davidnkim

Thank you! We are going for the 1st time at the end of April and just winging it b4 and after the cruise so this really helps!

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More like be followed by all those thousands of pickpockets out to rob you of your passports to sell on the black market.

 

 

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That's what I was thinking they were worried about. Debating where to go Nd what to do myself while there so I do appreciate the bold blue suggestions!

Well, you could encounter a few tourist-hating anarchists :eek:

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Ok..I'll ask the other side.

 

You picked a cruise that has some ports that don't need days to get a feel (except Athens). Yes, one can spend a week in each port. But, if this is a big trip, most of those ports will give a good overview. You will definitely get a feel of Greek culture with four stops.

 

If you can, spend some time in Barcelona before and after and view that as intensive for that city. Or, perhaps fly into Madrid and train into Barcelona to give Spain more "Mojo" on the itinerary.

 

We've been to Europe many, many times (land and cruise) and look for cruises that have bite size ports, with big city embarkation or disembarkation (preferably two different) where we want to spend extra time on land.

We just booked a cruise on NCL Epic next April for 7 days going out of Barcelona. DID exactly this....fly in Tues b4 cruise on Sunday then fly out Tuesday after cruise. It will give us exploration time on both ends. Very excited and any particular recommendations are welcome! Sites, restaurants, local establishments, etc! We have AAA and are thinking of using them for booking excursions....smaller groups and still guarantee getting back to ship on time.

You just need to weigh what's important to you. Other than the year my daughter got married, I've done a European cruise every year for the last several. On each and every one of them, I've spent extra time in the embarkation port so where the cruise embarks is very important to me. I'm cruising the Western Med in Sept and the cruise has two ports of embarkation: Barcelona and Rome. I cruise out of Barcelona last year (spending six days pre-cruise) so I chose the Rome embarkation for this one as I've never been to Rome. I'll spend 8 days there before boarding the ship.

 

The con is spending only a day in each port, but the pro is that I get to see so many! Is it enough time? absolutely not! But, it's the way I love to travel--it's so easy! Weigh what's important to you, do a pro and con list. Personally, I don't think you can go wrong no matter whether you cruise or take a land tour. :D

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old but gives you an idea.

Great video! Thank you!

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On the western med do you see a lot if you are on the starboard along the coast? If you can enjoy a good view from the balcony I'd think a side balcony would be better than aft. We are looking at a late April early May cruise.

Looking at the Western Med from Barcelona and debating between Aft and Spa....question is should you have a balcony on the side or aft for 1st time cruise in this area....ready....go with suggestions and Thank You!

Thank you thank you! Great to hear!

So would it be any use to take a big cup on board since you can only get 1 drink at a time?

So are liquor like captain morgan, amaretto, kahlua, crown possibly part of the included liquor or is that concidered top shelf?

Just returned from the Getaway, Haven Aft Penthouse Suite. You will love it, the Haven is the BEST! Enjoy!!!!

Any good Haven suggestions. Or anything. To add? We're. Getting closer!

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Enjoying this review! We are in the Haven on deck 15 in Aug and wanting to get lots of info as well.....love knowing perks ahead of time. We've never had our butler bring drinks, but always have had exceptional service no matter where we were on NCL! I like the idea!

Keep it coming!

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I would agree it's up to the individual if it's worth it. But in our book it is very worth it! We have sailed in everything from a balcony to the GV and always try and do Haven suites when we cruise. This is partially because we can relax a lot more when we sail in this fashion and can get out of the rat race when we sail. We also enjoy the pampering!:D

But, it is a costly expense for vacation so I agree, experience it once if you can afford it and form your own opinion. Enjoy if you do and use the perks!

I too am appreciating the informative review! We bought the UDP, but am reading so many positives about the Haven that we will be trying it for Lobster night and Surf & Turf.

Keep it coming!:)

Everyone cruises for different reasons. We all have different requirements that are a 'make or break' for our vacation choices. Haven't we all read reviews, maybe you've even thought this about something in my review, where the cruiser highlights as an issue something that wouldn't even be a blip on your radar? I know I have.

With that having been said, my husband boldly announced, the morning of the second sea day, over our lovely room service coffee, that he would never consider MSC over NCL on a regular basis because they don't have coffee pots in the rooms.

What?! :confused: Not price, not value, not ports, not amenities, not food, not entertainment, not staff, not safety, not the spa, but a coffee pot. The way to my husband's vacation dollar is through an in-room coffee pot?! :eek:

Thank you Mrs Squirrel!

Well I have to say that the Coffee is very important for me too now. It didn't use to be until we went to Costa Rica and cruised on NCL I love the French press on NCL!!!! So now due to my travels if there is Lavazza and/or french press I'm really happy....but if not I want good coffee too.

Really enjoying the review. We are on the Getaway in August and Divina in Jan for the K-LOVE Christian music cruise, so love love seeing the difference and information! By the way...what time is early dining? We have late and would rather early.

Could I get cabin 9156? I'd sort of like to go to a B3, but just not sure. I'd like to move up as well as have a larger cabin/balcony.

Thank you!

Considering a tour that would include both Trafalgar Falls and Emerald Pool.

Would like to know how strenuous of a walk it is to both. Are the paths fairly smooth or very uneven?

They are both fairly easy walks a small amount of elevation change but the paths are well laid out and all stairs are in good shape. You should be fine.

The paths are better than the roads in and out!! :D:eek:

By far you should do Scotts Head - much more to see

You could always just grab a cab when you get off the boat and have them take you direct to some falls - there are many on the Island so they might be able to take you to ones that the tour buses do not hit.

Also consider going to the hot springs or up to Papillotte for lunch/tour - http://www.papillote.dm/

For snorkeling the best area to hit is Scotts head marine reserve - you would have to take a cab to get to it - might be a tour on your boat that offers it. If not Dive Dominica does - http://www.divedominica.com/snorkeling/

I have used these on many of our trips and find them to be the best combination for hiking, beach, water forging - http://www.shoes.com/Shopping/ProductDetails.aspx?p=EC1028424&pg=5007832