Dymt

Hey, did your husband and son have to do a refresher or were they fine?

They did a refresher locally before going on the cruise. It wasn’t suggested on any of their excursions that any divers have a refresher so my husband was glad they did it beforehand. The local shop said that they always recommend them.

The Port of Civitavecchia now has a "shared shuttle transfer" available which runs around 30-35 eu per person each way. They will shuttle you from FCO to the Port (or back) and from Rome to the Port (or back). They pick you up at your hotel! Scroll down the page to see groups that still need people (up to 8 max) to share that ride. Or start your own group (which others may join).

 

 

 

http://www.civitavecchiaport.org/sha...-service/#join

 

 

 

We're hoping to share a Rome to Port on Aug 31st (pick up at your hotel) at 11am.

 

Also hoping to share a Port to FCO on Sept 10 (pick up at the ship) at 8am.

This is fantastic!!! I just sent them an email to find out if they'd pick up from multiple hotels in Fiumicino and the airport for one shuttle. Hope to hear something soon. Thank you so much for the information!

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Hi,

 

get a quote from more than just one company, the price can be a lot different. I did contact the company recommended above and they want 250 euros to transfer 8 of us from the FCO airport to Civitavecchia port. I read many excellent reviews about some other companies on the TripAdvisor and booked a company that got their Award of Excellence. Their price 150 euros for the same service..

 

If you do not care about the cost the above recommended company has many followers who just love them. I would like to book with them but not willing to pay what they want.

I got a quote for 190 euros. Our hotel just responded and can get us a car for 120 euros. Posted on our roll call for share as well. Still holding out for a small group shuttle like yours. It would be much less expensive (we definitely want to save where we can)!

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Huge help!!!! We now have a Vatican area day, a colosseum area day and a pantheon area Day planned. Thanks to all for the recommendations!

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I would try https://www.romeinlimo.com/.

Thanks! I sent them a quote request per your recommendation.

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I know it's likely be asked and answered but I'm having trouble finding anything but airport transfer information.

My husband, son and I are staying at Hotel Seccy in Fiumincino one night prior to our cruise. Need recommendations for transfer from hotel to port.

Thank you!

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We have a Scavvi Necropolis tour booked for 11:00 a.m. I'd like to focus on the Vatican sites all in the same day but concerned about timing as the tickets suggest arriving a bit early. Asking for a recommendation of a reasonable itinerary for the day both before and after that tour. We have two more days to visit other areas of Rome. I'm getting overwhelmed with all the ticket options and hours! As I understand, the Necropolis tour will be approximately 90 minutes. Thanks in advance!!

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We are on the Epic in June and are going to Pompeii and trying to decide between the excursion that includes Sorrento or Amalfi Coast. We are first timers and mostly looking into soaking in as much of Italy as we can enjoy. I have read the bus ride on the Amalfi coast is terrifying? Both seem like lovely trips and I was wondering if anyone has done either and has any recommendations. I know we can go cheaper on our own, but as first timers in Europe and our first port, going to stay with a ship excursion. Thank you.

We did a ship's tour of the Amalfi coast and Sorrento. The tour included a half hour small boat ride along the amalfi coast. Afterward, we went to Sorrento, had lunch at a charming restaurant and spent a little time in town before heading back by bus along the amalfi coast. Loved every bit of it except waiting for other passengers' bathroom breaks, inability to see the view at times from the bus where our view was often across a row of peoples and sometimes being rushed. We're going back in a few weeks and doing a private excursion his time. Much less expensive and we get to go to Amalfi, Pompeii and Ravello!! I'll miss the small boat ride but otherwise, avoiding the starting and stopping of large groups will be worth it.

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http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2295948

Hope that helps!

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We spent a few days at Hotel Inglaterra two years ago, now called Hotel Midmost, at the north end of Las Ramblas. We LOVED this hotel and location!! We arrived six hours prior to check-in after a very long night of flying. They stored our luggage, offered us drinks and promised to have our room ready in a half hour. Done!! We chose a "superior" room with a French balcony overlooking the street that the front of the hotel faces. It's not a US hotel room so the rooms and bathrooms are small (we did have a bathtub with shower) but very European and lovely. We wouldn't bother looking for a different hotel if we stayed in Barcelona again!! Very affordable. Great location. Small boutique feel. Loved!!

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187497-d10440705-Reviews-Hotel_Midmost-Barcelona_Catalonia.html

Margot

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Just committed to a cruise and and I am considering Viking air option promotion ($500/traveler) . Here's the question for you intrepid travelers - I want to travel from Denver to Venice arriving a few days early prior to the sailing (I will arrange accommodations). On the return (Barcelona to Denver) I may take advantage of the Viking extension option.

 

 

 

I would prefer to fly Luftansia (Den to Munich, or Frankfurt) and rather not fly BA (hate Heathrow). United might be acceptable. Maybe fly business class, on transatlantic legs, or at least economy plus.

 

 

 

Can I pick my airline?, can I pick my airline and pay a customization fee? In general have people found it worthwhile to use Viking air promotions? For both cost and convenience reasons.

We sailed Viking and used its free air promotion. Obviously, free was a great deal! We had been prepared to have to pay a fee to get exactly what we wanted but Viking was very accommodating with our requests for number of stops, length of travel days and exact dates we wanted to arrive and depart (and we didn't pay any extra fees).

I didn't work with an independent TA. I loved the single source service and had absolutely no complaints. I agree - the Viking transfers were seamless.

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HI does any one have mensu from holland america that they could pst or send me to the proper website thanks so much

I found this . . . Hope it helps.

http://www.travelingwiththejones.com/2015/06/16/menus-from-a-holland-america-cruise-in-asia/

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Thank you!! That helps a lot more than you know!!

Hi, Saint Greg -

 

We're a family of five (three kids) driving down from IL for an NCL cruise that departs on Dec 23. Ideally, we'd like a suite on the 22nd outside the city in a safe area as we aren't going to have time to see the sights. But we don't want to have much drive time as we check in at 10:00 am for our cruise. Do you have suggestions of locations or hotels for us?

 

Thanks so much,

DYMT

I should add that we want a stay and cruise package if at all possible so we don't have to park at the pier. My husband didn't enjoy that last year!!

Hi, Saint Greg -

We're a family of five (three kids) driving down from IL for an NCL cruise that departs on Dec 23. Ideally, we'd like a suite on the 22nd outside the city in a safe area as we aren't going to have time to see the sights. But we don't want to have much drive time as we check in at 10:00 am for our cruise. Do you have suggestions of locations or hotels for us?

Thanks so much,

DYMT

Warm apple cardamom crisp at Cagney's, I believe. So delicious. Must go back.

Got the assignment yesterday, 56 days prior to sailing. Above a lounge. Any tricks to getting a change . . . not looking for an upgrade, just a location not potentially noisy?

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To the OP (I refused to read many of the comments because everyone will have an opinion):

 

 

 

You know your child better than anyone. Will the world end if she misses a few days of school? Not likely. But be ready and willing to help her catch up her studies upon your return. We are looking at booking next January with all 5 of ours, including *gasp* a college student, 3 high schoolers & an elementary student. It is what it is. People will preach to you about the value of education, but as adults we also know that not every day of our academic careers was spent learning much of anything. We are planning the trip to coincide with MLK so that there is one less day they will be missing. I don't think missing 2 or 3 days of school will stunt their academic growth...just my opinion.

Amen!!! One thing to add . . . the benefit of adventures you take with your family will most likely outweigh the risk of missing a week of school. Enjoy your family time . . . these days are numbered as we all know too well.

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I think if I were a teacher and could only cruise during school vacations, when prices are the highest (which often means they cannot afford to cruise at all), I would be pretty annoyed at having to do all the extra work involved in preparing assignments and correcting them for all the parents who want to take advantage of the less expensive fares during the school year. In the primary grades this might not be too onerous, but doing it several times a year at different times for different students does seem to be an imposition.

 

 

 

And those invaluable lessons about the poverty could be learned just as well during the days school is not in session.

I agree with you . . . I only take my kids out when they're primary grade students. We haven't taken our high school aged son on any vacations during the school year. He's very involved and would choose not to even if we asked! And I prefer to discuss it with the teacher during "Meet the Staff" night prior to even booking a trip so that I get her perspective first. All teachers have been very supportive and only one through the years has seemed as though the prep work for her was inconvenient. Still, she said my little guy would benefit from the trip . . . she just didn't think, as a first grader, he needed to do his work ahead of time in order to "keep up." I offered instead to have him write in his journal each day about his experiences on the trip and she told us to "just get out of this place and have a fabulous time!"

I think it's important to communicate with the teacher well ahead of time in order to determine if this is a good opportunity for you and your children or if it's a detriment to his education. Including the teacher in that process makes sense.

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What a timely topic!

 

I took my kids out for two weeks in December, as I always do. I notified the school in advance, and my kids got their assignments to take along. My daughter is now in 7th grade, and is in honor's classes and on the elite principal's honor roll.

 

She did all of her work, and is actually ahead now, as they didn't get as much done in class while we were away.

 

Yet, yesterday I got a letter in the mail from the 7th grade "team" warning me that attendance is important and to speak to my daughter about the importance of good attendance. Now, I explained in my notice to them in November that I understand that they all don't agree with my position, and I assured them that the work would be done. Did they really need to send a threatening letter :confused:

I always take my kids out of school for vacations and do my best to coordinate with the school. I have three kids and have been doing this for years. Without fail, every single year, if we get close to that eight day limit, I get a form letter kicked out to me with the same type of text as you mentioned. I think it's a computer generated thing in these days of high technology and not something to get worried about or be offended by. It's not personal . . . just something the district requires.

Incidentally, I have two children who require frequent doctor's visits. You have no idea how many notes I get! It's never been a problem and they're always very accommodating. Like you, I just prepare and like your daughter, they keep up. No biggie.

DYMT

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We are 87 days out . . . how will we be notified that a room assignment has been made? Or will we just have to check online frequently on the "vacation summary" tab? We booked on the Dawn for a BX. Kind of nervous about the outcome!

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If you've snorkeled or dived in these places, please reply with your thoughts . . . whether clear, lots of wildlife, too deep of a reef to snorkel, unusual experience, better to dive or snorkel, best areas to dive/snorkel, etc.

Cozumel

Belize

Roatan

Costa Maya

Thank you so very much! Planning a cruise and deciding on excursions!

Margot

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Huge help!! Thanks to all!!

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Just booked a Caribbean cruise on the Dawn as a Christmas gift for my son and husband. They're both certified scuba divers but haven't been on a dive within the last twelve months which is the requirement for many of the excursions they're considering. This will be a scuba intensive trip for them so I want to make sure they don't miss out because I didn't do my homework. I'm trying to find out if NCL Dawn has a pool refresher course onboard on sea day and if it fulfills the requirement. Anyone have experience with this? They won't want to waste time or money on a certification excursion since they're already certified. Thanks for any insight!!

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It is VERY easy to get around Barcelona by metro.

 

 

 

This web site is a great resource for that (and Barcelona in general). Most often getting a T10 card is the best deal. You can read about that on this web site as well.

 

 

 

Have a great trip!

 

 

 

http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/transport/barcelona-metro.html

 

 

 

http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/maps/barcelona-metro-map.html

Well, today was our first day in Barcelona. My one fatal flaw was not contacting the credit card company and getting a chip/pin prior to the trip. We were unable to get a T10 because of it and therefore walked all over the city today. My husband wears a fitbit and clocked us at twelve miles by end of day. Not the smartest way to start our vacation in Europe!!

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