mmccool719

I was super surprised that Coral Breeze only offered 1 tour in whole month of December?  I emailed them so we will see what happens but the Shark Alley tour looks great.

Caye Caulker was actually on my radar.  I see for around $20pp, we can take a water taxi over there and spend the day there exploring.

That really is a fantastic review! Since this ship is so new to Tampa, it's been hard to get info on.  You went over and above with all your great photos and writing! Thank you SO MUCH!

We will be in Belize via Carnival Legend around Christmas time.  We have been there before and had a fantastic time doing cave tubing. I am trying to find something different/adventurous with 2 teenage boys (no ruins please)  I saw there is also river kayaking but I am having trouble finding such an excursion.  Any ideas most appreciated.

Just saw cabin location, 14832.....not sure if it’s good or bad with the angle?? Thoughts???

hi. I just saw where my cabin is located on the Bliss for Alaska in July. It’s balcony on Deck 14 but I’m not so sure about the angle of the balcony #14832. Any thoughts??

In our past experiences with cruises, there are often tour companies at the ports. If we decided to "wing it", are there some ports that have more tour companies set up than others? Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Victoria BC (where we plan to just stroll). Thanks.

Hello. I need a suggestion for a hotel near the Norwegian pier. But I need a hotel that would let me stay pre-cruise and then store my luggage for 6-7 hours post cruise as we have a very late flight home. I tried Marriott Waterfront and they do not store luggage. Edgewater Hotel is sold out. Probably $300-$350 price range. Thanks!

I admit. I am overwhelmed planning this trip. It will be us and our teen boys. Bus tours and fishing tours are out. So are $1,000 excursions. First, I am wondering, can I take a chance at any of the ports and wait to book something when we get off the ship? Will a I find a variety of vendors at certain ports? If so, which ports? Some interest would be sled dog camp, jeep rental (Skagway), boat tour to see a glacier, zip lining for the boys, kayaking. The White Pass Summit rail looks great but I am afraid they'll hate sitting that long. Victoria BC we will just do some walking at the harbor. Thanks in advance!

That's exactly the post I was hoping for! You think I'd safely get back to La Spezia by about 1700 with your suggestion??

Yes, as I was working through the ferry schedule, it's nearly impossible to take the ferry both ways and see all 5 villages AND make it back to port on time. We may take train to Monterosso and ferry on the way back. Which villages are you seeing?

So I am understanding correctly, The $35 "daily ticket" gets us on the ferry at La Spezia, allows for stops at each village for about an hour and then gets me back to La Spezia? There would be no need to ride trains then, right?

Cruise mom........you are a genius. Wish you could come with us and show us around! THANK YOU!!

Don't feel sorry for me.......this is a trip we earned FREE of charge through my hubby's company. I'm sure you'd consider July too if you weren't paying for it. :cool:

Cruise mom: I'm still interested in another post from you suggesting what to do after Forum and Colosseum. Also, how the heck do I get back to ship?????

So, would it possible to take ferry all the way to Monterosso, hike the lower trails back south and catch a ferry back to La Spezia?

We arrive to La Spezia for a port day. We have chosen CT to explore for the day.....July 26 to be exact. I am totally confused about how to get there and back. Is there anyone out there who has actually been there, done that who can guide me in layman's terms step by step or refer me to a site that does? Would like to take a combo of train and ferry, swim, have a small lunch, explore, take pics and of course get back to ship in good time. Should I buy the daily CT pass? There's 4 of us, parents and 2 teen sons. I've looked down the threads, trust me, just cannot wrap my head around this one. Appreciate your help and insight in advance!!

Just read about Grand Tour, a big red, double decker hop on hop off bus to tour Monaco. Is it worth it or should we just plan to walk on our own? We are a family with 2 teen boys in for 1 port day.

Wow, thanks everyone for the ideas. I think we are going to train it in, see Colosseum/Forum and then simply walk the area and take in the sites. Cruisemom42.......I would love to know your advice for the quicker travel route. Aulanis: thanks for the heads up, especially with teens who can become lax. Seems to be happening ALOT everywhere lately. What a nightmare! I really dislike heat, but this is an earned trip so we had no choice on dates so July it is!:eek: Thanks again!

We are a family of 4 with 2 teens traveling late July, never been to Europe. Doing Western Med cruise (Naples, Florence, Barcelona, Marseille, Nice, Rome) I'm stumped on Rome. I was thinking of taking train to Rome and then doing a hop on/hop off bus tour and/or Colosseum and gelato. Vatican sounds great but not interested enough to stand in crowds and heat to see it on this trip. I think my kids would like Colesseum. The idea of a tour sounds nice but I'm not sure it's in the budget. We don't really want to feel rushed by cramming too much. Ideas? Thoughts?

I have not but in reading Rick Steve's book, he states it takes "30-45 minutes just to get from the port to the train station across town. He also suggests allowing 2 hours each way for travel time from port to Florence. Ouch.

Tendering in Villefranche. If we ("we" includes 2 teen boys who love sports cars and yachts) got up early (as in first off ship) and took train to Monaco for a quick look at fancy sports cars, yachts and in general "say we've been there" looking around, is it possible to also visit Nice in same day and be ready to board ship by 5ish? Is this too much? Are we better off seeing Monaco and then relaxing in Villefranche for the afternoon before boarding ship? Is it really a mistake to skip Nice?

Another option is hopping train to Monaco to see yachts, car collection and maybe where the Grand Prix takes place, then come back and walk Villefranche. Is this doable?

Actually, I was considering staying right in Villefranche and going snorkeling! They also happen to love looking at fancy boats.:)

I forgot to mention......the ship arrives in Villefranche port.