Pam bam Posted May 19, 2015 #226 Share Posted May 19, 2015 There was a massive queue but then they realised I had crown and anchor status so pulled me out into the priority lines. Was about 20mins This will be our first cruise so we will be waiting longer I'd say will we Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Single Cruiser Posted May 19, 2015 #227 Share Posted May 19, 2015 Wifi speed best ever just did a test as at sea and its much better. Can stream videos on my phone in my cabin! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Single Cruiser Posted May 19, 2015 #228 Share Posted May 19, 2015 Well the only change that's actually alright is the changing of Rita's to Sabor. Now any other changes that they want to/have to make (Royal IQ, RFID cards, waterslides, virtual balconies etc) to ensure Allure is one of the best in the fleet they will have to do during cruises or wait 5 years for the next dry dock, seems really inconvenient to not implement the simplest of things (RFID, Royal IQ, Virtual Balconies) during this dry dock So changes they have done are: Rebranded dining room to American Icon, Grande and Chic. Changed Rita's place to Sabor. Replaced the crown Viking lounge to become coastal Kitchen and Suite lounge. Moved Izmil from deck 16 to deck 4. Replaced lots of the carpets (especially in stairwells). Was told they added some cabins as well. Cupcake cupboard has gone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken at the beach Posted May 19, 2015 #229 Share Posted May 19, 2015 Well the only change that's actually alright is the changing of Rita's to Sabor. Now any other changes that they want to/have to make (Royal IQ, RFID cards, waterslides, virtual balconies etc) to ensure Allure is one of the best in the fleet they will have to do during cruises or wait 5 years for the next dry dock, seems really inconvenient to not implement the simplest of things (RFID, Royal IQ, Virtual Balconies) during this dry dock My guess is that you will not see virtual balconies retrofitted to ships in drydock but instead only put on new ships. I know they. Put them on the navigator but I'm not sure that those rooms are commanding the premium over a regular interior that they needed to achieve in order to pay for themselves. Rpyal IQ could easily be implemented once DD is rolled out and until then there really is no need to have it going. Not sure what will happen with the RFID Wowbands as that is quite a complex task on existing ships. Changing all the door lock mechanisms, the additional wiring and changing every Point of sale system is sure to be quite costly. Definitely too bad about the waterslides. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MADflyer Posted May 19, 2015 #230 Share Posted May 19, 2015 Yes 21% for most, 10% at bars Typically, the 10% should only be charged prior to and following Spanish ports. VAT should not be charged on services when they are produced and carried out in international waters. The higher VAT should only be charged on 'products' Maybe RCI handle this different than the European lines? I really do not recall from my Barcelona sailing last May on Liberty. Spanish 10% IVA tax is applicable to all bar purchases, select dining cover charges and room service charges when in Spanish waters only. Spanish 21% IVA tax is applicable to purchases made in the on board shops, photo gallery and products purchased in the spa (excluding treatments and services) when the cruise starts from a Spanish port. An Italian 22% IVA tax is applicable to purchases made in the on board shops, photo gallery and products purchased in the spa (excluding treatments and services) when the cruise starts from an Italian port. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elleran Posted May 20, 2015 #231 Share Posted May 20, 2015 Here are some photos of new parts of the ship posted on twitter that might be of interest. Sabor American Icon Grill Grande Silk Suite lounge Michael Kors Queue for check in and one from the dry dock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aboat1 Posted May 20, 2015 #232 Share Posted May 20, 2015 Thanks for the Pics!!!! Hope you have a great cruise.:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Single Cruiser Posted May 20, 2015 #233 Share Posted May 20, 2015 As its a closed EU cruise Spanish VAT is added for the duration of the cruise. Similar debates on NCL forum as Epic charges the same. Think Spain are trying to maximise revenues for sailings from Spanish ports. It's in the compass and separate letter and even CD announced it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Single Cruiser Posted May 20, 2015 #234 Share Posted May 20, 2015 If you can't read it seems better on my Twitter account Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Single Cruiser Posted May 20, 2015 #235 Share Posted May 20, 2015 On the morning show they are talking up fastest internet at Sea and to be honest it's best I've ever used! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Single Cruiser Posted May 20, 2015 #236 Share Posted May 20, 2015 Also the musical is "tell me on a Sunday" for only one month before Mamma Mia starts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarvowinner Posted May 20, 2015 #237 Share Posted May 20, 2015 If you can't read it seems better on my Twitter account Hi Craig - now following you on twitter. When you have a chance, could you post your internet package on twitter as I just can't read it on CC. Glad you are enjoying your cruise. We are so looking forward to our TA in October. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Big Booper Posted May 20, 2015 #238 Share Posted May 20, 2015 Restaurants look the same as on Oasis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare steamboats Posted May 20, 2015 #239 Share Posted May 20, 2015 [ATTACH]349835[/ATTACH] As its a closed EU cruise Spanish VAT is added for the duration of the cruise. Similar debates on NCL forum as Epic charges the same. Think Spain are trying to maximise revenues for sailings from Spanish ports. It's in the compass and separate letter and even CD announced it. No, it´s an EU law. I paid the British VAT on a magnet I bought onboard the Anthem of the Seas during the pre inaugural cruise. On all closed loop cruises out of a European port you have to pay the VAT of the country the cruise starts. There´s a reduced VAT on food and other stuff (which is the 10% for Spain). But on all other goods you have to pay the full VAT (which is 21% in Spain). Here in Germany I have 19% regular VAT, 7% reduced VAT. Funny thing is, when you buy something at McD or other fast food restaurants they ask you "here or to go". When you answer "to go" it´s only 7%. When you answer "here" it´s 19%. The price you pay is the same as the VAT is included in the price written on the menu. It´s just that the company has to forward either 19 or 7 % to the state. steamboats Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cflower04 Posted May 20, 2015 #240 Share Posted May 20, 2015 Any word on the new aft grand suites?! Sailing in 11330 in October and can't wait to hear about it! Hope the room is similar to the one on Oasis with the lovely big balcony! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ocav Posted May 20, 2015 #241 Share Posted May 20, 2015 No, it´s an EU law. I paid the British VAT on a magnet I bought onboard the Anthem of the Seas during the pre inaugural cruise. Good, we need it! Here in Germany I have 19% regular VAT, 7% reduced VAT. Funny thing is, when you buy something at McD or other fast food restaurants they ask you "here or to go". When you answer "to go" it´s only 7%. When you answer "here" it´s 19%. The price you pay is the same as the VAT is included in the price written on the menu. It´s just that the company has to forward either 19 or 7 % to the state. steamboats In the UK we have similar VAT laws but all food and children's clothing is VAT exempt, and prepared food is VAT exempt if not using the stores seating. A bakery/pasty store here called Greggs has 2 different prices on items, one for take out, one for eat in. That said, UK law doesn't require it once you have left UK waters, however it's often easier for them to stick to one price throughout the cruise and the 20% VAT gets paid to the UK Government anyway Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Single Cruiser Posted May 20, 2015 #242 Share Posted May 20, 2015 The argument would be what's the difference between a cruise ship and say a roll on roll off Ferry between Spain and Italy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ocav Posted May 20, 2015 #243 Share Posted May 20, 2015 The argument would be what's the difference between a cruise ship and say a roll on roll off Ferry between Spain and Italy A ferry is much cheaper? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Single Cruiser Posted May 20, 2015 #244 Share Posted May 20, 2015 A ferry is much cheaper? Lol and they charge VAT onboard ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare steamboats Posted May 20, 2015 #245 Share Posted May 20, 2015 That said, UK law doesn't require it once you have left UK waters, however it's often easier for them to stick to one price throughout the cruise and the 20% VAT gets paid to the UK Government anyway It´s not the UK law requiring the VAT but EU law. But most of the cruises out of UK do have a non EU port. Guernsey qualifies as non EU. Then you only have to pay the VAT as long as you´re in UK waters. The pre inaugural was a 2 nighter out of Southampton with no port stop. So legally it was a closed loop cruise not hitting a non EU port. Therefore they had to charge the VAT. Last year on the Oasis TA (Eastbound) we had the Spanish VAT for Malaga and Barcelona. The Cruise Daily said we have to pay it in port and within 1 hour after leaving/before entering the port. steamboats Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pam bam Posted May 20, 2015 #246 Share Posted May 20, 2015 If you can't read it seems better on my Twitter account Love the pictures I'm following ya, lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raffles Posted May 20, 2015 #247 Share Posted May 20, 2015 So changes they have done are: Rebranded dining room to American Icon, Grande and Chic. Changed Rita's place to Sabor. Replaced the crown Viking lounge to become coastal Kitchen and Suite lounge. Moved Izmil from deck 16 to deck 4. Replaced lots of the carpets (especially in stairwells). Was told they added some cabins as well. Cupcake cupboard has gone. I hope you are enjoying your cruise, thank you for taking time to post all this information. We will be boarding on Sunday in Barcelona :) Re adding more cabins - they definately have as I booked my cabin on deck 6 so I could stagger from my cabin to the Diamond Lounge opposite for breakfast :o. The diamond lounge is no longer on deck 6 and there are cabins tagged on to the one I booked. Not sure where the diamond lounge is now, if you get the chance could you have a look and let me know what it is like? Many thanks Faye Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuCruise Posted May 20, 2015 #248 Share Posted May 20, 2015 Here are some photos of new parts of the ship posted on twitter that might be of interest.Sabor American Icon Grill Grande Silk Suite lounge Michael Kors Queue for check in and one from the dry dock Thanks for the pictures. Question about Silk, The Grande and American Icon....these all have a different feel but my understanding is that the menu is the same for all (unless they implement dynamic dining at some point). So if you are on My a Time, which room are you assigned? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Single Cruiser Posted May 20, 2015 #249 Share Posted May 20, 2015 Thanks for the pictures. Question about Silk, The Grande and American Icon....these all have a different feel but my understanding is that the menu is the same for all (unless they implement dynamic dining at some point). So if you are on My a Time, which room are you assigned? Mytime is currently deck 3 American Icon. Yes same menu. Only new is Coastal Kitchen for suite guests and Sabor Lunch and dinner for a fee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Single Cruiser Posted May 20, 2015 #250 Share Posted May 20, 2015 I hope you are enjoying your cruise, thank you for taking time to post all this information. We will be boarding on Sunday in Barcelona :) Re adding more cabins - they definately have as I booked my cabin on deck 6 so I could stagger from my cabin to the Diamond Lounge opposite for breakfast :o. The diamond lounge is no longer on deck 6 and there are cabins tagged on to the one I booked. Not sure where the diamond lounge is now, if you get the chance could you have a look and let me know what it is like? Many thanks Faye Walked past the Diamond Lounge today it's by the aft stairwell above Dazzles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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