gypsy mom

I used Uber in Valletta this Spring on an independent trip.  No problem getting one.  The only issue I had is getting one on the way back as I didn't have a SIM card for the internet.  If you are able, get an E-sim and do that, or else use wi-fi wherever you are visiting if they have it. 

I also rode the public buses, fairly easy and safe.  If you ride the bus, ask the driver to let you know where to get off, and then where the return bus stop will be. 

Thanks for the insights,and explaining the differences. I think we will probably go ahead and do both of them. Wheezdr, we considered flying to Trondheim instead of the train, but thought the train would be more relaxing and scenic. And if we flew, we would have more time in Trondheim, which didn't look as appealing to us. The cost is about the same either way.

Hi,

We will be riding the train from Oslo to Trondheim to begin our Pullmantur cruise in June. I can't seem to find any route map online,so I am not sure exactly where it goes, just that reviews say it is scenic.

Knowing that, should I still do the Flam train, or do something else in Flam port?

Thanks, Sharon

We were approached this week in Berlin near Alexanderplatz by young women wanting us to sign a petition for the deaf. I kept on walking but my husband stopped. I grabbed his arm and told him "pickpockets". He thought I was crazy.

We went on a Segway tour and then on the tram towards the Reichstag. It was pretty busy, and at the last second before the tram door closed, a group of 5 or 6 young girls pushed their way on the tram car. Got off at the next station. I told my husband they were probably pickpockets, and to check for his wallet, which he had insisted on putting in his knee pocket of his cargo shorts (which was secured with velcro AND a button). He told me he was tired of hearing all this security info, but then realized his wallet WAS missing! Luckily only 1 credit and day money but now remains a hassle to replace his drivers license too-(required in Germany for Segways). We called the credit card company immediately, and the thieves had already attempted a charge for 571 Euros, but it had been declined. The bad part is that we are now down a credit card for the start of our trip, as the credit card company will not replace cards internationally (something I did not realize). I do carry a cross body bag, but now will leave extras in the room, and just take one card and day money with me.

Lesson learned, use money belt or bag!

I am going next month, and would like to know this info too. It is disappointing that Royal doesn't provide a shuttle, or even info in advance, but I think they are more interested in selling their own tours.

There is a HOHO bus, but it doesn't run very frequently, so not much good for us, as our ship does not dock until 11, and according to the site, the HOHO bus is only every 30 minutes until 2, then once an hour, with the last one at 4. We might try walking, and maybe Uber back to the shuttle stop if we get too far away.....

Sharon

Does anyone have a guide to do a self guided walking tour in Riga? The maps and info I have found online are not very good. I am hoping to see a little of Old Town, a little of the Art Nouveau area, and the Central Market, plus relax in a city park. I see there is a HOHO bus, but it doesn't have very good reviews.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Sharon

I booked a date for June about 2 weeks ago. I got my confirmation about 2 hours later. My guess is something happened, either the confirmation got caught up with your junk mail, or something was wrong with the reservation. I would try again.

Sharon

I have a little insulated lunch bag that folds flat that I travel with to keep things cool. If it is a hot day, I will probably still skip the meat and stick to hard cheese, as that will keep fine in there for a few hours. It is a good idea to bring some extra water too.

Within Europe there are no restrictions of taking food across borders, so I can't imagine it being a problem. In fact, it has never occurred to be that I shouldn't take food off a ship, but I wouldn't do that anyway.

 

However, I would inform the tour operator if I was going to do it. The majority of restaurants don't take kindly to people eating their own food, so best to explain it is due to dietary problems.

This particular lunch is eaten on the Hydrofoil, so no restaurant people to offend with bringing my own food.

Thanks to everyone for their replies.

It seems in SPB that there is no time for shopping, so buying food on the tour would not be possible. Normally I would not take food off the ship, but I can't skip a meal in a long day either. I know the Caribbean countries in particular are fussy about fruit coming off the ship due to possible insects coming onto the island, but nothing I would bring to SPB could contaminate Russia ( and I can't eat things like fruit, biscuits, or muffins as some have suggested).

I think I will take what I need onshore, and have a no carb protein bar with me as a poor backup (yuck) in case I do get challenged. I was unsure if all bags were always checked or not. It can be difficult at times to travel in a group with such a restricted diet-I'm sure others who have the same concerns understand.

Sharon

I have to follow a very, very, low carb diet (less than 30 grams of carbs a day), and am wondering if it is allowed to take food off the ship in St. Petersburg? Normally I would just buy my own meal in port. I would take some cheese, meat, and veggies off the breakfast buffet for the one day tour lunch that is Stolle pies (way more carbs than I could possibly eat) if that is allowed by Russia. I know some countries do not allow that.

I know I could ask the tour provider for a different meal, but in other international travel, that has not worked out well for me; I would prefer to bring exactly what I know I can eat without getting sick.

Sharon

Does Royal send you a bill for the final payment? I've always used an agent before, so not sure how it works. I no longer have the credit card I used for the deposit, so it can't be done automatically.

Sharon

I just booked an evening at the Faberge Museum with Alla tours, to follow at the end of our first day. They will drop us off at a cafe for dinner (takes credit cards or rubles) instead of going back to the ship, then take us to the Faberge Museum to tour on our own with an audio guide for an hour and a half. They will drive us through the city to see the lights before getting back to the ship at 10 p.m. $45.

This is a good excursion for us as I didn't want to see the museum during the day when large groups are hustled through, and you are not able to linger to see what you want. We are not into drinking, and not too interested in the ballet or folk dancing, so it works out great for our interests.

Sharon

Thanks for your help. That will be convenient to store the luggage there since we will need to head to the airport on the Arlanda Express after touring.

I'm glad to hear there is an ATM at the port. That's probably what I will do for the tips. Hate to have to carry US$ with me as I will be in Europe for over two weeks before the cruise. That is a long time to carry cash, especially since I read the company will only take new, unwrinkled bills. I'm guessing the banks there must be particular about taking foreign currency.

Thanks for the info.

Sharon

We will be arriving at the end of our Serenade cruise in Stockholm, and need to leave our luggage somewhere for the day while we see the city. After dinner, we will fly to London, so will not have a hotel in Stockholm.

Does anyone know where we might be able to leave our belongings during the day?

Thanks for your help!

Sharon

We are taking a private tour in SPB, and wonder how best to get some cash to tip the guides. Only the tour price can be charged on our credit card.

Is there an ATM at the port to get rubles? If not, what currency would be best for the cash tips?

Sharon

We like the MTD better than the regular seatings as we can get a table just for us. We don't have pre-dinner cocktails, order wine, liqours or coffee after dinner. With a group, it seemed like we spent a lot of time waiting for everyone else to do those things, and we would rather just eat and leave to do something else. I don't need to be buddies with the wait staff either, so it doesn't matter to me if I have someone different. Although in the past, we have been seated in the same area and mostly the same waiters have served us. Most of the MTD dining tables seem to be fairly close together, so you can chat a little with the people near you if you feel so inclined, but you don't have to.

I will be on Serenade next summer for a Baltic cruise, can't wait!

I am also a Type II Diabetic and follow a very low carb diet as I am sensitive to even a normal diabetics carb diet despite taking two different medications to lower my blood sugar. As soon as I try to add more carbs, my sugar shoots right up. It is difficult to follow the diet while traveling sometimes, but I just do the best I can.

I love the idea of picking up some salami or pepperoni in the evening to save for later. I need to eat some protein before going to bed, so this is a great idea even if the fridge is not that cold. I'll be sure to pack some plastic baggies to take with me.

I too wish some low carb salad dressings were available, the balsamic vinegar is a good idea, usually I end up asking for lemon wedges to squeeze over my salads.

I agree about the sugar free desserts not always being low carb. Things like the key lime pie might be enjoyed if you leave the graham crust. Anyway, the first few bites taste the best, so have a few bites and leave the rest if you are worried :-) I plan to enjoy a few more carbs than my normal 30-40 grams a day, and take a nice stroll on deck after my meals to counteract them. I don't like to forget about my diet totally on vacation, it makes it harder to get back on track when I get home, but an occasional treat is nice.

Sharon

We are just back from an early Dec. cruise to Grenada. Bought a bunch of spice necklaces, look and smell before you buy. Some are a little different and include small white shells as spacer beads. I paid $2.50 each both in the market by the pier and on the street. One thing in the market where I bought some of my necklaces was that after I said I wanted two of them, the woman at the stall reached below and tried to give me two that were not hanging. After I took them before I paid I smelled them and they had no scent, unlike the hanging ones. So I told her I wanted the other ones, and she begrudgingly gave me those. So be careful not to get old ones. One other thing-do NOT leave the necklaces in the plastic bags they all put them in. Since Grenada was out last port, I just packed them in my suitcase. Three days later when I got home, they were all moldy :(. Two that I had separate in a paper bag were fine. So keep them out of plastic and let them continue to be in the air until the last minute. And bring a paper bag to put them in to protect your clothes in your suitcase.

I am going back in April and will buy more. They sure do smell great!

We went to Dot's for some other things, the prices there are a little higher than the market, but it is like a regular store-no bargaining. Good selection of stuff.