Any one under been on a cruise with the royal Caribbean cruise ships?

Question

Iam going on a med cruise in the end of october, and wanted a little info. I am 26 and my boyfriend is 30 and we wanted to know what to pack for the week, I dont have a clue what the weather will be like, cold? hot? inbetween? We are starting of in Barcelona, then florance, rome, montecarlo, cannes. any Idea what to wear? Olso there are two formal dinners and havent ot a clue what to wear for those! any ideas? sensible answers please! x

Answer 1

We did the Med on a Royal Caribbean ship a couple years ago, the Brilliance of the Seas.  We also departed from and returned to Barcelona, Spain.  Our cruise dates were October 5th through 17 and the weather was great.  We had a few rain showers a couple days but not enough to stop or really interfere with our tours.  The weather was in the 70's during the day and 60's at night.  But it was nice enough to sit on the balcony at night and not be cold.

Here's what to expect.  The standard cabin that most people get (inside/outside/balcony) is generally between 175 and 200 Square feet, about the size of a 9 by 12 ft home bedroom (balconies are about 45 to 55 sq ft).  Each cabin has a two beds which can be made into a queen, a bathroom with a shower stall, a closet and some drawer space, a TV and telephone, a mini-refrigerator, a safe for valuables, and a life jacket for each passenger.

The dress on ship is casual all day until 6:00PM.  SO take swim wear, shorts, sandals, beach shoes,  sun glasses and sun screen, lotions, a cap or big hat for the sun, a book if you are a reader, your music player, sneakers and clothes to workout in if you like to use the gym, your camera, and other personal toiletries.  

After 6:00 PM they request that you wear "sports casual" attire.  That's attire that you would expect a person to wear in a business office, shirt with a collar, slacks, skirt, blouse, etc.  You can still wear shorts and swim wear in the pools and spas but not in public areas like dining rooms and restaurants, show rooms, bars, casino, etc.  If you go to the pool in swim wear cover yourself while in the hallway with a wrap or towel.

Your cruise will have two formal nights when you can wear your best stuff and get pictures taken, and maybe meet the ship’s Captain.  The formal nights are REQUESTED not required attire.  But most people do dress up in a tux for men and a long dress (any color) for women.  Some men just wear a suit and tie and some women wear a nice dress but not a gown.  You will not be denied access to the dining room or anything else if you choose not to dress up.  (we usually take off the formal stuff after dinner and pictures anyway).

Take a light jacket for when its breezy on deck and/or if there are rain showers.  Be careful of pickpockets and Gypsies in Barcelona, Rome and Florence.  Your tour guides will likely tell you this.  What i recommend is going to Target or Brookstones and getting a money belt/pouch which you can then wear under your clothes.  I would keep my Passport, credit cards and money in it under my shirt and my jacket so there was no chance of a pickpocket getting anything.  I would only keep a few Euros, mainly coins, in my pocket for buying souvenirs.  Spain, France, Italy and Greece all use the Euro and you can get them from your bank before you go, in the airport, or at the purser's desk on ship.

Its best to pack using soft-sided luggage because with space limited in your cabin it fits under the beds better if its not hard sided luggage. Take a small carry-on bag for the last night of the cruise. On the last evening you will be required to put your luggage outside your cabin by about 2:00 AM so that they can start taking it down to the lower deck for offloading the next morning. So you will need a small bag for your toiletries and and your clothes that you sleep in.

If you have access to a grocery or convenience store prior to boarding the ship, or if you drive to the port, take a 6-pack of bottled water and a 6-pack of your favorite soft drink in 16 oz bottles. Soft drinks are not included in the price of your tour and I find that its nice to have my own soft drink in my cabin, same with bottle water which they also sell on ship.

Answer 2

AHHH!!! I did this exact cruise last year!! but in july.probably the same ship too!! Voyager?? Anyway, you will have a GREAT time!!!  as for the dinners, nice dresses for the formal nights and the other nights you can wear a nice skirt and a blouse or a sundress or a nice pair of pants and a nice top. your boyfriend should bring a suit type thing for the formal nights(or he can rent one on the ship) and then just khakis and button down  or collar shirts. also a lot of men wear those hawaiian type button down shirts.  I don't know what the weather will be like in october but it was extremely hot in July. So, probably in between. Be sure to book excursions! especially if you go to Naples. book the amalfi coast/pompeii excursion! it is amazing! and in Barcelona it would be best to have a hotel that is at least 4 stars. the ratings are not the same as in the US. Hope I helped some. Have a great trip!

Answer 3

You will have 2 formal nights on a 7 night cruise.  Long evening dresses are the norm, but a short cocktail dress is also appropriate.  If you are going to be eating in the main dining room- you really should dress up.  You don't have to if you choose to eat in the buffet.  

You will love Royal Caribbean - they are the best!!