wantocruisemore

Romeinlimo no longer has tours in Sicily.  We will be using them for transport & tours around Rome, to from ship & Florence & back.

still searching for private tour for up to 12 from Palermo to Erice & Segesta.

Thanks so much.  We used RomeinLimo several years ago & were very pleased.  I will check with them.

Doing the 10 day Princess out of Civitavecchia next Sept.  since there will be 12 of us, prefer to arrange private cruise excursions.  Any suggestions on private tour companies who specialize in cruise port excursions?  For Palermo interested in Greek ruins.  Sardinia we do not know.  Thanks.

We will be on our first Princess cruise next Sept.  our oldest daughter requires gluten-free free diet. For past cruises I have always sent in an email to Special Requests Dept about 2-3 months in advance of cruise.  Then once onboard the 1 afternoon I seek out the mailer d to verify everything.  We then get menu selections ahead of time.  We’ll be on Island Princesss.  Is it the same process for Princess?  Are their assigned tables?  Makes it easier for same wait staff each night.

Just booked a 10 day Mediterranean out of Rome for September, 2024.  We had a booking with Viking for Turkey to Athens for same dates, but decided to change.  This cruise sale was too good to pass, got cruise for 50% off and ended up being less than half the cost of the Viking 8 day.  So we’re trying Princess for the first time.  Also trying to figure out Plus and Premier packages.

Thanks for the replies.  Looks like some additional friends want to go as well, and the cruises stops are identical.  It’s just dates some start in Rome & end in Venice, while some begin in Venice & end in Rome.

prefer Mid to late September but First of October also ok.

The itinerary sails out from Venice at 6pm first part October next year or arriving at Venice at 7am on Oct 9.   We’re currently booked on a Viking Istanbul to Athens itinerary end of September next year but having 2d thoughts on Turkey & would like to try Windstar.  Haven’t booked yet, trying to decide what to do.  Viking does a mid October but no longer sails from Venice.  We had to cancel a cruise several years ago out of Venice due to a surgery.  Finally got to visit Venice this past April & loved it!  

yes I know Venice has greatly restricted lagoon access for cruise ships.  But we’re thinking about a Windstar & the Wind Surf still docks at Venice.  Looking at September, 2024.  Thinking it would be better to leave from Venice for better scenery.  Has anyone arrived at Venice by Wind Surf?  And if so, was arrival during a time you could enjoy the entry scenery!

We actually have, the problem is that if we do that, the Viking tour picks up at Speyer dock as we dock and goes straight to Heidelberg.  If we did that we would miss a couple of the sites in Speyer, such as the Romanesque church. We also considered just DIY, but we’re uncomfortable trying to get a train from Heidelberg to Rudesheim (not a direct shot) and don’t have a firm time on when the boat moves, just know it’s early afternoon.

I am part of a group of friends who will be taking a spring Viking Rhine cruise, Basel to Amsterdam.  Our days are set except for day we dock Speyer in am and boat moves to Rudesheim in afternoon.  Included is a tour of Speyer or extra to Heidelberg.  We want to go to Heidelberg but the extra Viking excursion has lunch & afternoon with students.  Personally none of our group wants to do that.  I have written to one of the most recommended tour guides for Heidelberg, he’s responded that because there are 14 of us he will need to get back with us.  That was a month ago and now no response to last 2 inquiries.  Can anyone here recommend a guide for Heidelberg that’s capable of pick up at dock in Speyer, short tour of Speyer highlights, head to Heidelberg for tour of Old Town and castle, then later in afternoon get us to the boat’s new location in Rudesheim in time for dinner?  For up to 14 people?  Thanks.

Last time we were in Cozumel it rained for an hour, then off, then on. Did dampen the day some and we left Chank early. But by time got back to port it was all sunshine. First time it had rained in 5 trips.

Stayed there 6 years ago. It was decent, breakfast good and rooms clean. But taxi to port was higher than expected (can't remember exact price) and it has a trolley stop in front. However they were always packed. Next time we spend same money and stay in the French Market,

Sorry the cruise was not up to your expectations.

Movement can be a problem, especially going out of river and then when back into river. You didn't mention where your cabin was. That makes a difference.

As for the dining room, I would have been upset too. Why didn't you just ask one of the couples if they would like to go to the maitre'd and flip tables?

Or you could always just tell maitre'd you wanted to move.

Triumph is a nice size ship, and they have really given her some great upgrades. However, the shorter cruises do have a rowdier crowd. You should try a 7 or 8 night next time.

Would it just be better to say cash to pay for things on my online check in docs rather than put a cc down?

I have a $500 carnival gift card to use for my onboard expenses. I've heard some will let you add that to your account at check in at the port, and others tell you to do it at kiosk or guest services. If I have to do this can I go directly to the kiosk or guest services as soon as I get on the ship? Will they b open?

I will have a cc too, but want it only for emergencies and not used to be charged when I check in.

If you are GF do not get omelets from the omelet station made with the egg stuff they ladle onto the pan. It is not GF.

 

Go to the MDR and ask for the omelet, or scrambled eggs, made with fresh eggs.

 

I had a conversation with special needs in Miami and this was one of the things the lady warned me about

You can ask them to use fresh eggs and clean pan and they will. We do that with our DD who has to have gluten free.

We have always emailed the maitre'd. We were able to get a 2 top for our anniversary and we also ask for perimeter or booth seating due to my DD being autistic. The noise in the middle bothers her. They have always complied.

We will be going on a Cozumel plus cruise that has extra time in port. They offer a tour to Chichen Itza but it is 3 hours each way travel.

Ships that stop at Progresso offer Chichen Itza tours. Travel from there is 2 hours each way. You can get to Uxmal faster and at Uxmal you can climb. You cannot climb Chichen Itza anymore.

The very best way to see Chichen Itza is a land tour, which my DH and I did years ago back when you were allowed to climb the pyramid.

If you're looking for great Mayan ruins, I actually prefer the ones in Belize. Does your ship go there?

Carnival has always done great arranging for GF meals for my DD. I just didn't know you could arrange for it at the tea. Now we'll just arrange the night before like we do the next day's meals. DD is autistic so I did not want to take her to tea, she see all the great looking desserts, and not be able to taste them. She doesn't drink tea but figure I can arrange soda or water.

I've done GF with carnival at tea time several cruises! The desserts r amazing! Let the maitre d know on embarkation day and they will make sure the chef prepares GF desserts JUST for u at Tea Time!

 

 

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Thanks, that's great to know!!! Now we can finally go!

I used the price match as well for my Cozumel excursion. I got an OBC for $5.50 and then I tried for my Progresso excursion. It was rejected (not a similar event) however, today, I got bold and disputed it to them again with pictures and exact wording from both sites showing it is the same excursion. We shall see, if approved I will get about $140 OBC. That would be nice!!! I really had a hard time deciding if we would even do an excursion in Progresso because of the board post and the reviews on Carnival for many of it's excursions.

Which excursion did you get OBC for in Cozumel? We normally do not do cruise ship excursions but are considering a catamaran one now.

I've always wanted to go with my daughter but she requires gluten free. Would this be available?

Not a fan of fins in your face cruise excursion snorkels. Also it's easier and much cheaper to just grab a taxi, go to Chankanaab, enjoy free sea lion show, have some good food, and snorkel from shore there. They have equipment to rent if you need it. Snorkeling is better too.

I remember one cruise where they reversed order of ports to avoid storm. They had also told us by letter the day before that we might have to miss a port, but then later told could reverse order. We were told while on cruise. No problems and only a little rocking one night.