Anyislandwilldo

Going on a Mediterranean cruise with stops in Turkey, Greece and Italy.  We plan on visiting some local restaurants to indulge in some European Cuisine.  We have no idea what prices are like overseas.  What kind of dollar amount should we allow for eating out?  We won't be visiting any upscale restaurants, just local fare.  Our budget is more like $$, if that helps.  Thanks in advance.

3 hours ago, txcruiser1234 said:

We did this 8 day Dream itinerary in '22 and '23. The first time, like you, was to visit the Bahamas for our first time. We like Key West ok enough for a day visit... but Nassau and Freeport were a disappointment.. just not what we thought they would be. But Half Moon Cay (Little San Salvador Island) was exactly what we pictured as an idyllic Bahamian island. A top 5 all-time favorite port call for us. We liked HMC so much that we booked the same itinerary again for a second NYE Dream cruise, knowing that the day at HMC alone would be worth it for us. We just stayed on the ship for Freeport and Nassau the second time... the Dream being a solid ship to spend a port day on...

Oh yeah!!!  Half Moon Cay gets my vote every time!!  The water is so blue!!  The sand is like flour!!  Carnival also sets up picnic type food.  Rent a clamshell and go in the clear water!!

Mine was the fanny pack as well.  I am going to use it as a modified tool belt/carrier for myself.

On 12/26/2023 at 11:17 AM, mapleleaves said:

When I was in Santorini last Oct, the boat service was 30E.   It was a large boat, carrying about 80-100 pax.  It sat at the dock for an hour, waiting for more pax before it would leave.  ( But that was better than than our 2 hr wait in the cable car line.)

Then you take the bus from Oia back to the port??

On 12/19/2023 at 2:55 PM, sanger727 said:

 

We took almost the same itinerary on Celebrity. In Ephesus and Athens we took cruise line tours of the ruins. Mykonos we just explored on foot, it's a very cute town. Santorini, when you get off the ship there are a ton of little boat companies that sell the same transportation. They take you by boat to the old dock, and then by bus to Oia. There are then buses available to take you back to Fira every 30 minutes or so. In Siciliy we went to Mt Etna. I'm not sure if you can still go there now or not. 

 

There's really "best" excursion; everyone has different interests. 

Do you remember how much these boats costs?  TIA

Has anyone hired a private photographer in Santorini?  Were you pleased with the results?  Any negative experiences?  

Still haven't heard back from SAS so I booked the Carnival shuttle.

On 8/17/2023 at 1:04 PM, Butterbean1000 said:

Interesting,  but what is it saying? Please translate. 

Sister in law has $100 in the claw and the money fell out but it dropped the plastic wrapped in the winners bin.  The lights went off as a winner.  The casino host came over and declared her a winner and gave her $100.

Incredible story.....my sister Laurie, in the picture, never gambles.  My mom told her to spend $5, what's $5!!  So she goes to the claw machine and looks it over and walks away.  I told her you know you want to play.  She goes back and hits $500 on the second try.  Beginners luck.

Thanks all!

We've always done B2B's where we had the same room.  This cruise we will have to move to a different cabin.  I've read that the cabin stewards will move your stuff so......do I pack up my stuff?  do I still need to be out of my cabin by 8:30?  how soon do I get access to my new cabin?  TIA

14 hours ago, moesyk4 said:

I would not use them! Check out recent reviews…it looks like the last 6 months have been terrible for service and people getting stranded. We used to love them.

Thanks for the heads up. I completed an online reservation form on Saturday and have not heard back.  

Thanks for checking on this post.  I did find SAS for $15!!

Looking for a reliable shuttle or transfer service from POM to FLL.  Who would you recommend?

On 10/25/2023 at 11:13 AM, ninjacat123 said:

Where our ticket entrance was, the UNESCO site. Our driver dropped us at the base of a walkway which led upwards to the ticket booth. Probably a 8-10 minute walk. 

Thank you!!

On 10/24/2023 at 8:12 AM, ninjacat123 said:

I booked a pick up from the port to the Acropolis through Welcome Pickups. Did the Acropolis on our own. Our driver offered to meet us later for a two hour tour for $105 and we did it. Got to see a lot, ran some errands and a ride back to the ship. Our driver was a great guide with tons of info. Totally worth it!

What destination did you choose when booking?  there are so many Acropolis sites.  

On 10/21/2023 at 1:58 PM, ninjacat123 said:

Saw Getaway Island on the main stage!

Never heard of this show.  What is this one about?  Thanks for taking the time to post your trip!

7 hours ago, havanadaydreaming said:

i sure hope celebration key is a big success.  

 

Freeport is at the absolute bottom of ports that i'd want to return and visit.  2nd to last isnt close, a wide gap.  

I agree with you but I went to Carnival's website and they show a whole new water park thing going on for this port.  I may have to check it out.

On 9/25/2023 at 9:02 AM, gail-s said:

We flew out of there in July.  We had a 10:30 flight so we were there a bit after 7am.  It was busy, but I've seen worse.  I paid for the Fast Track which allowed us to jump ahead of the lines a bit.  Staff were pleasant and efficient.  Have all of your ducks in a row and you'll be fine.  It was the people searching for their passports or getting in the wrong lines or having things you can't fly with that were causing the problems, not the airport itself.  

https://www.romeairports.com/fiumicino_en/fast-track.html

Wow!!  Thank you so much for this info.  I will definitely be signing up for this!!

Just now, cruisemom42 said:

 

Sometimes you can get a boarding pass through the kiosk, sometimes you can't -- not sure why, but sometimes they want a person to actually verify your documents (e.g., passport). 

 

There is usually one line just for luggage drop-off. One for main cabin. And one for First Class and High level FF'ers.

 

Thank you again!!!

On 9/20/2023 at 1:22 PM, CruiserBruce said:

Been discussed here many times. FCO is not an efficient airport. Just a fact. 

 

If you are exiting the EU, you will have a passport check at any EU airport. If you are flying non-stop to the US, you will have an additional security check. Also just a fact frequently discussed here.

 

"Ticketing "? You probably mean checking in your bags, right?

Yes, checking our bags.  Can we use a kiosk to print out out boarding passes?  Do we still need to go to drop off our bags to the ticket agent?  Or is there a separate area to drop off luggage?

I read on our Facebook page that you need to get to the FCO airport 3 hours in advance for your flight home.  The author said it was a nightmare to get through ticketing, then another passport check and so on making it sound like it's a real nightmare to get through.  Has anyone else encountered such a nightmare at the airport?

Just now, marazul said:

Yes.

Thank you!!

We will arrive early morning into Rome from the states.  I doubt if our room will be ready to check in to.  Do most hotels store your luggage for you until your room is ready.  I'm thinking we drop off the luggage and then go out and do some site seeing until the room is ready.  TIA