xrae

Used Walgreens for testing a couple weeks ago. We used the ID NOW tests and our results came back in about an hour. No charge. 

Test type: Rapid Diagnostic Test (ID NOW) 
Results sheet says: Rapid Diagnostic Test (Nucleic Acid Amplification Test NAAT) 

For those that have booked ID NOW via Walgreens, how many people can you get into the same reserved timeslot? Need 6 tests. Thanks. 

We did the morning version of this excursion and gosh it was way too short. However, we were able to get drinks at Soggy and relax *just a little bit.* I felt like I was returning to my little shuttle boat about as soon as I got off. 

Looking at my photos: boarded Catamaran before 8am. Arrived JVD by 8:40. Drinks at Soggy by 9:30. Back on shuttle boat 11:15am!! Crazy. 

We are saying at Grand Hyatt Athens pre-cruise and Athenaeum InterContinental Athens post-cruise. Got a great price at the Grand Hyatt for a Jr Suite for 3. Both hotels include Club access for the pkg we booked. 

After you are paid in full, there is a "pre-departure information" pdf booklet you should be able to download. 

I am going to copy what is in the booklet. Your adherence to these guidelines is up to you: 

Formal Evening
During our 7 night and 4 night cruises, we host Gala
Night and the Captain’s Cocktail in honour of our
guests, and we ask that you attend in formal dress:
a cocktail dress or something smart for the ladies,
jacket and tie for the men.

What to Wear: 

The weather in the Mediterranean is mild and
pleasant year-round. If you cruise with us during
the warmer part of the year, from May through
September, light-coloured cotton clothes will help
keep you cool. You should also bring swimsuits,
if you plan to swim in our pool or at one of the
incredible beaches we’ll visit, as well as sunglasses
and a hat which, combined with a good sunscreen,
will help protect you from the Mediterranean sun.
If you intend to use one of the well-equipped gyms
on our ships, make sure to bring proper clothes and
shoes (but don’t worry about a towel, we’ll provide it).
Air-conditioning is strong on the ship and because
of the occasional sea breeze in the afternoon,
we suggest that you also pack a light jacket or a
windbreaker.

Dressing for our Shore Excursions
Light-coloured cotton or sports clothes that
“breathe” will help keep you cool on our excursions.
Make sure that you wear comfortable shoes for all
excursions. If you plan to visit the beach you’ll need
a swimsuit, as well as sunglasses and a hat which,
combined with comfortable shoes and a good
sunscreen, will help protect you from the brilliant
Mediterranean sun. If you will be visiting a religious
or pilgrimage site, please dress respectfully in long
trousers or a skirt that falls below the knee, and
please remember to cover your shoulders.

Afternoons
We do not permit bathing suits or shorts in the
restaurants, but we serve a delicious lunch buffet on
our pool deck every day, so you can remain poolside
without having to change out of your swimwear.

Evening wear
In our restaurants, casinos, lounges and nightclubs,
and in the other open spaces on our ships, your
attire should be “country club casual” - relaxed, yet
elegant - after 6:00 pm.
 

Dress up
On each Celestyal cruise ship calendar you’ll find
special evening events, including Gala Night, the
Captain’s Cocktail (both during our 7 night cruises)
and our famous Greek Night. For Gala Night and
the Captain’s Cocktail, please attend in formal
dress: a cocktail dress or something smart for the
ladies, smart casual for the men. Remember, the
photographer will be there for a memory photo. For
Greek Night we hope you’ll wear blue and white, the
colours of the Greek flag. Check your daily program
for a schedule of all evening events.

Footwear
For your safety and comfort on board we suggest
sports, flat deck shoes with low heels or sandals.
These types of footwear will make it easier for you to
navigate the cruise ship decks and stairwells. Please
do not walk barefoot on the open decks.

Accessories
You’ll need a hat, sunglasses, a bathing suit, sandals
and perhaps a small umbrella. Why not visit our on
board shops where you will be able to buy suntan oil,
eye protection, bathing suits among other goods?
We also recommend you bring a camera (for photos,
for video, or for both), and make sure you recharge
your batteries before you sail - you won’t believe
the number of opportunities you’ll have to shoot
incredible photos and videos.

Hello. I will be on this sailing also! 

Ship tours for Totem Bight were ~$70 pp ... on the pier this was offered for about $35pp .... city bus $1-$2pp. City bus is a great value and you will not be rushed to keep on a tour schedule! 

We did this a couple years ago. We must have just missed the bus because we had a bit of a wait downtown for the next one. Enjoyed it and we got to meet some interesting locals on the ride. I feel like the ride was about 30 minutes to the park. Your ride will vary depending on how many stops they make along the way and how long it takes to drop off/pick up passengers at each stop.

We've done a taxi tour on St John before. The great thing was we didn't have to think about where we were going or keep our eyes on the road, we just enjoyed the scenery. Our driver stopped at several overlooks and points of interest.

But great point about a car rental and being able to sample the beaches easily. Sun will still be setting early though.

I'm very envious of your port hours!!

http://flightaware.com/live/airport/TJSJ

FlightAware is great. This is a list of the flights scheduled in/out of SJU airport as well as the recently arrived and departed, so you don't really have to speculate. JBU is JetBlue, DAL is Delta, AA is American, FFT Frontier, SWA Southwest, then there are a variety of private jets, and I even see an Etihad. You can look at Arrived, Departed, and more. I used this site earlier in the week to figure out who had the most flights and advise a friend whose daughter was stranded in San Juan and needed a flight out. At that time, JetBlue had the most flights and they were able to call and get her a confirmed seat.

With the damage to the flight control systems, they have had to space flights out more than normal. I'm happy to see they're able to get more flights out per hour now. But San Juan airport has a long, long way to go.

Both Uffizi and Accademia are closed on Mondays. I hope that is not your port day. We are there overnight Sunday and Monday. I feel shortchanged. :'( Still trying to figure out my plan of attack.

We are on this cruise and there is no roll call. Perhaps because there isn't much private tour sharing in Alaska.

"See" you on the ship then. I think we have figured out our activities. This is our first Oceania and first Alaska, excited to check it out. The only thing we haven't settled on is what to do in Vancouver between disembarkation and our evening flight. I keep waffling between city sights and getting out of the town.

Can we bring our own beer onto the ship?

I've been looking for a Regatta Alaska May 24 roll call and don't see one -- are we sailing alone? ;p

Some things to ask/ponder no matter which insurance you are considering (cruise line / independent / credit card / etc):

• Is the travel insurance primary or secondary? Meaning, do you have to file all claims with any other insurance you hold first before your travel insurance will consider paying?
  
• Do you have hospital of choice? Or does the insurance company get to make that call?
  
• As has been mentioned, look at the travel insurance terms for pre-existing conditions.
  
• Do the pre-existing conditions terms apply to the traveler only, or also to any immediate family members staying home that you may need to cancel for (mother, father, children, grandparents)
  
• If you are traveling with companions and one or more companions have to cancel, will the insurance company pick up the tab if your costs change due to occupancy change?
  

I'm sure there are others, those are top of mind.

Covering a simple ship's doctor visit is rarely why anyone has to pick up a travel insurance policy. You want to cover cancellation within penalty, or major medical with evacuation (My last cruise had to divert less than 24 hours underway to medically disembark someone with a broken hip by tugboat for a medical flight back to the USA; before that had a death onboard in San Juan, so the family had to deal with getting the deceased, and presumably some of the travel party, back to the States, mid-vacation. The list goes on ...)

Husband and I will be visiting Wrangell in late May on Oceania. I'm looking for suggestions for activities. Our hours in port are Noon-8pm. Neither Shore Trips nor Shore Excursions Group has anything for the port. The cruise line offers three options, one of which is sold out. The available "highlights tour" is $159pp, which seems excessive.

It's too early for bears, which would have been awesome. I have noted the Stikine River Tour from Breakaway, which could be a possibility. Any other suggestions? I already have the town visitor website plus the Alaska state visitor website. Are there generally tours available in port when you arrive?

Thanks so much for any suggestions!

I called the 89 SE 2nd St location and there was a recording with their shuttle schedule hours. Hope that is current.

Any updates to this? Does Budget have a port to airport shuttle at MIA?

Amtrak Silver Star Tampa to FLL. The Miami arrival, if on schedule, is around 6pm, so Ft Lauderdale much earlier. Just go the Amtrak website and put in your date and the stations you want, and it will give you the schedule. Easy. Just get a coach seat. You can check two bags for free and carry on a couple bags per person as well.

Real tea drinkers unite. I raise my cup to you. *cheers*

If at Punta Langosta, there's a Starbucks right when you get off the ship. Buy a drink, enjoy some Wi-Fi.

The only difference is that the 1st option continues to cruise around the island of St. John and returns the passengers to Cruz Bay for an hour less of "leisure time" :)

Oh hey look at that! 3.5 hours vs. 4.5 hours, you solved the mystery! Thanks so much! That really helps. :D

We are trying to decide which St John option we will do and I'm not sure what the difference is between these two excursions. Hoping someone who has done one or the other can describe in more detail. We want something with a lot of flexibility and both of these seems to be ferries to the island with lots of free time, which is what we are looking for. Thanks.

Destination St. John: Coastal Cruise Of National Park Beaches -

6.5 hours - $44.00

See St. John and all its beauty. Cruise along the pristine northwest shores of St. John and revel in its breathtaking National Park vistas. Pass deserted islets and hidden coves as you admire the British Virgin Islands on the horizon. Choose a beach to visit or take an island tour (at your own expense) in one of the fun, open-air safari coaches as you'll have approximately 3.5 hours of leisure time once you return to Cruz Bay.

Self Explore St. John

6.5 hours - $37

Enjoy at least 4.5 hours of personal leisure time to explore St. John, a beautiful emerald isle made up of two-thirds National Park, many glistening white sandy beaches, and a variety of historical sites. At famous Trunk Bay, you can rent snorkel gear and explore underwater, while Cinnamon Bay beach is a more private location. Or visit Hawksnest Beach, a popular film location before heading to beautiful Cruz Bay. The options are endless. Go enjoy.

Disney showed all six current Star Wars movies in the theater on their Hawaii cruises a couple months ago -- not sure about the TA cruises. And the Dream, which just debuted this week after a "reimagination," now has a full-fledged Millennium Falcon interior recreation in the kids' club. (The unofficial DCL Blog has a post about it today.) You can bet your bippy they will be premiering the film at sea the same time it premiers on land. They are even doing a series of "Star Wars Day at Sea" cruises on the Fantasy in Jan/Feb.

Marvel characters are still at Universal Orlando because of a contract that was written years ago and until that contract ends they will stay outside the Disney Orlando theme parks (though Disney has cheated the edges by having Marvel characters on their Monorails on the resort loop, for instance). The Marvel characters do meet-n-greets inside Disneyland in California. It's huge news that Spiderman will be making his Disney parks debut there soon.

Great review!

I got to experience the ABD San Francisco long weekend in August and it was just excellent in every way. They even "arranged" (ha) for the worldwide Ferrari owners to have their club get-together at our hotel just for me. Ok, that is a stretch but that did happen. 49 Ferraris parked at our hotel for two nights, that was a once-in-a-lifetime experience in itself!

On the San Francisco Long Weekend you visit the Walt Disney Family Museum, which is in a historical building in The Presidio, ILM/Lucasfilm/Lucas Arts (also in the Presidio), and the Disney Family's Silverado Vineyads. And other famous SF locations of course!

I always felt like they were saying, "But wait, there's more!" and pulling out a surprise or plus-ing the trip in some way. You never had to want for anything.

Backstage Magic is definitely on my Wish List!

Good golly, who wants to pay $18 for pub grub though? That's almost a cover charge in Palo (close anyway). You don't even pay that on land, or I wouldn't anyway. I hope lots of people point that out in their comment cards as they leave the ship and just plain don't order. The prices should be half that or less.

Cove Cafe does have a nice offering of black, green, and other teas for brewing (at a price).

I travel with my own teas and raw sugar :D but don't mind the Twinings. I like to grab some tea bags and brew iced tea in the room fridge overnight (I do the same at WDW.) The 24-hr stations have Nestea YUCK stuff in the fountains. It's not brewed.

I've always been offered Twinings in the dining room for hot tea on the Magic.

This pic is a couple years old but I think the selection is the same.

If you follow my Instagram page oooraeooo you will see I am a tea nerd.