Tatra603

Let's face it, there's no way option 2 will be chosen. I'm not even sure why a choice was given other than to delay the decision further and screw over the mini segmenters.

So the new itinerary will be voted upon on Feb 27th and we have to decide by March 1st. Not much of a window for us when they decide to repackage the new itinerary, double the price and make it available for purchase.

Nope Just 2 options given. Book an alternative cruise and get £100 per stateroom in OBC or get a refund. No option 3 to board in Dubai and take the new itinerary to Cape Town. We all know they'll repackage it and double the price, but I still reckon we should have been given first priority. Instead we'll be involved in a bun fight for a very sought after cruise with no guarantee of success even though having booked the flight and hotel, I'll be in Dubai anyway. And I'll lose the nice stateroom I had. This is very bad form from RC. Turns out us mini segmenters were considered second class passengers after all.

You would think so, but why not give us first option on that rather than unceremoniously cancelling our cruise?

I've already received my cancellation email for my mini segment for Dubai to Athens. No option to board in Dubai (as that's where I'll be on the 9th as flight and hotel is booked) and enjoy my 18 nights before disembarking in Cape Town. Not best pleased.

1) Radiance class. For all the reasons stated above. Outside area in Windjammers, glass everywhere looking out to sea, even in the elevators, best solarium etc. 2) Freedom class. Only been on Indy a couple of times many years ago but I remember enjoying it. 3) Vision class. Liked it much more than I thought I would. Gets marked down because of the layout and location of Windjammers. 4) Oasis class. Lots of stuff to do but boring itineraries and everything looks inward. 5) Quantum class. Been on Anthem many times but I simply don't like the layout or decor. The inside middle part of the ship has the whiff of shopping mall about it. Never been on Voyager class.

Genuine question. Did any of those cruises have any embarkations planned at any of those ports or is that something unique to this one?

I got my segments mixed up with my mini-legs.

Isn't Dubai the start of the third quarter and if so, wouldn't that make it harder to scrap that segment?

If you, like me, hate coach travel and would prefer the train, use a website called Trainline. Even though you normally have to change twice (first at Hayes & Harlington and then at Reading) it's usually still quicker than the awful National Express coaches which don't take a direct route and are subject to the inevitable traffic delays on the M25 and M3 motorways.

I can't find any reference to Suez being closed to passenger ships. I'm on the Dubai to Athens segment of the UWC, so I've been taking a keen interest. It'll be interesting to see what RC do, as they can't just cancel this one and sailing around Africa comes with it's own challenges and dangers, not to mention totally disrupting the port dates for the rest of the WC.

Bring back Rock The Boat. What a brilliant band they were.

Damn. A Celebrity cruise in South America is high on my want list. Any idea on their reasoning?

I too am baffled by the assumption by many that Quantum class are second only to Oasis. I've never taken to the design, particularly indoors (there's a whiff of the shopping mall about it) and much prefer the design of Freedom class or especially Radiance class ships. I'm not a moaner, but I think Anthem has definitely done her time in Southampton and a change is needed. She might be an older ship, but I'm far more likely to book with Indy than Anthem.

I can vouch for them too. Did it 3 years ago. So much fun.

Aruba Tours | Best Tours in Aruba | Aruba Adventure Tours – Around Aruba Tours We did a UTV tour with them in March. Fantastic fun.

Am I the only person in the world who cannot stand Sinatra? Awful mood hoover.

Yes. I thought it was just me. When I use that exact phrase to explain to my cruise friends why I'm not keen on P&O (despite doing a lot more to woo UK cruisers than RC), I get baffled looks. It's just all a bit too "Land of Hope and Glory" for me. Not to Cunard levels, obviously, but I would never consider them for many reasons, not just financial.

For me, the age of the ship is of little importance. I'm fully aware that an Oasis class would be totally unsuitable. Other Brits might feel differently.

Hi Cublet, Thanks. Given my location, it would be madness for me to not use Southampton when doing a UK cruise. I can walk to the terminal from the IOW ferry which docks right next to it. I do love the Radiance class, though.

I don't object to the continuation of a Quantum class in Southampton, although it's far from my favourite class of ship. But it wasn't that long ago that RC had two ships homeporting, Indy and a Voyager class. I would love to see the return of a second ship, a Voyager class or even better, a Radiance class which would allow us RC regulars a chance to mix it up a bit.

I recently did a b2b on Rhapsody. We like Asti, which never appears on any RC ship, so we came with 2 bottles each and gladly handed over the 2 bottles for our second cruise, expecting them to appear in our stateroom on the last day of the first cruise. They never turned up, so I went to guest services and was surprised by the amount of push back. So much so, it made me wonder if I had got it wrong. It took me quite a bit of reasoning with them before they agreed to return the 2 bottles and even then it was with some reluctance on their part. I got the impression they just wanted rid of me. From my point of view, logically, I was entitled to those bottles according to their rules. Also, I really didn't want to have to pack them again and fly home with them.

Well, we're into April now and still no word on when these 17 smaller segments will become available. All my cruise plans are on hold while I wait for the 'scraps' to appear. Surely it has to be soon. Anyone got any inside information?

It's about time the UK got a change of ship as I've never really taken to Anthem. Can anyone elaborate on the main differences between Anthem and Odyssey?

I guessed as much. They seem half the size of a regular inside. Almost like an afterthought. Like they were originally designed as a second bedroom for the JS. Are they cheaper? Couldn't find a way of selecting it on any of my mock bookings.