travelberlin

Thanks Roland and Keith. Unfortunately the cabin I would be waitlisted, is in high demand because it is a single cabin with the lower supplement. I do not think the cruise would be fully booked but there are only few of those cabins and of course they are sold out. Since I have been already on those ports, I would not pay the price for two to sail alone. Ivi

It sounds like an amazing cruise on the two lines. Have a wonderful time. Ivi

I am interested on a couple of cruises, that only have a wait list for the cabin category I would like to book. Could you please help me to understand how the wait list works? I understand I have to put a deposit which will be fully refundable if I do not get the cabin. But what are the times when I would get the information if I get the cabin or not? I am asking because for those cruises I would have to fly either from Germany or South America and the flights are not always easy to get on a short notice. Ivi

Thanks a lot for posting your experience. It sounds very nice. I am glad you had a wonderful cruise 👌 Ivi

Aren’t we lucky that some of the “off topic” contributions have a hint of a thread police? Asking for a friend ….

I am returning to Royal after many years. I am considering buying the UDP but it will increase the price of my cruise substantially and I do not eat that much. I also do not like that apparently those packages are in high demand and one has to make reservations immediately after boarding and may be one cannot get a reservation for a preferred restaurant. Maybe I should just return this time to Royal under their regular included dining. I have My time dining and I have already reserved dinner times for me. It seems just easier and no stress 😎. Ivi

With this package can you choose anything from the menu of the specialty restaurants ? Can you use the Diamond drinks on the specialty restaurants?

There were not oreos. Those that look like stones were filled with something creamy like ice cream. And it was at lunch time. It was wonderful. The restaurant is called Facil, in case anyone wants to try it in Berlin. I have more pictures of that lunch, but I would be very off topic if I post them 😁 Ivi

How lovely 😊, Maybe also in Italy? Ivi

For you Vince, a dessert in a two stars Michelin restaurant: peaches, yusu and coffee. I could not resist to post it. Sorry Keith, off topic😞

This is a very good advice. It reminds us to lower our expectations in relation to food when cruising with Royal Caribbean. We have found very good restaurants in the port of calls to compensate for the rather, disappointing dining experiences on board RC ships. But this is an additional budget. So, one wonders why the cruise prices are increasing so much?

Thanks Keith. Several Caribbean countries apparently request the yellow fever vaccine if coming from countries considered risk countries. Also South Africa. I remember that there was a discussion on a thread of another cruise line about passengers not being able to disembark in South Africa, because they were previously in a port of call that was a risk country for yellow fever. Ivi

Yes. Osteria D’Ovidio looks more like a “restaurant” in the Italian sense. It was also my first impression when I saw the menú of the Osteria at the Crystal ships. The Osterias in Italy seem to have evolved from wine bars to serve certain home cooked dishes (few). The quality is guaranteed by the freshness of its ingredients and by the cooking for just few people. Since my main meal is at lunch time, I have benefited a lot from Osterias in Italy, which offer fixed menus with good house wines. Those menus change every day according to the availability of ingredients. In Verona for example, we went every day to the same Osteria (they accepted dogs and we were traveling with our cocker spaniel). We ate very good and were not disappointed. Ivi

Thank you for sharing your experience with the Osteria. I am a big fan of Italian cuisine and actually when in Italy, I always go to eat at Osterias. There is a certain classification of places to eat in Italy (pizzerias, osterias, trattorias, restaurants). For me “osterias” have the best Italian food, non pretentious and home made (excellent ragouts and fresh pasta). I was hoping that Osteria D’Ovidio will be similar at Crystal. I was not a fan of Prego, but they prepared for me a good spaghetti al aglio, oleo and pepperoncino as a starter. I have liked the flexibility they showed to prepare a dish which was not on the menu. Of course the pasta I was requesting was very easy to make. Now I have appetite for Italian food 😃 Ivi

Thank you Keith. It is good to know. Since I will be coming back to the Caribbean after many years, I am being careful to see if requirements have changed. Also in terms of vaccines. For example yellow fever vaccine is needed by several countries if you arrive from a risk country. Ivi

Thank you very much. I guess it will be Antigua then. I will have a look if a visa is needed for German citizens. Ivi

I have been looking to my itinerary to see if I would need a visa for any of the port of calls for my cruise. On my Itinerary appears „St. John‘s“. But when I look at the internet „St. John‘s“ is not in the Caribbean. There is „St. John“, which apparently is in one of the US Virgin Islands. Or is there another „St. John‘s“ in the Caribbean?. Ivi

Good advise. As Germans or other Europeans there is no need of a passport to walk around in Italy or other European countries. The personal ID card is enough. For the USA, Europeans need to carry their passports. Ivi

Do you have to pay a fine immediately on cash? It sounds like a scam. Are really police officers in Italy chasing tourists who do not have their passports and asking to pay a fine in cash? I think we should investigate if this is true. I have been in Italy many times and I am more concerned in loosing my passport and valuables to pickpockets than to be fined by a police officer for not having my passport

Is anybody having problems to see cruises on the Royal Caribbean web page? When I search for cruises, either the page just stops or tells me no cruise could be found.

I have found them now on the Azamara web page under „0ther deals“. But only until April 2024.

Thanks, these are the quarterly discounts. I am looking for the solo deals.

You are right. My TA has sent me the same letter today. She has only been informed today.

I do not find solo discounts for Azamara. Under deals there are no solo deals. Can someone currently on board, please kindly see if there is a list of cruises with solo discount? Thank you 😊 Ivi

Thank you for your comparison. How about prices? Could you please tell us the per diems on both lines? Does Viking offer solo discounts? Unfortunately the Viking webpage does not show me prices. I would have to request a quote. Ivi