jzad

I was able to change our flights from Toronto to San Juan on AA today, from Wednesday November 8th, to Friday November 10th without a change fee. I spent close to 3 hours on the phone (one of the flights was booked on points so had to speak with credit card rewards people), but it was worth the wait because I now only need to worry about one night in SJ versus 3. We are booked at La Concha and fingers crossed they do re-open on November 1st or there might be a bench with my name on it at the airport :o

You probably ended up on the same flight as us on the 10th. thru Miami? We are booked into the Doubletree for the one night and were able to confirm our reservations thru them yesterday. Made me feel a whole lot better!

The beach bar is open and has been having live music on certain days. I don't know about the dive shop but it wouldn't take much to make them operational

The buildings came through fine but the grounds took quite a hit. They are coming back to life fairly quickly but I can't judge how quickly.

I think if we have the bar and a washroom to use we are good.

Thank you for the information.

Janine

I am wondering if anyone has a current update of the Beaches in St. Thomas. We had planned to go to Sapphire Beach on our Summit cruise in November before the hurricane hit and we are wondering if the dive shop and bbq/bar are still open for business. I have searched and cannot find anything past the damage it sustained right after the hurricane.

Thank you for any updates you may have.

janine

Allegedly, passengers arriving for the 10/7 sailing will be boarded on buses courtesy of RCI and "police escorted" directly to the cruise port.

 

I also heard that the crew of the AOS are not permitted off the ship while she sits in port due to safety concerns.

I am hoping that some of those passengers have not had, or will have their flights cancelled?

 

With only about 2-3 minutes of walking up the path of stairs, a main square is reached with a beautiful church. It was not open to the public, would've loved to have seen inside, however I also noted the promenade path ahead with what would be my first view of the caldera looking back to Fira, so that peaked my interest more!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And finally, the first view from Oia.

 

It was here that I posted this "OMG" in real time lol

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=53920760&highlight=OMG#post53920760

 

 

 

Here's another view as a panorama.... you can clearly see Jewel waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay off in the distance.

 

Take note of the distance by following the cliff, for those wishing to walk/hike the entire way on a path from Fira to OIa (supposedly about 2 hours with no stopping).

 

I'm enjoying reliving our cruise through your review and accompanying pictures. Santorini was truly a beautiful place! I don't think I could have made the walk between Oia and Fira in that heat though! Thank goodness for the bus! Even if we did end up taking a long walk around finding our way back to the ship! ;)

What great coverage of how you did this! Thank you so much

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We did this on our own. The very easiest way is on the water taxis. I'll explain better in my full review.... The very second you dismount the tender at Old Port, there are huge signs for water taxi directly to Oia. No joke, we got Jewel approx 12:50pm and we were at the Oia dismount pint at about 1:45pm. Super simple and extremely easy. 15 euro includes bus ticket back to Fira.

 

 

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Terrific! Thank you so much!

May I ask if you did an excursion or just did Santorini on your own? We are looking for the best way to get to Oia so we can walk the trail back.

Thank you!

janine

On Jewel in Italy/Greece next may!! So happy to see you doing these review! We'll be across the hall from you in 8088. Have a wonderful cruise!!

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The same thing happens to me on Royal. I always have to call for my reservations.

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This is a great idea, thank you! Will be on her in the Med next may.

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1. I would really like to see an overall improvement on the food provided in the main DR and Buffet, maybe different options, more flavour. Not so bland and plain.

2. Love Bob's idea of the 30min chair enforcement

3. A little bit cheaper drink options.

Janine,

 

We let our guide know we were leaving the group and she was cool with that. She had not had anyone do the walk before and was very accomodating and pointed out exactly where we should go.

 

Go do it and enjoy!

Fabulous! We had really wanted to do it so looking forward to it now. Thank you so much for the information.

Janine

Oh that's perfect! Thank you! Did you just let the tour know you were walking back?

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We did this, and it was fabulous! You need to be fit. It's a decent hike We're doing it again this July.[/quot

 

Hello, we are planning to do this hike as well. Can you tell me how long it took you from Oia to Fira? We are also trying to avoid the cable car so if we can do the boat over that would be great.

 

Thank you!

Janine

May I recommend Captain Glenn's Lobster Lunch tour! We did this tour in November last year and are doing it again this year. What an absolutely fabulous day. They pick you up in their boat at the pier, take you on a coastal tour, snorkeling, an amazing Lobster lunch on the beach and a short walk to amazing views. Cannot recommend enough!

https://www.creoleantiguatours.com/

Jewel Italy and Greece May 2018 [emoji4]

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We are researching a Mediterranean cruise in the Fall of 2018. We have been on Celebrity and Princess and never RCI. For comparison, I found a virtually identical itinerary for the Jewel of the Seas and it is half the cost of the one on Celebrity.

 

Yes, I am totally ignorant about RCI, and would like comments from those who are familiar with both. I would not expect many children on either one as it is in the Fall.

 

We appreciate great food, entertainment, aft balconies and itineraries.

 

Thanks! :cool:

We had booked on the Reflection for Med 2018 while on the celebrity summit in November. It was over $7300 CAD. We cancelled and booked on Jewel when we found virtually the same cruise for $4100. We just could not justify the price difference even though we do prefer Celebrity. With the savings we'll get flights and pre cruise stays. It seems like a no brainer really.

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Heads up!

 

 

I'm due to sail on the Jewel in October, and one of the stops was Turkey. Just received an email from Royal that said that they've decided to remove Ephesus (Kusadasi) from all cruise itineraries for the remainder of the 2017 Mediterranean season. They've replaced it with Rhodes, Greece.

 

 

Kind of glad. Was a little worried about it.

 

 

Affected sailings:

 

 

May 6, May 15, May 24, June 2, September 10, September 19, September 28, October 7 and October 16 (all in 2017).

We are on in 2018 and I hope they change it for then as well. I would prefer Rhodes.

I'm so excited to be following along! Hope you have a wonderful cruise. We did this same itinerary last year on another line and had wonderful weather to Vancouver. Hope you get the same! My husband and I will be in the same type of cabin next year on the jewel in the Med so anxious to see how you like it.

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Cruising to Barbados next month and looking for a beach day where we can relax. I'm hoping to snorkel with the turtles and the wrecks while my wife enjoys one more rum punch. :cool:

 

I've read lots of reviews of the Boatyard and am concerned about the "party" atmosphere. We're active 50 somethings and don't mind some music, but not loud, blaring non-stop music. Can we find some chairs and relaxation (plus good food/drinks) at the Boatyard? :confused:

 

Would Harbor Lights or another beach club be a better fit for us? :confused:

 

We are not interested in a catamaran/sailing tour. Any other good ideas I might have missed? :confused:

We are also 50 somethings and did Harbour Lights in Nov. We found it very nice and not noisy at all. Plenty of opportunites to snorkel and we thoroughly enjoyed our day.

We are on in less than a month! Thank you for your review!

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Oh my goodness! Your back! So excited for a great read!

Janine

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I always enjoy following you along on your travels bill. Thank you for taking the time!

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I booked a June Italy/Greek Isles cruise (aren't they popular) the day itineraries were released as well and got all four perks because we booked an S1. Was really looking forward to it. I can no longer see my cruise but when I log in, it's still listed amongst my bookings. Hopefully Celebrity gets their act together and updates their website!

I do still see mine when I log into my bookings. Weird stuff overall.

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What perks did you receive? I booked the same day they were released, so just wondering....I can't see my cruise either...

 

 

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We booked Concierge go best with the beverage package and Ended up with $500 OBC. $200 because we booked on board and $300 for the go best. Plus is was only $100 each deposit.

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