samnewbie

Totally agree. We are considering MSC but I was less than thrilled with that news but you never know, she may turn out to be great!

MSC Cruises has appointed Carnival UK’s Janet Parton to the new role of head of sales for the UK and Ireland.

Parton will join MSC in early July and will have responsibility for the cruise line’s sales, distribution and trade strategy across the two markets.

She has spent seven years at Carnival and was most recently senior sales manager for trade business for P&O Cruises and Cunard.

Giles Hawke, MSC Cruises’ executive director UK, Ireland and Australia, said: “Janet is an excellent addition to our UK and Ireland leadership team and will be leading our sales organisation through a period of significant growth planned for the brand.”

Parton has been working in the travel industry for 16 years which includes being a shop manager for Thomas Cook.

“I am really excited about working with the MSC Cruises team and can’t wait to get started,” said Parton.

“The company has ambitious plans and a fantastic product that deserves to be known far and wide. My focus is increasing brand awareness by maximising our support to travel agents.”

Really enjoyed following this and love the photos!

We are considering this or another possible MSC cruise for next year.

I'm wondering if they will increase their gluten free menus on the Armonia after it's had it's stretch and thus been 'upgraded'.

Fab live blog though, loved the bartering for the pouffe.

Thankyou!

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You don't have to wait until the first sea day to avoid taxes AFAIK. Just request delivery "at sea" instead of "in port". From what I've heard (and I'll find out for sure on Saturday) the card will usually still be delivered to the stateroom while it's in port, you just don't pay the tax.

We did that on our cruise on the NA...we sailed from Barcelona. We also bought an extra card on board very easily later in the cruise. There were also tables with them on display on boarding up on the lido deck with staff able to explain them and add them to your account if required.

The point made by jackinav about the sticker or marking with a sharpie is a fab idea ...we will be sure to do that next time for any extras bought onboard as I must admit I wondered how they knew which was our card but never thought to actually check we had the correct one back ...those pre-ordered had our personal info already.

Sam :)

Hi there,

I see cruisemom42 has answered most of your questions so I just wanted to concur that Herculaneum is well worth visiting.

I have been to both Pompeii and Herculaneum and enjoyed both however I do think Herculaneum is often overlooked sadly as it is in fact a much better preserved site, many of the villas are far more impressive than those at Pompeii due to it being a prosperous seaside resort for wealthy Romans.

I'm sure you could see both Herculaneum and the museum in your time scale.

There are private guides that you could pre-book should you wish for Herculaneum also. I remember seeing some when we were organising our cruise last year but we ended up booking a different itinerary so I do not have any information any more on guides or personal experience of any I'm afraid.

I'm also not sure about your question regarding the taxi as I have never been to Herculaneum from a cruise, it's always been part of a land based holiday. I'm sure someone will be along who does have that information though.

Sam :)

Just got off the phone with Theresa of ship services. She clarified for the double package:

 

There are 2 robes (which are monogrammed on the ship--so you can choose your letters, name, etc). But you CANNOT turn them in for OBC as the package components can't be broken up (although she said what guest services does on the ship may vary from the stated policy...).

 

There is only 1 beverage card and 1 alcohol setup, 1 bouquet of fresh flowers.

 

Laundry is for the cabin, no real limits.

 

Also if there are 2 persons on a booking, you CANNOT book the single package.

 

Hope that helps. I think we'll still keep our package. Wish there were 2 beverage cards, though!

Thanks for the update, much appreciated :D

Hi all,

Does anybody have confirmation of how many beverage cards you receive for the double package please? I have been told you receive 1 with the single and 2 with the double but I see no actual confirmation of this on the website.

Many thanks:D

Our Sidi Bou Said and Carthage tour last year also did not have time at the end when you returned to the ship for shopping in the little area of shops right by the ship, or for riding the camels. If your daughter has her heart set on riding the camels, then I would make sure that you will have enough time if you also want to take a tour.

We are 'supposed' to be in port from 7am to 6pm and the Carthage and Sidi Bou Said tour is scheduled to leave at 9.15 am for 4 hours so if all goes to plan that should give plenty of time for a camel ride and to browse the port shops i think?

We are still debating if to do it ourselves and not a tour, waiting to see if anyone has reports of catching the train within the port rather than having to go out of the port and negotiate past the taxi drivers! (Though i'm sure we would manage that fine also).

Really excited about Tunisia after hearing so many lovely reports. Daughter is especially excited after reading about the great welcomes the ships have been receiving on arrival, dancers, music, camels etc. I think Tunisia may well be a highlight of the whole cruise :)

Thanks again for the info.

Sam :)

Our tour was the 4 hour Holland "Carthage and Sidi Bou Said" tour. Our tour guide was very informative and loud enough for everyone to hear. I felt we had plenty of time at both locations, but I'm not a shopper at all, so can't guarantee shopaholics would have enough time at Sidi Bou Said. There were guys with birds of prey at both the port and Sidi Bou Said for pictures - they guys at SBS were a little pushy, but hey - it's only money, right? And my husband was thrilled.

 

We saw the aqueducts on the way back to the ship - we passed the US Cemetery but did not tour it. We did stop for pictures at the aqueducts and several other spots on the way back.

 

The camels are right at the port (only, didn't see them elsewhere) and they were just 5 Euro a ride. TOTALLY worth it.

Hiya,

Thanks very much for the info, very much appreciated.

I really hope the camels are there when we are in port, such a great price and daughter will be absolutely thrilled if she can ride one :D

I've been on one in Egypt, felt a little seasick! :rolleyes:

Can I just ask, was the time divided more or less equal at Carthage and Sidi, or was one visit longer than the other?

Many thanks,

Sam :)

Hi there,

Glad you enjoyed your visit to Tunisia.

We are also calling at La Goulette in August.

I just wondered which tour you booked? Was it the Sidi Bou Said and Carthage one?

If so how long did you get at each place?

We are deliberating over doing our own thing by train or booking a ship tour. Our experiences of tours has never been exceptional in the past however as we always feel they tend to be rushed. Any info you could give on yours would be great!

I also wondered if you noticed if the train station within the port area is now finished and being used?

And finally how much were you charged for your camel ride if you don't mind me asking :D - I think my teen daughter would love that!!

Thanks

Sam :)

Thanks Sam. Good info and a lovely website.

You are very welcome :D

Nessebur is really pretty, my daughter first went there when she was 4, she is 15 now and it is one of her favourite holiday memories , she loves that it is so quaint and all those shops of course!

Hope you enjoy your visit,

Sam :)

I have been to Nessebur a few times.

It is very picturesque with some amazing historic sights, there are many churches, St Stephens is has some wonderful frescoes to view on the walls as does St Spass church. The museum also has some very interesting artifacts to view. Entrance fees are all remarkably low considering this is a UNESCO site.

There are also some wonderful restaurants, go off the main beaten track , away from the crowds and you will find some gems!.There are winding cobbled streets that all lead back to one main area and also to a large central square, you won't get lost.

We have had some amazing food on Nessebur, just don't go in the first place you find, sadly I do not know names to recommend any.

There are also many many trinket and souvenir shops, again look about and don't always buy at the first place you see, there are plenty more shops selling the same things further down the road and often the ones off the main area are half the price for the same item. There is a lot of tourist 'tat' but there are also some wonderful lace, ceramics, jewellery and wood items.

Nessebur can be very very busy, do not let it put you off, it is well worth a visit. We always love it when the main tourists leave and the streets are cooler and quieter, wonderful for an evening mean and to watch the sunset.

You can look here http://www.visitnessebar.org/ for information and it will also offer opening times of the churches and museum and entrance fees.

It is of course possible to swim and bathe at Nessebur, the old town has a small beach area and the new town over the causeway , past the windmill, has a larger beach.

Sam :)

Thank you..enjoy your cruise in August. I envy you...we have to wait till November to take our next cruise.:D

Ahh but come November it will be I envying you!! :(;):D

It really is a fab review, my husband is going to read it this evening as he is curious what I was roaring laughing about!

Love the photo too, she is such a beautiful lady

Sam :)

Absolutely love your review, it's made me laugh so much :D

I hope we have as much fun and great memories on our forthcoming cruise in August.

Thanks again, I'm sure i will read this a few more times before we sail

Sam :)

Now I'm curious....we are sailing THIS Saturday :D (8/28) and am wondering about our balcony cabin. It's cabin 10254. Anyone got the scoop on it?? Thanks in advance. :)

Hi there :)

We too are booked in that cabin for next summer (med Cruise) , 2 adults and our daughter who will be 15. Any info and pics you can bring back would be brilliant!!! :D

Wishing you a wonderful cruise!

Sam :)