shofer

Contact you credit card, they can tell you if it's bogus.

Go on the London board for anything English. There is one contributor who goes by John Bull who lives there, In 2018 we took the National Express from London to Southampton for 5BP/each (senior rate) with 1 BP service charge. So for a measly 11 BP we were on a very nice coach for the 2+ hour trip. Then a 2 minute taxi to the port. You can walk it but there are no sidewalks.

We were on Vision in 2015 for a Med cruise. The food was very bad in the MDR and buffet. (the desserts in the buffet was small bowls of jello and squares of cake) On the survey, I scored the food a big fat ZERO. Two years later we were aboard Vision for a Baltic cruise and the food was very good. I knew from embarkation day it was improved when we had embarkation lunch in the WJ and there were LOTS of different desserts.

Was this before they introduced the "new" menus?

We did a Mediterranean cruise in May, 2015 with a RT Barcelona with stops in Cannes, Florence, Rome, Ephesus/Turkey, Athens and our last stop was the Amalfi coast. All private tours and we were with the same 3 couples in Italy. I was very active on the Roll Call and found tours for ephesusdeluxe.com and privategreecetours. In Italy, we used romecabs.com. Excellent tours and cost effective. You can find these on TripAdvisor.com and read the reviews.

That is very disappointing to hear. Unfortunately, I can only cruise once a year so nothing is currently scheduled.

Was on Jewel 10/19/23-10/30/23 for Canada/NE for 12 days. The ship was fine if a little boring. Shows were so-so. And the food was comparable. The themed MDR nights are poorly executed. Portions were small and execution bland. Missed the "always included" choices. There are always Indian choices and I have never ordered them so can't find fault. A dessert called German chocolate-styled tart was a small crust with chocolate filling, a dollop of whipped cream and a lone cherry. We skipped Caribbean and Mexican nights to eat in the buffet which we found pretty good with many choices. I did pay for an extra lobster tail.

Congratulations on coming to this site! I have learned so much about cruising, ports, ships, hotels, etc. This is the best source for all your questions. Skim through this board and let the learning begin. Be warned, once you have cruised, you will not stop and your kids will thank you. Our kids were grown before we could afford to take them. But our first cruise was for our 25th anniversary and my last one was my 17th. (Hubby passed away in May and I buried his ashes at sea.)

On one of our first cruises (they still had set dining then) we were given early seating instead of our preferred late time. Went right to maitre'd line and experienced a very rude/obnoxious passenger demanding a time change. The maitre'd took his name and said he would put that person on a list. The couple huffed away and DH commented on the rude behavior and I remarked how horrified I was that the maitre'd had to deal with such behavior. DH apologetically requested a time change, if possible and we were accommodated immediately. So, tears maybe, but tantrums, never.

This was the type of room we had on Symphony and were very happy with it.

On DH last cruise (deceased), I'd wear a flashy top w/dress black slacks and he wore a buttoned long sleeve shirt and a vest or some other "jacket". He looked fine and was very happy going "formal".

My last cruise with DH was on Symphony Jan 29/2022 and the food was great. My friend & I were on Jewel 10/19-30/2023 for a Canada/New England cruise. New menus aside, the MDR food was pathetic. We were not impressed by the theme nights which were poorly executed. It seems that there are more dishes focused on Indian cuisine than the "theme". We ate dinner in the buffet for Mexican and Caribbean nights and had steak and salad which was pretty good. Then there's all those yummy desserts beckoning us. For me, the ambiance between the Jewel and Symphony couldn't be any wider. My friend was underwhelmed with Jewel. I'm trying to convince her to try Celebrity.

We took a 10 day Canada/New England cruise on Jewel with a friend. My last cruise with my late spouse was in 1/22 on Symphony which we went on because DH saw it on TV and said he had to go on that ship. The difference in the food was incredible but not in a good way. Poor quality, choices, tastes. I think we ate at least 3 dinners at the buffet. Neither of us wanted Indian food which was featured on every day. 'm thinking about taking my next trip on Celebrity.

The food on our last Jewel cruise was so mediocre, we found the WJ to be a better option. I think I may opt for some specialty dining on my next cruise.

I was on Jewel for a Canada/New England cruise in October and the food was mediocre at best. My travel partner and I actually found the buffet a better option.

My granddaughter's favorite, Beefaroni when she comes to visit Chicago. My DD has convinced her it is only available here.

When in Florence, Italy in 2015, I used my credit card to purchase a blouse for my granddaughter and was asked by the vendor for my passport. I did have my driver's license with me and he accepted that. First and only time this happened.

Your best guide would be to go on the London/England board on this site. There is a great source who calls himself John Bull. He gave me correct info when DH & I spent some time there before taking a 15 day TA to Ft. Lauderdale in 2018. We took the National Express bus from Heathrow to London for our 2 day stay. Then we went from London to Southhampton. It was 5 BP/each for seniors w/a 1 BP service charge from airport to London. I don't remember how much to the cruise port. It took about 2+ hours on a very comfortable & clean bus.

I always order a strawberry daiquiri and it is delish!

If you are talking about Bailey's Banana Colada? When DH and I were on Symphony in Jan, 2023 I never thought about having to supply the banana myself because the bars don't stock bananas. Off Jewel OTS on 10/30 and could not get a BBC w/o the banana. I couldn't find any in the buffet and had to ask an officer for one. So I went to the Lobby Bar and pulled the banana out of my pocket like a gunslinger and asked for a BBC. The bartender had to look it up but I finally got one.

Having just got off Jewel of the Seas on 10/31 and I can verify the food in the MDR is terrible. These menus look just like the Celebrity food I remember.

As I said, I was just struck dumb by his remark. Believe me, if it happens again, I will definitely take it up with his boss.

On a Panama Canal cruise on Princess, DH kept losing his room card in the hot tub and had at least 3 replacements. During dinner on a port day, I thought I heard his name being paged. The speaker above our table was silent. Next time, my cousin heard it and he went to take the call. It was Guest Services confirming if he was on board! This was at least 2 hours since we had left port! Seems that his replacement card had not registered when we boarded.

We sailed out of Miami for the first time in Jan. 2022 for our Symphony cruise. After 15 cruises, it was the first time I was actually told by a porter that if I didn't tip, my bag might get lost. I was struck dumb and just pointed to my husband who hadn't heard the veiled threat. He gave the guy two fivers which made the porter very happy. We had done a TransAtlantic out of Southampton and the porters were so polite and patient. I have to say, we never had any issue in Ft. Lauderdale.

Hubby & I got to enjoy my Diamond status on our last cruise in Jan/22. I am not much of a drinker but I do like to gamble and would often get comped for a cocktail while playin blackjack. We never used all the "coupons" on that cruise.