bren61

We were also on your sailing and were very concerned after reading the OP review. I seen a few imperfections, but nothing I couldn't over look and didn't impact our cruise in anyway. With that being said we both realized the bigger ships are more suited for us. One thing that I do hope they do at the refurbishment is replacing the whole shower unit and include doors. The shower curtain sticking to my body was my biggest complaint every day. As far as the ports, Columbia is a port that I would never leave the port gates. Really there is no need to since they have a really nice zoo area without having to leave. We heard of some horrifying experiences that happened to several people in Columbia and 3 of them were our table mates, a brother and 2 sisters in their 30s, at our main dining table. They were held and robbed from the cartel, taken to an ATM to drain their accts and sent back to the port to bum money from whoever they could. The girls were not allowed to speak and were held by the group of 12, and the brother was sent into port. The taxi driver called the Police and they were eventually let go. They are just so very lucky to be alive. I tried to warn them not to go outside if port and they said, we should have listened to you. The other incident was 2 beautiful little children was physically trying to be taken from their parents, on a ship's excursion, until everyone seen what was happening and then the entire group surrounded the mother and child so they couldn't get to them. I really think RCCL should not be doing port stops there, it is not safe. Overall we had a great cruise....but the day we got home I tested positive for Covid. I'm so glad this didn't happen in the middle of our trip, because I've been really sick with this, and yes, we had our boosters 3 weeks before our cruise. Happy sailing to those of you going on this ship, it will be fine. If it's not to your liking, just do what we are for our next cruise, going bigger. We have the Odyssey booked for next January.

I definitely will!

I will, maybe he weekend after we get back. Had I seen these pictures prior to booking I would have booked a different ship.

This has me very concerned & upset to see how bad the condition of the ship is, as we are leaving tomorrow on our 12 day cruise on the Grandeur. I realized that this was an older ship when I booked our cruise but felt that RCCL has always maintained their ships pretty well, (obviously not this one), but some of these issues don't require a dry dock to make the ship presentable, such as the dust, sheets, towels, thermostats hanging out of the wall and the painting and varnishing. This almost makes me not want to go, but I guess I will try to overlook it and be grateful we are able to get away. Lesson learned today, no more booking on older ships. I will try to remember to comment on our thoughts when we return.

I loved all of the Broadway shows except CATS, that definitely needs to go, imo. Chicago was one of my faves. The entertainment is what has made me loyal to Royal, especially the aqua & skating shows, but they aren't on every ship. I cruise next week on the Grandeur for the itinerary and I'm really worried that I won't like it after being on so many larger, action packed ships.

Are you not able to book Valuetrips for January? I don't see any rates for then, but they have them from April on.

We're getting on when you get off. If you post while on board, can you please let me know how the shows and entertainment are? My husband is also a big football fan, so let me know where the best place is to watch.

I just booked a cruise on the Odyssey of the Seas for my husband and I through our TA on line and got a really good deal. Fifteen minutes later I went to book another cabin for my son & his girlfriend and it almost doubled in price. I called the agency and they said I got the last cabin in the group rate that they purchased when the sailing was released. My question is, where can I go through that buys blocks of cabins that I can get my son a deal like ours? I don't mind using another agency as long as they are reputable.

Not sure, but I would also like to know.

We are to stop in Colon on Jan 28th and have the Tortuguero Canals booked through the cruiseline. Now I am considering cancelling the excursion after hearing this or am I jumping the gun? I'm hoping that if there is still a problem there that they will do another port, we are already not getting off in Columbia, so that would make 2 ports.

I absolutely love cats, but hated CATS on the Oasis. If they aren't going to bring on a new show, I would like to see Chicago again, I loved that one! All of the others were great too.

Does anyone know who is taking over on the Grandeur in 11 days?

First Cruise: Jewel of the Seas Oldest Ship: Enchantment of the Seas, (soon to be Grandeur in January) Newest Ship: Harmony of the Seas Favorite Ship: Any of the Oasis Class (love the Aqua & Broadway Shows)

Do they do 70s Disco Night?

It's a shame that hotels have either the big pump bottles of flavored creamer or the single serves for your coffee, but the cruise lines won't even supply HH. I love my morning coffee, but even their coffee is terrible, so I usually end up drinking tea throughout the cruise, because I can drink that, with just a tad of reg milk & a 1/2 tsp of sugar. Another option is to add 1/2 packet of hot chocolate mix to your coffee.