Maverick!

We just came back from POA last week and loved our day with Unique Maui Tours - 7 Sacred Pools & Bamboo Forest. We hiked the scenic Pipiwai Trail at the Kipahulu at Haleakala National Park and experienced some of the most amazing waterfalls - Makahiku, Waimoku (400 ft tall), including Ohe'o Gulch/ Seven Sacred Pools and Hanawi Falls (coming out of lava tubes), not to mention the beautiful bamboo forest. We drove the Road to Hana on the backway (successfully avoided any crowds) and even swam in our private waterfall Pua’a Ka’a ("Rolling Pig,"). Our guide, Wendy, was amazing and made our visit so memorable with her vast array of knowledge, songs and stories. If you have a chance, do consider this tour - it was incredible.

“Her” - Patricia (or nickname Patou) would be the booking contact who’s great to provide suggestions and itinerary. Fabien, our capt for the day, picked us up at cruiseport, docked at a small slip 5 min walk over from the gangway. I have her WhatsApp contact if need to contact.

We booked with Patou Excursions , we had fantastic skipper Fabien - Patricia (Patou :)) was great to propose how we'd organize the day, working with our schedule. We happened to dock 30 mins later than when the public group tour was going out so we ended up doing a private charter just for our group.

Guadeloupe is one of the most beautiful islands we have visited and we have cruised almost every port destination in the Caribbean. We were there on a New Years cruise 2023 and along with others from our roll call we experienced an amazing day on a boat excursion up the Rivière Salée and explored the gorgeous sandbar islands like Ilet Caret and had a great BBQ lunch on a private part of an island Ile des Sables (in the Ste Rose area). We were picked up at the port in Pointe a Pitre and walked through the neighborhood at the port area appointed with small businesses, pretty flower landscapes and bougainviglia, and superb local artwork decorating buildings. Even a P-A-P sign for instagram-worthy pictures. Our family of 4 (including 2 ocean-loving kids 7, 10) loved it and are going back later this year! To anyone who would question whether this port is worthy to consider a guided tour or DIY visit, I would definitely say Hell ya. Do some research beforehand and ignore the neysayers who obviously have not done theirs. Check out this short video that could give you an idea the beauty and culture this island has to offer - on an extended stay or day visit: https://www.iles.com/fr/guadeloupe.html

We had a pretty good time with Captain Phil and Rosie in January 2023. We chartered a day trip from Tortola to Virgin Gorda, Cooper Islands, Caves ( our group with 8 of the best people on our Enchanted Princess sailing). They also do trips to JVD as well. https://antillespowerboats.com/

We did this 2-day private tour for our family of 4 when we were in Turkey last summer off the Celebrity Reflection. Our guide Beisa was amazing and we had a driver for a certain portion, which was helpful to avoid the crowds, walk to save time. It was our first time in Istanbul and we were able to cover all the principal stops, including Bosphorus cruise (other than the interior of the Blue Mosque which was under renovation). https://www.viator.com/tours/Istanbul/Small-Group-Istanbul-Highlights-Tour-Max-8-10-people/d585-45366P1

We were in Guadeloupe in early January (off the Enchanted Princess) and I'm surprised not more cruisers or non-Europeans have enjoyed this stop. It is a beautiful island with many areas to explore. People here were friendly and always helpful. Maybe it's the language or currency issues that seem to discourage many visitors off the ship but we had a fantastic day there. We took a speedboat tour with Patou Excursions (Patou is so amazing providing as much information as you need !), we chose to go to the Grand Cul de Sac Marine Reserve (northwest part of Basse Terre) with Captain Fabien along with a few couples from our Roll Call. We met the boat right next to the Cruise Port, sailed up through the mangroves of the Salt River (Riviere Salée) saw some large iguanas in their natural habitat, and made stops at the most beautiful sandbar and crystal waters (Ilet Caret), snorkeled over this extensive coral reef seeing lobster, sea urchins, shoals of fish, and having this huge and most delicious lunch (lobster too if chosen) at a private island (Ilet de Sable i think) cooked on a grill by our Captain himself. Could not have been easier or more convenient to get right back to the ship with time to spare. We had enough folks to do a private tour but Patou also offers a group tour/rates. If anyone interested to know more, message me I can provide more info but to overlook the beauty of this Port stop based on limited reviews from others who just walked around port area and gave up would really be a shame. I personally appreciated the port area actually, not at all shady, and some unique and interesting artwork and garden flora around to appreciate.

We do tip in Italy when using a car service (Rome Chauffeur - we used them Rome/Naples, Civitavecchia), as the drivers have always gone the extra mile - either waiting when our flight was delayed, helped us with multiple pieces of luggage, by avoiding high-traffic areas when time was an issue to get to the airport or cruiseport, or stopped at service stations while we needed a food/washroom stop.

I remember those days - we've done that also and worked well. We've taken the bus before also and train is by far more comfortable. Now with 2 kids in tow, 4 suitcases, 4 carry-ons 🙂 it's become a bit more of a haul so we had to forego the ease of the train for convenience in our situation.

We did both legs of Rome (Civitavecchia)-Naples and Naples-Rome last July and used Rome Chauffeur for those transfers as well as transfers from Fiumicino-Rome and back. Also used them on prior trips and have been responsive, punctual, reliable and provided all around consistent great service. They are our go-to car service in Rome.

The Buffet opens at 6AM and a hearty breakfast can be had comfortably within 10-20 mins depending how quickly you eat 🙂 in time to disembark by 7AM.

For those who have done either visit or both, given a full day to experience one or the other (El Yunque/Luquillo Beach vs La Cueva/Gozalandia waterfalls/Mar Chiquita), which one would you chose first?

We just came back from a week in Ischia after our Med cruise - the island is quite beautiful and has lots to offer beyond a day stop. It's somewhat trickier DIY but doable. You would have to be mindful of ferry times and would depend when you will be going - e.g. in August, the island will be very busy with tons of traffic, at the end of September less so. With the ship's excursion which I know is pricy, the premium paid relieves you of having to worry about that. I am assuming you will be docked at Napoli. You can find info on hydrofoil/ferry times here: https://www.ischiainsider.com/en/ferry-schedule You would take the earliest hydrofoil from Molo Beverello which takes about an hour (which will be 20-30 mins faster than the ferry) to Forio (which will put you closest to the Thermal Park vs Casamicciola or Ischia Porto stops which are towards the east side of the island). Aside from the pools, there is also a beach on site as well. https://www.ischiainsider.com/en/e/poseidon-spa-ischia There is also another thermal park Negombo which is worth the visit also. We have been to both and enjoyed every minute.

I was sug-jesting in jest. (Hence smiley face :). Although the 15-21 set was partying up a storm on our recent sailing in the SkyLounge.

To the OP - Santorini is considered a destination port in any Med itinerary = one of the main draws. It is here that you can see the unforgettable images of the iconic Cycladic landscapes (white sugar-cube structures, blue domes) that have become stereotypical of Greece to many. In my view, Santorini is incomparable to any other Greek island and I could not assimilate it with any other Greek island for its unique attributes (in fact, each Greek island is different than the others - there are 6 island groups and infinite subgroups within those areas). If an organized tour to see the cliffside towns is not an interesting option for whatever reason (cost, too long, crowds), there are other alternatives, including DIY possibilities, that will entice you to get off the ship and see what has drawn so many other visitors to Santorini time and time again. The volcano is still active and in itself one of the interesting sites to visit. Definitely a 'do-not-miss' and worthy of some research to determine what you'd enjoy doing the most on the island.

Try the silent disco 🙂

We have also and visited the Didyma, Priene and Miletus sites too (which we enjoyed very much). This time, we chose to do a sailboat tour with Amores 1 on their gullet to 4 bays around Kusadasi. We even saw dolphins. We had a lovely day. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g297972-d4480180-Reviews-Amores_1_Boat_Tours-Kusadasi_Turkish_Aegean_Coast.html

There is not much to do and see ? Maybe to some. I would beg to differ. I don't think Santorini is limited to just Fira, Oia and a sunset dinner. We've been to Santorini a number of times. This round, we took a short ride to Akrotiri and explored the Red, White and Black beaches. Lovely day.

*I would have doubts

I would definitely agree with the recommendation above. Although we had plans elsewhere, I explored the possibility of heading to Oia as the other options to get up to Fira was the donkey ride vs a 2-hr long wait at the cable car at the time (walking up was not an option for us). My impression was that the local provider was trying to pack the speedboat before heading off (we saw frustrated people waiting with impatience to take off to Oia) and less concerned about the tour experience for those who participated. So I would doubt that the return bus trip would likely be as disorganized.

We didnt take this option as we were headed to the Red & White beaches near Akrotiri. Along the dock, the speedboat provider has a kiosk where you can get info/buy tickets. I believe it includes round trip - water taxi stops at Ammoudi Bay, then you bus up to Oia (it's on top of the hill) then there is a bus back to Fira where you would come back down to the old Port to return to your ship (cable car not included in the water taxi fare package).

Yes, we were there on a cruise stop 2 weeks ago and the water taxis were running to Oia offering Euro 30 pp. I am pretty sure you can negotiate that if you are a couple or small group.

Have a great time !

The sofa beds have arm rests on the balcony side and on the inside one year we brought this inflatable bed rail but realized that rolled up towels under the sheets work also.

In the common and buffet areas, the width of a double would work; in the staterooms, not sure the hallways/elevators with others would fit the width of a double but probably could. There were 400 kids on our sailing and I didn't recall seeing any double strollers used on the ship. If easy to maneovre then your double+carrier could be a good option.