cruiselovin'girl

Hi there, 

Hope you don't mind me jumping in but I am also planning a trip to Florence. I know we need to catch a shuttle or taxi to the train station, which is preferable? 
Can we buy a ticket when we get to the train station or will it be better to buy it in advance? I like to do things ahead of time but I don't want to be stressing about missing the train!

Also, would really like to visit the Accademia-again tickets in advance or at the door?
Thank you SOOOO much in advance

Pam

Thank you! I had planned to add on $1 for each drink but wasn’t sure if that was enough!!

Hello,

I have never purchased Cheers before but it was part of a package deal with my cruise. Are tips included?

TIA and cheers!😃

Pam

On 11/19/2021 at 1:56 AM, amonaghan said:

Plans and thoughts for port days.

 

Hi all,

 

Been searching the boards, Viator, TripAdvisor, etc and came up with our plans for port days.  Thought I'd share it with you in case folks are looking for suggestions.  Since we're traveling with friends, we'll be doing them as privates but most can be set up with the tour provider directly as all indicated they have groups.  Personally, we don't tend to do ship excursions unless we're in port for a very short amount of time.   

 

Sunday PUERTO LIMON, COSTA RICA: In Port 9am-6pm  

Eduardo - Your Lucky Tour  https://yourluckytour.com/

Zipline, Canal tour, National Park, stop at grocery store to buy Costa Rican coffee

Similar to the highlights tours that I've seen offered

 

Monday Panama: - No plans, probably won't get off the ship.  I'm assuming we'll be able to see the locks from the ship.  Does anyone know if we'll be transiting through a lock on this cruise?

 

Tuesday CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA: 9am-5pm

Dora tours http://www.cartagenatour.com/

CITY TOUR-

We begin our tour in Manga where we will see great mansions built at the beginning of the XX Century.  
We visit the main monuments of the city.  We start at the hill of La Popa from where, besides visiting the monastery and the chapel, we will be able to admire a fantastic view of the city.  Following we head towards the San Felipe de Barajas Fort, the most important fort built in the whole American continent.Photo Stop. Next we walk and drive around the walled area - old city admiring houses and plazas such as Plaza de Santa Teresa, Plaza de Bolivar, Plaza de la Aduana, Plaza de los Coches, full of history and legends. Photo stop at the Palace of the Inquisition.

 We do a stop at the Dungeons, which today are 23 handcraft shops. (option to walk the walls)

We Visit a Church called San Pedro Claver Church.

Time 4:00 hours

 

Wednesday ORANJESTAD, ARUBA: arrives 5pm overnight

Made reservations for 6pm at a restaurant on the beach. Flying Fishbones. 

 Hello,

Did you take this tour? Going to Aruba in February and it sounds good!

TIA,

Pam

Thursday ORANJESTAD, ARUBA: departs at 6pm

Around Aruba Tours, 

3 hr Private jeep tour with a drop off at Boca Catalina for snorkeling.  

Seating Capacity: Four-Seater with a/c
Tour Inclusions: Driver/Guide, Non-alcoholic drinks (Coke, Water Bottle & Ice Tea), and Free pick-up & drop-off facility.
Suggested Sightseeing Attractions: Natural Bridge, Baby Bridge, Wariruri Beach, Alto Vista Chapel, Shark Bay, Andicuri Beach, California Lighthouse, Three Bridges, Black Stone Beach, Arikok National Park, Conchi Natural Pool, Bushiribana Gold Ruins, Cave Natural Pool, Ayo & Casibari Rock Formations, Philip's Animal Garden, and wherever else you want.

 

FYI: For this one, we are not planning on swimming in Natural Pool or having them wait while we snorkel.  If you want that included recommendation was to do 4hr tour.  Our plan is walk down to a more populated area to either take the bus or a cab to Arashi beach or back to the ship.

 

Be well.

On 10/23/2021 at 12:04 AM, 40yearcruiser said:

We will be in Aruba and Curacao in a couple weeks and appreciate the bus information. If anyone has been there recently, has anything changed in the bus availability? Would love an update from current cruisers to these ports. 

I am hoping by now you have returned from your trip. Could you give a report on Aruba and Curacao? I've never been and would like to have updated information for my trip in January.

Thank you!

I have been on 2 RC European cruises. The first one was in July and left out of Rome (Civitavecchia) with ports in Athens, Sicily, Kusadasi and Crete. It was great but very hot!!

The next one was out of Venice at the end of September with stops in Athens, Mykonos, Montenegro and Corfu. It was my favorite! Venice was just so different then any other place I had been to and Montenegro was absolutely beautiful!
Have fun planning your trip!
Pam

4 hours ago, scottjeanne said:

We were booked to goto the Passion Play this month.  We booked it all independently.  We were to be in Brussels for a week, then a Scenic river cruise (we originally booked with Crystal, but switched) and then three days in Omeramagua and a few days in Munich.  We booked directly with the Passion Play company.  The package was two nights hotel, meals and transportation.  I found the river cruise and play packages very expensive, but it included all transportation so it was more seamless.  It depends on how much work you want to do and how independently you like to travel.

 

The play does sell out.  We booked two years in advance.  We plan on going in 2022.  I am waiting to see how the world opens up to book.  I do have to say, since I booked everything myself, I spent a lot of time on cancellations and obtaining refunds.  I had two one way international flights, two European flights, hotels in Basel, Brussels and Munich, the cruise and the play as well as museum tickets and private tours.  I have gotten all my refunds but one Lufthansa flight which they promise is coming. 

Thanks for the info! I don't mind spending time booking everything myself. It's what I normally do, this just seems so complicated! So, you booked the Passion play independent of the cruise? Did that save you money or was that just the way it worked out?

Have you cruised with Scenic before?

This is all new to me so I appreciate any advice you can give.

Pam

Hello,

Hope you don't mind me tagging on here and asking a few questions (if it's a problem, I can start a new thread but thought those of you with experience could point me in the right direction)! 🙂

I only first heard about the Passion Play at Oberammergau last year and started researching it in January. I don't usually do tours so I was trying to research how to see it independently. Seems like it's really hard to get tickets without being part of a package deal! So, I thought about doing a river cruise in conjunction with the Passion Play and stumbled upon this thread. I have cruised in the past (Ocean not River) on RC, Princess and Carnival but have no experience with the River Cruise companies.

For those of you who have done this type of cruise, which company do you prefer and why?

Also wondering if you booked directly through the cruise line or used a TA. (Especially those who are adding the cruise after the play or vice versa).

Thanks so much for your help,

Pam

10 hours ago, cementhands said:

If you’re healthy and can walk stay or get to the sea aquarium. From here you can walk to Fanuel Hall very tourist friendly. Our favorite area is Hanover st the north end Galeria Umberto has excellent food. Modern pastries for cannolis. Regena original pizza. Paul revere house museum. Boston Island harbor cruise is nearby. Sail loft restaurant has excellent clam chowder and lobster rolls. J hooks for lobster rolls. No Name restaurant for seafood chowder. Long walk to Boston public garden and swan boats. Original cheers bar. Cab ride to Fenway Park which has tours and of course games. Tasty burger right there has $10.00 special burger and fries and 16 pabst beer. Harpoon brewer beer hall and art museum on waterfront. Improv comedy on Hanover st great at night...

. Cash is king in the north end.

Thanks for the information, Cementhands!! I'm definitely checking out the lobster rolls!! 🙂

10 hours ago, CruisinCrow said:

 

We took the bus there.  It's not a long walk from where the bus drops you off (at the Fish Fry).  The bus is $1.25 a person.  I think a taxi would be $18 for 2 people.  That's the cost for a taxi from the port to Cable Beach anyway.  The zoo is a bit closer so it might cost a bit less than that.

Thanks for the information!

On 8/25/2019 at 10:37 AM, jessmarieislove said:

I'm not a big "tourist-y" person. I really like to explore the places I visit. What are some of your favorite things to do in Nassau? I went on my first cruise last year, and I found a quiet spot down Junkanoo Beach, went to the Ardastra Gardens, and just did some walking. Since my next cruise will be an overnight in Nassau and this trip will be adults only, I'll have a lot more time to explore. I'm interested in what others have discovered. Thank you!

Hello,

Interested in going to the Gardens. Did you take a taxi there? Just wondering how much it will cost to get there and the best way to do it. I don't mind walking but have heard so many bad things about robberies, etc. in Nassau that I was thinking a cab ride might be safer. 

Thanks for your help,

Pam

56 minutes ago, Coralc said:

You would be looking at Cyber Monday deals now. If you book things on your Cruise Planner now, yes, you can cancel them up to 3 days (I think) before the sailing. I'm not sure why you would want to book them if you think you are going to cancel them, but sure! 

Cyber Monday, yes! Black Friday on the brain....🙄 Just not sure about some of the excursions but thought I would book them just in case and cancel later if I change my mind. Thanks for the information and correction!!

Where do you look for the discounted Chef's table? I've never seen this offered before.

Thank you,

Pam

Enjoying your review! Transatlantic cruise is on my bucket list so I appreciate all of the information. I was on Rhapsody in Sept./October and thoroughly enjoyed the cruise. Yes, the ship is a little worn but the service and crew were fantastic. I love hearing your story about missing the tours (sounds like something I would do) and how RC staff allowed you to take another one!! Thanks for writing! 🙂
Pam

Hello,

Just read about some deals for our cruise coming up in June. If I purchase them now, I can cancel up until the cruise, correct?

TIA!
Pam

Hello,

We will be cruising with a port stop in Boston next year. I've been there many years ago but I'm looking for something we can do ourselves. Any suggestions?

HOHO bus or trolley tour? Which is better?

TIA,

Pam

On 9/5/2019 at 11:44 PM, RCCL Fan said:

We're booked on her next year, please come back and let us know what you thought

Returned home on Sunday but have been too exhausted to get online! The cruise was wonderful. The Rhapsody is an older ship and showing some wear and rust but the crew was so great, we didn't mind! Great food and service in the MDR. I avoid the Windjammer except on embarkation day because I don't enjoy buffets. The food was okay there, I just prefer to be waited on. 🙂 Prior to the cruise, we purchased the 3 night dining package so we could try each restaurant. They were all delicious but our favorite was Chops, followed by Izumi, then Giovanni's. The shows were good: besides the normal singers and dancers, there was a great soul singer and a ventriloquist /comedian. Our ports were Kotor, Athens (Piraeus), Corfu, Argostoli and Mykonos. Our favorite was Mykonos. I'd be happy to answer any questions if I can!
Pam

6 hours ago, Kauai Cruiser said:

I just posted the below message on another page but maybe this one is more appropriate???  I'd like someone to teach me how to post properly.  This site is not user friendly for me. 

 

Since I don't know how to start a new topic, I am hoping that one other couple will read this message.

I just received an email from a company that books by the car in Corfu.  It would be 4 hours for $180 or 6 hours for $240.  The stops are Vistonas, Makrades, Lakones, Paleokastritsa, Kanoni for the first, and Glyfada Beach is added for the 6-hour.  Please let me know if you are interested in joining us.  The man who sent the email to me suggested that I post it on CC.  I don't know where else I would but just wish I knew how to do it correctly.

Please use my gmail account to respond - kauaicruiser.

Mahalo and Aloha,

Bonnie

Bonnie,

Probably best to post this on your ship's roll call. Have you joined it?

Hello All-

Going on a RC cruise next week (can't wait) and already thinking about booking one for next year.  I'm wondering what the advantages are to booking while on the cruise. Usually, I'm enjoying myself too much to start planning the next one. But, I'm curious about this. Who has done this in the past? If prices drop, will they adjust the price once the discount is given?
TIA,

Pam

10 hours ago, Host Clarea said:

Also 3 days prior to the sailing date for a full refund to the credit card. 

So, if you are on the cruise and cancel at least 48 hours before excursion, they will give you credit on your cruise account?

Hello,

Does anyone know the cancellation policy for excursions booked through the cruise line?
TIA,

Pam

Has anyone done the ship's "small group" excursion in Kotor? It is on sale right now on RC and I am debating doing that versus DIY. I don't mind paying a little extra for peace of mind if it is truly a small group. But, if the cruise line idea of a small group is 50-100, I would rather DIY. Any tips from anyone who has been to Kotor would be appreciated. I really want to see Our lady of the Rocks and Perast and also spend time (on my own) exploring Kotor.

TIA,

Pam

On 7/19/2019 at 2:55 PM, TNCruzer56 said:

We did Corfu 3 years ago and yes it is spectacular. As you exit the port, you will notice 1-30 black Mercedes with drivers. I called out "Best city tour Best Price" one guy came up and said 50 Euros 1/2 day. Maybe we got lucky, but he was fantastic. Went to the palace, the mouse island thing, and 4 or 5 great sites. Good Luck!

LOL, what is the mouse island thing?

Thanks for the info! Don't really like to use ATMs but may need to if we run low on funds!

It's been awhile since I've been on a RC cruise. I recall they had an ATM machine but I didn't use it. Since we will be on the Rhapsody (in Europe), will the ATM give out Euros? What is the fee for using it? How's the exchange rate onboard?

TIA!
Pam