jms2362

I'm thinking of renting a few scooters for my son & I. Will we be able to get all around the island on these? My concern will be the "sand" roads? Thanks

There are so many rough sandy roads with shells. Pretty rough, if it is windy which it is a lot of the time, sand blows onto the roads that are blacktop and that makes them very slick. Think seriously before doing it. If you own scooters and ride a lot that would be better. Otherwise for fun rent golf carts, a lot of fun from Nathan as I remember his email is nathanandlinda@tci.com

Otherwise go to Grand Turk Turks and Cascious Islands site for his email. Might not have that spelled correctly. You can rent jeeps also on the island, Just go to the island info and then car rentals.

Totally want to rent the golf cart. Will definitely be trying this in Feb. someone mentioned a map. Do you get a map from Nathan? I really want to see the the lighthouse and the beach with all the shells.

Nathan has one. There are signs to the lighthouse. Nathan is the best for rentals, the only one to use. Reliable to have a vehicle for you. Very disappointed on our last trip, renting from Tony. Read what I said SEVERAL MONTHS AGO BELOW ABOUT TONY'S RENTALS. Very POOR from Tony, has a great web site though. Just needs to know how deliver a good vehicle that runs.

Thanks for the excellent info I think a car would be better for us or a jeep. Sailing with my adult daughter on CCL Destiny December 10 will be in Grand Turk Wed, December 12. I am cancelling a shore excursion I booked because this sounds like way more fun. I will let you know how it went when I get back. I am going to contact Tony's and make a reservation today! Are there any such rentals on Half Moon Cay?

We rented from Tony in September, had onfirmed 3 times we would have a jeep. When we got to Grand Turk no jeeps only a van that wauld not start. Then had to wait for them to go somewhere and get a battery. The van was ok, but no panels on inside o the doors and now what we had envisioned for our short day in port. Disaddpointed, Will use Nathan, as we have used him in the past and he was great. Tony's upscale website is very deceiving.

We just reserved a golf cart through Nathan 2 weeks ago. We e-mailed and then he gave me a call and it was done! It did take a couple of e-mails, but no problem! :)

We used Nathan 2 years ago, no problem.

Has anyone heard from Nathan recently? I emailed him this week and haven't heard back.

 

We rented two carts for the six of us two years ago and it was a wonderful day.

I would send him another email. We rented 2 years ago and had no problems. Wonder if the storm effected then in Grand Turk earlier in the week? I think I had to email twice to reserve. No problem with giving cc number to him. Must have one reserved to have a cart.

can you rent when you arrive or do you need to reserve? Also, if you can wait, where do you find the company from the cruiseport? Thanks

Email and ask, I would not plan on one without reserving it ahead, we got one from Nathan before and had to email our credit card to him. No problems. Have seen notes about him for a couple of years and never heard of a problem of giving him cc number. I don't know how many he has, and if you planned on one and he rented them all you would be unhappy. His email is

nathanandlinda@tciway.tc

This sounds like SO much fun! I have two young girls also and have been concerned about not booking "Carnival approved" excursions. Were you worried about safety at all?

Thanks.

Very safe, we rented from Nathan 2 years ago and went every, everyone very nice and helpful. We are renting a jeep this September.

I didn't ask about the jeeps, but have read on CC that they do rent jeeps.

How do I get on touch with Tony to rent a jeep?

Email for Nathan's Golf Carts....nathanandlinda@tciway.tc...:). Hope you enjoy this island as much as we did!!!

Do they still rent jeeps also?

$80/day. Holds 4 people.

HI

Do you have an email address to get rental reserved?

I have been doing research as well for our 5 days in Sydney prior to our Princess cruise. I found the link to train info by doing a search entitled "Sydney Public Transportation". It appeared that the trip takes 2 hours or so. More research is needed to learn the station that should be the destination. Still working on it.

Not sure of what I sent to you but this is good info

The Blue Mountains are a day trip and the easiest way to get there and back is via the trains. CityRail has a Blue Mountains Explorer combo fare that includes the train to Katoomba and back as well as all day use of the red Hop-On-Hop-Off bus that take you to all the attractions in the Blue Mountains. Details are here: http://www.cityrail.info/tickets/which/explorerlink

http://www.explorerbus.com.au/

Price is $46.80 per person and the train trip is 2 hours each way. If you'd like to drive, it's a 90 minute drive outside of peak hours.

If you're docked at OPT, you can take the train straight outside at Circular Quay, then change at Central. It's then an express train that goes to the Blue Mountains.

There are many stations in the Blue Mountains, but the main one people would go to is Katoomba which is closest to the three sisters and some other attractions as well as having a pleasant town to either visit or stay at.

You can hop on to an explorer bus there to go to the various sites. the ones worth doing are the scenic railway and of course, the 3 sisters viewpoint.

****************

http://www.131500.com.au/tickets/explore/blue-mountains (train from Sydney to Katoomba and Hop on Hop Off Bus information *****

http://www.scenicworld.com.au/

yes, the 2 hour train ride leaves from sydney central railway station to Katoomba. you can hop on to an explorer bus there to go to the various sites. the ones worth doing are the scenic railway and of course, the 3 sisters viewpoint.

http://www.131500.com.au/tickets/explore/blue-mountains

http://www.scenicworld.com.au/

Some good places to see that are not on the bus route (but nearby) are listed here: http://HTTP://www.leurabluemountainsguide.com

Albany is a beautiful little port city but quite hilly. The whale station and rugged coast around that area is well worth a tour.

Esperance is beautiful and I would agree with the National Park tour.

The Sydney Explorer bus stops right outside your hotel and visits all the major attractions in the Sydney CBD. Details are here: http://www.city-sightseeing.com/inde...nations=Sydney

Price is $35 for 24 hours and $56 for 28 hours.

Doyle’s at Circular Quay good restaurant per KCSunshinegirl

Doyle’s in Watson Bay good also but further away from Marriott

yes, the 2 hour train ride leaves from sydney central railway station to Katoomba. you can hop on to an explorer bus there to go to the various sites. the ones worth doing are the scenic railway and of course, the 3 sisters viewpoint.

http://www.131500.com.au/tickets/explore/blue-mountains

http://www.scenicworld.com.au/

I love Cruise Critic, ask a question and the answers start coming in. Thanks so much for this information. If we were to leave on the train early am from Sydney would a full day be enough time, if we return to Sydney in the evening. Do the trains run in the evening?

I have been doing research as well for our 5 days in Sydney prior to our Princess cruise. I found the link to train info by doing a search entitled "Sydney Public Transportation". It appeared that the trip takes 2 hours or so. More research is needed to learn the station that should be the destination. Still working on it.

Thank you for your reply. Just got this info from someone else.

The Blue Mountains are a day trip and the easiest way to get there and back is via the trains. CityRail has a Blue Mountains Explorer combo fare that includes the train to Katoomba and back as well as all day use of the red Hop-On-Hop-Off bus that take you to all the attractions in the Blue Mountains. Details are here: http://www.cityrail.info/tickets/which/explorerlink

http://www.explorerbus.com.au/

Price is $46.80 per person and the train trip is 2 hours each way. If you'd like to drive, it's a 90 minute drive outside of peak hours.

Doing research on upcoming cruise. Have thought of taking the train to the Blue Mountains. Is this possible, how long does it take to get there, should we spend the night there. Has anyone done this?

Although saving money is a perk, I think the experience of touring any city on your own is very enriching! Yes, doing your homework is essential, but it's part of the fun. And enoying wine on the piazza's of Rome is absolutely my favorite past-time. I ven got to know a few locals that way. I'm not as experienced as you Hank, but thanks for your encouraging post. I was about to give into the RCC excursion option due to fear of the unknown at a couple ports, but you have reminded me of how much fun it is to do it on your own.

Randi

Have you been to Quito, Ecuador? We are cruising the Galapagos Islands in Dec and will be in Quito for 3 days pre cruise and then 2 days after the cruise. It seems from what I have read dangerous to take a bus out of town. We wanted to go to Octavalo to the large market and see some of the area outside of town. Also, we were thinking of going to the Cloud Forest the mountains a supposed to be beautiful and lots of wildlife and birds. Over 100 different types of hummingbirds, etc.

Hank, we have a few questions:

 

Messina to Taormina: Train or bus? Ship is docked from 10am to 7pm. We wanted to see the clock "perform" at noon in Messina, do we have enough time to go to Taormina and make it back?

 

Kusadasi: What company would you recommend to visit Ephesus? Any thoughts on "ephesusshuttle"?

 

Livorno: Ship is docked 7am to 7pm. Is the train station walking distance from the ship? Per your advice, we plan on visiting Florence first then stop in Pisa (via train), only if we have time. This is the one DIY we are apprehensive about because of the distance...

 

Toulon: What are your thoughts of visiting Aix? Any suggestions for shore excursions?

 

Barcelona: Is Las Ramblas walking distance from the ship? Are there shuttles we can take from the ship/port to town? Are the local bus/subway/train easy to navigate and use?

 

Cartagena: What would you do here? We plan on perhaps simply walking around town.

 

Azores: Our last stop before heading back...what would you recommend here?

 

Hank, thank you in advance for all your thoughts and answers...:)

in Barcelona Princess had a bus that took us to a couple blocks from Las Ramblas. Then you walk it. Be sure to wear good walking shoes because you are on you feet almost all of the time in that area. We really enjoyed it. The mimes were great, street vendors and outdoor cafes. When you are ready to leave you walk back to where you were let off and the cruseline bus takes you back to the ship. We had to sign up for the bus before we got of of the ship.

Ok, trying to solidify my getting to West Bay with 6 people as inexpensive as possible. When we get off ship in Coxen Hole, we should go into town and flag down bus#2 and pay $2pp to get to West End. Then get off at dirt road, walk to dock and catch water taxie for $3 pp to get to Infinity approx total time 45 minutes. Is this a good estimate on time getting back to Coxen Hole or are the mini buses further appart than 10 minutes each? Will all of us be able to ride on one mini bus? If ship leaves at 5pm, should we be returning on water taxi to West End by 4pm or should we leave earlier?

You definitely want to leave for the ship no later than 3 PM. Do you know others that have done this? We have done water taxi's and they usually run late, never on time. Remember the ship will NOT wait for you!

2 questions:

1. Is the mini-bus from Coxen hole to West End safe?

2. How long would the trip take?

We took a tour with Victor Bodden Tours in a minivan, there were 4 of us. We never saw anything that looked dangerous. We felt very safe with our great guide. We worked our way to the West End beach, went geocaching, ziplining, visited with the monkeys and parrots! It was a wonderful day and would recommen it highy to anyone. It is a beautifu island and they people were very friendly.

hank

 

we will be visiting naples on an upcoming cruise. at least one in our group of nine wants to know if makes sense to visit BOTH pompeii and herculaneum on the same day. i have done a little research and can't seem to come up with a consensus. you've been to both; what's your opinion? is herculaneum just more of the same, but maybe a little smaller, a little better preserved, or are they different enough to warrant seeing them both in the same day?

 

thanks

 

bruce

Forget Herculaneum, GO TO POMPEII - we have been twice once oabout 40 yrs ago and agina 2 yrs. ago. We saw completely different areas each time, they rotate where they take you. It is fabulous!!! I can't say enough. You can spend hours there. We blew up a picture 3 x 5 ft. and have it in our entry hall at home along with pictures that we took in Greece. You will love it there. The other we have done and it is nothing in comparison.

IF I may offer a suggestion: Since the main reason for the cruise is to see MP, either get off the ship in Lima and do MP on your own, go BACK to Lima after you disembark the ship for MP, or just go to MP via air.

 

Not only are you spending $2000pp (which is an OUTRAGEOUS price for something that an be done from Lima for less than $1000.00) BUT you also must figure in the cost of the days you miss on the ship.

 

AND the real biggie-you will be hustled from here to there and NOT REALLY get to see much. The normal ship tour-arrive Cusco by about 10:00AM, go to your hotel for a rest, then be hustled on to a tour bus, driven around Cusco. You have NOT had time to acclimate and the chances of getting AMS (altitude sickness) increase a LOT. I have seen so many "3 day tour" people sick and living on oxygen, while they are missing the entire experience.

 

IMHO, the tour is a WASTE of money. If you need some help planning MP on your own, please post. You really can book everything you need without a travel agent or tour.

We are also wanting to go to Machu Piccu. We want to set up the trip and wuld any information that you might have. NCL for $2K ea to MP must be they are staying at the Monastery Hotel that is right there. The cost at that hotel starts around $825 per night.

You're awesome, thank you so much!! :D it's sassylisa08@yahoo.com

do a Yahoo search for Grand Turk Island Map and there will be several that you can open.

You're awesome, thank you so much!! :D it's sassylisa08@yahoo.com

do a Yahoo search Grand Turk Island Map

Does anyone know where I can find a good map of GT to print off to take with me? I've heard his aren't good, and there aren't many signs, but I'd like to have a decent one for reference. Thanks!!

Give me your email and I will sent a map. I have tried to paste it here and can't.

:)Finally heard back from Nathan .... didn't do anything different, other than adding him to my 'contacts' so either that was the trick, or he's been busy. He also called me this morning. I had sent him my phone number on the email yesterday. Gave him my cc info and he said I had to email him back stating I had given him the info and he would email a confirmation #. That sound right to anyone out there? Just waiting for that now and thinking things are falling into place! Can't wait to get on that ship! However, my prayers do go out to Japan, Hawaii and CA with all that is going on.

I had the same problem in Dec. someone mentioned putting him into my contact list for emails and then I got an email from him. I had the same problem from a hotel in Istanbul were went to last year.

Well, I tried one more time to email .... think I may have to call, but geez, $12, huh? Don't suppose cell phone would be cheaper? This is getting complicated. DH is away so can't ask, but I'm thinking either I have a very good firewall on my computer and he can't get back to me or maybe he doesn't have any more available?

His message might be blocked, put him in as a contact and also check to see if his message is in your spam file.