Billy277

Thanks to all of you! Everyone's been a huge help. I'm still researching how this "Excursion" system works. We're trying to decide if want to go with the guided tours or if we want to risk exploring the cities ourselves. Once we're onboard, will the ship have a listing of what excursions are available in each city?

Another question: On this particular cruise, on many days we're at port most of the daylight hours, such as disembarking from the ship at 7 AM and re-boarding at 7 PM. How will the dinner work on those days? Will we get a set window to come and eat, or will it be a free-for-all?

Hi there everyone, I'm going on a cruise next month for the first time. I'm super-excited but have read so much conflicting information it's starting to make my head spin. Advice from you veterans is greatly appreciated!

I'm going on a 10-day Mediterranean cruise on the Holland America Ryndam. I have a couple of initial questions (with probably many more to follow):

1) Is there a fee to use the exercise room/gym equipment?

2) Is it easy to tell which food & drinks are free and which must be paid for?

3) I've read that you rarely, if ever, pay cash directly for things on a cruise. Instead, it's all added to your room account. Is this accurate, and if so is there any advice on how to avoid unwanted charges?

4) This is more of a question for people who've traveled through Europe on a cruise: We're visiting a whole bunch of exciting cities (Marseille, Venice, Rome, etc.) Are there buses or guides at the ports who can take travelers from the port into the city? I'm trying to figure out how we're going to get around each city after we've docked.

Thanks to all in advance!