ctnurse

39 minutes ago, styles27 said:

Hi, just double checked the US site and it seems you have everything you’ll need. Just be sure your travel insurance has coverage for Covid. Also it looks like you guys will be tested again at the terminal before embarking at MSC’s cost. 
On the US site international guests have been eligible to cruise since Nov 8th

 

Thank you for this!

Hi all,  We are currently booked on the Dec 27, 2021 sailing on The Meraviglia.  I just want to confirm a few details.  I booked the cruise through a US TA with our US address and credit card and the agent said it was fine.  I have read that as of Dec 16 2021, EU residents are allowed to sail, as long as we have travel insurance, and a PCR test 3 days prior to the cruise.  So if we sail on  Monday the 27th, as long as our test are on Friday the 24th anytime, we are good?  Both my husband and I are vaccinated and our 8 year old will be receiving her first dose while we are in the US.   

Have I missed anything?  Thanks

2 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

How old are the kids.  If the kids are older you may be better off in the JS and a room across the hall.  

Almost 16 and 7.

We have two cabins booked for our upcoming cruise.  We have a JS and an inside across the hall for the kids.  I received an email for an upgrade for the JS, but not the inside cabin.   Is there a way that I can bid  for a cabin for the four of us?  I had originally wanted to book a Grand Suite for the four of us, but none were available anytime I checked. Is it possible to bid for the two of us and just have the kids sleep in the cabin?   Just trying to figure out what my options are.  Thank you. 

On 6/23/2019 at 6:06 PM, mdsgu said:

 

We booked with Sicily4you. 

I have been in contact with Sicily4you.  They sent me a PayPal link for a deposit, but it was a friends and family link.  How did you pay your deposit, if you don't mind sharing?   Thanks

On 6/11/2019 at 1:54 PM, mdsgu said:

Messina in Sicily.  A beautiful little island only 12 miles from the mainland.  We found our private tour guide, Chiara, quite easily and set out -- again, in a Mercedes van -- to explore.  The first stop was a beautiful old church.  It dates back several hundred years but had to be put back together a little over 100 years ago after an earthquake.  The fountain, also many hundreds of years old, was spared by the same earthquake.

 

We then headed up to Taormina.  This is an obviously ancient town, and there is a Greek theatre to visit if you are interested (we skipped that, having just been in Greece).  Charming cobblestone streets with bustling shops abound.  Overlooking the town, a Norman castle is perched on a hill.  If you are looking for little souvenirs, this is the place.  Just inside the gate, to the right, is a small bakery (L'Arco, I think) with food to die for.  You have to stop in -- spend 20 euros and you'll be stuffed!

 

We left Taormina to head to the Bay of Naxos.  Our guide had arranged for a boat trip, about 2 hours, some grottos and along the coast.  Well worth it!  The grottos are beautiful and the coast view is tranquil.  Before heading back, the captain pulled out fresh fruit -- cantaloupe, pineapple, strawberries -- and wine for the adults.  Just soda for the kids; they were so disappointed.  🙂  He did let the kids pilot the boat for a short time on the way back, though.

 

We stopped at a little shop.  Honestly, we all needed a restroom break, but we wound up with gelato (kids) and beer (adults).  We told our guide we wanted some local food before we got back to the ship.  She had the driver stop at Ragusa's, across from the port, so we could get cannoli.  (Remember: cannolo is single, cannoli is plural.)  They stuff them when they are ordered, so it took a few minutes, but it was well worth it.  They were absolutely delicious.  We had to eat them before getting on the ship, but NCL, at every port, has a couple of tailgating tents set up with a few chairs underneath and cool washcloths to welcome you back.  Made the perfect spot to enjoy our cannoli.

 

You guessed it -- it was then nap time and on to a late dinner!

Can you please share what tour company you used in Messina?  We sail 11 August and haven't booked that tour yet.  

I  hope they add this to Voyager.  We are planning on snorkeling in the South Pacific and would love to schedule a blow out a couple of the nights to help tame my hot mess of hair after spending the day in the water.  

Those look amazing!  Unfortunately, they don't fit with our school schedule.  😞

  I know exactly what I need to do now!  Thank you everyone for your help.  

10 minutes ago, ggTexasGal said:

There are several situations that can alter the answer to your questions.  So first, depends on which restaurants! (See Terms and Conditions post below!  Next, you should NOT have to buy anything for your daughter "IF" the standard child's menu will work for her (I'm sorry I have no further info about that).  If you are going to any restaurants that are "Cover Charge" vs "Ala Carte", then you would want to book "Ala Carte" restaurants first, and "Cover Charge" last. (The system does not know what to charge for Ala Carte!)  When you purchase your son's package also might be determined by the above... up to you!!!

I hope this helps...

Thank you for this.  If I buy my son a package before I make the reservations, will I be able to make a reservation for four without any extra charge for my daughter, who will not have a package?  We have a 5 dinner package and will be booking each of the 5 restaurants on The Jade.  Will the  order of the  ala carte or cover charge  still matter? 

I will be making reservations for our upcoming cruise in a few weeks and want to make  dining reservations for my family.  DH and I have the  SDP as one of our perks, and we will purchase a package for our son, 15, but not for our 6 year old that eats like a bird, and is perfectly happy eating from the kids menu.  Will I be able to make, and not be charged for our daughter since she will be eating off the kids menu?  Do I need to purchase the package for my son before I make the reservations?  

32 minutes ago, tutzig said:

So, let's use easy numbers.

 

Your cruise is $2000. The commission that the agent gets is $100. As long as the cruise line gets its $1900, you are paid in full.

 

So that is probably why you see 2 charges. I am a TA and never do it this way for clients. It gets them full protection (From Credit Card) for the full amount. I am NOT saying the TA is doing anything wrong, just not the way that a lot of agencies work.

 

 

Thank you for this explanation.  I have used this TA in the past and had a good experience, but for this cruise and another one I have booked I haven't been all that happy with his service, and for our next cruise I will most likely use someone else.  

2 hours ago, Host Clarea said:

 

Did you book with a non-US/Canadian travel agent?

No booked with one of the "big" US travel agency using my US credit card and address.  

2 minutes ago, Bee Guy said:

Not sure who "he" is, Travel Agent?    Was the total amount different than what you expected?

Yes, he is the Travel Agent.  Charge was the exact total, but I was surprised that the cruise line wasn't charged the full amount.  And if anyone could give me some insight as to why.  🙂

I made our final payment for our cruise a few days ago.  I noticed   on my credit card that he billed RCCL about 90% and the agency had about 10% charge. I also have an invoice that says PIF.   Does anyone know why? I am going to send him an email, but I want to know if anyone knows why this may of happened before I email him.  

On 2/20/2018 at 2:27 AM, matj2000 said:

Why go on a ship with a huge variety of international cuisine.

Only to sit around and eat fast food?

Because I live in Germany and only can I Johnny Rockets if I go to the States.  I CAN'T wait.  🙂 

BTW, I will be eating plenty of the "International Cuisine" too. 😉

10 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

I can't help with any positive recommendations (not a big fan of Civitavecchia), but I would advise you to read the link here with recent discussion regarding the Hotel San Giorgio (and avoid them):

 

 

I almost booked this hotel, but decided to check  the reviews on TA, and after reading  the reviews I decided against it.   Hopefully, someone can point me in the right direction.  🙂

We are planning to fly in the day before and head right to Civitavecchia since we have been to Rome before.  I am looking for a hotel close to the terminal  and a  restaurant for dinner the night before our cruise leaves.  Thanks 

29 minutes ago, klfrodo said:

Question

Are you expats?

US Govt employees? or Military?

 

Or, I can take a wild guess from your screenname ctnurse that maybe you are a traveling nurse, CT Tech, or maybe radiologist. Either way, the link I provided below is to an insurance broker who is very knowlegable and may be able to help answer you question. Send an e-mail. Not sure if the 1-800 number works outside the US.

 

https://tripinsurancestore.com/

We are expats.  I am a nurse, but not working in Germany.  I will take a look at the link.  Thank you

Would love a recommendation for my family.  We are US citizens but live outside the US (Germany).  I have looked at Insuremytrip, but we have to live in the US for a policy.  We have health insurance which covers us, but would like a policy that covers evacuation, trip cancellation, etc.  Thanks. 

Thanks.  I am going to keep an eye on the price for now.  We don't sail for a while.  

We have booked a cruise out of Sydney through our US TA.  I was looked at the deluxe drink package and the price was $56/day, and in small print on the next page it stated that gratuities were already added to the price?  Is this a one time occurrence or is this everyday?  And is $56/PP a good price with the gratuities.  Thanks

Looking to book a JS with an inside across the hall for the kids.  My choices are  either forward Deck 9 or Aft Deck 10.  Is either location better?  Thanks. 

Looking to book an Aft JS on either deck 6 or 7 and then an Inside for the kids across the hall. Can anyone tell me where the door is for the inside?      Please tell me more about the aft cabin and balcony.  I am having trouble finding videos of these cabins.  Thanks

Thanks everyone for your input.  Has anyone traveled with their children on a cruise to Asia?