Ajkcruiser

Quick question....

is it a norm to have a BOGO sale for drink packages on embarkation day... just read that on a cruise daily of October sail date. 
 

Thanks 

Aj

Hello,

I am arriving at 9:30 pm in Lisbon on the 24th of April.... anybody had experiences doing a Lisbon by night tour?

Thanks

Aj

Thanks for the replies .....I actually looked into a cruise with them hosted by NCL....

Bean24......what would you say the overall experience was for passengers that had no relation to Autism?

We have only done cruises by the lines....but my daughter is getting older and by the cruise line she doesn't qualify to play with the little kids ( age)....so I am considering AoTS....but concern about friends that would like to join us.....would they feel the cruise is as typical on a cruise with AoTS counselors?

Thanks

Aj

Good evening,

Has anybody in the forum ever been in a cruise in which AoTS was offerring their services for individuals with Autism?

Thanks

Aj

For us was perfect .... Or I should say for my child,.... Perhaps the chilly Alaskan air helped .....As she had the hot tub to herself while I watched from the hallway ....

Which reminds me...... AMAZING band at the Observation lounge.... Not to be missed and the Italian Tuxedos.... PS: the drum player is a super nice Mexican guy.... The rest are Italians from Rome....nice quartet....they take requests..... We had a really good time!!

I wish the Sun had a different itinerary..... The Girls at the kids club stole my heart.... Their caring genuine ways with my Autistic child need to be celebrated.....

Aj

Too much fun to be able to write a review.... I will be home soon and will write as soon as possible.

But for now...the crew makes the ship....

The smell not as bad as I expected ... If too sensitive depending on your cabin location .... Bring a fabreeze plug-in.

Food really good....keep in mind I just cruised with my all time favourite in the Med (MSC) and I was happy with NCL...8 lbs happy!

Kids pool needs painting...but water very warm....

Kids counselours AMAZING....

Gupies spot perfect for little ones.

Sports bar.... Great wings and made to order.... So a little slow at 11:30pm

The head chef is from India..... Lots of Indian flavours in the Buffett...

Main dining service slow....

Ship is clean ...shows entretaining.... Cruise Director super attentive and reachable....but will kill him over the jokes of the day.

Teoenyanki super fun, Le Bistro right on the money, Cagneys meat to perfection ....La cuccina....excellent service.

We saw bears (mom and cubs,) Moose with big antlers even this early and lots of eagles in our excursions

Whales in the water by the time the park ranger disembarked ....they are usually near the glacier

Weather was a blessing ....

If you have an specific question..... Ask away

Safe and fun travels

Aj

Big good news.....

Already ate lunch..... Embarkation a breeze....

New menus in the main Dining

Pop corn shrimp, Shrimp burguer...

Amazing stuff!!

Ah :)

Thanks for the link GMT . I am a little confused with your comment even after reading the policies .... :(

Does the 15% applies for cancellations within the 90 days??? Or the 15% starts at 90 and less?

I had to cancel last year and I got all the deposit back without any percentage deduction....but the booking was on the US site at 100 days before departure.

This year I will know for sure if we will go by Sept 1.... Wanted to book now to guarantee the space instead of waiting until Sept.

Thanks

Aj

Looks like the UK cancellation policy is upto 90 days before sailing there will a 15% cancellation fee, right up to a 100% fee 10 days beofre.

 

Here is a link to the Costa's terms & conditions:

 

http://www.costacruises.co.uk/B2C/GB/Before_you_go/term/Documents/condizioni_generali_2016_17_UK.pdf

For many years I wanted nothing but Crystal.... And actually didn't cruise more because of that reason.... Then went on a different line and a whole wiorld opened to me.

Last year I went on Costa for 30 days on a TA.... And I have to say.... Again .... Live the experience.

If I was to compare to another Italian line (MSC) the food was better in MSC.... And the freedom to buffet choice in the evegning might be a factor for some.... I didn't miss it.... Always had dinner in the MDR.... And the choices were available.

Give your waiter a little something at the begining and make it personal, a key chain from your city works nice..... I never had an empty glass at dinner.... Yes his English was dificult at Times...... Nothnng a smile did not fix.

Live the experience .

Aj

I am currently planning a Xmas cruise.... But too many variants...

Having said that I feel that if I book.... I can find some sort of commitment .

There is a British subject in our group who resides in London so we plan to use the UK site for the booking.... Unrealistic cheaper ( shuuussh) however..... Is the 90 days free cancellation applies for the UK site as it does for US?

Thanks

Aj

Pic didn't work..but will try again tomorrow:)

It is my understanding that the menus are fleet wide....

If correct...... YES...... There is Smoked Salmon9 open bagel for breakfast....

This is from a recent Escape sail.

Fingers crossed until further confirmation

Aj

Looks like you are IT..😜😜

Have a fun trip!!#

Aj

Following also in case someone shares them before the weekend...

Hi there....

Anybody with a Sun Breakfast menu from the main dinning room?

I would like to bring some prosecco on boarding day if there is smoked salmon for breakfast on the menu...

Also anybody with a copy of the embarkation day dailies?

Tottally appreciate it.

Thanks

AJ

Good Morning...

Will be on the Sum in few weeks.... Superr excited....

Can anybody please post a picture of the embarkation daily and a picture of the breakfast menu?

Wondering if smoke salmon still served for breakfast in the main dinning....

Thanks

AJ

Thinking 2018.....

Bumped!

Some additional thoughts....

• they say 1 in 20 is unable to cross the bridge. Don't be discouraged. However, you might think it's poor value to go there and find the bridge is too intimidating to cross.
  
• In China, some way walking the Great Wall is a must. I believe crossing the Capilano Bridge is a must in Vancouver. Advertised as the eighth wonder of the world in 1921.
  
• If walking is a challenge/concern.... the nearby Grouse Mountain may be a better choice to spend the time. The Gondola will take you up the mountain with your stroller. Your child may enjoy the Bear breakfast if they are an early riser....
  https://www.grousemountain.com/products/breakfast-with-the-bears
  

 

[YOUTUBE]rx-ClLHK3Yg[/YOUTUBE] [YOUTUBE]RJZcYalXkPg[/YOUTUBE]

Thanks for the tips...... God first .... I am.planning to stay in Vancouver for couple of days .... And just added grouse to our list :)

I have full determination that we will make it.... She wasn't walking all that good back in 2012 and we climbed together all the steps (over 200) for a chapel in the Azores and although tandem .... She did a zip line circuit last year.... This is another item we will kick off the bucket list..

I need to be thankful .... Wouldn't be able to pull all our adventures without you.... All the cruise critic members that give me tips and suggestions for our journeys"

Thank you

Aj and Karicia-Mia

We travel a lot... People have a tendency to stare.... Some like to be polite and approach us,,, others look in the distance....

I created a little brochure about my child with details of her different abilities .... It has work wonders so I give it to the counselors to share with the parents of other children .... So much comes out of knowing what her exact condition is .... People fear the unkown ....

Again.... Do what you can... But put your efforts in enyoing the journey... The world is filled with all kinds... And lucky are the ones who get to share the blessings of our children.

Good luck

Aj

The main bridge can be crossed in 3 minutes. (1.5 blocks? 140 meters/460 feet) Your cruise ship is longer.

 

If crowds and motion is a concern.... consider a visit before 10am or after 5pm when the bus tours haven't arrived or gone.

 

You cross the bridge and must return to exit or retrieve your stroller.

 

The suspension bridge cross the canyon.... cliffwalk stays on the East canyon wall behind the gift shop. You can do either first.

 

Thanks so much for the map and good wishes.....

I am defenately coming back with an stamped certificate I MADE IT.... If they are still available as seen on online videos....

Will head out first thi g in the morning.... Thanks for the tips!!!

Aj

I never thought of a champagne stopper getting stolen. I always bring one and have taken note.

 

Question: since you mentioned the splits, did you get charged corkage $15.00 for (2) 375?

Yes, they took the two as one.

I know it is a pain to drag all your wine on embarkation but I was lucky to embark in NOLA, so I had couple of bottles that I got on duty free and some Canadian Ice wine and bought the rest at Walgreens while in SoBe when we port in Miami before crossing..... To me was worth it, for the value and specially because I got to drink my prefer wines which were not available on board.

Aj

Will they be able to store opened champagne for next day use ?

I had one bottle of Prosecco of 750ml ... They did keep it for next morning... But I recommend to bring your own fizz keeper and ask hem to put it on your bottle .... You can always take your bottle to your cabin.... to prevent your good air sealer to be replaced .... Take my word... It happend to a gentleman dinning next to me.... Waiter couldn't explain where the keeper went ....

Or try the 375 bottles..... Perfect size for 2 mimosss :)

Aj

All clear now :):D:p

Aj

Remember it is a suspension bridge and can and does sway most of the time - while you can certainly walk part way across and turn around as was mentioned you will miss many of the attractions on the other side - it is about three steps down to get onto the bridge and similar on the far side - my concern is how will she react to the swaying of the bridge - there is also the cliff walk - it's before you cross the bridge but has many steep stairwells - another thing that I will mention that might be of benefit as it applied to a friend of mine last year - there may be a reduced rate for a person accompanying a person with a disability.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Cheers!

 

Dennis

Thanks for your concerns,,,,, believe me....I am more concern about how I will handle the walk....then her..... I am watching every video on the bridge on YouTube.

It is my intention to make her wear her walking hardness.... Which enables me to control her steps easier ..... I know she will love it.... We did the Zip line in Roatan last year, she rode Tandem with one of the guides.... Laughing at every zip while I was terrified ....

So in order to cross the bridge we need to walk the cliff first ?

Do i need to walk back in order to retrive our stroller ??

Thanks

Aj

There's also a small private liquor store at the YVR airport (one level below domestic baggage). While it's a bit more pricey than the BC Liquor stores, the convenience might outweigh that

Thank you..... Will check it out upon arrival

;)