okfarmerswife

Thank you everyone. 

Thank you everyone.  I should have noted the cruise we're booking is leaving from Copenhagen, Denmark so also will include airline rules for vaccines.  Sounds like a lot of indeed, "fluid" situations. 

Do children under the age of 17 have to have vaccine on Princess? I asked Princess when on the phone with them during registration and was told to check the website.  I've seen conflicting info in different places on their website.   Saw both yes for ALL passengers and then no for under 17 on another page.  Thank you!

I specifically asked this question to RC regarding our 5 night upcoming sailing and got this reply:

If you like to purchase photos on board then you might want to look at http://www.mycruisephotos.com/RCI/Portal.aspx

You can get a usb with all of your cruise photos for $149.00 if you purchase before cruising. I believe that is a $50 savings off the regular price of $199.00 if purchased on board. Each 5x10 photo on board is $20 so it doesn't take long to overspend! They will have some photo specials on board but I'm not sure they will beat this deal.

We are doing land and sea this summer. It is definitely to your advantage to book separately. Moki'smommy is right. You pay top rates at WDW if you book a package together and as I understand it you won't get any specials that may be running. I believe you can't add dining cards or anything else you may need either. It is very overwhelming to plan, and since Disney is so expensive, we certainly want to get the best deals. While we can't suggest travel agents here, it is important to use one that specializes in the Disney experience. At the very least, request quotes from a few. I was blown away at the amount of shipboard credit offered, that had I booked myself, I would have missed out on. And, the rates were slightly better too.

In researching for our upcoming Disney cruise, I've seen several posts that say Disney has rules now against over the door shoe hangers. I have found these to be very helpful when cruising and do not see that in your list of things not to bring. Perhaps it would be helpful to others if that were added to your list.

I'm not sure what cruise line you are on but the "Best of Gaudi" tour offered by NCL seems like the perfect tour. I found the Gaudi buildings to be the most interesting part of Barcelona. It's 7.5 hours and $129 pp. That would be my recommendation. I have DIY'd it in Barcelona on two trips and did a tour on my last trip to Mont Serrat through the ship and had a fantastic experience. They give you downtime at the sights, so that you can explore at your own pace. With a group that is what I would do.

Thank you. I wish our cruise had something like what you describe. We are on Princess and they have several tours, broken down to visit 2 or 3 sites each. And the small print tells me we will be spending time shopping, which does not interest my family. I do think though, after reading the replies here that the HoHo buses for my small group may not be the best for us. I am checking into some private tours.

Taxis will only take a maximum of 4 people.

Thank you for this info!

Thank you both for the very helpful replies. MeHeartCruising, it didn't occur to me that we could switch bus lines (of course staying with the same company)....I guess I was assuming we had to stay on the same line we purchased. RebeccaLouiseagain, we love private tours and have booked them in a few of our other ports of call. However, the only tours I've seen recommended such as barcelonadaytours.com, do not allow time to go into LaSagrada Basilica which I really want to do! I will look into the private tour a little more.

After reading quite a lot on this site and delving more with the search function, I do not see my specific questions answered. My family of 5 will be in Barcelona via cruise ship for one day from 8-5. I have decided that we can most likely do a tour of the city on our own using the HoHo buses. It is my understanding that tickets can be bought for these at the Columbus monument. One of my concerns is which bus to use to get to LaSagrada. One poster stated that using the Red bus (I think) you had to walk quite a distance to catch the one going to the Basilica. This is not possible since on of my family members has a slight disability. (She is able to walk fairly well but we need to conserve when we can.) We need to catch the bus at the Columbus Monument. Which company and bus number do we need? Next, I would like to purchase the tickets for entry into the Basilica ahead of time. Since they're timed, I need help knowing how the bus runs and how long it takes to get from Columbus monument to the Basilica. I have looked at some bus maps online but they do not give info about timing. Also, if we go to Basilica first, are we missing something along the way that we might not have time to get back to? Also, I'm wondering if it would be better to taxi to LaSagrada but do not know if there are taxi's for 5. If we taxi there though, we would still have to purchase HoHo bus tickets for the rest of our tour and that seems overkill on price. Thank you for your help!

Thank you all so much for your answers. Sorry for the earlier vague information. The cruise is European; embarking in London, 3 sea days then in Barcelona on the 4th day. This is where she needs to embark. Disembarkation is back in London. Not sure we can make this work after reading your replies but you have been helpful!

Our family is on a Princess 12 day cruise this summer. One family member will not be able to embark with us. She will miss the first 3 days, which are sea days and needs to embark in the first port of call. I have searched for info about whether this is ok. I know I will have to have permission from Princess but do not see anything on their website about this subject. Has anyone ever needed this special request? We have not booked one room yet because we're trying to figure this out. I do understand she will have to pay the regular cruise fare. Thank you!

We were in Dubrovnik in August. Of course you want to stroll along the wall as well as ride the cable car. I do not remember the name of the place we ate lunch but there are many quaint places that have seating in the alleys along the main roads within the city walls. It was the free wi-fi, and the neatly clothed tables sitting outside of one particular place that drew us in. You might google Rick Steves Dubrovnik/Croatia information as I think he lists places to eat. Dubrovnik was my husband's favorite place on our cruise last summer. He even rates it higher than Venice! Hope you have a fantastic time!

The pod gets some good recommendations on Trip Advisor and I think the younger crowd especially enjoys it's decor.

Kansas Lady, the line of police cars in NYC is a type of drill called a surge...you can see a small one here

We saw several larger ones while there last year and they are quite impressive to those of us who don't see things like this regularly. We were told it is a reminder that NYPD is on alert and ready in case of emergency and also to let people know they're there both as security and as a deterrent to crime. This was begun after 9-11 as a counter terrorism exercise to show the presence of NYPD.

For a more accurate description see this CBS story

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/03/17/60minutes/main1416824.shtml

I also love to add Christmas ornaments! Brings back great memories when decorating the tree and I don't have to dust them all year long! I too, have a silver charm bracelet that I add charms to but they're sometimes hard to find.

HoosierGal, I'm so glad to hear you had a great time but you can't get away from here that easily! Tell us what you did and what you loved about NYC!

If you read enough on the NYC tripadvisor.com board you will find that supershuttle does not have a very good reputation. I have used them in DC and were ok with them however, NYC cabs are really efficient and if memory serves me, the cost is comparible between the two. Supershuttle shuttles everyone around and if you're the last one off then you've spent too much time on board! You should feel completely comfortable in the NYC cabs. By all means, do not accept rides from car services who might approach you at the airport. Their rates tend to "change" after you get in the car. Stick with the cab line, no matter how long it is. The line moves very fast.

I have to say I feel your pain!! I am stressing too! :eek: We have decided for certain on the TOR. We will be staying at the Hyatt in Jersey City which is right next to the PATH train. My next question for the experts -- We can take the Path Train to the Station at the World Trade Center or we can take a different Path Train to the 33rd Street Station. I know the 33rd Street Station is closer to the TOR but I realize that we will have to transfer to some other form of transportation from both of these locations. What would be our least time consuming option?:confused: Everyone keeps saying how visitor friendly New York City is -- please convince this country bumpkin before next Wednesday! ;)

From one country bumpkin to another NYC is GREAT!!!! Everyone was so helpful to us Okie's last October when we were there. You'll have a great time!

The veiw from TOTR is much better IMO but the ESB is such a magical tradition I'd hate to have to pick....but if you only have time for one then TOTR.

Joseph, I have read through this thread and understand your frustration at NYC hotel room rates!!! I had the same "Oh NO!" moment last October when planning a last minute trip in October for my family. That's why I chose to go with http://www.apartments2book.com They have some budget rooms but without knowing your exact dates I couldn't check but you can! They are reputable...check the reviews at http://www.tripadvisor.com Hope you find something!