maryann ns

I too got the email addressed to some stranger and then the later apology. Did they take a list of random names and randomly apply them to their mailing list?

There was no hot link in either email but I pasted in the URL and did the survey. You had to read it carefully, especially the first few questions, but I had no problem filling it out. However there were things which were not asked that struck me.

There was also a problem towards the end when it kept asking my opinion on newer Azamara features which were not in place when I last cruised in March 2011.

So all in all I'd say it is a GIGO survey (garbage in; garbage out).

Make sure you have allowed enough time to get to Milan and to the site for The Last Supper. You need to be there a bit early.

Check out Toms Port Guides which are full of information:

http://www.tomsportguides.com/

Let us know how it works out!

I have a 31 day medical insurance plan but it lets me add days. We were away for five weeks this past year and just paid a few dollars for the extra days.

However, insurance for more than six months is another matter. We spend over a year in Europe and had special insurance for that. We were told it was a one time only deal.

There are places with location (Saltys) and places for a good meal (Press Gang, Five Fishermen, McKelvies) and local take out places (Seaport Market) next to the cruise pier, the Shack Oyster Bar; http://www.yelp.ca/biz/the-shack-oyster-bar-halifax, and the Battered Fish http://www.yelp.ca/biz/the-battered-fish-halifax

I bought our tickets to see the Last Supper online. I watched until the day was right and had no problem. However if you do have a problem, get on the phone.

I followed advice in Rick Steves' guide. Here are my notes:

http://www.tripadvisor.ca/ShowTopic-g187849-i143-k4374433-o30-Booking_Last_Supper_tickets-Milan_Lombardy.html

PHONE from USA 011 39 02 928 00360

Tram 18: stop Corso Magenta - Santa Maria delle Grazie

Tube MM1: stop Conciliazione o Cadorna

Metro MM2: stop Cadorna

The problem (in the case of the missing plane) is that the stolen passports should have been discovered at the airport. They were on Interpol's list.

I agree that the ship's safe is the best place for your passport if you are not required to have it ashore.

They are both good options, but I would go for the simpler one of going to Milan. You can at least visit the duomo (be sure to get out on the roof) and walk around the orginal arcade. If you plan ahead (at least three months) you can go online for tickets to see The Last Supper. We did that and found it to be a wonderful, enlightening experience.

Verona has a wonderful arena and the fake Romeo and Juliet balcony. There is great high end shopping in a pedestrian area.

On our last trip on the Quest, we arranged to have a pot of decaffeinated coffee delivered to our stateroom every morning at 7am.

Five minutes before, we had a phone call to say it was on its way to give one of us time to grab a robe.

This worked really well and we shall do the same again on our June sailing.

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This is what we have done, but ours was regular coffee plus a pot of hot milk. the phone call was often more like one minute before but DH had the robe ready! This is a most pleasant way to start the day.

Since you won't have luggage, a possibly crowded train is not an issue. Why waste precious time waiting for the special train? Along with doing a search here, go to youtube and search. You should find video showing how to take the train.

Yes when we were there they sold the passes along with maps and other information right at the terminal. It was a one minute walk to the tram stop.

We had a fantastic day, seeing the Memorial Museum, going up a tram car to see the city from up high, shopping and having lunch and a quick peek at Glover Gardens.

Check into having a volunteer guide. We were all set to do this in Osaka when the earthquake sent us out of Japan.

Here are my research notes:

http://www.geocities.jp/goodsamaritanclub_hp/

 

Another source for host guides;

http://www.aitaijapan.com/

seems good; they have profiles of guides, etc

http://www.aitaijapan.com/kiyotaka-tsukada.html#more-40

 

………….

For Japan, you could consider applying for the services of a volunteer guide from the local "Systematized Goodwill Guide" (SGG) group. These offer free local tours, guided in English and other languages.

 

There is no charge for their service. You are only expected to pay for their travel expenses and admission charges to tourist facilities as well as yours, and to pay for their meals if you eat with them.

 

For further information, visit the JNTO website at http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/arrange/es...html#volunteer and http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/arrange/es...uides_a-n.html

…

We used a very good Goodwill Guide when we stayed in Japan on our own in 2007. This was in Tokyo. The lady lived in a large Tokyo suburb and took the train to meet us at our hotel, the Palace. She teaches English and dance from her home, and may be the most attractive grandmother in Japan. We had arranged an earlier Goodwill Guide in Kyoto, but DW was a bit under the weather after just arriving from China, so we had to cancel.

 

My memory is that you have to go through a Goodwill club, of which there are often many in the large cities. You can find these listed on the web. As you must know, these people ask only for travel reimbursement and payment of any fees. We also went to dinner together, and of course we picked up the tab.

 

You should consider renting a car in Sydney. The best things (wonderful scenery) are out of town.

Here are some older threads with information. In the first one I mention two options. There is a third, which is to see part of the Cabot Trail, driving as far as Neils harbour. Some of the other threads mention this.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1687976

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1769976

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1863077

This may not help the OP but if you are going to be wanting a car for at least 17 days, then look at the programs from Renault and Peugeot. These operate more as a long term lease. You get a new car with full insurance. One company has a 17 day minimum and the other 21 days. There are drop off charges if you end up in a different spot.

We have used this program four times and never had a problem. The prices are excellent.

http://www.renault-eurodrive.com/en/source/

http://www.peugeot-openeurope.com/

We debarked in Shanghai after our cruise in 2011. We spent a fabulous two weeks in China on our own. I booked everything myself, but since you would have no time, go with China Highlights. I worked with them and they are very professional and reasonable.

Here's what we did: (1) flew to Beijing for four nights. Took private tour to see the Great Wall at Mutianyu. The rest we had no problem doing on our own.

2. Flew to Xi'an. Had private tour to see the Terra Cotta Warriors as well as some things in Xi'an. We were there three nights. It is a great city to wander about.

3. Flew to Chongqing where we were picked up, toured a bit and then taken to board a Victoria Cruise down the Yangtze to Yichang.

4. Flew from Yichang to Shanghai where we spent several more days on our own.

This is all easy to do. Street signs in these cities have English as do the subways in Beijing and Shanghai.

That would be really delicious lemonaide. The people were friendly and there is so much to see. We hope to go back sometime to see other places.

I have not heard of anywhere. You can always ask the Westin Hotel. Other than that you may have a problem.

You could hire a taxi to take you on a bit of a tour around.

I posted lots of information for Halifax on this recent thread: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1989879

You will find other threads by scrolling down.

Even Google Maps messes up Saint John, New Brunswick. They have been told, but we'll have to try again. I gather some cruise lines get it wrong too.

There can be more fog on the Atlantic coast in May than later on in the summer. The land temperatures vary considerably. Just bring layers.

Fall cruises are popular partly for the weather and the colours and partly because it is hurricane season which can be a real problem in warmer places.

I agree. It is a lovely old town. Be sure to check out the Marco Polo museum.

The leaves are almost always at their peak in the second week in October in Nova Scotia.

Certainly nothing for that price in central Sydney.

We stayed at the YHA hostel on the Rocks (Sydney Harbour YHA) and it was something like $145 for a private room. Breakfast was available but not included (and there were communal kitchens). Wi-fi was included and very good. The location is fantastic. We could see part of the bridge and all of the Opera house from our window and there was a great rooftop deck. www.yha.com.au

If you go to Trip Advisor and do a search you will find many threads for hotels.

I have a magnetic hook and put the organizer on the wall outside the bathroom.

In 2009 I organized a private tour. It ended up being with two vans. The company was called Christours and they were OK, but not great. One of the drivers spoke no English. We toured the archaeological site in Paphos and also on the way back in Kourion. The mosaics are amazing.

Doing it again I would rent a car. They drive on the left but there was almost zero traffic. We have since driven on the left in New Zealand and Australin and it is not that hard to adjust.

http://www.bbb.org/maritime-provinces/business-reviews/tours-operators-and-promoters/blue-diamond-tours-in-halifax-ns-21288

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1209598