fragilek

Sunny Liston also was decent-a bit noisy - singing and getting every one involved (bit much for us on our own ) but this would great with kids/teens if going with our teen we would rebook this one. He is also a decent guy - He stopped on our way back to pick up a couple who had missed there connection back to the ship (the had taken a ferry to somewhere and where on the main rd trying to get a taxi). He passed them then doubled back - they aked the price and he said the cost was to smile (the youngish girl looked like she was about to cry when we stopped lol). They did tip him nicely ;)

No bugs but we had a bird fly into our room once while sailing in the middle of the ocean, we had the balcony door open. We were shocked.

 

you were shocked - think of the bird- it was happily flying over the open ocean feeling the sea breeze in it's feathers - then wham it was captive in a little room that appeared from nowhere in the middle of the sea!!

They aren't stowaways...they are brought on intentionally as bug control. I had a lengthy conversation with the head gardner/botanist onboard Allure about the critters in Central Park. Never noticed a mosquito though

 

 

the gecko must live on something ;)

The only thing I would say is that by the end of October is the weather is starting to change in the med - when our children were younger we would routinely go to Majorca/ Minorca in October half term initially this was the last week in oct and we had quite a few cool trips but after moving to scotland October half term break was in the start of October and the weather was usually much warmer (still zipers in the evening). We toiled with the same idea of a October med cruise in the end we decided on the end of September into October in the hope of better weather. We sailed the Rhapsody last summer and she was a lovely ship - very quite not much on after 11pm and the entertainment in the main theater was awful (think a bad school show)-but less of an issue in a port intensive cruise. Isumi was amazing. We had issues on her but these were due to booking errors so should not apply to future cruisers (just incase you look up my review lol).

 

The ports - Palma is lovely small ci tyand you will not need to book any tours

 

Rome - easy to get to the port by train - amazing place try and stay in a central hotel.

 

Florence/ Pisa - I would do a ship tour or private taxi. You can do Pisa in 10 mins lol - if going in taxi try and fit in Lucca too.

 

Provence - wine/ village tours - we would hire a car - (or you could do a private tour)

 

Barcelona - most love it - not my favorite place - but if staying on in that area for a few days there try Girona - lovely city and the small town of Besalu (google for images - amazing places). You may be able to fly out of girona instead of Bracelona

Sorry if I had the law wrong about Scotland. I was going off of what I was told by some friends who went there 1.5 years ago. The dad was telling his son it would be a moment when they could have their first "legal drink" together, but were repeatedly told the drinking age was 21 over the course of their holiday. I guess they must have gone to the more strict places?

 

This has made me giggle- the dad and son must have been in night clubs for the 21 yr rule - I am sure if anyone looked out of place it was the dad :D

In the buffet did you notice if there was a gluten free section- if so did it only have curries for lunch and diner (that's what we had on Rhapsody- I like a curry but not every day lol).

 

thanks

unless SJ is 21 also?

 

Check but I am sure the even though SJ is a USA port (ST thomas also) their legal drinking ages are both 18yr

My daughter is gutted that she cant have a pina colada onboard the oasis...

 

Does US have a big problem with young drinkers? I know we do here where I live. My daughter is not a big drinker, and she certainly would not be when she is with us. But thems the rules!

 

Were are you sailing to - My eldest was 20 when we sailed the Caribbean and stayed in the usa- what we done was treated her to a cocktail when in ports that had an 18yrs age limit. Do not be tempted to break the rules in the usa/ ship as you insurance will be void - We just done 2 week in florida - youngest 18 survived fine lol (although she only ever has the odd malibu and coke anyway)

I'm not sure that Scotland has actually raised the age to drink to 21 although there have been calls to legislate. What is possible is that a retailer may have a policy not to sell to anyone under 25.

We live in the Netherlands and the largest supermarket chain has the policy to challenge anyone looking under 25 to prove age (legal age to drink here is 18) and this is enforced with spot checks. A local supermarket even had its alcohol licence temporarily revoked for violation.

 

Correct - the law in scotland is actually 17yrs in certain places and with food

 

The law :-

150 Consumption of alcohol by children

 

(1) An individual aged under 18 commits an offence if he knowingly consumes alcohol on relevant premises.

 

(2) A person to whom subsection (3) applies commits an offence if he knowingly allows the consumption of alcohol on relevant premises by an individual aged under 18.

 

(3) This subsection applies-

 

(a) to a person who works at the premises in a capacity, whether paid or unpaid, which authorises him to prevent the consumption, and

(b) where the alcohol was supplied by a club to or to the order of a member of the club, to any member or officer of the club who is present at the premises at the time of the consumption in a capacity which enables him to prevent it.

(4) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply where-

 

(a) the individual is aged 16 or 17,

(b) the alcohol is beer, wine or cider,

© its consumption is at a table meal on relevant premises, and

(d) the individual is accompanied at the meal by an individual aged 18 or over

 

So, in real language, with a meal is 16 or 17, beer wine or cider only, at the table and in the company of an over 18.

although now very very few places will ever serve under 18yrs.

The 21yrs and over is what many private clubs decide themselves. Also most supermarkets ask for proof of age if they think you look under 25yr (on most signs at check out)

 

 

 

Of note we sailed the US over xmas and new year holidays and the EU over high summer holidays- There was a far bigger issue of teens (16-20) drinking and being stupid on the US sailing than on the EU one - the teens on the EU were drinking in the open and wisely- A different kettle of fish on the usa sailing - I was really worried at how drunk some were getting (easy to do - they just took the drinks off the waiters trays and signed the paper (parents names maybe?) - and on a ship!! We called security to the cabin next to us in which a whole load of teens were partying all night long - with a balcony which they were mucking about on - gave me the shivers I stayed out on ours next door most of the night just in case - security were useless - came twice asked them to quieten down removed some (all came back in 10 mins )- did not go and get the parents.

from their cabin!! We also noted the the 17-20 yrs in the US sailing were just kids and much more like our 15yr old who met up with them at teen club and they all collected at the pool and disco on deck (however, unlike the others she was not allowed to wander about ship any time day or night - collected out side the club at night much to her horror lol) The older ones 19/20 were so young (still running about the ship mucking about and at the stage of trying to sneak alcohol) like our 14-16yrs would and so had absolutely nothing in common with our older girl then aged 20 - final year at uni, just got job offer and was in the process of buying her first house - ie an adult lol On the EU sailing it was the 14-16yr olds that ran about stupid

Looking at booking 3078 on the ]ewel has any been in either of these or in the cabins near the main elevators (3086 or 3084) in the jewel or seranade. Or in any cabins in that class ship near the main elevators -looking for info about noise in that area and/or any info about either of these 2 cabins wrt location and layout.

 

 

Thanks for any help hoping to book tomorrow - thanks for any help

Hi I am looking at booking an OV on floor 4 or 3. Any one have any thoughts on location on these floors. (or even better recommend an actual cabin)

 

 

Also does anyone know how to find out the layout of the cabin - some seem to have bed below the window and others have the bed running parallel it.

 

 

I could book a disabled cabin now but don't know if I would still need it so much come the cruise time (I have just had my foot operated on this week and I am getting a boot thing that should hopefully make me more mobile (using sticks) so I won't need my wheelchair as much (that's the plan anyway). So I would feel bad if I take that room then later don't need it so much and could get by in a normal cabin.

 

 

Thanks

 

 

Any cabin advise for ocean views 3 and 4 wrt noise from lifts/ below or near by crew areas.

[quote name='Ms Jo UK']I priced up my exidting cruise on Adenture in September and it is £400 more with this offer - I do not drink so I am so glad we saved £400. Nothing is for free it just justifies a way of putting prices up.[/QUOTE]

Is that with your cruise also having the drinks pack added on to it for 2 in the cabin - trying to decide if to book now or wait until the offer is over

If you do a fake booking it seems that they are not included

I don't know what your previous issues were but I always choose my cabin ahead of time-NEVER go with a guarantee cabin or go with an upgrade. As far as the dining room, we do My Time Dining and I book my times before I even get on the ship. I call RCI and have them make all the reservations for me.

 

We've had 10 cruises with Royal all on the "smaller" ships and have no desire to go on the bigger ships - we love the Radiance and Vision class ships! We have 3 cruises on the books!

 

The problem was due to us upgrading (thus choosing/changing to different cabins) 4 months before sailing, We did have every meal meal booked in MTD and I had a print out of the times with me-didn't help - computer said no-so still didn't get in lol

I know I said that I can't believe I am considering it - But as well as the price it is the only cruise I can do where I can fly from my local airport- 35 mins away . The Princess one will mean a 5 hr drive and an over night stay before the flight to Athens. Ditto on the return - And the RCI is extra nights cruising as well as the drinks package for less money - Aghhh - I am talking myself into this- All be I am a bit wiser to how to book this time - I will know my cabin when I book and keep it. And once on board -no way will I allow myself to be refused into the dining room - due to their errors. Surely it can't go so badly wrong for a second time - I have family who cruise with them every year and they have never had issues like our - It had to be a one off

It is either the Princess Royal or the RCI jewel. It is for our 25th wedding anniversary - so I suppose we are probably heading into the older demographic ;). Both have similar itineraries in the med but the RCI includes the drinks package and is 9 days (Princess is 7 ) for the same price. so was trying to find out how much better princess would be (if it is) to see if it is worth the potential extra cost for drinks.

we did the ruins from belize it was a great trip that involved a boat trip up a river to the ruins. Spotted - dolphins, monkeys, bats, crocs, iganas and more then 2hrs at ruins and bus back to dock - best trip we ever done

Yip if we do get tempted to try RCI again - I will be choosing my own room and making sure - no upgrade box is ticked so I can not be moved into someone elses cabin -like last time- It was a nightmare- lol. I am surprised that I am thinking of retrying - it's amazing what time away combined with a money bribe can do :D

 

Just want to see what others think of Royal (Jewel) v Princess (Royal) - both are almost the same itinerary - Its our 25th wedding anniversary and we want to do Athens, Naples as the main ports- both do these- then others are not so important.

We are new(ish) to cruising carnival twice and RCI once - We had many issues on or RCI cruise so we not sure if we really want to try them again - Carnival service, food and entertainment was much better.

 

All cruises have been on the smaller class of ships. We do not watch or get involved with game show or pool game stuff but we do enjoy good theater shows and comedy nights (although did not take to the carnival adult one at all, only the family ones). Carnival shows with live music were fab but the royal last year was woefull- seen school stuff was way way better. One show the comedy magic one we were laughing (in tears ) because it was soooo bad. Food also better on carnival. The cruise was still good but the other other issues we had just pushed us over the edge and we decided never to cruise again - but........lol

 

 

On saying that we have future cruise certificates to use to book again with royal - yes the problems were so bad (nothing to do with my general comments above) they gave us these. (previous posts discuss the issues we had). So here my question - Should we try princess in a balcony cabin- 7 night cruise from Athens (Royal) or retry RCI 9 nights cruise from Rome in an ocean view (Jewel) - similar itinerary. Using up our cruise certificates they both come out at the same cost but RCI will include a drinks package.

 

Can anyone compare RCI and Princess wrt food and entertainment.

 

Also if anyone who like me thinks (I have never been on a large ship) they prefer smaller ships did you enjoy/ dislike the huge ones

We are new(ish) to cruising carnival twice and RCI once - We had many issues on or RCI cruise so not sure if we really want to try them again - Carnival service, food and entertainment was much much better.

 

All cruises have been on the smaller class of ships. We do not watch or get involved with game show or pool game stuff but we do enjoy good theater shows and comedy nights (although did not take to the carnival adult one at all, only the family ones). Carnival shows with live music were fab but the royal last year was woefull- seen school stuff was way way better. One show the comedy magic one we were laughing (in tears ) because it was soooo bad. Food also better on carnival.

 

 

On saying that we have future cruise certificates to use to book again with royal - yes the problems were so bad they gave us these. (previous posts discuss the issues we had). So here my question - Should we try princess in a balcony cabin 7 night cruise from Athens or retry RCi 9 nights cruise from Rome in an ocean view - similar itinerary. Using up our cruise certificates they both come out at the same cost but RCI will include a drinks package.

 

 

How much better is Princess and can some one compare food and entertainment with RCI and carnival for me.

 

 

Also if anyone who like me thinks (I have never been on a large ship) they prefer smaller ships enjoyed/ dislike the size of this ship

I am a princess newbie- We r thinking of booking the royal princess for next sept. I am celiac and so need gluten free food- I understand that this is not a problem in the main dining rooms. But a lunch I eat light - a few nibbles from the buffet or as a treat cakes/ crepes from cafe.

 

 

Is the food labeled on the buffet or is there a dedicated gluten free section.

 

In the cafe are there any gluten free cakes/ scones/ crepes or pastries.

 

Thanks

This may be the final thing that would encourage us to re-book a RCI cruise again.

 

We have been issued future cruise certificates in UK thus in £'s. But we really do not want to book through the uk ever again. There is a RCI cruise we would like for our 25 wedding anniversary but we would only book it through a US travel agent. We have a back up choice on a celebrity cruise - but it is less nights and we prefer the itinerary of the rci one, also our certificates would just go to waste.

 

Do USA agents take UK issued cruise certificates?

Pete,

 

I see the claim that there are more protections when booking in the UK but I've yet to see anyone say what those protections are. Would you mind a brief explanation?

 

From what I've seen those protections are more for the UK travel agents than their customers. No price drops, no refunds on deposits, etc.

 

They are mainly around companies going bust. In the UK if booked through a company which is protected by certain bodies ABTA/ ATOL then the passenger is protected and will be brought back from abroad for free also any un-taken holiday will be refunded if a covered company goes under. Not really much if you are booked through big "safe" companies

If booking through the uk - they cannot cancel without loss of deposit (or more depending on how near to sailing they cancel). you cannot make changes or get price drops. What you book is what you get end off. If you have to phone for any reason - it costs a fair bit if there are any issues.

This sounds like the possibility exists you are still attached somehow to the problems you had with someone else.

 

Ha ha- may be this a karma- a cheep cruise between whatever discount this is and the future cruise vouchers I have been given as compensation for all our issues- may be I will get tempted to try RCI again after all :eek: