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flrose

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Posts posted by flrose

    Time frame for pre-cruise testing

    in Oceania Cruises

    Posted

    5 hours ago, SisterHavana said:

    We’re boarding in Barcelona on Sunday and have a 2-day precruise program, so our flight leaves on Thursday afternoon. The information I got originally said the test had to be done no sooner than three days prior to embarkation, so I booked appointments a couple weeks ago for mom and me to get rapid tests at CVS on Thursday morning. Then today I rechecked the information and saw that 3 days is only for PCR tests - antigen tests needed to be done no sooner than 1 day before embarkation. ARGH! Luckily, Walgreens does NAAT rapid tests, so I was able to get us appointments there on Thursday morning. Let’s hope that will still be sufficient by the time we leave!

    We're on the same cruise and I am confused when you say you "saw" information that the antigen tests are one day prior to embarkation.  In the Oceania Sail Safe information area it says that either PCR tests or antigen tests can be 72 hours prior to embarkation.  Please tell me where you see the timing information that I do not see!

     

    Thanks

    J

    • Like 1

    New Screening Measures Just Announced

    in Celebrity Cruises

    Posted

    This morning saw that another major cruise line has modified their cancellation policy temporarily to allow 72 hour cancellation at 100% credit applicable to future or unpaid future cruises . It's time for Celebrity to do the same. It will ease the concerns of those of us at highest risk.

    WARNING - POLITICAL DEMONSTRATIONS AND MARCHES IN BARCELONA THIS WEEK!

    in Spain and Portugal Ports

    Posted

    Thank you for all the information presented on this forum.   We leave Miami Friday evening and arrive in Barcelona Saturday morning.   Over the past two weeks none of the daily evening departures have been canceled.   The local and visitor comments and observations have been very valuable to getting the accurate picture of what to expect.  

     

    Safe travels to all...

    Amsterdam Arrival - Can we make a 10:25 flight?

    in British Isles/Western Europe

    Posted

    Great information!  Is it more reasonable to make a 12 noon flight?  I plan on us walking off our luggage as the OP stated, and order a private driver to the airport from the port.  

     

    I've heard Schiphol is difficult to navigate.  Any tips to make it easier?  My husband uses a cane so we aren't as quick as we'd like.  I have a wheelchair for him once we check in which usually makes thing move faster.

     

    I appreciate all opinions...

     

     

     

    St Maarten Ferry

    in St. Martin/St. Maarten

    Posted

    You will be hard pressed to find anyone who has done this DIY because it's not a good idea.

     

    I don't think just because I have chosen to never try this, does not mean I cannot help you. First, I am a very experienced cruiser and never do ship excursions, so I do have a lot of DIY experience on the islands. Second, we are vacationing on St. Barts in April and are flying into St. Martin and taking a ferry over to St. Barts. I have done extensive research on the ferries from St. Martin to St. Barts and feel I can contribute, whether you like my answer or not. I'm not trying to be a smarta**, just realistic.

     

    So, it appears you'll be in port on St. Martin from 7am-5pm, correct? If so, the Edge Ferry leaves St. Barts at 4pm and arrives at Simpson Bay at 4:45. Then you still have to get to the port.

     

    The Voyager ferry only shows a schedule through Nov right now, so that might change, but currently the ferry leaves at 5:30pm back to Marigot.

     

    Great Bay has similar times to Voyager.

     

    I'm curious to know what your plan is if you do this DIY.....

     

    Also, just one tidbit.....like I said, I've done extensive research on the ferries and numerous, I mean lots and lots (I've been reading a St. Barts message forum for a year now) of people complain about the rough seas on the ferry from St. Martin to St. Barts. Lots of people get physically sick on the ride over. The ride back is much smoother though.

     

    Thanks for the wonderful information. We're staying in St Maarten for a week in December, so this is very valuable information for us. We've taken a day trip on a catamaran to St Barts but not as a shore excursion. Its a very long day with unpredictable forces in play! We love DIY tours, but we agree that sometimes it isn't the best choice.

     

    J

    What do you wear to secure your valuables?

    in Italy Ports

    Posted

    My husband has been picked twice in the many years traveling to Europe. The same blue wallet was picked in the Paris Metro...young person picked it even with rubber band around it, but discarded it on the floor complete with credit card and other ID. They didn't want it because it had no money inside. He always carries money in his money belt. The other time was in the men's room of the Acropolis Museum. Someone bumped him at a most inconvenient time and got his wallet from a buttoned front pocket. We went to lost and found and described the blue wallet and our US address at the same time a kind person who found the wallet from outside in the bushes brought it in. Again no money just a cruise card and one credit card. Who knows if the good samaritans that found the wallets were truly kind people or accomplices with a conscience. Does it keep us away? Never! Back to Rome, Barcelona and Athens again this year! I do carry a small cross body PacSafe, wear a bra pouch and removed the strap from our Nikon with a security strap that doesn't advertise.

     

    Enjoy the world!

    First timer to Mediterranean-need help

    in Greece Ports

    Posted

    So funny to me that you mention Mama Mia inspired you to want to visit the Med...same for us a few years ago.

     

    Just for discussion, seven years ago I chose our first Med cruise from Rome to Venice which included Rome, Naples (for Amalfi Coast), Athens, Santorini, Mykonos, Katakolon, Corfu and Venice. It was memorable. The Greek Islands were magical to us...still are! Rome and Venice were the icing on the cake! Each Greek island has its own character...definitely not cookie cutter. From that point on we picked other areas to focus on, such as an Adriatic cruise, Mediterranean Riviera and more. We're back to the Med this May for two weeks of joy!

     

     

    Spend the time on the research, there are so many sources to engage your enthusiasm!

    Ideas for Split and Kotor

    in Other Mediterranean and Black Sea Ports

    Posted

    Hi, Kotor port- old town is beautiful. To explore old town you need at least an hour and half but I have suggest you to take a private tour and visit Budva old town, Perast town and others spots most see in Montenegro. I can recommend http://www.monttravelers.com as a one of the best company there. Hope you will enjoy. Cheers!

     

    I agree with the recommendation Toured with them last year for a half day tour. Very friendly, great English, considerate and knowledgeable. Very reasonable! Lots of photo opps too!

     

    Will be using them again next spring!

    Dubrovnik questions

    in Other Mediterranean and Black Sea Ports

    Posted

    Even if back issues aren't present, I think the good information about walking just the sea side is what we will do. Would like to stroll around old town and try to do some shopping. It's fun to walk around the souvenir shops, even with "made in China" stuff, but will seek out the back streets for authentic items! We got enough Asian things when we were there last year! ;)

     

    Looking forward to this adventure!

     

    Julie

    Milan questions....

    in Italy Ports

    Posted

    For what it's worth, we have the opposite situation...transportation from our hotel to MXP for departure. I checked some of the online services and then emailed our hotel and the hotel cost was slightly less than the online services. It is still 80Euros for the two of us. I would use the train, but by the end of three weeks traveling, give me the least amount of baggage handling I can get.

     

    It is worth checking with them.

    So confused about navigating Venice....

    in Italy Ports

    Posted

    We will be in Venice next month and we stay at the BW Bologna in Mestre which is right across from the train station, therefore we take a taxi to the ship for about 25 Euros. Shlepping luggage for even a short distance isn't our cup of tea (since we have some back issues).

     

    Love, love, love the beauty of Venice. Relax and take in all the colors and fun alleyways you find. Our first trip to Venice we were way too uptight about getting "lost". As others have said, it is part of the experience.

     

    Have fun!!!

     

    J

    Dubrovnik questions

    in Other Mediterranean and Black Sea Ports

    Posted

    All historical and cultural sites are open on Sunday, including cable car and wall. Your arrival date is good, only one other ship in port is Norwegian Jade arrival at 1400. Listed below is our Dubrovnik accurate port site for arrivals.

    You will find taxis lined up at the port waiting to transport you to the Pile old town entrance for 75 Kuna. It is by the far the most convenient method to arrive in town. Forget using Euros, the only legal currency of the country is Croatian Kuna. Up to you if you want to ask the driver to drive you up the goat path to the top of Srd. Personally I rather enjoy the cable car ride, nice view and a 4 minute trip to the top. Most taxi drivers will try to sell you a panorama tour, they will ask for 300 Kuna and up. More interesting is to walk and enjoy all the sites.

    The wall has two major entrance points, first and the best choice is closest to the Pile gate entrance and is called "Spas". You can walk the sea side, pass the old port and arrive at Ploce entrance/exit which is closest to Rectors Palace and is the half way point. If you choose to enter at Ploce, you will walk the land side which is the most difficult with the majority of the 1,080 steps.

    With the exception of fresh fish which is priced by the kilo, including the head, our local food is considered inexpensive. You will find most of our konabas are priced the same and offer the exact same dishes. Dirty macaroni, grilled baby squid, civapacici and good choices. If you want a view, then pick a konaba near the water, however most are not the best choices. A view does not necessarily mean a great meal.

    The old part of town is filled with tacky souvenir shops where most of the junk is imported from China. You need to get off the Stradun, our main promenade, to find the few locally owned shops for handmade items. Please do not barter, it is not an acceptable custom here. Enjoy your time here.

     

    http://www.portdubrovnik.hr/?lan=en

     

    http://www.tzdubrovnik.hr/data/1198052158_49_mala_Plan%20Grada_2008.pdf

     

    http://www.dubrovnikcablecar.com/

     

    Thanks for all your valuable information. I have been lurking and following your comments. One question I have is: Can you stop the walk along the wall at any point, or can we exit half way? My husband is mobile, but if he is having back issues that day we are there, he won't be able to walk the complete circuit. From the port information the day we are there, it looks like we will be one of six ships in port! :eek: (early June)

     

    I look forward to your comments.

     

    Julie

    Malta, Valletta Advice please

    in Other Mediterranean and Black Sea Ports

    Posted

    We took a cab to Mdina (20 Euros). The driver dropped off at the entrance and as we walked in, we noticed a "Mdina Glass" on the left. The store was very nice (two floors) and had really pretty Mdina Glass. Prices were about 25 Euros for small vases or bowls and 16.50 Euros for others. We bought a couple pieces to give as gifts. Of course, there were bigger and more expensive pieces. Our driver said to call him when we were ready to return. We had the Mdina Glass store call him and he said he would be there in 20 minutes. After 40 minutes, he failed to show up. We were in no hurry, but there were plenty of cabs waiting in a small lot. They did charge us 25 Euros for the return, but we had him drop us off in Valletta and not at the port. After we walked around Valletta, we took the lift (free going down) and walked back to the port.

     

    Thanks for the information!

     

    Julie

    Hotel in Rome pre cruise

    in Italy Ports

    Posted · Edited by flrose

    Just getting information off the boards and am happy to say I booked Albergo Cesari for our three nights post cruise next June based upon suggestions here. The ratings on Trip Advisor are excellent too! Already they seem detail oriented, helpful and quick to respond. The price is reasonable too.

     

    Thanks!

    Royal Princess obstructed balcony

    in Princess Cruises

    Posted

     

    Thanks for the information. We will be on the Royal in January and just got our cabin assignment, E614 which is a Deluxe obstructed. From the looks of the plan, we may be between tenders if we're lucky. We cruise enough that we are much less picky than we used to be. We are glad to be near the aft stairway and elevators.

    Portland, UK

    in British Isles/Western Europe

    Posted

    I have a tour organized but I an sure there will be taxis available

    Weymouth looks like a good place to explore also

    I read there was a bus but did not find much info on it

     

    Be sure to check the Roll Call for other tours to share though most are booked up

    Tell them about our meet & greet they can join in

     

    Lyn

     

    Thanks Lyn,

     

    I will tell them about the meet and greet.

     

    Julie

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