1SMURFF99A

I don't think you should have to reserve for a show. It should be first come first serve. People can change their minds so much on a cruise as to what they want to do. You might want to go to a show and not have to wait in line to see if all the reserved people show up to see if there are any empty seats left.

On 6/3/2022 at 5:28 PM, rockmom said:

Now that it's been about a month for sailings out of European ports, I'm curious if anyone has tested positive for Covid just prior to their flight (but have left the ship), and were not allowed to board a flight home.  Our flight leaves the day after we disembark, and we have one night hotel booked, but seeing quite a few posts from people who test positive mid-cruising, it seems Royal assists somewhat with quarantine issues. However, once you're off the ship, I'm not sure how you handle things. For example, we will be returning to Civitavecchia.  If we test positive at a local pharmacy or our hotel, before leaving for the Rome airport, we obviously can't fly back to the U.S. So I'm curious if anyone has experienced this first-hand and what the process was like--who to notify--airline, and?  Not sure what the CDC guidelines are for how long after proctored/official positive test before being allowing to mask up and fly home.  5 days?  10?  Till a negative test happens?  I have Googled a million different things, such as CDC guidelines, airline guidelines and can't seem to find a definitive answer.  I suppose it could vary based on the country you're departing from, in our case, Italy.  

 

Let the speculation commence, but it would be great if anyone out there in CC land has dealt with this recently.  Thanks!  

 

 

We were on a TA on Princess leaving Ft Lauderdale for 23 days. After the first 15 we docked at Southampton and those not going on  to sail the British Isles would get off. We were staying on until 2 days before Southampton, when they tested us, only to find we had covid. All we had was a runny nose. They took us off and bused everyone to the Radisson Blu at Heathrow. They paid for 5 nights and told you to turn everything else over too your insurance first, including receipts for food, medical care and cab fare first and then file with them.  That's all the help we got.  From talking with our fellow cruisers and researching ourselves, we found we did have to stay 10 days frm positive test unless you tested negative. There was a testing place right behind the hotel so we could get tested. You also could get a letter of recovery on line frm a Dr at Quickmd.com for $75.00 to use after the 10 days in case you were still positive. It verified you should be safe for travel but not contagious. You also had to fill out a form called Attestation to get back in the US. We ended up coming home the original day we were supposed to as that was the 10 days because my husband was still positive. After testing 3 times hoping we could come back sooner, it just wasn't in the cards to come back sooner. After all the worry and expense, all they asked for at the airport was the Attestation form. Princess ended up dumping off 3-4 buses of people over the week we were there.  Princess was absolutely no help. If not for everyone else talking in the lobby who know what would have happened.

Cruising to Antarctica on Westerdam Jan 27th 2022 for 22 days. First time on Holland America and we had to cancel one for Midnight Sun last year so had cruise credit. Been on 20 cruises on various cruise lines.  

Lucy

We did the three night and it was enough. Having said that, we think that, when we go again we will take an additional day to wander around Cuzco. The bus tour we had was great, but we didn't have time to linger at places that caught our eye.

 

As far as the ruins at Machu Picchu...we were told that it is now a requirement to hire/use a govt licensed guide for the first two hours that you are inside the ruins. After that you are free to wander and explore on your own. For us, another 3-4 hours was enough to satisfy our interests.

 

There will be a lot of other visitors wandering around the ruins....it is very popular. The govt limits the number of visitors to about 2500 per day. Any tour you book should include tickets to the ruins.

 

The altitude of Cuzco is 11,000 ft...instant headache for me....my wife took diamox...she swears by it now! The ruins are substantially lower...about 8900 ft.

My husband walks with a cane and we want to go to Machu Picchu. We know he won't be able to climb stairs. My question is, when you get off the bus in the parking lot, can he walk around on any paths that are mostly level to get some pictures. We know he probably won't be able to film the picture that is always shown when Machu Picchu is mentioned.

Could I do anything for them to have unsweetened almond milk on-board, or should I take my own?

We were on the Ruby in May in Alaska and they had non dairy that my daughter got since she can't do dairy. They do have sugar free syrup but I think in the little packets were you peel the top off.

See that coffee cards are $35.65 if purchased pre-cruise. Are they more expensive on the ship? Thinking of keeping our bar setup and swopping out for just gin and tonics and buying coffee cards. We usually swop bar set up for two coffee cards.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Just got off the Ruby 2 weeks ago, and they were 20% off on the boat.

Anyone who has recently taken an Alaskan cruise, is there free hot chocolate or do you have to pay for it? Reason I'm asking is, I have a friend (more of an acquaintance) who is offering me their unused coffee card (has an expiration date of 12/31/18) for $20 bucks! They got 2 for free on their last cruise but didn't use the second one and don't plan on going on another cruise until late 2019. I was planning on buying it for my husband, who only drinks tea but wants hot chocolate when were in Alaska.

 

Thank you in advance for sharing your recent experiences.

We just got off the Ruby in Alaska and they didn't have any at the buffet. No packets and no self serve machine.

Just to say that the pizza in Alfredo's was absolutely delicious and cooked to order. Alfredo's is situated next to Vines in the Piazza so it's a beautiful setting with lovely seating and you can listen to whichever entertainers are performing. Didn't have the pizza by the pool so cannot comment on that.

 

Lynne:)

The Ruby didn't have Alfredo's so it was just the one by the pool. This pizza used to be better out by the pool. We have been to Alfredo's once before and it was good.

How was the food in the buffet? We were just on the Ruby in Alaska and very disappointed in the buffet food. Same thing almost everyday and very unappealing. Looked like they just used leftovers and mixed it up. Dining room food was pretty good. Even the pizza that used to be good wasn't very good. Crust was too thin and crunchy. We are going to be on the Sapphire in Sept and hope it's better.

I have two questions. Can anyone use the punches on the coffee card for the drinks (can my husband and I share)? For the bottled water delivered to my room i can't seem to pay with OBC. Why not? thanks!

Just got off the Ruby and had a coffee card. They never asked for ID to make sure it was my card. I could get brewed coffee without a punch. I never asked for 2 brewed at once so not sure about being limited to one at a time. I did however get more than one specialty at a time and they just punched for each one. Waited until I got on board and they were 20% off so only paid 31.00 for 15 drinks.

Were the bells from the clocktower next door a disturbance? Tried to get an answer from Danish viking on this thread:https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2488925&page=37

 

He never replied to my comment asking him if he's ever in this area to hear them, and it would have been nice to have first hand experience with this. Can you help answer, since there seems to be an avoidance to answer an honest question by a local.

Our room was on the inner court yard and wasn't bothered by them. We did hear them some but didn't disturb us. If on the front of hotel it might bother you.

Do you think the same is true in Copenhagen?

Try one of the hot dogs at one of the food carts.

We are planning on staying three nights in Copenhagen after our Regal Princess Cruise, June 1. What is the best way to get hotel reviews for Copenhagen?

If you want near downtown, I recommend Scandic Palace. Nice breakfast included.

Silhouette as of August 11:

 

Captain Dimitrios Kafetzis

Hotel Director Mario Valentino

Cruise Director Chris Sweets

Staff Captain Christos Galanis

Executive Chef Victor Mancilla

Guest Relations Manager Jon Pilling

Chief Engineer Stavros Zannikos

 

 

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We are on the TA for this ship in Nov and wonder if Dimitrios will still be on board? We really like him and his brother, both very funny.:)

Well I get NOTHING after I apply the search filters .. Just a blank white page!!! I know check all my prices on the page of a TA

I keep getting the white page also. I can get into some things but not others on their site. Really hard to get where you want sometimes. Seems like everyday there's something else not working.

I can't get into our reservation. Every time I put in our reservation number it just sets there and never comes up. It gets really frustrating when you can't check anything about your account.

Hi all,

 

I am looking at planning my first TA. I am tentatively planning for 2019, or 2020. The itinerary I was looking at specifically was the 15 Night Mediterranean on Celebrity Silhouette out of Rome to Ft. Lauderdale. I have concerns for as far as airfare goes. I have seen posts where a lot of people recommended using Rome cabs for transportation from the airport in Rome. Also how cold is it in Nov? Any tips/ suggestions would be greatly appreciated ! thanks !

We've done 5 TA, 2 from Rome and doing another this November. We love them getting to stop at several ports. Sea days are great to do what you want. We've used Rome in Limo for Rome, Florence and transfers to port. We stay at the Albergo Cesari in Rome which is in the middle of Rome near the Pantheon. Usually you can share rides to the port with other people in the hotel. It can be cool but the closer you get to Ft Lauderdale it's warm enough to be around the pool. Two of our TA were the northern route. They come back a little earlier but it can be a little cooler than the southern route. Book the cruise out as far as you can and watch for price drops. This next one we were going to do inside but I kept watching and was able to get a balcony, which we have never had, for only $250 more for each of us. I checked an oceanview and they were offering an upgrade for nothing extra. As far as air, we always use Choice Air because one way is so much cheaper thru them and you can get lots of flight options.

I vote for Romeinlimo also. We have used them several times in tours in Rome and transfer to the port. Also used them in Florence a couple of times.

We like the inside passage with all the scenery on both sides. We also like Glacier Bay. We tried Tracy Arm once but there was too much ice so we went to Dawes Glacier.

Hi John, how cool that you have experienced 5 TA's! Did you have a favorite? Favorite ship? Did the ship make a big difference in your experience? Any tips/advice for future ventures? Thank you so much for your kind words. It really means a lot! And no, haven't posted any videos. Thanks for the reminder that I should probably go back and revisit that thought!

We have done 5 TA and will do the 6th this fall on the Silly frm Rome, which we did in 2015. Three the southern route and 2 the northern route. We liked the Silly for the southern route and the Grand Princess for the northern route. Really enjoyed the northern route seeing Copenhagen, 3 different cities in Norway, Shetland Islands, Faroe Island and 3 cities in Iceland over the 2 cruises.

What a wonderful review! You make us feel as though we are on the ship with you. We are on this cruise next year and I can't wait.

 

Jane

We did this cruise a couple of years ago and doing it again this November. Maybe we will see you on board. Lucy

Thank you for your 'Live from" and review of your cruise. This one was on our bucket list, so I finally booked it last week!!!

A question.... you mentioned that it was chilly at times. Can you give me a range of temperatures that you experienced on the cruise? What to bring clothes wise is always an issue.

Thanks,

Anita

We just came back from a similar cruise on Royal Caribbean and dressed in layers. We had light weight long sleeve tops, a couple of heavier tops and light jackets. Lucy

Hello CC!

 

We are living in Oslo, Norway. So if someone has questions for Oslo and needs help whit planning feel free to ask. We ask you when we go somewhere new, so we can share from the homeport:cool:

 

Quicklinks for Oslo and some regional:)

 

TRAVEL GUIDES

 

Visit Norway-Official travel guide to Norway.

http://www.visitnorway.com

 

Visit Oslo-Official travel guide to Oslo

http://www.visitoslo.com

 

Oslo Pass-Touritscard that covers local transport and entry to more than 30 museums.

http://www.visitoslo.com/en/activities-and-attractions/oslo-pass/

 

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Cruise piers

 

http://www.visitoslo.com/en/trade-media-cruise/cruise/the-port-of-oslo/cruise-piers-and-facilities/

 

If you don´t know were you will be docking or wondering if another cruise will dock at the same day.

Open the PDF and find your sailing in the list.

http://oslohavn.no/no/cruise/

 

 

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TRANSPORTTATION

 

Oslo Airport Gardermoen OSL-main airport for Norway.

https://avinor.no/flyplass/oslo/

 

NSB- Train in Norway. Local and regional trains.

https://www.nsb.no/en/frontpage

 

Ruter#-Local transportation Oslo and Akershus. Bus, Tram, Train, Metro and Boat

https://ruter.no/en/

 

SAS- Domestic and international flights. Together whit Widerøe they cover the small airports in Lofoten, Helgeland and Finnmark.

https://www.flysas.com

 

Widerøe- Domestic flights that covers small airports around Norway(Lofoten, Finnmark etc)

http://www.wideroe.no

 

Norwegian- Domestic and international flights. Do not cover the small airports in Norway. Low-cost carrier.

http://www.norwegian.com

 

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APPs

 

Ruter# There is 2 app´s. One for tickets and one for departure times.

 

Ruterbillett

This app is just for buing tickets to the local transportation in Oslo/Akershus.

 

Ruterbillett IPHONE. For bying tickets if you dont have OsloPass.

https://itunes.apple.com/no/app/ruterbillett/id581486486?ls=1&mt=8

Ruterbillett ANDROID. For bying tickets if you dont have OsloPass.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=no.ruter.mobile&hl=no

Ruterbillett WINDOWS. For bying tickets if you dont have OsloPass.

https://www.microsoft.com/nb-no/store/apps/ruterbillett/9nblggh0873c

 

RuterReise

This app is for departure times and for finding routes to destination.

RuterReise IPHONE

RuterReise ANDROID

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=no.ruter.reise

RuterReise WINDOWS

https://www.microsoft.com/nb-no/store/apps/ruterreise/9wzdncrdc89j

 

 

VisittOslo

http://www.visitoslo.com/en/oslo/apps/

Gives you offline map of Oslo, event calendar, museums, cafes etc. Can be used when dataroaming is off. IPHONE/ANDROID

 

OsloPass App

http://www.visitoslo.com/en/activities-and-attractions/oslo-pass/oslo-pass-app/

You can buy the pass at home and activate it on arrival in Oslo. No need to pick up cards. IPHONE/ANDROID

 

VisitNorway App

Gives you information about museums, hotels, nature walks, mountains, restaurants etc.

IPHONE

https://itunes.apple.com/app/id391468072?mt=8

ANDROID

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=makingwaves.in.vn.android.app&feature=search_result&hl=en

 

NorwayLights App

Northern lights (Aurelia Borealis) forecast.

IPHONE

https://itunes.apple.com/no/app/norway-lights/id717106363

ANDROID

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.visitnorway.norwaylights&hl=en

 

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Places of interest in Oslo, a small list of what you can do.....

 

The Royal House of Norway

Guidet tours in the castle during the summer season. Nice walk from the pier.

http://www.royalcourt.no

 

The Vigeland Museum

Offers guidet tours and you can walk free inn the park.

http://www.vigeland.museum.no/en

 

Norsk Folkemuseum

Here you will find old norwegian houses and a stav kirke. Open air museum.

http://norskfolkemuseum.no/en

 

The Viking Ship Museum

Viking ships

http://www.khm.uio.no/english/visit-us/viking-ship-museum/

 

Kon-Tiki

Thor Heyerdahls rafts and tours.

http://www.kon-tiki.no/en/

 

Opera

http://operaen.no/en/

 

Edvard Munch

Famous painter, Skrik

http://munchmuseet.no/en/

 

Astrup Fearnley

http://afmuseet.no/en/hjem

 

Ekebergparken

http://ekebergparken.com/en

 

The Ibsen Museum

http://norskfolkemuseum.no/en/Related-units/The-Ibsen-Museum/

 

Akershus Fortress

http://www.forsvarsbygg.no/festningene/Festningene/Akershus-festning/English/

 

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TIP

In Norway the salary is higer then in the US. So there is no need to give lots of tip. If you have a sit-down lunsj or dinner and you are very pleased then you leave some tip. But there is no need to tip 18%.

If you are on a guidet tour and your guide is super, feel free to give some tip but you dont have to tip according to price of the tour.

If you buy take-out coffee and pastery, no need to tip.

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Debit/Creditcards

Most places in Norway take cards (99%) All norwegians cards have pin+chip.

You must have pin-code to your card. Prefer to have pin and chip.

 

 

Hope this give you a quick introduction for Oslo and Norway. If you have questions, feel free to ask.

We don't have pin and chip cards here in US that I know of. Will we have to use Krones for everything? I will have to get more Krones if we do. Thanks Lucy from the USA

We also went to the tourist info stop to get our tickets. We also picked up a tour map.

I've been there 4 times. We usually go early in the season because it is cheaper. The animals are coming out and there is still snow on the mountains. We get an inside cabin. I know some people don't like those but it is cheaper and we love to be up on deck as much as possible. You can see so much more up there instead of setting on a balcony and only seeing what's right in front of you. You can also set inside at whatever lounge they have at the front of the boat if it's too cold. We like to set out, under blankets they provide and drink hot drinks. Also if someone sees something on one side of the boat, you can crossover to the other side easy enough.