Labanos

No the signage is not enough. We had an audio tour via GetYourGuide and that was good. But next time I prefer a guide telling me things.

Athens 12-17 august is the best time to visit Athens according to a local because of the 5,5 mio inhabitants 4 mio of them are on holiday There was an Immense amount of taxis at the cruise terminal We booked welcome pickups to make sure we could get to the Acropolis in time without any problems. This worked but as there were enough taxis taking one of them could have worked as well Both the Blue and Green Metro lines go from the center of Athens (Monastriki) to Piraeus Monastriki Metro A taxi from the metro to Cruiseterminal B is +~ 6 euro Enchanted Princess docked at terminal B (Themistocles) Book a 90 minute card for one way The Metro goes fast! Check if special destinations are open due to holidays in the summer. We wanted to visit some places but they were closed Walking from the cruise terminal to the metro is possible but takes a long time (30 min) Plaka is a very nice must see neighborhood just next to the Acropolis Acropolis tickets We went to the Acropolis on our own As I was worried about the new Time slots I bought a ticket through the official site with at a time slot between 8-9. Booked a welcomepickup transfer so I would be on time. At 8:15 we were on the Acropolis and at 8:30 it was already very busy. But the enforcement of the time slot will be implemented later I’ve read and with a day pass(no time slot) you can just enter. So nervous for nothing but hey better be prepared Official booking site https://hhticket.gr/tap_b2c_new/english/tap.exe?PM=P1P&place=000000002 Quote

We paid with debit card. Credit card was also possible but no Amex a sign said

I just talked to Dirk Brand the hotel manager. He was surprised breakfast wasn’t mentioned in the Patter. Also the info from crew chat was wrong. The buffet was open as always. Better next time.

Santorini Alternative route - After the tender from the ship to the Old port of Fira, by a ticket from the ticket shop (Sea traveler) on the quai, for transportation to Oia. This costs 30 euro per person and includes a water taxi to Amoudi Bay, bus transfer to Oia and a bus transfer to Fira. A few remarks: The trip to Amoudi take about 15 minutes and is a nice sea ride You then have to walk up a few 100 meters on a VERY steep hill. In 5-10 minutes a bus takes you to Oia center Every hour from 10-16 a bus leaves to Fira. So you can take your time in Oia and leave when ready We found this a perfect way to go against the flow of all the people wanting to go to Fira first by cable car Even when Enchanted Princess was the only ship in Santorini (lucky us) it was busy everywhere. The lines for the cable car going down were long! We took the donkey path down from Fira to the old port. We did this at 14:00 in the full sun. Well what should I say 😅😟. Yes it’s doable for any fit person but it’s not an easy task. The steps are sometimes high, the path uneven and you have to watch for slippery parts and donkey poop. Really watch out! We did it in 30 minutes as untrained persons with how should I say it, not fat but a quite a few ponds to much.

Thank you for your review. I also started in Rome but am still on the ship. Am positive as well and like the entertainment and food on board. This second week it seems a little less busy.

My thoughts exactly, but in the Princess Patter under opening times breakfast wasn’t listed that day. We asked via crew chat if this was a mistake but they confirmed that the MDR and buffet were closed for breakfast.

Nice video thank you! We just visited Mykonos with Princess. Hope it’s ok if I share my notes in your thread as an addition: Mykonos is WINDY and sunny. Be prepared Tenders is always a bit of a hassle. When arriving at 12:00 and the first tender is at 12:30 the earliest if everything goes right. First get a ticket. Then wait when your number is called. The groups go first so don’t expect to get off just after 12.30 Next you are in the new port. There’s nothing and you can’t walk to Mykonos town. Options are: Water taxi 2 euro one way. This is always a nice option Princess shuttle was 10 dollar per person Taxi’s, well there are around 30 on the whole island I’ve read somewhere. So when it’s busy in the port it gets difficult I guess. So when you are finally in the old town it might took you some time Now to get a a specific beach the next step is to find the right bus station to take a bus from. Walking from Mykonos town to Fabrika bus station for example is is an extra step that takes some walking time. Watch the timetables and be prepared for a delay in the bus service and missing a bus because it’s already full The last tender leaves an hour before departure time. So be on time and prepare for some extra delays so you can be back in time

Heraklion Bus 2 stop just before leaving the gate so you don’t have to walk to the bus station for the bus to Knossos 2.50 one way. Knossos has almost no shadow so wear a hat and use sun lotion. It’s hot out there Take water with you. There are some shops and restaurants in the area Toilets are available just after the entrance The bus back can be challenging. It leaves every 15-20 min but in real life it might be longer. Sometimes it’s crowded and people are pushing to get in. But if you don’t get in you have to wait even longer for the next bus Walking from Heraklion (old town) to the ship takes a good walk in the burning sun when you are tired already. So be prepared Exit the bus at the end of the city and not at the port side. This way you can walk in a straight line through Heraklion seeing mosts of the want to see stops.

Enchanted Princess remarks To be clear, we will book this wonderful ship again, but we have some positive and negative remarks. Week 1 notes The outer deck layout is confusing and walking from the front to the back is sometimes difficult. Deck 7 - the promenade idea is completely gone. No more walking around the ship Deck 16 - the only space is around the pool. On the older ships with the separated pool areas you had more outside space to walk. Wake view. I find it a bit unlogical. I wish it was more like HAL’s Koningsdam. Spacy with enough room to sit Deck 17 - the right side is blocked with the Beach House kids club and on the other side you have to walk through the fitness area to get to the back of the ship. Or to the front when coming from the wake view pool Deck 17 - The area at the back is really nice and one of the top places, but it’s a smoking area…. Deck 18 - only stairs down at the starboard (right). The elevator in the middel at the back looks like a hidden door😀 and is a disabled elevator O’Malleys - is a hit, finally a pub onboard. Yeah yeah the wheelhouse bar was wonderful as well. O’Malleys - Nice additions on the beverage menu, Guinness beer and Irish cocktails for example. A good small eatery menu. And terrific live music every evening Entertainment - across the different venues is great, a boatload of options. Performances are nicely planned after each other and across the evening Casino - Sadly the casino bar is gone Breakfast - There is no breakfast on segment days in the main dining room or the buffet. Yes you’ve read that right. Room service or international cafe to the rescue. The Atrium - is nice, especially with the multi deck venues. Deck 7 - The new layout with Sabatini’s, Gigi’s and Bellini is a good change, everything fits together Sabatini’s - Was wonderful, had very nice food. Even had the idea it was better then last year on Caribbean Princess Gigi’s - When we were in Gigi’s it was really quite. Strange as it is such a wonderful place with really nice food and a welcome diversion from the Main dining room or the buffet Cocktails - A Major issue is that it seems the Pina Coladas have changed 😢 Cocktails - Luckily the amount of cocktails to choose from is big and others tasted good🥂 Movement of the ship - In our memories in other Mediterranean or Caribbean cruises we almost never felt ship movement. Or our memories are wrong or it’s more noticeable on this ship. Still no worries for sea sick persons The Food - Most things we tried during our itinerary tasted good, better then last year To busy- On sea days and in the buffet it’s way to crowded. But I have to admit we’re part of the problem. We are on a Mediterranean cruise in high summer during school holidays. We are now in the second week of the cruise and it seems to be much less crowded.

We had no problem with the Princess staf either. It was the external security at the different port entrances.

Napels A city with a unique atmosphere! The really ancient narrow streets and the, to some people, a what dirty look makes this city different. With so many things to see around Napels ( Capri, Amalfi coast, Pompei, Vesuvius etc.) some people forget to see the city itself. Discover the real Napolitan pizza style.It’s different then advertised in most places around the world. Even the delicious Princess pizzas are nice but not like the real Napolitanen ones. Visit Da Michelle, Sorbillo or Brandi where the margarita pizza was invented. Most open at 11 and lines form quickly. If you want to eat in the top pizza places you most likely will have to wait for 30-60 minutes. Visit the Maradona memorial in the Spanish quarters and discover the real Napels for your self. Spaccanapoli and the old streets around Via dei Tribunali in the center are nice to visit. Metro station Municipio is so close to the cruise terminal it’s almost attached. Buy a day ticket for just 4,50 euro and save yourself some walking. We did a Napels underground tour, Recommended! It requires some major stair walking so be prepared! There are at least 2 Napels underground’s, Both tours seem to be excellent. La Napoli Sotterranea near Piazza dei Plebiscito https://www.getyourguide.nl/napels-l162/napels-rondleiding-door-de-spaanse-wijk-onder-de-grond-t424784/ Napoli Sotterranea in the center near Via dei Tribunali https://www.getyourguide.nl/ondergronds-napels-l89414/napels-underground-ticket-t144159/ Toledo metro station has a nice ceiling Galleria Umberto I is a must see

Santorini Alternative route - After the tender from the ship to the Old port of Fira, by a ticket from the ticket shop (Sea traveler) on the quai, for transportation to Oia. This costs 30 euro per person and includes a water taxi to Amoudi Bay, bus transfer to Oia and a bus transfer to Fira. A few remarks: The trip to Amoudi take about 15 minutes and is a nice sea ride You then have to walk up a few 100 meters on a VERY steep hill. In 5-10 minutes a bus takes you to Oia center Every hour from 10-16 a bus leaves to Fira. So you can take your time in Oia and leave when ready We found this a perfect way to go against the flow of all the people wanting to go to Fira first by cable car Even when Enchanted Princess was the only ship in Santorini (lucky us) it was busy everywhere. The lines for the cable car going down were long! We took the donkey path down from Fira to the old port. We did this at 14:00 in the full sun. Well what should I say 😅😟. Yes it’s doable for any fit person but it’s not an easy task. The steps are sometimes high, the path uneven and you have to watch for slippery parts and donkey poop. Really watch out! We did it in 30 minutes as untrained persons with how should I say it, not fat but a quite a few ponds to much.

I’ve been at the Acropolis yesterday and there was a long line for the ticket office. As we’ve bought tickets in advance, through the official site, we could directly enter the line for the entrance. So in reality buying tickets in advance “skips” at least the buying a ticket line and makes entrance faster.

I’m on the Enchanted Princess in the Mediterranean right now. Bought some wrist tag holders on Amazon. It happened already 2 times my wife and daughter had to remove the medaillon from the holder at post security because the outer ring with the name was not completely visible This is difficult to do, because of the tight fit, and takes some time holding up the line

While traveling with the Enchanted Princess I visited the the Acropolis yesterday on my own. As I also was worried about the new Time slots I bought a ticket through the official site with at a time slot between 8-9. Booked a welcomepickup transfer so I would be on time. At 8:15 we were on the Acropolis and at 8:30 it was already very busy. But the enforcement of the time slot will be implemented later I’ve read and with a day pass(no time slot) you can just enter. So nervous for nothing but hey better be prepared Also the amount of taxis at the cruise terminal in Pireaus is enormous even before 8 so enough choice. Official booking site https://hhticket.gr/tap_b2c_new/english/tap.exe?PM=P1P&place=000000002

Just today i also noticed the column Cruise Credits. Wondering if thats a quicker way to get to higher Loyalty Tiers then Cruises Sailed?

Amsterdam City Council wants to ban cruise ships 22 July 2023 Just like in 2016, the city council of Amsterdam has expressed itself this week to restrict cruise tourism more. A motion by D66, GroenLinks and PvdA was adopted to that effect. The main reasons are the reduction of tourism in the city and, on the other hand, the impact on the city's climate. Shore power The coalition parties believe that cruise ships should become more sustainable more quickly. The fact that sea cruise ships now have to run their engines ashore is a sore point for them. However, substantial investments will be made in shore power in the near future, because the award for the construction of shore power was finalized in May 2023, marking the start of construction. The cruise terminal will then be able to offer this in 2025, in time for Port of Amsterdam's vision that sea cruises must be emission-free by 2030. This follows EU legislation that states that in 2030 shore power will be available at the quays for cruise ships. Reduce tourism Nevertheless, the city council prefers that cruise tourism will decrease. She really wants to reduce the limit of 18 million tourist overnight stays in the city, and cruise tourism must also contribute to this. However, when and what exactly will be decided depends on the Board of Mayors & Aldermen. The city would then join the ranks of Venice and Barcelona, which have also spoken out in favor of fewer ships.

We stayed at the Hampton Inn by Hilton Montreal Downtown. It's located on the border with Chinatown and Old Montreal. A very very good spot either way. Has a deck pool as well. Nothing special besides the location and the pool.

Don't know if that's available. When we visited Boston last summer the 3 of us took an Uber to the exact spot we wanted for almost the same price as 3 bus tickets.

I have the same question, what was the Capri tour? I've booked a tour as well when we visit with enchanted in a month. Am curious if it's the same.

We were worried taking the train because it might be crowded especially with luggage. While waiting on the bus, some spot, i took a look in the train station. Saw some cruise passengers from the ship but it didn't look crowded at all and seemed a good way to travel from Quebec to Montreal.

I'm no expert on this but i wonder, is the area from NYC to Canada a hurricane area? I might be wrong but i think the chance are very small

to be sure ask Princess. We did the New England cruise last summer on the Caribbean Princess and just walked off the ship. Taking your own luggage with you is super handy. As it's your second day in Quebec, as was ours, disembarkation was a breeze. I think you can walk off any time you want but again ask Princess.

We took the bus from Quebec to Montreal. Nice seats 3 hour drive and luggage down under. We booked the tickets well in advance and that turned out to be a good thing.