PelicanLvr

We set up a "travel bank account" at a bank unconnected with our other accounts (lower fraud risks) that offered a chip/pin debit card. We deposit a reasonable amount there before departure and use it all over the world. Works great and so glad we did. You are so right that our regular U.S. credit cards are useless in so many situations, especially automated transactions, like you described. We use the CapitalOne bank 360 account....if that bank is an option.

OP- Stop in at your bank. You can most likely order Euros & British Pounds right there and they will deduct it from your account. We have the currency delivered to our local branch and that only takes a few days. Easy. Not the best exchange rate (that is from an ATM in Europe) but probably much better than the ship. You can sell-back to your bank any unused paper bills after you get home. You will lose some money on that sale, but you won't be stuck with foreign bills you don't need.

I think you may be going thru lots of effort and risk for only a bit of time in Florence. You will only have about 24 hours there at most. Not really enough time if your wife has never been there. Strongly suggest you save this activity for a cruise that starts of ends in Civitavecchia. Florence deserves more time.

The OP understands that it's "shoulder season" in Bermuda in March. Weather is hit or miss. We have experienced both that time of year. You will be gambling with the weather.

I believe the concern is getting back from Red Hook to the ship if you DIY. Do Taxi's meet those ferries? Maybe someone could comment on that?

We did that in Venice some years ago. Easy and no problems. Got off the morning flight from USA, dropped bags at pier and took vaporato to St. Marks Square. Never thought twice about it. Bags delivered to room by time we got back. Ship was overnight there, so no time concerns on our return that day....but the plan sounds doable if the rest of the logistics work out.

Wow! Was all this the result of the recent earthquake .... or something else?

Dannyboy - Welcome to CC! Go to the "Roll Call" for your sailing. These are the folks that will be on the ship with you. Lots of tours are planned there. Even if you don't make arrangements to actually join a tour, you will read what people are doing. There's a "find your roll call" tab at the top of this page or in these forums go to: Categories->Roll calls- celebrity->Ascent->Your sailing date. You will find lots of info there.

Princess regularly changes your booked stateroom? That would be a big drawback for me and am looking at Princess' Baltic itinerary. Have others had this problem of your booked stateroom being changed by Princess?

The geography of Santorini is unique (there's really no place else like it) and therefore presents "logistical challenges". Basically, the entire inhabited part of the island is up the cable car from where the ships anchor. The famous photos of the blue domes against the white buildings with the sea in the background can only be truly seen and appreciated "on top" in towns like Fira or Oia. Boat tours that stay at "sea level" are great and we've done them on Santorini. But the unique beauty of Santorini is at the top of the cliff.....up the cable car. I recently heard Rick Steves (the Europe travel writer) advise a caller that with limited time in port and logistical challenges, sometimes a ship tour is best to see what's there. Just something to think about.

Sounds risky. Depends on how important doing the excursion is to you vs. the potential discount. I agree with advice to call and try for a refund.

Recently used "tours by locals" website to get a private guide off a river cruise in Bucharest Romania. Was a great experience and completely private just for DW and me. Overpriced, large-group ship tours are not for us! Perhaps this is an alternative for a local guide with transportation. I will certainly be going the Tours by Locals route again.

Agree. This is a very bad idea.

One currency suggestion which we found especially applied in Ecuador: Go to your bank and get crisp good condition US currency to bring with you. No stray marks, tiny tears, "old looking" etc. In our travels we found Ecuador the most "picky" about the condition of the US currency. The Galapagos is a wonderful experience. The Government carefully regulates all tourist activities there so the ship will be completely in control of your itinerary. No planning needed on your part. Just go and enjoy!

Interesting.....First time I've seen perks included there. Thanks for the head's-up.

Don't miss the opportunity to have dinner in Santorini! You are in one of the most beautiful places on earth for the evening. Find a restaurant in Oia with a lovely view of the island and caldera and just soak it in. There are also wonderful fish tavernas (freshest fish you'll ever have) in Ammundi which is just below Oia at sea level. Our favorite there is "Sunset Taverna" but there are several and they're all supposed to be good. You could even eat in Fira (where the cable car/tenders are) but more touristy there. You can eat at the Rooftop Grill any night of your cruise. Santorini is special. Don't miss an evening there.

Took a galley tour on an M-class ship (it may have even been Connie) some years ago and recall the kitchen being on several levels below the MDR. So, I would guess that at least some of that white space aft of the room is kitchen area. Of course, you know from the deck plan that the room adjoins the stair/elevator lobby on the other side. Are you seeing any positives to this room? IMHO, I would book a different location.

In case anyone is interested, the Princess 2026 Baltic itinerary looks interesting and comprehensive. I would shy away from SS on such a port-intensive cruise.....you're off the ship most days.

Don't worry about hoping to see the monkeys at Gibraltar. They are everywhere!!

Bermuda - Have been many times, but not since covid...but Bermuda is a classy and friendly island. Easy to get around on your own. Nothing like Nassau or other Caribbean ports. IMHO you do not need a ship tour to get to the beach. Go to Horseshoe Bay beach. It is the most famous and beautiful beach on Bermuda. I understand there are taxi shuttles there for the ships (we have driven mopeds in the past) . It's about a 20 minute ride. Bermuda is very organized and they will make it easy. We have been to Bermuda many times both by ship and on land. I've seen the shuttles and you should have no problem doing it on your own. Maybe others can confirm the shuttle and how it works. If you are looking for a quiet beautiful beach (no facilities) with few people, then go to Warwick Long Bay. It just down the road from Horseshoe bay and just beautiful for some quality beach time. You would have to take the public (pink) bus there. (South Shore route towards Hamilton). Just ask the driver to let you know when to get out. There's a stop right by the beach entrance...and a stop to come back too. Buses run often and are dependable. Gibraltar - Was there last year. Has a major strategic history (think of where it is) so there are various things to see left over mostly from past wars. Views are great. Taxis offer the "standard tour" of the sites or you could take the ship tours too. It's a half day tour. Easy either way. The town has several great pedestrian streets which are also fun to wonder. Can't comment on Cartagena.... haven't been there. Enjoy your trip.

I suspect X tries very hard to keep the ship on local time. In fact I have never visited a port on X ( in Europe or elsewhere) & the ship time was different from local time. Both the ship and the passengers don't want folks left in the port! I know it gets discussed here but.......Has anyone experienced a different ship time from local in Europe on X?

Tipping the luggage handlers......It's a "cost of doing business" Suggest you have the tip conspicuously in your hand. Let them see they will be taken care of and you will have a smooth experience. Enjoy your trip and don't sweat the small stuff.

Can't comment on the X bus tour, but..... We just had a great experience with a website called "tours by locals". It's like an Airbnb for guides to market their services directly to travelers. I took a chance on it and gave it a try last month. It was great! Message a Seattle guide with good reviews. Tell them you want to be picked up at the port, given a city tour of X hours and dropped at the airport at the time of you choice for your flight. We just did exactly that in Bucharest, Romania off a river cruise. It was outstanding and I will be using this site again. Just a thought for you. Enjoy Seattle.

20165 - So sorry to hear of your situation and good luck to Hubby for a speedy recovery. I had to have an appendectomy myself some years ago & had no complications. All the best! I suspect "covered medical emergency" may be thru a 3rd party insurer. So you may be dealing with an actual insurance company and not X directly for the claim. Contact X on Monday morning and get the details on the process. Important - Take notes of all your conversations, get names of people you speak to, note date and time of call, and any claim number ( or call reference number) assigned to your claim (by X or any insurer). Be calm, it's going to all work out! There will be forms for you and the Dr. to complete. The Dr.'s forms will include their statement that Hubby was "medically unable to travel" + statement of his medical condition. You will submit the forms and proof of non-reimbursable financial losses and it will be processed. Insurance payment is a slow process but sounds like the kind of situation travel insurance was created for. All the best! PS: My DW had gall bladder surgery just before a cruise some years ago and we had to cancel. This is how it went down and we were fully reimbursed.

Speaking from the "American tipping culture" (see post above), I feel blessed and so lucky to live surrounded by 1st world problems such as how much to tip a cruise tour guide. It is my pleasure to share a few dollars per person with a good guide who helps make a tour a good experience especially in a less fortunate location. I generally give $5-10 per person based on the duration of the tour, quality of the guide etc. I go to my bank at home and bring lots of small bills ($1, $5, $10) and reward excellent service both on the ship and in port. It costs so little (from our perspective) to make someone's day!