erby2283

Not directed to the OP as she only wanted transport but if anyone was looking for a tour operator…
 

We’ve been looking at booking this tour. Prices were not bad. Includes a 9 hour tour with transportation from the ship, to Mount Etna, then Taormina and then back to ship. May use them in Naples too. https://www.joebananalimos.net/cruise-port-tour/etna-and-taormina

11 hours ago, BecciBoo said:

Yes I am and will certainly get it no matter where they designate it.  Doesn't really matter to me where...and didn't you just say Hideaway is now Adult only...duh.  Some people can be extremely rude and presumptuous...never assume.  I am perfectly happy with my "selection".  And I read the article.

Totally agree. Sailing with two best friends and after watching that 30 minute video, I don’t think I want to sleep while cruising this ship! So many different areas to check out and see. So glad we decided to go big and book this ship early on before the prices jumped. I’m usually one who books for itinerary over ship but this time, we are sailing for the ship and I can’t wait. 

Does anyone know if these loungers are free to use or are they one of the ones you have to pay extra for? I was thinking I’d be spending all my time in the adult only area but man, this view.  If they’re free, good thing I am an early riser so I. A snag one. Will be interesting to see how they plan to handle the chogs on this ship. 

As a picky eater, it’s personally not worth it for me to eat at a specialty restaurants. Chops is really the only one that has a menu with options I would enjoy and honestly, I am such a plain jane, I usually end up ordering off the mdr’s anytime dining 3 or 4 times a cruise and skip the pay restaurants. 

Thanks everyone. The flight gods were listening and I found RT non-stop airfare to FLL for myself for $359. 👍 

1 hour ago, FlyerTalker said:

You complained about $700 pricing.  Guess that was just venting.

 

Have fun finding stuff on your own.

 

 

You recommended another airport which I immediately checked and the cost was higher. I took your advice, checked the price, replied back to let you know it wasn’t in fact cheaper, thanked you, and put Greensboro on the list to check in the future. You’re the one who took my response the way you did. 
 

Seeing as how you pretty much belittle people on this forum in almost all your comments, I’m quite content not to recieve your help in the future. 

I don’t believe I asked for any other help other than asking if an hour layover at MCO was sufficient and if TPA would be a better option.  I thanked you for your response - geez 🙄 

5 hours ago, FlyerTalker said:

Greensboro.  Generally a significant savings over CLT due to the lack of fortress hub pricing.

 

 

Thanks, I'll keep them in mind.  I looked today and their flights were over $700. 🫢

2 hours ago, taxatty said:

Since there appear to be 8 daily nonstop AA MCO-MIA flights in May, as long as it's not the last flight of the day, you would hopefully be able to get on a later flight if you miss yours. There is also a reasonable chance that the price will go down between now and then to enable you to take the far quicker and more convenient nonstop AA CLT-MIA flight.

My thoughts too. I like your optimism. But I’ve literally checked flights every day since the day they were released and non-stop on anything other than Spirit (eeek) has never been less than $500. 🤦‍♀️ Worried if I wait too much longer they’ll just get even higher. 

2 hours ago, CDNPolar said:

But the first question is, what is the on-time performance of the first flight you are taking?

 

If that flight is delayed in leaving and your second flight is on time, then you are out of luck.

 

One hour layovers are for gamblers in my opinion.  

The flight wouldn't be until May. The flight from CLT to Orlando is at 7am and has a 93% on-time performance.  The flight from MCO to MIA has a 100% on-time performance. 

I agree, not a fan of less than an hour.  This one is one hour and 8 minutes...lol

Was hoping non-stop flight prices would come down but they haven't so I am checking into one-stop flights.  Is a one-hour layover cutting it too short at MCO if staying on the same carrier?  Would TPA be any easier? Going from CLT to MIA. Have checked other options like FLL and other airlines as well but AA from CLT to MIA seems to be best option. Plus I guess if prices drop, I can always switch my flights. 

I think it also depends on where you are embarking. Next September we are embarking in Rome and only have the day we arrive (9am)  +1 full day for sightseeing. So I am thinking of taking the morning we embark for another quick excursion or exploration time before making our way to Civitavecchia. I know it will be at least an hour travel but if we plan to be onboard by 1, that still leaves some good 3/4 hours to explore before traveling to the port. 

On 12/19/2023 at 8:26 PM, jimbo5544 said:

Kusadasi was THE highlight of the same cruise we did fall of 22.  OUTSTANDING.  The ruins tour was  off the charts, by far the largest ruins we have ever seen, and only 15% uncovered.  Highly recommend it.  We missed Mykonos due to windy and sea conditions.  Santorini we did wine testing and time up. In the village.  Echo the comments on Sicily.  In Naples, try an outside excursion fthru Joey Bananas to Sorrento, Positano, and Ravello with a lunch at la Tratoria.  You will not be disapponted.

Can you tell me how much time was spent in Positano? Last time we didn’t make it there due to traffic and it’s my one place I must see. I’m happy to skip Sorrento since I’ve been there already but a lot of companies won’t alter their schedule unless you book a private tour. 

Is it me or does that seem really loud?

19 hours ago, Cabana Girl said:

We are still having a random doggie cough, but not much. It is possible that the 2nd dog coughed today!  Ugh. Overall it is still a possibility that we can go if these two super healthy knuckleheads will stop with the random coughs!
 

We booked thru an agent and it is apparently part of a group booking. It is very hard to contact the agent and only thru email. Never again.  Talking to RCCL loyalty desk and group bookings….there may have been some possibility of a resolution if we booked directly with RCCL.  We’ll never know. 

I just love that you're willing to stay home to take care of the dogs if needed. 🙂 Hopefully they'll be better and you can go. 

On 12/3/2023 at 8:17 PM, PoorNC said:

We’ve been cruising since 1986 and this is the first issue we’ve run into.  If you cruise without insurance you need to be willing to accept the loss.  And you are correct - you would need “cancel for any reason” since other policies don’t cover sick pets (just booked a cruise for 2025 and was looking into policies but haven’t bought any insurance yet).  😀

I'm sure you know this but if you do want CFAR insurance it does need to be purchased within a certain number of days after your initial deposit - like 14 days - so if it's something you're thinking about getting, may not have too long to decide.  I've always had at least one dog with cancer (or recovering from cancer) almost every time I cruise since 2009 so for me it's a no brainer.  I hate spending the money up front but peace of mind is worth the price. Hopefully it's not needed. 🙂 

I actually didn't think the price was that bad (although I did get an ocean view balcony on Icon with three in a room for $1100 p/p back when bookings were first released). If anyone has been wanting or thinking about wanting to book Icon (or complaining about the prices of Icon), now is your time to book Star! I did a mock booking for Star with three in a ocean view balcony and it came to around $1700 per person. I will admit that's a bit steep for me and I probably wouldn't book at that rate either but it is still cheaper than what can be found on Icon today! Book early - you can always cancel. I don't usually book mega-ships but I am celebrating a birthday milestone next year with two best-friends and so we decided to go big and have a good time! 

16 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

Enjoy your return trip!

Thank you. Planning is half the fun, right? 

I sailed Vision in 2019 in the Mediterranean and loved it. Lovely crew.

I just want to thank @Eremita85 @Lloyd555 and all the others who have kept us updated with pictures and videos. This is probably the first time I have kept up with a thread about the building of a new cruise ship.  I work for a heavy highway civil construction consulting firm and we schedule roadway projects and I just cannot imagine what the CPM (critical path method) schedule looks like when trying to build a cruise ship. Truly an amazing feat! 

On 11/26/2023 at 12:48 PM, euro cruiser said:

It would be such a shame to be in Rome and not see at least something, even if it's only for a day.  No time in Rome is ever wasted.

I agree.  We stopped in Rome for day on my first and only cruise to Europe in 2019. I booked an all day tour that was wonderful but long (10 hours) and I barely felt like I scratched the surface of what to see. When you only get a little time and each location (except for the Vatican where our tour was a couple hours), it leaves you wishing you had more time at each place.

Soooo, for my big 5-0 next year, I booked a cruise out of Rome! Airfare, however, dictated schedule bc I was able to find round-trip non-stop for $913 on AA so we arrive early on a Wed and our cruise leaves on Friday.  But still, that leaves us 2.5 days to see the sites I really want to go back and see again!

As many stated, you just never really know.  I am cruising in May out of Miami and in Sept out of Rome.  I stalk prices every day.  I was able to get non-stop to Rome soon after tickets were released for $913 round-trip on American Airlines.

However, I am still waiting to purchase my round-trip to Miami bc non-stop has been steadily over over $500+ (to both FLL and MIA) - except for Spirit - which like you, I wouldn't take.  I also have the option of taking Allegiant but they don't fly back to CLT the day my cruise gets back in town so the added expense of a hotel for the night would negate any airline savings.  I still have time and would be willing to book a one-stop via Orlando if I have to in order to save some money but I'd prefer not to.  Still plenty of time to decide.....

Someone asked earlier but I didn't see a reply - does anyone know if Giovanni's has gluten free options? I checked online and the in the description for Giovanni's it reads:

• Please inform your waiter if you have any food allergies, intolerances or dietary needs.

However, the other restaurants specifically state: 

• Gluten-free, lactose-free, and vegetarian options available. Ask your waiter.

Therefore, it leads me to believe Giovanni's doesn't have gluten-free options since they don't specifically mention gluten-free in their description. Has anyone received a gluten-free meal or know if Giovanni's offers gluten-free options.  Would love to book a lunch $14.99 p/p  for our party - but not if one in the party won't be able to eat...lol.

Just read all your updates.  Sound like everyone is staying on top of things! Good job everyone!

@JustUs275 Sorry your legs are bothering you.  Hope it's temporary and goes away soon.

1 hour ago, Cloverpk said:

Last evening I canceled the beverage package and rebooked along with the zipline at labadee. Received and email “that didn’t go as planned”. Tried again today and received the same email stating it wasn’t booked. Would I need to call to try and book? 

That was happening to me last night. Thought it was on their end….until I remembered my credit card renewed and I had a new CVV number. SMH.