Just back from Jewel Aegean itinerary - Any questions?

[Host Jacquelyn]

No Freestyle machines on Jewel.

 

Yes there was a freestyle machine in the windjammer. On the left hand side, before the sliding back doors

[Host Jacquelyn]

You were very fortunate to have that perk. We were on the cruise before yours and the Diamond Concierge would neither escort us or supply priority tender tickets. There was never more than a handful of us in either the CL or DL. His reason for not giving priority tickets was because "people don't bother to use them". We certainly would have.

 

 

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Agreed! Plus they only started handing out tickets at 12:15 or 12:30. I asked at 11:30 and they said no

[Ourusualbeach]

Yes there was a freestyle machine in the windjammer. On the left hand side, before the sliding back doors

 

Thanks for the update.

[Host Jacquelyn]

How was embarking in civitevecchia? We r planning on being there 11:00.

 

Embarking was the easiest of all our cruises! We got to the port around 11:15 and there were barely any lines. Boarded very quickly.

[sandancer]

I think those guests arriving independently had the easier embarkation. Fly/cruise was another matter.

Coaches all arriving at the same time at the port, we had to queue at the gate to get into the port and inside it was chaotic. We didn't get on the ship until 3.30.

 

 

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[sharktums]

There are two Freestyle Machines in Windjammer.

 

Plus - They kept them in very good working order and filled with all of the options.

Con - They were in Windjammer so you could only get drinks from them during opening hours.

 

Also, forgot to mention the 'Voom' Internet was certainly faster than the old service but nowhere near the levels of Oasis/Quantum Class ships.

 

The Tapas had Olives, Bruschetta, cheese, etc.

[jancl57]

How was embarking in civitevecchia? We r planning on being there 11:00.

 

We were on the June 1, 9 night cruise on the Jewel. We got to Civitevecchia around 11:15 and were on board by 11:45. Easy Peasy..... Loved everything about this cruise....would love to do it again!

[greek princess]

By any chance did you get a copy of vintages wine menu?

Thanks!

[Host Jacquelyn]

By any chance did you get a copy of vintages wine menu?

Thanks!

 

I didn't, but hopefully someone else did.

[JazzieB]

I didn't, but hopefully someone else did.

 

Hi, how does the drinks package work in Vintages?

[Clarea]

Hi, how does the drinks package work in Vintages?

Same way it works in other bars, it covers full glasses of wine up to the package limit. However, it does not cover partial glasses of wine, such as those used in wine flights.

[JazzieB]

Same way it works in other bars, it covers full glasses of wine up to the package limit. However, it does not cover partial glasses of wine, such as those used in wine flights.

 

Ok thank you, it's our first experience with the drinks package, we always bought the wine package in the past, do they bring glasses of wine when you are in the mdr?

[Clarea]

Ok thank you, it's our first experience with the drinks package, we always bought the wine package in the past, do they bring glasses of wine when you are in the mdr?

Yes, your package works in any restaurant, including the MDR and Windjammer.

[debs2028]

Help , it's a long time since I cruised and people really dressed up on formal night . I have a long dress not a gown but definitely more formal than I would normally wear .. What were people generally wearing , I know I can wear what I want but I would feel out of place and uncomfortable if everyone was in sun dresses .

Thanks

[Clarea]

Help , it's a long time since I cruised and people really dressed up on formal night . I have a long dress not a gown but definitely more formal than I would normally wear .. What were people generally wearing , I know I can wear what I want but I would feel out of place and uncomfortable if everyone was in sun dresses .

Thanks

You will see the entire range of dress, from shorts to long gowns. Don't worry about it.

[vikielynne]

Do you know what time the Diamond + cocktail time is? - I know it changes ship to ship and wondered what they were doing.

 

If you bring wine back while in port was it held and returned the last night? I know that is normal but wondered in Europe if it was more relaxed.

 

Is the menu RCL's standard menu - trying to decide on specialty dining but may not if the menu has changed?

 

Diamond + "coupons" - do we still get a bag of laundry?

 

Thank you!

[Clarea]

.... Diamond + "coupons" - do we still get a bag of laundry?

 

Thank you!

Yes.

[Host Jacquelyn]

Diamond cocktail time ended at 8:30 and began either at 5:00 or 5:30

[BEENSAILING]

Do you know what time the Diamond + cocktail time is? - I know it changes ship to ship and wondered what they were doing.

 

If you bring wine back while in port was it held and returned the last night? I know that is normal but wondered in Europe if it was more relaxed.

 

Is the menu RCL's standard menu - trying to decide on specialty dining but may not if the menu has changed?

 

Diamond + "coupons" - do we still get a bag of laundry?

 

Thank you!

 

Cocktail time begins 5 pm or 5:30 pm

Regardless of what ocean or continent - or how any nights - you cannot carry on alcohol from a port in the middle of a cruise.

There are times where MDR menus do change from sailing to sailing. Based on where cruise begins. Not all foods (and fruits) are available for the ship to bring on at the start of a cruise.

Also - if you are a coffee drinker and you like half and half or cream - you may want to bring packets of coffee mate. We have found cruises which begin in Europe, South America and Australia - the iiquid half and half in the coffee service area (and in staterooms) are not half and half or cream but small containers of milk.

[vikielynne]

Thanks for the replies!

Our last sailing they began the nightly event at 4:30 - unless you settled in after lunch you couldn't get a seat so I'm happy to hear this.

 

My last Med cruise I brought bottles of wine to bring home and ship security never blinked an eye - I took them straight from the x-ray machine back to the cabin.

 

I gave up on RCL'S coffee a long time ago ;-) so don't have to worry about that bit.

 

We'll just decide the specialty dining once on board based on the nightly menu - I'm the planner for this trip bit will manage not having plan A, B and C for a change.

 

Thanks again!

[BEENSAILING]

Thanks for the replies!

Our last sailing they began the nightly event at 4:30 - unless you settled in after lunch you couldn't get a seat so I'm happy to hear this.

 

My last Med cruise I brought bottles of wine to bring home and ship security never blinked an eye - I took them straight from the x-ray machine back to the cabin.

 

I gave up on RCL'S coffee a long time ago ;-) so don't have to worry about that bit.

 

We'll just decide the specialty dining once on board based on the nightly menu - I'm the planner for this trip bit will manage not having plan A, B and C for a change.

 

Thanks again!

 

I travel everywhere with Starbucks Via - Italian Roast.

That's pretty surprising your wine purchase mid cruise wasn't take to a hold room.

[Host Jacquelyn]

Help , it's a long time since I cruised and people really dressed up on formal night . I have a long dress not a gown but definitely more formal than I would normally wear .. What were people generally wearing , I know I can wear what I want but I would feel out of place and uncomfortable if everyone was in sun dresses .

Thanks

 

There were many people really dressed up on formal night - cocktail dresses, wedding attire. That said, I also saw some in sun dresses as well. You will certainly not be out of place in a long dress.

[kirm]

what happened to those who had a ship tour booked

 

We're just off that cruise also and had booked ships tours for all ports - Santorini we chose to do the Akrotiri Ruins and Oia Village - our guide was totally fantastic (Maria) but we only had about 55 minutes in Oia before we were bused back to Fira where we had no time at all and just had to join the queue for the cable car. The queue was long but moved very quickly and was in the shade all the time.

 

Athens however, was a fiasco!

[Host Jacquelyn]

 

Athens however, was a fiasco!

 

What date did you sail and what happened in Athens?

[kirm]

What date did you sail and what happened in Athens?

 

We sailed on 10th July. We did the Taste of Athens tour - 11 of us in total so it cost us close to $1,000 overall. We assembled in the Coral Theatre, we were group number 13. Everyone was delayed getting off the ship due to "immigration issues" so by the time our group was called we were 50 minutes late getting off the ship. Our guide spoke on the bus ride but when we got to the Acropolis there was very very little historical information given, in fact, she hardly spoke at all and by the time we got to the top we had 10/15 minutes to see everything before we had to head back down to the meeting point!!

 

While queuing for entry to the Acropolis we were directly behind another busload from the ship with a different guide and she was utterly amazing, speaking the entire time to her group on the history of the sites, so we ended up listening to her - only for that we would have learned very little indeed.

 

The ships tour description said we had 3 hours free time in Plaka but we had in fact about 1 hour 50 minutes in which we literally had some refreshments, ran around the New Acropolis Museum and did some pretty hasty shopping before returning to the ship!

 

This was our most disappointing tour and the one we had been looking forward to the most.

Edited July 21, 2016 by kirm