rrobynec

My ship is going to be docked in Old San Juan on Three Kings’ Day/Día de los Tres Reyes Magos from 8 am to 5pm.

My ship is not offering much in tours and the outside tour companies I have used do not really offer cruise excursions.

I am going to be solo in this port and don't really want to wander around in large crowds by myself.

Any suggestions?:confused:

Time to resurrect this thread. Two weeks away, I'm definitely giddy! :D

Oh yeah. Me too. Wish I could get some work done, but I'm too busy daydreaming

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My sympathy to you and your family. It must have taken a tremendous amount of courage for you to share your story

Thank you and God speed in this difficult time.

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We'll have to think of it as an appetizer, and not a main course of Florence.

That is a great way to think of it!

I agree with Big guy--if I had it to do all over again, I would hire a private driver.

Too bad, the second time I did the itinerary, I didn't have any time to plan--I booked everything 24 hrs before!:p

I strongly urge you to try to get to the Accademia and the Uffuzzi--you will barely scratch the Uffuzzi (like you will barely be able to scratch the Vatican majesty), but think about doing it anyway! Just prebook the tickets ahead online.

I did both in one day.

Did take a taxi to and from the train to the tower as Hlitner suggests.

BAsically just looked at the square, took pics of the tower (esp the obligatory "holding up the leaning tower pic), and headed back to the train.

I did make reservations ahead of time for the Accademia and Uffizzi tickets.

Going back, we had to wait for the train (I guess it was late?!?), and when we finally got back to Livorno, the bus that takes you back to the bus that takes you back to the bus that takes you back to the ship was JAMMED beyond belief.

We paniced and got into a much shorter taxi queue (even though we had prepaid for tickets). It was only 30 minutes until last call for all aboard....

Well, there were NO taxis anywhere to be found. Finally one taxi pulled up, and we begged him to send others. Time was ticking away, and slowly a taxi or two arrived. Everyone on the line was in a panic by this point. The NCL ship that we were on had a all aboard an hour earlier the other line that was in port that day (RCL?). Some of the folks on the other line were gracious enough to let the NCL people go ahead of them, but some insisted that since they were there first, they were not going to let anyone ahead of them. So we waited. And called the ship to let them know of our situation.

Finally a taxi came with only one NCL family ahead of us. They had 11 in their group and we had 3. The driver (who had a mini van) agreed to let us all cram in together (it normally would have held 6 plus the driver.

The driver knew his way around the area, and must have set a world record getting from the train station to port (judging by his speed and the way he cut in and out of traffic, and around obstacles in the shipyard).

The next year, my DD and I went back to Florence, skipped Pisa, and took one train earlier than we needed to.

We had a lovely day in Florence, a leisurely lunch, and made it back to the ship with time to spare.

The moral of this story is:

You can do it, just plan wisely.

Sweet Copters! Now you're making me giddy!

Wish I was going to be on your cruise again Mooder, but I guess the next best thing is knowing I will be able to glean all of your wisdom about the ports before I go!:D

How about adding a third person to a cabin booked for 2?

It does have capacity for a third......

Also, what if we decide to switch cabins? Do we need to cancel and rebook?:confused:

Now I feel like this is a challenge! I swim laps every morning before work and have a six pack and no body hair. For me speedos are for laps only, no prancing around a cruise ship or resort.

 

I am however going to be on the Star 10/10. Maybe I will be that guy...

 

My wife keeps telling me to rock the speedos :cool:!

DO IT DO IT DO IT!!!!! Make all the ladies on your cruise drool....

Wish I was going to be on it--everyone that I have seen in a speedo had no business being in public like that.

What does that mean

He's got six pack abs--swims laps every day, and has no body hair--it means he rocks the speedo-- DUH!!!!

 

The only other thing worse would be a GEEK god! :eek: :p

Of the Intel commercial where they show a nerdy looking guy, sweater vest and all--and everybody swooning around him cuz he invented the USB flashdrive (which is pretty hot), and they say "our Rock Stars aren't like your Rock Stars"--:D

Not enough if you ask me!:D

Most Certainly NOT ENOUGH!!!!

Blackmail only works if the "victim" has any sense of pride.

I know what you mean about clothes buying. Every cruise I pledge not to buy any - I have plenty, but I never keep that pledge. Shopping makes the cruise start earlier - at least in my head.

I had a very Giddy weekend--shopping for new clothes, that I didn't need either (no bathing suits--that would have ruined the buzz), and out Sat nite with Zone and his DW!!! Talking with other cruisers (even though they have to wait until Aug) mad it a triple GIDDY weekend!!!:D

Also finding a countdown clock that I could actually get to work on my signture, was another VERY GIDDY moment. Each time I see it ticking down---GIDDY beyond belief!!!!!:D

I am pretty sure that falling off the chair counts as coptering. You are bound to flail your arms around on your way down.

I had an entirely different image of coptering....

More like the 3 stooges--where your head stays in one place, and your legs run around your head in a circle!!!!!!!:eek:

So yes--I may just be caught in the act of coptering!!!:eek:

 

Start practicing! You could be the next Susan Boyle -- a YouTube hit! "Muder's Got Talent":eek:

How do you get in the Giddy Up Club? I've been giddy since I was born!:D

 

After that we can be the COPTER club once we all get out version of Copter in Digitial!

 

btw.. ya'all are NUTS on this thread!

We're not nuts--we're just GIDDY:D

I had another Giddy moment just now--faxing in my order for my Romance Package!!!!!!:D

Welcome to the Geezle Guild, Robyn! Did LOWTYD show you the secret handshake??:confused:

 

SH:D

Thanks! No she didn't--our ctn was back in Jan. But I will be equipped with the sanitizer---:eek:

 

Hey -- I know how you can do it -- take two sanitizer refills and stuff them in your shirt and do the Hokey-Pokey!! That'll get her coptering AND spewing!

 

SH:D

LOL!!!!! Vision in my head...won't go away!!!!

Oh yes--that would be a sight--me with sanitizer implants, doing the HP, and 'muder spinning around in circles on the floor---WHITE HOT PARTY--HERE WE COME!!!!!:eek::eek::eek::eek:

ROFL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!copter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do you think I can get you laughing hard enough to see this LIVE?!?:confused::D:confused:

 

I kind of laughed when I started reading, because since I booked the Epic last week, I've been exceptionally giddy... to the point where I started thinking I was 'neglecting' my usual happy anticipation of my upcoming cruise on the Sky. Now I feel reassured that it's just my natural reaction to the booking! :)

You are so right! I always have to have a vacation booked. That knowledge makes anything and everything else more than bearable. Life is good! And I had that guilt too when I was getting excited about booking our cruise for next May. I felt I was neglecting my excitement for our Bermuda cruise. I've never had 2 booked before so the guilt was a strange feeling. But I am so convinced I am going to love my BA aft in June (before I even ever set foot in it), that we wanted to book next year's while they were still available. :D

Thank goodness I am not the only one. I have had two vacations booked before, but never two cruises (I am still pretty much a cruise newbie). When I saw my beloved GEM going to the eastern mediterranean, I just HAD to book it!!!

But then I started searching the Europe port boards, starting already looking into all the ports. My research for Bermuda is pretty much been long done, and I felt like I was neglecting my upcoming vacation.

Luckily there is so much on the NCL board on the Dawn, that I quickly re-engaged. Phew!!!!!

I think when I actually book the trip is my first sign of giddy.

Then it relaxes for a while because I tend to book real early.

Next , when I make my final payment, at least for a few days....

Then........

THE EDOC DANCE! is Pure Giddy.

Then things take a course of their own.

Overdose of CC and seeing who else is on the Roll call and what others are saying on the threads about the the ship, the food, the adventures.... It's Random Giddy depending on what I read.

A little Stress rolls in about a month before. (getting dog/cat sitter lined up, do I have enough spending money, why didn't I go on a diet months ago etc...)

Packing does not make me Giddy by any means. Finally closing the suitcase and having it zipper makes me Giddy because all I have do no is get there.

The Big Giddy for me is when I see the ship....

Wait there is the ship sighting driving down the Henry Hudson from a distance. I get giddy then as I yell...I see a ship!!!

Ok, Big Giddy is when I see the ship up close and I am standing in line waiting for my turn looking at her out the window. I think I have a perpetual smile on my face at the terminal.

 

And those are my Giddy moments!:D

Me too--LOWTYD--esp driving down the Henry Hudson!!! My DD and I go into the city on Sundays sometimes, just to drive that way!!!:D

Monday I was in the city this week, and it was fleet week--it was pretty cool seeing the Naval ships in the slots where I would see the Dawn and the Gem!!!

Pure Giddy!!!! (or was that seeing the sailors in their whites!!!:eek:)

Hi Hlitner,

 

I have been looking for advice on doing Mediterranean ports on our own and would be so grateful for any help you can provide. We are a group of 10 family members ranging in age from 12 to 60. The ports we will be visiting are: Messina (Taormina), Livorno (Florence), Venice, Dubrovnik, Naples (Pompeii) and Portofino. The more I read on how to do these ports on your own, the more confused I get. A lot of writers seem to gloss over the details of the transportation. Specific information about the routes, fares etc... would be much appreciated!

I did my entire Med cruise "on my own" I only visited two of the ports on your itinerary though:

Naples/Pompeii, which I hired a private driver--very expensive, but FABULOUS--not sure if I can "advertise" on the boards here--let me know if you want info.

I did Livorno/Florence/Pisa by public transportation:

I made a cheat sheet for myself--but the Livorno/Pisa/Florence(Firenze) goes like this: Take a bus, get your tickets, take another bus to the train station. Vailidate your ticket, find the train to take you direct to Firenze (Florence), or stop in Pisa (I think all trains go thru Pisa anyway).

The trip will take almost 2 hours each way--between getting off the ship, waiting for the shuttle (and for the shuttle to fill up), waiting in for tix, waiting for the bus, finding the right train, getting on the train, and the stops the train makes.

This site was particularly helpful:

[email=http://www.ftroute.com/liv_fir_liv.htm]http://www.ftroute.com/liv_fir_liv.htm[/email]

OK--for all you experienced "on your own" folks...

 

We would like to take the train to Florence and see a few highlights. Then--we would like to do some sort of Tuscany wine tour. Is this possible in one day? Port time will be 7-7. Anyone out there done this??? Having a hard time getting any feedback on this particular idea of mine--perhaps it is not possible?? Thanks!

There is no possible way you can do this. The train is not a direct one from Florence back to the port. You have to at least stop in Pisa, and I think change trains. When you get back to Livorno, you need to take a bus or taxi back to the ship. The train schedules are subject to change, so plan on the travel time to be much more than you expect based on the schedule.

We nearly missed the ship on this day--and we weren't the only ones--EVERYONE was in a panic at Livorno train station.

Even if you rent a car, or hire a driver, the distance is too great.

Enjoy Florence--it is a beautiful city, there is so much there, even if you commit the entire day there, you will barely scratch the surface.

Or, go to wine country, either way, you will vow that you will return.

I want to thank everyone for all of the responses to my balcony question. My DW and I are going to join the balcony club the first day (night). Are there any other clubs we could join while on board?

How about the Rock Wall?:eek:

JK!!!!!

I have just come back from a NCL cruise and recommend people look at alternatives to organised tours & try doing it yourself! If you do a bit of research it's not hard using trains (and as long as you give yourself at least a spare hour, there should be no problems getting back to the ship on time.) With buses or cars I figure there is always the chance of traffic problems and accidents etc.

 

We visited Naples, Rome, Florence about 2 weeks ago.

 

For Naples, we hired a private driver- Marcello, who was fabulous (www.seesorrento.com). I checked the train schedules but knew it would be really hard to fit all we wanted to do into a day. We drove down (up?) the Amalfi Coast. Sorrento and Positano were packed with tourists and buses, we went off the beaten track to a small restaurant with the most amazing view where we had the Best Italian Meal Ever. We then went to Pompeii for a couple of hours (Marcello can hire a private tour guide) and it was only half an hour back to our ship (which is why Marcello recommended we do it last.) I highly recommend Marcello, he can talk the hind leg off a donkey but gives you amazing insight from a Southern Italian who has grown up in the area. A fabulous day with flexibility- we stopped whenever we wanted for photos & shopping etc. and he tailored the tour to our requests as we went along.

In Rome, we trained into the city (which was a direct train- see http://www.europeportreviews.com/ if you're interested in doing it yourself. I pre-booked tickets to the Vatican Museum on http://www.rome-museum.com/vatican2ind.php (and skipped the queue, but you must be on time.) We then trained to the Colloseum and walked the rest- you can buy maps everywhere. I liked the freedom of not being tied to a tour group and a lot of the time, for a tenth of the price, we kept bumping into our ship's tour group in the Vatican.

 

In Florence, it was a bit harder to find the train station so would recommend you taxi to it in Livorno. We trained in and just walked around looking at buildings and eating. By our third big day we were pretty tired so spent a lot of time in cafes drinking coffee and eating pasta and gelato. I was glad we hadn't prebooked museum tickets etc because we were growing a bit weary of beatiful cathedrals and walking.

 

With Malta and Villefranche I'm glad we never planned anything. I didn't anticipate how exhausting the tours/big ports would be and in Villefranche we were happy to go off the ship for 3 hours then come back for a sleep. We thought Malta was beautiful and it was very easy to catch a public bus into the town (1 euro) and walk around on our own. The view from the Upper Barraka Gardens was amazing and again we bumped into the organised tours!

I will be going in July and have almost the same itinerary planned that you did!

Malta--on our own--public transportation and walking

Naples--we hired a private car and guide for Pompeii and to drive us around the Amalfi coast and hydrofoil back to Naples.

Rome--plan on taking the train in and seeing what we can. My DS (16) will be with myself and DD (14), and I am afraid after a full day together the day before, we may need to keep our plans flexible because:

Livorno--I already have tickets to Accademia and Uffizi. Since DS won't be into all the art and museums, and he decided to stay on the ship that day that that would be museum day (I know--but it's his vacation too--he will be happy to be away from DD) My DD also wants to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa, so we are going to train it. Thanks for the cab suggestions--I know that europeportreviews.com suggests that too!

Villefranche looks like it has a beautiful beach--after the few previous days,it will probably look even better.

I CANNOT WAIT!!!!!!!