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masonpips

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    Do I need to pre-book train tickets out of Villefranche?

    in France Ports

    Posted

    The train from Villefranche to Monaco is only 3 euros each way and takes less than 15 minutes, tickets can't be reserved as it's just a local service. The bus costs slightly less and takes slightly longer.

     

    However, I wouldn't say the train was significantly faster or cheaper than the bus. Did you use Villefranche-sur-Mer as the station in your search?

     

    Interesting - every time I try to look at it online it shows about $17 Euro (can't figure if one way or round trip) and won't let me book online. That's why I wanted to make sure I could wait. I like this price WAY better! LOL

     

    We'll plan to head to the station and grab tickets there - thanks so much!

    Do I need to pre-book train tickets out of Villefranche?

    in France Ports

    Posted

    We're going to plan either the train or the bus to Monaco and do our own thing. I've been researching the times/options and the train is a lot more expensive, but super fast. If I don't pre-book my tickets will we have any trouble getting them that day?

     

    We're on Independence on a Thursday in early June. Per the cruise port info page, we're the only ship in port and our time shows 9:30-6 (with tendering).

     

    Thanks

    Question re: withdrawing money at Casino (Indy in Europe)

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    We need quite a bit of Euros for one of our tours next month. I don't like to carry a lot of cash while traveling from the US, 2 days in London, then to Southampton and onto the ship, so have debated several options. Looking for info/feedback on the questions below (thanks in advance)

     

    We are US based (dollars), we board in England (pounds) but travel to all other places (Italy, France, Spain and Portugal) using Euros

     

    We have an OBC (from RCCL for booking onbaord) of $150

    We have BOA reward points of $450 as OBC

     

    1. My understanding is that RCCL will use first the $150 (non refundable), then the BOA points (refundable) against our ship charges. Is this correct?
       
    2. If we withdraw money at the casino (charging to our SeaPass card) will it be given in Euros? At the "current" ship exchange rate? This saves us from finding/dealing with ATMs in port (although I realize the exchange rate can suffer)
       
    3. If the casino is an option, I can purchase myself some more $ before we travel as OBC, then cash it out on the ship (again realizing the exchange rate is the loss here) OR just take out cash in the casino during the trip and pay via my credit card.

     

    I have more BOA points available and debating submitting these to be used as cash we need during trip versus just finding an ATM and dealing w/taking out amounts.

    DIY: Gibraltar - please critique this plan

    in Other Mediterranean and Black Sea Ports

    Posted

    We arrive on Tuesday, June 7 aboard Independence of the Seas. After 2 sea days we will be itching for physical activity. We are in port from 12-6. We are active 50 year old parents w/17 & 18 year old athlete kids.

     

    Our plan:

     

    1) walk from cruise port to cable car base (see photo) ~30-45 minutes

    2) table cable car to top ~30 minutes (with line?)

     

    a) question: pre-buy tickets to cable car and nature reserve is the plan - the online ticket page mentions a free shuttle and fast track (what does this mean) and will the walk put us in a huge line for the cable car?

     

    3) Wander the sights (Cave, possible steps, Apes' Den, tunnels, castle) - figure out what we want to see/how much time and see what we can during time we have (~2 hours)

     

    4) Walk downhill, stopping in town on the way to the ship for a snack (possibly Confectionery shop at 228 Main) and/or souveniers ~1 hour

     

    We plan to use most of the 6 hours and will carry a small string-bag/backpack with water and have appropriate walking footwear.

     

    Any thoughts? Also, recommendations for a snack place or restaurant would be great - I found the place on Trip Advisor - not thinking we want a full meal, but a dessert, drink, appetizer type place would work.

     

    Thanks!

    1714970269_GibWalk.jpg.b724c447beb5b8d6d96cc4f8de7acb3a.jpg

    Maui Suggestions-POA

    in Hawaii

    Posted

    My daughter and I hiked the trail in July of last year. It was so amazing! We went down about 2 miles and would have enjoyed going farther but had an excursion later in the day. I would definitely recommend it!

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

    Evening Chic

    in Celebrity Cruises

    Posted

    Nice mix in southern Caribbean out of San Juan in February. My husband wore a suit and I wore a cocktail dress (we did a carryon each) and we felt perfectly fine. There were some tuxes, a lot of suits and some more casual

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

    Formal nights

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    We are on the 1st May TA on Indy,

     

    How many formal nights are on the TA's

     

    Are they enforced.

     

    Based on it being a 13 night sailing, you should have 3 formals. You can choose to go to the buffet to totally dress down, or in my experience, I've seen as little as khakis and a button down plus dress or slacks/pretty top for the other dining options. Specialty restaurants typically don't follow the main dining room dress code either (but are more dressed up than the buffet).

    Formal nights

    in Royal Caribbean International

    Posted

    I am booked to go on Indy in July can anyone tell me the nights that the formats are on as I'm trying to book speciality restaurants and don't want to book on a formal night thanks in advance its a 14 night cruise

     

    We're on the June 4 - June 18 Indy voyage - will update once back, but that's a long way away! I'm figuring the first formal will be one of the two sea days and the last will be the 2nd to last night (also sea day). Not sure on the 3rd - probably one of the sea days in the middle.

    Summit - 2/13/16 - Mini Review

    in Celebrity Cruises

    Posted

    Nice review!

     

     

     

    Quick question: I know you went recently but were there many kids on the ship? A friend of mine and I are looking into this cruise for October and trying to get away from kids if possible (I work at a preschool). :) I would think most people would be in school but you never know.

     

     

     

    Also what about the Cliental: Many Americans, Europeans, etc.

     

    ,

     

     

    Hardly any kids at all! I think they said less than 70 on board (17 and under?) and we rarely saw them at all! It was exactly what we were looking for as well. Just watch the week in Oct/Nov where NJ schools are all out (it may be election week). Here our kids get fall break (mid October) but it's usually only 2 days so I think most people won't pull them out for a week

     

    We had almost all US and Canadian folks. Maybe a few Europeans but not many

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

    Summit - 2/13/16 - Mini Review

    in Celebrity Cruises

    Posted

    Overall thoughts:

    Service and crew was outstanding. Captain and staff were highly visible (they all came to the Meet n Mingle) and many participated in the volleyball game – so funny. All crew had smiles on their faces and were super nice and outgoing.

     

    Casino – dh visited 6/7 nights and came out ahead – he likes poker but if there wasn’t a game, he would play blackjack and did well. I pocketed all I could to spend on Indy in June!

     

    Future cruises – we booked for Feb 2018 and then sent a note to friends asking if they wanted in. We went back and booked 5 more couples ($200 deposit per room) so they could get the additional $150 OBC. We also booked NEXT year for us and they had an “extra” sale on that one so we chose the Pick 2 of gratuities and OBC and ended up with $550 of OBC which will pay for that drink package!

     

    Drinks: we had the Classic Package as part of our reservations. Dh upgraded with 5 days left so he paid $50+ for that. This was mainly to try the martinis and better wine here and there. I survived on the Classic (although I would occasionally swap with dh, he’d get a martini and then switch my wine (the Pinot Noir on the classic we both liked).

     

    Dress code: WOW! Totally amazed and happy with our fellow passengers. Evening Chic nights people DRESSED UP! We love it on a cruise and were in cocktail attire both nights. Even on casual nights I was very impressed with the overall dress of everyone. Some people in shorts and tops – their choice, but the majority dressed in slacks or dresses all week!

     

    Overall, I cannot more highly recommend this ship and crew. It was a fantastic week! Dh thanked me several times for handling it all (doing the research for the best room, the perks, etc). Can’t wait 'til next year!

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