cleobella

I vote Eagle Beach. It's reasonably close to port, calm, sandy bottom, and it doesn't feel crowded. Not sure where the best spot is for chair/umbrella rentals but maybe a taxi driver would know. I think Arashi is good for snorkeling?

How about leaving port and heading to the Aloe Factory ( maybe 15 minutes driving, it could be a quick shopping stop or you could do the little tour). Then head over to the Ayo Rock Formations for a 20 minute stop. It's on the main road, no need for off road driving and would take about 15 min from the Aloe Factory. Then on to Baby Beach for a swim, it is about a half hour from the Ayo Rocks, further in the same direction. Then after a 30 to 60 minute swim, head back to port stopping off at Zeerover's for a fun and inexpensive lunch experience, catch of the day and a local beer. From Baby Beach it's probably about 20 minutes to Zeerover's and another 20 minutes back to port. Double check my times but I think you could do this route without feeling too rushed. No off roading and you'd see one end of the Island with a variety of sights and experiences in a short day. Take water and sunscreen!

Screaming Eagles is fantastic if you're looking for an elegant, interesting meal in a casual environment. It is expensive but delicious and innovative. If you want fun, cheap and bar food, then Bugaloos is great.

I don't know about an Ultimate Guide, but there is an I Love Aruba Facebook page that has feedback and input from locals and other tourists. I can tell you that we have been to Aruba twice, once on a cruise and once for a 10 day stay, and are going back again soon. We really enjoyed a Trikes Aruba ride all over the Island, if you are adventurous. The Trikes are easy to drive with a small group and a guide leading, it's pretty fun. We also have gone out to the Arikok National Park which was really nice to see. There are natural bridges, caves and a Natural Pool. The Natural Pool involves some climbing to get down to it and a climb to get back up, but it's worth it if you can do it. To drive around Arikok you best go with a tour group, taking a rental car there is a bit risky as it is rough driving. It is also fun to just walk around the downtown, a very accessible walk from the port. There's shopping, restaurants and also there is a Casino. There are so many beaches in Aruba, all a bit different and special, so if you love beaches you will be in heaven! Some are secluded. some are for snorkeling and water sports, some are near the fun action. In Curacao we just walked off the ship, visited a Zoo near the port to see the beautiful Peacocks, had a great coffee at Juan Valdez, and then walked about the port to see the colourful houses and shop. Bonaire is small. When we were there a few years ago there was a local market near the port, great for some handmade local products. Otherwise the thing there is really the snorkel or diving. We took a local tour out on a boat, where we snorkeled with assistance and then were served a great stir fry lunch and some drinks. It was our first time snorkeling and the guides were so great that we've been avid snorkelers ever since, lol!

We are taking a short 5 day Carribean Cruise (Day 1 Boarding, Day 2 Sea, Day 3 Key West, Day 4 Nassau, Day 5 Disembarkation). Just wondering which night is likely to be dress up Night where they serve the dining room Lobster? We are going to book a specialty restaurant and I don't want to conflict with the special dining room meal. Going with first time cruisers and want to make sure they get to experience as much as possible on the short Cruise!

Something to think seriously about Hank. Your advice us always very good. I was hopeful for 2024, but perhaps we should be looking at trips that don't include a Hing Kong stop.

I guess it's a wait and see kind of thing. FLCRUISER, you may be on with us, we booked for Feb/2024 too. Maybe we'll meet up on the roll call.

Hi Over the Sea, We were tendered in and picked up by at the cruise terminal by a driver for the Winery Tour. So, I'm not too sure where the bus stop is, sorry. There are some folks like Edinburgher who might know, hopefully they can advise you.

Great info again, notamermaid! We love going to local grocery stores when we travel. It's interesting to see what kind of local brands are carried. We'll check Edeka and Rewe out as well as the christmas market vendors and the bakeries and specialty shops. I just can't wait!! Steamboats, I think the Stollen, Bamkuchen and of course gingerbread will be perfect, thank you for the ideas!

Hi All, so excited less a month to go! Any ideas for packable food items that would make nice christmas gifts? I guess Apple Strudel can't be packed, huh? What kind of sweet and savory items travel well, and won't cause a problem with border patrol?

TMLA that sounds great! We have done our own thing around Europe and wanted to try a package as this is a special occasion and we only have a short time there. But unless we are treated like Royalty (lol) I'm not sure we would take packaged hotel options again. Our hotel is a large corporate one, away from the Old Town. We would have picked something boutique in Lucerne or even Zurich Old Town area. Well, will see, and we'll plan a day in Lucerne anyway.

Does anyone know if Avalon offers a trip out to Lucerne, as an option, during its Zurich Post stay? They did not have the option to actually stay in Lucerne and are not too quick answering my inquiry.

We have put a deposit on a cruise from Hong Kong to Singapore Feb 2024. However, reading all the info about COVID obstacles, comments about long treks to see the sights in many Vietnamese and Thai industrial type ports, the cost of having to do overnight excursions, and hearing that Asia travel is really pretty much shut down in 2023 has me questioning if we really want to do this. It would be an expensive trip, with long flights long flights and now Im wondering if maybe 2024 is still too early to be aiming for? Any thoughts? Is it worthwhile tying up my deposit money on this 2024 plan?

We are hoping to go to Lucerne for our 2nd post day, from Zurich. It looks like we can take the train or book a bus transfer with a company the takes you out there, does an orientation and then brings you back after 6 hrs in Lucerne. The cost is a little more then the train, and the tour leaves from a location close to the train station. I'm not sure which way to go. If the tour company picked up at the hotel it would be better for us, and I'm wondering if 6 hrs will be too long in Lucerne in December? Then again, once we get to the tour departure point, it might be easier then figuring out the trains? Any thought? What can one do with 6hrs in Lucerne in Dec? Thanks!

We recently used Spain Day Tours for a pick up from cruise terminal, morning tour of Lisbon, and drop off at hotel. The tour was ok, not one of the best we have ever been on, but the driver did drive by all the major places attractions and stopped giving us time to look around. I did have some issues: 1. the pricing for this tour was initially quoted about 20 euro less then the price we paid upon booking. Watch the pricing, because I noted that in quotes for Alhambra the pricing was variable too. 2. We were picked up early on a Sunday. So traffic in town was good, some venues were closed, which resulted in a tour that was closer to 3hrs, we had paid for 4 hrs. Much of that time was just driving around industrial areas. The tour company/driver could have adjusted for these circumstances and made better use of our time. Especially since they had increased the tour fee.

Awesome Slidergirl! I'll look them up!

Thanks Ashley!

Also, any good casual places near Piazza Navona or Albergo del Senato that do a nice Caprese Salad?

Hi Golden Gate, Glad you like the Albergo del Senato, we are headed there soon. Just wondering where in Piazza Navona you had the antipasto? Also, in your travels did you try a good Pizza place with authentic Italian Pizza? Thanks!

Hey, Over the Sea, we are not sailing with Oceania. We were going to Alvor as recommended by Edinburgher (who always has excellent advice) but then decided to do a short Winery Tour with Algarve Wine Tours. They have various options. We can provide some feedback once we get back.

Thanks to some great recommendations here on CC we are going to see the Doria Pamphilj during our brief pre stay in Rome in a couple of weeks. We will be there Thur Oct 20 probably in the afternoon. Do we need to buy tickets ahead of time or can we plan to purchase admission when we arrive? Would it be busy on a Thurs afternoon?

We did Rome in Limo a few years ago, and will be back with them for an Amalfi Tour in a couple of weeks. Excellent experience, they will tailor to your needs or your groups needs and are very professional

Ok that's why I guess. I love the hot tile beds, especially after a full day walking around. Will have to do without. Spa services seem more expensive too!

We are on the Pride. Maybe that's why?

Does anyone know if Carnival is still offering Thermal Spa passes for the whole cruise? I can not seem to see them offered on the website.