Embracedbylife

I would definitely splurge on business class. Before you book just look at the flight number and travel date you are booking in seatguru.com and it will tell you hiw the seats will be configured as all airlines are a little different. Most long haul business class on the overnight direct flights to Europe are layflat. Its awesome and you should totally treat yourselves. If you can book return or if not just going on the overnight there. Also if you end up flying certain European Airlines like SAS, Lufthansa, etc they allow you to bid on an upgrade for your return flight and they tell you three days prior if your bid is accepted. I have done this a few times! Most recently upgraded with a bid on a return flight with SAS for $700pp. Just recently bought United flight business claas to Frankfurt and return from Zurich economy plus for $3700pp to give you an idea of prices! Easy air is the way to go! We have booked with them everytime we cruise. Great prices, and they handle delays, etc. I would use them, always had the best price! You may get a return business with them for a good price. They will do one way business and the return economy also! If you see flights you want them to price out for you they will! Just give them flight numbers and times/airline. You can also search online through Princess Easy air but for business just on one lag I think you have to call them to do it for you.

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We just returned from a January 7-21 cruise from Santiago to BA. The ship was supposed to depart from Valparaiso and was changed to leave from San Antonio instead. January is a fantastic time to see the penguins.

The weather is always changing so I am not sure any month is better than the other. The more northern ports were quite warm though for us, and we got to enjoy the ship pools a lot! You have to just be prepared for changing weather, rain, wind, etc. and be prepared for your itinerary, ports and arrival/departure times to change.

Our cruise going from Chile to Argentina ended up entering into the fjord areas either very early in the morning (5am or so) or in the middle of the night, so you might want to do some research on whether or not you will see the fjords during the afternoon/evenings on the reverse itinerary? We got up super early, saw the fjords and waterfalls, etc. then went back to bed LOL. I wished I had of known this before we booked our cruise, so it's something to look into. Maybe someone here can give you some time frames on seeing these things on the reverse cruise itinerary.

Princess is a great cruise line. We wanted to book with them but he days didn't fit our work schedules so we took Celebrity. We had a fantastic time.

Thinking of booking this tour. Wondering are therd any umbrellas or shade?

I used them Feb. 17, 2014 and they were spot on. Perfect execution of pick up to drop off. Perfect!!!!

I called the airline who told me to speak to MCO TSA and after emailing MCO they replied with "Yes, we do have priority lanes for select passengers from Virgin America, Virgin Atlantic, Southwest, Lufthansa, Frontier, AirTran, Copa, British Airways, Delta, Air Canada, American Airlines, Alaska, JetBlue, United and US Airways. Which passengers are eligible to use the priority lanes varies from one airline to another, so please check directly with your airline. "

Good info!!

Thanks so much! When I called the Airline they said that I needed to check with MCO TSA. I just received an email back from MCO stating:

"Yes, we do have priority lanes for select passengers from Virgin America, Virgin Atlantic, Southwest, Lufthansa, Frontier, AirTran, Copa, British Airways, Delta, Air Canada, American Airlines, Alaska, JetBlue, United and US Airways.

Which passengers are eligible to use the priority lanes varies from one airline to another, so please check directly with your airline. "

On January 11th, we were supposed to sail on Grandeur of the Seas out of Baltimore to celebrate our 40th anniversary. Instead, we got kicked off the ship at dockside because I came down with a migraine. I started having migraines at age 6, so I've had over 50 years of experience with them. By now, I know when I'm having a migraine and when I'm not. One of my major triggers is flashing lights, particularly bright, intense lights like strobe lights.

 

We got there in plenty of time, there about 10:30 when last check-in time was 3:00. Got into the stateroom, unpacked, had lunch, arranged for a shore excursion to replace one that was cancelled, etc.

 

Then they had the lifeboat drill. I didn't know that when they blow the ship's horn for the signal, they also have strobe lights going off in the corridor. Had there been notice either on the TV or in print, I would have had my husband check to see if it had stopped flashing, or had him lead me out while I covered my eyes. But since they didn't, I came out of my cabin and got one right in the face, no more than 10 feet away. IMMEDIATE migraine onset. And as bad luck would have it, there was a medic (? She never said one way or the other.) right there at the muster station. When I'm coming down with a migraine, I slur and stammer. This is a common-enough symptom that it has a name, dysphasic aura.

 

The medic insisted that I might be having a stroke, and wouldn't listen to me or DH telling them that this was the same set of symptoms that I have with EVERY migraine, and have had for at least the last 20 years. She insisted that I had to go to the infirmary. I finally allowed them to take me there, figuring that I'd tell the doctor I was in migraine prodrome, show him my migraine meds, and he'd know that there was nothing to worry about.

 

It didn't work that way. They gave me my Imitrex, but wouldn't listen when we told them that all I needed to do was lie down in a dark room for a couple of hours. They kicked BOTH of us off the ship and confiscated our shipcards so that we couldn't get back on.

 

They sent me in an ambulance to the ER, where the doctor took one look at me, had me do the very basic neuro test (squeeze hands, smile, check eyes), gave me an EKG, agreed that with my history of migraines, I knew what I was talking about, and discharged me. In and out in half an hour. (When was the last time you got through the ER like THAT on a Saturday afternoon?)

 

Meanwhile the cruise people packed up our stuff and called a taxi for DH. SonIL#2 got there first and took him to the hospital. When DH walked into the room, I was ready to leave. So we came home. Nothing else to do. The ship had sailed as soon as they got DH off of it.

I am so sorry to hear about this. What a terrible way to celebrate your 40th! I haven't read all the other posts/recommendations but I can tell you what I would do. I would try talking to the post cruise dept. on your own and forget about the travel agent. He/she tried, but they need to hear from you. And they need to hear that you want to help avoid this from happening to a future cruiser. At least that is what I would do.

Next I would ask them questions when you speak to them directly such as: what is the staff protocol for encountering a cruiser that appears sick? Are they obligated to bring you to the Infirmary? Or did this medic take it upon themselves to put you in a situation you didn't want? Secondly, I would ask if the doctors/physicians who are attending in the Infirmary are contracted or employed directly by RCCL? Perhaps the fault is with the Dr. If you can show your ER discharge papers and proof that another Dr. did basic tests and determined what you told them to begin with, then you might prove the Dr. who saw you in the infirmary was below average in his assessment skills and that he jumped the gun. Ultimately the question is, what would an average physician do in the same situation? If you can prove this physician was inadequate you have a huge case. If you can't prove it, then you move on to the next question - what is the protocol for packing up a passenger's things? Could they not have had you meet them at the next port of call? There are too many questions unanswered. Ask and get answers before you decide what you want in compensation and what to do next. That's what I'd do anyway!

Great info thanks so much everyone. I will call the airline to check about the lines also, appreciate it!

Thank you all so very much! I didn't realize how close we were cutting it until after we booked the flights. It was either 11:15 or 6pm and I wasn't thinking about lines at the airport for security - that's going to be another concern. But at least I can do my best to be out waiting for the car service on time assuming all goes as usual :) One never knows!

As a side note, does anyone know if there is a first class line for airport security at Orlando Airport (MCO)? I have read that there isn't one, which no makes me a little worked as I'm a little concerned about waiting in line for over an hour to get to the gate. Thankfully we won't have to go to the check in counter as we have carry on's but still, I like to be prepared for any possible delays. Thanks again for all this useful info!! We embark Friday the 14th! Can't wait :)

We are cruising for 3 night with RCCL to the Bahamas and we are wondering what to expect for the disembarkation process. We have an 8am car service booked with an 11:15am flight. Not checking any bags (small carry on only). Does anyone know if we will have to wait in lines to clear customs in Port Canaveral upon disembarking? Assuming we can just walk off with our small carry on bags, do you know how long it might take to disembark?

Thanks so much for this info!! I think 3hrs and 15 mins will be safe enough, but we'll see so long as the car service is on time. I will be outside a few minutes earlier anyway so hope it'll be ok.

Capt_BJ - do you know if there is a first class line at Orlando airport? We are flying back first class so I was hoping this will help with the security line, but one never knows!

Well after much deliberation we booked a transfer with Orlando Luxury Transportation. They told me that even with traffic they anticipate we'll arrive by 9am, 9:20 at the latest and that gives us over an hour for security. So far this the plan! No checked luggage so that saves us another 40 mins or so.

Does anyone know if there is a first class line for security at MCO? I'm assuming there isn't as I read there hasn't been one in the past. Any insight is helpful though from regular MCO travelers! thanks again for all your input!

Thank you so much. You put my mind at ease a little. I figured about an hour wait would be the worst, so that's what we'll plan for! THankfully I don't have t check any bags!! I heard that there is NO first class security line, is this true? Assuming there isn't then we will be well prepared!

Anyone know how a typical holiday of travel looks like heading from the pier to Orlando airport? We are traveling on Monday morning the 17th which is President's day. Any idea of what the airport security lines are like when MCO is busy?

Should we figure 1.5 or 2 hours to get from pier to airport? or longer?

1.5 hrs or more for security or longer??

Can anyone help me out with time frames? Traffic - 1.5 hrs, 2hrs, 3 hrs from pier to MCO? I hear it is about 50 minutes without any traffic.

Anyone have prior experience with security lines? 1 hr or longer? maybe i'll repost this as a new topic also....

If it's going to be that bad then maybe car service is the best idea. I'm getting really frustrated now...

We are booking a car rental from the airport to our hotel and then dropping it off at the pier before the cruise, but now I'm seriously considering keeping the car rental for the extra days instead of dropping it off the day of the cruise (3 night cruise) and just parking at the lot and driving it back ourselves to the airport when we disembark so we don't have any issues with waiting for late limos or to re-rent a car or anything like that.

Does anyone know how far the parking lot is from the ship? We are at Pier 10 I believe (Royal Caribbean). I hear parking is only $10/day....might be worth it. Then we can just get up and go whenever we are ready (maybe before 8am!!) Thoughts??? I think it'll be an extra $100 in the difference but might be worth it in stress reduction...

Thanks for the info, I didn't realize how busy the security would be as I haven't flown to or from MCO before. I was hoping an hour for airport security would be safe, but maybe that isn't enough time? We don't check any bags, so just go straight to security when we arrive. I figured we'd arrive at the airport by 9:30 and that would give me an hour to get through by 10:30 to our gate. Hummmm...has anyone had insane traffic from the port to the airport? Could it take 2 hours to get to the airport?

Thanks for the reassurance, I was thinking the same thing. Any limo companies you all recommend?

We have a 11:15am flight from Orlando Airport. So we are trying to decide between:

1) Picking up a car rental at the port from National Car Rental and driving to the airport ( concerned about timing it takes to get the shuttle to the rental car, getting the rental and then drop off time at the airport. We plan to be in the car driving no later than 8am for our 11:15am flight).

2) Booking a limo with Executive VIP Limo for an 8am pick up (more expensive for 4 passengers, but hoping we won't have to wait around and it would be a faster execution).

What do you all suggest in terms of the time it would take to get the rental and drop it off versus the unlikely event of our limo not showing up (I've had past issues with limos that were a no show). Any other companies you suggest? Not looking to take a bus as we don't want to wait for everyone to get on and not have an exact departure time within our control.

Hi M&T! I don't recall there being any other way to the black forest. Luckily we had gone on our own a few years ago, but you can ask the staff on the ship if there are any private tours that you could arrange. They do their best to accommodate everyone's needs if possible!

Thanks so much everyone for your kind feedback :)

We had the MOST AMAZING post cruise tour ever. Actually it surpassed our cruise trifold!! In fact we likely won't be taking another Viking cruise honestly after figuring out how much we spent on the Viking cruise versus our own post tour, but it was fun to try the cruise! I think we'll stick to the larger cruise ships as it's our preference, but everyone has different likes and dislikes.

About our post tour:

We had a taxi arranged by the front desk staff on the Viking cruise to pick us up at the ship at 9:30am. We took the taxi to the local train station for 20 Euro and then purchased a transfer ticket to the main train station (Basel SBB)for 2 of us for another 9 Euro. It would have cost 40 Euro to just take the taxi to the main station, so we saved about $15 dollars and it didn't bother us. For those with a lot of bags, they'd want to just pay the extra and get dropped off at the main station.

At the main station (Basel SBB) we purchased a Half Fare card for each of us so that all train tickets we purchase could be purchased at half the cost and then purchased 2 half fare tickets from Basel to Murren return, already saving the cost of the half fare cards!

We took the train from Basel and got off at Interlacken for a transfer to Lauterbrunen. We left our bags at the train station in Lauterbrunen and bought half fare tickets to Jungfraugh. It was the most incredible train ride and experience! The top of Europe is incredible!! Then we took the train back down to Lauterbrunen, retrieved our bags and took the train to Murren to check into our Hotel. The next day we took a gondola up to Schilthorn, another beautiful peak, and then spend the final day walking around and exploring. We returned to Basel on Dec. 24 and spent the night close to the Airport. We flew home Dec. 25 and had a great flight! Have been quite busy ever since :)

Would be more than happy to answer any questions anyone has!! :)

FotoPeg I love your photos!! :) We have 2 of the same shots only yours are nicer as we had rain that day! I would love to see more of your pictures and I'll try to share some of mine after we arrive home! Today we disembark. We had a nice day yesterday. Skipped the tour of the black forest as we have done that on our own before (we have had our kookoo on our wall at home for several years now and still remember racing to the black forest in a rented BMW on the autoban in time before the store closed and the "house of clocks" stayed open another hour for us as we bought 3 clocks! LOL). So yesterday we just went to shore - nice small town with lots of rock walls and a georgous cathederal. No CM though, just more of a walking day and poking into some shops. They have a good Gyro place though according to Robert who gets Gyro when in port. We saw it and were tempted but I've eaten so much on the ship i've gained at least 5 lbs already...yikes! The food onboard is incredible, even the small menu in the Terrace is nice and I've tried everything on that menu. Desserts are out of this world and unfortunately I keep eating them, so thankful I'm getting off today in hopes of regaining a little of my figure and walking off this food in the Alps!

We are taking a taxi at 9:30am for the local train station, then to the main train station where we will buy Half Fare Cards and tickets to Interlacken. Then from Interlacken to Murren to stay for 3 nights in the Alps and hoping for a train ride up to Jungfraugh if the weather is good, praying it is!! Last time we were in Murren for 1 night it was so foggy we didn't see anything, so this time we are spending 3 nights and in hopes of seeing the beauty of it all this time around for hubby's 41st bday on Dec. 23. We were supposed to do this trip last year and had to cancel it, so it's a "do over" and so far so good!

We fly home on Christmas Day! Looking forward to the rest of our journey! All the best to anyone taking this wonderful Cruise and I'd be more than happy to give any other info I can!

Well it's been over a day since I posted last but the internet has been extremly spotty while docked and we were docked all day yetesrday but we had a fabulous time!

PhotoPeg we were in Rudesheim until at least 9pm (can't remember when we disembarked) but we stayed until the Christmas Market closed down at 8pm and finished a nice glass of spiced warm wine after our dinner in town then walked back to the ship. Just a tip for anyone going to Rudesheim - remember to walk around up the streets and kinda get "lost" and you'll see the markets go on for awhile and get more romantic the more you wander! Don't just walk along the water only, walk up the side streets that's where it is really pretty!

We had planned on seeing the castle in Heidelberg but instead decided to sleep in, stay on the ship and then get off in Speyer when the ship landed there (it travelled to Speyer after everyone disembarked for the tour at 10am that morning). We arrived in Speyer at 1:30pm and thanks to the fabulous maps we got at the front desk for Speyer and Heidelberg we actually took the 565 bus in Speyer (caught it right after the CM on the main street) and went to the Speyer train station and caught a 40 min. train to Heidelberg to see it for ourselves! When we arrived in Heidelberg we took a bus to the old town and took photos of the castle nestled up in the mountain (beautiful night shot) and then went to the CM near the university square. Heidelberg wasn't as pretty as we expected but it was nice to have seen it! Then we took the train back to Speyer and took in more of the CM in Speyer at night! Speyer was a much prettier town at night! Nothing compared to Cologne and Rudesheim but pretty.

The market closed in Speyer at 7pm and our ship left promptly at 8pm so we were actually back on the ship by 7:15pm. The ship is about a 15 minute walk from the market. We had taken the 5:45 train back from Heidleberg, arrived in Speyer at 6:30 and the 545 bus was right outside the train station at 6:36 it left for the town (a 8-10 minute ride max) and we were back at the CM in Speyer by 6:45 or so to walk around and get some food! I ate in the Terrace that night and just had a salad as I had a very big lunch onboard earlier in the day before going to Speyer.

Yesterday we skipped the tour and got off the ship on our own to Stratsburg (spelling?). They had shuttle buses running from 2pm to 4pm and coming back until 5:30pm. We took the first shuttle at 2pm and the last shuttle back at 5:30pm (it left exactly at 5:30 so be on the bus by 5:10 as we were). This is the most romantic city :) We had the best time ever despite some rain. The CM's are pretty and the city is just so incredible. We found some neat walking paths along the river and wandered around to the most interesting places. Get off the beaten path if you are adventurous and you will love it!!! We also went into the cathederal and it was quite beautiful! I am so happy we took the first shuttle so we had a lot of time to explore. This is a city we'll be coming back to no question!

Last night we had dinnre in the Lounge and I tried their burgers and they are very good. The food is very good! It's our last day today, and we are skipping the black forest tour as we've done that before on our own. We plan to go into town later today and explore. I hear it's a pretty city! Will upate you more later :)

Becki, thanks for clarifying :) FotoPeg it's so fun to share stories! notamermaid thanks so much for your advice!! FotoPeg, yes it was the CM with the skating rink! So pretty and like a ferrytale!!

we had a fabulous day yesterday. Skipped the tour of the castle and stayed on the ship. I was up on the upper deck and the captain let me hang out with him! He is so friendly and as they say, good teamship starts at the top! he's an incredibly nice and kind person stearing this grand ship!

I took some pictures of the castle others went to and some churches! Then we arrived in Rudesheim and walked to the Christmas Market (only a 10 minute walk). We loved it! A totally different city and a lot of fun! We also had dinner at a restaurant and enjoyed it a lot!

Up early this morning and we'll take part in the castle tour today! Will write more soon!!

Hi Everyone! It's Tuesday and we had the most faboulous day yesterday in Cologne!! It was so much fun! We skipped the ship's tour and went around on our own. After a lovely breakfast we made our way through the city with our map in hand (obtained from the front desk) and just explored at our leisure. We first walked to the bridge and saw all the love locks attached to the bridge! So pretty with the sun shinning on them!!

Then we walked to the cathederal and went inside and had a lovely visit. Next to the cathederal was our first Christmas market!! It was relatively qiet at the market since it was daytime so we took our time and saw all the market vendors and bought a couple items! We then walked down the main street shopping area and window shopped on our way back toward the ship to the next Christmas Market. The Market close to the ship is more of a traditional market with traditional German decorations and vendors. We LOVED it!!! We shared a bratworst and both got spiced warm wine (YUM!). The wine was 10 euros for 2 cups and then you get back 5 euro if you return the cups. We wanted to keep them as souveniers so the lady took them back and gave us fresh unused cups and wrapped them nicely for us to take home!! So for 10 euro we had delicious wine and souviners to take home!! Then we made our way back to the ship by about 1:30pm for lunch.

After enjoying a few episodes of Downton Abby on the tv (they have all 3 episodes to watch) and some backgammon we headed back outside around 5:30pm. We took tons of photos of both markets at night (spectacular!) and the cathederal. We did some more walking through the shopping areas and found a third Christmas Market but we didn't head in, we instead went back to the traditional market by the ship for more sausage and wine!! It was so yummy that was our dinner! :) Back to the ship finally around 9:00pm and another episode of Downton Abby before calling it a night!

As for the comments regarding the meals and seating, please remember not to judge others. Just because some people enjoy socializing with strangers on vacation doesn't mean everyone does, and I am in no way chriticizing those who are socializing. I spend my workday socializing and meeting people all day, every day, so i'm not antisocial at all. In fact we are certinaly making friends with some of the staff and a few others. At breakfast we noticed that the crew set up only a few tables forcing everyone to sit in groups.

This morning a couple of ladies came in to the Dining room (it was nearly empty as everyone was on the tour) and asked to be set up by themselves across the way instead of sitting with 2 others beside them. Sometimes people wake up tired, and just want to eat and not talk and not be forced to sit with others. I dont judge them, I get it! Others watned some company and came in and sat with others. that's OK too!!