Cruise4Sunshine

Tugy - Love your graphic. The dress issue was exactly why I disliked NCL and it's freestyle cruising. Shorts and tee shirts in the MDR every night. Might as well have stayed in an all-inclusive in Cancun.

Why not order room service and stick a Turkey Club in your backpack before heading out? We stashed sliced meats, cheese and rolls in a baggie at breakfast and enjoyed them along the way, since we knew our excursion wouldn't get us back in time for lunch. Probably not completely honest, but hey, they planned the shore trips around being out during meals.

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Keeping in mind that the room steward receives only a fraction of the pre-paid gratuities, but is only the most visible of the employees, you would be doing a disservice to the wait staff, kitchen help and everyone else who receives part of that pool for their work aboard the ship. It became mandatory tipping when cruise lines were pressed by the IRS to report ALL income for employees, or the line could be liable to pay income tax on the unreported tips, the same as restaurants. When you pay a certain employee a cash gratuity for exemplary service, they are technically "required" to add that to the pool of tips. Not sure at what level they do, or on ships whose brands are not headquartered on US soil, but that's what I heard from an insider when the gratuities changed from envelopes and cash to the new system.

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My sister in law's maiden name is Koenigs, she is sure to be happy with the new name. As for the 360 degree theater, it's possible they are going to produce something similar to Cirque Dreams on NCL, which was really fantastic, considering the acts were performing on a moving vessel.

Having tried Carnival, Princess, NCL and HAL, I've found my niche with Holland America. I like the subdued interiors, larger staterooms and quiet spots. I travel mainly for the ports, and HAL goes to the less-traveled in many cases. I hope you find your niche.

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We have done it by ship's tour, long day, too many people to hear the tour guide well. The next time we hired a private taxi for 4 of us, and though he couldn't take us inside (it must be a licensed guide inside the monuments), we had no trouble following along with another group to see the highlights. Much of it is fallen pillars, the guide you get with admission will show you to the fields and stadium, the most important part. It really is kind of amazing. What I loved about taking the private car was that afterward we were hungry and he took us to a village. I had asked about purchasing a nice religious icon, and he led us straight to a wonderful store, where I bought the most beautiful hand painted one I'd ever seen. The lunch in the tiny town was wonderful, menu translated by Andrew, our driver. Taxi Katakolon. It was a few years ago and I found them on Trip Advisor, we were happy to have paid the price for such a great day.

I would love anyone's ideas on Heraklion as well.

Thank-you Dani. I just read a terrible review of that trip on Trip Advisor. I hope that was a one shot deal, because it would REALLY be nice to avoid the large crowds in Fira in the morning. -Mary

Another option (if it is running) is the boat transfer to Oia---the Union Boatmen of Santorini partner with a land travel agency and offer a transfer by boat from Fira tender pier to Oia--with a mini bus ride up from Oia harbor to the city and then a bus transfer back to Fira from Oia----I have done this and it worked out great---however the service has had different "partners" and can not be booked in advance---the cost was 25E per person for the boat and two busses---we walked back down to the tender dock as the late afternoon cable car lines were crazy

 

Paul

Paul,

Do you have a website or contact for this Union Boatmen? Having been to Fira in the morning, it is very busy with dawdling cruisers. It would be great to do Oia first, then back to town, and even then the cable cars shouldn't be too bad.

Mary

Having just returned from NCL, each night before dinner the wait staff asked if anyone had food allergies. Of course Celiac Disease is far more serious than a mere allergy, but it's good to know they are on top of these issues and do their best to keep US on our toes. I am severely allergic to ****ake mushrooms and ordered a dish in a specialty restaurant. He was able to substitute button mushrooms, and it was delicious. They had gluten free tortillas available at the taco bar, but you had to ask for them.

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I came across this link from the Broward County Tourist Office's webpage, listing which hotels would give day rates IF they have availability. I have not tried any, since we're sailing in November. Will let you know if I get anything else besides the Roadway Inn.

http://www.sunny.org/travel-trade/pre-post-cruise/hotel-shuttles/

I'm on the Epic next week, supposed to be this week, but a family emergency occurred. Love your report so far. Thanks so much! At the buffet, does the crew serve the food the first few days? On HAL they do so to avoid spreading viruses at the buffet. Just wondering whether to bring Handi-wipes.

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Having visited the Sagrada Familia many times I would definitely recommend the Audio Tour over a guided tour. You go at your own pace rather than being moved along at the guides speed and will get much more out of your visit.

 

As has already been said, sound quality is excellent.

 

By the way, we actually far prefer Barcelona Cathedral in the Gothic Quarter (entrance free and no crowds) to the Sagrada Familia. If you visit the Cathedral take the elevator up to the roof (entrance hidden in one of the little side chapels so look out for the sign) for stunning views.

Having visited both cathedrals, my preference was Sagrada Familia. Where else in the world are you going to see a cathedral "in progress" in our lifetimes? Having visited there 3 times over 40 years, I have seen progress, artisans meticulously working, and it has given me much greater appreciation for the scores of people who built every other major cathedral, castle and city wall everywhere else in the world.

how about "Sailing" by Christopher Cross. (Yes, I'm dating myself.)

That song reminds me of a time when we rented sailboats in the Caribbean with friends, long before we began cruising. It was a younger time, a carefree time. We sailed to Christopher Cross and Jimmy Buffet, and had a cassette tape player on the boat with a mix of "sailing songs." Might try to put together another one on iTunes - from this board. Although Pharrell's Happy will not be included. (Did you know he is over 40 years old himself?)

Mary

Seattle

If you live in a city or anywhere near the water, you probably have rats nearby. Whether these first time cruisers had real or imagined rats, it takes a while to eradicate them. I have been on more than 15 cruises and have never seen a rat, but on a Mekong cruise we had a cockroach the size of a mouse scurry by in our stateroom. The steward was in there in a flash and took care of it.

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I am doing my first Epic sailing. Is Fat Cats always a Blues Bar?

Mary

Thanks vatali! 18 euro sounds pretty good to me. How far was the beach from where the ship docks? Great tip about the store across the street! It's just my husband and I so we aren't too worried about the typical European beach culture haha.

 

Also great tip at Cirque! Did you pay extra for that table? I've heard there's a fee but it's well worth it. We can start booking dinners on Sunday so that was on my list. Did you eat at any speciality restaurants that you can recommend?

 

Thanks again!

I just read that Majorca has just banned uncovered bathing suits in public, so cover up before heading over to the grocery store. I'm doing the Epic too, in late June. Be sure to write a review!

I am going to Aix en Provence, Nice, Florence (3 hours on my own), Rome (six hours on my own), and a drive on the Amalfi Coast with lunch. Any advice would be appreciated. All ship's tours.

 

 

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I loved Aix (pronounced X). There isn't much to see, but a small museum, Atelier Cézanne, (studio of Cezanne) the city's most famous citizen is well worth the price of admission. Learn a little about his work before you go, it will be more meaningful. The Cours Mirabeau itself is a lovely street of small cafes offering mostly expensive food, but the people watching is wonderful. This is to Paris as San Francisco is to the US, a weekend place for the wealthy, honeymooners, and art and architecture enthusiasts.

If you want to fit the Uffitzi gallery into your trip to Florence, make reservations ahead on their website. There is a Smartphone app (free) that shows the layout, so you can make best use of your time. If that's not your thing, be sure to see the David at the Academia, (buy in advance http://www.accademia.org/‎) or if you don't want to go that far on foot, there is a lovely replica outdoors in the Piazza, near the Uffitzi. The Duomo is magnificent, and the climb to the top worth it for the panoramic view of the city. And the world's most famous bridge, the Ponte Vecchio, with it's very expensive Italian gold jewelers inside. It was made famous in the DaVinci Code, which is, if you haven't read it, a great novel to read before you go to Florence. Everything to see in a short time is near the Piazza. You can download podcasts at http://www.italyguides.it/us/florence/download_audio_guides/free_ipod_mp3/florence_ipodguides.htm AND there's an APP for that if you have a smartphone. We really loved the Boboli Gardens, but that takes too long for a 3 hour stay. Enjoy the countryside on your way up there, it is beautiful!

If you've done Rome before, try one of the hilltowns, like Civita de Bagnoregio. My friend did a year there studying Etruscan architecture in the area (it's near Orvieto). Some of the cruise lines have shore excursions that take you up there. It's a long bridge uphill to get there, so not for the faint of heart. It was recently featured on the Amazing Race. Orvieto is a wonderful mid-sized city with a beautiful Duomo.

" He is an expert driver and manages to drive and talk at the same time in very understandable English seemingly without effort, and if you've ever driven the Amalfi Coast, you will understand what a compliment this is."

I have driven AND taken a bus on the Amalfi Coast, and believe me you would rather have someone else drive, and you would MUCH rather take a mini-van than a big bus.

I will check him out.

First of all, congratulations on choosing the most beautiful ship in the fleet!

I went as a solo on The Prinsendam, and you will be surprised how many other solos there will be. That said, it's hard to meet them unless you do a few things:

Go to the Roll-Call on Cruise Critic for your sailing and mention you're sailing solo. There are always others who just read the boards but don't participate in the Roll-Call. Once you start the solo part of the roll-call, others may jump in and the talk has begun. You can share information privately through e-mails ahead of time. If anyone is putting together off-HAL shore excursions, try to sign up with them. That becomes a core group of people you'll know as well.

I prefer As You Wish dining, since you'll meet new people each night, and a great way to meet other solos. Many I've met at dinner became show mates afterward, and met for specialty restaurants on another night.

Sailing solo is a great opportunity to vacation your way. No one else makes decisions for you, but try to meet up with others before you sail. Cruise Critic is a GREAT way to do so.

Enjoy!

Things I've learned from traveling solo in Europe:

Plan your Sea Days. Do as much research on the ship and it's activities as you can on these boards and know a few of the activities you'd like to do, even if it's just sitting by the pool.

Look on the Roll-Calls for people wanting others to join their excursions. You'll meet a small group of people, with whom you may end up dining, meeting for drinks or general socializing.

Taxis are less expensive than you think, except in France. There is excellent local rail service along most coastlines, and a nice way to see more scenery on your way to another town or village. Ticket machines are easy to negotiate with your credit card. Look up schedules on Trenitalia.com or SNCF.com or similar.

Be vigilant, especially in Barcelona. It is a vibrant, beautiful city, and I agree on the HOHO recommendation, but before you go read Rick Steves' Scams page for the most up to date of what's going on.

Some of the ship's shore excursions will give you a once in a lifetime experience, like lunch in a villa, that you couldn't have on your own. Splurge if you can.

If the line for the main dining room is really long, go to a specialty restaurant. The staff is very attentive to solos and the food is most always worth the additional charge.

Take enough Euros with you that you won't need to depend on cash machines. They're handy but often times you should have a lookout, and solos don't. So take the Euros on your person (I use a moneybelt or my bra!) and leave them in the cabin safe. You can use a credit card for larger purchases.

You should bargain a little in the markets, but not in the major shops. Bring your own bags for shopping. They outlawed bags many years before it was fashionable in the U.S.

If you TRY a few words of the local language people are nicer to you. You can download free apps for your Smart Phone with conversational phrases, easy to learn the basics.

Dress like a European, more conservative than the US, and blend in. Loud clothing invites unwelcome, persistent vendors.

Try to meet up with other solos on the Roll-Call, make a standing date to gather for drinks before dinner, and go together. Invite other solos you might meet to join you, the more the merrier.

Enjoy! It's your way vacationing at it's best!

While the ship personnel would know if a passenger does make port embarkation, because we all have heard PA announcements paging so and so, do not expect anybody from the ship to get off and look for you. And I would also not expect them to call my emergency contact.

 

My husband has asked me to only take ship-sponsored excursions.

My first solo cruise I matched up with a small group (from the Roll-Call) doing off-line shore excursions. It was a small group of us, easy to get to know each other. From then on I had people to hang out with, who have turned out to be great online friends since.

After that first one, I have used the Roll-Calls to find others on the sailing, and met up for drinks Day 1, usually heading off to dine together. We used Anytime Dining and sat at tables for 10, meeting lots of others along the way.

When I have not met up with anyone on the Roll Calls I have used ship tours. They are great, sometimes having experiences you couldn't arrange for yourself.

The one time I really needed the ship's transfers & overnight hotel prior to sailing, my baggage was lost. The HAL representative got me to the front of the line at Alitalia baggage (apparently I wasn't the only one in this predicament), and argued animatedly in Italian. My bags were in my room before I returned from dinner!

Be prudent, read Rick Steve's Scams page, and enjoy doing what you want, when you want, and not answering to anyone for the duration of your vacation!

Hi, I would check the roll call section for your cruise:) It is a very

nice way to meet other cruisers:)....I haven't sailed HAL in many

years.......I have a suspicsion you will be one of younger passengers

on board.....especially because it is a longer itinerary.

I was on the Eurodam in Europe last fall, LOVED the BB King Blues Club, went there every night. It's a much younger vibe, "the Memphis Sound" is how it's billed, but I knew every word to every song. Many people got up and danced along, even those without partners.

As a solo I found it best to take Any Time Dining and get new table mates each night, you're more likely to meet other people traveling alone. I second the other poster about Tamarind, well worth the upcharge, fantastic food and service (although there was a strange vibration in the back corner, but we were moved immediately).

Definitely look at the roll-call and if there are other solos you can e-mail ahead of time. Three of us had a ball, mostly meeting for cocktails and then dinner, but most nights the others went on to the shows (yawn!) and I to the Blues Club.

Enjoy your trip!

My Bucket List became really important to me after my husband died young. I had parked myself on a beach in Hawaii before, but my first solo cruise was intimidating. Thanks to Cruise Critic, it went off without a hitch, and I have met some great people from all walks of life, still keeping in touch with some.

It's great not having to answer to anyone else. It's good to have a plan for dinners. Over the years I've met some wonderful people on the CC roll-calls, e-mailing beforehand to get to know one another, signing up for (off line) shore excursions together, meeting up for dinners. I have found that the specialty restaurant servers are very attentive to a solo, perhaps because an additional tip may be in order.

You can do what you want, when you want, not do whatever anyone else thinks would be fun. If you only have a limited vacation time, spend it with the best person suited to your desires - YOU!

Enjoy!!!!

I don't want nesting dolls made in China but also don't want to spend$100 for each of the granddaughters. Do you remember what they cost on the ship and I assume would be of reasonable quality? Anyone with experience either buying or pricing them?

NBC did a piece during the Olympics about the differences of prices on nesting dolls. They went out to a factory in the country where artisans still create the sets in the traditional way. Here is a link to that story:

http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/history-russian-nesting-dolls

Enjoy!

I stayed at the Palace Hotel last fall, so centrally located, impeccably remodeled rooms, free WiFi. Food and drink very pricey there though. It's right next to the entrance to the Stroget, there are wonderful restaurant choices within a few blocks. Some of the best doner I've had outside Turkey. I walked to the Danish Museum & Tivoli Gardens, gorgeously lit at night. The Hop-on-Hop-Off bus from near the pier (at least where my HAL ship arrived) went right to the corner across the street. I used the balance of my ticket on the HOHO the next morning for a full city tour, little Mermaid, Christenhavn, etc., before my flight home.

Enjoy Copenhagen, I certainly did!

Mary