cosytoes

Who ever you go with defiantly go inside the terraced houses they are amazing and most people skip past as they aren't prepared to pay the extra to go in

Forgot to add we formed a group through cruise critic roll call and they have a facility where one person starts a group then other people can join you all leave you credit card details in case of any no shows by the other people and you can cancel if you don't get enough to fill the mini bus.

It was a long day about 7.30 pick up and six drop off but well worth it.

We did Rome with them in 2014, as far as I know they are an English company and use approved taxis coaches for their tours etc

They worked out fine, nice Mercedes mini coach took to to all see all the highlights dropped us back on time etc for what we paid I thought they were good value. Only problem was the drivers English wasn't too good.

For our next visit in 2015 we used

http://www.italyshoredrivers.com for Rome and Florence/Pisa.

In contrast they were absolutely fabulous, emailed back the same day, answered my many questions, arranged skip the line tickets at the collisium and a guide at the Vatican. The drivers mother was Canadian so perfect English plus wifi on the bus.

Arenal maybe a closer beach just check in the map

Wish we could join you [emoji3]

My wife and I were also on this voyage, and travelled with close family friends. Our opinion is completely opposite to that of the poster.

 

 

 

We haven't cruised with Royal Caribean for several years, but friends invited us to travel with them on this voyage.

 

 

 

We arrived at the check in at around 11am and were on board by 11.15 - very simple, efficient and polite check in.

 

 

 

Rooms were ready at 1pm. Our cabin was clean and serviced very well by a very personable young man, who dealt with our simple requests without hesitation.

 

 

 

We were allocated second sitting traditional dining, and given a centrally positioned table for four. The service received by our two waiters was extremely professional, and we were never rushed or made to feel uncomfortable in any way. In fact, we were surprised with their professionalism and friendliness. Our wine waiter was equally efficient, wine always waiting for us and replenished regularly. We never had empty glasses. We would rate the service in the restaurant at the top of the list of the many cruises we have experienced. We have no complaints about the food. Always hot, and cooked to our specification. Every meal was checked for satisfaction by our waiters. Our travelling companions who, incidentally are Diamond plus, agreed that the service and food was outstanding but RC standards.

 

 

 

The food and service in the Windjammer was equally friendly and efficient. The staff clearing tables were plentiful and very helpful and friendly, always willing to fetch or refill drinks.

 

 

 

In fact. all the staff we encountered were very friendly.

 

 

 

Our companions received a 210 points block at the repeaters party. We considered the party was well organised, greeted by many officers, and the singing by the Captain an excellent experience.

 

 

 

The seas were very kind to us all week, and like the Captain said, it was like sailing on the Adriatic lake.

 

 

 

We found the young Czech man in the Diamond lounge to be very personable and knowledgeable.

 

 

 

We were invited to a Bridge tour. Again an excellent experience and we were surprised to see the Captain personally spend an hour explaining the Bridge operations to our group.

 

 

 

We attended two short shows in the centrum and again surprised and pleased to see the Captain taking part and leading his team. His singing gained rapturous applause.

 

 

 

We didn't stay for too long at the Beatles show, and didn't attend any other shows.

 

 

 

As I said the weather was superb and no problems with sun beds.

 

 

 

We would rate this cruise as extremely good value for money and with a ships Master who really cared about his passengers to the extent that he personally said goodbye to 2000 odd guests as they departed the ship!

We were also on the vision last week and agree with the post above. We also boarded at 11.30 no queue and in cabin by 1.00, suitcase already there.

This being my 10th cruise we thought our service in the mdr was exceptional and the food choice was good. We had 2nd sitting our server always gave a recommendation which she thought was the best meals and they usually were. She brought us extra prawns with our starters then when prawns were the main she brought steak to make it a surf and turf plus cookies every night with our coffee. This took between 70 to 120 minutes. When there was a delay one night as everyone had ordered the rack of lamb she apologised and explained why.

Our assistant server dressed up either like Bob Marley or Michael Jackson and kept us entertained with his stories or dancing.

However I did hear from another couple who had to swap tables as there servers kept messing up the order and very slow.

The servers went above and beyond telling us which shows to see (she said she watches them in her cabin) the tender or docking process for the following day and all aboard times etc.

We had brunch in the mdr twice with steak and eggs, breakfast and also lunch in the mdr was a fantastic salad bar and always guaranteed a seat [emoji3] why bother with the windjammer.

I do agree about the entertainment it's difficult to please everyone, a good British comedian may not go down so well with the Americans.

Likewise we went to see the quest show which seemed more like a drunken teenagers party game but some people seemed to love it. I think it's just a cost cutting exercise on all cruise lines, previously there was always a professional act in the theatre and lounge but now it's what I call 'home made' entertainment with karaoke, mr and Mrs and the quest. We have previously sailed with princess and their home made entertainment is similar.

Overall we had a great cruise and enjoyed the later port days so no rushing around

ABSOLUTELY YES! There are buses to every corner of the island. They are cheap and very punctual, operated by Ktel, the local bus company. Just follow the signs to Fabrika bus terminal. I went to Paradise Beach, stayed there for three hours, and then a loooong walk around downtown Mykonos. Plenty of time if your ship departs by 6pm.

 

The cruise shuttle drops you at the old port, from there you must walk to Fabrika, but you can go just across town, pass through the "Little Venice", and the windmills, with that, you already had a small peak of the town. You can go to the beach, and then come back for the rest.

 

Information:

http://www.mykonosbus.com/index.en.html

We were on vision last week (had a great time) and did paradise beach and the old town. Just make sure you are up early the first tenders from 7.00 are empty after 9.30 you have to obtain a tender ticket which means about 20-30 minute wait.

The bus to paradise beach runs every 30 minutes are is main bus 1.5 euro or private mini-bus 2 euro each, at paradise beach, approx. 10-15 minutes there are toilets, changing, shops, bars and restaurants and great sunbeds with umbrellas for free. We had left after lunch and still had time to walk round the old town and try out some greek food.

Hello all!

 

Thank you for your feedback. Here are the itineraries for your reference:

 

 

Royal Caribbean Vision of the Seas

09/10 Venice, Italy - Depart 5:00PM

09/11 Kotor, Montenegro - 2:00PM-8:00PM

09/12 Corfu, Greece - 9:00AM-2:30PM

09/13 Athens (Piraeus), Greece - 12:00PM-8:30PM

09/14 Mykonos, Greece - 7:00AM-4:00PM

09/15 Argostoli, Greece - 12:00PM-7:00PM

09/16 Day at Sea

09/17 Venice, Italy - Arrive 6:45AM

We just left the vision on Saturday and did this itinerary, we choose this over the jade as you have one more port day.

I think it depends on the type of holiday we want, this suited us as we wanted more of a chill out holiday than sight seeing, so had three days were we didn't have to be up early due to docking at lunch time, and they did a great brunch in the restaurant of steak and eggs. we went to the beach at Mykonos and Argostoli and pottered round the old towns, which we great in Corfu and Kotor.

if you book this just make sure you book my-time or late sitting for meal otherwise the early sitting at 6.00 would be too much of a rush.

We also loved the ship and the food and service were fabulous.

.

 

 

 

We will be disembarking our ship, and plan to go to our hotel and leave our luggage. The hotel is Novotel Avenida diagonal.

 

 

 

We stayed at this hotel two years and was very impressed. It has a beautiful pool, great breakfast and friendly staff.

Due to a taxi driver strike we had to get a bus then walk to the tram to get to our hotel. Luckily the tram stop is right outside the hotel so you could easily use it to get around.

The ticket gives you a timed journey so we got on outside the hotel then changed lines and went through to las rambles all on one journey ticket. Tickets were available at the station.

I would contact/email your hotel, explain about the luggage and then get them to book you a taxi.

All European hotels normally offer this service and will book you with someone they know is reputable.

If you have any problems then you can ring the hotel and ask them to sort

Something else to consider for an easy day in Piraeus would be Piraeus itself. The Municipality of Piraeus have just published a guide 'Destination Piraeus' that has some walks that might be of interest. The guide is available on line at http://www.portnet.gr/attachments/article/6064/destination%20piraeus%202016.pdf

We were there last week, there is also a tractor train at 5 euros from the port. Stops at Piraeus marina and then down town, but last train leaves return at 4.00. Not a lot to see but passed a few hours

Yes I would like to know the same question. Last time we did the hoho and had timed entrance for sagria famila and the hoho journey took so long we didn't have time to get off at the stadium but there is defiantly a stop there

We went last week to Kotor it was so hot and I didn't hear from anyone on the ship making the hike. Unless you really enjoy exercise in baking heat you could ask your driver to drive to the top then start your tour. There were many, Many taxi drivers at the ships gate offering tours for up to six people for €60 in total for 3 hours taking you to budva and around.

Once you have been round the old town in Kotor there is nothing else to see. There are some nice bars and souvenir shops. The small shopping centre next door is overpriced with only a few shops.

Have a wonderful cruise.

I'll look forward to your report when you return.

 

Thanks, again,

Fran

Sat in the airport waiting to go home [emoji24][emoji24]

We had a great day, and I can defiantly recommend, at paradise beach in Mykanos.

Walked to the bus station and there is choice of the local bus at 1.8€ each way or a mini bus at €2 each way. Journey approx 10-15 mins, buses leave every 30 minutes.

There were lots of nice wooden sunbeds with thick cushions and umbrella and all free. [emoji106]

Drinks service from the bar came to your sunbeds and clean toilets, shops, restaurant taverna and changing room.

The water was warm and crystal clear.

Visited this week. The tourist office is at the end of the pier and have us a free map. Taxis were 35€ an hour. We went to Costa costs beach at lassi 10€ each way in a taxi, nice bar with food and drinks clean toilets. Two sun beds with umbrella was €6. Water was so clear and pretty place, not crowded

Pompei to sorrento took our driver two hours but it was a Saturday

I can't open the pdf but I'll check out batis beach link

And it can be as entertaining as some of the on board acts that we have seen. Live and let live...enjoy your cruise.

[emoji23][emoji23][emoji23] yes I agree you see some sights

Thanks for your help we'll just walk it then.

What about the shopping is it a place to get duty free perfume

 

 

 

If you want some advice on Kotor let me know.

 

 

 

Regards,

 

Frank

Hi Frank

We visit Kotor next week and wonder are we better to hire a taxi for a tour or is it better to do a diy walking tour or hire a guide?

Also as Kotor is outside the EU does it have perfume and liquor duty free shops thanks

Caroline

Done in Athens , there are two companies in the car park next to terminal and will both try to get your business.

We did the city sight seeing red bus and thought it was very good quite a long trip. We stopped off at several places with a coffee and lunch stop which took up most of the day so didn't get time to go into the Acropolis. If there is a group of you, there are taxis in the port so you may be able to agree a price for a trip for only a little more than the bus.

Istanbul we had a private tour in a mini bus from the dick side so hardly any walking

Toms are free I thought Rick Steves are to purchase

We sail on Saturday and will be in Mykonos on Thursday so will let you know if any thing changed

That is exactly what we were looking for.

Thank you so much for your excellent description and for the link.

This will be our beach day

 

Fran

If you look in toms port guide page 3 shows the location of the bus station in Mykanos

http://www.tomsportguides.com/uploads/5/8/5/4/58547429/mykonos-08-01-2011.pdf

I think if the safe was broken into then they have good security staff to investigate and i can't say I have heard of it.

However if you look on you tube (if you dare) then you can see how easy it is to break in.

We had a break in on holiday in Cyprus called the holiday rep who didn't believe us and showed her YouTube. Those thieves were very cleaver as they only took 200 euros so I didn't miss it but our friends count their money and write down how much they take out so knew exactly how much was missing. Lesson learnt. It was a safe bolted to the wall but no top cover so these are easily broken into