milolii

Check go Hawaii dot com for options to snorkel/kayak on Maui. Aloha.

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Hi - first post on these boards, but have cruised about 5 times… 3 times on Norwegian ships (2x on Epic, 1x on Breakaway).

 

Now thinking about taking the Baltic cruise on the Norwegian Star and just a little worried because it is an older ship. Has anyone been on it recently that can tell me what kind of shape it's in? I've viewed some reviews and photos on here and the reviews seem a little mixed, but I love the ports that its going to so really want to take this trip.

 

Also, if anyone can explain what the spa is like on the Star I would appreciate it. So far it sounds like a lap pool and a hot tub. (The thermal spas on the Epic and Breakaway have spoiled me, so I'm worried this spa won't be as nice).

 

Anyway, any information about the Star is much appreciated. I hope to book the cruise soon. Thanks!

Hi. The Baltic cruises are extremely port intensive. It is more about the ports than the ship. We were on the Spirit which is even older with a very busy Mediterranean cruise. We did not miss bells and whistles even with three sea days. But yes, the spa services will be different. Have a great cruise. Are you going this year?

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Your magnetic stripe credit card may not be readily accepted in Europe. There is a recent thread if you scroll down.

Yes and isn't the USSA credit union card card the one that does have the chip and pin? That is what I understood from the other thread.

OP do not know where u are, but Wells Fargo offers good exchange rate, no fee if you have an account. They usually have £s and €s, might have to order other currencies. We find it helpful to take some local currency. I spent a lot of time and money to get to the country I am visiting. I can exchange money at home on my lunch hour. I don't have time to look for or visit an ATM. To me, that time spend makes the exchange rate very high. Just a thought.

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Where do you plan to join the tour and where will you end the tour? Rome, Venice?

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I have friends that are meeting me in London after my cruise next year. We are staying in central London (near Marble Arch). It is their first visit to London. Other than a taxi or Underground/train what other methods of getting from LHR to London would you suggest?

 

Also, when we leave for the airport after our stay, is there a car service that anybody can recommend. The three of us will have 9-10 bags (mostly mine from the cruise:eek:). I am using Smithforairports to take me to the airport to Southampton and then after the cruise back to London. I have heard they are not based in London and perhaps another company would be better for the London to LHR ride.

 

Thanks for your help!

We used justairports on our last trip, which was our 2nd trip. The first we used the tube. Never again with luggage. Let someone else deal with the luggage.

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We use Ephesus Shuttle as well. We skipped the rug factory. Paid in US dollars. We also used them in Istanbul, too

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After e-mailing all the major private tour operators..I went with who I thought responded the quickest and with so much info...I'm so glad we went with TJ Travel...the 2 day active tour we (just the two of us, guide & driver) took gave us the opportunity to see and do more in those two days than we ever thought possible...a true "Trip of a Lifetime".

That sounds awesome! What was the cost for 2? We will have 3 in our group. Did you do an evening tour as well?

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We loved the Spirit. Thanks for your review. MaryJane is great as well. Hope to sail on her again.

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Thanks so much...these are great responses.

 

I am starting to concoct a plan using train and ferry to get the most out of the day, and see as much as we can.

 

Our trip is in July 2014, so I hope the Riomaggiore to Manarolo walkway is back in service by then.

Great, I hope you have a wonderful time. It helps that you will be in La Spezia.

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These waves were actually unusual. The North Shore on Oahu gets large waves in the winter, but the rest of the state has calmer waters. The waves have died down already.

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Did you try your roll call for your sailing? We formed several tour groups on our med cruise. Costs were quite reasonable. Many tour companies will give you quotes for the day and then cruisers on your ship join together and share the costs.

Pompeii is quite large. I would use a guide. We did and it was great. We had a group of 10. We used Simply Amalfi as we went to the Amalfi Coast as well. But they can tailor a trip if you want.

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Amen to that!

 

 

Isn't it great to have these kinds of issues?! It means that you are lucky enough to travel the world and that is a wonderful thing....

 

Happy Adventures all!

YES! Well said!

Ok thanks.

One would hope so. They should have learned something from the Star-Vancouver Olympics fiasco.

What happen with the STAR and Vancouver?

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Thank you for the information, again.

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Gigilo. I only remember because I work with someone with that name.

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Yes, and I made the same error! Thanks everyone for your answers.

Not really expecting a big cruise ship atmosphere, just a good bed, transportation and a voyage up the fjords.

Considering flying as well.

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It is close to one and one half hour from Livorno. You would most likely need to arrange transportation. We took a private tour. We were dropped off at Portoverene and then took the ferry stopping at Vernazza and Monterosso. Many stairs everywhere and uneven pavement. That being said, one member of our group fell on the stairs in the Grand atrium of the Spirit a few days before. She moved slowly, but sHe did OK.

Getting on the ferry at Portoverene was easy, Not sure about getting off the ferry at Monterosso. As I remember it was more like walking the plank? Take a look at Cornishpastyman1's video found in this thread. Wish you the best, it is beautiful.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1971200

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If I actually thought the Epic was in both Barcelona and Miami today then I probably wouldn't be safe to allow on a ship by myself. :)

Ok thanks. Yes, they are cool. I have looked up my house before as well.

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LOL yes. I guess I thought some folks thought they were.

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I am confused. POA is on Kauai today. Are not both the Epic and Star in the Western Hemisphere?

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I thought it was funny! It is that spellcheck's fault! LOL

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Sorry, hit the send button before I could edit for spelling. The £ is over 1.70 to the $. But it is London enjoy! Think about how much it cost to get there.

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You are so right! You have to remember the cost for Americans is over one and two thirds. However, the tax is ther a,ready so that makes it a little mess painful, especially for Californians, where e tax us almost 10% in some areas

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Thank you both so much for your answers. Will consider your thoughts. Have a great day.

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