kathleen21

Read about four posts above!

 

Walk to the port exit and

buy tickets at the cigarette kiosk immediately outside the port gate.

 

Then walk up the street a few hundred yards and catch a 483 bus (every 10 minutes) to the metro was fine. The same ticket is valid for the journey on the bus and then the metro, so you need two tickets per person, one there and one back. Buy them all at the kiosk to save any hassle buying them later.

 

Do NOT walk to the metro, it is to far. Save your energy for Athens.

 

 

 

That is exactly what we did on the trip before last.

 

We took the free walking tour in the morning that leaves from the main square (Google it). Great tour that leads you past all the main sites. It is free as in if you like it give them an appropriate tip at the end.

 

Then as the tour finished at the bottom of the Acropolis, went up there in the afternoon.

Insanemagnet- Thanks for the detail in your reply. I wasn't understanding the bus/ metro combo before 😳

I really like the idea of the walking tour first so we understand what we are looking at. Glad to know it's a workable plan. I'm pretty sure that if we add a stop for a snack and coffee our time in port will be complete.:')

How long would you allow to get back to the ship by metro and bus?

I'm not fond of the bus. We were in Athens on May 25th. Took the bus X80 "sardine express". The traffic was awful getting into Athens. I missed my "Free Walking Tour" because this bus took forever. On the way back it was much faster. Of course, we had 5 ships in port on that day. Had I known this, I would have walked to the metro, which is exactly what we did several years ago. The weather was gorgeous and the jacarandas were in full bloom.

We will be there next April. Too early for the bus to be running it seems. How do you take the metro? I love those walking tours and am hoping to do that in Athens. We are in port from 0700- 1600. Wondering if going to the Acropolis in the afternoon, after the tour, would make sense?

Thanks!

We DIY, here is a wonderful resource for you:

 

http://www.tomsportguides.com/uploads/5/8/5/4/58547429/corfu-03-25-2014.pdf

A wonderful resource! Thanks so much!

The Hypogeum does sell out fast. (Word of warning to anyone else considering it -- book early.) But you shouldn't have a problem getting a taxi and enjoying the sites you listed. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

How far ahead can should I buy a ticket? I can't really tell from the website.. thanks!

Thanks for the advice! I filled out an online form to get estimates and have been speaking with a TA. I haven't used one in the past, since I love doing the research, but I am wary about the time difference from California and language issues with MSC. Do you think this is something to worry about? The price and benefits seem to be the same. Although I will say the MSC website can be stubborn to work with.:')

Some of them are mirror images of "H" rooms but not designated as such so will be the same size as an H

don't know what the empty space is but what looks like crew access goes around the cabin to it.

I'd look at the cabins I listed on deck 9 and 10, the mirror images of the H cabins as my first option. then I wouldn't really know what to choose next with out massively expanding the deck plan and actually measuring the areas and comparing them to standard cabins just to make sure they are larger

 

Pete

Hi,

I am looking to book an inside cabin Fantastica on the Orchestra for next April. Any decks to avoid? One of the cabins said it has a sofa bed. That's instead of bunk beds, right? I mean, it has a real bed too?

Sorry to sound stupid, but it's hard to navigate around the MSC website.

I may end up using an online TA just to have someone run interference for me. Seems like the cost is the same as booking myself...

Thanks for your help. I have enjoyed reading all your comments. You certainly seem to know a lot about MSC!

The gratuities are added to the total cost of the package at the time of package purchase. No additional gratuity is added at the time drinks are ordered, unless the drink ordered exceeds the package limit, in which case the difference plus 18% will be charged.

I'm sorry, but I don't get it. Do they just add 18% to the package total? So it doesn't really have to do with how many drinks are really bought onboard?

just play with the ship and dates and you will find a cruise to book, it has been working for me in the last 2-3 years

Do you use online agents (Expedia etc), the lines website or a travel agent? I'm looking to book a cruise that includes Athens next year. I wish I knew how people end up with good prices AND On board credit?!:confused:

Thanks so much for the review! I was debating Greece or the Canary Islands, and you have convinced me to head for Greece! Beautiful photos. I'm looking at a 10 day cruise for next April/may. I've never cruised that long. How do you keep from getting exhausted? There is only one sea day. Also, was language a barrier on the islands at all?

Thank you so much for taking the time to write this. There are so few reviews on this ship! I'm looking at next April 22 for this trip. An inside cabin, Fantastica. Vacations TG has give me the choice of inside cabins on decks 11, 12 or 14. Do you have an opinion on any of those decks?

They are who we booked through. Never had an issue. Have book about 1/2 a dozen thru them.

I'm so glad to read this! The prices on VTGo are so good for the Horizon next Feb or March that it makes me wary. We haven't cruised much lately, but I love Spain and am looking at spending our Anniversary on either the Horizon to the Canary Islands, or the Sovereign in Greece. Does anyone have an opinion as to one ship or itenerary over the other?

Thanks so much. CC people are the best!

Some of our group have a 1:30 flight out of San Juan on a Sunday. Should we give up any chance of doing something after getting off the ship? I'm not sure of the timing. Thanks for the input!

SadieN- We will be in San Juan, St Thomas, Barbados, St Kitts, St Lucia and St Martin.

Summersigh- I agree. That's why I'm hoping for somerecommendations from people that have actually been to the places:')

Thanks, the cards are a good idea that my daughter is working on.

I'm actually hoping for some specific restaurant or food recommendations for lunch at the ports...

Maybe going to those forums will help too. Thank you.

I am happy to read that Carnival has tasty gluten free options, but does anyone have some ideas for when we get off the ship? Perhaps special "island foods" we should make sure to try that will be safe, or places to eat that cater to gluten free customers? We already have rum tasting on our list!;pThanks for the help!

Do you know if we can make sandwiches on the gluten free bread to take into ports? I am concerned that there won't be acceptable food for my daughter on the Caribbean cruise.

We are interested in this also. Don't mind walking a mile I guess. Although I'm wondering if there is a good website to map out a bus route? Is it feasible to bus to the French side for lunch? There are 6 of us, and it's the end of our cruise. I don't think we will have the emotional energy for a tour.

:eek:Wow. I was thinking about doing the same thing with 6 of us, but hadn't done the math. I'm not thrilled with almost $200 in taxi costs. I read about taking the bus to Maho on another thread. That sounds like an adventure we would like anyway. The cost difference is making me LOVE the idea.

We are on Carnival. I didn't realize there are two ports. Does anyone know which dock we will be at? And how do you figure that out? Thanks!