cruz_happy

I’m presuming you checked spam folder too? If so and still no photos, definitely call. We had our few (singles, not package) within no more than 5 days of disembarkation. Hopefully, they will see the link immediately. Good luck.

My sister is scheduled for an upcoming cruise (Alaska Radiance of the Seas) and thought she had booked the Key for her and her 2 other travelers. Apparently, only 1 of them has it booked. She thinks it was her fault (even though I encouraged her to book it when planning; she thought she had). When she checked, hers and the person she is with in the same cabin wasn't booked and is now told that the Key is sold out. (The 3rd person is in a separate cabin.) I know this is a long shot (and desperate, I might add) but does anyone know a way to get the Key for 2 people now? She is a C&A member (although not very high on the pyramid); I suggested she call C&A to see if they could potentially help. I also told her to keep checking for potential cancellations. Does anyone else have ideas I haven't thought about for her & her cabin mate to get the Key so as to join the others traveling with them? (BTW the 3rd traveler who has the Key is somewhat disabled, she's 86 years old with bad legs, and will be in a wheelchair most of the time. She will need them to help with escorting her. Do you think this matters?) TYIA for any suggestions/help you can offer.

Which tour company did you use for this? TYIA.

I looked for this but couldn't find information. (Perhaps I didn't enter the right search criteria?). Would anyone know about when Royal Caribbean will post the 2024 Europe sailings? Not looking for an exact date just about when to start watching for these. TYIA

I hear you. I’ve traveled to many European countries and I know it is rare, in some cases nonexistent. But would I do it again for exceptional service that we got? Yes. One can tell sincere appreciation from an “Oh that’s nice; thank you.” This was sincere ( or they are very good actors). Mainly, it’s up to each person—-tip if you want or don’t. Just thought I’d share our experience.

We were in Italy last month, (Meant to post this earlier but got sidetracked.). Before our trip, we had researched, read several articles and posts about not needing to tip in Italy. (We did see in our research that "rounding up" in taxis was normal but not really elsewhere.). I know some will disagree with me but tipping is very welcome in Italy, especially in tourist activities following almost 1-1/2 years of no tourism due to Covid-19. We were so confused that we finally asked our hotel receptionist, whom we had befriended, what the policy was around tipping there. (BTW, I had offered her a tip for something she went above and beyond in helping me out of a severe jam and she refused to accept it but was appreciative for the offer.). She said this is a misconception. She said tipping is welcome though not required in Italy to whatever one feels right to do so. She did say it wasn't a generally acceptable amount (like in the USA with 18-20% at restaurants). She also warned to check restaurant bills before adding a tip to be sure there isn't a "service charge" listed, which is commonly in lieu of a tip. One of our tour guides we talked with said that after the long time with Covid and no tourism, these tips are extremely appreciated. (The Italian government only provided a nominal amount to help during Covid which equated to roughly 2 months pay for that tour guide.) During our trip, we tipped our tour guides and at restaurants. All were so appreciative every time, much more appreciative than in the States. Several did not expect it but were sincerely thankful for the tip. I write this hoping to help others like us that were so confused about whether to tip or not in Italy. Enjoy your time there; we did!

I agree with "Bird" about COVID. The trick (not always 100% guaranteed though) is to wash, wash, wash your hands often. We were on Wonder of the Seas in May right after many from the WOTS TA cruise posted they heard of Covid onboard being over the 0.3% and people getting sick after arrived home (from cruise or plane, who knows; can one really specify if they cruised & then flew home?). Our cruise had ZERO reports of COVID among guests and a few from staff. I didn't hear of anyone getting it upon return either (and there were 6 in our party with none of us getting sick). None of us wore masks (unless required in certain ports) and all are vaccinated and boosted. So just cuz there are cases on one trip, doesn't translate to your trip having cases. Just control what you can-----YOU. So "washy, washy" all the time (even if. they aren't standing there reminding. you to do so, which was the case on our cruise some) and sanitize as much as you can. Have safe travels and hoping all stay well. (PS--If. you are using WJ, I like the idea of the gloves. We didn't use WJ this cruise.)

You did a great job. Thank you so much. We are on this one in August and your reporting was helpful. Hope you had an uneventful flight home. Thank you again.

We pretty much just showed up early. If you are early not a problem. No shows we saw were overly crowded except for the tribute bands.

We only sent them a few days before boarding. But I will tell you that the restaurants were not as full as I expected. Only one that was tight at times (but still could take people) was 150 Park. So you will likely be fine.

Great information. Are the taxis right by the exit of the terminal when you get off or do you need to walk to them as well?

Yes, we did have to wear masks on our flights into Italy. We flew from USA to Munich first which also required masks. I do hope this eases for your cruise. Wonder was nice. You’ll just have to plan another cruise on Wonder.

We were on this same sailing with you. Glad to know it wasn't just me with feeling "different" as an interporting guest,. Like the concept of interporting; just wish they would work out the kinks.

Didn't work for those interporting (at least for anyone in our group). We could see deck plans but that was pretty much all. We were able to manage though and still had a great time. Wasn't too difficult to get shows at times we wanted even without the app working. Ones we saw weren't full except the tribute bands which you cannot reserve anyway. So for those, get there a little early if you want a seat.

We just returned from our Wonder of the Seas cruise from Rome. (I was hoping to do a live report but always ran out of time---too much to do. So this is the best I could do.) We traveled with other friends on this cruise. Thought I'd share a few of our and our friends' observations for others interested. (If all you want is a COVID report, it's at the end of this post.) --SHIP was beautiful and full of activities. At first, we were a little underwhelmed when we boarded but I think that is because all the publicity made it seem so much bigger than it was from first walkaround. The ship is really beautiful and there is a lot of activities and fun onboard. (I just think the media hype may have increased our expectations but no harm there. I don't fault RCCL for this.) It is amazing all they are doing with these ships now. I was remembering my first RCCL cruise when I was 14 years old traveling with my parents on the Nordic Prince (sister ship to the Song of Norway, RCCL's first cruise ship which I cruised on twice and we thought that was amazing!). These ships are certainly a far cry from my parent's cruising days. We ran out of time to do all we wanted to do. Just means we have to go on this ship again I guess!! (Aw, shucks!) --CREW was marvelous. Best we've ever had. I know many have said they did move the best crew to this ship (wouldn't you if you were RCCL) and it shows. They were great. So happy and attentive. We had a great time with many of them. Malcolm, bartender in Masons Jar bar, was fun and had our drinks ready for us almost before we got there. Note if you are a bourbon drinker: Masons Jar bar has the best selection of bourbon on the ship. (Pretty bad that we know which bars for best liquor selections, huh?). Both concierges (yes, we were in a suite) were wonderful and so helpful. We were interport guests (more on that later); our concierges helped us book all our specialty dining and shows gladly. Restaurant servers were friendly and helpful. Special shout-out to Rovic in the photo area who was wonderful. We rarely do ships photos (as I have my own DSLR) but Rovic made it so fun that we did get some photos this trip. (Plus we were with other friends so I was able to join in some of the pictures.). My suggestion is to get the download version if purchasing photos and you are halfway decent with a computer. This was so easy to do & you don't have to lug the prints with you. I plan to do this from now on whenever I get their photos. Rovic helped me out BIG time with a photography issue I had. He went above and beyond what he had to do to help me; he was great. He also taught us ladies how to pose better for pictures so we look thinner!!!!! Wow! That has been worth it's weight (no pun intended) in gold! --FOOD: We had the UDP and boy, did we use it! Although we are Diamond (next cruise D+, just saying this to support that we've been on many prior cruises with RCCL and other cruise lines before), we had never done a UDP before. With so many restaurants on this ship, we calculated based on the restaurants we wanted to try, the UDP was worth it for us. So glad we did. The food was wonderful. Our favorite restaurants were 150 Central Park (you've GOT TO try the fried cheesecake---Wow! I could eat that every night although my waistline might disagree), Hooked Seafood especially for dinner--lobster, need I say more! Also our friends like the oyster shooters. (I don't eat oysters even though I'm from Louisiana------yes, I know!), Masons Jar both brunch and dinner---different menu, so you've got to try both. (Only exception at Masons Jar, gumbo needs to be with shrimp and crab--staples in Louisiana, not really lobster & crawfish. We don't have lobsters readily accessible in Louisiana. But hey, worth trying something different.) Our friends went to Giovannis one night to get their "giant meatball" and really enjoyed the steak muffaletta, their house salad as different from other salads and said the pizzas looked delicious. While we had been to Wonderland before, our friends had not. So we went there too. I really liked the ambiance at this Wonderland much better than the prior one we went to. Food was very good and fun (as always in Wonderland). Our friends really liked it.----loved the smoked deviled eggs. They are researching how to get a food smoker to re-create these. As others have said on here, I would recommend doing Wonderland at least once; it's an experience. And their cocktails are worth trying too. (You can do the bar without the restaurant if. you want to try the cocktails. The smoky bourbon one was a favorite with the men and we liked the cotton candy one. I tried the one with the blue or red pill but didn't care for that one. So I sent it back & got the cotton candy one instead. Sorry I can't remember the names of them all.). We went to Chops Grill as well. This was our third time trying Chops; we weren't impressed prior 2 times on different ships. This time it was good (or did I finally learn what to order for me this time?). While it wasn't our favorite of all the restaurants, it was worth it for us with the UDP. (I doubt we would have gone there had we not had the UDP.). Can't address MDR, Windjammer or Sorrento's; never made it there. --ACTIVITIES: So much to do and so little time. (We were on a port intensive cruise. Stayed on for 1 port just to experience the ship more, although always limited while in port.). If one gets bored on this ship, you're not looking hard enough. We didn't get to do as much as we targeted due to port intensive cruise. (Oh, and did I mention we were dining and drinking too?) Our favorites were the tribute bands: they had Styx and Beatles tribute bands. Both were very good. The Styx band played more than just Styx later in their set. Our last night I saw they were doing a tribute to Earth, Wind and Fire but we didn't make that one. (Yep, you guessed; we were eating and drinking. Had to finally go pack for debarkation.). We wanted to make the ice show & Aquashow; heard both were great. --ENTERTAINMENT: Our favorite on this ship were the 2 tribute bands we saw---Styx and the Beatles. They were very good. (The Styx band included other hits besides just Styx.). Our last night we saw they were doing a tribute to Earth, Wind and Fire (not sure if a specialty tribute band) but we needed to pack (after dining and drinking), so had to miss that one. Wanted to desperately make it to the ice show & Aquatheater but we were always dining and drinking (party animals---NOT!); so we missed them as too late for us. (While our minds think we are 24 years old, our bodies remind us that we aren't!). We did see the Aquashow practice during the day & that was fun; I'm sure a totally different perspective then the night version with lighting and costumes. I'm sure the evening show would have been wonderful. Based on what we saw, I would recommend seeing the show. (Another reason for us to book this ship again soon with less port intensive cruise or Caribbean where we don't get off since been there so many times as too easy for us.). The other entertainment listed on the Cruise Compass didn't entice us. There seemed to be a lot of comedians (which we do like but can miss for more dining and drinking). Some friends went to the tap show (forgot the name) and were not overly impressed; they actually left the show. (The rest of us were eating and drinking. Go figure!). Did I mention we enjoyed our UDP for this ship and drink package? (Yes; I'm aware as Diamond members we get drink vouchers. But our friends were getting a drink package so we decided to join them---what the heck, it's only money. One tip we learned from one of the bartenders: My DH wanted a double one night and the drink package didn't allow a double. The bartender realized he was Diamond & used the drink package for 1 and the D voucher to make the double. Smart bartender; needless to say we tipped him extra. Something to remember for others if interested.). Gotta send kudo's to RCCL for adding drink vouchers to Seapass cards that can be used anywhere. Wonderful change; thank you, RCCL, for doing this. --Negatives: There are only a few to share. We were "interporting" on this cruise which I had never done before and will try to avoid in the future. We spent pre-cruise time in Rome (much preferred over Barcelona for us), embarking in Rome. We didn't realize we were an "interport" embarkation until we got there. (Maybe I should have but I didn't; not sure I would have changed it though.). I have to say I felt like we were treated differently. We were never able to use the app even once onboard since we were interport guests. RCCL really needs their IT department to figure this out if they continue with interport cruising (which makes a lot of sense); I can't imagine it's that difficult but I'm no IT person. Embarkation was less than stellar although didn't destroy our voyage. The terminal people (not RCCL personnel from what I know) in Rome were ok but as typical for us, we got the slowest lady who wasn't the best at using the Ipad to check us in. (And before you ask, yes! We had all our paperwork both electronically and printed ready to go. I had them ready to hand her even before she asked for each one. This wasn't my first rodeo.). We were in a suite and one of the perks is priority embarkation----unless you are interporting, I think! We were actually one of the last to get through the embarkation process for our time slot. While there wasn't a huge crowd, this was a perk that bypassed us (and any Pinnacles or others) on this cruise. Key point is we DID get onboard; so that is what really matters in the long run. Debarkation was really easy though for an interport cruise. So maybe a tradeoff? We also like doing the music trivia games but the ones on this ship were really few and lacking; so we didn't do them. (Did I mention we were dining & drinking?). Only other negative from my DH was that you had to search for some of the top-shelf liquors; they did not have them in all the bars, only selective bars. Even the concierge lounge did not have the better bourbons (e.g., Makers Mark & others). I can tell our bourbon drinkers who've read this far, best place to find bourbons is the Mason Jar bar. You can go there even if not dining there; they have a great assortment of bourbons there. --COVID report: Saved this for last as really NO REPORT. I asked as we were disembarking if there were any cases. Concierge told me there were NONE/ ZERO among the guests; a few among crew but not many at all. (I didn't validate this anywhere so maybe someone else knows something different.). Felt safe the whole time. Most guests did not wear face masks although some did. (Crew did though.) All seemed perfectly comfortable with either. The key I think is remembering to wash hands often, often, often!!!! Sinks all over the ship as well as sanitizers. Disappointed as not all venues had crew reminding the guests to "Washy-Washy" so some people just skipped this. The pre-testing is always nerve wrecking but once you get the negative results, another reason to dine & drink to celebrate! We used the e-med lab tests we brought with us to Italy & called from the hotel; worked quite well. (BTW, our hotel in Rome was great! I'll post on Italy board,) I didn't save any of the Cruise Compasses so can't help with that. Needed to watch every ounce for the suitcases with gifts being brought back home for grandchildren. After all, it was Rome, Florence, Barcelona! I'll be glad to try to answer any questions I can if you have any. Those of. you preparing to go on WOTS, you'll have a wonderful time. Great ship, best crew! Have a marvelous time. One last side note: Please be kind on these Boards. We all need to be kind to each other; we are all cruisers with different likes and dislikes, just enjoying life!!! Please don't cloud these Boards with bashing other cruisers who are asking questions or sharing their views. It's ok to agree to disagree in a kind respectful manner. (I realize I might get "bashed" for saying this. Oh well; I tried.) Happy cruising.