Nebr.cruiser

For cruising the sounds last winter (ok, summer down there!) we brought the packable down jackets and were glad we did. Highs probably 40's, light mist at times. It was spectacular. I guess several light layers might work just fine. The rest of our cruise to the South Island the weather was very nice, 65-75. I usually started out with a light jacket but didn't need it except at the start of our tours. This was early to mid March.

We were at the kawiti caves last winter. They were ok but not spectacular. However, Waitomo just didn't work out for us. I'm still glad we saw the glow worms, even if not the ideal caves. We also enjoyed some of the other stops on the Bay of Islands tour, especially the forest. Really agree that Hobbiton is a must see! We did it from Taranga.

We were there in February. I agree that it is likely impossible to do a non-ship tour. We almost never do ship tours, but after much research I came to the conclusion that because of tendering concerns and time that only ship tours would really work. All of our tours we booked through the ship were excellent, although the one at Port Douglas was not exactly what we wanted because they had cancelled the tour we wanted, then reinstated it, but too late for us to rebook it. The day was fine though. Yeah, it's disappointing but due to time constraints probably just what you have to do.

This is what we did last winter. We really enjoyed the day. Also, as to Hobbiton, we did not do it from Auckland but from Taranga, but it was really, really great. I was the one so wanting to see it, but it turned out to be all of our favorite excursion. We used a private company. Yes, it is far from Auckland though. For the Bay of Islands we did another independent tour that went to glowworm caves, some falls, historic house, beautiful forest with (forgot the name of them) lovely giant trees, etc. Very enjoyable.

We are on the same cruise and have done this route before. We had no problems with rough seas at all. Of course, nothing can be guaranteed. We are just going on the first segment, but have done Argentina to Santiago and luckily had very good seas the whole way as well.

I agree with many of the suggestions above. I think it makes a difference if you have been to an island before though. We've been to all of those, but Grand Cayman multiple times and have done everything we are interested in doing there, so that would be our choice for a beach day. They all have options for great beach days. I'd research other activities or tours and see which of those I want to do, then pick the one for a beach day.

I think a couple of hours would be enough too, but then I have already been there. My husband (he was ill the day we stopped in Santorini) and my two sisters have not. So I'm thinking allow 3 hours before our other tour.

This was in 2022, so I guess post-covid. Getting to the Uber lot was also extremally frustrating and time consuming, but that was from the airport. I'm assuming hotel pick up would be much easier!

Since we're only going to be there probably 12 hours, max, I can put up with a lack of updates, especially since I can pay with credit card perks. If I was staying several days or as part of my vacation, different criteria. Thinking of taking the hotel shuttle back to the airport and then picking up a Princess transfer, but we'll see. Uber was very expensive the last time we used it to port. It depends on when our travel companions come and if we can share transport.

We had tours in Ephesus and Istanbul that included carpet stops. I guess we were lucky that neither one were high pressure or long. Our Ephesus tour included a meal in an outdoor area at the carpet shop that was really nice. Really, we just listened to the spiel in both places, and walked out. Very low key. This was in 2012, so things may have changed. These menus look very basic and disappointing. Especially the lack of 'real' appetizers--mostly soups and salads which I don't consider appetizers. I can foresee ordering lots of mains as appetizers, esp. the pastas.

The description of our On Your Own tour says 3 hours in Oia. Not sure we need that much. We do need a specialized private tour as we want to visit Kamari, since my sister lived there for awhile in the early 70's. and she'd like to see it again. We have found a tour operator, but haven't booked yet.

We booked the Oia on your own just to bypass problems getting up to Fira, even though there only seems to be our ship in port that day. I hope it stays that way! Thanks for letting us know that it worked well. Nice to be on the first tender and not even have to go ashore in Fira. We have been to Santorini before, but will do another tour in the afternoon (private). How much time did you spend in Oia on the tour? We might not go back to Fira when the tour does, but meet our other guide in Oia, or possibly Fira.

We did too, and all over, mostly walking, using the conch train or trollies at times. We're in our 70's. Parking is a problem.

Free parking on the street would be very difficult. We have used parking garages and fee lots. The fees weren't bad. Even then you will probably end of walking a ways to get to the main streets. That said, you really don't need a car to see Key West. It's very walkable and there are free or low cost trolleys, buses, etc. In our 70's, we have walked all over the town seeing the main sights and sometimes riding the trolley. If you are getting off a cruise ship, the dock is quite close to everything.

What is this tour? Independent or Celebrity? We aren't on until May. Also, wow do those menus look boring, especially since I really like beef.

Not Celebrity, but on Princess my husband's bag was lost somewhere between putting it out in the hall and pick up in luggage room. They did help us look, kept us until the last minute, when all bags were gone and gave us a free transfer to the airport. The bag was never found; presumably taken by mistake by a passenger. We did have it marked with quite unmistakable ribboons. Princess reimbursed us $250--for a bag and contents worth well over $1000,--which in our opinion was extremely poor.

We won't be on her until May, but looking forward to all your posts. The water in Venice people are walking through is crazy!

We don't take ship excursions unless there is little other choice due to logistics or other factors. We use the ports of call boards here for ideas, or google or sometimes just pick up a tour right off the ship. We did that in Amber Cove and had a very nice tour that took in the main sights. Some ports you can just get off and walk around the area or to nearby beaches. It takes some research and also experience in different ports.

Check out the Labor Day special Celebrity has right now, with up to 45% off on shore excursions. I have already saved $100 on an excursion we had booked. We got an email tailored to the cruise we have booked in May.

Thank you. I was sure the ship 'on your on tour' took us by boat to Oia, then up the hill, but why in the world can't they say that in the description!!! We have been to Santorini before, took cable car up and down, had a very nice independent tour that hit the main sights. But this time my sisters are with us and one especially wants to see Karmari (you are right on that) since she lived there way back in 72 or so. Even though it is showing that we will be the only ship in port, still wanting to avoid the cable car lines. I don't think the steps are an option for us due to age/fitness level of several of us.

I"d like to book the Oia on your own excursion which takes us to Oia, we spend time on our own there, then bus back to Fira and cable car ticket. But nowhere in the very undetailed description does it say how we get to Oia. I assume we go by boat to Oia and are bused to the top, but it just doesn't say anything about it. Does anyone know if this is the case? That's really the only reason we'd take this excursion, so that we don't have to stand in line for the cable car up to Fira. We are definitely not climbing or riding donkeys. Also, we plan on doing a private excursion once we get to Fira as we have a specific town we want to see since my sister lived there back in the (very long ago) day. Amari, I think.

The Hyatt looks great but the only room they had available was $550!! A little (lot) pricey for us,for barely more than 12 hours! There were rooms priced much cheaper, but apparently they are all gone. Thank you though!

We are cruising out of San Pedro in December. We have stayed at the Crown Plaza a couple of times, which was fine, but this time our flight gets in at 5:30 pm the day before sailing. Since getting luggage and transport to San Pedro will make a late hotel arrival, we are wondering if it would be simpler to stay at a LAX hotel and then transfer to the dock in the morning. Any recommendations for a decent hotel--don't need luxury? We have used Super Shuttle twice to the hotel--quite a long drive, and Uber last year (from the airport). That was day of the cruise, was pricey and still long, also getting to the Uber lot was a mess. We'd either Uber from hotel direct to the ship or possibly back to the airport and use Princess transfer to ship. We would want a hotel with free shuttles. If we had more time after our flight we'd definitely get closer to port, but it may be at least 7:30 or later, so not really time enough to do or see much.

We never buy plus or any drink package because we never, or rarely drink. Coffee, tea, water, juice at breakfast, usually some kinds of juices at lunch and on the lido deck are all included with your standard fare. Many people don't care much for the included coffee, but I'm fine with it. Pop is always extra, as is specialty (or better) coffee, orange juice outside of breakfast, and things like lemonade at lunch or dinner. I've never ordered ice tea at dinner but I *think* it's included. Bottled water is extra, but a reasonable price to buy a 12 pack.

The very best is the Falklands, if you actually port there. We were lucky enough to make it and enjoyed a fabulous day with an independent tour. Be prepared for probably the roughest ride of your life to get to the King penguins. We also took a tour to see the penguin colonies in Puerto Madryn. That was very nice too, seeing a lot of the smaller penguins.