CoralReef

On the 5/28 Connie sailing, we did get a coupon for various Select wifi discounts, but the coupon was not needed. The discount was automatically applied when we logged on.

We initially bought a 240 minute package. Partway through the cruise, just as our minutes were running out, they offered an unlimited package at a prorated, discounted cost. Having discovered how many minutes it took just to check e-mail, we signed up.

The total cost ended up being about the same as if we'd signed up for unlimited (with the Select discount) in the beginning. In retrospect, I would do unlimited from the beginning. The slow speed is still aggravating, but at least you're not worrying about how many minutes a simple Google search will take.

Good information. I had wondered about the earring the jacket hood instead of a scarf but didn't know if that would really be appropriate. Does anyone know if it is? I know the article says you can do that but being able to do something is not the same as should you do it.

I wore a hoodie into the Blue Mosque and had no problems.

I would not advise wearing a skirt unless it's a maxi. They were pretty strict about skirts when I visited. Many of the young women in Istanbul were wearing long pants and skimpy tops. Apparently legs are considered more offensive than arms.

Thanks Susan. That's just what I wanted to know. Do we just go right to the gangway then or walk through a Cruise terminal building? I've never been to Venice port before but am in the thick of research this week. How close will the taxi take us?

 

Ann

Don't know about the taxi, because we arrived by train/walking/Peoplemover. During the day, everyone walked through a terminal building, but not sure if this was the case at night. We just saw people getting on the ship later at night, so not sure of the process, just know that late arrivers were accommodated.

Thanks so much for this, Cynthia. This walk is on my bucket list. Appreciate the info and pics!

We were on the May 28 Connie cruise with similar itinerary. Since the ship doesn't leave until the next day, you have nothing to worry about. Just ask the driver for Marittima. Once at the pier, you will see plenty of signs directing you to the ship. We boarded at about 4:00 on Day 1, and we saw people boarding all evening.

I believe that's the new Modern Luxury extension cord. :)

Haha, good one!

I hope X retires that extens cord soon. In future perhaps pre-coordinating with X before sailing will lead to a better arrangement for you.

Oh, we submitted our Special Need form more than a month in advance!

Well, we did dock at Gazenica. Shuttle tickets were available the night before or at the pier, and cost $12 pp.

Zadar was a nice port, not too exciting, but we did enjoy the Sea Organ, the Roman Forum, the market, and the Museum of Ancient Glass.

Just back from a great cruise on Connie. Staff, service, ports were excellent.

One funny thing -- as we boarded, we saw them confiscate an extension cord because "it might not be safe and might start a fire". At muster drills, there was a warning about using candles and electrical appliances because of the fire risk.

So, here is the extension cord Celebrity supplied for DH's CPAP. LOL!

Last Monday, we toured with seeamalficoast.com and had a great day. The driver, Carmine, was extremely informative, amusing, and flexible. He spoke excellent English. He was a great driver! I had worried about the drive, but I was very comfortable with Carmine at the wheel.

He took us to a fantastic lunch place. 25€ pp for appetizers, salad, four kinds of homemade pasta, a bottle of red and a bottle of white, homemade sweets, and shots of limoncello and apple liqueuer. The fresh bufalo mozzarella was beyond anything I've ever tasted, amd the view was terrific. Much of the food was grown on site in their extensive garden. Best meal ever!

Has anyone found good port schedules for Zadar? Most sites say the main dock is by Old Town, but recent cruisers are reporting docking further away at the new port of Gazenica and having to take taxis or shuttles. Would like to know what to expect.

Helpful info at this link. Thanks!

I like to arrive as late as possible. The hotel room is likely to be ready, so I can shower and change. Then I do a little light sightseeing, have an early dinner, and go to bed as soon as it gets dark. That seems to reset my clock, especially if I leave the curtains open and wake up naturally to sunlight. I've tried napping, but it just seems to prolong the jetlag. YMMV.

By my reading of the posts, all transactions onboard are done in US dollars. Therefore, one will be safe in carrying US dollars for all purchases but depending upon the ports being visited, one should buy foreign currency at home and avoid any dealings with the ship's purser to the ridiculous exchange rates. I presume that Euros would be o.k. in most Baltic countries and accepted like US dollars except for Russia.

You don't need cash onboard, as long as you have a credit card.

I would not buy foreign currency at home. You can almost always get the best rates by using port ATMs. Just let your bank know in advance where you will be traveling. Leftover foreign bills can be changed for dollars at Guest Relations.

Our experience in the Baltic was that euros were widely accepted. In Russia we were able to use either euros or dollars. We did need Danish kronor in Copenhagen.

Thank you for the excellent information!

The cable car sounds great... think we will do that instead of returning to the wall. Great suggestions, much appreciated.

We have reserved a walking tour in Dubrovnik that includes a walk along part of the wall. The tour finishes several hours before our ship sails. If we decided to walk the rest of the wall, could we re-enter by showing a ticket or pass from our walking tour?

I don't mind paying again, but I am trying to plan how many kuna to get. Thanks for any information!

As I recall, the Solarium is kind of small. It's pretty and sunny (when the sun is out), but I think it would accommodate about 15-20 people.

On deck, I can't think of many sheltered spots other than where the loungers are.

Reflections lounge might be your best bet if your group is larger than 20. It will have natural light on a sunny day. Even on a dark day, at least there are lots of windows.

This is a thread from 2009! Please start a new thread, you will get better responses.

there is no way I would say they deserve prison etc.....if they were in certain middle eastern countries would you really say young American females should go to prison?

Why not? Does their age, gender, and nationality make their crime less heinous?

We've had great experiences with RomeCabs. If you are interested in antiquities, check out Ostia Antica. A great site and just 20 minutes from the airport.

Those sites are in totally different directions from the port. I agree, book a tour if those are your priorities. Don't depend on a cab driver, they are predatory in Tunis.

My opinion: either spend your whole 6 hours at Topkapi, or skip it. You could easily spend a day there, but you can't do it justice in much less time, especially jet-lagged.

I would do Aya Sofia and the Blue Mosque as a group, lunch, then split up for the Basilica Cisterns vs. the bazaars. That should be plenty for 6 hours.

No more than 20 minutes between the stops you mentioned. Less than 5 minutes at the ATM, 1 minute to get tokens.

Check http://www.istanbultrails.com/2008/06/overview-of-closing-days-and-opening-hours-in-istanbul/ and check their listings of religious holidays, to see what days and times your desired attractions are open. For example, Topkapi is closed Tuesday, and until 12:00 the first day of religious holidays. These will be the limiting factors, not the tram times.

If I read your history right, you are not cruising until 2016? Hang tight, there will be many more X shorex available in the future! I have been on this itinerary several times, and there were always many shorex options.

In case you want to book an independent tour, Javin's MyIsland tour is great. Google him or check TripAdvisor.

Celebrity docks in Port Zante, just a few blocks from downtown Basseterre. It is easy to pick up a cab tour at the port, or spend time shopping.

I think your luggage would be safe on the bus. I don't know if anyone on your tour will be dragging carry-ons (though I doubt it). But I'm sure that if you choose to keep your carry-ons with you, you can. Probably not a reason to cancel.