cublet

Hello, I've been trying to convince RCI of this for months but the pond life that, post covid, have replaced those that knew/understood (and been let go), will not have it. 😢 Regards, Cublet

Hello, It was quite a few years ago on Constellation but I did an 'Extensive Wine and Food' cruise to France and Spain. The menus on board were supposed to be indicative of our ports of call. It was officially stated by X that we could bring on-board wine from our various ports of call. Whilst I have many France and Spain cruises under my belt, none since have been called the above. Regards, Cublet

Hello, Agreed - Diamond Priority Disembarkation is only at the end of the cruise. If the ship arrives at 08:00 I very much doubt if Yacht Club priority disembarkation will do you much good either. Regards, Cublet

Hello, Anyone joining me on this one to the sun? Regards, Cublet

Hello, Anyone joining me on this one to the sun? Regards, Cublet

Hello, Anyone joining me on this one to the land of 'fire and ice'? Well, not a lot of ice but plenty of sun on my previous visits! Regards, Cublet

Hello, Any more family and friends joining me on this one? I don't know where we meet in the absence of the Champagne Bar and the meetings are not always announced in the daily paper. Regards, Cublet.

Hello, Any more family and friends joining me on this one? I don't know where we meet in the absence of the Champagne Bar and the meetings are not always announced in the daily paper. Regards, Cublet.

Hello, Yes, the train station is very close to the berth. I don't want to put a downer on your plans, but whilst the ship may arrive at 08:00, it has to be 'cleared' by the local authorities before anyone can disembark. The answer to how long that takes is 'how long is a piece of string?'. Not only that but, especially given the location, there might be a couple of thousand people wanting to do the same. Regards, Cublet

Hello, See above in BLUE. Regards, Cublet

Hello, The standard 'pour' is well over a land-based double so no need to ask for one. Regards, Cublet

Hello, No soft drinks. Water may be available from a glass water dispenser - but a great emphasis on the word 'may' as one is not regularly there. Regards, Cublet

Hello, In the Concierge Club/Suite Lounge, tea and coffee are available throughout the day, temperament of the coffee machine permitting. Drinks are usually served from 17:00 - 20:00. The 20:00 is more 'fixed' than the 17:00 - if they are ready earlier then they will serve earlier. Suite grade doesn't come with a drinks package so you can't drink anywhere else 'on the house' (unless you are going to a 'presentation' and some cheap swill is offered to you as you enter). Regards, Cublet

Hello, Not quite every - The Champagne Bar has no coffee machine but I did spot a jar of Nescafe instant coffee. Regards, Cublet

Hello, Closest will be the coffee station(s) in the buffet on deck 15 (24hr). First 'freshly brewed' will be the Infinity Bar on deck 5 that opens at 6.00. Regards, Cublet

Hello, They could always keep it in Southampton for longer. Regards, Cublet

Hello, You have to pay for WiFi but you can be assured you will receive umpteen fliers trying to persuade to buy a mini package. But you will probably be within range of a land transmitter for most of the daylight hours. If you do want to purchase on board then head for 'The Hub' on deck 6 at the Photo Gallery on the port side. Re alternative food venue: The Champagne Bar, deck starboard side, from 5.30pm has offers including oysters and other seafood delicacies (on longer cruises anyway) along with Champagne pairings (Lanson Black Label included in P+ package). A word of warning: The drinks' T&Cs currently say you only have to pay the excess cost on any drink you buy over over the level included in your package. However on Euribia earlier this month they were charging the whole whack. Whether the website T&Cs are out of date(*) or the ship was 'going native' I don't know but check before you order. Regards, Cublet (*): The current Bar Manager on Virtuosa is ex Royal Caribbean who are past masters in not keeping their website up to date.

Hello, Having said that, you should go to the Jean Philipe cafe if only to marvel at the (probably new) 'vintage' coffee machine. It must take an awful lot of polishing. Regards, Cublet

Hello, From the T&Cs: Availability of Drink packages and prices may vary per sailing. Packages are sold on a per cruise basis and not a per day or any other basis. Pricing applies to each day of the cruise, except for disembarkation day. Regards, Cublet

Hello, You can use the drinks package as soon as you are on board. You CANNOT use it on departure day. The Buffet will be open when you arrive - it is usually open most of the day (0630 onwards under a number of headings). The Buffet's 'coffee stations' are open 24 hours, whether they put out light nibbles at night I've never been to find out. Snacks and pastries are available around the ship from the various bars and lounges throughout the day eg Carousel Lounge, Atmosphere Bar, Sky Lounge and Infinity Bar. A daily paper will tell you what's open and when. You have to walk through the Casino to get to the Carousel lounge. You cannot use your drinks package for stuff in your mini bar or Jean-Philipe venues or the 'Starship' Bar - though this may be changed through lack of interest. See the maître d'hôtel in either Minuetto or Blue Danube on arrival to re-arrange dining sittings. 'Self Assist' is towards the beginning of the departure process, after which it's done by grade of cabin, loyalty status and deck number. There are only two levels of dress - Casual and 'Chic'. Two nights aren't enough to get the most out of this - there are benefits to booking a cruise on board if you decide you like it. When looking forwards at Guest Services on deck 5, the Next Cruise office is on the left. Regards, Cublet

Hello, No packages are included in 'Signature Venues', in this case Jeane-Philipe Crepes, Gelato, Chocolat and Cafe. Regards, Cublet

Hello, The biggest I have ever sat at was 12 on Independence. Regards, Cublet

Hello, Whilst insurance is required, I have not experienced being asked to show it at check-in since Covid. Regards, Cublet

Hello, For Crown Vic and any other Brits of a certain age, Berni Inns comes to mind as a reasonable comparison. Regards, Cublet

Hello, You need the tag holders for the Carnival owned brands. Regards, Cublet