Jollyholidays

AmoMondo, the sittings were 6.30 and 9.15. The dining did take a long time to serve, so for the last week we ended up going to the self service, which I preferred as there was more choice. The stables you mentioned were in Puerto plata and run by a woman from Ilkley. If it's the same one, there was just the two of us with a guide, really good, lasted about 3 hours, iI can't remember the name but all the travel agents in that area use her.Not expensive.

Sharon

I'm on the return journey B2B with the 14 night cruise round the islands the two weeks before, so I'd be interested in all the trips you did in the Caribbean. I've done all our European ports of call, as well as Barbados; Grenada; Guadeloupe; BVI; Antigua; St Kitts, St Maarten

 

But Trinidad; Dominica; Martinique; Dominican Rep. and St. Lucia will be new to us; so any info on trips would be appreciated.

 

Hi Pete,

we did in order, St. Maarten, Antigua, St. Kitts, Dominica, Martinique, Guadeloupe,St Lucia, Barbados. we generally organise our own trips with locals in port, had good times sharing minibuses with people of other nationalities from sometimes other ships. As we are water enthusiasts most of our trips centred around swimming/snorkelling

 

MARTINIQUE turn left from Ship, follow signs past fort to next harbour, watch for giant Iguanas in grassy area on way to catch local ferry service to across the bay approx 30 minutes choice of two beaches, stay on ferry go to 2nd, nice beach with restaurants/bars, fairly quiet only 7 euros return, .

 

DOMINICA we did the the Msc trip, snorkelling, which was pretty good, as the guide could see we had experience was quite happy to let us go on our own provided we kept giving the "ok". Well worth it for the volcanic gas bubbles rising

 

ST LUCIA As mentioned earlier in the port all the port taxi/minibus drivers are touting a trip to volcano & waterfall & beach, on a road trip it's approx 2 hours to get there and 40$ each, entrances to sights on top. we opted for the fast modern speedboat which took 35 minutes, fantastic, into lovely bays where Film stars live , a taxi to waterfalls/volcano, with guide, then a private beach with hotel facilities. 70$ but included entrance fees to sight. Well worth it. The guy selling the trip is situated in the lovely port building near the exit, trip leaves at 10 back around 3.30. He will find you. Lol

 

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Not been on cruise there but a few times in hotels, one of my favourite Caribbean islands, beautiful beaches, clear sea, you will either dock in Puerto Plata where there is a free new waterpark for ships, easily get a taxi into town for cable car etc. Other port is a new one just built, at Bahia Mammon a bit further from Puerto Plata, can't comment on that till I go in May

 

Hope this is of some use

Sharon

will do Pete when I have a minute, AmoMondo previously asked me for some info. Happy new year

Sharon

Hi, yes it was, 22 nights. Finished in Barbados, which I think the return journey starts from there in April.

Really good cruise, the food, cleanliness, cabins all great. Staff were amazing. There is only one BUT we treated ourselves to Aurea package and loved the mytime dining and massage, most of all Top Sail 16 (adults only)with comfy sun beds, bar and fruit plates, big white towels. Until we reached Caribbean, it seemed anybody could stroll up and plonk down which meant some Aurea guests were unable to get a sun bed, worse time was when we saw a large group of people bring their own drinks up plus kids with toys charging round. We mentioned this to staff but was told they were only having a look? Really, for 2 hours? We complained to an Passing Officer and the kids left. On a previous cruise we were only allowed to look Deck 16 on an evening when the rope came down. Moan over. Tai Chi classes, brilliant, evening shows pretty good especially Spanish mother & son opera. We either walked or used Ho-Ho buses for European Islands,

Tenerife especially great the bus included free entrance into a massive water park, only about 20 people there. All the Caribbean islands had shared taxis/minivans to take on a tour and beach approx 20€/$ or beach only 8€/$. In St Lucia opted for the speedboat to the volcano/waterfall beach trip, brilliant. Again a locals trip. Any questions, will try and answer them

Hi, we checked in at 7.30 in the evening and our flight was 7.30 next morning, it's on level 2 and aiport was empty. Why don't one of you go with cases,you can always take it in turn?

Hi All, updating a previous post. Just checked in with BA ( MSC arranged flights) at Gatwick night before the cruise and done a bag drop. Useful as early morning flight saves dragging suitcases to hotel and airport. Unable to check in online but no problem and bonus of able to choose seats within allocated area of plane.

Email customers services, I had same problem and they sorted it out from their end

Thanks AmoMondo. Hoping to see 1st show and still dine earlier. Last year dined 1st sitting and went to 2nd show and fell asleep. Dare not risk again

Sailing on Orchestra soon on Grand Voyage with Aurea package. Can anyone explain the free time dining? Understand We can pick a time but is this just in each sitting or the whole evening? Also how long do the theatre shows last on average? Thank you

I'll be very interested to hear how you get on as I'll be doing the reverse sailing back to Europe in April

Will do. Really looking forward to it

19 days to go. Orchestra - Genoa to Caribbean. Packing stated

Disembarking in Barbados next month on Orchestra, MSC arranged flight at 5 pm. Is there anywhere to store suitcases for the day? Can't see any trips inc airport on MSC site?

Do you think the drink packages are good value when you don't have any sea days?

By the time you have coffees, Ice cream, bottles of water, vitamin drinks, herbal drinks in the spa plus alcohol on top. Very good value. we totted up approx €75. per day between two of us.

Thanks once again AnoMondo

Hi AmoMondo

Description on my receipt/itinerary is S3 Aurea Suite Balcony, so not sure now?

Hi all probably seems daft question, been on a grand voyage in balcony room (Poesia) and found wardrobe quite cramped. This years voyage on Orchestra in Aurea suite, is the wardrobe any bigger? Thanks

Completely ignore my email above, only read 1 st posting, however, I have just checked my account and even though I'v paid and web checked it shows different sail date, cabin and deck. I requested a confirmation booking email just to be sure and all ok for my next cruise. The web site does appear to be having a melt down

Think you've been told nonsense. Web site does seem to be having problems. If you booked through an agent you will not be able to add extras, it has to go through them, but you should be able to see your booking either way. Try emailing them and select web site option. I did last week and got a reply a problem sorted within 24 hours.

That seems probably right, I had just made final payment direct to MSC day before I checked in online.

Hi,

I had just had problem with web check on on UK site, kept asking me for ID numbers even though I added passport number, just emailed MSC with booking number who sorted it next day

Hi Malcolm and Mandy

Different cruise unfortunately, we are on Orchestra, Genoa to Barbados, November 2015, and only silver members. But thanks for advice

Is it manic? Last year we embarked at Barcelona which was 3rd day of grand voyage, no queue, this year another grand voyage, flights with transport from Nice, day one, we are Aurea package. Any tips?

Thanks, AmoMondo

Will look for BA booking ref on tickets when they get emailed.

Hi All

Check in at gatwick for BA flights can be night before between 4pm and 10 pm. I was told from BA, we can do this as long as we produce tickets, also do a bag drop. Saves dragging bags to hotel and back again next morning