cwsdks48

Mt Pleasant is quite safe. I would look at the hotels around the foot of the Ravenel bridge. There are properties from all the major chains in this area. Plenty of places to eat and a short drive to Shem Creek for more food options. There are other places, like the West Ashley area (where I live), but Mt P is the easiest to just hop over the bridge to downtown.

Daughter went to CofC, lived downtown, we are from Florence, SC, and when not driving to spend the day, we would spend the night at Marriott Residence Inn at the airport. Super easy drive into downtown, parked at one of the parking garages downtown, did our downtown visiting. From hotel also easy drive to plantations and Folly Beach. Easy drive to Ravenel bridge to Mount Pleasant and above OPs places. Fort Moultrie worth a visit. Tanger outlets near hotel. So we find it a great location.

I’m having the same issue....:rolleyes:

Ok thanks, I suppose ncl will correct, probably enough people have informed them.

220-125 = $95 for 7 days :o

 

you can get a prepaid cell phone plan with tethering for cheaper!! :confused:

Hi folks!

We have the wifi promo (perk) and it was showing on NCL.com and our e-docs. This past week it has not been showing on the online vacation summary.

Anyone else has this happen?

The last time I was in Europe aboard an NCL ship it was possible to purchase local currency at the front desk, but buyer beware, on top of the exchange rate there would have been a $10 flat rate charge for doing the transaction. In the case of exchanging small amounts this could get expensive very quickly.

 

I agree with other posters who said that using US dollars in the Caribbean is relatively easy. Cruising further afield to places in Europe, Asia and South America can be a very different situation. I have come across numerous times and places where it was cash only in the local currency.

 

In my opinion the best thing is to do your currency exchanges at home. Not only is is prudent to have local currency with you when arriving in a new country but why waste your limited and valuable vacation time looking for and using a foreign ATM?

 

 

Rochelle

 

 

 

 

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Bank of America's online banking has a link in the help section 'travel' I think, then a currency drop down where you can order currency for lots of countries. Tried it a couple of weeks ago, ordered Danish krona, Icelandic krona and British pound. Link asks which account to charge (checking, savings) and whether you want to pick up at your banking center or have it shipped for $7.50.

3 days later, a FedEx envelope arrived at our house with currency bills paper clipped and an accompanying sheet listing the transactions. BoA does not have a banking center in our town, so this worked out perfectly.

We usually find a major bank in a foreign country and use their ATM, but as others pointed out, on a cruise that may not be feasible.

Also remember to set a travel notice with your bank, so that your credit card won't be blocked.

The EU is phasing out the 500 euro note by the end of the year. Get them changed on land before your trip rather than count on a ship to accept them. To have 500 and 200 euro notes but no way to change them is the same as having no money.

When we are 'stuck' with large Euro bills, we pay for a larger transaction in cash, using the bill to break it, rather than using CC.

All wonderful info thus far as usual to which I can only add that I’ve stayed on both sides, Right and Left Bank almost equally - no wait, once more on the right but that was not in my usual 1st Arrondissment preferred place - and was happy every time. I love the first and this hotel because it’s just right in the center of Paris, near the Opera line and I loved the hotel. Les Halles is very nearby, also convenient for getting around the city and you can’t go wrong with a Novotel.

 

Don’t overlook the newly hip areas for dining in the 10th & 11th arrondissments too up near Place de la Republique for a great many culinary options or just awesome traditional cafes, boites and such. You’ll also be near Eglise de la Madeleine, very beautiful and quite a great place to photograph. Right then you’re also just about near Place de la Concorde where the Ferris wheel and obelisk are, at one end of Champs Elysées, more spectacular photo ops....if you’re on a hop on hop off bus, hop off, maybe walk up the avenue to Arc de Triomphe and hop back on. It’s quite an unforgettable stroll. You’ll pass the George V hotel along the way, it’s sort of like 5th Avenue only it’s not at all 5th Avenue and that’s my home (nope don’t live on 5th Ave, just was a city dweller!) so it’s worth doing if you feel up to it.

 

Try to avoid the hawkers outside the many restaurants in the Latin Quarter near St Sulpice. Most just aren’t very good though if you listen to them try to woo you they’d have you think otherwise. It’s the wooing that’s actually the tip-off. Truly good (and still reasonable) food is there in Paris, but those restaurants don’t have persons stand outside and try to yank guests inside to dine there. Maybe a chalk board with the plat du jour (menu for the day, usually a 2-3 course, maybe with a glass of wine) for a set amount. How do you know if a place might be ok? Sometimes a good measure was just taking a moment to listen for how many patrons were speaking French. Don’t worry, most menus have translations and servers also can speak English.

 

Also always, always remember that if a place or something isn’t ever to your liking, alert them. If they can’t make it right just find another place, there’s no shortage of rooms in Paris, even during high season. Paris is also still not quite yet at its full pre-2015 November tourism numbers though the numbers are of course bouncing back as expected. I speak very frequently to my close friend in Paris who is glad that they are getting there but still sees a difference. Also, while the government star and rosette ratings are quite important to hotels/inns, in today’s online age, guest reviews are equally if not more important.

 

Maybe also don’t be shy about letting on it’s your anniversary too, especially 52 years!! Congratulations to you both <3

 

If this is your first visit to Paris and you have more questions, don’t hesitate to ask. Sounds like you’ll use a TA and so be ok but we’re here!

 

:)

A few years ago, while visiting family in Berlin, hubby and I booked an Air France flight round trip Berlin-Paris. Left Berlin around 1pm Friday, got to hotel Ibis Style at Place de la Republique around 5. Rode Metro to all our fav tourist stops Saturday ( Montmartre, Gallerie Lafayette (dept. store), Champs Elysee, et.), people watched at several cafes on Place de la Republique Sat night, Sunday went to Notre Dame cathedral, even caught part of service, checked out of hotel, caught 3pm flight back to Berlin. Whole adventure cost about $700. We do all our own travel bookings, but it was well worth it.

Hotel was small, but clean, breakfast included. Location could not be beat (appr $130/night). We even caught Fete de la Musique (June 21 celebration) down the street at a canal. Purposely don't fly discount airlines to make best use of time w regularly scheduled carriers. And most major airlines are priced in the 'ballpark'.

I'll be going on my first cruise on the NCL Epic sailing out of Barcelona on June 3rd. I'm trying to pack as light as possible (I'm a notorious overpacker) and I'm trying to get by on one or two pairs of shoes other than my sneakers for shore excursions. I'm thinking a pair of sandals for everyday and a pair of flats for nicer events and dinner. Here lies the problem... I have plantar faciitis, which means that I need good support in my arches and heels. I know there are brands of sandals and shoes that cater to this but I was wondering if anyone had any specific brands they liked. Preferably some that wouldn't break the bank.

 

Thanks!

Kayla, we travel with carry on, but I do take sneakers (light weight) and stuff socks etc. into them. Just put what you stuff into shoes into plastic sandwich baggies. For the flight and later to wear around town, I take Keds boat shoes or some other solid light weight nice looking shoe. Black ballet slippers to wear with slacks for a nicer look. The secret is mix and match and the lightest weight fabric you can find.

Happy travels.

In my opinion and also my family of all young adults think the Blue Lagoon is overated! We did stop to look at it and I may have spent $10 USD on it but no way $75 to sit in hot water with a bunch of people ! It's not even a natural Lagoon it comes from a geothermal plant next door.

I'd use that time to check out the wonderful sights elsewhere!

The way it looks from our vantage point: if someone usually is into water related endeavors, they would include blue lagoon or the other natural lagoons in Iceland. We chose to drive by and explore the nearby countryside.

Spent 2 night each on an icelandair stopover from Toronto to Hamburg.

First stopover stayed at the hotel next to Keflavik airport and rented a car. Arrival day drove south to Grindavik, strolled along the waterfront, drove to the place where American and European continents drift apart, back to Grindavik and dinner at Salthuis restaurant. Then back to hotel. All of it within an hour's drive of Keflavik.

Next day drove to Gulfoss, the geysers and Thingvellir.

Had dinner at nice restaurant in Keflavik, turned car in, walked to hotel.

5 am next morning, walked next door to terminal for our flight to Hamburg.

Return trip stopover stayed at Residence hotel in Reykjavik, no car, explored the city, attended Saturday's organ concert at hallgrimskakirkja, had famous Iceland hot dogs and nice dinner in town. Took flybus to airport.

Memorable trip, therefore cruise there this year.

poss, I'm 47, but I must be 80 at heart, since that is what I value in a hotel as well. LOL Check out the Rey. Residence Hotel. It's pretty much exactly as you describe.

Stayed at Rey. Residence Hotel July 2017 for 2 nights. Wonderful refuge in center of city when it started raining every 30 min. Close to everything. Kitchen partly stocked w. Milk, juice, cereal.

I believe also there are differences in the cancellation policies between the UK/US also. That may be something to look in to.

Noticed the difference also. Not sure that it matters what national you are (?) When asked to put in travel documents, the form has a slew of nationalities. Would you be able to book with the least pricey one?