soxfan1495

That’s my thinking also. Looking forward to Paros, as it seems to be a very scenic island with a more relaxed vibe than the others we will be visiting. Thanks again!

Thank you Hank. I just checked and there are cars available (even automatic transmission, which I’d need). Two small follow up questions. I apologise for asking since I’m sure both questions are much discussed elsewhere, but (1) I’m wondering if you recommend getting the “zero excess” insurance add on for about $10? And (2) do you recommend having an international drivers licence when renting a car in Greece even if it is no longer apparently required?

We will be visiting Paros on NCL Jade in May and are considering seeing several villages on the island, including Lefkes and Naoussa. It might be easiest to take taxis, or we could rent a car for the day. We don't know how available taxis are on the island, and we also don't know about ease of car rental from the port. For anyone who has been to Paros or has information about transportation on the island, what would your suggestions be? Thanks.

Just to update my earlier comments: we were able to do both the snowshoeing and kayaking excursions. Still two days left in Antarctica before starting the return via Drake Passage. With excursions, it all depends on weather and ice conditions, so we were lucky. In any event, both excursions were fantastic. While kayaking, we were surrounded by whales and penguins: probably the highlight of our trip!

I don’t think you need ski goggles. At least on this cruise (1/3-1/13), sun glasses are sufficient. Goggles might be nice when on a zodiac if it is raining or snowing, but still, it seems to me, not necessary.

When onboard, you are given info about downloading an app into your iPhone. You book optional excursions (and certain dining options) using the app. We are on the Amundsen now and have indicated an interest in two optional excursions- kayaking and snowshoeing. The other optional excursion is an overnight camping excursion. A lottery is apparently done to determine which optional excursions you are able to do. Since we are only at the beginning of our cruise, we don’t know yet which optional excursions we will go on. The app is easy to use.

We are on the Amundsen now (Jan 3-12 cruise). When on flight to Ushuaia, we were able to bring a personal item as well as a car on.

We are also considering an excursion to Iguazu following a flight from Buenos Aires to IGR. I have not been to Iguazu myself, but based on what I have learned elsewhere (TripAdvisor), I believe there will be no problem getting a taxi to and from the falls, but it is a good idea to agree on the price before starting the drive. I think it costs about $10 US or less each way.

Thanks! I just reserved for an antigen test at this pharmacy the day before our cruise. Looking forward to the sangria. 🙂

The previous result would not make a difference (even though it should mean that you would be OK to board if you have a recovery letter). It is my understanding that whether you have previously tested positive or not, and even if you have recovered, in the unlikely event of a new positive result on the day of boarding that would be a problem for Azamara. My previous positive test result from April is not linked to a passport number, but I don't think that matters. If I test positive on the day of embarkation, I would acknowledge the previous positive test result and recovery, and present the recovery letter, but I don't expect it would help.

Thanks! That sounds wonderful. Maybe even better than pre-covid. Perhaps the pandemic has resulted in an upgrade to the buffet experience.

That's helpful, and based no that, I would expect to have a negative result from the lateral flow/antigen test (I tested positive on April 20 and fully recovered by May 1). Today, I will be scheduling a PCR test to take place on May 28, three days prior to the start of a May 31 cruise. If I test positive using the PCR test, however, I will be disregarding the PCR result since it is within 90 days of recovery. I will still be getting on a plane to go to Spain for the start of the cruise (or if necessary, a land-based vacation), and will take an antigen test on the day of departure, to see if that one comes back negative. I will report back to let you all know what happens... keeping my fingers crossed.

It is crazy. Plan B is a land-based vacation, that starts on the same day as the cruise...😐

According to Azamara's most recent protocol, a rapid/antigen test taken at the terminal will cost US$59. I recovered within the past 90 days, and have a recovery letter. The recovery letter will be helpful when flying back to the US, since it will mean that I will not need a test then, but apparently the recovery letter will not be of any use when boarding the ship. When I called Azamara recently, I was advised that a negative test is needed prior to boarding, even if a person has recovered within 90 days and has a recovery letter. This is consistent with the experience reported by Tuscany4.

Thanks Leo! We really appreciate your response, which is very helpful and timely, since are also on the Pursuit, and depart on May 31 from Barcelona. Windows sounds like a nice option for dinner. Just so I fully understand: if you go to Windows for dinner, is it possible to order food from the menu, have the food served to you at a table inside, and then take your food to an outside location? When you say "no table clothes outside" do you mean that the tables outside, do not have a cloth on top, napkins, silverware, etc., but are otherwise available for use? Do passengers use those tables to have dinner that they picked up in Windows? Is the menu selection in Windows at dinner similar to what one would expect at a buffet (i.e., a wide range of items to choose from)? Also, although not a dining question, I wonder if you could maybe help with another question: with only about 280 passengers on board, what other changes (e.g., with entertainment) do you notice from what would you expect would be available if the ship had 600 pax? Thanks again.