panda1215

CruiseMom42. - you are correct reasonable is vague - sorry about that.  I never mine paying for what i like as it relates to art and ceramics.  Thanks for the response and the guidance on places to look. Looking for shops like you posted about - places where local artist showcase their works and not really fine art galleries.

I have heard that in Portofino things are pretty pricey which leads me to ask - are there recommendations on places to look for local art and other crafts (like leather, ,jewelry, etc.) that are reasonable?  We will be in Rome for 3 days prior to leaving via cruise - visiting stops like Florence, Portofoino, Messina, Taranto, and then 2 days at the end in Venice.  I know art and other crafts are subject to what the buyer likes - but where should we stay away because it is a pricey area and are there recommendations of places to look that have great art and reasonable prices. Would love hearing about where to shop and finds that people have come across.  Thanks in advance.

My daughter is a huge art history buff and has been looking forward to our Italy trip since 2019 (when we started planning then COVID hit).  She wants to see both Accademia Gallary and Uffizi Gallery but we are there on the first Sunday of the month and even though we have about 6 hours in Florence i am concerned that with the long lines on Free Sunday that we will not be able to see both.   Would love tips on how to navigate the museums in Florence on the Free Sunday with limited time. Are you any tickets or passes that would help? Any advice would be helpful.

Looks like two of those blue ghost from PAC-man merging together!!!!

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I have read a lot of discussion around excursion but would love to see some recommendations on places to in in Ketchikan and Juneau. This will be our second time to visit Alaska and we are doing Ketchikan on our own so we have plenty of time to explore and would love to hear about places we should put on the list for lunch, snack, and dinner. Same for Juneau!!!!! Thanks in advance.

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In the MDR is there a way to reserve a table close by the window? Or is it the luck of where they seat you?

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We have only been on 3 cruises (4th coming up in June on RCI) so i have limited knowledge to share. Our first cruise was with Princess and the food was amazing in the MDR - we eat there every night. And the staff was amazing! Next we sailed on NCL - never again - the food was bad everywhere. We struggled to find eatable breakfast anywhere! And dinner in the MDR was bad and the service was worse then the food. Next we sailed on RCI where the food was pretty good in MDR, great at CHOPS and great at Giovanni's. but the buffet was okay - nothing to brag about but i didn't have to prepare it or clean it up!

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Does anyone have experience with cabin 7664 on Radiance of the Seas?

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I think one reason might be because of the type of excursion - it appears that there are only 2 companies that do the float trip to the Mendenhall Glacier so there is a little bit of a market on the excursion and thus not much price variation. I think we will book that one through the cruise line in case the weather is not idea and then we might have the option to make a switch.

thanks for the feedback.

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So two examples: Skagway: Grizzly Falls Zip line - with RCI 179 Adult/139 Child and directly with the place 169 Adult and 149 Child - so that one is actually the same cost for us regardless of how we book.

Juneau : Mendenhall Glacier Float: RCI: 149 Adult and 99 child / directly with the company 135 Adult and 101 Child - so booking with the company we would only save about $26 (we have 2 Adults and one child on our trip).

Am i looking in the wrong place to book locally? I have even looked at Viator and the prices are the same. Thoughts?

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This will be our second Alaskan cruise but first Alaskan cruise on RCI. The last time it was through Princess and i booked almost all of our excursions independently and was able to save a lot of money compared to the excursion cost through Princess. However, i am not finding this to the same with RCI - so i was wondering if others have noticed this. In most cases the difference in less than $20 total (for 3 people). Was just wondering if this is normal for RCI to have more competive cost on excursions or if something has changed. With the prices being so close i am considering booking most of the excursions directly with RCI. Thoughts?

We have only traveled on RCI once but have an Alaska cruise in June - how do you get the eat, drink, play package?

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I have seen some great reviews for this company on trip advisor but i can't find anyone really commenting on them here (at least not in the past few years). I have tried to call them but no one is answering - i am sure they are on "vacation" themselves this time of year. However, before i book i just wanted to see if anyone had some words of wisdom! I looked at Marv and Harv but i have an 11 yr old traveling with me and their website states the children have to be 12 or older for their tours. Thanks in advance.