wack001

I Love the name of the Marine unit.. very cool.

WOW....that's great. It's nice to see that Carnival is doing something to honor these men and women who sacrifice their lives everyday so that we can have our freedom.

If you google the name you will see everything about the cruise, a lot of brave young men and women should be a fun cruise. Hope it goes big.

Thank you "CARNIVAL" for making this (Purple Heart cruise) a reality for those who have truly sacrificed.

Carnival Pride- 31 May, hope the turnout is great.

Love Carnival.

Thanks for the review; is anytime dining offered in any dining room?

My party usually dines @ 6:45pm, can you share a table if no tables are available for a party of 2-4?

Any Karaoke in the evening?

Thanks

If anybody has this year made a transfer by private car (or other) how much can I expect to pay pleasefrom Santiago to the port at Valparaiso? TravelCube GTA Tours are mentioned.

 

Similarly transfers from Santiago Airport to the Galerias Hotel, and from the port in Buenos Aires to the Savoy Hotel.

 

Thanks

Just returned, if you ride local transport you must go to town and transfer. I went ahead and used the "vanman" christian(highly reviewed) and shared with others it was less than $20pp, his website is "thevanmanadventures".

good luck

cruisinbob

Visa question please

Thanks, this itinerary is on my must list.

My question, did you need visa for China(cost about $160) and Vietnam(cost $50), or did you get a stamp being on the ship.

thanks

cruisinbob

Hi Bob,

 

In summer it's warm enough for shorts. But; when are you coming?

Biaria;

I will be there sunday 12 feb, I also read tha the Tobbagon only go until 1pm on sunday is that correct?

Bobi

Hello again Bob,

 

Thank you so much for your kind words.

 

The Toboggan ride starts in Monte, so you'll have to go there anyway, but if you don't have much time left you'll have to take the Toboggan ride as soon as you arrive. In fact the 30 EUR charge I mention, doesn't allow for any staying time in Monte, for that you'll pay more. For rides such as these, taxi drivers don't use the meter, they charge accordingly.

 

In case you have enough time, it's worth spending some time in Monte. You can visit Our Lady of Monte's Church and the Municipal Gardens (entrance is free).

 

No, the 15 EUR Toboggan price is per person.

 

In Funchal city centre, a must do is the market. Then there's churches, gardens, museums, wine cellars, etc. The sightseeing bus is also a good option, it stops at the beginning of the waterfront avenue and does two different tours.

Thanks again for everything, what is the weather like, shorts?

Bob

You either go up to Monte by taxi or by cable car, it's up to you.

 

If you decide to ride the cable car up to Monte, it's better if the canyoning people drop you off by the station. This way you'll only need a taxi after you're finished with your Toboggan ride, but this is where you must be careful not to be ripped off - don't pay more than 15 EUR to be taken back to the pier.

 

In case you decide to skip the cable car, meaning the taxi takes you to Monte, collects you after the Toboggan and retuns you to the pier, you can expect to pay 30 EUR.

 

You're welcome.

Biaria;

You are terrific and a wealth of information. So here goes a few more questions;

Monte; what is it exactly, is it worth the visit due to time constraint, or should I skip it and do just the Toboggan.

Toboggan; I assume 15Euor per couple?

Taxi; I assume they are not metered?

Final; In case the canyoning does not work out, any MUST do's in Funchal you suggest.

Thanks

cruisinbob

Hello Bob,

 

I think the best way to fit in the Toboggan ride after your canyoning, is you being dropped off in town, then you take a taxi to Monte. After you're finished with the Toboggan ride, this same taxi takes you back to the cruise ship. For all this you'll need at least one hour.

 

Please notice that a taxi in town will offer you a more reasonably rate, than a taxi inside the pier, that's why it's better if your canyoning company drops you off in town, rather than at the pier.

 

An alternative is you asking the canyoning people if they can include Monte in their tour, with a pick up after the Toboggan ride, returning you to your cruise ship at the end.

Thanks this was great advise. I think we will get dropped off in town, do I then get a taxi to the Monte, or ride a cable car confused?, also I assume I just negotiate a rate with the taxi to take me up and meet me down below,, what do you think is a fair price.

Thank you VERY much.

Bob

I need a little advise, I am going to go canyoning while funchal, I will return to the ship about 2:30pm do I have time to do the toboggan ride/ a little advise please trying to fit a lot in a day.

Thanks

Bob

In a few weeks we'll be in the Med on the Epic in August and I'm trying to settle on our excursions in Italy. Originally, I was ready to book our tours through RIL based on CC recommendations, but I did a big analysis on many of the NCL offerings vs. private...and if I add in some guides and admission charges to museums, etc. the gap does close in between the two options (of course that is if our family does the private on our own without sharing)...add on top of that the ability to charge the NCL excursions on a credit card (getting points) and the price gap closes in even further. I know the advantage of RIL would be private group, customizable excursion...NCL, guarantee to get back on board at the end of the day.

 

So I am wondering if anyone has recently done any of the NCL excursions in the Med (Livorno, Cittavecchia, Naples ports) or if they've heard anything from fellow passengers who might have done them? I've read some reviews on NCL, but thought I'd check in here as well for feedback.

I NEVER go on ship excursions and you can check my blog on individuals excursions in the ports you talk about. Private excursions you can customize the entire trip and yes SAVE $$ + you get to meet so new people if you post your excursion for others to cost share. In addition, you avoid the "cattle car" effect on a bus with loads of passengers. I also suggest you check and post on the different ports vice the NCL board. If you need more information, email me at my blog.

Enjoy

cruisinbob

Motib;

My ship docks at Hafia 7-10pm

next day at Ashdod 7-10pm

I will NOT do a ship excursion;

1. Do you suggest Hafia and the sights or north specifics?

2. What is the fastest way for transportation from Ashdod to Jerusalem?

3. There are so many tours offered in Jerusalem that it is hard to do and I was told if you try and fit the dead sea as well you wil be pressed.

4.Thinking of doing an eco bike tour of Jerusalem which goes on the outskirts of town and then the rest of the day Old city?

Open to ideas and suggestions.

Thanks

Bob

So not all the wines are on the list? Does anyone have the list? We figured we'd do the package and save us the hassle of lugging bottles with us (20% off of the ones we like would be about the same overall cost as paying $15 corkage on top of what we pay here) but if not all the wines are on the list we might have to re-think that. We typically drink a bottle with dinner each night and our TA is giving us one bottle, so 6 bottles at 20% off seemed perfect.

 

Thanks in advance to everyone!

Good question,

I wish people would stop talking about on land prices, we all know the deal, just trying to get information.

It's been posted that you can buy 6-8 bottles of wine once you get on board and get a 20% discount on the total price. You can also bring wine with you and pay a $15 per bottle corkage fee. Hope this helps!!

Thanks for the information, so you can only order and get the discount on board, must you order all six to get the 20% discount?

Thanks

I will not suggest one or the other as I don't even know how much time you got in the evening.. Don't know how you planned to go to Vasa in the morning either. I just had the feeling there is not much margin for unexpected delays it the first plan.

On a cruise ship, dock at 9, leave at 5PM so only one day, trying to make max use of time.

thanks

To be honest that sounds a bit stressful to me.

Ultima;

Therefore you would suggest take my time and then after 1:00 go to Vasa, will it be less crowded?

thanks

Advise Please;

Folks I have a Dilemma and need some advice, facts please. I am doing an excursion starting at Gamla Stan @11;30 we will be docking at STADSGÅRDEN @ 09:00.

Do I go immediatly to Vasa, rush and get to Gamla Stan by 11;15(I will be riding HOHO so there is waiting time etc), or do I take my time and go to Vasa after 1:00pm hopping all the crowds would have thinned out.

Appreciate prospective from veterans.

Thank you all

cruisinbob.com

About 800 feet from southern end of Gamla Stan

Thanks all;

I do not mean to sound dumb but I am trying to fit this into my itinerary. If I take the HOHO boat I get off I Gamla Stan(Old Town) or should I wait for the next stop?

How far a walk in time from the boat disembarkation to the tower?

Sorry but I have such a full schedule and this seems like something cool and different.

Thank you all

Bob

Katarinahissen is not in Gamla Stan, it is on the Södermalm side of Slussen.

 

The slussen area covers the south point of Gamla Stan and the connecting area of Södermalm. Down under all the traffic at Slussen there is a small lock where boats can transfer from the Baltic Sea to lake Mälaren, or back. And that is what the name Slussen means, the Lock. So the area covers both sides around the lock.

 

At the Södermalm side of Slussen there is a rock wall and Katarinahissen can take you up to the area behind. From the elevetor you walk to the roof of a building where there is an outdoor café and at the other side of the café there is a further bridge to go on to the mainly residencial area at Södermalm.

How far/long a walk is it from Glama Stan? appor time?

thanks

Katarinahissen is something that in my mind could interest more cruise passengers. It is located within the Slussen area, where Gamla Stan connects to Södermalm. You will see it on the Södermalm side.

 

The cost for going up is 10 kronor. Same cost for going down again. But if you don't want to pay twice there are stairs you can walk down from Söder to Slussen. If you have a Stockholm card I think it may include Katarinahissen.

 

Where will your ship be docked? If it is docked at Stadsgården you could have a very nice walk back to the ship from the top of Katarinahissen instead of going down again. The area behind Katarinahissen is really nice and interesting. Will take a little more time than walking along the quay of course, but well worth it if you still have some time left.

Good tip, is the tower within Gamal Stan. See my post above, should I include that in my Gamla Stan walk around.

Bob

http://www.stromma.se/en/Sightseeing/Stockholm/Boat-tours/Hop-on-Hop-off1/ has all the HOHO boat info. Click on 'map' in th black panel to get a layout of the routes. Basically, after about 10am when all the boats have been to S167 to put the cruisers either to Vasa or Gamla Stan, the 'normal' timetable will kick in. The Djurgarden 4 and Djurgarden 7 boats go in opposite directions round the loop, whilst the Delfin boat just goes clockwise (I think!!). There are HOHO boat people in yellow shirts at most stops; if no one is about, just ask the guys on the boat for advice. If you are berthing at S167, you can go along with your plan, but I would buy the SEK180 in the hut by the ship, as it will save you queuing later. This includes a free entry ticket to the Vasa. You can then either walk to Slussen and get a HOHO boat to Vasa (but it will do the stops on the way) or if you go before about 10am, go to the stop beside the cruise ship (follow the line on the road) and go straight to Vasa. I would recommend you do this. The lines at Vasa get long very quickly. It is best to go there first, get it out of the way, then use the HOHO boats to get you to the next place you want to visit. If you can get a boat to Vasa, by 9am (though 8.30 would be better), you should just about have time to get to Gamla Stan for 11.30

 

Simon

Great info, but I was thinking that in the afternoon all the cruise ship visitors would be complete with VASA and I could take my time. I am not a shoopper so after the private excursion it would be time to move on no need to stay in Gamla S. Agree on the ticket SEK 180, but is the ferry that much different? Is the location for the ferry the same as the HOHO boat.

Thanks and I sent you the email.

Bob

As Harry says, you can walk it...about 15 mins to all the ferry stops for Slussen, another 5 mins to the Gamla Stan stop.

 

Simon

Simon;

dropped my email on the copenhagen post, I also wanted to ride the Ho HO route around the harbour, eventually getting off at Gamla Stan, i was planning a local excrusion starting at 11:30 in Gamla Stan. I was then planning to walk down to the

Slussen and taking the Djursgarden ferry to Vasa, touring vasa and then going back to the ship. I assume above is doable, cheapest way to get around, type ticket?

Thanks

Bob

Need advise, I am little confused on riding the HOHO boat, our ship docks at STADSGÅRDEN pier and my research indicated that it is best to ride the HOHO boat to the Vasa stop and then back across to Gamla.

Question;

- Is it better to just buy a one way ticket since i will only be using it twice?

- Is there only one ticket price?

- I assume I can use CC?

- Must I buy a HOHO ticket per say?

Thank you all

Bob