okiedrifters

On 4/27/2024 at 7:40 PM, Ellis1138 said:

 

We're coming in via cruise ship and the first port is Akureyri, but we have a cruise ship excursion right after docking. I don't know when I'll be able to get Isk coins. The pay toilet thing frightens me the most about this trip. (I have some gastrointestinal issues and bladder problems.)

You can always buy some from guest services to have for the toilets, etc. Also, you can get some at an ATM after we dock. 

Good morning! 

We are going to CoCo Cay with our granddaughter soon. My question is can she snorkel (with her own equipment) without paying a fee?  
 

I was looking at the excursion email I received and it offers snorkeling for 39ish and I was wondering if that is for rental equip or if it is also for just being able to snorkel there?  She and her dad want to snorkel and if they need to pay to be able to do so, they will. I just want them to be prepared.
 

Thanks so much for any help, I really appreciate it!  Any additional info about snorkeling there is greatly appreciated! 

Have a great day! 
 

EJ 

11 minutes ago, alexgtp said:

Voom.

 

We purchased a Voom surf and stream package.

 

Speeds are pretty terrible, but decent enough for email, teams chat, Whatsapp, Google Duo/meet, and social media.

 

Streaming was iffy,  Just basic YouTube shorts took time to buffer and play. Netflix- once your show buffered it played well. Kudo's to Netflix algorithm for streaming. Amazon could not get app to open

 

Whatsapp and Duo/meet  carrier Wifi Calls were very clear and I was able to use almost everywhere on ship.

 

Speeds were al over place . Fastest I I observed was in Izumi.  I used Fast app to test as speed test was never able to find a server .

 

 

Any signs of SpaceLink being installed? I know they are working to install on all ships soon,  just wondering if you saw any evidence of it?  Thanks! 

11 hours ago, Broons77 said:

 

I thought Anthem actually did the NE/Canada itinerary several years back for a season, but could be wrong.  Would love to have her homeported for a Caribbean itinerary, but Royal keeps refusing my calls 😄

We sailed on Anthem from NJ to New England and Canada….it was an amazing trip! When booking this year we were disappointed to see Anthem wasn’t offered, but….we love the Adventure too. We are also on the Oct 13th sailing.

On 9/6/2022 at 1:56 PM, milolii said:

We we are using Woody at http://www.barharborcoastalcab.com/index.html

We will be with him on Sept 20.  

I looked at their website but can't find any rates for a tour or cab for a few hours. When you get back would you please post a review of your trip with Woody, and the rate if you don't mind? Thanks so much! Have a wonderful cruise, we are going in Oct. 

Cheers, 

EJ  

21 hours ago, 14Terry said:

I pack an Apple air tag in every piece of luggage. 

Will not travel without one!!! Know exactly where your bags are… 

9 hours ago, drsel said:

I think this Royal Up is a very good system that Royal Caribbean has got and I am sure that other cruise lines will also be following a similar system

Other cruise lines already are! And some airlines also…

39 minutes ago, drsel said:

Thanks, how would you compare Royal with HAL

I actually loved HAL! It is or seems so, to be for a more mature crowd (not necessarily all seniors by any means, but not a rowdy crowd for sure) and there were very few children onboard and they were well behaved children at that. We had a blast, 50’s music one night…think “at the hop” dancing, etc. The food was excellent, impeccable service, entertainment too…can’t fault them in any way. That was pre Covid so I am sure, like all lines, they are doing their very best with what they have.  That being said, we are “loyal to royal”…..

3 hours ago, SplashOfWater said:

We bid in the fair range for a suite, but received the "your request will be reviewed onboard" email yesterday (we're a few days away from sailing). Our sailing disappeared from Royal's website several days ago, leading me to believe it was sold out. I think more people started booking cabins when Royal relaxed the vaccination requirements. I am not optimistic about the upgrade, but we are perfectly happy with the cabin we booked and will enjoy the cruise either way!

My cruise disappeared also and our sailing (goes into Canada) testing is still on. My 🤞🏻are still crossed for my RoyalUp, but I feel chances are very slim for acceptance. We’ve won before and it was wonderful! We are almost

 D+  and in all those cruises were never visited by the “upgrade fairy” so I am very happy with the RoyalUp program that at least gives me hope and a chance for an upgrade. That being said, we always book the minimum cabin category we would be happy with…so either way, it’s gonna be a great trip! 
 

Funny tho, we sailed many years ago with friends on Holland America to Alaska..our first and only time on HAL…we were given a free upgrade to a suite! It was a wonderful surprise!!! Wonders never cease….😅

Good luck everyone….

7 hours ago, iamtrustworthy said:

Hi okiedrifters,

 

> my husband had said he did not want another cruise credit!

 

Will the policy you bought reimburse you in cash if you cancel for a covered reason even if the cruise line gives you a cruise credit?

 

Steve Dasseos

No, if you get a FCC, they will not pay. I am unaware of any cruise insurance that will…they ask when you file a claim if you are receiving compensation of any kind from the original source. They will only pay for your actual losses. Say, you have to reschedule and the cruise line charges you a fee, they will refund the additional fees, etc. 

Thanks everyone for the suggestions, etc. I purchased the same type insurance we always buy. If we had to cancel, it would only be for a reason that would be covered anyway. 

9 hours ago, iamtrustworthy said:

Hi okiedrifters,

 

The “cancel for any reason” coverage might not be a good fit for you. Is there a particular reason you want it?

 

Steve Dasseos

Steve, my husband had said he did not want another cruise credit! I finally convinced him that we should just buy the insurance we always do that covers medical cancellation and medical evacuation if needed. Among other reasons also. So, that’s what I did.  Thanks for your reply! 

Hi everyone! 
 

Any suggestions for “cancel for any reason” insurance companies? Anyone bought it recently? 
 

Thanks in advance for suggestions, just hoping to find it in a fairly reasonable range. 

9 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

Looking specifically at Schengen info, I have to wonder if this person is either a) a green card holder or b) if a US citizen, whether they have exceeded -- or will exceed with this trip -- the requirement to not spend more than 90 days in any 180 day period in the Schengen zone. Do they travel alot?

 

See here, for example:  https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/italy-visa/us-citizenship-passport-holders/

 

Edited to add:  I just noted that they said "US Residents" and not "US Citizens" so possibly it is the green card issue rather than the travel days.

Thanks so much! 
 

12 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

Is your fellow passenger not a US citizen?  That's the only thing I can think of. There is certainly no requirement that I am aware of for a US citizen to need a visa to enter Italy unless there are some kind of specific circumstances, e.g., if they have already spent 90 days or more in the previous 180 days in the EU, or if they reside in the US but are not US citizens, or.....

 

What was the precise wording that was used?

Thanks so much!!! 

This is his post…

I just attempted to check in for my flight to Rome tomorrow. Flying from the US - switch planes in Paris then off to Rome. I couldn’t check in because I don’t have a Visa for the Schengen Area? I was told by the Airline to call the Italy Consulate in Boston. They are closed now, so I will try tomorrow. Has any other US Residents ran into this problem?

Cruisemom42….this is not a Turkey question, but a Rome question. I appreciate the information you provide, it has helped me so much with my travel plans, etc. Thank you! 
 

We have been to a Rome previously and did not need a visa. A fellow cruiser on my upcoming cruise next week,  just posted on FB that he tried to check in for his flight to Rome tomorrow (Air France) and it would not let him check in because he didn’t have a Visa. 
 

I thought if we were traveling through a Schengen country, with a valid US passport that doesn’t expire within 6 months and are not staying longer than 90 days we did not need a Visa.   I searched and the way I read it, we still don’t need a visa? 
Would you please clarify? We fly out on Thursday and if things have changed I need to get on the ball! 😂.

Thanks so much!
 

EJ 

3 hours ago, cot427 said:

Any more recent reports from Rhapsody? I board Monday next week, so will report back then, but just curious! 

I will be anxiously awaiting your posts next week! We board the following Monday! Safe travels! 

5 hours ago, ari3171 said:

So let me get this straight because I am so confused.

We have 4 people in our party. 

All I have to do is purchase one zoom package with 4 devices and we can all be on our phones at the same time and won't get kicked off?

 

You will all use the same login, but each have wifi for their device. And, today it’s on sale for 50%off! 

4 minutes ago, yoshi said:

DS only went to main dining room on the first night and reported "marginal", french onion soup and caesar salad were good but prime rib was tough and overcooked. He said the breakfast buffet is good with omelets and waffles.

They dined at Chefs Table, Giovannis, and Chops Grille which were all very good.

He heard they are sailing with about 1,700 passengers but the staff is limited so spread thin. 

Thank you so much for the reports! It is good to hear! We are only doing private excursions for our group of 4 to avoid being jammed in the cruise ship excursion buses. With numbers on the rise, not worth the extra risk to ruin a trip that’s been delayed 3 summers already. Glad to hear your DS and family are in small groups also. Look forward to any more news you will share! Thanks again Yoshi! 

3 hours ago, skyking said:

 

 

   The other day the first that thing that happened was the charge on my card, I get text alerts for all charges.   I was on my computer at the time and logged into my reservation within seconds and saw the new cabin number. Then about 3 min later came the email 🙂 

Same with me… credit card alert 1st.

10 hours ago, yoshi said:

Hi, DS did the Chefs Table and said it was "worth it" and it included 7 drinks so it got loud, he only sends limited texts so didn't provide pictures or extensive detail. He enjoyed the comedian/magician and was thinking about attending a vocalist doing a tribute to Celine. He will ask about the passenger count. I believe they will be in Santorini tomorrow doing a ships tour. 

Thank you for the report!  If you get a chance would you ask about the food/service in the main dining room? Can’t wait for Santorini! 

10 hours ago, yoshi said:

Hi, DS did the Chefs Table and said it was "worth it" and it included 7 drinks so it got loud, he only sends limited texts so didn't provide pictures or extensive detail. He enjoyed the comedian/magician and was thinking about attending a vocalist doing a tribute to Celine. He will ask about the passenger count. I believe they will be in Santorini tomorrow doing a ships tour. 

18 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

Before you make the commitment for a tour you should consider what you want to see and do on the island.  I mention this because Santorini is not necessarily an island where one needs any tour.  Many first time visitors to the island will divide their time between the two major town, Fira and Oia.  If this is the goal then there is little need for a tour.  Where a tour becomes a good option is when you want to expand your visit beyond the two towns.  We think the major attractions outside of the towns are the ruins at Akrotiri, one or more of the wineries, and perhaps a beach (for beach goers).   If you have little or no interest in seeing ruins (which are located in a covered facility) or tasting wine then you might just consider what many consider a basic plan for the two towns.

 

You simply take the ship's tender into the pier that lies below Fira.  Once on the pier you can purchase a boat ride over to a pier below Oia.  The boat tour includes transportation from the Oia pier up to the town (it is a steep uphill climb that most prefer to do in a vehicle).  That same boat tour will also give you a bus ticket for a later transfer from Oia back over to Fira (the largest town on the island).  Exploring both Fira and Oia can only be done on foot and does not really need the services of a guide.  My "fondest" memory of watching a small walking tour in Fira is hearing the guide point at a shop (Fira is lined with hundreds of shops) and saying, "that is a decent jewelry store."   Keep in mind that both Oia and Fira have loads of jewelry stores and I assume what makes one better, in the eyes of a tour guide, is whether that shop gives a kick-back to the tour guide.

 

You also need to consider an important fact about Santorini.  Unless you take a cruise line excursion your only option to get ashore is on a tender to small pier that lies below Fira.  Vehicles have no access to that pier area so the only options are to take the cable car (up to Fira), ride a donkey (up to Fira), or make the long uphill trek (watch out for the donkey poo) up to Fira, or take some kind of boat tour that leaves from that same pier.  If you decide to take a cruise line excursion you are generally going to be tendered into a different place (Athinios) that is not available to independent folks or private tours.  Athinios is actually the ferry pier/port and is accessible to tour buses.  While this does avoid the issue of getting up to Fira, all the cruise line excursions will end at Fira where you will need to make your way down to the tender pier via the cable car or walking (it is very rare to see anyone take a donkey downhill).

 

Hank

Thanks Hank! I have done lots of research for our visit to Santorini and appreciate your insight. We do want to go to the ruins and see as much of the island as we want. Getting up to Fira is a concern. 
 

I try to avoid ships excursions most of the time as I had rather plan what we want to see vs a planned out itinerary in which we have no control. Do you know if the boats are running from the pier below Fira to Oia currently? I haven’t been able to find any up to date info on it. 

Good morning! 
Has anyone booked a tour with Santorinitravel.com ?   We are looking for a tour for 4 ppl within a reasonable range (500 E or less) for 5-6 hours. This one looks to fit our needs but I am hoping to hear from others that have booked with this company. 

Or, any other suggestions for private tours on Santorini? 
 

Thanks in advance for your help! 

44 minutes ago, iuki said:

For those states that have Nomi Health.  It was great.  No charge for tests even for travel.  Because I have a handicap sticker, they came to the car. Got our results by email within the hour.  Found our email in the JUNK MAIL, even our Canadian confirmation of the forms we had to complete.

 

This was our first test for COVID-19. I was petrified, because when the tests first came they scraped all the way back and people said it was painful.  However, for those who have never had one, they don’t do that anymore.  It’s just like you see on YouTube.  No big deal!

 

Please be sure to check your JUNK MAIL if you are expecting important documents of any kind.

 

Leaving tomorrow morning to Seattle, then catching the shuttle to the pier on Friday for our cruise to Alaska.

Enjoy! 

9 hours ago, CPT Trips said:

We just used our regular T-Mobile service (unlimited text and data) paired with WhatsApp for voice during three weeks in France and Italy. Our tour manager recommended WhatsApp - “everybody in tourism in Italy has it.” I was unable to prove him wrong as I was able to connect with the folks I needed to without incurring any additional charges. 

Thank you!