PrincessLucy

We arrive into the Fort Laud airport at 6am, too early to go the cruise port.  I was thinking it might be nice to have breakfast somewhere. 

Questions... are there any restaurants in the airport that we can get to from the arriving side?  Usually the restaurants are near the departure areas which once you get your luggage you can't get back to.  Or, are there any restaurants in cruise port area?  Or, any hotel that we can shuttle over to from the airport, eat and then taxi to port?  Or, do you have any suggestions?  

Any help would be greatly appreciated.  THANKS!

We've spent a total of two weeks here and just love it.

 

https://www.tripadvisor.com/VacationRentalReview-g255070-d1554077-Paradise_Villa_B_B_Port_Douglas-Port_Douglas_Queensland.html

It looks fabulous! But we're going with a big group of friends so looking for either a hotel or big house to rent.

Thanks!

Thanks so much for the info. I'll check into all of those.

We're going to be staying for a few days after cruise in Port Douglas. Can anyone recommend a hotel, apt or home (VRBO)?

THANKS for your help!

Merrill

Is the issue not using Wavelength is the water is rough in the Outer Reef, or snorkeling off a boat as opposed to a pontoon? We were planning on using Wavelength, and are a bit "old" but can snorkel as long as the water is not rough. Should we rethink that plan?

 

 

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For us the issue is a bit of both.... if the water is rough, it would be difficult. And, for those who might tire easily, they probably would rather be sitting on a beach than on a boat.... sea-sickness.

GradUT.... THANKS so much for the info. I've been reading so many different reviews, it gets overwhelming to select the right tour/trip/location.

After reading all your comments I was sure that we would use Wavelength for our GBR trip. However, then I came to the horrible realization that we're 'older' now! Most of the group traveling with us will not be able to stay in the water snorkeling for any length of time. Sad but true...:loudcry:

So, back to reality and some questions... if you knew that you could not do the outer reef for physical limitations, do you think that Green Island would be a fun place? Is the snorkeling there 'acceptable'?

We'll be staying a few days after our cruise........ either in Cairns or Port Douglas. I want to snorkel the GBR and maybe spend a day at Daintree.

Your thoughts and suggestions would be great. THX Merrill

I contacted the Sea Horse farm directly to find out the best way to get to them, we'll be there this coming Sept.

They encouraged me to use the ship tour. They said a taxi would cost about $30 each way and that we'd need to make our own arrangements, they do not handle taxis.

If you add the $30 to the cost of the entrance fee ($40), then you might as well use the ship, IMO.

I am not a fan of ship tours but did book this excursion with Celebrity.

What do you think of them? Please, pros and cons.

Thank you!!

We've used them once in Amsterdam. Big bus, many many people, different languages. I would only use them again if I had no other choice.

That said, you really never know who you will get for a tour guide... unless you get a recommendation.

We're also looking in Rome and on our Board, people have recommended "All Around Italy". They've responded to my emails but I can't speak to how they will be on our tour.

Good luck.

I looked up this post from a couple of years ago that gives lots of ideas for things to do in Rome that go beyond the usual tourist places:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1524426&highlight=rome

 

Maybe it will be helpful to you. Spending more time in Rome is always a good thing in my book!

Thanks so much for your post. I looked up your 'trip' and now have so many notes to write up!!

Places that I like that are not always on first timers lists are the Capitoline Museum which has great treasures from the ancient world, and the Borghese gallery which has some amazing sculptures, many by Bernini, and is set in the Borghese Gardens. Another option would be going out to see Hadrian's villa and Tivoli Gardens, which you can do using public transportation.

 

Have you considered the Scavi tour of the catacombs underneath St. Peter's Basilica? That was a favorite of mine.

 

I have been to Assisi and it's very interesting, especially the two-story Cathedral, but I also highly recommend Siena, one of my all time favorite places in Italy. It's a beautiful Tuscan hill town and the cathedral there is the all-time best in my opinion!

Thanks so much. I'll look into your suggestions.

Well, there's nothing much between the two except for a couple of decent beaches closer to the port. Are you going to Rome to stay or??? There are some interesting sites close to Civitavecchia, like Tarquinia and Ostia Antica, but they're not really on the way to Rome. I guess I'm just confused about what you're asking?

We're getting off the ship and going to Rome where we'll spend a few nights before flying home.

We've been to Rome before and so do not want to see the 'normal' sites again. One of the days we will go to Assisi & Orvieto. I thought that if there was something to see on the way to Rome from the port, we could do that. If not, we'll just take a shuttle directly to Rome.... and then do ?? we're not sure yet. We might do the HOHO bus in Rome just to reacquaint ourselves.

Did I make it more confusing now?

Thanks!

Does anyone have a suggestion for sightseeing en route from the port into Rome?

We will be in Rome for a few days (& have been there before) so do not want to see 'Rome' sights.

Thanks for your help.

English in Spain (Carol),

Thanks so much for your post. We will be in Alicante next May and look forward to exploring your city.

Merrill

Tony,

Thanks for the videos! We'll be there next April and this gave us a really good feel for what we'll see.

Merrill

It's really not necessary to have an organized tour to Iguazu Falls.

 

You need airline reservations which you can do online. (LAN is probably more reliable than Aerolineas Argentina.)

 

You need hotel reservations which you can do yourself online. The Sheraton can't be beat for convenience, although it is pricy.

 

Take a taxi from the airport at Puerto Iguazu to the hotel. As you enter the national park, you will pay your admission fee. The driver will then take you to the Sheraton.

 

All very easy.

I don't disagree.... the falls are very easy to do yourself.

It was the transfers/airlines moving from port to domestic airport and then back to international airport that made our trip much easier using a guide. If you decide to check out Diego, he is really good about responding to emails. He has a base in both Uruguay and Connecticut, USA. Just make sure you tell him exactly what you want. (EcoUruguay@aol.com)

Make sure you have Argentina money. We were warned many times about not using a credit card in Argentina. You'll get a better rate than the banks give, and for security reasons. Most places were happy to take USD.

btw... we stayed at the Orquideas Palace Hotel. Not a palace by any standard (LOL). A typical jungle hotel. Although across the road was a good pizza place. And much more affordable than the Sheraton.

No matter how you get to the falls, you won't be disappointed once there.

I agree with the others.... Iguazu Falls should not be missed! They are truly one of the 7 natural wonders of the world. We just got back from our cruise with 2 night add-on to the falls.... highly recommend.

We used ... http://www.discoveriguazufalls.com/iguazu_falls_vacation_packages.htm

My only negative comment is that there were a group of us and he put us with a bunch more people in a big bus. We did not want that. Be very clear with Diego about what you want. Otherwise, he was great with getting back to you very quickly with emails.

I know you already booked with someone else but we used Denis Purtov http://www.puertomontt-excursiones.com/en Email: denis.purtov@gmail.com

The tours were "Osorno volcano & Petrohue Falls, Llanquihue & Todos los Santos Lakes". We paid in USD the day of the tour. I had organized 2 groups from our Celebrity cruise in January 2015.

All good things to say about them. Everyone enjoyed the day, we had great weather, clear skies.

you want pre cruise in Prague and post in Budapest.

 

We just did this with AMA and worked out well.Can always do hotels,etc on your own if you prefer.

Then can fly directly to ea city.

 

Along with itinerary differences,many lines offer more perks too.So do check around .Nothing against Viking,have taken 2 with them.But now prefer a little more upscale.You DO tend to get what you PAY for,as I ve said on this section many times.(finally learned after 10 river cruises on all the major lines).

We just started thinking about a river cruise for next year. In your opinion (since everyone has one :) ) can you give me your #1, #2, etc for the major lines. THANKS so much.

Have you heard of Complejo Tango? A tour guide is recommending it as his very very favorite!

THANKS so much!!

I know there are many shows with and without dinner.

Any recommendations?

We booked a Transfer/Tour from Santiago to Valparaiso which gives us city tours plus a winery. We're doing this with SouthExcusions but I did find several other guides also... Leo Cuzman, Hector Medina, Chilegetaway. All had similar pricing.

We will be going from the Domestic airport to the international airport. Would you say the same info holds true going that way?

Thanks.

I suggest that you consider Viña del Mar instead of Valpariasio. We were advised that Valpariasio is not as safe (crime). We stayed at the San Martin Hotel in Viña del Mar. It was nice, had a nice restaurant and close to the ocean.

How far is Vina del Mar from the Port? How did you get to the port, cab?