tj_shopper

2 minutes ago, gumshoe958 said:

Ok, the good news is there are local bus services, even late at night: Route 4 runs from Heathrow Central bus station (for Terminals 2 & 3) every hour all night, and the Route 7 runs from Terminal 5 every hour until just after midnight.

 

(You don’t say which airline you’re flying but if it’s Aegean you’ll arrive at Terminal 2 or if it’s British Airways it’ll be Terminal 5.)

 

Alternatively there will be Ubers available but you’ll need 4 XL cars so there may be a wait, and you’re looking at the £150-200 mark for all of you. The bus is currently £2 per person.

Thank you @gumshoe958

Holiday Inn Express told us to take Bus Number 7 but it stops running at 10:00 p.m.  We are flying American Airlines but I think we're on a British Airways flight even though the flight number is AA.  We all will have a lot of luggage as we're coming home from a few days in Rome and a 7 day cruise.  I was hoping we could catch the Hoppa but it doesn't go to our hotel.  So, will the Uber XL cost £150-200 for every 4 to 5 passenger?

We are a group of 23 (family and friends) connecting through London from Athens on our way home to Chicago on May 23th.  Our flight gets into London at 10:00 p.m. and Air2Sea has booked all of us at Holiday Inn Express in Sloth.  The hotel does not have a shuttle service and the local buses stop operating at 10:00 p.m.  By the time we go through Customs and get our luggage, it will probably be close to Midnight.  Will there be taxis, Uber or car service we can use at this late time of night - preferably something economical?

Thank you.

9 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

Buy directly from the train operators. In Italy, there are two major operators:

 

Trenitalia: https://www.trenitalia.com/  (select English language option at top right)

 

Italotreno:  https://www.italotreno.it/en  

 

I've always used Trenitalia, the longstanding line. Italotreno is more of a newcomer but offers an alternative on some routes.

 

Thank you!  My daughter studied abroad in Milan in 2019 and she used Omio.  When I went to check, there were so many on line sites and I got all confused.

Hi there.  This might be a really dumb question but I'm trying to purchase train tickets from Rome to Florence for a day trip.  When I go into the search engine to purchase tickets, there are so many websites to order from.  Which website is the legitimate one I should go to buy tickets?

Thank you in advance.

1 hour ago, surgie said:

We went on RCCL in late May some years back and had the most amazing and clear day seeing Hubbard Glacier. I know it could have easily gone the other way. But on the day we were there, the glacier was magnificent!  

 

We'll be doing the Northbound Vancouver to Seward in July 2024 with our kids and grandkids, again on RCCL. I am sorry that Ketchikan is not a port on our route this time, But I am happy with the cruise line we chose. It was not the cheapest for our dates but I love all the glass of their ships on the Alaska route and I love ending up in Seward with easy access to Kenai Fjords NP and easy train to Anchorage. 

 

I only wanted to do a one-way cruise and I think I prefer northbound so that the scenery gets more stunning each day. Plus Vancouver is a fun city to start from...arriving a few days early to spend time there. I was not interested in starting and returning to Seattle as we want to spend some land time on our own in Alaska post cruise and fly home from Anchorage. 

Thank you!  We hope that we'll have a clear day too seeing Hubbard Glacier if we end up going on that cruise.  I am definitely leaning towards Brilliance or Radiance with all the glass and it's a smaller ship which will be better for us getting through the inside passage from what I heard.

We also do not want to start and return to Seattle as that would be time taken away from traveling to Alaska.  We heard great things about Vancouver and would love to spend a couple of days there before the cruise.  Thanks again!

2 hours ago, kickboxrca said:

We have been to Alaska three times (and going again in a month).  Our favourites are Skagway (the train trip) and Ketchikan (everything).  We are going to Sitka for the first time this trip.  Alaska is beautiful, and each port offers very different things.  Glacier Bay is lovely, and we are happy to be going there again, but you will find amazing things to do in every port.

 

I agree with the poster that mentioned to check the times - it makes a huge difference.

 

And a one way trip definitely provides you with more ports ... if you think you will not go back again, then I would definitely consider the one way trip.  One thing - it was difficult leaving out of Anchorage - lots of sitting around in the airport for all of us 🙂

 

Enjoy your trip!

Thank you!  We've never been to Alaska so I feel like any port would be great.  I am sad that RC does not offer Glacier Bay, but I'm sure we'll just have as great of a time.  I think I am definitely leaning towards the smaller ship - Brilliance or Radiance.

Just now, misguy said:

The one way itinerary opens up more of Alaska, and you connect through Seward so the Alaska Railroad is a great option too or from Anchorage.  We have done the bus once and the train once.  The bus is quicker but the train is better.

The train sounds great.  Thank you!  I will look for one way itineraries.

We're actually doing the one way itinerary for Europe.  We're boarding in Rome and getting off in Athens.  Airfare was more expensive but we get to spend a couple of extra days at both ends.

1 hour ago, aroundtheworld96 said:

We are doing a cruise with RCCL this May similar to #3 with the addition of Skagway. We had very specific dates to travel and were restricted to Vancouver round trips, so found that RCCL had by far the best price for what we were looking for. If Glacier Bay is important to you, there are other ways to see it. For instance, you can take a scenic flight with Mountain Flying Service out of Haines over Glacier Bay. 

 

Since OP says they are ok missing Glacier Bay, and I can understand that there may be additional factors in this decision, based on this question I would recommend the one way itineraries if you have the time/money. These will take you further North and if you have a bit of time pre/post cruise you can see even more of Alaska! Keeping in mind that flights will be more expensive since you will need 2 one way flights rather than a roundtrip. If you don't have the time to explore Alaska further on the one ways and would prefer not to spend the extra money on flights, then the roundtrip from Vancouver would be my choice. 

I guess I'm okay missing Glacier Bay because I don't know anything about it.  I haven't had the time to do a lot of research and just thought I'd ask for opinions.  I'm pretty loyal to Royal and not sure I want to go on another cruise line.  I know others will disagree with me, but that's just my preference. 

I would definitely consider the one way itineraries if it gives us more time to see things as we wouldn't need to go round trip back to original port.  I never thought about the time spent at each port so I will definitely go back and see how long we are at each port.  Thank you everyone for recommending that we do that.

We are planning an Alaskan cruise for May 2024.  There are so many itineraries and so many options.  We want to stick with Royal Caribbean and it's a bummer that it doesn't go to Glacier Bay, but I'm okay with that as this is our first Alaskan cruise.  The few we are thinking about are:

1.  Ovation of the Seas - 8 days - larger ship - Vancouver, Sitka, Juneau, Skagway, Endicott Arm, Ketchikan, Seattle
2.  Radiance of the Seas - 7 days - smaller ship - Seward, Hubbard Glacier, Juneau, Skagway, Icy Strait, Ketchikan, Vancouver
3.  Brillance of the Seas - 7 days - smaller ship - Vancouver, Inside Passage (AK), Sitka, Juneau, Haines, Tracy Arm (Twin Sawyer Glaciers, Inside Passage (AK), Vancouver
4. Radiance of the Seas - 7 days - Anchorage (Seward), Hubbard Glacier, Juneau, Skagway, Haines, Icy Strait Point, Ketchikan, Inside Passage, Vancouver

We have never been to any of the places.  Is it better to start at one port and return to same port or better from one to another?  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

On 3/17/2023 at 2:21 PM, Tahina cruising said:

Thank you for the replies! We will be on Royal Caribbean so I’m not concerned about dressing up for dinner. I’ve only ever taken Caribbean cruises so I wasn’t sure how cold it would be on the ship. I plan on bringing layers and waterproof items for our excursions. 

Hi there.  We are also planning a cruise on Royal Caribbean for May 2024.  There are so many itineraries and I am so confused.  What ship are you going on?  I'm thinking either Ovation or Radiance but can't decide.  

About two weeks ago, I received a Royal Up email to bid on my cruise on Enchantment for May 15, 2023.  My daughters are each in an inside cabin and the minimum to bid for a balcony was $260 per person minimum.  I went ahead and placed a bid for each of them for a balcony.  My husband and I have a balcony and the minimum bid for a  Junior Suite was $210 per person.  I went ahead and placed the minimum bid for my cabin.

Fast forward to today and while checking the status of our bids, I noticed that the balcony bid for each of my daughters is now at a minimum of $85 per person.  I did reduce my bids for their balcony to $150 per person.

On the flip side, my sister who also has a balcony decided to bid for a Junior Suite.  When she went into bid, the minimum for the Junior Suite is now at $385 per person versus the $210 per person minimum I had two weeks ago.

Does anyone know why this occurred?  I did take a look to see if our cruise is sold out and it is not.  Currently, there are 102 unsold inside cabins, 62 unsold outside (windows) cabins, 0 baconies, 32 unsold Junior Suites, 2 Grand suites, 3 Owners Suite and 1 Royal Suite available.  What do you think are the olds of us winning our bids?

21 hours ago, mkaalong said:

@tj_shopper-I have come across Best Turkey Tour also in my reserach.  Did you find out any additional info or recommendations?  Did you book them? Thanks!

 

@mkaalong - I reached out to the company (Best Turkey Tour) and they were very responsive.  There are 30 of us and we will be taking this tour at $25 per person.  They will craft the tour any way you like.  I messaged them through Facebook and gave them my email address.  They sent me all the information and I booked with them.

I found this four hour pizza and pasta cooking class and booked it.  It had great reviews and am excited to do this.  I will report back afterwards.

https://www.getyourguide.com/rome-l33/rome-3-hour-combo-pizza-and-pasta-cooking-class-t73289/?partner=true&lang=en&date_from=2023-05-13&_pc=1,14

1 hour ago, marazul said:

You need to call and reserve. Or ask your hotel concierge to do it. That could work.

Thank you.  We are at an Airbnb so we will have to call to make the reservations.

On 2/2/2023 at 2:40 PM, cruisemom42 said:

 

I loved Colline Emiliane. Keep in mind their dishes are not traditionally Roman but from another region. (A very foodie region!)

 

I was just looking at my phone and realized I had a couple of photos from when I dined there. The first shows all the fresh "made in house" egg pasta that is their specialty and claim to fame.

 

 

 

The restaurant is small; not much bigger than Armando al Pantheon (although I think there may have been a back room I didn't see). Everyone with reservations was waiting about for the doors to open, and within 15-20 minutes all the seats were full.

 

Another restaurant I will try to book for our trip in May.  I went on the website but did not see a place to make reservations on line.  Does anyone know if I can do that or do I need to call and make reservations?

Thank you so much for this thread.  I found so many useful information, especially the restaurants.  There are 32 of us (family and friends) on Royal Caribbean's Enchantment of the Seas starting off in Rome and ending in Athens this May 2023.  We are going to spend 3 full days in Rome; well actually 2 and taking a day trip to Florence on the 3rd day before the cruise.

Based on all the reviews and write up about Roscioli Salumeria Con Cucina, we've made lunch plans here for our first day in the wine cellar - I only made reservations for my immediate family - 14 of us!

Now to wait until April to book dinner at Armando al Pantheon!  They only allow booking month by month.

We walked it after our cruise in January.  It is a rough walk especially with suitcases.  We did not think it would be that bad but there are some sidewalks and some without.  The part without sidewalks, we walked on the road with our luggage - not very safe.  I would not do it again.  I wished I would have asked this question before we did it.  I googled mapped it and it was less than a mile so thought it was okay.  If you don't have luggage, then it's a piece of cake but with luggage - ugh!

Has anyone taken a pasta cooking class in or around Rome?  We will be in Rome for 3 days prior to a cruise.  I thought this would be a great way to  spend part of a day.  We were recently in Lisbon, Portugal and took a class on making their famous egg tarts.  It was so much fun and will be remembered for a long time to come.

I did check Trip Advisor but wanted to know if anyone has done a specific one and if you would recommend it.  Thanks in advance.

10 hours ago, FlyerTalker said:

 

Four months you watched.  Did nothing.

 

Prices went up by almost 50%.  You are still watching.

 

Now, you want to hope that after the prices went up, you can now wait and have the price go down again?

 

Let's see....$95 was too much.  $142 is too much.  Just what is an acceptable price for you?  Or is your expectation that it will drop to zero?  What about when the price goes to $200?

 

 

Time to get serious, not just think lol.  You need to decide what your acceptable prices are, and how you are going to deal with the situation if (as is all likely) the price does nothing but increase, or if the availability becomes nil.

 

This is reality.

We are a group of 32 people going on a cruise.  Everyone except 15 of us got seat assignments.  While watching daily for the last four months, I was able to get an additional 8 people free seat assignments as they freed up.  I don't know how those seats freed up but as I watched, I was able to put 8 additional people in  free seats.  I put the younger kids with less income in those free seats.  The 7 people (which includes my husband and me) still do not have seat assignments.

Guess what?  The seats today went back down.  I purchased them this morning.  I will need to let the other 5 people know that if they want to purchase or take their chances to do that today as the seat prices went back down.  I got lucky.  The price went up for one day/two days and back down today.

10 hours ago, CruiserBruce said:

Each flight on each day has its own sales trend, and that info is pretty secret. Nobody is going to be able to tell you what your chances are.

 

There is a common phrase here...do your research, find a price you can live with, buy, and DON'T LOOK BACK.

Good advice.  I should have purchased awhile ago but thought I had plenty of time.  Didn't realize the price on the seats would go up.  Lesson learned.  Thanks.

2 hours ago, 6rugrats said:

You don't have to take this chance.  Buy another seat now.

I probably will.  The prices for the seats have gone up.  What's the chance of it going back down?  Probably not lol.

On 1/21/2023 at 11:42 AM, em-sk said:

 

Cruise lines pre buy large blocks of seats.  The cruise line usually don't ticket until they have to.  You need to wait for that to happen before the airline will do anything.

I purchased air through Royal Caribbean's Air2Sea program for our cruise in May 2023.  Our tickets were ticketed in December and I have been able to try to assign seats for my husband and me.  However, there are no free seats left.  I can try to upgrade and pay for seats, but am waiting to see if any free seats open up.  Or take a chance and have the airline assign the seats for me - hoping that I get to sit next to my hubby or if I don't sit next to hubby, hoping it's not a middle seat.  

On 1/27/2023 at 9:38 AM, sunlover5 said:

We purchased a flight to Barcelona for this fall. Price went crazy low so we just purchased main cabin. Seats for comfort, plus, etc.  ( I know airlines have different names for these seats) but do they ever changes prices???  
 

Thank you so much for any information!!!!

We purchased air through Royal Caribbean's Air2Sea program.  We currently have unassigned seats and the only ones left are the ones where you have to purchase or wait to check in and they assign the seats for us.  I've been watching almost daily to see if any free seats open up as people upgrade or maybe for some reason, free seats open up.  After watching for about 4 months now, today, the seat prices went up by $50 per seat per category.  So, what was $95 per seat is now like $142 per seat.  Makes me wished I would have purchased earlier.  Anyway, I'm going to continue to watch.  Our flight is in mid-May.  I might just take a chance and have them assign my seat.  If I don't sit next to my husband, oh well.  I know I don't want to sit in a middle seat.  If I get assigned a middle seat at this point, I will upgrade then, if there is something available.  Just a chance I will have to take.  If anyone has any suggestions or thoughts, please let me know.  Thanks.

We will also be going to Ephesus in May.  Someone on one of my Facebook groups recommended this tour company https://www.bestturkeytour.com/travel-packages/best-of-ephesus-tour/.  I'm still in the planning stages, so I will be checking out this place and https://www.curiotravel.com/.

If anyone has done a tour with bestturkeytour, please give us your reviews.  Thank you!

11 minutes ago, MeHeartCruising said:

 

They should be able to drop you off right at one of the gates of Taormina.  The Main Street is pedestrian-only.  From the main gates, it is just a few feet to get inside and start your walking around.  As a comparison, if you were to take one of the excursion buses, they park/unload in the parking garage maybe 100 yards outside one of the gates and then you walk to the city gate.  So a taxi should be able to get you about 95 yards closer than the buses do.

Thank you!!