the more ports the better

On Marina hubby started passing a Kidney Stone.  We went down to medical for pain meds and Dr on board wanted to give all kinds of IV meds, but, of course, not pain meds.  We declined, called our daughter who works in the ER and she said take pain meds and a lot of fluids until it passes, and that getting IV antibiotics and steroids was never protocol unless there are underlying circumstances.  We went to a Dr in Florence in the morning and they gave him pain meds and told him to drink fluids.  It passed that night and all was fine.  
 

I think I read somewhere that the Dr on a ship does not report to anyone, not even the captain so it appears there is little oversight.

6 hours ago, IWantToLiveOverTheSea said:

The port for Athens is Piraeus, so you're not going to dock right there next to land-locked Athens.  There are various ways to get there, however.  It's highly unlikely that there will be a shuttle from Piraeus to Athens, although I suppose it's possible Oceania will offer some kind of transfer as a do it yourself type excursion.  And when we were there, there was a shuttle, but it was just inside Piraeus port to outside the port. And when we were there, I believe I took a bus that started near the port and ran to Athens.  But that was a while ago, so it would probably be best to google to see what's possible.  I used to use Tom's Port Guides for that information.  But they haven't been updated recently, so probably not very useful except as general information.

Thanks Sea, just having a port shuttle is really helpful.  I think we will take the metro from the entrance to the port as long as we don’t have to walk the whole way to the entrance from the ship.  Rick Steves has a walk of Athens on his Audio Europe app and I find that many times, his walks are better than private tours as long as you don’t need transportation, plus, on your own time.  Thanks again!

Does anyone know the scoop in Athens (Piraeus)?

I agree with the ferry being best but the times are limited to Sorrento.  Check Naplesbayferry.com for schedules.  They sell for every line.  If you can’t find a time to line up with the ferry, the circumvesuvia train is another option.  It will take a bit longer but they run every 20 min.  Porta Nolana is the closest train station, 15 min walk from cruise port.  You can also take metro (yellow line, universita) across the plaza 5 min from cruise port to Centrale and walk downstairs to Garibaldi (under Centrale) and catch circumvesuvia there.  It ends in sorrento.  

also, there is the campamia express train that only runs at certain times for tourists on the circumvesuvia route.  Another good option but check ferry first!  It’s a nice ride.

On 1/31/2022 at 9:20 AM, Aloha 1 said:

If you check the Cruisemapper website and look at the planned dockings at Marghera, you will see Riviera and Nautica listed for THIS July. My cruise is in July so I didn't check any earlier months.

Hi Aloha, thanks for the info.  Fantastic news.  I looked at cruise mapper and Riveria is there May 7 when we embark.  I’m going to have my 87 year old mom and my 35 yr old daughter who is blind, so the extra trip to Trieste was going to be challenging. My Brother, who was my absolute best friend growing up, has lived in Kailua for 30 years.  Every time I read your name, it reminds me of him and makes me smile!  Thanks for that!

Thanks for the idea! I always wanted to take that train.  We did a couple of land trips to Italy in July and Sept prior to O’s resumption.  We took the train from Milan to Zermatt.  Beautiful!  Up Lake Maggiore then into the Alps.  Venice was also fabulous in July, very quiet and the Venetians were so happy to have customers.  It will probably never be that way again in my lifetime.

We have been to Sorrento several times, both on cruises and as land trips.  You do have time to do both.  Take the 8:30ish circumvesuvia train to Pompeii, download Rick Steve’s audio Europe app and use the audio guide, or hire a guide at the site.  The guides are 2 to 3 hours.  
 

You can take a train around noon back to Sorrento and catch the 1:00 or 1:30 or, if you want more time in Pompeii, even the 2:00 ferry to Capri.  It still gives you 3 or so hours on Capri.  Wander town, go to the gardens, take a taxi to the cable car, etc, then take the ferry back.  The ferry will return close to the tender dock.

The only problem is that you miss Positano, and Amalfi and Ravello…..  It seems that it is impossible to ever have enough time on the Amalfi coast.

On 1/25/2022 at 4:27 PM, Hawaiidan said:

Hotel Regina.....   cost a bit more  but on the grand canal.   Offers private launch between airport and hotel...   I think part of the Marriott Bonvoy family  so you can use points  ( or earn them   never spend $1 that you do not get $1.25 back)   Its a super class act and location-location-location   

 In Rome for economy  The Park Marriott  near the airport..... or for the best  Hotel Carivali...  on the hill... has a mich*** restaurant on the roof ( la Pergola) and a view to die for............ciao

Hi Dan,  we have also stayed at the Regina a few times, it is spectacular.  It was closed for a bit over a year for a total refurbish and is now the St Regis Venice, still with the Regina name.  We are staying there 4 days pre cruise in May.  Hope it’s not a hassle getting to Mestre.  We plan to just take the train as opposed to the “O Bus”

We also stayed one night post cruise at the AC on Piazza Roma.  It’s great for taking a taxi to the airport, or the train, or the people mover, but now that the port is not accepting most ships, it kind of loses some of its appeal.

Where did you all get the info on the Marghera port opening in 2023???  That is fantastic news and I’d like to read about it.  There is a train stop at the port in Mestre so it will be a breeze into Venice.

Same for my Sirena Jan 22 Panama Canal sailing.  All waitlisted.

Thanks, that’s what I saw too, it covers costs but it doesn’t address what happens if we are denied entry and cannot disembark post cruise.  Normally, I would go with the flow if I was stuck on the ship post sailing but I’m having a multi level spinal fusion 8 days post sailing.  My neurosurgeon agreed to let me wait until after this vacation before having surgery and an unpleasant recovery and rehab.  Unfortunately, things have changed dramatically in the last few weeks and I could very well be significantly delayed getting home if I cannot disembark in Panama.

Flatbush, can you point it out.  I would greatly appreciate it.  I have read through everything but still cannot find anything regarding to not being permitted to disembark at the end of the sailing if you test positive.  Thanks

Our January 22 Sirena sailing ends in Panama.  What happens if we test positive for COVID with Omicron it’s inevitable that there will be positives cases on the ship.  Panama requires a negative PCR within 72 hours to disembark.  Does anyone know if O has contingency plans to get people home?  No one seems to have any idea at the call center and my TA can’t get any straight answers.

We were in Italy in July and September.  We tested at Walgreens, rapid antigen, both times.  The test has to be performed 72 hours before entry so don’t forget the time change when calculating the 72 hours.  We needed the negative test to check in.  United would not issue a boarding test without it.  No one in Italy even looked.  Airport Senators lounge in Frankfurt required negative test and vaccine for entry.

IMPORTANT, you will need to complete their online locator (PLF) and obtain the QR code.  Italy requires it and United would not issue a boarding pass without it.  It is easy to fill out, everyone in a household can be listed on one PLF.

The PLF can be found here. https://app.euplf.eu/#/

We took a day trip on the train into Switzerland to see the Matterhorn.  On the way back into Italy, the train was stopped at the border and Italian police checked everyone on the train for the PLF QR code.

Have a great time!

I hope someone from O is reading this thread.  The Marina and Riveria PH’s are great size wise but stuffed to the gills with furniture.  Vista PH’s are the same size and configuration without all the furniture and look so much larger.  When I sail with my daughter, since we separate the beds, we pile up the banquette in the corner of the closet!!  Vista eliminated the banquette, eliminated the ridiculous pseudo wall room dividers/half curtain,  moved the desk, put in small table and chairs and, amazing, the room looks open and airy.  That would be a great improvement for Riveria and Marina in future dry dock.  Less is more!  All they need is a dumpster.  

We were in Venice a few weeks ago.  We took the train in and out.  Do you all think that the Italian Govt  may use the Porto Marghera train station once the docks and facilities are complete?  It’s was less than 5 min to SL from the Porto Marghera train station.  They run frequently and one or two trains can hold an entire O ship.

Since they are charging a day trip fee at the train station, it would make sense.

Hopefully, the cruise lines will help and work with the Govt to get it up and running, kind of like they do in the Caribbean when new facilities are being built. 

Regarding testing, there are testing centers in all the tourist areas that we visited in Italy and Switzerland last month.  Our hotels had relationships with Covid testing centers. Unfortunately, we did not realize that it was necessary for re entry until we were at the airport.  Since we were flying out of Naples, easy peasy, the testing center was right outside the front door of the airport and cost 10 euro.  It took about 5 min.  
 

Be sure to complete the EU destination entry form and download the QR code.  https://app.euplf.eu/#/   Italian authorities stopped the train at border of Switzerland and Italy to check QR codes for entry into Italy.  Other countries may do the same.

I am going back next week and staying at the same hotel in Sorrento.  I emailed the concierge  regarding the testing re entry requirements back into the US and he apologized that they did not know we were leaving for the US upon checking out and would schedule testing for us on our upcoming stay the day prior to departure.

One other thing, it was fantastic seeing Italy with very few tourists.  We were there for three weeks, Bellagio, Venice, Florence, Sorrento.  It was really a treat.  I’m anticipating Rome to be the same next week.

Royal is getting ridiculous with suite pricing while taking away amenities.  They built a premium area on cocoa cay that could give suite guests a premium experience similar to Labadee.  My kids are older so I’ve been taking them on premium lines lately instead of Royal for less cost, although we will be on Symphony this fall, including cocoa cay.  Our Oceania Cruises 12 day Med cruise, in a penthouse, with a butler, and five star food, complimentary specialty restaurants, and a total of $900 onboard credit per stateroom, cost less than a 7 day sailing in a sky suite on Royal.  That doesn’t make any sense!

I received this response from Paul Chili, 

Wow, I jump from the Regent boards to the O boards and it’s like a different universe.  Everyone over there is booking up all the Crystal sailings praying that Regent will get a ship up and running soon.  
 

Here, half the people still believe that covid is going to last forever and refuse to sail anytime soon.  I guess different circumstances creat different opinions.  I have a sailing booked every month until the end of the year and I’ll be on the first one that goes!

Florida has the oldest population in the country and has always been in the bottom fifty percent of covid deaths nationwide.  Businesses stayed open and kids have been in school all year.  The economy is strong even with California putting so much financial stress on Disney.

DeSantis is opposed to Sue restaurant owner or Fred theater operator refusing service based on being vaccinated. Covid records will have to comply with hippa just like every other vaccine or medication.

Nationwide death rates are steadily dropping. Number of cases is meaningless as it does not give a picture of the health of the subject.  Many businesses such as Amazon are testing thousands of workers.  That doesn’t tell us who is sick, it only tells us who tests positive.

I am in the Pfizer trial and have been added to the variant trial.  I had both injections last summer.  So far we are 96% effective to variants.  More importantly, I went into my appoint last week thinking that I had covid as I was quite ill and running a fever.  The nurse tested me but kind of laughed and said there is no way I had covid as I was too sick, the few cases people get after being vaccinated are so mild that I wouldn’t be running a fever.  My covid test was negative but I was positive for the flu.

One statistic shared with the group is that so far, world wide, there have been zero covid deaths from people who have contracted covid after having the Pfizer vaccine.  In my eyes, that is proof positive that we are out of the woods.  I’m just glad I live in Florida where death rates have been low and life has been normal.  My best guess is that my August sailing will go!

I don’t think so.  They are transportation, no accommodations, restaurants, etc.  Ferries are operating everywhere and have been all through the pandemic.

I jus posted this on the RCI forum too.....
 

If I were CEO of RCCL for a day, I would buy a few of the high speed ferries that run from Ft Lauderdale to Grand Bahama.  I would run them from Port Everglades to Nassau.  They hold about 600 people and take about 45 min to Grand Bahama so maybe 75 min to Nassau.

They would have so much more control over their sailings as opposed to counting on flights.  I think people would be much more willing to sail if the flights were taken out of equation.  Check in could be done on the ride over once in international waters and passengers could be dropped off right at the ship.  Plenty of parking at Port Everglades too.

If I were CEO of RCCL for a day, I would buy a few of the high speed ferries that run from Ft Lauderdale to Grand Bahama.  I would run them from Port Everglades to Nassau.  They hold about 600 people and take about 45 min to Grand Bahama so maybe 75 min to Nassau.

They would have so much more control over their sailings as opposed to counting on flights.  I think people would be much more willing to sail if the flights were taken out of equation.  Check in could be done on the ride over once in international waters and passengers could be dropped off right at the ship.  Plenty of parking at Port Everglades too.

Yes, there is a nightlight plate plugged into the outlet.  Just unplug it and you are good to go.

I can see places like Cinque Terre and Dubrovnik, etc. when protecting world heritage sites is paramount but seriously, Key West..... talk about being a bit duplicitous.  
 

It is not on my radar as a cruise stop as I typically go to the Key West world boat races every November and I have might visited Fantasy Fest a time or two......   these are just a few of many crazy out of control Key West sanctioned events.  
 

Fantasy Fest has at least 50,000 people welcomed with open arms over the course of 10 days each October and the city gets beyond trashed every single year (except this year of course, as it was cancelled).  I can not even imagine the clean up costs.  I also can’t believe that few thousand cruisers walking around town browsing gift shops can even compare damage wise.

Its kind of selective tourism.  My money is on them making an exception for some of the “naughty” cruises.

I participated in the Pfizer study and had the vaccines last summer.  At that point we were encouraged to expose ourselves as much as possible.  When I asked, they said that earlier studies showed the vaccine was over 90% effective.  They said they were anticipating approvals in late fall hoping to reach herd immunity sometime in the summer.  Everything they communicated to us thus far has been spot on.

Once we reach herd immunity, the effectiveness of the vaccine is irrelevant as long as the effectiveness is over the herd immunity threshold.  The small amount of people who are not healthy enough to take the vaccine will not need it as long as they do not travel to a part of the world where the virus is prevalent.

I haven’t seen many people saying that they are going to avoid travel, wear face masks, social distance and change their daily living habits because they are worried about contracting small pox or measles.  Both of those vaccines are appx 95% effective, same as Covid, along with a host of other vaccines and we have reached herd immunity.
 

Once herd immunity is reached, it doesn’t matter if you are one of the 5% in which the vaccine is not effective because the virus naturally dies out.  Their will be no mechanism to catch the virus.  That is the entire purpose of creating a vaccine, to eradicate a disease.  The important thing is to get as many people as possible to take the vaccine to reach herd immunity.  Just like small pox, measles, diphtheria...... it will be eradicated and not present in our population.

I volunteered for the Pfizer Covid study because I felt that a vaccine was so important.  We, along with many other first world counties, closed our economies.  As of today there 23.9 million confirmed cases of Covid in the US with 397,000 deaths, a less than 2% death rate.  The UN’s world food program is anticipating 137 million people will starve this year with much of that being a result of our first world shut downs.

I hope everyone gets vaccinated and gets back to sailing.  When we do, we need to keep in mind that many of the workers are feeding extended families with the tips we give them.  We in the US can afford an abundance of caution, they cannot.  While we are locked in our cozy houses and shopping online, many families are starving to death and the people that take care of us on the ships have a lot of ground to make up.  Let’s all agree to be extra generous in any way we can, both now and certainly with the staff when we all start sailing again.