DrivesLikeMario

If you don't mind flying coach, SW has really good perks with their credit card.  Son uses it for work travel and has really racked up the points fast.  TPG is a good resource.  Congrats to your DH for early retirement!  Mine just did the same thing!  🙂

The good news is that you'll have great immunities now that you've had it.

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How formal?  Not very.  You'll be fine but I'd make that dress a solid, dark colored one vs. a floral print.  We don't even do the formal nights anymore and just go to the buffet on formal nights.  We've played dress-up enough. 😉 

We only cruise the Radiance Class ships in full suites and for us, the Concierge Lounge and the breakfast in Chops make it worth every penny.  The wait staff gets to know you and your preferences and the bar tenders in the CL are fantastic!  It will be very worth it IMO.  Congrats to you for booking it as a B2B.

On 7/15/2022 at 4:21 AM, soremekun said:

Why does Royal allow guests to bring on soda or wine?

 

Also, I'm assuming these items are purchased shortly after the flight but before boarding the cruise ship  because who would want to do fly with these items?

I've done that before.  Wrapped the 12-pack case in large bubble wrap.  Came out fine and I didn't have to make a stop on the way to the ship.  It works but is probably not the safest way to do it.

This might help answering some of your questions:
Next Cruise Credit Program

We really, really like Royal Caribbean's Crown & Anchor loyalty perks!  As Diamond Plus (175+ pts.), you get 5 drinks per person, per day, any time of the day, free bag of laundry, free wifi and so much more.  We always go in full suites so we also get all of those perks too and we try to only cruise on the smaller Radiance Class ships which are somewhat similar to the Coral & Island Princess.  From what we've experienced, RCG is handling the come-back from Covid really well.

My sister had a terrible cold onboard the Regal a couple weeks ago.  It was super bad and turned into bronchitis.  She spread it to her cabin mate and my other sister and a couple other people in their group.  Princess did the same thing - tested her & her cabin mate once, then again at 24 hrs.  Both were negative.  She's had this "thing" for over 4 weeks.  Nice of you not to potentially infect others.

Really good to read a first-hand experience.  Thanks for the info.  

27 minutes ago, uktog said:

Currently they are offering Destination Celebrations where they bring the event onboard. They often brought the event onboard pre covid as there weren’t a lot of suitable venues in Caribbean ports. They did try some outdoor venues but the weather gods were cruel 

Okay, that's exactly the info. I was looking for, thank you!  

I did a search but couldn't find the answer.  What does Azamara do for Azamazing Evenings in the Caribbean usually?  Looking at possibly doing B2B Eastern itineraries.  Thanks in advance.

On 6/18/2022 at 11:38 AM, LGW59 said:

Agree but that is not the norm though but like anywhere in the world there are always the exceptions.  Normally that time of year is in mid/upper 70’s.

Not in our experience in Europe.  It has always been way too hot in September in Italy.  I'll never go there again in September.  

The latest in September you can possibly go!  It was boiling hot in Venice in late September/early October even.  If you can go in October, that would be better.

1 minute ago, George C said:

Not exactly true , concierge lounge is also for diamond plus 

Normally but when we were onboard in March, they were not allowed in - I believe it was some kind of Covid measure.  Wasn't sure if that was still ongoing.

39 minutes ago, steveru621 said:

Last month on Radiance OTS in a Grand Suite.  Every night there was one $.00 charge from Viking Crown Lounge that impacted our D+ drink limit.  The concierge said they were just measuring the drinks served in the Concierge Club.  HMMMM.

That's weird!  We always go in Grand Suites with Royal and have never had them do that.  Maybe there's an issue as to how much is being consumed in the lounge?    

19 hours ago, Tlbecker1 said:

It really depends on the bartender.  We ordered several doubles and sometimes we were charged 2 vouchers and most of the time only 1.

What vouchers are you talking about?  In the Concierge Lounge, you don't use vouchers.  It's for those passengers in suites and (sometimes) Pinnacles.

6 hours ago, sgmn said:

Thanks for the info. Was it easy to get a taxi in Oia? And if you don't mind, how much was it?

Cheers 

Yes it was but that could be because we left about noon.  I'd think they might be harder to find around 2:00-4:00pm.

Me too!  

7 hours ago, sgmn said:

I'll have a look at the tours again. We were thinking of maybe taking the bus from Fira.

Don't you get priority tendering anyway as concierge class? 

Yes we got priority tendering due to being in a full suite.  It was really nice.  The Concierge told us where to meet and he escorted us down the elevator and to the first awaiting tender.  

We ended up taking the bus to Oia.  Wow.  Last time I ever do that!  First off, it was about a 15 min. walk up and down the narrow Fira pathways to find the bus.  Then you have to get across what you want to the bus rep in the little window and then you wait for the bus to show up.  None of the buses said exactly where they were going that we could see.  We had to keep asking other people who would just shrug.  When our bus pulled up, everyone ran for it, cramming to get on it.  About 20-30 people were turned away.  It was jam packed and pretty uncomfortable.  Probably okay for some but just not the way we like to travel.  We took a taxi back and it was SOOOO much better!

IME, we've found we really prefer the smaller Radiance Class ships to the massive ones.  The big ones feel like a floating amusement park to us and we've found we really miss the closer connection to the sea when on them. 

Also, we've found the best way to get away from the noise, chaos and kids is to get a full suite and make good use of the Concierge Lounge.  If you cruise that way, IMO, it's more like Celebrity which we've done quite a few cruises on too.  Royal is a good experience for the money.  You just have to figure out where you're most comfortable (in what type of cabin, what type of service, etc.).

In Edinburgh, July would be better for smaller crowds than in August when you have the Fringe Festival running concurrently with the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.  August is by far the most crowded month for the city.  Pack for rain off and on and possibly a heat wave.  

17 hours ago, vjmatty said:

Did you find the lack of privacy and shade to be a problem on M108? I always prefer L107 and 108, but only M108 is available on our next Regal sailing. I like the Lido cabins because they’re more covered, and I’m satisfied with a very large balcony instead of a very very large balcony on M108 since there are only two of us.  Also, are the closets in M108 over by the bathroom like they are on L108, or are they near the bed? I’m a morning person and like to get ready without waking hubby up. 

The only time you have people looking down onto your super massive balcony is when the people in L-108 above it come out on their balcony and look down into yours. The people in L-106 might be able to see into part of M-108's balcony, but it would only be on the forward part of it.

There's a small part of the side balcony that has about a 3' cover above it.  This wraps around to the front but isn't a lot of coverage when you consider the balcony must be at least 30' long at the front.  This part on the side is more protected from the headwinds but is longer, narrower and more protected in L-108 than M-108.  And, of course L-107/108 balconies aren't as massive as M-107/108.

BEDROOM:  There are 3 closets (1 is a double + 1 single) to the left of the bed and 1 single closet to the right of the bed in the bedroom.  There are also cabinets under the bedroom TV and 2 nightstands.   

Outside of the bathroom in M-108, there are no closets.  Just a full-length mirror on the wall.  The hallway is wide and reminds me of some of the full suites.  The family room consists of a loveseat, a chair, a table and a TV.  

Hope that helps!  🙂

On 6/13/2019 at 8:47 AM, sandjforever said:

After seeing the picture above, I called to see about moving from L108 to M108 for my 2020 cruise.  Finally got it after loking weekly for it come available.  Kept all my original perks too!  One happy girl here!

You are really lucky!  M-108 is our favorite.  It's just massive.  L-107 & 108 are really nice too and convenient for the buffet but the balcony is so much more massive on the Marina Deck.  We love the cabin lay-out too with the 2 separate rooms.  Congrats!  

Just got word today that Princess' free Covid tests at the Piraeus Port went pretty well.  Princess was a bit disorganized but got everyone done and all of my friends boarded without a problem.  ATH still has Covid tests too if you need one there, just allow extra time.