our dining package it said they will make our first night reservation. Is there a way to choose the venue? Thank you in advance, we are looking forward to resuming cruising.

 

Ron & Donna 

When you board the ship it will be loaded on the app for you. You can pop to Guest Services or the Host station at any of the restaurants and ask them to check for you and move you if they can - its limited to whereever has space though 🙂 So if your first choice doesn't have space, unfortunately there isn't much they can do 🙂

4 minutes ago, gonole1972 said:

Any news if and when the crew will NOT have to wear masks?

Its optional now as far as I know so its up to them if they want to or not. If they want to continue then its entirely their choice (completely understandable)

7 hours ago, Cruise Gopher said:

 

Yikes! There was no notice or info of this in our cruise docs.  Does Royal provide guests with the KN95 masks when they go ashore in Rome?  I don't have any KN95 ones at home to pack.

Yes. We were handed them at every stop. We had some with us anyways. 

22 hours ago, cruises89 said:

Do they scan your temperature in each port? It is a med cruise if that matters

Yes at Palma we had a temp check on the way off the ship at port. That's the only one on our itinerary though

3 hours ago, spsarrocco said:

 

I did, and one of them was me saying I've experienced the sales pitch as well.  And while it's annoying for sure, it's not aggressive.  They offer you a product, and yes, it goes on for a few minutes (just let them finish the pitch), and you smile and nod while they are talking, and when they are done, you say, "Nah, I'll pass."  Aggressive are car salesman that call you everyday, not the massage therapist that spends a few too many minutes telling me about this product that I don't need or intend to buy.

Ours had added it to our room tab and brought them in before we even had a chance to catch our breath after the massage. We were never shown price lists, prices explained and the products were on a tab and in a bag the minute they came into the room. We had to ask them to remove the products (several times) and ended up agreeing to buy one to get out as we had been done with the massage for about 15 mins by that point! 

6 hours ago, spsarrocco said:

They just offer you a product, and you say no, and that's the end of it.  I'm not sure I would consider that aggressive.

Not true. We said no multiple times and ended up buying something just so we could get out the room as they wouldn't stop and were stood between us and the door. 

Completely ruined the experience for me TBH. We enjoy spa experiences and have been for 5 or 6 this year (locally and on weekend breaks away) and I although they do often try to upsell, I've never felt as badgered and bullied as I did on WOTS recently 😞

We mentioned it on our feedback survey. 

6 hours ago, poocher said:

Totally honest question, why would it be necessary to bring a full water bottle on board?  

Because we had 2 full bottles of water for free in the hotel that we wanted to bring with us for while we were queuing and getting checked in. Temps have been 30ish in Barcelona the last few days and since we had that water anyways it seemed like a good idea for staying hydrated. We've heard a multitude of different stories and experiences of queuing and getting boarded so I really wasn't sure how long it would take. 

In the end we didn't bother risking it but we got through and embarked in about 20 mins from arriving at the port! 

1 minute ago, Merion_Mom said:

There is a very large trash can at the security check point full of discarded water bottles.

Fab thanks. So probably not worth risking it then! 

We're due to join Wonder OTS today and I'm trying to find out if we fill our water bottle (plastic reusable) at the hotel will we have it confiscated when we go through security? I know it's fine empty and I know that you can take bottles and cans (I presume sealed) on as well in carry on I just don't know if this scenario is ok? 

Does anyone know? 

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate your help 🙂

Hi All 🙂

I'm struggling to get through to RC - we have a cruise booked for end of June and I need to change my name on the booking (Got married) and also check if the tests we've ordered for testing leaving from Barcelona are suitable and accepted.

We've emailed twice as well and other than the "we'll get back to you in 72 hours" we've had nothing back.

I'm hoping that someone has some sneaky hints and tips for getting in touch with them!

Just now, Biker19 said:

RCI is quite clear and the web site is correct - you need a negative test up two days out to board.

Thanks. 

As I say I was just hoping for some friendly "yups, all good, you've understood it right" 

1 minute ago, Biker19 said:

What part is not understandable?

I've not travelled post covid era at all and I was just asking as a double check that I've understood what's required because its different between what Spain requires and what RCL requires 😞 

I wasn't trying to be annoying or to start anything, it was just a confirmation I'd read it correct 😞 

Hoping you guys can help here... reading the Barcelona protocols... 

We don't need to test to get into Spain (will check gvmnt requirements as well obvs) BUT we need to have a 2 days or closer before boarding?