IndyCapt

6 hours ago, OnTheJourney said:

Well, the letter I got is attempting to do just that it would seem. It didn't invite further correspondence regarding it.

Maybe we were just lucky that they actually did send us the one from Odyssey (sent Mar 2024) even though it had been 18 months since we had earned it... Or perhaps the LA on Serenade was able to cut through some red tape on our behalf (?)🤷‍♂️

Apparently it does vary from one instance to another...we were due one on Odyssey in October 2022.  We filled out the form left in our stateroom to have it mailed home. It said due to "supply chain" issues, they were out of stock. (New vendor, perhaps?) In any case we never received that one from Odyssey. On our next cruise in October 2023, I spoke to the LA, who said he'd submit a request to Miami to have it sent. Never received the block. On our next cruise in Feb, 2024 I went to the LA and she kindly said she would take care of it (no mention of a 12 month rule). Within days the block we were missing from Odyssey showed up at home and surprisingly it was the old "clear" style block. (I thought those were no longer available)...I sure had never heard about them denying requests past 12 months. For anyone due a block from past sailings, it may be worth continuing to try to get it.

7 hours ago, oakridger said:

 

When I Googled the conversion just now 21000 cfp = $187.74    I would pay them in cfp rather than USD and save $22.26.

 

~Nancy

That's what I was coming up with too. Thanks!

We booked an ATV tour for our stop in Moorea later this month. When I inquired with the tour operator about payment/currency, I asked about ATMs nearby to get local currency for payment on the day of. They said no ATMs were nearby and that USD would be no problem for payment. I then asked them to reconfirm the tour price. They said 21,000cfp or $210 USD. When I googled the comparison of the two currencies those figures don't add up. Am I missing something on this conversion from USD to cfp?

I did ask if the $210 included a tip and they said no....

Thanks

Anyone have any luck finding a day pass at one of the hotels on Moorea?

Thanks

Following.

We have a port day in Moorea on a Sunday. Same question-will most businesses be open or closed?

Suggestions for the day?

Thanks

Any recommendations for public beaches in Moorea? Or do any of the hotels offer resort day passes?

Thanks for any info/suggestions...

2 hours ago, MsMaryPoppins said:

Speaking of Hotel Navona, how was it?   We are booked for May 2023.  First time in Italy!!

We were very satisfied with Hotel Navona. The central location was perfect for walking wherever we wanted to go. It’s just around the corner from the Pantheon. We had a top floor corner room with a small balcony on each side. Room was small but it served our needs. Our nightly rate included a hot breakfast buffet which was very good. If you’re looking for a authentic Italian, boutique hotel, I think it fits the bill. We would stay there again. 

On 10/26/2022 at 1:37 PM, cruisemom42 said:

Sorry, I was traveling and just got home a couple days ago. It sounds like the hotel thought you were asking about driving your own car to the hotel, rather than a car service. Glad it was sorted with no problems.

Yes, afterwards I wondered the same thing. We loved our time in Rome (hotel location was perfect). Hope your travels were enjoyable! Thanks 

On 10/7/2022 at 6:15 PM, IndyCapt said:

For anyone familiar with Hotel Navona (cruisemom ?), when I inquired with the hotel staff about whether their location was accessible for our car service to drop us off at the hotel, they said “no, we’re in the LZT (?) limited traffic zone”. Any insight on approx how far away we’ll need to be dropped off with luggage for the walk to the hotel?

 Thanks 

To answer my own question: turns out no issue at all for the car service (Rome Cabs) to drop us off directly in front of the hotel door and do the same when they picked us up for the trip to the port. Maybe we just lucked out or the hotel staff was misinformed. 

10 hours ago, euro cruiser said:

You buy two point-to-point tickets.

 

If you're buying from a ticket agent at the station you ask for "andata e ritorno", you get two tickets.

Got it! Thanks again!

27 minutes ago, euro cruiser said:

You could save a few euros on the high speed train by purchasing in advance, but if you're late to the station the tickets are worthless and you'll have to buy new ones.

 

If you pick a time that allows plenty of pad time between your stated port arrival time and the train departure time, buying in advance makes things a little easier.

 

If you do, always purchase directly from the train operator, not a middleman:  IT - Trenitalia

Thanks so much! To buy in advance on Trenitalia, is it a single round trip ticket we get or do we buy 2 one way tickets for the trip there and back?

 Thanks again!

This is somewhat related to original topic , but for a day trip to Pisa from La Spezia Centrale on our port stop, I’m looking for clarification on train options. If we don’t plan on going to any of the 5 villages that day and we just want the round trip train (to/from) what website do we buy tix online ahead of time OR do we just buy the train tickets when we get off the ship and we get to the station in La Spezia? (I was getting confused with the reference to the Cinque Terre card) Thanks for any info!

For anyone familiar with Hotel Navona (cruisemom ?), when I inquired with the hotel staff about whether their location was accessible for our car service to drop us off at the hotel, they said “no, we’re in the LZT (?) limited traffic zone”. Any insight on approx how far away we’ll need to be dropped off with luggage for the walk to the hotel?

 Thanks 

Thanks for clarification on this. Does anyone have the link to the Australia ETA app?  I’m understanding it’s best to apply via the app and not the website?

Following as well…currently have a TP next April. This sounds encouraging on the turnaround time for approval. What type Visa  is necessary and what is the cost?

 Thanks 

12 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

Yes, indeed. You only have to walk two short blocks from the hotel to reach Piazza Navona. You'll be at the southern end of it. Walk the length of the piazza (passing the two beautiful fountains) until you reach the north end, much as the guide in the video does, where the door is.  (And as I mentioned, you can walk around the back of these buildings and look down into the area for free -- but of course you'll see more if you go inside....)

Thanks so much! As always, your insight on these boards are most helpful. 

8 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

If you haven't already seen them, it might be nice on the same visit to have a look at the remains of the "stadium of Domitian" which are found immediately behind and under Piazza Navona. In fact, Piazza Navona's long oval shape is due to the fact that it was the actual stadium. On the northern short end of the Piazza, walk around to the back of the buildings that front the piazza and you'll see some windows with bars that allow you to look down and see the remains of the supports for the seats.

 

You can also pay a small fee and enter the underground area where the ruins are. The entrance is through a small doorway that actually opens onto Piazza Navona. In the past the hours have been somewhat erratic, though. This video shows you how to find it:

 

 

Very interesting info (and video!)

We’ll search it out when we go in October. Is it safe to guess this would be close to Hotel Navona?

Thanks Lew and Cruisemom… a 20 minute walk isn’t too bad. We may check it out. 

On 8/1/2022 at 10:27 PM, cruisemom42 said:

Speaking of rooftop experiences, I have several times enjoyed a glass of wine or an aperitif on the bar at the top of the Hotel Forum (also called the American Bar) just around sunset. It overlooks the Forum and other nearby monuments. Truly one of my favorites.

Sounds great! This wouldn’t happen to be anywhere near Hotel Navona, would it?

 Thanks!

15 hours ago, marazul said:

They are in the same country.  Actually, the short cut between the museum and the basilica is currently closed.  You have a very long walk around the Vatican City walls between them. Take a taxi.

Ok got it! Makes sense. Thank you for the clarification. 

9 minutes ago, marazul said:

We may be talking about two different things.  I was referring to the long line at St Peter's basilica,  not to the Vatican museum. As cruisemom and I said before, the line to enter the VM with a timed ticket moves right along. They say to arrive 15 minutes before your timed ticket and that works.

There are no timed tickets or any kind of tickets to St Peter's. It is free admission but you have to stand in line for security. That was the line we decided to skip because of the heat. There were no lines for our early VM tour.

Just to clarify time and distance between the VM and St Peters basilica, I think taking a taxi from one to the other was mentioned (?) I guess I mistakenly believed they were in the same area (?)

17 minutes ago, marazul said:

I don't think it makes much difference in which weekday you pick. 

Ok thanks!

1 hour ago, marazul said:

 

 

You are in the right website.  "Guided tour for individuals" is the regular tour and 8 am is the first of the day.  The crowds will be less, but it will be crowded. 

 

"Prime experience" is the real early admission. It includes breakfast after the tour. BTW, it is a very good breakfast. 

"Breakfast at the museum" is the next early admission. You have breakfast first and then take the tour ahead of  the "guided tour for individuals."

Both the "Prime" and "Breakfast" tours have a VIP option where your group of 1 to 10 people have their own guide.  Last month we took the Prime VIP tour for the 4 of us and it was outstanding.  By the time we finished breakfast the museum was really crowded.

 

There is also an "Extra time" tour where you tour in the afternoon after the Sistine Chapel closes to the public and it includes a "happy hour" afterwards. It is not offered every day of the week.  Change dates if you have the time or the interest.

 

When in the website, click on "more info" for each tour to get the exact details.

Thank you. Most helpful! We’re looking at a Tuesday in mid October. Is there any benefit to going on a particular day of the week- for crowds? We’ll be in Rome Sunday-Tuesday…thanks again!

10 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

This is the official website:  https://m.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani-mobile/en.html

 

Thanks!