Twolittleboys

I am sorry but I don't quite get this. Sure, if someone said "My cabin wasn't ready so I gave the room attendant a piece of my mind" I would understand. But remarks/complaints that one is not happy with the current level of service (i.e. not a specific worker but the company policy)? When I go on a cruise I pay for a service, not engaging in charity work. Of course I will be understanding if a specific person has an issue/makes a mistake. That is human and we all should extend grace (and be polite)! But I don't see why I should be understanding for a company policy? I can agree or disagree with it and use this to inform future decisions without feeling guilty about it.

I had the unlimited dining package a while ago on Harmony of the Seas and ate pretty much all meals at specialty restaurants. What cruise are you on? If it is a "regular" cruise (i.e. one that repeats several times) you can use the Royal Caribbean app to get a better idea. If you look at the current week of your cruise (if that one is already up) you will see what times restaurants are open etc. It could of course change but I believe usually stays the same. My favorite was Izumi (and I am not a big sushi fan to start with) so would recommend that. Otherwise, I would look at the menus (again on the app) and see what sounds best for you. I think specialty restaurants are only open on sea days for lunch? So if you want to try everything I would book whatever is available for lunch (if you have a sea day) and then work the remaining restaurants in for dinner.

On my transatlantic the Illusionarium was used for quite a number of things but not anything specially geared to it. At a minimum there were some musical performances, the smaller hypnosis shows, and the table top escape room. It was also used for some "private" functions like Meet and Greet and L/R/C.

I didn't really eat at enough restaurants to give a top five but here my opinion on what I did have: - Taste/Savor/Tropicana - Food mostly pretty decent, service average. A couple of good dishes, a couple of bad ones. Mostly fine. - Cagney's - Food and service good but maybe not memorable. Lobster Bisque would have been great if it had been hot, was still good luke warm. Loved garlic mushrooms, mashed potatoes not so much. - Ocean Blue - Good service. Good food. Loved, loved, loved the chocolate dessert. Don't order the asparagus - three measly stalks with slightly congealed sauce hollandaise - Shanghai's - Had Dim Sum which was excellent and fresh but it took really long to get the food considering all I ordered was some dim sum (like 40 minutes). Service not great, was friendly but very confused - Garden Café - Pretty decent for a buffet. Had some tasty sandwiches (didn't eat there a lot) - O'Sheehans - In contrast to most others here I really liked the food. Service was average (once got my drink order twice). Did enjoy the Reuben sandwich quite a bit. In general, I felt that the plainer the food, the better it was. Pasta and chicken dishes usually quite good. Beef often over-done and rather tough.

I had it a couple of weeks ago on the Getaway transatlantic and thought it quite tasty. Looked like this:

As far as disembarking: On my recent NCL cruise passengers got to choose their time for getting off the ship (as compared to getting them somewhat assigned as I am used to). When I left (I did carry off my luggage myself) there was a bit of a line/wait but I assume because many/most people prefer getting off at 8:30 instead of 6 am. So I would assume that there is less wait/line if someone for example walks off early for a flight.

For me, it really isn't about not being able to keep my room clean. Traveling as a solo, there is hardly any mess/trash. I am also fine when traveling in hotels. BUT having the bed made up after having a short nap in the afternoon or having someone easily available if questions pop up (how does the laundry bag work etc.) was that little bit extra luxury I loved about cruising. Will this make me stop going on cruises? Of course not, but it is one less point in the plus column when deciding what to do on my next vacation...

Possible? I saw people playing games out there (didn't really look organized) but wasn't paying much attention. Quite possibly it wasn't cards but Rummicube or similar.

I completely agree. I was on an NCL cruise but the same applies as they also went to once a day cleaning. As I was traveling solo, I did not have an issue with the room getting dirty or the trash overflowing but it just wasn't the same. Once a day is fine but it isn't the same feeling of luxury/pampering. Before, it always felt like you had your very own attendant - they were always around and knew your name etc. Now it is the same as at any hotel - someone cleans your room. Perfectly adequate but nothing special. I don't have a lot of extra wishes/demands but if something is wrong it used to be so easy. There was a problem with my TV and on previous cruises I would have mentioned it to the room attendant when passing in the hallway. But I never saw mine (and wasn't quite sure who it was) so I just dealt with it. I know I could have found the room attendant but it just seemed too much bother.

Personally, I think the price is rather high. If the itinerary is exactly what you are looking for I would go for it but if you are open to some variations I would wait a bit, especially if you don't necessarily need the newest/fanciest ship. 2025 is a long way off.

I just took a transatlantic cruise from Port Canaveral and used GoPort's shuttle service. It worked fine and was $29.90 from MCO to Port Canaveral (but if you are staying elsewhere in Orlando you would have to first get to the airport). It ran from 10 am to 12:30 pm. I also checked out Uber and it was around $80 one way I believe. Getting from Rome City to Civitavecchia is very easy (have done it several times). You can take a train from Termini station to Civitavecchia and then there is a local bus/shuttle or you can walk to the port (though you need a shuttle inside the port and it can be difficult to find). Not quite sure about the train ticket price but around Euro 10 I think. The bus is a couple extra Euros. So you can save some money and I would definitely do the transfers myself if you plan to stay a couple of days in either Orlando or Rome. If you are going straight from airport it may be easier to stay with NCL transfers (especially if timing is on the tight side).

Assuming it is the same as on the Getaway, there is a small running track up on deck 16. However, for walking I would prefer the outside on deck 7. The view isn't great because of the life boats but on the other hand they serve as protection so the deck is less likely to be slippery/wet and it is less windy. It is also far less crowded and you have a nice stretch to stretch your legs (though you are probably not supposed to run there). It does however not go around in a loop but is just one length on each side of the ship. You will have to turn around or go through the inside to complete a loop. If you want a more leisurely stroll, the Waterfront on deck 8 is your best bet.

Pretty sure I saw some people playing games (not sure if cards) along the waterfront during the day, at the restaurant tables.

Huh, never knew that. I guess I have never before tried sending one...

You may be right that Bliss/Illusionarium are too small for some events. I loved the Waterfront and I did usually find a spot just where you said - the bar space on Deck 8. However, we were lucky and had mostly good weather. On the one day with rain it did feel very crowded. I don't think it would be much of a problem on a regular cruise but with six or more sea days in a row I did feel there would be an issue if the weather turned bad...

I tried to message you but the function was disabled so I will stick the link here for now REVIEW TRANSATLANTIC CRUISE ON NORWEGIAN GETAWAY - Kitty meets World Let me know if you run into any issues looking at the post (my blog is fairly new and I am still ironing out some problems).

I know - what is up with the Bliss lounge? There is so little space and then they don't seem to use what they do have (also the Illusionarium was mostly closed).

I was traveling as a solo and had an oceanview room which I loved (I am not a huge balcony person). On my cruise, a balcony would have been nice but not sure it is worth it in the fall/winter. I had a balcony on an October Med cruise on the Harmony of the Seas two years ago and it was rather chilly so I spent little time out there. I am not sure how much time you would want to spend out there in the winter out in the Atlantic (it gets windy and even on my sunny cruise this June it wasn't hot but pleasant). The main complaint I had of the Getaway was that there was so little public indoor space. I have previously cruised with Celebrity, Cunard, and mostly RCI and I don't recall ever noticing a lack of indoor space. Basically, you have the Atrium (very noisy), the Casino (smells strongly like smoke), the Pub, a couple of smallish bars (they are nice but way too small). On sunny days I could usually find a place to sit inside but our first couple of days were rainy and it felt very crowded. Though I did not use it, I have heard a lot of good things about the Thermal Spa. You have to buy a pass that isn't exactly cheap (around $350 I think for the 12 day ta) but I would probably splurge if going on a winter ta on Breakaway/Getaway. There were many things I loved on this cruise: I liked my oceanview cabin (for a solo traveler the window is basically a tiny enclosed balcony), the seas were incredibly calm/smooth. Entertainment was good. Fellow passengers were very friendly and outgoing - it was extremely easy to meet new people (I am an introvert and that is not always the case). It was just a fun loving ship and the vibe was great! I actually just wrote up a very long and detailed review of my transatlantic cruise for my blog. Not sure if I am allowed to post a link here but if you are interested let me know and I would be happy to pm you the link!

I completely agree. I just came back from my first cruise with Norwegian, a transatlantic on the Getaway. I had a great time but was surprised about how little comfortable/quiet indoor spaces there were. It was fine on our cruise as the weather was good but I probably would not book a winter transatlantic on Breakaway/Getaway as it felt so crowded. I hated the Atrium. I generally enjoy quiz shows/trivia etc. but couldn't stand the space they were held in. And when I had an issue and went to guest services I made sure to wait until there was not much going on in the Atrium as it was so loud and noisy there. Luckily, the outdoor spaces are great on the ship though!

I would travel in late May/early June or September/early October. Weather can vary somewhat but I went on a Celebrity cruise end of July/August last year and it was way too hot. It was very difficult to enjoy touring ports and if this had been my first/only trip to the Med I would have been disappointed. I guess "Western Europe" is a bit unclear - if you are considering British Isles/Norway/Belgium etc. the summer would probably be fine or even best. I went on an RCI cruise in October two weeks ago and even though this was much better as far as visiting ports was concerned, it was too chilly to sit on the balcony/use the pool etc. most days. So September would be a better bet (unless you are going further South, like Greece, which should be fine in October). As far as length is concerned, I would say something between 7 and 14 days, depending on your preferences and what you are interested in.

Just got back from a transatlantic cruise on the Getaway with a huge number of solos. One time I did hear a guest ask to be seated at a shared table when checking in at the podium. They then asked the next couple of passengers if they would like/mind joining a shared table. So that is an option if you miss the Solo Meeting.

I just completed a transatlantic on the Getaway in an ocenaview cabin and thought that was perfect. To be honest, I am not a huge balcony person so didn't really miss having one. In addition, the waterfront really works fairly well as a "balcony replacement". I agree with the weather consideration. We had great weather on this trip but I went on a Med cruise in October not so long ago and basically didn't use my balcony because it was just too chilly. I would assume that a winter transatlantic would not offer many days warm/sunny enough to enjoy sitting outside. That being said, the Getaway/Breakaway really does not offer a lot of public space in bad weather. For your trip I would seriously consider getting a spa pass (I have not been in there but hear good things). I didn't have a solo cabin so don't know how comfortable/fun the solo lounge is. But other than for fee spaces (like the spa) and the casino there is very little comfortable indoor space and it gets very crowded. I thought an oceanview window was perfect because it is basically a mini-balcony but enclosed. You can sit in there and enjoy the view without the cold/wind (though of course no fresh air).

Well, the fact that all give the same reply/there is no deviation from the official answer indicates that legal is heavily involved at this point. I think there are three distinct possibilities: a) someone messed up bad and they are trying to fix it (though that seems a bit unlikely as it has been going on for a while) b) someone has decided that this is a valid way of doing business - seems strange as anyone could have predicted that passengers would get very upset about this c) for whatever reason they can't really do anything else

I actually don't care whether a ship serves alcohol or not but I do care if something is advertised, I book it, and pay for it and it is not provided. I am of course understanding if there is an actual unforeseen issue that prevents it (e.g. skipping a port because of bad weather or strike) but that is not the case here.

Well, it is almost more like you buy a specialty dining package, go to Cagney's, the tell you they can't serve steak but you are welcome to bring on a burger from a McDonalds and eat it there.