Rulocal

A really nice guy who is working relentlessly for world peace (when sober) Read more🇬🇧Ashton-in-Makerfield

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Allure & Indy April 2014 Rulocal
It's the little things
April 29, 2014 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C
It's the little things that make it special.
Such as being a little able to have lunch freshly prepared for you in the concierge lounge, and having the added bonus of free beer or wine.
This is the kind of thing that is missing from the loyalty program on all the other Royal ships.
I've said for a while now, that the loyalty program has been slipping, and that by being "loyal to royal " you weren't being made feel special or valued.
But on here even though the size of the ship makes things a little impersonal, things like this do make you feel valued.
Anyway, enough of all that...
This morning we had breakfast in Johnny Rockets which is just one of the many places on board where you can get breakfast.
Then last night we went to the Aqua Theatre and the show was amazing, with some spectacular high divers and brilliant acrobatics.
I would definitely recommend it as a not to be missed show.Read more
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Allure & Indy TA 2014 Rulocal
The little things
April 29, 2014, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
It's the little things that make it special.
Such as being a little able to have lunch freshly prepared for you in the concierge lounge, and having the added bonus of free beer or wine.
This is the kind of thing that is missing from the loyalty program on all the other Royal ships.
I've said for a while now, that the loyalty program has been slipping, and that by being "loyal to royal " you weren't being made feel special or valued.
But on here even though the size of the ship makes things a little impersonal, things like this do make you feel valued.
Anyway, enough of all that... This morning we had breakfast in Johnny Rockets which is just one of the many places on board where you can get breakfast. Then last night we went to the Aqua Theatre and the show was amazing, with some spectacular high divers and brilliant acrobatics. I would definitely recommend it as a not to be missed show. The picture here doesn't do it any justice I'm afraid.Read more
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Allure & Indy April 2014 Rulocal
Good flight but, soooo long!
April 27, 2014 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
Well the taxi came on time as usual.
I can highly recommend Martin and his airport service.
The airport check in was brill, it took all of 2 minutes to drop our bags and check in.
The flight to Heathrow was uneventful as was the flight to Miami, the latter being good but long and tiring.
Sheila and I have agreed that after the cruise next January, we'll probably not be doing anymore long haul flights.
Anyway we arrive at the wonderful Miami airport, where the lovely immigration officer refuses to accept sheilas disabled card, saying it's not an official US document. I know you knob it's an official UK document.
Anyway Shelia calms me down and we join the other queue.
Maz and Sue are already at the front and convinced one of the staff that we were travelling together and she let us join them.
We were very grateful as Sheila could not have stood for much longer she was knackered. Anyway we get through "homeland security"
Then we have to queue again for customs where a completely disinterested customs guy takes a Perfunctory glance at our passports and waves us through.
A completely pointless exercise as we had already had our passports checked properly at immigration.
I'm certain they don't really want visitors in this bloody country.
No wonder they are disliked all over the world.
Anyway got to the hotel with the excellent transfer service, good, quick service.
The hotel is nice and the room is excellent.
So it's now 5.30am and I'm on the lobby having a coffee and writing this blog.
I'm looking forward to watching the Liverpool v Chelsea game which is on the TV at 9.05am local time.
Just a bit disappointed with the Everton result yesterday, think they've thrown away the 4th place in the league, as I can't see Arsenal slipping up now, as they've just started hitting some good form.
But hey ho, it's only football, and for once Mr Shankly was wrong it's not more important than life and death, as Hillsborough proved.
Speak later.Read more
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Allure & Indy TA 2014 Rulocal
Long flight
April 27, 2014 in England ⋅ 🌧 11 °C
Well the taxi came on time as usual, I can highly recommend Martin and his airport service. The airport check in was brill, it took all of 2 minutes to drop our bags and check in.
The flight to Heathrow was uneventful a was the flight to Miami, the latter being good but long and tiring. Sheila and I have agreed that after the cruise next January, we'll probably not be doing anymore long haul flights.
Anyway we arrive at the wonderful Miami airport, where the lovely immigration officer refuses to accept sheilas disabled card, saying it's not an official US document, no you knob it's an official UK document, but Shelia calms me down and we join the other queue. Maz and Sue are already at the front and convinced one of the staff that we were travelling together and she let us join them. We were very grateful as Sheila could not have stood for much longer she was knackered. Anyway we get through "homeland security" (did you notice the facecious inverted commas) lol. Then we have to queue again for customs where a completely disinterested customs guy takes a Perfunctory glance at our passports and waves us through. A completely pointless exercise as we had already had our passports checked properly at immigration, I'm certain they don't really want visitors in this bloody country. No wonder they are disliked all over the world.
Anyway got to the hotel with the excellent transfer service, (did you notice there where no facecious inverted commas then) great and quick service. The hotel is nice and the room is excellent.
So it's now 5.30am and I'm on the lobby having a coffee and writing this blog, and looking forward to watching the Liverpool v Chelsea game which is on the TV at 9.05am local time. Just a bit disappointed with the Everton result yesterday, think they've thrown away the 4th place in the league, as I can't see Arsenal slipping up now, as they've just started hitting some good form. But hey ho, it's only football, and for once Mr Shankley was wrong it's not more important than life and death, as Hillsborough proved. Speak later.Read more
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Allure & Indy April 2014 Rulocal
All's well that end's well
April 10, 2014 in England ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C
The other week we saw upgrades to balcony cabins on the Independence ots available for £44 each.
So we asked Louise, our travel agent to get us the upgrades, which she did.
After about 2 weeks there was still no confirmation.
So she got back in touch with Guatemala to find out why.
They told her that all the balcony upgrades had gone and that they had not confirmed anything with her when she originally contacted them.
Well, Louise having had problems with them before, had recorded the original phone call where they had confirmed everything.
So when she told the Guatemala office this, and they apologised, said it was an error on their part and offered is a free upgrade to a large ocean view cabin and $300 obc as compensation.
OK it's not a balcony, but it's a large cabin in a brilliant position and the $300 makes it $450 obc with the $150 we already had.
And also it's the transatlantic leg of the trip, so the balcony would not be used that much anyway. We only booked the upgrade because it was cheap.
The main point of this post is to highlight the incompetence once again of the Guatemala office.
Anyway as the title says, all's well that ends well.Read more
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Allure & Indy April 2014 Rulocal
A cheap upgrade
April 9, 2014 in England ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C
Well this is a first.
We got an upgrade on the first part of the back to back cruise, from an inside to a balcony, and it only cost £44 each.
That was definitely an offer I couldn't refuse.
I'm not normally bothered about balcony cabins but at that price it was a steal.
Also the first cruise is around the Caribbean so we should get some use out of the balcony.Read more
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Explorer NYC & Carib Jan 2014 Rulocal
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.
February 14, 2014 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 3 °C
Then the snow storm that was supposed to pass to the north of us didn't and it hit NYC hard.
we got to the airport ok, and on to the plane ok, but It came down so fast and with the freezing temperatures the snow froze on the plane.
So that was our take off delayed.
The captain announced that we would have to taxi over to the de-icing pad.
Turns out we were ninth in line, so with us all on-board the plane we waited three hours to be de-iced.
Then it was up up and away for what turned out to be the fastest transatlantic fight I've ever done.
New York JFK to London Heathrow in five hours forty minutes.Read more
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Explorer NYC & Carib Jan 2014 Rulocal
Manchester airport
February 14, 2014 in England ⋅ 🌧 4 °C
On landing we had to go to flight connections for the boarding cards for our rearranged internal flight to Manchester.
Our transit through customs and immigration was OK, up until I set the alarm of with my belt buckle.
Then I almost had to strip down to my undies, while this prick of an immigration officer scanned me with his electronic wand, Maz had been stopped by him too, so that meant we were both in foul moods, lol.
Sheila and Sue both said that we should calm down and forget it, but these immigration pricks think they're God and really piss me off.
Then again the girls are right and there's not much you can do about the immigration guys because they always have the upper hand.
Anyway despite that and the problems on the first part of the cruise, we really had a good time, and the second part of the cruise was one of the best we've ever had.Read more
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Explorer NYC & Carib Jan 2014 Rulocal
Better weather expected
February 7, 2014, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
The weather forecast is looking a little better for Sunday, the expected storm looks like it's going to pass further north, and most of it should miss New York.
So with a bit of luck there should be flights taking off.
I've been in touch with Louise just in case our flight is cancelled, and she's monitoring the situation for us.Read more
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Explorer NYC & Carib Jan 2014 Rulocal
Another meal!
February 7, 2014, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ☁️ 2 °C
This cruise is full of firsts.
Yesterday when Sheila and I got back to the cabin, there was an invitation to dinner this time with the hotel director.
That's one step down from the Captain.
Before this cruise we'd never had dinner with any of the senior officers.
Now we've done it twice on one cruise.
The meal was at the Captain's table with a number of other guests, and it was excellent.
John Denton the hotel director was an excellent host and kept everyone entertained with his stories.
The meal started about 8.30pm and didn't finish till turned 11pm, and in many ways it was better than the meal with the Captain.
Not that the Captain's meal was bad because it wasn't it was great, but the meal with John Denton was much more relaxed, and boy did the wine flow.Read more
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Explorer NYC & Carib Jan 2014 Rulocal
Weather warning for NYC
February 7, 2014, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C
Well we're three days away from the end of the cruise and the weather reports from New York are very bad.
There are thousands of flights being cancelled and there are more storms expected for the weekend.
I'm actually watching CNN at moment and they are reporting this as the coldest winter in twenty years.
So it's looking quite likely we'll have to make some arrangements for staying in New York for a few days.
I just hope it's not at the airport.
Just have to wait and see.Read more
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Explorer NYC & Carib Jan 2014 Rulocal
Samana, Dominican republic
February 5, 2014 in Dominican Republic ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
Samana, in the Dominican Republic.
We tendered in which I always enjoy, but I'm afraid there's not much of interest there, just the usual trinket stalls along the sea front and a couple of run-down bars.
But the weather was beautiful so we had an enjoyable stroll.
I spoke to Eric and Doreen, later and they had done a local tour and they said there was not much of interest to see.Read more
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Explorer NYC & Carib Jan 2014 Rulocal
Superbowl shocker!
February 4, 2014 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ -1 °C
Not that I follow American football, but the build up to the Super Bowl final in New Jersey was amazing, especially for the two unexpected days we spent in New York.
Times Square and a chunk of Broadway where blocked off and then filled with outside TV studios and lots of sponsored side shows which ranges from simple kick a field goal, to banks of Xboxes where you could play virtual football games.
Every big US company you could think of had a booth where you could play stuff or where you could get free memorabilia.
As far as the game itself went I didn't watch it fully just bits and pieces.
But Mazen, who is a big American Football supporter went to his cabin to watch the whole thing, that's about 6 hours, including all the build-up to the game.
I'm afraid he was disappointed by the result as he was rooting for the Denver Broncos, who got hammered by the Seattle Seahawks by 43 - 8, which was a big shock as the Broncos were the strong favourites.Read more
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Explorer NYC & Carib Jan 2014 Rulocal
Bayonne New Jersey
February 4, 2014 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ -5 °C
Back on the ship for the second cruise.

We had a brilliant surprise today.
Out of the blue we received an invitation to dine with the Captain.
Apparently the guests in the royal suite had to refuse their invitation, so I think they must have felt sorry for us and invited us instead, lol.
Anyway it's not really my kind of thing the dining with the Captain stuff, but it was nice to be invited and it was a very pleasant experience.
The food was beautiful and the service second to none, which it being the Captain's table was only to be expected.
The executive chef came to the table to say hello, his name is Gary Thomas and believe it or not he's a Scouser. Only problem is he's a red! Lol.
It was funny as we met him the night before in the concierge overflow lounge.
He was talking to Sheila and she said to me, "Gary's from Liverpool, I said have you asked him the most important question?" Sheila said "what's that" and Gary knew, quick as a flash he said "blue or red" lol.
I said "exactly".
Turns out he's a red :-( lol. But despite that he's a lovely guy.Read more
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Explorer NYC & Carib Jan 2014 Rulocal
It's all Mr Englands fault
February 4, 2014, Caribbean Sea ⋅ ⛅ -1 °C
God I feel rough this morning.
It's all the fault of the concierge barman, by the name of Clive England.
We met him about 4 years ago on the independence and he's from Jamaica and is one of the best barmen we've come across on the cruise ships.
Then again it's not all his fault, as after we finished on the concierge, we all went up for a bite to eat in the Windjammer, then some bright spark suggested we all go back to Jim and Eva's suite for a few more drinks, as we all had spare bottles of wine left.
So that is why I feel like this, but I'm still blaming Clive for starting it all with his great service, lol.Read more
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Explorer NYC & Carib Jan 2014 Rulocal
Always a silver lining
February 2, 2014 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C
The two nights in the hotel were, good, after a typical RCCL start, with no proper information about how we were to finance our meals etc.
Eventually we were told to keep all receipts and submit them to the Miami office.
Which is OK but the cruise line really should have supplied the finance up front rather than us having to spend our own money then claim it back.
Anyway that aside the stay in the hotel was good it is a typical New York style hotel, with comfortable if a tad small rooms.
We all actually had a brilliant time in NYC.
Once again Mazens son, Aiman showed us around.
He took us to another brilliant restaurant, this one was in mid town Manhattan, called Hill Country.
A very busy and unusual restaurant, where you order your meat by weight and eat out of the paper it's wrapped in.
I know that doesn't sound that good but it's actually brilliant and the food is amazing and the atmosphere is electric.
So what started out as a disappointment with the cruise being cancelled, ended up being a great couple of days in New York.Read more
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Allure & Indy April 2014 Rulocal
Another Countdown
February 2, 2014 in England ⋅ ☀️ 7 °C
Counting down on our next cruise, which is a back to back firstly on the Allure ots around the Caribbean.
Then we jump on the Independence ots for a transatlantic cruise back to Southampton.
We will be travelling with friends, Maz & Sue, flying to Ft Lauderdale to pick up the Allure, then after the transatlantic on the Indy we've hired a car for the four of us to drive back to Wigan.
I find that hiring a car is the cheapest and most convenient way of getting home, especially when the cost is shared between four people.
Just as a point of interest the last few times I've hired cars for this kind of trip I've found that Alamo Car Hire have been the most reasonable.
Joining us on the flight out, but not the drive home will be Eva & Jim, lovely couple from Northern Ireland.
The six of us have cruised together a few times now, and every time we've had a great time, so I'm looking forward to another great trip.Read more
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Explorer NYC & Carib Jan 2014 Rulocal
New York, a walk in the park
January 30, 2014 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ -3 °C
Finally in the hotel, and it's as nice as we thought.
On Friday morning after breakfast Sheila and the others went back to the hotel.
I had a walk up to Central Park for another tick off my bucket list, walking in Central Park in the snow (I know, I know, I'm sad).
It was a cold but beautiful morning and the park was stunning.
It's a really beautiful place no matter what time of year it is, but to me in to see it in winter it's especially lovely.
It must have been a real shame in the years when it wasn't safe to walk through the park on your own.
But since mayor Giuliani cleaned the city up many years ago it's been a brilliant city to walk around.Read more
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Explorer NYC & Carib Jan 2014 Rulocal
Still waiting
January 29, 2014 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ -7 °C
None of the consecutive cruisers have yet got any proper information on what we're supposed to do for transfers, immigration or luggage etc.
The right hand doesn't know what the left is doing, the buck is being passed with amazing speed.
We were told we'd be getting a letter to explain everything by midnight last night.
Well it's now 5.30 in the morning and it still hasn't arrived.
So I've just been down too the pursers desk and they inform me that we will now be receiving the letter later this morning.
Just have to wait and see.
One thing we have been told is the name of the hotel we're going to, Le Parker Meridian on 5th Ave.
We've Googled it and it looks nice and it's a 5 star, woo hoo!
That's as long as we actually get off the ship lol.Read more
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Explorer NYC & Carib Jan 2014 Rulocal
Compensation sorted
January 29, 2014, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
The compensation for the cancelled part of the cruise had been sorted.
We are getting 50% off this first cruise, which includes a $400 refund they gave us yesterday, and then a further 50% off a future cruise.
It seems quite reasonable, so no real complaints from me.
They did a forum with the captain, in the theatre yesterday, which was put together with the good intentions of giving the passengers information and the chance to ask any questions, but I'm afraid it turned into a shouting match.
With people not listening and just shouting out some really stupid questions.
For me all it did was give some light entertainment for the morning.
We will find out today what the arrangements are for the back to back cruisers.
We know we're being put up in an hotel for two nights while they sanitize the ship, we're just not sure where the hotel will be, as it's Super Bowl week and the local hotels are packed out.Read more
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Explorer NYC & Carib Jan 2014 Rulocal
Free at last
January 27, 2014 in Puerto Rico ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C
Sheila was finally let out of her quarantine in the cabin, woo hoo!
We had docked in the usual berth in Old San Juan, so as Maz, Jim & the girls had gone to a shopping mall for some retail therapy, we decided on a stroll in to town.
We headed for an ice cream parlour we had found last time we were here.
It sells beautiful frozen yogurt and most importantly has free WiFi, not only free but it has a good strong signal and is quiet.
Unlike the popular places like Starbucks and Burger king where you struggle with low bandwidth and hoards of people.
Oh yes,I almost forgot. A follow on from an earlier post.
The concierge pulled me aside yesterday and apologized for his attitude the other night when he told me off for being loud during the penalty shoot-out in the Manchester United semi final. I accepted his apology, but I feel it was made more because he doesn't want to lose any tips from our group, which is usually 8 or 10 people four of which are pinnacle members. I'll just see how it goes over this and the next cruise.Read more
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Explorer NYC & Carib Jan 2014 Rulocal
Cruise Cancelled !!
January 25, 2014 in Puerto Rico ⋅ 🌙 22 °C
Well this is a first for me, the CDC have cancelled the rest of the cruise, and we are now not going to St Maarten, we are heading straight back to Bayonne, New Jersey, for sanitizing.
There will be compensation etc, but we've not yet been told what it will be.
Also we're not sure what's going to happen to us back to backers, we don't know if we'll be doing the second cruise or if that's being cancelled also.
No doubt we'll find out today.
I will keep you informed.

P.S. Just watching CNN and a report came on about the sickness on the ship.
According to the report there are more than 300 people sick that is 280 guests and over 20 staff.Read more
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Explorer NYC & Carib Jan 2014 Rulocal
Docked in Old San Juan
January 24, 2014 in Puerto Rico ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
After all the speculation about where we will dock, and my thinking we where in a different part of town, we are docked in the usual place, it just looked different last night when it was dark.
The US CDC (center for disease control) team is on board and are inspecting the ship to ascertain if sanitizing is required.
I'm guessing that It can't be as bad as first suspected as they were letting people off the ship last night and continue to do so today.
So we'll probably get off later and get a coffee and some free WiFi.
Sheila should be released from her isolation this morning as it will be 24 hours since she had any symptoms.
Not sure if she will fancy going out though, as she was still a bit weak last night.Read more
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Explorer NYC & Carib Jan 2014 Rulocal
Virus alert !!!!
January 24, 2014, Caribbean Sea ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
Well three days out of New York and the Norovirus has hit the ship.
I'm not really sure exactly how many people are affected by the virus, but it is definitely well over 200, With Sheila,Eva and possibly Sue laid low with it.
It's definitely at epidemic level as we have had our first port of call cancelled.
It was supposed to be Labadee, but now we've go an extra day at sea as we head straight for our second port of call, San Juan, Puerto Rico, where we are going to have some enhanced sanitation done, which hopefully will clear the infection.
We will arrive there about half a day earlier than expected, but I'm certain we'll be kept in quarantine for the duration of the sanitation.
So all in all a pretty miserable start to the cruise :-(Read more
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Explorer NYC & Carib Jan 2014 Rulocal
Shhhh this is the concierge lounge
January 24, 2014, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ ☀️ -8 °C
Well I did it again, I got told of for being a bit loud.
I know that is unbelievable as I'm the quietest person around.
Ok ok, that's not strictly true I'm probably the noisiest person around, but all I was doing in all truth was laughing and giving the odd "woah" etc, during the penalty shootout with Sunderland and Man U.
But the officious little prick of a concierge comes over and says "can you keep quiet, as this is the concierge lounge".
Well, I apologized and shut up.
Then I got to thinking, I wasn't really that noisy and it was a cup semi final after all and the noise I made was only for the last 10 mins of the game.
I also got to thinking about next week when the Super Bowl is on and you can guarantee that the lounge will be full of noisy Americans.
So I told him that if they make any noise during the Super Bowl, I will be complaining and expecting him to tell them to be quiet.
Should be a very interesting evening.
I'll keep you informed lol.
Oh yes one other thing it's the Merseyside derby, next week also.
So I'm thinking I might be better watching it in my cabin, as you can bet your bottom dollar that I'll make some noise during that, lol.Read more
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Explorer NYC & Carib Jan 2014 Rulocal
Epidemic !!!
January 23, 2014, Caribbean Sea ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C
Found out tonight that there are over 500 guests ill with GI problems.
That's quite a big proportion of the total guests on board.
We have been informed that we are not docking at the usual berth tomorrow, we are docking at a different part of town.
Originally I thought this was going to be a fair way out of town, but I've just come up to deck 14 and we are still in the town, just a different part, so really that will work out well as we've seen the other part of the town quite a few times, so this will be something new.
Well I'm saying all this and it all depends how Sheila is tomorrow, if she's still not well, we'll not be getting off at all.Read more
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