HMSDingy

19 hours ago, edinburgher said:

Pound sterling notes are also made of plastic/polymer

 

Be aware that while Gibraltar issued  notes and coins  are worth the same as pounds sterling, they are ONLY valid in Gibraltar, so try to use only plastic there to avoid being left with any local coins or notes which would have no value anywhere else..

Thanks. We've booked an excursion in Gibraltar for which I will pay the exact amount with no change coming my way and will do any sort of shopping in plastic. 

2 hours ago, edinburgher said:

Which to bring largely depends on which countries you will visit and you give no clue.  If several have the euro as their legal tender, it would be convenient to have a small amount for  really small purchases from traders such as ice cream vendors, or for use in some public toilets or on public transport which do not accept debit or credit cards, otherwise credit and debit cards are widely accepted.

 

if you will visit any UK ports, the legal currency here is the £ sterling, not the euro, and again, a small amount could be useful.

Sorry for being so vague. We will be visiting mostly European countries that have euros as their currency except for Gibraltar where I know to being pounds sterling. I have been advised by others that credit cards seem to be taken mostly in lieu of cash. Nonetheless, I do understand that some merchants do not accept any sort of plastic, which means I'll leave our Canadian currency at home since it is indeed made of plastic 😆. 

19 minutes ago, marazul said:

I am not taking exception and you do not need to apologize.  I was only pointing out that you are not going to get any new info on this topic with multiple posts.      

I understand and I'll be careful next time.

2 hours ago, marazul said:

You are posting this in every forum. The answer is the same for all euro countries 

Not that easy to delete once posted here on CC and I apologize for the multiple posts. But you're the only one who seems to have taken exception, One of the reasons I try not to ask too many questions here.

2 hours ago, CruiserBruce said:

Euros and credit cards. CC first.

Thanks ands I apologize to all for posting the same question in multiple forums.

We are a Canadian couple taking a European cruise onboard the Island Princess this August and are wondering what form of currency should we bring. I know the onboard payments are done in US but what about when ashore? Would it be better in cash being the local currency, or a credit card?  

We are a Canadian couple taking a European cruise onboard the Island Princess this August and are wondering what form of currency should we bring. I know the onboard payments are done in US but what about when ashore? Would it be better in cash being the local currency, or a credit card?  

We are a Canadian couple taking a European cruise onboard the Island Princess this August and are wondering what form of currency should we bring. I know the onboard payments are done in US but what about when ashore? Would it be better in cash being the local currency, or a credit card?  

41 minutes ago, alserrod said:

 

 

Hi

 

I am not sure if I have understood your question.

In Barcelona (in all Spain) you can ask taxi driver to stop and get off in any corner providing it is not forbidden to stop there.

Nevertheles if you go to the port, do not worry, taxi driver will know where to stop for you. 

There are five terminals in Barcelona. It is not easy to know where your ship will be parked but do not worry because they are lined. Coming from the city you arrive to the Terminal A, later B, later C.... so as soon as you arrive to the port you will see your ship.

 

 

Regarding Las Ramblas, if your hotel is in the street near Plaza Cataluña, faster and cheaper way to go from the airport is by suburban, not by taxi. A direct train from Airport to Plaza Cataluña with few stops and no transfer

Ir your hotel is near the port (Plaza Colon) you can go to take T3 bus to the Terminal. It just costs 3 euro per person (instead of a taxi)

 

 

If you need more information about Barcelona I have written here something (they start with "One day in Barcelona")

Sorry. if i may have confused you but what I meant was how far will the taxi driver drop us off from the pier. I know that for some ports, drivers can't go past the entrance to the port.

22 hours ago, alserrod said:

********************

Anyone recently taken a taxi from BCN airport to the hotels ( H10 Madison )  and from hotels to cruise port ? Debating between booking private transfer or just taking a cab. Any idea of costs would be much appreciated also! 

*******************

 

 

Taxi: 

Airport - Hotel, 25-28 euro (depending on traffic)

Hotel - Port 15-18 euro (depending on traffic)

 

Always considering weekdays before 20:00, about 3-5 euro more on weekends

 

ALL supplements INCLUDED

 

 

Thank you for all of the great information. We will be in Barcelona in August for our cruise and staying at a hotel on Las Ramblas for 2 days. Where exactly do the taxis leave you at the port? Is it a long walk to the pier and embarkation?  We have been to Barcelona but that was many years ago and really don't remember how we did it.

On 3/14/2024 at 5:19 PM, negn said:

We are currently on the Ruby.   Months ago we reserved a table for 2 at 6 pm.   Have yet to not have to share.  Most tables are for 6-8.  There are barely any 2 tops in the dining room.  I’ve never had this on previous ships.   I’m not antisocial, my DH and I just wanted this as it’s our 25 anniversary

We've never had problems getting a table for 2. My advice is to book a later time as the later you reserve the better chance you have.

On 2/24/2024 at 12:04 PM, memoak said:

3 drinks would not even get me through lunch. For us the plus plan is the best deal in town

Love your response. DW and I are Italian and we like a glass or 2 or 3 or what the heck, a bottle of wine with our meals. Let's not forget the mimosa's with breakfast and cocktails. The Plus package works for us. 

Sorry deleted

Just now, SCX22 said:

You’ll never get lower than what you initially booked.  If Princess does assign you a lower category, then they are obligated to give you a downgrade offer.  Loyalty level doesn’t matter. 

Thanks

This is the first time I've booked a guarantee after originally selecting the location myself, because of a great price drop. Having done that, now I'm worried that we may get less than what we had booked earlier. I'm not too familiar with the categories only that ours will be a BB. Looking at the deck plans of the Island Princess, the BB category seems to be on Decks 11 and 12. My only worries is that it may be an obstructed one. Does it matter that we are Platinum? 

Just now, SCX22 said:

 

Read my post again.  Unreserved transport will not be let into the port area.  If you reserved it, then no problem.

Oky doky

Just now, SCX22 said:

There’s a difference between pre reserving and hailing a taxi on the spot.  You can’t hire a taxi on the spot immediately outside the Cruise Terminal in Civi.  There will be none to hire.  All of the taxis are outside the port area.  If you pre reserved a ride, then the driver should be waiting outside the terminal.

Who mentioned hailing a cab. I responded to post that stated that reserved cars are not allowed into the terminal.

12 hours ago, beg3yrs said:

I would pre-arrange a private taxi. Do not use a taxi that is really a large van and waits for all the booked passengers to show up - had a bad experience with that. IIRC Stefano's Rome Cabs took us from FCO to Civitavecchia a couple of years ago for around 120 Euros total - probably more now though. Pretty sure they can do the same in reverse. You'll have a driver with your name on a sign waiting for you when you leave the terminal with your luggage. +39 339 3525028 or www.romecabs.com. IMHO they were well worth the money, even if more expensive than a Princess transfer as you'll get where you're going faster.

You don't have to leave the terminal with Roma Cabs. This is the text on our voucher from Roma cabs. 

Your driver will meet you ON THE PIER NEXT TO YOUR SHIP at your scheduled Pick Up Time, holding a sign with the NAME in your reservation.

12 hours ago, SCX22 said:

On the Enchanted this past November, ship had a 6:00 am arrival; disembarkation started at 7:15 am (late by 15 minutes); Princess transfer left at 7:45 am and arrived at FCO at 8:35 am.  Made to my BA flight at 11:30 am with plenty of time to spare.  We decided to use the Princess transfer because we had extra OBC and purchased it while on board.  Also note that at FCO, airlines don't open check-in for flights until 3 hours prior to departure.  Gates aren't posted until ~1 hour prior to departure.

 

Wouldn't hire a taxi it will be the same cost or more of a private car transfer.  Note, that Civi port does not allow private taxis into the cruise ship terminals.  You have to take the Port Mobility bus to the central pick-up/drop area in town and hire a taxi there.  I'm not even sure that a taxi will take you to FCO as it's out of the way.

Funny thing is that Roma Cabs has told me thy will pick us up next to the ship. I'm quite sure they were bring truthful. 

On 3/2/2024 at 5:31 PM, Steelers36 said:

So, why couldn't the OP arrive at FCO by 9:30am?  Just need pre-arranged limo services from Civi port.

 

Our ship also arrives at Civitavecchia at 6 AM and I've booked a private car for 9 with Roma Cabs and they've assured me that we'd make it to FCO by 10. Our flight is at 1:05 PM to Canada. 

On 2/9/2024 at 4:02 PM, nasa1974 said:

As far as credit card information for shoreside use, I'll wait until I have my Medallion and then delete the information from the app. I know I can do it now, but I'd rather wait.

Good idea because I have the new app and having problems signing on to the old app. 

Just now, Rick&Jeannie said:

Ah...we have a gambler here! 😄

Call me Kenny Rogers!🤠😎

1 hour ago, c-boy said:

yep, since there's a charge now it's wide open. Kinda like a bar full of sailors and the shore patrol shows up. 

Nice analogy😝

Thanks to all of you for the responses. I'm rather embarrassed to ask this question as we are Platinum and should know better but to be honest, we've always booked once onboard.

8 minutes ago, Thrak said:

You don't really have the excursion "booked" until you pay for it. Your card will be charged at that time. Alternately, if you have OBC available you can use that to pay for excursions in advance.

My use of the word book is to place a reservation.That's what I figured that you pay when you reserve Thanks.