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Giantfan13

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Posts posted by Giantfan13

  1. We are also doing a Princess cruise next year to some of the ports already mentioned. I was also curious as to how easy it is to rent cars in some of these ports and the relationship to where the ship docks. We will be in Honolulu, Maui, Hilo and Kauai. 

    We did a cruise to Hawaii many years ago and we rented cars in each port but memory of it has faded and I wanted to know how easy/hard it is now to do this.

    When we were past, we saw all the main sights so now we would just like to rent the car and just drive around seeing what we would like. 

    It was mentioned going to the airport via UBER. How far is the airport and are there no car rentals closer, especially near where the ship docks? Same for the other ports mentioned. We are a lot older now and would really like to avoid any hassles. 

     

    Cheers

    Len

  2. We did a TA on the Explorer in November and loved the ship. Not too big and not too small. The shows were adequate, the food was good, ship overall was in decent enough shape. You know if you go around looking for every minor thing wrong, you will find something on every ship.

    We were on her for 14 days and we never felt crowded anywhere we went. (We ll the Diamond Club was). I would definitely sail her again.

     

    Cheers

    Len

  3. 23 hours ago, TTEllis said:

    HoHo bus wawazzatt?? I have no idea what a HoHo bus is but it sounds like A LOT of fun.😁😁😁

    I buy a round trip ticket at the bus station. I think it's $3.75 rt. Always works.

     You don't get out much .., LOL Just kidding

     

    HoHo is short for Hop On Hop Off, buses where they have a specific route and you can get on and off as often as you like. Want to see something, you get off there, stay as long as you like, and then get on the next bus that comes along. Keep doing this all day if you like.

    Are there differ ent routes for different lines? Is there one particular bus that would take you around the island? Thanks for your help on this. 

     

    Cheers

    Len

  4. On 10/9/2023 at 2:32 PM, Parkhopper said:

    We did a free walking tour through https://www.freewalkingtourscuracao.com/

     

    our guide was Rayay and he did a fantastic job telling and showing us the history of the island.  We had been to Curaçao previously and did a ship sponsored excursion.  This time we actually felt like we got to know the island.  We started just outside the fort near where the ship docked, and walked through the neighborhood area before winding our way across the bridge to the shopping area where we finished the tour on a lovely rooftop terrace.  

    Is this walking tour meeting place near the port or where the ship docks?

     

    Cheers

    Len

  5. Please excuse me if this has been discussed already. I looked and didn't see it.

     

    We know there is a bus system in Aruba. I went to their website but it is pretty Greek to me so if someone can give me a bit of info on this. Can we board a public bus and sort of use it to tour the entire island? We aren't beach people (multiple cases of skin cancers) so we like to sightsee and maybe wander around, and also shop a bit. If I was able to board a bus where the ship docks and buy an all-day pass, can we stay on the bus as a tour bus, and then get on and off as we please if we want to visit where it is going? How often do the buses usually run? We will be in Aruba at the end of May. Any help or suggestions would be most appreciated.

     

    Cheers

    Len

  6. We did the Voyager on an Artic TA cruise last year. We loved this ship, especially since you can go right up front on the helipad, and at night it is pitch dark there and we were treated to several days of the Northern Lights. They came out and served hot chocolate at 12 midnight for those out there watching the skies. Just a wonderful cruise. 

     

    Cheers

    Len

    • Like 3
  7. We have done quite a few European cruises both before and after the pandemic. When we started cruising, many years ago, we sailed mostly to the Caribbean. After a while most of the Islands, although each a bit different, are all about the same, Beautiful beaches, mountains, and rainforests. In Europe, you are dealing with history that goes back sometimes thousands of years. Each country is different depending on what you like.

     I agree, that a European cruise is usually more port-intensive, but just seeing and learning so many other cultures makes it worthwhile. 

    Of course, if you cruise just to lie on the beach and drink, then forget Europe, and stay in the Caribbean.

    As for the ship itself, yes there may be more Europeans, but English is what is spoken, and about everything else is the same. Cruising is cruising no matter where you are.

    I did find that Caribbean cruising seems to attract a younger crowd than European cruising. 

     

    Cheers

    Len

  8. On 11/11/2023 at 12:10 PM, LobsterStalker said:

    This is the description off the web .

    More Specific Routes are at Arubus.com . You should be able to find everything there , but they cover most of the island I believe

    "The busses on the island belong to Arubus, the major public transportation company owned by the Government of Aruba.

    Aruba bus routes cover almost the entire island and stop at all hotels. If you want to see the exact routes or the full Aruba bus map, check out the website of Arubus.

    There is bus service every 15 minutes from 5:45 a.m. until 6 p.m.; buses then run every 40 minutes until 11:30 p.m. The central bus station in downtown Oranjestad is located adjacent to the cruise terminal and next to Royal Plaza. Would you like to know what time the bus pays your stop a visit? The website of Arubus shows you the route and the Aruba bus schedule for each route.

    The Aruba bus stops are easy to find. There is a visible sign on the side of the bus. For instance the stop at your hotel will display the hotel and town that each individual bus is in route too "

     

    Cheers

    Thanks for the details and link. So is this similar to a HoHo bus without the narration?

     

    Is ther e just one route to take?

     

    Cheers

    Len

  9. On 9/14/2023 at 2:44 PM, megr1125 said:

    Fellow Giants fan...

     

    I did the HOHO bus (a couple times over my stay) and enjoyed it.  That said, you mention a bum knee and you'll still have quite a walk to the Acropolis so take that under consideration  And it's VERY hot depending on when you're going.


    Private tours can be awesome, and usually are in smaller vehicles so they get closer to attractions.  But I don't think you can get really close to the Acropolis other than on foot with a long walk.  I saw it, from the bus, the rooftop of a couple hotels and the street. It was way too hot for me to even entertain walking up the hill.

    We will be there towards the end of October. I would have to, at least, get pretty near there without climbing all those steps. Is that possible?

    I have read many horror stories about people's experiences with the HoHo bus--terribly long lines, long waits, and then no room on the bus to even get on, not enough buses running to prevent this. Maybe going in late October might prevent something like this, but am I willing to take that chance?

     

    Cheers

    Len

  10. We have never been to Greece and wanted to see the Acropolis very much. Here's the deal though. I am an 'elderly' senior who walks with a stick or a cane. I am pretty mobile but after hearing about the 80 steps to climb the Acropolis (about 6 staircases) I don't know what that might do to my knees. I have heard there is an elevator there for handicapped people. Would I be able to use this? Is there anything special you would have to do to be able to use it?

    If I book a tour with the ship or a private tour company, would that make a difference if I had to use the elevator when everyone else is climbing?

     

    And lastly, we really have no intention of going to the museum, so does being at the Acropolis mean a big difference from say, seeing up close and personal, but not actually up there in it?

     

    Cheers

    Len

  11. Add my vote for the Vision out of Baltimore. We have sailed the Vision and the Enchantment, but the best is sailing out of Baltimore. Since you are flying in, this really doesn't apply, but driving to the port, you park your car a few hundred feet from the terminal entrance and you are on. When you disembark, roll your suitcase to your car and right onto INT 95. It's a snap. PLUS there is only one ship at a time sailing from Baltimore, so getting on and off and no huge crowds is great. PLUS the 2 extra days will make up for not having more overpriced shops to look at.

     

    Cheers

    Len

    • Like 2
  12. We sailed the Enchantment TA in May. She is a very old ship that was 'extended' in the middle, to make her somewhat longer. She may well be the oldest ship in the fleet right now, but we enjoyed our 15 days on her. NO bells and whistles just basic cruising. We enjoyed the food, the entertainment was OK and the Captain was always around, chatting with the passengers. When we were on here, the captain had his family with him and was always in the buffet for lunch with them.

    If you like pizza, this isn't the best ship for that as the only pizza is in the Solarium cafe. Tip, do NOT accept the pizza that is sitting out. Ask them to get you a fresh pie. It is still basically frozen pizza, but, at least it is hot.

    The cruise director (I forgot his name) but he was very good and also, always around.

     

    Ourselves, we like the peace and quiet of the sea days, so we spent most of that time on the lower deck where you can sit out and just relax and there are plenty of chairs and lounges to do just that.

     

    Cheers

    Len

     

    • Like 3
  13. We are doing an MSC cruise next month with stops in these two ports. I looked on Trip Advisor for some ideas as to what to do, but I prefer Cruise Critic advice so much more. 

    We have never been to either of these ports so what should we do? We certainly do not want to book a ships tour, and we are getting a bit 'long in the tooth to be running around on our own all day if that's what it takes to see these ports.

    What are sort of must sites to see, or should we think of getting out of town on an excursion? Ae the HoHo buses any good?

     

    We have waited a bit too long to really start planning, so any advice would be appreciated.

     

    Cheers

    Len

  14. We will be arriving via cruise ship to Athens and it is our first time here. We usually go out and do things on our own, but the old knee isn't what it used to be and a lot of walking isn't the right way to go.

    As it is our first time there, we thought a private tour company might be the way to go (any recommendations?), or just do the HoHo bus and see the town. 

    Obviously, we want to see the Acropolis, so does the HoHo drop you within an easy walk of it?

     

    Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

     

    Cheers

    Len

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