seba1

We just returned from a Mediterranean cruise and used this company for 3 days of tours. This is what we learned:
 

1. They were on time, professional and flexible. Cost much less than cruise excursions too. 
 

2. Drivers are not all the same. We pre-booked 3 tours and the amount of interaction between the drive and the passengers varied. Passengers had to ask questions to understand what they were seeing. Found out that this company sub-contracts out the drivers so many drive for several tour companies.

3. For two of the tours, we paid for private tours. This was a waste of money since we were 7 and filled a van anyway. The drivers were not guides and didn't really tell us what we were driving by. The non-private tour was the only one to include a guide and a walking tour of Florence. 

3. Guides are only provided for specific skip the line attractions that are additional purchases for tours. For example, during our private tour of Rome, we only had a guide at the Colosseum and Forum. This was the case for Pompeii too. 

Overall, I would use this company again, but wish I hadn't spent the additional money for the private tours. I also booked a tour of Barcelona through their partner Barcelona Day Tours and the experience was what we had thought it would be with a guide walking us around talking about what we were seeing as we drove to different destinations. 

Stephanie

We are staying there in early Aug. I'll report back! We plan to take a taxi from the cruise port to the hotel. 

Stephanie

@bigsky I have been using their general email: info@italytours.eu. 

Hope they get back to your soon. Sometimes it takes them days and then other times they get back right away (well, within 24 hours).

Stephanie

Quick update. I emailed Italy Tours yesterday and they responded today. Our tour, including the Coliseum, is happening and we have tickets. I am glad I contacted them and recommend that to others to do as well within the 30 day window if you aren't sure about your tour. 

Stephanie

19 minutes ago, bigsky said:

My tour operator has not even gotten back to me to tell me if they have enough people to go! I only have one confirmed with them. I have continued to email them and they don’t respond. Guess I need to call them! Everyone says they love them and respond so quickly. 
Who are you using?

We are using Italy Tours. They tend to get back, but it takes them awhile. I think they are overwhelmed. We have 4 tours with them (and their sister company in Barcelona).

Stephanie

22 hours ago, bigsky said:

We have Rome on the 10th of next month. So I'm pressed to figure this out. I need to find another company to work with. Are you going to Rome? Who r u using if you are.

We have Rome on 8/3 and did a custom private tour that included the Colosseum, but not the Vatican (we have been there). We haven't seen any cancellations so far, but wonder...I saw somewhere, maybe here, that tour companies can't actually purchase tickets until 30 days prior which may be why some haven't received a cancellation (if theirs is in fact cancelled).

Stephanie

9 hours ago, roger b said:

I don't know where you have seen these reports ,but it definitely not Palma !! I pass the cruise terminal everyday day and there are no problems getting a taxi .

Probably Barcelona ??

Roger -

That's good to hear. It was on a group for Symphony of the Seas where the feedback was shared. Maybe we will wait an hour to get off the boat just in case. Do you recommend a beach? We don't want to pay for the beach club, but many want to swim in the Mediterranean. 

Thx!

Hi everyone! I am seeing posts of long lines to get taxis at the port. Is there a beach close to the port that we could walk to? Or, could we catch a ferry from the port to go to a beach?

People are reporting waiting up to 45 minutes for a taxi.

Thanks,

Stephanie

18 hours ago, cruisin73 said:

Day 2 of the cruise brought us to Mallorca.  Doing some research before the cruise I heard about Balneario beach club. You can get a taxi right there.  We did have reservations for lunch but we didn’t rent a sunbed.  The sunbeds  are $40 each and come with an umbrella and a welcome alcoholic drink. They looked nice but we decided to just sit on our towels we brought from the ship.  My husband swam in the Mediterranean Sea but for me it was freezing,  The water does look amazing though. 

For  lunch we had paella my new favorite dish.  My husband had the cheesecake for dessert and said it was the best cheesecake he has ever had.  

When we ordered dessert we also asked them to call a cab for us. Lunch was delicious and the service was great.  We walked up to get the taxi. When the taxi arrived two guys got in the car we told them we think that’s our taxi but they were assured it was theirs. No big deal we just waited for the next one which came about 10 minutes later. 
 

When we got back to our room there were anniversary decorations everywhere. Nice touch royal. 
 

Tonight was formal night and we were celebrating our anniversary too. We ate at 150 Central Park.  I had the Cesar salad that was made table side.  It was very good.  I can’t remember what I had for dinner but I did have the fried cheesecake for dessert which  was delicious.

 

I also got my anniversary present from my hubby which was a beautiful aqua marine ring from the jewelry store Effy on the ship.  
 

we had a great day and we are now off to France…
 

Were you still able to use the amenities at the Beach Club since you ate lunch there? We have friends who rented chairs, but we are 4 people and don't want to spend the money for all four of us (kids wouldn't use it). Wondering if we can do what you did and eat there, but still hang out with our friends without the chairs.

Stephanie

Following! We are on the July 31 sailing for our 30th anniversary! Cannot wait and am obsessively thinking about it. 

Stephanie

On 4/13/2023 at 8:51 AM, RBAlbany said:

Arriving in Barcelona after a Princess cruise on 9/9.  Looking to book a hotel for the night before flying home the next day.  Like to see a little and get a feel of Barcelona that day we arrive.  Have read through the pages here.  Great information.  I had been planning on Royal Passeig de Garcia hotel.  Now not so sure.  One of my concerns is economical transport from port to hotel, and hotel to airport. Thanks to these pages I am now aware of Aerobus.

 

I am liking the Continental Palacetta and H10 Catalunya Plaza options.  Does Aerobus service both?  We have a noon flight.  Is one better than the other for getting a flavor of Barcelona?  We were in the Las Ramblas area for a night our last time in Barcelona.  What are some tips on getting from the port to the hotel.  I look forward hearing what everyone has to share.

Ken

 

 

We are at the Continental Palacete too. Best combination of location, price and amenities. We need two rooms so cost is definitely a factor for us. Plus, we are there in August which is such an expensive time in Barecelona for hotels. 

What did you decide?

Stephanie

You can also try to email the executive team and see if they can help. We had an issue and they were wonderful to work with: ex-co@rccl.com. Also, I hope your daughter will be ok.

Stephanie

If you decide to stay in Bilboa, the funicular is fun for kids. It takes you to a pretty park with views of the city. There is also a playground on the river. You walk toward the old city and will see it. You can also hop on a boat tour which they might find fun. 

The Guggenheim will be boring for them, but they may like the unique art outside of it.

Stephanie

We always do My Time Dining because we can book at a non-standard time. We also have family members with dietary restrictions so we try to have the same time every night with the same waitstaff so we can order ahead for the next night. We have been told we have a 15 minute window for arrival. But, it's nice because we don't wait in line. We just walk up, provide our room number and then get seated. 

Stephanie

Thanks for the post. I had no idea. We are on a sailing out of Barcelona this summer and have an 18 year old with us. Since the drinking age in Spain is 18, does that me one bottle could count toward him (not that he will drink it, but it would allow us 3 bottles). 

Stephanie

We rented a VRBO in Bilboa right near the funicular, but don't remember seeing too many hotels (although I am sure they are there). We LOVED Bilboa. It's walkable and the Old City is beautiful. The Guggenheim is also great to see.

Stephanie

I've been struggling with this situation for a July 2023 cruise out of Barcelona. We are in the Washington DC area and can't believe the high ticket prices and lack of direct flights. We are open to a stopover in a city on the way there and taking a train to Barcelona later in the week too. Anyone have any suggestions? Or, do we need to manage our expectations for prices ($1500-1700 per ticket for economy).

In case anyone else stumbles upon this thread. Once you are disembarked from the ship, all receipts should be sent over to RoyalGuestRelations@rccl.com with a subject title of "Travel Reimbursement".

I had to email the CEO's office to be told the process. Crazy!
 

Stephanie

30 minutes ago, Sunshine3601 said:

Others on these threads have said they were refunded in a week to 2 or 3 weeks.     

Thanks! I couldn't find the other threads.

Stephanie

21 minutes ago, reallyitsmema said:

 

I received my refund in three weeks.  I did get an email about ten days prior to that telling me the amount of the refund and that the request had been submitted.

 

I have not received my reimbursement for hotel charges and food costs yet but the letter says it is taking about 30 days.

 

How long ago did you get off the ship?

Thank you! It was not fun. We boarded Friday and daughter tested positive on Sat. We were looking at 6 days in quarantine so we ended up disembarking in Spain and quarantining in a condo there instead. Much better experience since we weren't allow to have fresh air otherwise for 6 days.

The cruise technically ended on June 24.

Stephanie

For those that were diagnosed with covid on board, how long did it take for RCCL to refund the prorated amount of you cruise that you spent in quarantine? We were told that RCCL would do it automatically, but other than the generic information sheet left in the quarantine room there was nothing else in writing. I don't know if I need to call a special number, fill out a form, etc.

Thanks in advance, 

Stephanie

Great news, but now I have 6 eMed tests that I can't use. Would love to sell them if I could. We had purchased 12 to test before the cruise and prior to flying home. 

Stephanie

Thanks John! We do have a great deal with Avis. 60 pounds!  You have been so incredibly helpful answering our questions. 

I think I saw on another thread that you suggested arranging for transport ahead of time to the Airport and that taxis could be hard to come by. Is there a reasonably priced company you would recommend. I was just going to Uber...

Stephanie

How early should we arrive at Heathrow for our flight? I am seeing posts about excessive wait times. We were thinking that we needed to be there 3 hours before our late afternoon flight. We are picking up a car rental at Southampton Airport and were  hoping to drive from Southampton to Heathrow with a stop at Highclere.

Thanks!

Stephanie

We are flying over from the US too. We purchased the tests recommended by RCCL and the airlines through eMed. They are proctored antigen tests that you do on a device or computer. When you are ready to take them, you log into you account and are connected with a proctor. It definitely gives you schedule flexibility. They came out to $25/kit plus shipping (which was ridiculously high in my opinion). You will need to test too to fly back to the US.

Stephanie