SoBaycruiser

8 hours ago, Kristelle said:

there is also a little open sided train that goes to the historical war site, includes an optional guided tour  which was very good.

 

You would have to be able to cope with a few stairs going underground though

 

https://www.rottnestisland.com/see-do/culture-history/captain-hussey-historical-train-tour?tab=see-do

 

 

Thanks!  Sounds interesting.

13 hours ago, PerfectlyPerth said:

There is info about accessibility options on the official Rottnest website that might get you started on ideas. 
https://www.rottnestisland.com/visit/accessibility

Thank you for the link.  The Hop On Hop Off bus might work for us.  

I heard taxis were about A$45-55 from the airport to downtown.  We arrive on a Saturday morning.  Should we expect less traffic going into downtown at that time?

We will be on a cruise that ends in Freemantle with an overnight before we disembark.  We would like to go to Rottnest Island for the day.  The problem is that I am still recovering from a torn tendon in my ankle.  I have worked hard with PT to get up to walking about 2 km but not much more than that.  I can’t ride bikes nor snorkel with fins.  When I look at options for the visit, I am a bit overwhelmed.  Can anyone suggest a plan for the day that would be a nice lazy visit that wouldn’t require too much walking.

Thanks!

It seems like they are rotating more frequently.  In Sept Capt. Korona was on Journey.  In November it was Capt Filip and now in January it is Capt Korona again.  I’m am assuming he will stay at least through February unless someone has heard otherwise.

Additional question…  Now that I’ve decided to not try to leave the ship early, I have new questions.  If we book a flight that leaves Perth earlier and then have an overnight 12 hr layover in Melbourne, can I assume the following?…

1)our checked luggage will be checked on through to our destination and we will only have access to our carryon in  Melbourne

2) we can leave the terminal and check in at the Park Royal hotel  overnight (across the street.)

3) when we return to the terminal we only need to go through security as I assume we are issued both boarding passes in Perth)

I’ve never had this long of a layover and it only makes sense if you get to take advantage of those hours.  But am I missing some pitfalls

Thank you everyone!  There has been some good advice here. We are flying home from Perth and I have to accept it’s just going to be a very long arduous trip.  We have decided not to leave early and enjoy our last day in port.  
 

I’d like to say that I have a much better appreciation for the effort the Aussies must go through in their travels to the US and Europe.

20 minutes ago, Grandma Cruising said:

We have done it twice in Dubai. Asked them ahead of time and they said probably OK, but need to tell Guest Relations as soon as we get onboard. A lot can depend on local immigration and customs officials. I have heard of people refused this in Lima.

That’s what worries me… “probably” doesn’t work when you have a flight booked that requires early departure from the ship.   This is the Australia intensive cruise so the entire cruise is in the same country.  I would think that would make it easier.  I’d rather email and get their answer in writing but I could only find a phone number for US passengers.

13 minutes ago, uktog said:

You will need to check with Azamara as your luggage/customs clearance would be happening at a time they may not have permission to do it at.  It can be allowed but only Azamara can 100% say yes

Thanks.  Now if I can get a correct answer from them.  They don’t have a great record lately.

To get home from our cruise with the fewest flight stopovers possible, we will have to book a departure flight late in the evening… around 11pm.  Since we have an overnight in our debarkation port, we thought it might make sense to leave the ship the night before and go directly to the airport for the late night flight.  Has anyone done this?  Is it allowed?  Do you just notify guest services and do a walk off?

Any information is appreciated.

On 7/13/2023 at 9:38 AM, jillfeng85 said:

Thank you very much. After the math, I think it is better that we should get the package. But to use OBC for package, we have to wait until we are on board and then use the excursion credit to book excursions. The main downside is that it may be too late to book excursions then especially excursions for the first couple days of the trip?

I am in the same position.  I booked two excursions on the website but didn’t pay for them.  With all the OBC problems, I’m hoping they will hold these bookings until we are on board.  If nothing else it tells them we want to be on it.  No guarantees this will work but it was better than doing nothing I think.

So let me get this straight…. I can only get an Experience More package once I board the ship if I plan to pay for it with OBC, correct?  We have enough OBC for the Experience More Enjoyment package and will get $500 excursion with that package.  But we can’t book the excursions we want until we board and have paid for the package…and by then the excursions may be full.  Sounds like a Catch-22.  It makes no sense.

What is the rationale?  The rep I spoke to made it sound like I was trying to pull a fast one… using credit to buy more credit!  She said the packages could only be paid for with cash on credit.  I didn’t believe that so glad I can at least pay with OBC when we get on board.

On 6/14/2023 at 7:23 AM, beatnix said:

Senior officers in June 2023 on Pursuit

Anyone know when the captain rotates off?  Hoping after our Sept trip.

Here is where Pursuit was docked a few days ago. 

7 hours ago, Mrs Miggins said:

Also on Journey. Went to the wonderful Alcazar yesterday. Tickets booked online before leaving home.   We used their excellent self guided presentation. We used their devices,  but we could have downloaded onto our phones.

This morning I took a short walk to the Plaza America that we saw on our Panoramic Tour yesterday. Saw a wonderful (and free) exhibition in the Museo de Artes featuring modern  costume and fashions with a Spanish flavour plus ceramics, tiles and crafts.   Only a handful of others in this splendid  building unlike yesterday in the Alcazar.

We had a splendid Tapas lunch near the Cathedral yesterday and were serenaded by some of the lovely ‘Tuna’ singers that were our onboard deck entertainers last night.
Weather lovely.  
We have also done the French Chef’s table. First time despite our many previous Azamara cruises. A great time was had by all helped along by excellent food and generous pouring of the excellent paired wines.

We will be in Seville for a day and a half in Sept.  I’ve been debating doing a self guided Alcazar tour or paying for an independent guided tour of both Alcazar or the cathedral.  Does the “self guided” part come with the Alcazar tickets you booked beforehand or is it an extra?  My DH wears hearing aids that bluetooth to his phone.  If he downloaded the self-guided audio, could he listen that way?  How long did the self-guided tour take?  

On 5/2/2023 at 8:00 AM, Tom Crews said:

Spain Day Tours 5 stars * * * * *

 

I recently took two separate tours with Spain Day tours.  This company was very highly recommended on the cruise critic blogs.   One was from the Port of Cadiz where we went to the Alcazar Palace in Seville.  Second tour was from the Port of Malaga where we went to see the Alhambra Palace in Grenada.  

 

Both tours were extremely well organized.  We received a very detailed listing from Spain Tours detailing what we would see, what would happen next, what to bring etc.

 

A frequent problem arranging private tours that are not through the cruise line is that the tour operators and buses are difficult to find and it may take 45 minutes to round up everybody and get the tour going.

Not so with Spain Tours.  They gave extremely detailed instructions of where they would be right outside the gate of the cruise terminal, they were there on time with clearly Mark signs exactly as they promised to be and both tours went like clockwork.

 

We left on time.  We got back to the cruise ship in plenty of time.  They build in a bit of a cushion so in case they were to have a flat tire they would guarantee you made it back to the cruise ship.  His company is extremely professional and the guys are absolutely first rate.

 

 I've been on almost 20 cruises and used probably 40 different private tour companies and Spain tours is absolutely number one.  The prices are very reasonable and the quality of the tours are excellent.

 

You can book with confidence. There stellar reputation is well-earned and they deliver on what they promise.

 

John and Lisa C
Tampa, Florida
Sailing on Celebrity Cruise lines

We have the Alhambra trip booked with SDT in Malaga and our ship will dock in Seville within walking distance of the Alcazar Palace.    I know they are both on everyone’s top 10 list.   Will the Alcazar just be more of the same or is it worth seeing both?

15 hours ago, Scots Caz said:

what is the departure date of the cruise you are looking at?

It looks like OP’s cruise might be April 15 next year and if so there are no days at sea and only one night with later than a 6pm departure… Malaga at 10 pm.  I wonder if they’ll have someone come on board instead of everyone leaving the ship,  Or are there cruises that have no Azamazing evenings?

2 hours ago, Marylebone37 said:

No problem, I will try. But would prefer, if possible, to answer specific questions rather than post about miscellaneous things along the way.

Thanks!

17 hours ago, Marylebone37 said:

On Pusuit now, and the Wifi is the speediest and most reliable that I’ve ever experienced on a ship. Must be Starlink and it’s great. 

 So glad to hear this!

On 6/1/2023 at 11:43 PM, Marylebone37 said:

I meant 20-30 cabins long…

 

Everything else on the ship thus far continues to be excellent. Zero complaints. I’m so impressed with how well maintained everything is. 

Looking forward to our fall Spain Intensive on Pursuit and have been following your ship on VesselFinder as to where you are docking.  I’m glad to hear the ship is in such good order.  Anything more you’d like to share along the way, I’d appreciate it.

thanks.

1 minute ago, Whitby100 said:

I have never joined one before lol.  How do I do it?  I can see it but do I reply to the last entry or right at the top?

Since each specific cruise has its own thread, you just start by reading the previous posts.  Then if you have something to say just add to the end if (it’s a new subject) or reply to someone else by tapping the “quote” feature at the bottom of their post by the + sign. … just like I did yours.  It quoted what you wrote and I’m responding.  It also notifies that person that they have a reply.

13 hours ago, Whitby100 said:

Thanks so much for all the advice.  Because we have OBC to use we will go ahead and book the City under Siege tour, hoping we get something close to the great one XJ6 experienced.  We typically find our own way with local taxis but will use up some OBC here.  Great tip about watching sunglasses with the monkeys.  I will remember to stow them securely in my locked bag.  The tips provided by Host Jazzbeau are fabulous and I really appreciate the link provided.  
 

Of course with the current website issues, I’m not sure how I’ll book the tours, but at least I know what I want to do.

 

Thanks again!

If you are on the Sept 12 cruise on Pursuit, come join us on the roll call.

On 5/14/2023 at 2:57 AM, edinburgher said:

Hearing your enthusiasm has me excited for our visit.

 

Thanks for acknowledging.  Lisbon is one of our favourite cities and we visited several times on cruises before going there on a longer land trip in February 2020, shortly before the world turned upside down.

 

Over time we learned a few shortcuts which save walking up steep hills, or at least part of them to viewpoints, so also search for" free elevadors "in Lisbon.  And public buses used to run up to the castle with only a few yards to walk from the stop to the entrance. and I suggest you do that as it has some of the steepest streets in the area. There should be route # info online.  From there it is a downhill walk to the viewpoint close to the Cathedral and more downhill from there to the flat area around Rua Augusta/Rua da Prata/ P do Comercio.  Belem is totally flat and frequent buses and trams run the route.

 

Enjoy. The more pre-trip homework you do the more you will enjoy your time there and you appear to be doing that.

I just want to thank you again for your great suggestions.  I’ve planned a walking tour of Lisbon that includes the highlights that we want to see based on my research.  We are planning to get a 24 hr pass and use bus #737 up the hill to the castle as well as elevators along our walk.  I’ve highlighted the viewpoint areas for our downhill return to the ship.  BTW, you were correct that Sunday isn’t really a problem.  It turns out Monday is though.  After planning our all day walk about downtown Lisbon, I thought we’d see Belem on our half day before departure on Monday.  It turns out the tower is closed.  I guess we’ll just take a good look as the ship comes into port or departs.  Thanks again.

On 5/15/2023 at 5:19 PM, Xcelsior said:

With the state of their website, the last thing I want to do right now is put my credit card information through it.  

I was in a similar situation but decided to pay through their website since my amount due was correct.  I was concerned though with the state of things.  However went ahead and paid with my credit card and it worked great.  My balance due was 0 and my card was charged once just for the amount submitted.  I have had no issues since except still waiting for my OBC to show up but I have gotten a letter verifying the amount is in their system.

I have a question about booking one of the Experience More packages.  Is the package for both persons named on the reservation?   In other words, if I book the Enjoyment package, can I use the excursion credit for excursions for both myself and my spouse?  Does my spouse automatically become the 2nd person  on the drink package?  Does it matter which one of us purchases the package?

Thanks.