emckeeve

We are one day in Ashdod and the next day in Haifa.  Looking at Guided Tours Israel which seems to be mentioned a lot and Viator, which we've used in other places around the world.  Does anyone have a comparison between the two companies.  Price and itinerary are virtually identical.  So I would like comments on the most reliable in Israel!  Thanks.

On 10/5/2022 at 2:56 AM, Travelling2Some said:

 

It might still be offered.  I called the excursion office (last month) and they may open up reservations in a couple of months.  So I keep checking.  In the meantime, I have booked day trips to Jerusalem and the Dead Sea from Ashdod and Galilee and Nazareth from Haifa with private tour company

We're not taking this cruise until May but definitely want to take the Grand Overland Tour.  It's not available to book yet, which makes me nervous.  How far in advance do they let you book?

Just back from Normandy cruise May 31.  The exit test on May 30 seemed perfunctory.  Three of the four in our group tested positive at home on June 1.  

We got back from this cruise last week (May 31).  It was chilly some days . . . I can't imagine going any earlier.

2 hours ago, valandemmy said:

 

This is the one we were thinking about doing...How long was the time actually with the water with the piggies

Maybe 45 minutes to an hour.

Fast forward to 2022.  We are doing the Seine to Normandy on Viking the end of May.  My question was going to be "does hubby need a sport coat?"  He always used to wear one, but times, they are a changin'.  But I'm sure he'd wear slacks and a button down shirt for dinners.  Please correct me if I'm wrong, but to those who have cruised recently, are things better or worse post pandemic??  I can't imagine having dinner next to someone in shorts and a tee shirt much less sleeveless tee shirts!

We are also on this cruise and everything has been exceptional so far.  It feels virtually empty.  We were told the two RCCL ships docked at Coco Cay (which were visible to us from Great Stirrup Cay) were not allowed to disembark passengers due to Covid outbreaks.  Not sure if that’s true, but passengers our ship seem to be following protocol to a tee.

17 hours ago, AlexCherie said:

GUESS WHO IS GONNA BE FLYING TO MIAMI ON MONDAY >>> THIS GUY!!!

We are gonna be two of the 500. Nothing gonna stop me now.



Please see below for your results from your recent Covid-19 Rapid Antigen Test. 

 

Patient Name:  Axxx Sxxxxx

Patient Date of Birth:  xx/xx/xxxx

Date Performed:  01/01/2022

Authorized signature A. Wadhwa, MD. 

NYS CLIA: 33D2214522

 

You have tested NEGATIVE based on a rapid antigen test done at NYS Rapid Test's Lockport location. 

 

For information on Covid-19, please see https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/home

 

 

Thank you, 

NYS Rapid Test at Lockport. 

5897 South Transit Rd

Lockport NY 14094 

716.529.3050

nysrapidtest.com

We're joining you on Tuesday.  How do you know we will be four of 500?

12 minutes ago, davencl said:

It's the weekend and a holiday.  No one is in the office.  I expect an announcement on Monday or Tuesday.

We are sailing Tuesday!!

1 hour ago, AlexCherie said:

In order to facilitate the process, we are being requested to pre-register with Eurofins MyLab application.

Just an FYI, I don't see the need to share that whole email.

I'm sure it went to everyone.  We just filled it out.

On 12/18/2021 at 6:15 PM, Flatbush Flyer said:

Sometimes, a small “jazz” combo from the regular onboard musicians will play in Horizons after Happy Hour. It really depends on the musical background/interest of the band onboard.

Can you tell me more about happy hour?  Is it in multiple locations or just one?  And it's 2 for 1?  Time?

3 hours ago, espmass said:

Since your post shows you are in Boynton Beach,  hope you don't mind a personal question.  We are staying in Boynton for a week prior to the 2/7 cruise.  Is driving into Miami on a Monday morning and trying to find the port lot difficult if we aren't familiar with Miami?  Or are we best off driving to Miami 2/6  and staying at a hotel with a park and cruise deal and a shuttle to the port.  Thanks so much.

We are on the January 4 Riviera departure and plan to drive from Vero Beach to Miami the morning of the cruise and park at the pier.  Once less step to worry about.  Pier parking is expensive but worth it for us.  Boynton Beach is much closer than Vero.  So no issues there unless there's a freak accident on the way.

19 hours ago, msn123 said:

Seems that this testing is going to be pretty much eliminated at the pier as after the middle of January you have to do your own test in advance of showing up....at least that was what the updated info I read last week said.

As Omicron rears its ugly head, I'm wondering how many people will fail the test for the Dec' 23, Jan. 4 and Jan. 14 Miami cruises when they're still testing at the pier!!

1 hour ago, njhorseman said:

cruisetimetables.com

 

Also some ports have an official website maintained by the port operating authority that can be found by an internet search. 

 

 

 

Cruisemapper

16 hours ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

You certainly have received updates. Just in the past few weeks on11/11, 11/23 and 11/24 there have been updates. Are you not regularly checking the O website SailSafe FAQs?

Actually, no.  So thanks for the info.  

21 hours ago, zteamtwo said:

I dislike criticism of Oceania, because it is our favorite cruise line, HOWEVER, today's check in for Riviera was kinda like your worst day at ...."pick any government office"!!!!  There's about 6-7 steps just to get through the COVID testing and then 3-4 steps to check in ( keep in mind you already checked in on the website)-- doesn't matter-- do it all over-- take another picture!!!  Yes.  Tip---Try and get a barcode for that Eurofins COVID registration, however, we could not find ours and they got us through. The line getting into the COVID "tent" was extremely long. Go early. No one ever checked what time our check in time was. The whole process could easily take over 1-2 hours. This is cruise number 3 on Oceania and it was a total "?!?!!?!"for check in. Of course this was a brand new thing for Carribean sailings in 2021.  Hopefully the next check ins get better.

We are not sailing until Jan. 4 so maybe things will improve.  As for the new Covid protocols, when will we be advised of any changes?  I haven't received any updates regarding testing.  It's crazy that some of the first people to test positive for the Omicron strain were fully vaccinated!

23 hours ago, pinotlover said:

No Reservations!

 

Not knowing you, let’s explain what that can mean. We always ask for sharing in that we enjoy meeting and conversing with our fellow passengers. Getting seated is never an issue. The hostess seats us promptly.

 

However, some only want two tops and to eat alone. The number of those tables are set. Currently, with greatly reduced passenger capacities, those tables may be readily available. However, once ( hopefully soon) when capacities again near 100%, that won’t be the case. So if you decide to hit the GDR at 7:30, which is mid way through the early sitting, you will probably have a decision to make. Share, wait maybe 30-60 minutes for a two top, or head to the Terrace.

 

No Reservations! 

We always like to share and meet new people, but I forgot about the times we live in.  Maybe sharing is NOT a good idea.  Not sure at what capacity our January 4 cruise will be.

Thanks!  👍

Are reservations needed in the main dining room or is it mostly just walk in?

Just booked January 4 Riviera.  Our last and only Oceania cruise was in 2011 in Asia on the Nautica.  So I guess I'm considered a newbie.  Many questions were answered on this forum, so thank you.  Two questions remain.  If we choose the 6 free excursions (3 each) are we limited to certain excursions.  I looked at the web site and there are all kinds of symbols.  Are "Oceania Select" (OS) the ones we can choose? If not, which ones?  Also, I see there is a new "bring on board" wine/spirits policy.  Really?  6 bottles of wine in addition to spirits (in my husband's case vodka)?  I would like to verify that.  Thanks in advance.

1 hour ago, catl331 said:

See my post on the HAL forum where you asked this question:

Thanks Catl.  Saw it on the HA board.

Thanks for all your answers.  

6 hours ago, MisterBill99 said:

or a TA you'd be better off parking at a cheap airport facility and let them drive you to the terminal. And they'll pick you up when you fly in and take you to your car. Otherwise you'd need to get to the cruise garage from the airport. which you would have to pay for yourself.

Thanks Bill.  But we're not flying.  We're driving down from Vero Beach that morning.

We're leaving on Thursday, so all the weekend cruisers (over New Years in this case) will still have their cars there.  Will that make a difference for us?