Sintra Excursion Changes in Lisbon: What Casino Royale Members Need to Know

If you've got an upcoming European cruise booked on Liberty of the Seas or another Royal Caribbean ship stopping in Lisbon, you'll want to pay close attention to some recent shore excursion updates. Local regulations in the historic town of Sintra have forced the cruise line to alter its popular "Mystical Wells" tour, and it's going to add some extra travel time to your day.

Due to new rules designed to ease traffic congestion, commercial buses and ride-hailing services aren't allowed in the center of Sintra anymore. Because of this, guests on the "Mystical Wells" excursion will have to hop off their tour bus at a parking lot and take a public bus into the city center. Royal Caribbean's tour guides will handle the public transit fares, but the extra logistics mean the tour's run time is jumping from four hours to five hours.

What This Means for Casino Royale Players

While a schedule shift might not seem like a huge deal at first, it can definitely impact your onboard routine. Here's what you should keep in mind if you're planning your day around your casino play and tier perks:

• Onboard Casino Reopening: Since Lisbon isn't a private destination, the ship's casino stays closed while you're in port. Most players are eager to get back to the tables and slots the second the ship sails away. A longer tour means you'll have less downtime to relax in your stateroom before the casino doors open for the evening.
• Specialty Dining & Spa Bookings: If you're using your tier benefits for a specialty dinner or you've booked a late-afternoon spa treatment, that extra hour of tour transit could cut things incredibly close. It's smart to review your evening schedule so you don't miss your reservations.
• Logistical Uncertainties: Navigating public transit with a large tour group can lead to unexpected delays. If you don't feel like dealing with the hassle of boarding public buses with dozens of other tourists, it might be worth swapping this excursion for a different Lisbon tour or simply exploring the port area on your own.

Wrapping It Up

We always recommend keeping an eye on your cruise planner and emails for any itinerary updates. If you've already booked this excursion and decide the new five-hour timeline doesn't fit your schedule, you can contact the shore excursion desk to find a better alternative that gets you back to the ship exactly when you want.

Source: New Rules Force Royal Caribbean to Change Its Lisbon Shore Excursion