basketballdad

So due to bad seas we will be in Palma tomorrow 1500 to 2400. Since it was unplanned I have done no research. Family of 6, 2 teenagers, 2 parents. 2 grandparents. On a budget.

How do we get to cathederal? What else wold you do and howhat to get around, etc. Church times? Is it walkable easily from ship?

So in palermo, the ship had a couple tours but again street vendors outside the port had much better deals. The ship waneed 59 euro for basic tour, 5 of us did essentially same tour for 14 euro each with a little negotation. Had a private van with 5 us. Google translate helped a little. The catcombs was weird but very memorable. A good discount store my teenagers bought sweaters, coats, shoes, etc, is ACOTT.

EDITQUOTE

So in palermo, the ship had a couple tours but again street vendors outside the port had much better deals. The ship waneed 59 euro for basic tour, 5 of us did essentially same tour for 14 euro each with a little negotation. Had a private van with 5 us. Google translate helped a little. The catcombs was weird but very memorable. A good discount store my teenagers bought sweaters, coats, shoes, etc, is ACOTT.

In non low season thereally should be many more vendors offering cheap tours and rides from the port. When you get off the free pier bus there is a big sign for local tours straight ahead. Look for it and save time and money and train hassles. Good luck.

The staff seems to be nice. I saw one group barge into the front of the line to get off at Genoa. Someone further back mentioned it to a crew member who went up to the line cutters and escorted them to the back of the line. The look on the line cutters face ws priceless... like when a foul is called in a basketball game and the offender says who, Me?

LoL. Your target audience aren't reading this.

Ya just letting off steam. Don't get me started on the swim wear at the inside pool. Hide your wife, hide your kids.

I know most aren't americans, but please:

1. When the elevator opens let us get off before you push you way in.

2. While waiting for the port bus at civitavechia, please don't rush to the front of the line as the bus approaches. I physically blocked you at the bus door to let others who had been waiting for the last 10 minutes to get on, and I'll do it again :)

3. In the buffet line please remember it is a line. Common courtesy please even if it is foreign to some of you.

May just chill tomorrow on the boat. Not a ton of activities and as I mentioned this ship severely lacks venues for bands and things. Not a lot of bars, clubs, etc.

What was good was the show Magic Friends. Saw it for the 2nd time tonight. They really don't scan cards sometimes to get in. We really liked this show!

What is the name of the tour vendor? We will be there in 03/2018.

 

 

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There are several and I don't want to promote 1.

Just found out due to weather we are not leaving port for 24 hours ! Glad we didn't pre book non ship tours

Just found out our next port is delayed due to bad weather. So if you prebook make sure it is refundable. Also, by walking off the ship and buying your tour then you avoid issues of per booking if you can not make it....say you are ill. My point is there are other options besides the train. And we have fun.

So we were onto day 4 of this 8 day cruise today stopping in Rome. We have some huge days planned for the next two days so we wanted to go hard but not crazy in Rome. Some great advice we received was to see a couple things well and not try to cram too much in. Also Rome is a town you could spend weeks exploring.

Our initial plans were to take the train in and do the hop off hope on bus for about 45 euro total per person counting the 2 euro shuttle to train.

However, as we got off the free peir shuttle we saw some tour vendors of to the side. We decided to do one that was 25 euro per person that took us into Rome to 3 stops. First was the collesum for 1 hour, then over the Vatican for a bit, then over by Trevi Fountain for more. Then back to ship with an hour to spare.

This was a pretty stress free way to do Rome for part of a day from the ship. There were no train hassles, and no waiting for the hop off hop on bus. For us it went smooth and was a great choice. The driver dropped us off and told us what time to meet back at.

We might have cheated but we downloaded the free Roma app and listened to the same short narrations of the different sights that the hoho busses use.

4 of us shared a large pizza and a large container of water for about 13 euros for a light lunch. Got some treats and but too many clothes and then hit the van back.

The reason this worked for us is that it was cheaper than original plans. It also let us see Rome coming in and out from the street, not the train that might be underground or view blocked near city center. And getting around the city was stress free as they dropped and picked us up at 3 separate areas and gave us a map. The driver highlighted for me the top sites nearby and wrote the time to return as he sensed I was older than what I am.

We stopped into a church that was open. Many talk about orenate. Also was at Saint Peters Square while the Pope gave his New Years day speech!

The tour guide drove a 16 passenger orange van and again, this was a good and stress free option for us for about half the price we had planned on spending. And a lot less than the ships option of Rome on your own that didn't include the stops and pick up at different parts of the city.

Since there were several vendors outside the gate of the free peir shuttle, be sure to ask around for the price and tour that best fit you. Why hassle with a train and standing if it is full?

So we were onto day 4 of our 8 day cruise. We have some huge days planned for the next two days so we wanted to go hard but not crazy in Rome. Some great advice we received was to see a couple things well and not try to cram too much in. Also Rome is a town you could spend weeks exploring.

Our initial plans were to take the train in and do the hop off hope on bus for about 45 euro total per person counting the 2 euro shuttle to train.

However, as we got off the free peir shuttle we saw some tour vendors of to the side. We decided to do one that was 25 euro per person that took us into Rome to 3 stops. First was the collesum for 1 hour, then over the Vatican for a bit, then over by Trevi Fountain for more. Then back to ship with an hour to spare.

This was a pretty stress free way to do Rome for part of a day from the ship. There were no train hassles, and no waiting for the hop off hop on bus. For us it went smooth and was a great choice. The driver dropped us off and told us what time to meet back at.

We might have cheated but we downloaded the free Roma app and listened to the same short narrations of the different sights that the hoho busses use.

4 of us shared a large pizza and a large container of water for about 13 euros for a light lunch. Got some treats and but too many clothes and then hit the van back.

The reason this worked for us is that it was cheaper than original plans. It also let us see Rome coming in and out from the street, not the train that might be underground or view blocked near city center. And getting around the city was stress free as they dropped and picked us up at 3 separate areas and gave us a map. The driver highlighted for me the top sites nearby and wrote the time to return as he sensed I was older than what I am.

We stopped into a church that was open. Many talk about orenate. Also was at Saint Peters Square while the Pope gave his New Years day speech!

The tour guide drove a 16 passenger orange van and again, this was a good and stress free option for us for about half the price we had planned on spending. And a lot less than the ships option of Rome on your own that didn't include the stops and pick up at different parts of the city.

Since there were several vendors outside the gate of the free peir shuttle, be sure to ask around for the price and tour that best fit you. Why hassle with a train and standing if it is full?

All categories have free 24/7 room service except Bella. If you cannot handle a non-US-ship just keep cruising only with the US companies.

that is a bit rude.. I am posting what I wish I would have known... and no one is saying anyone can not handle anything.

About tap water, still water, in the dinning rooms it is only free at dinner with a reservation made through the USA travel office.

No the pizza was closed at 11 pm last night. The buffet was completely closed last night at 11. We checked. And checked the dailies. Closed.

OK this is getting a bit annoying. First, it's New Years eve. Most of the 5000 guests looking for something to do after dinner til the count down. There was a music duo in the lobby with 100 or so gathered around. Then there was a very good band off the promenade with 50 chairs and a dance floor for 50 more. The theatre had a show for 45 minutes and you can only see each show once.

So what to do? Walk around and around and around? The good is that Magic Friends was a very good show. The bad? Nothing to do. On many ships there are several options of music, comedians, shows, karaoke, you name it. Discos, dance places, bands, etc. All in abundance. Not here. They had 30 minutes of karaoke the first night. True they are dealing with so many nationalities it might not work well for karaoke. But give us lots of options. Bamboo pool would be an awesome inside venue for a dj or band.

At new years about 2500 people tried to cram into the promenade.

The other many concern is lack of food at odd hours. It's new years. About 1110 pm my wife wants a snack. Everything except the last of the speciality cost extra places are closed. Everything! Nothing opens til 630 am tomorrow. 7.5 hours of no food choices! True we are not going to die, but we are on a cruise. At least feed us something! Due to jet lag and weird body clock I got up the first day at 430 am. At 545 am I went to get something to eat and the muffins were on the buffet table behind the glass and the buffet was closed. A worker was setting up and I asked for a muffin and he said they are closed. There was no one around. I looked at the muffin, pointed at it, and said please

He looked around and saw no one and handed me one. A guest shouldn't have to ask a worker to bend the rules for a muffin! A ships food should not be closed.

This is not like cruising at home. Not saying it's wrong, just be aware of things that they are so different here.

Good news, the fruit in our room from our steward was still good and my wife ate a pear. Counting down the 6 or 7 hours until any food, even the buffet, is open.

.

Grrrrrrr

At lunch in the dinning room for tap water, or still water, they did want a drink coupon.

Day 2... again got to see some cool shoreline lights at dinner and from our balcony before bed.

The Amor show was better in my opinion than the Paz show (I called it Spaz).

The several lounge acts were exactly the same as the first night and the one I followed closest played what seemed to be the exact play list as the night before. Let's hope its not the same for 7 nights in a row.

The buffet was identical to the day before for lunch as far as we could tell. 8 days of the exact same food might get old even if it is good.

When embarking they take your photo and last night they left a package of that photo with various back scenes saying here you go, take them and unless you return them to your steward and decline wanting them we will charge you 29 euro.

The kids got bored and wanted to watch tv. Nothing on except news so they, with their own money, bought a movie for 8 euros. As most know, most American cruises shoe a few movies for no charge.

There is a big push to sell you more stuff. On the promonede there is a drink stand with smoothies and shakes. And a sign saying all their drinks cost and are not included with any drink package. Hmmm, sort of weird to be able to get a 6 or 8 euro drink with our drink coupons but not get a 4 euro smoothie?

I will say our cabin steward and waiter are great and helpful and seem to be happy and helpful. Good english, we got lucky. Since we moved tables for a window at dinner, our 1st night was a temporary table, last night will be our permenant one for the remainder of the trip. First waiter was a rookie, the one we will have for rest of cruise a pro. Free water without issue. Quick food delivery as Americans generally eat faster right?

3rd day will be in Genoa. The daily planner says we will be able to see some landmarks as we pull into port.

In Barcelona and Marselle the ship docked so port side is away from the shore fyi. Still fun to see the coast as we sail on the port side.

We boarded in Barcelona yesterday with a pre trip to London and Paris.

Stayed at Las Rambles Hotel the night before boarding which was a pleasant surprise for the modes cost. Still european, it had large rooms and bath, very clean and a plentiful breakfast. We would stay there again. For the price it was very nice. Not 5 star by anymeans, but good for the price. We liked Barcelona a lot, felt like the locals we extremely warm and hospitalitable and helpful. London and Paris not so much :)

Rather than dealing with retrieving luggage from our hotel after seeing the city (we flew in late the night before) we elected to take a cab to the ship and drop off our luggage. They took it at 9 am and gave us a boarding group card. We took a cab back into the city for a few hours then came back to the ship about noon and got right on. We were given group 1 and we had arrived when group 5 was being called so we got right into the short check in line. On the ship and got lunch then went our cabin and it was ready.

Let's get the topic of food out of the way. You can find most anything at the buffet. Some good variety. Pizza, burgers, salads, and a whole bunch of other items. As others have said though- the dinning room is not for the middle of the road American pallet.

Everyone is different, but if you are looking for main street USA mashed potatoes, turkey, stuffing, steaks, etc., you won't find alot. If you are inot expanding your horizons then you will have a good time in the dinning room.

The only drama was over water at dinner. We must have had a new waiter as I had specifically verified with MSc pre cruise that our USA reservations included drinking water at dinner. Our waiter wanted our room card to charge us. I told him we got it for free and he said no. We sailed at high time over the holidays and had to pay for the fantastic experience and got drink coupons so I just gave him one and he came back later and returned the drink coupon with 1 bottle of water. Our table of 6 shared it, and later got a 2nd bottle. So yes with a USA reservation you get water for free.

The ship is new and modern and high tech. Touch screens and smart room keeps you swipe. Be sure to activate your room key when you get on board. One person can attach a charge card to all in the room.

The MSC for me works well on the ship, but not before. I ttied to learn it at home and it didn't work til on board. It shows all your charges, schedules of events, menus, and mapshe of the ship. You can get tickets etc.

Dropped in to the floor show PAZ, I thought it was quite a yawner. Went to the Beatles tribute show and thought it one of the best shows I have seen in 25 cruises or so. They had a great duo singing standards in the lobby last night and a high energy Latin band mid ship. Hopefully the floor shows pick up to match the other entertainment.

One flaw is they list the band or music options but don't do a great job describing it. For example "Almost A Band" played last night. But no info what style of music they play. (Clasical, disco, classic rock, country, easy listening, latin, etc.... a brief description for all musical acts would be helpful).

The cabin is new and nice. As others have said very little closet and door space. We have our 2 youngest, teenagers, and 4 in a balcony cabin is tight. Basically half our stuff is in suitcases under the bed. The good news is that the sofa bed made into a bunkbed. My 2 sons don't do well in a sofa bed together ..lots of fighting over covers, etc. Bunk beds wih their own blankets solves this. We did have to flip a coin of who gets the top bed on the extra day..7 days, each get 3 days, who gets the last... a coin toss. I do like the variety of electrical outlets and USB outlets in the room.

TV is limited. A few English channels. But that is understandable. In fact, anyone planning this cruise needs to know this med cruise is a melting pot of many nationalities. This is not a weekend cruise from Miami to the carribean where 90 percent of the passengers are American. This is a huge mix of many nationalities. I like it but just be aware. Line crowding is common, we forget people don't understand. We went to the hot tub and my wife asked if the water was hot and got blank stares from those in. In German one guy said something. Another guy was speaking italian. Pretty cool actually but we just get use to being in a world at home where everyone understands each other.

One last thing. I like watching the ocEan and the land and coast. I get balconies. I sometimes track the moon cycles as nothing is better things an a large moon reflecting on the ocean at night, at least for me. When considering this cruse I actually asked if you could see the coast at night and someone, who turns out had no clue said no. Well I am glad we declined starboard and went port side, because for several hours the coast of Spain was very visible from our balcony. Lots of city lights reflecting magically on the ocean as we went to bed. True, early this morning there was no land in sight, but last night for sure, and the nautical maps show that tonight we will hug the coast line for a while as well.

Also, we had a table at Waves and went and changed it when we got on board. I simply asked for a table with a window. Which we got. And it was land side, which meant as we ate we could see the city lights from land reflect on the water. I told my wife we had lots of places at home we can eat that didn't have views, why sit a table on a ship without views? For me the new table was very good view wise.

Got across the pond a few day earlier to take in some sites before boarding in Barcelona on the MSc wonder meraveligia (sp?).

Glad we got, and took, the advice to bring coats, gloves scarfs, etc. In Paris today it was absolutely freezing, widy, raining.

I am sure it is a few degrees warmer futher south, but please remeber, it is winter.

Thanks to all who posted to dress warm. If we had just brought a jacket we would have been miserable.

Barcelona tommorow!

It's UNICEF, not UNESCO.

Oh OK. Feeling much better about the automatic donation then. Thanks for clearing this up.

Trying not to get too political here but is it UNESCO that MSC automatically charges your room a donation fee for?

If so you can bet, as an American christian , that is the first and immediate charge I will have removed from my bill, after the United nations totally trashed on the USAs announcement to move our embassy from tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Israel just announced they are stopping their participation in UNESCO.

Thankfully there are so many non political Charities to donate to this Christmas season. I'll take my MSC refund and multiply it greatly and donate to a non United Nationstates charity, thank you very much, if the MSC charity is in fact UNESCO.

Btb normally means 2 separate booking booked back to back so could you just book one of the cruises? Probably not. When you call and tell MSc you are doing btb they lock you into both of the 2 cruises. Sorry, wish I had better news. But if you don't use the Btb code word, heck yes you can book 1 cruise without the other. Its like asking subway sandwich for a half of an double length sandwich. I

Is it as good as the name implies? I have family that will be in a live sporting event I would like to watch. At home you can stream the broadcast ok. So on msc does the interest support fast enough Internet to stream? One benchmark is, could you stream from YouTube while on board? If so it will probably work. Anyone have any experience streaming video while at sea? The event is at 3 am ship time so being in port is not an option. Thanks in advance

Great idea. I'll bring my parents and see if those running the butchers cut wI'll allow the swap. We will ask, as suggested

K thanks. We are father and son but I don't look old enough to be him...so his meal will go unused dang it.