erby2283

Once you get to Europe, it’s pretty cheap to fly to most places within it. The hard part is getting there economically. Enjoy your trip. It sounds amazing!

I booked one of these at Breezy Bay for our May 2024 Icon sailing - they only had 3 left and South Beach was already sold out - even though it was around $100 more. The description of what I was getting wasn't very clear online so I watched a few online videos people had posted. Ours was $219 for the day - $244 with taxes. I was really surprised these were already almost sold out 14 months before sailing.

Just search for ship name and date of sailing. I personally enjoy all roll calls bc not everyone is on all of them. I have many lifelong friends that I have met on CC roll calls so this is usually my first go-to place for my sailing.

I was just about to say...not on a Monday.... 😜. Our 12 day cruise just happened to land with our Florence stop on a Monday so we weren't able to get into the Accademia Gallery. Just as well I guess, as it gave us more time on our tour to walk around and explore.

I used them for all three stops in Italy and my stop in Villefranche. I had no concerns after reading so many wonderful things about them on these boards. It can be scary and confusing the first time because of all the unknowns. When we used them in Salerno, I was so hoping time would allow us to make it to Positano, but the traffic was too bad and we had to go back. They are in constant contact with others in the know regarding traffic. There are several threads on here about this tour company - 95% positive I would say. I'd book them anytime.

I used them arriving in Barcelona to hotel and in Lisbon from our apt we rented to the hotel. Both were fine. I was nervous bc I had never used them and our flight to Barcelona was delayed. This was back in 2019 so not sure if they still do it this way but the drivers communicate through the "whats app" app. As soon as I found out my flight was delayed, I notified them. My driver sent me a message while I was waiting to go through customs that he was there and waiting and where to meet him. I would have no issue using them again.

We just took a taxi (we had an early flight though and actually carried our stuff off ship). Must have been no later than 7am though. I did use Welcome Pickups though when I arrived and again to get to the airport after we traveled to Lisbon post cruise for a few days. They were easy to work with and our driver was waiting when we arrived even though our plane was delayed. I did notify them as quickly as I learned we were going to be delayed though - but still nice to know our ride was still there and waiting. They use whatsapp to message you upon arrival.

We used TAP from Barcelona to Lisbon for a few days post cruise. Seemed to be very efficient. Short flight but everything went off without a hitch.

Look for my pictures in post #36. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2746620-vision-of-the-seas-mediterranean-review-aug-10-22-2019/page/2/ One of them towards the end has a picture with a caption of us looking down towards the parking lot. If this helps, I was 45 when I went but needed a new (which I finally got last year). Thankfully celebrex got me through that trip wonderfully and it didn't stop me from doing anything. But there's no way I could have walked it had I tried to go last year before my replacement. 🤨 There's plenty of places to stop on the side and rest. So I guess it depends on the disability.

We hired Italytours.eu for a tour in Villefranche. They don't advertise the tour on their website but you can email them and see if they still offer one. We spent the morning in Nice and then had lunch in Monaco and had a some time to walk around. We then drove through Monte Carlo and stopped to take pictures of all the elaborate cars parked at the hotel but no one in our group was particularly fond of staying there long. Then we went up to Eze. There were only four of us on our tour and Guy (prounounced Gee) was a fabulous guide - it was my favorite tour of the whole trip. This was back in 2019 so I'm not sure of the cost - maybe around $100 USD each? Well worth it to me. Edit: I never did finish my review (bad me) but if you click the link to Vision cruise in 2019 you can see photos from this tour.

"Wicked" perhaps? I would think that would fall more in line with their latest shows.

As a non-drinker I almost always get the Refreshment Package bc I do enjoy plenty of soda and 2/3 mocktails a day. I was holding off buying it because it's always been $29.99 (10% off) in the planner while most other packages where 20% off - so I was holding off for 20%. Well that was dumb bc they just increased the price and now it's $33.99 (with 10% discount). I should have just bought it and then canceled and rebooked if I saw it at a lower price.

We had an overnight in Venice. It was amazing to be able to experience the city at all hours. The only downside was that if you missed all the local transportation back to the port before 11 pm you had quite a bit of a walk. But we made sure to make it in time.

JC had a layover in Charlotte and didn't give me advance notice? 😜

I usually always get the refreshment package, especially if the ship I an sailing on has a Bionic Bar and I can just go and get my own drinks. 😛 But I do also factor in how many port days there are bc if it's port intensive and I won't be on the ship much, I know it's better to just pay per drink. I also watch prices like a hawk and if I can get it for a great price, I will get the package anyway - even on a port intensive cruise.

We toured with italytours.eu and saw all of those things (and paid extra to see the inside of the Colosseum - which I don't suggest if going during peak season bc by the time we got through security we had 20 minutes at most inside). There is another thread on here regarding the tour company and the many people recommending them. The tour of the Vatican lasted a couple hours and had a separate guide specific for the Vatican. We also spent 15/20 minutes our so at each of the Pantheon, Spanish steps, Trevi Fountian, etc. Rome is so hard because there is so much to see in a day! It is definitely a place I need to get back to and either embark or disembark from so I can explore more than just a day. I'll log in from my phone and try to post some pics from our tour.

The refreshment package has consistently been 10% off for my Icon cruise so I was hoping it would go down to 20% but alas it did not. The alcohol package went down to 20% and the soda and stream went down to 25%. Good thing I have 18 more months to stalk prices. Or maybe I should buy now at the 10% off with the way inflation has been going - I can always cancel and rebuy if it drops more.

We used them for 3 tours and never felt cramped. The one in Salerno felt more like a mini-bus but the others were BMW vans.

I was telling someone the other day that all the Royal app does it show me my upcoming cruise. I don't have an option to click on it, no three dots (that they suggested would be there) to select, nothing. So what good does the app do just to tell me I have a cruise?! I know I have a cruise. SMH. It would be helpful to make reservations, book excursions, book drink packages or at least check pricing, etc...but nope....just that I have a cruise.

Did all three. Still just a blue screen with my cruise info inside. But I appreciate your trying to help. Maybe my cruise is just too far out to do anything via the app and have to do everything online?

My Royal app just shows a box with my upcoming cruise. That's it. But when I log in online to Royal, I can purchase beverage packages, internet packages, excursion reservations, etc. With the app...nothing. Just a blue screen with a box with my "upcoming cruise description," dates, reservation # and guests,

Thanks for the update. Can we ever do anything with the cruise in the app or not until it's a certain number of days away? I still can't click on it - it just lists it.

Yup. I opened the app and saw my reservation but nothing would happen when I clicked on it. Went to computer and logged in and it said I had zero upcoming cruises.

Booked today! Three best friends sharing a standard balcony deck 12. Used my good friend/TA and price was less than $3500 total for all three of us. Biggest ship I have been on is Anthem (no Oasis class) so I am excited to see some new bells and whistles - booked for May 2024 so after spring break but before the kiddos are officially out of school.

Very sorry for your loss and thank you so much for thinking of others and sharing your experience. When I lost my mom, one of the complaints I constantly had was that no one (not even the attorney we hired) takes your hand and actually walks you through the legal process and how things work and what to expect next. You did that with this post and many who are considering this option will be very thankful for all your thorough information that will ease the burden on them.