krueg2828

13 hours ago, GerryL13 said:

Yes. I did back-to-back cruises last year and will do another pair of cruises this summer. I flew into Heathrow and spent the night at a nearby hotel. You will need to let Saga know a couple of months ahead of time where you will need to be picked up and dropped off.

Okay…thanks 😊

On 1/17/2024 at 4:03 PM, GerryL13 said:

I also book from the States. The Summer 2025 schedule won't be out for a couple of months yet. When the online catalogue of trips comes out, you can review it and ask (by email or chat function) to have a sales rep call you to answer any question you might have and to book your cruise. (I don't have international calling, so I can't call Saga myself. I have never tried booking online.) It would help if you let them know in your pre-call communication, which cruise and which kind of cabin you are looking to book.
 

A couple of caveats:

You may already have figured out that you will not be eligible for the included insurance if you are not a UK resident. You will need to get your own insurance from a US company.

You won't be able to set up a My Saga account without a valid UK address. But once you have booked a cruise, you can see your booking by using the Manage My Booking feature on the website.

 

PS I'll be visiting Fort Pierce for a few days in March.

Thanks for the info.  Have you taken a Saga cruise before??  If so, I will have a few questions for you…such as did you fly in to London?  I didn’t realize about the insurance, but I prefer to get my own anyway.  
 

i moved from FL to NC last year, just didn’t update my social media accounts yet.  Enjoy the weather in FL!

On 7/24/2023 at 11:50 AM, Kinniegirl said:

Gibraltar, Syracuse (Sicily) Dubrovnik, Split, Cagliari,Lisbon

,could be useful and wonder then if dropped off to mooch after?

We just got back from Split and Dubrovnik a few months ago.  We booked a private tour and we met the guide in front of Diocletian’s Palace which is an easy walk from where we docked…he took us to Klis Fortress via bus afterwards.  Both were Game of Thrones location shoots, if you are interested in that.  I would rather book a walking tour of Diocletian’s Palace instead of sitting on a bus.

We also walked the walls of Dubrovnik.  It was so beautiful and interesting as well as walking within the walls below.  Again I think this would much nicer than sitting on a bus.  I would book a walking tour here....we did the Game of Thrones tour here as well.

On 7/24/2023 at 8:35 AM, Kinniegirl said:

We are new to Saga, were P&O cruisers

 

It appears on our cruise there are 6 included excursions, what are they, just a ride round in a coach,

stops at various places ?  

We can’t find out any information on them hoping someone can give more information 

On 2/8/2023 at 12:00 PM, Glenndale said:

If you haven’t booked yet and have a friend who is a Britannia club member, they could recommend you and you will both get an extra 10% discount 🙂

I would be interested!

On 12/18/2023 at 1:16 PM, Medeba said:

We liked our one Viking Ocean cruise very much (Northern Lights Jan 2019) but we paid more per night for that cruise than we have ever done and that's nearly five years ago!  I would like to cruise with them again but we too are no longer keen on flying (but would do it for a special cruise).  I haven't checked recently but I think Saga's prices are a fair amount less than Viking's, especially if you book at pre registration time.  Saga's entertainment is definitely better and it is 'all inclusive' which Viking isn't.  I do prefer the Viking ships - they are so stylish - but, overall, I think Saga is better value for money. We do miss the international passenger vibe on Saga, though.

I might be booking…from the States.  We want to do Noway in summer 2025, so here I am trying to figure how to do that with no schedule out.  I would enjoy spending a few weeks with Brits!

On 10/1/2023 at 12:19 AM, chrisn-au said:

Concur - we are on the apex at the moment - we have found the food in luminae to be great and service really good. With all of the doom and gloom prior I was a little concerned - there was no need 

Can you take a picture of the menu?  I’m considering booking, but have dairy allergy and don’t eat gluten.

8 minutes ago, PORT ROYAL said:

Per Cab plus tip.

Thanks!

7 minutes ago, PORT ROYAL said:

Chairs etc are for use only by the paying clients.

Drop offs are caused tidal and storm action.  Easy access one day, steep the next.

It is not a rock up and bed rental establishment.  Book one’s lunch/day in advance.

 

Early booking is recommended for Cecelia’s, Catherine's and Sheer Rocks.  Consider a Rock Pool Day at Sheer Rocks for that special day.

Thanks for the info.  If anyone has recent beach condition at Cecelia’s, let me know.

On 9/2/2023 at 11:57 AM, PORT ROYAL said:

Next time consider booking..

Cecelia’s for beach day/lunch

Or

A rock pool at Sheer Rocks

 

Both have great food, ambiance and service.  Definitely places one will wish to return to.

Can you rent beach chairs at Cecelia’s??  Big drop off there?

On 12/31/2023 at 6:30 PM, PORT ROYAL said:

Taxi Fares ……https://www.antiguanice.com/v2/documents/Taxi and tour fares - ABTB final.pdf

Outward driver will be pleased to be booked for the timed return.

Are the fares listed here for two people or per person?  Thanks!

14 hours ago, Aplmac said:

Place with the green umbrellas is Lobster Alive,
on Carlisle Bay, next door to Boatyard..

although I think they may have changed the umbrellas by now

- that shot is years old, btw

Thanks for your reply

On 2/9/2023 at 5:17 PM, CarolRoy said:

We have been to Brownes beach many times.  It is our choice on Carlisle Bay.  It is a local beach.  There are chair rentals.  We have walked there from the ship a few times.  But now prefer a taxi (bad knees).  Take the taxi from the port with others going to the more populated beach bars like the Boatyard.  Tell the driver you want to go to Brownes and he will take you there once the others get off.  You can get a taxi back.  There is a restroom with attendants.  The attendants will call for a cab when you want to go back to the ship.

Does Brownes have a restaurant?

On 2/18/2020 at 7:33 PM, Aplmac said:

And on the land/beach side of things...

The picture with the green umbrellas….what place was this.  Looked not crowded.

On 10/13/2023 at 10:02 AM, PORT ROYAL said:

For those who may be considering an Elegance or Moon, having thoughts as to if value for money.

Then add  what would be considered a fair $ value to each of the items listed, total, then compare against a Cat Day Operator’s price.  Think the Math will surprise many.

 

Luxury 4 Hour Cruise Along Coast Of Barbados

Choice Of Luxury Seating

Tranquil Settings

Relaxing Ambience

Top Notch Personal Service

No Crowds (No S.H.T.)

Unlimited Snacks

Excellent Lunch

Unlimited Soft Drinks

Unlimited Beers

Unlimited Wines

Unlimited Spirits

Snorkel With Turtles

Dive And Swim From Ship (Also Shower)

Having A Wonderful Day

I took the Silvermoon many years ago….it was fantastic.

On 12/31/2023 at 6:25 AM, PORT ROYAL said:

@fox02554

There are 3 great operators.   Check one’s docking times with an operator’s leaving time to suit

Silver Moon - https://silvermoonbarbados.com

Elegance - https://www.elegancebarbados.com

Calypso - https://calypsocruisesbarbados.com

 

I did the Silvermoon many years ago….it was a great excursion.

On 6/12/2023 at 10:29 PM, Maverick! said:

We booked with Patou Excursions , we had fantastic skipper Fabien - Patricia (Patou :)) was great to propose how we'd organize the day, working with our schedule. We happened to dock 30 mins later than when the public group tour was going out so we ended up doing a private charter just for our group.

I haven’t been able to read their website in English 🤷🏼‍♀️. How did you arrange your excursion?

15 hours ago, MisterBill99 said:

 

Glad to hear that you booked it. When are you staying? I'll be there at the beginning of February. As for OSJ, the Sheraton is obviously convenient (if pricey), especially if you're on Virgin and your cruise ends in the downtown pier.

 

As for restaurants, we ate at Jose Enrique the last time and loved it. They have a reputation as one of the top restaurants on the island. I just found this place which looks excellent also. It looks like you need to appreciate good (and unusual) food if you're going to eat there. They do a $75 5-course menu.

 

Cocina Abierta

 

If OSJ, Marmalade is the top place, but they charge $135 for their price fixed menu. 

We are staying at the Coral first week in March, but need an overnight pre-Virgin cruise on 1/23.  Sheraton’s price of approximately $500 is steep considering I’ll be arriving late afternoon and leaving hotel around 1 the next day.  I might end up booking the Coral unless I find a discount on the Sheraton.

BTW, I just got off a back-to-back Virgin cruise out of Athens….fantastic.  I can’t imagine cruising with any other cruise because of the food.

I probably wouldn’t consider price-fix/tasting menus in San Juan….we are carnivores and just eat meat and fruit.  Fancy stuff is lost on us because we pick everything off….just a steak or fish/chicken/pork on an empty plate.  I’m looking for a place with lots of meat options 🤷🏼‍♀️. We don’t eat in Test Kitchen on Virgin because of that.  Is this your first Virgin cruise??  

On 10/30/2023 at 2:20 PM, MisterBill99 said:

 

I booked the Coral Princess Hotel in Condado. It's reasonably priced, gets good reviews, and Uber from the airport and to the port are cheap. And there are excellent restaurants in Condado.

 

Booking directly with them allowed me to get a refundable rate (no need to pay in advance) cheaper than the other sites.

 

Coral Princess – Hotel

Thanks for the info….I ended up booking the Coral for 2 nights post cruise.  I would like to stay in Old San Juan pre-cruise, but not having much luck.  It’s either too expensive or not great reviews.  Any suggestions with that as well as any good restaurants near the Coral would be appreciated. 😊

On 10/18/2023 at 12:21 PM, MisterBill99 said:

 

Ha ha. You're the first one to point that out omission. I'm talking about Virgin Voyages, and it turns out that they're using the pier in Old San Juan (supposedly a terminal that Carnival previously used?) It would be great if I could find a reasonably priced hotel downtown and could just walk to the pier. But the Sheraton is crazy expensive. I found a good deal in Condado and will just take Uber, which is still cheap in PR.

I’m looking for a pre night hotel as well.  What hotel did you end up booking??

On 9/2/2023 at 5:04 PM, CruiserBruce said:

Have you checked with your cruise line? Chances are good they carry distilled water. If you need it at your hotel,  have you asked them?

 

Yes I checked with Virgin….they do not have it.

I’m asking if I will be able to buy ghee and coconut water in center of Athens?  Also, will I be able to buy distilled water for my husband’s CPAP?  If I can’t, I will need to pack it.

5 hours ago, JAF0929 said:

We disembark NCL VIVA on Sunday Oct 28 2023 and are looking for a short tour of Athens Greece before we depart back to USA.  Any recommendations? 

We have a lot of time after disembarkation so we hired George’s Famous Taxi Tours and are going to the Corinth Canal.  He will custom whatever you want.

On 9/7/2022 at 5:11 PM, Rainbow3fe said:

Hi 

    It appears that our Celebrity Edge cruise is stopping at Ponta Delgada, Azores. 

     Does anyone have a recommendation for a wonderful day trip. The island looks amazing. 

Thanks in advance, 

Felice 

I spent a week and had a rental car with half the time in Furnas at the hot springs and half in the city.  Loved it.  I wouldn’t miss the twin lakes.  Furnas is on the other side of the island from the twin lakes.  I guess it depends on how much time you have and which direction you want to go.  The first day of our arrival I had hired a woman taxi tour to give us a tour and history, basically the lay of the land so we would feel comfortable driving.  Very informative and as I remember not too expensive.  Sorry, I wish I could remember her name. 

On 9/7/2022 at 5:11 PM, Rainbow3fe said:

Hi 

    It appears that our Celebrity Edge cruise is stopping at Ponta Delgada, Azores. 

     Does anyone have a recommendation for a wonderful day trip. The island looks amazing. 

Thanks in advance, 

Felice 

On 1/27/2023 at 11:55 AM, rcrabb1513 said:

Topic covers it.  Never cruised VV before, always bought the drink package on other cruise lines. 

 

We used our $300 tab to buy espresso drinks at the coffee bar to bring to breakfast as well as some alcohol drinks.  We are not heavy drinkers and we managed to erase the $300 in 5 days with a drink here and there.

On 2/1/2023 at 6:51 AM, tbmrt said:

We have cruised on most of the mainstream cruiseships and are thinking of trying VV in Caribbean.

 

Would appreciate receiving input from frequent cruisers on how they liked VV Caribbean compared to the usual cruiselines.

 

We are extremely active seniors...Husband is a personal trainer.

 

Thanks!

If you are a foodie, this is the ship is for you.  I have cruised with Azamara, Celebrity, Holland and RCCL.  The food on this ship is far above my previous cruises and they absolutely accommodate food allergies.  I took a short test cruise prior to booking a B2B out on Greece.  I found it helpful to learn the ropes before a long Europe cruise.  Their only downside to this cruise line is their app and it is necessary to use to prebook restaurants, etc.