Wymond

We are having a Baltic cruise in late June. My wife is worried, while I am not very much.

The day after tomorrow is the date of final payment. We have 48 hours to consider it.

It is not the beginning of the crisis now.The governments and the cruise lines have learnt from what had happened. The cruise companies have much more concern  than cruisers. They will never want any of their ships to be another Diamond Princess. And, if the virus spreads seriously across the whole Europe, most countries will shut down their border. We cannot sail to anywhere even though we want to cruise.

So, let the cruise company and the governments to make the decision for us.

I have been Stockholm before, so I would like to relax on a Hoho bus in this summer's cruise. However, I read some negative reviews on it: long waiting time at bus stops; getting on wrong bus, as so many similar Hoho buses; worrying about returning in time to ship;  crowded travelers and less buses....

What was your experience on Hoho tour in Stockholm? Which tour company will you recommend? When returning to the port, do they provide one or several  times to get on the return bus to the port?

Any other advice on Hoho bus?

Thanks, 

1 hour ago, dogs4fun said:

You misunderstand my post - a cruiser certainly can obtain a FAN ID. To be clear - you must purchase your match tickets and obtain your FAN ID prior to your cruise. It will be too late to obtain the FAN ID when you arrive in Saint Petersburg via cruise - you must already have the ID in hand. There are a limited number of tickets available for these matches and the tickets are in high demand. You must have a ticket for a match BEFORE you can apply for the FAN ID. 

The ticket sales for the 20 qualifying teams has already closed: 

https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro-2020/news/0257-0e199847604f-7ae96e0bad32-1000--euro-2020-tickets-latest/

One can apply for the play-off tickets after the end of March. https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/news/0254-0d40fc7db8ee-f6fe04623679-1000--play-offs-who-plays-who/?iv=true

Hope this makes it more clear. 

I understand what you said now.

I applied for tickets of matches in Amsterdam. I would watch game before sailing if i am lucky.

I am keeping my fingers crossed for it. Lol

1 hour ago, dogs4fun said:

Yes, the UEFA Euro Cup matches are a separate situation - one needs a Fan ID to attend these games & that ID allows visa free entry to the Russian Federation. Note that the FAN ID is only valid for certain dates. For entering Russia, it is valid from May 30th to July 3rd - departing Russia validity between May 30 - July 13.

If you want to attend one of the UEFA matches, you must apply for the FAN ID - you won't be able to get one when you arrive in Saint Petersburg via a cruise ship.

Info re UEFA EURO 2020 here:

https://support.tickets-euro2020.uefa.com/hc/en-us/articles/360010570139-What-is-a-FAN-ID-

and here:

https://www.fan-id.ru/

 

Hi Dogs4fun, I looked into your link, but didn't see that cruiser won't get a Fan ID. 

4 minutes ago, dogs4fun said:

Definitely not Alla, I asked and already received her definitive reply ... "NOT POSSIBLE".

I sincerely hope that you are not planning on walking back to the ship on your own. Very bad idea, IMHO. Spend the extra money to ensure your safety.

Thanks for your advice, dogs4fun. Definitely,  I will not try it.

17 minutes ago, John Bull said:

 

Different tour operators interpret the rules more liberally than others, but that sounds very very very wrong.

 

When we booked a day tour plus evening thro' Alla we were dropped at a bar in the city (gap between day & evening was too short to go back to the ship), an Alla rep then showed up & walked us round to the theatre, and after the show an Alla driver was waiting outside for us and drove us back to the ship. That's about as liberal with the rules as I would expect.

 

Uber involved in an altercation or accident or even a simple police check, or you challenged during your walk back thro the port would put both you and the tour operator in deep doo-doos. 

 

I'm intrigued.

Which of the "big three" tour operators gave you that advice??

 

JB 

SPB, TJ and Alla, I think they are the big three? It is among them.

I wanted to buy ballet ticket of Mariinsky Theatre by myself. They would charge me US$60 only to drive me back to ship. I asked if I could Uber back. They said" yes!"......This was the story.

Dogs4fun and Trosebery, I believe you are totally right.

I double check with that company. They said by law, cruisers are not allowed to returned on their own, but some of their customers risked to do that without problem. 

Their claim was not professional and responsible. 

22 minutes ago, dogs4fun said:

Wow, the information you were given would violate Russian immigration law - which company gave you this information? Your tour company must return you to port (assuming Marine Facade) if you do not have a visa. You can't get through the port security (see photo below) without benefit of a licensed tour company or your own Russian tourist visa. 

Furthermore, there is not much in this industrialized area other than the terminals/docks and it is not well lighted at night. Even if you could "get away" with it, I certainly would not want to risk it just to save a few dollars. I suggest you check it out on Google Maps.

That tour company is ranked top 3 and having great reputation. Lol.  Thank you for your advice. 

I learnt that cruisers with blanket visa/tour ticket have to be accompanied by a tour company's guide every where. Even when watching a ballet,  we have to book ticket through or be transported by a registered tour company.

I will book a 2-day tour with a local tour company. When I checked with them, they told me I could buy the ballet tickets myself. After completing daytime tour, they would send us to theater for the ballet. When ballet finishes, I could rent a taxi\Uber to go back to the port. The only issue is that taxi\uber can not drive into the port, so we have to talk a 15-minute walk from the gate to she ship. In this way, I would save some money if I could do ballet by ourselves.

I am wondering which one is the right way? is there any trouble to go through custom  and back to ship by ourselves?

Thank you for your input.

Thank for your replies. I am mainly concerned the PrivaSea/Hull cabin. Is there any mini suite has such balcony? If I upgrade to sailaway mini, I don’t want to be assigned to a privasea cabin again.

I booked a Sail away balcony on Epic and assigned Cabin #10013.

Later, I learnt that it is a  PrivaSea/Hull cabin. The balcony is enclosed, so, some people don't like it. It worries me.

Today, i found that price for mini suite dropped. I might be able to upgrade to sail away mini suite for only $80/ppl. 

I am wondering if all mini suites have regular balcony and where and which floor they are located. Should I go ahead to upgrade it?

What differences between a balcony and mini suite on Epic?

Thanks for any comments.

16 hours ago, bup1224 said:

Parking is free at the Renaissance hotel by the port and also in the dirt lots around the port. 

IMO, that's alot of driving in 1 day. I would suggest going to Shete Boka first before the heat of the day, and beach hop on the West side.

Thank you for your suggetion. Shete Boka is a must go.

I will sail to Curacao in December. Last week, NCL changed docking time at Willemstad from 9 hours to 12 hours. No hesitation, I contacted Advance reserve a car. Looking forward to seeing turtles. Is Playa Grandi the best place to snorkel and watch fishes and turtle? I am a starter of snorkeling, any advises about Snorkeling in Curacao?

11 hours ago, CaptFantastic said:

It's been a couple of years but I seem to remember a gravel parking lot across from the port. No gates or a parking guy or anything. Other than in Willemstad, I don't remember any paid parking, snd the meters were pretty cheap.

if you go to the caves or the distillery or something the parking lots are open....but sgsin, that was a couple of years ago .

I found the driving itself to be quite easy, but I found the island kind of busier than others. I had a GPS as well which I recommend - there seemed to be lots of roads and few road signs

Thanks. It is really helpful.

I am going to rent a car on the day we dock at Willemstad.

I am wondering how convenient the parking is. Eg, Can I park at the road side when seeking flamingo? Is there a free parking lot at the dock? is park free close to the beaches? My plan is to visit east side in the morning, drive back to ship for lunch, then go to the west side, Shete Boka Park and a couple of beaches for snorkeling. is there any view points in the east? Any suggestions and advises are appreciated. Many thanks!  

I would like to book a bus tour at port of Bonaire. The tour ends at 12:00 pm, while the ship schedules to depart at 1pm.

Is there any risk I might miss the ship? Usually, how long prior to the departure time should I be on board for Epic at dock of Bonaire? 

28 minutes ago, ColeThornton said:

The Epic has no obstructed view cabins.  10013 is a forward PrivaSea/Hull cabin.    I would be happy with that.  Some don't like them.   The balcony is enclosed, not open.

 

For an extra hundred bucks over an inside I'd say you got a great deal.

Thank you for input. Never sailed in a Hull balcony cabin. It does not look as good as a regular balcony☹️. It still has a big open hole, instead of being fully covered by window, right?

I booked Sail away balcony on Epic and got the cabin assigned very quick. It is B6 #10013.

How is this cabin? Is there any view Obstructed? should I be very happy to get a real good deal?

Actually,  I booked a sail away inside first, then found that the price dropped by 100+. I called my agent, but could not get any credit, since it passed the final payment date. I added $100 to upgrade to Sail away balcony. 

Hope it is a good decision.☺️

1 hour ago, reedprincess said:

There will be taxis and tour operators at the pier for trips. 

It's enough time to get to Soufriere and back to see the Pitons and volcano, but not much else - you wouldn't have time for beach or such. 

You could opt for Pigeon Island up north, national park with ruins, small beach, great restaurants, hikes, etc..

Or Rodney Bay for Beach and shopping. Not sure what type of shopping you're looking for- St Lucia isn't s shopping destination like St Thomas or St Maarten, we don't have Mike's if jewelry and clothes and linens and electronics and name brands and such  like said places. And little bargain hunting like said places. 

Enjoy.

 

Thanks Reedprincess.

Great suggestions.

I would do Morne Fortune(1 hour) and Pigeon(4 hours). The traffic back to port from Pigeon at around 6pm would not be too bad , is it right?

We will dock at Castries' port from 12:30-7:30.

It is not enough time to go with a 6-hour Cosol tour? Are any buses waiting at port to provide a half-day sightseeing tour? 

We would like some historical, sightseeing, shopping or natural activities. Any suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks,

We are sailing with Norwegian Epic in Dec. which port does Norwegian use in San Juan? I want to find a hotel close the port.

Thanks,

Hi Cruisenthusiast,

Have you been completed your cruise? How is the driving on Aruba and where did you go? 

I will be on Aruba in December and to book a jeep to explore this island. 

We are a little bit nervous with off-road driving on Aruba.

On 5/3/2019 at 3:58 PM, cruiseapril said:

The bus trip is good if one likes buses!  We took the bus trip- stopped three times and

saw about 2/3 of the island.  Stopped at the Aloe Factory, the rock formations, and

the new natural bridge.  Saw many sites along the way.

Didn't it go to lighthouse? 

We will sail on Celebrity Equinox and dock San Juan. We would like to visit San Juan National Historic Site, however, our ship stays from 3:30-11:30 pm and most attractions close at 6 pm. We only have 2.5 hours:(.

Between Castillo San Cristobal and Castillo San Felipe del Morro, which one is better? Do we have enough time to visit Castillo San Felipe del Morro? what is the best way, on foot or by Tram, to get there?

We love to learn the culture and history of San Juan. After visiting castle, what else we could see in old San Juan in the evening?

Thank you for any information and recommendation.

HI,

We will be the first time on Celebrity Equinox. Do we need to reserve any on-board entertainment, such as shows, on line before sailing?

We ever sailed on Oasis and Allure. There were a lot of entertainment on them, Such as Ice show, musical show,etc. What can I expect on Equinox?

Thanks,