Jewel of the Seas - recent reports?

[travelbug1325]

We had no issues with the cable car retruning to the ship. we budgeted the time to make sure we would be back in time. Anytime you are on a Royal Ship and have internet problems just go to guest services and tell them and there would be some monetary compensation. The only place I had problems with internet access was near the pool. I did report it and the person I spoke with said others has also reported it. I really wasn't there that often so for me it was not a big issue. Re your tour in Athens - sounds like a nightmare. Did you go to go to guest services and report the problem?

 

 

Unfortunately, we were at the mercy of the ship's tour. After we were dropped off in Faria, we proceeded right to the cable cars only to encounter the lines. Also, there were no RCI escorts on our tour, so we had no idea how long they would hold the ship. As for the internet, yes it has been reported.

[travelbug1325]

Thanks for the compasses. Going on this cruise Sept 10th. Anyone have an estimate on how long it takes to walk up or down the donkey path. I'm not very patient so if there is a long line I'm walking for sure. The only caveat is that I will be on a wine tour that day and it might not be pretty!

 

Walking the steps took us 20 minutes and they were very slippery and windy. Definitely wear comfortable shoes. Many ladies were having a hard time in flip flops and wedge sandals. Also, make sure to dodge the donkeys coming up the steps.

[travelbug1325]

So... if the line is very long can't you just go on a donkey, assuming you don't want to walk?

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

We were strongly advised by the cruise ship not to ride the donkeys as they are unpredictable.

[aichambaye]

We were strongly advised by the cruise ship not to ride the donkeys as they are unpredictable.

 

RCI doesn't want to be sued.

[kdnmom]

Hi All,

I am currently on the May 15th sailing and I will not be traveling with RCI again. We just finished in Santorini and it was a nightmare. The ship's shore excursion dropped us off in Faria and we went immediately to the cable cars. It was a 2.5hr wait and we were in danger of missing the last tender back! Unfortunately, we had to walk down the 900, feces-covered donkey steps. Also, we had no RCI tour escort, so we had no idea how they were keeping track of tour participants. It was miserable and stressful. Athens, we docked 3-hours late and we still required to leave at the same time...we did not get our money's worth from these tours.

 

Internet is not worth the cost!! It's spotty and barely connects. I will be traveling with my normal carrier Norwegian who values the importance of their customers.

 

Could you please tell us what the reason was for the late docking in Athens?

[skiiergirl]

Unfortunately, we were at the mercy of the ship's tour. After we were dropped off in Faria, we proceeded right to the cable cars only to encounter the lines. Also, there were no RCI escorts on our tour, so we had no idea how long they would hold the ship. As for the internet, yes it has been reported.

 

Do you mean ship personnel on your tour? RC never sends ship personnel on the tours. Do other cruise lines?

[travelbug1325]

Do you mean ship personnel on your tour? RC never sends ship personnel on the tours. Do other cruise lines?

 

Each RCI tour had a designated tour escort, i.e someone from the ship. Of course we also had the guide and bus driver.

[travelbug1325]

Could you please tell us what the reason was for the late docking in Athens?

 

Wind.

[MiniChunks]

We were strongly advised by the cruise ship not to ride the donkeys as they are unpredictable.

 

We rode the donkey's up when we were there on our honeymoon in 2005 on Brilliance. I have to say that the donkey ride is probably the most talked about event of the trip. It was fun, exciting, terrifying and everything in between. I guess I understand why Royal would try to push you toward the cable car, but if I ever make it back, i'm riding the donkeys.

[Zutcorp]

thanks for the compasses. I love researching before travelling, and have had a hard time finding recent information about the ship. From the info found here, I wonder why we would leave the ship at all :-)

 

As for Santorini, I've been reading about the "speed boat" trip over to Oia, and taking the bus back to Fira. Did any of you do that? Also, someone posted that we seem to be lucky and only share the port with one other ship and thats leaving when we arrive, so I hope the queuing isn't too bad.

[little britain]

Boarded Jewel today. If you want to know anything just ask.

 

Corona $6.50 + 18% = $7.67

 

Breakfast menu from room service;

 

Captain 👩*✈️ Lis so a lady driver!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Clarea]

Boarded Jewel today. If you want to know anything just ask.

I'd like to know if the food venue in the Solarium has anything for breakfast.

[little britain]

I'd like to know if the food venue in the Solarium has anything for breakfast.

 

 

 

The solarium food outlet is very small compared to Vision. Not even a coffee/tea station.... I'll check and let you know re brekkie!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Zutcorp]

thats some expensive beer! I saw in another compass that it's possible to buy a 10 drink card - is that still on? That might be the way to go for us, since we don't expect to drink much, but would like a drink once in awhile.

 

Also, if you could scrounge up some info about the teens club, that would be great. My kids are 11 and 13, and are wondering what happens in there...

[skiiergirl]

Hi All,

I am currently on the May 15th sailing and I will not be traveling with RCI again. We just finished in Santorini and it was a nightmare. The ship's shore excursion dropped us off in Faria and we went immediately to the cable cars. It was a 2.5hr wait and we were in danger of missing the last tender back! Unfortunately, we had to walk down the 900, feces-covered donkey steps. Also, we had no RCI tour escort, so we had no idea how they were keeping track of tour participants. It was miserable and stressful. Athens, we docked 3-hours late and we still required to leave at the same time...we did not get our money's worth from these tours.

 

Internet is not worth the cost!! It's spotty and barely connects. I will be traveling with my normal carrier Norwegian who values the importance of their customers.

 

Each RCI tour had a designated tour escort, i.e someone from the ship. Of course we also had the guide and bus driver.

 

I am confused. You complain that you didn't have an RC rep but then you say you did have an RC rep.

[SpainAlien]

Boarded Jewel today. If you want to know anything just ask.

 

Corona $6.50 + 18% = $7.67

 

Breakfast menu from room service;

 

Captain 👩*✈️ Lis so a lady driver!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

 

Thank you for your feedback, I am onboard on the next sailing: 2nd June. Are they doing buckets of beer?

[southerngirl8]

Please share your recommendations of private shore excursions. I have 7 travelers.

In Italy, use Rome in Limo. They are great.If you can't get a single cruiser from your thread, the 7 of you can split an 8 person tour and each person absorb the 60-80 euro. They also do transports and I will use them to get from Rome to/from the Port which is over an hour as they will take you right to the ship.

[steveru621]

Our two stops in Greece were logistically horrible. Beautiful scenery for the most part (if you ignore all the graffiti in Athens), but the transportation was a nightmare. Seemed to be bureaucracy everywhere.

 

Last time we were in Santorini the infamous cable car or funicular was the bottle neck of the excursion. The ship could not use their own tenders, even for a ship's excursion. We had to use the government run tenders, and boarding in rough seas was dangerous. What we were told by RCI is Santorini wants you to wait for the cable car so you would be forced to pass by merchants in the square, but they understand the wait time, and would have delayed departure. The excursion buses were not allowed to return to their starting point.

 

RCI never recommends scooters or donkeys! You can't sue them anyway.

 

Just an observation, there seems to be more RCI reps on Med excursions than any other region. Many excursions end with free time (read shopping), the RCI reps usually disappear then.

 

The Internet speed IS HORRIBLE. But the rest is not RCIs fault.

[crosby99]

The solarium food outlet is very small compared to Vision. Not even a coffee/tea station.... I'll check and let you know re brekkie!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

They had coffee/tea in the solarium in the evening in April. Wasn't out during the day though.

[little britain]

I'd like to know if the food venue in the Solarium has anything for breakfast.

 

 

 

Nothing's showing in compass for today.

Solarium open for "snacks" 3-6:30p and again from 9p to 3am

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[little britain]

thats some expensive beer! I saw in another compass that it's possible to buy a 10 drink card - is that still on? That might be the way to go for us, since we don't expect to drink much, but would like a drink once in awhile.

 

Also, if you could scrounge up some info about the teens club, that would be great. My kids are 11 and 13, and are wondering what happens in there...

 

 

 

They said they may sell drink card from day 3 onwards....will keep a look [emoji102] out for it

 

Deluxe$49pppd

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[little britain]

Wifi $12.99 and $17.99

9 day package is $142.63 for surf only ($93.85 with my D+ discount)

Day 2 and the price has not dropped yet...?

 

22% VAT included [emoji44]

 

Only 18 D+ and no pineapples on board. Highest cruiser has less than 290 points!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited May 25, 2017 by little britain

[Clarea]

Nothing's showing in compass for today.

Solarium open for "snacks" 3-6:30p and again from 9p to 3am

Disappointing, but thanks for reporting back.

[wieslaw]

Wifi $12.99 and $17.99

9 day package is $142.63 for surf only ($93.85 with my D+ discount)

Day 2 and the price has not dropped yet...?

 

22% VAT included [emoji44]

 

Only 18 D+ and no pineapples on board. Highest cruiser has less than 290 points!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Hi,

Thanks for reporting.

Is the 22% VAT added to any purchase regardless if the purchase is done at seas ( international waters ) or when the ship is in port ?

I like the small number of D, D+ and higher.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

[travelbug1325]

I am confused. You complain that you didn't have an RC rep but then you say you did have an RC rep.

 

All of the previous port shore excursions had an RCI escort, except the one in Santorini. My complaint is we should have had one on this tour to monitor the lines and our location.