firefly333

I'm on voyager in late may, 2nd leg ends in rome. I too hear it's going to be a zoo. I booked excursions and 4 nights in a hotel and then I decided to fly back to miami. Yes I have read miami will be terrible for customs. Royal wanted starting price for 1 rome to orlando $1510. That's why.

But I will be in rome thru royal myself. I would say do your best.

The excursion port we have that sold out before I even saw them was athens. We stop in 2 ports in greece and athens excursions sold poof. One single spot popped back up and I grabbed it, luckily I'm solo. It's not the best one, but we see acropolis from a viewing platform. If a better choice comes up I'll change but I want to stay with a group my first time. I booked to see greece tbh.. it's just happenstance it ends in rome. Rome was not on my bucket list... more I end there so might as well try and see it. Wrong timing for my first TA ... I plan to make the best of it. People think I'm crazy to go alone. Its that or stay home.

On 9/20/2024 at 8:12 PM, Moon Orchid said:

I call it a lighter breakfast considering the amount of energy we'll need to walk around the city the entire morning😊.
To answer your question, the hotel has orange juice and varieties of teabags. I don't drink coffee, but my husband said they did have cream for his coffee.

Ok one more newbie question. 

Do the rooms have safes? One of my tours says 1 small bag only. To expedite getting thru several security points, dont bring a big purse, backpack etc. 

If there is a safe do you consider it safe to leave stuff in it? I've read stories rome isnt safe.

I bought the one someone suggested in a different thread but it looks just like what royal now says is banned. Multi plugs are now banned by royal. Mine is still new in the box. I'm going to be upset if its confiscated. Big uproar on royal threads about banning multi plugs, even with no cord attached. Only those with only usb plug ins now allowed.

Crossing  my fingers. I dont cruise to europe until may so it's new in the box. Mine is the kind I can plug my chargers into, not ubs only. 

6 hours ago, KATHYMAC68 said:

Thank you! I’m not the only one who has been lucky all these years!

I too have done over 100 cruises and have had many impacts, mostly out of Galveston. 

Hurricane Ike of course being the worse. We left sunday, it was forecast to maybe even miss texas and hit mexico, friday doglegged and hit Galveston. My car was parked at ezcruise. 6 months old, brand new from the show room. Never saw it again. Water up to the sun visor. At the port 17 feet of water threw cars around. We stayed a extra night in cozumel and then docked in new orleans. I was up all nignt hardly slept with 2 hc pax I was responsible for, my sister and her friend. I will never take another hc pax with me. I was on carnival conquest. 7 outside lines on conquest so trying to call from your cabin just busy signals, I stood in line for hours at guest services, finally found a midsize rental car, couldnt rent a small car because friend had one of those walkers that didnt hardly fold up. 

We had to go thru customs in new Orleans, Galveston of course closed. Take a taxi to rental car, pay for rental car out of my own pocket. Drive thru Louisiana scary as many gas stations out of gas, finally filled up, so sleepy, neither sister or her friend could drive. Found out car flood insurance completely different than accident, higher deductible and a team from allstate took forever to get down to evaluate my car. All my car contents gone, I had some valuable hawaiian music CDs I'd collected in the car.

All the rumors by people not on the ship claiming we were offered a bus ride home are false. Where would this bus have taken us. Carnival cheerleaders later made up all sorts of stuff saying we were taken care of. It is true you were allowed to reboard the ship after you went through customs in new orleans. Later the ship was given permission to go to the then new houston port, but that was after most left new orleans. Not known when we debarked. And what then had I gotten back on the ship, and done the ship bsck to the then not opened houston port, no infrastructure set up yet, no rental cars close. I'd still have had to figure a way back to north of dallas. I've heard a lot of untrue stuff how things werent as bad as they were. We were allowed 2 phone call from guest services and then bsck in line for a 2nd call to a 2nd rental car place all night is what happened and neither of my guests could help and sat in their rooms. I vowed never to do carnival again. 

I dont know what royal did, I was on carnival. I've been on ships to no where, to those who say it cant happen, out of Galveston there arent as many alternate ports. Once missed 2 of 3 ports. Hahahaha. We had a ship uprising. I kid you not. Some lawyer newbie cruiser knew his rights. They marched around the ship until we got a free happy hour. Security removed him from marching near guest services. They called radio and tv stations expecting this huge news how we were due 2/3 refund big news the tv stations would meet them at the dock. 

So anyone saying nothing will happen ... I've had lots of experiences were onboard things werent as calm as people here post.  ..bottom of line never cancelled...the ship will sail. 

Oh I remember some huge snow storm type thing affected royal I think too. Couldnt drive to the port. The ship waited until that night. Baltimore maybe? People who lived there their streets didnt get ploughed so they couldnt drive to the port,,..so close but couldnt drive. Too far to walk. If you didnt get a hotel right there near the port or on a main street the ploughs got down couldnt get to the ship. Too bad too sad, should have planned ahead they said. Gotten a hotel at the port.

55 minutes ago, Bkkping said:

I know this topic has probably been well done but I was wondering if there are opinions about which is better? And also, does Coco Cay have transportation on the dock and on the island.  My husband is handicapped and can't bring the mobility scooter onto the island because of the sand.  I need to know if I can get him all the way to either of those beachs.

 

Thanks so much in advance.

I was at coco cay yesterday and have a lot of pictures, more than you want to see. I wanted to gp to south beach. 

When we got off the ship, you had to walk clear from the aft to the front area in the port to catch thr port tram. Seemed to me a long walk if someone was handicapped. But then port trams are all the way forward of where the ships dock. That tram takes you to the meet up for the around the island tram. I did not see anything special for handicapped. One line for the pool and one for south beach. I waited for 3 trams before I was able to board the south beach tram. I got off about 1030 so a busy time.

After the south beach drop off you can stay on for chill island and another stop. Once you get to south beach there were tons of empty lounge chairs but they were on the sand. There was a walkway with round tables with coverings near the food shak. 

I'm  not sure what pictures would be helpful. 

I took some near the terminal where we parked of ropes but you can probably see the port too. Lol I was just about to snap the first picture to show 2 empty chairs and this lady rushed past me to grab the chair ... I guess she was afraid I'd take the chair, 

Some how I missed what ship you are on? I would be surprised if it's totally booked but no way to know. 

One last sunset last night. I started to walk into a elevator and saw the sun all lite up and got off and took a few pictures. Leaving coco cay, but I'll be back. Chicken sandwich seemed smaller, thinner but it was thin and crispy and very good. We never once had chocolate chip cookies onboard, so these at coco cay I tried one, ooey gooey sitting in the sun with half melted chocolate chips made them taste fresh out of the oven. And there is no rule you cant have a 2nd sandwich. I saved my appetite. Often I order fried eggs as a treat for breakfast but not yesterday. Maybe I've been to popeyes and just dont remember the chicken being almost pancake thin. So good and crispy though. I'm not complaining, just I guess I didnt remember. I like mango flavored water and none onboard, just at coco cay, though it seemed very watered down,,not just my opinion. But funnel cake and chicken sandwich were perfect.

One last sunset last night. I started to walk into a elevator and saw the sun all lite up and got off and took a few pictures. Leaving coco cay, but I'll be back. Chicken sandwich seemed smaller, thinner but it was thin and crispy and very good. We never once had chocolate chip cookies onboard, so these at coco cay I tried one, ooey gooey sitting in the sun with half melted chocolate chips made them taste fresh out of the oven. And there is no rule you cant have a 2nd sandwich. I saved my appetite. Often I order fried eggs as a treat for breakfast but not yesterday. Maybe I've been to popeyes and just dont remember the chicken being almost pancake thin. So good and crispy though. I'm not complaining, just I guess I didnt remember. I like mango flavored water and none onboard, just at coco cay, though it seemed very watered down,,not just my opinion. But funnel cake and chicken sandwich were perfect.

25 minutes ago, bobmacliberty said:

 

Any rope picture is a good rope picture, but I like your first picture the best.  A great picture for me shows the bollard in the immediate foreground with the mooring lines leading off into the distance (drawing your eye into the photo).  Bonus points if you have the ship name in the distance.  Double bonus points if you happen to be on the wrong side of the "do not cross" line on the pier. 😜

12 minutes ago, h20skibum said:

Rat guards. 
 

Bob what's a bollard, that you say you see, so I can get it closer next time.

So those metal things up higher on the ropes on icon are to keep grats off the ship. Is this a common problem that rats try and get up the ropes? I just see those metal things on icon ropes, didnt see them on adventure. Each icon rope had a metal thing up a ways you can kinda see in my first 2 pictures. 

Well hot and muggy and sunny has returned. I was happy with cool and rainy and windy. 

Hi I always see pictures of the ropes holding the ships. Is there a rule of thumb what people want in the picture. Close up of the rope? I took some far away of icon so the ship name shows. Some close ups of adventure. What should I take in the shot that makes it a good rope picture. Icon had some kind of plastic things up higher toward the ship I took in one picture though it's not good of the ropes. But never saw the blue plastic things. I could use some pro pointers what it is people like in rope pics. Coco cay, 2 icon, 2 adventure to compare.

9 hours ago, Moon Orchid said:

Hello - It's buffet style and located in a small dining room on the first floor near the main lobby. The staff just ask for your room number upon entering. Plus it was never crowded when we ate at 7-8 am. For food choices, there's the standard scrambled eggs, bacon, ham, yogurt, croissants etc. There's also some pastries that you can munch on to go with the coffee / espresso offered. It's a light breakfast, but definitely fills you up enough to last until lunch. In case you want to relax after breakfast, before you head out for the day, or after a long day in Rome there's an additional large sitting room behind the reception desk that is very comfy too. Hope this helps!

Ham and bacon and scrambled eggs to me is a real breakfast, more than what I would have expected. I was thinking just bread or pastries when you all kept saying not a full breakfast. Juice? Or just coffee, though I'm good with coffee if there is cream. Cant drink it black. Sounds filling to me.

What is a big breakfast to you? Sounds great to me. Thanks so much.

I've done celebrity and it was different, a change. The bathroom seemed bigger, better amenities at the time. Furniture nicer and more wood. I'm still in the idk category. I'll do it again but wasnt so thrilled I said boy this is my vibe. Cant wait to do celebrity again. I'm still deciding if it's worth more money from me. Being solo i felt like I'm paying for amenities for 2. Royal at DP340 is better priced.

21 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

@Keksie. How's the weather where you are?

I read on another cc thread that Voyager changed their NE/Canada sailing to bahamas due to weather up your way. 

Bahamas is rainy. We did nassau today and it rained again. Some guy said this just isnt the cruise to see stuff. .. though if it's me I just go and do what I want. But not good beach days ok. Nice and cool for a lovely change.

Tomorrow is coco cay. I dont think the rain missed us even one day but I love storms. Just saying the Bahamas arent exactly where it's better perhaps weather wise. A bit rainy. 

On 9/10/2024 at 1:13 PM, JGmf said:

We just came back from 10-day med cruise with 4 days after in Mallorca.  We used two ATM's there, but the exchange rates stunk, even though I was careful to use proper bank cards and proper ATM's.  Next time, I'll go to AAA to get the funds.

 

That said, for about two weeks, we went through about 300 euros, between tipping excursion and tour guides, leaving a nominal 3+ euros as a tip at Italian restaurants, and buying fresh figs, fruit, and other awesome bites from the zillions of street stand, etc..  

I'm solo so I assume in 4 days less? You say we used 300 euros... how many is we. 

On 9/3/2024 at 4:26 AM, Moon Orchid said:

We stayed at this hotel for 3 nights and were very happy! Huge thanks to all the wonderful people of Cruise Critic for recommending this hotel. It’s a very nice hotel, quiet despite being directly behind the Pantheon, and great location that’s within a walkable distance to everything. We only used taxis to get to the Vatican and Colosseum, everything else was less than 10-15 minutes walking.

 

We had the superior double and our daughter had the superior single. Both rooms were clean and spacious. The staff were always pleasant and gave us free water bottles every day. The hotel breakfast was also good.

Nearby, we ate lunch at La Sagrestia, which was average pasta aimed more towards the local crowd. For dinner, we walked to Saltimboca which was only 8 minutes from the hotel. It was so good we ate there twice and enjoyed the patio seating. On the last night, we ate at Osteria da Fortunata, also close to the Pantheon. For dessert, we loved gelato at Frigidarium and Venchi. For great midday snacks, we had pastries from Roscioli’s and Bona pizzas.

Overall, lots to see and eat while staying at this hotel’s perfect location.

 

On 9/17/2024 at 7:25 PM, LEtue said:

Just stayed there in June with my family and it was wonderful!  The breakfast was great too before heading out for the day.  Highly recommend!!

Could one of you tell me what they offered for breakfast. Is it brought to your room, not a buffet.

Both of you say it was great, but neither says a word about what the food was. Coffee juice, bread... what else? Anything pastries? Give me a hint please. I am booked next may and have a excursion I meet at 9 am. Will I get enough to last me until a late lunch. 

Thanks. I've never been and so I really do not have any idea what to expect. 

On 9/18/2024 at 5:56 AM, babs135 said:

Giving serious consideration to a 8/9 night cruise on the Venezia out of New York in November (package includes a night in the Big Apple).  I know that Carnival has a reputation (rightly or wrongly) as being a fun-line, but what does this actually mean?  We are senior citizens and still like to have a good time, but neither of us able to get up and party anymore - the knees don't bend like they used to!!!  Will it be very noisy - can take the hearing aids out!!!!

Any other travellers about the same age as us are will it be mainly younger people - will I have to take DH's spectacles off!!!!

Value any genuine comments please.

I did a 14 day journey cruise and we had 11 kids onboard. More fast food and a awesome country band, we were out of texas. 

The longer not only fewer kids but imo more seniors. Market was cornered on scooters and walkers on my very senior cruise.  The 14 day journey cruises I think younger people cant take so much time off and in a hurry. Nice cruise but i didnt see the partying side but lots got up to dance when the favorite band played. We followed them from venue to venue, sorry for that younger band. People want good music not a girl in a short mini skirt at a certain age. Turned out the country band was from south africa, so funny to talk to them and hear them talk. They learned 800 country songs and sounded like the real thing then that almost British twang when they spoke. Hahahaha.

24 minutes ago, cruisegirl1 said:

A nice pinnacle benefit. P's cruised lots, paid lots, or gambled lots to get  to Pinnacle.   Allow that group that benefit please😀  

M

Oh please. This whole thread is a joke imo. As I first posted everyone likes freebies. More more everyone in america says.

My wishes were joking and besides I'll be pinnacle myself by the end of next year so I was being smart alecky. 

Also ask if any obc different. I think I usually get a $50 obc for booking early. If you are within I think 6 months can lose this when repricing. When I hit 340 pts i couldn't reprice close in. Group rates were withdrawn about 4 months out. Cant reprice of course within final payment. Though they finally kicked in took longer than I hoped. Had to wait first for pts to add. So 4 months since I do group rates mostly plus the days for my pts to post. Got there in sept, couldnt reprice last week of January. 

On 9/15/2024 at 7:46 PM, bbstx said:

I have already bought a drinks package for a reduced rate.  When I bought it, there was a lot of advice in the forums to “buy now, but cancel and re-buy if it goes lower on Black Friday.”  How do I do that?  Every time I try to check the package price (ok, I know it isn’t Black Friday yet), it just shows me the current package I have bought.  If it goes lower, will I be able to see the new price?

On 9/16/2024 at 1:41 AM, PhillyFan33579 said:

For what it’s worth, there wasn’t any significant discount on the deluxe drink package last Black Friday (at least not on the roughly dozen cruises I had booked at the time). 

I second this. They did have excursions on good sale 30% off last time 35% the year before. Lunches 40% off. 3 or 4 person wifi on sale ... but didnt see drinks on particular sale. People advising you maybe dont remember that drinks werent on sale last 2 years on black Friday in particular. Nothing special sale. Agree with philly fan on this .. dont expect everything to be on sale. 

25 minutes ago, Ken at the beach said:

Book now. Book as soon as you decide on the cruise you are going on.  It is pointless to wait wither for the extra discount or for those waiting to book on board.  The vast majority of times that you wait and extra savings will be lost as the price most likely will have gone up.  

I agree up to a point. Book when you see a price you can live with. But imo royals pricing power is eroding. There are signs the economy is softening and royal is running into a wall on ever increasing prices. You too have seen some better prices you posted as have i. 

If 6 other travel stocks all said bookings are slowing its naive to think royal is immune. ..though what will be popular to some degree is impossible to predict. So book ahead is good advice. But I believe there will be more good last minute deals too. I'm ready to pounce if only I had more free time. Prices are not going up like before from what I'm seeing though. Some like that Panama transit though if you wanted a balcony book asap. Or if you are picky about your cabin book sooner not later. 

You cannot prebook shows on those smaller ships like adventure.

I'm on adventure right now. The 2 tenors was a good show but who knows when you are on. I really enjoyed the finale of the adult karoke. Really good talent among the passengers onboard. Though the best imo didnt win. So I was glad I saw the top ten.

I'd sure love unlimited wifi at my level. I'd trade my drink vouchers if we are all sitting around wishing and hoping. 

1 hour ago, chrob said:

What are the 2 dining times (early & late sitting) on Oasis of the Seas when you do not want anytime dining?

Usually around 5 and 830 pm. One a tad too early, one way too late for me. 

2 hours ago, Ocean Boy said:

I think going from 4 drinks to a soda package is a bit of a stretch. Yes, they may get their favorite soda but some people can drink that stuff all day long.

People always want more free stuff, its life. Hahahaha. I grabbed a can of ginger beer to put in my refrigerator downstairs right now. Who wouldnt prefer free unlimited of their favorite beverage. I dont drink liquor so sign me up for more and more free. Just kidding. 5 a day is plenty for me and then some. 

2 hours ago, Sunshine3601 said:

Sorry that you had some rain in Bermuda.  Hopefully you enjoyed your travels by bus and ferry.   Did you fall in love with the island and want to return?    

It's one of our favorites.

Like I said it only rained when I was on the bus, dry. So the rain didnt bother me, missed me. The next day was more rainy. I tried to get some pictures with lightening in the port but I cant click fast enough. Pulling into nassau now, tomorrow coco cay. I snapped a light house picture for ocean boy. 

Yes I loved nassau, too bad this is the last cruise out of florida listed going to Bermuda. I'd have to drive to NJ or Baltimore.  I just wish there were more scheduled on royal to Bermuda. That's why I jumped on this one so last minute. No more.

First is nassau coming in, other 2 port of bermuda with lighting kinda cool time. I love the rain and brought a poncho.