OC SeaPA

We have a large cruise critic group going in Oct, so our "group" is going in Ashton's air conditioned van. Any reports? I think I might be missing out on the photo ops, but the air conditioning and larger van sounded good, and I am really not very "adventurous" in a vehicle. Some are also using Thenford Grey- is that a better choice?

I am very frustrated with Princess customer service. Due to sail soon, and have been trying to change cabins for awhile. Every time I call the agent just quotes rates, not much service or help. I am not trying to get a free upgrade, just checking if we can get a better cabin, even if paying more (but not double!). Every time I call I get a different answer- you are marked for upgrade, you got an upgrade, no cabins available, yes cabins available, etc.

Hold times to speak to customer service- if the agent will put you through- have never been less than 15 minutes, and today I had to call 3 times because of "dropped calls" (on purpose?) I am always polite, and don't take it out on the agent, but enough!

On other lines, especially Celebrity, they try and DO accommodate you to change cabins. Seem more interested in keeping existing bookings, while I get the feeling from Princess they are more interested in new bookings, and figure "already got ya". Has anyone else had good or bad situations to change cabins?

This sounds like something we would be interested in doing, however, we will be a group of 16. Does anyone know of a tour operator that could accommodate a larger group. We will be in St. Kitts in october of 2014.

What ship are you on? I'm looking also- Brilliance out of Boston Oct 26th? Looks like we are looking at the same things.

We are going on Brilliance in 2014. Haven't been on RCCL in awhile, and DH is cigar & pipe smoker. Know no smoking on balcony, but where else on the Brilliance can he smoke pipes & cigars?

Also check out prices before buying. DH is cigar lover. Last year in Cozumel found his Cubans, vendor said $25 per cigar. DH looked for authenticity, etc. & started talking cigars to vendor. Once he found out he know what was what, bought a box of 20 for $8/ea. Again, took wrappers off, but did have time on the cruise to smoke a few of them.

A few back said that you normally pay more when booking through Princess- is this correct? I normally book thru Celebrity, and they have equal pricing and better upgrades if booked direct. Seems Princess does better with TA. I booked my Dec direct, and the 4 day transferred to a TA. What about my future cruise- TA or direct?

We are booked in 8168 on Brilliance, but 1102 opened up, also an aft. Called and rep said all the balconies the same size, even hump! Which should I take? Is noise a factor in 1002- under café? Is it bigger/deeper? Or is 8168 smaller, but no one next to you?

We are just back from Barcelona and unfortunately did not have the best experience. Nohim (excuse the spelling) was our guide. He was knowledgeable, and his English was understandable. He did not talk that much unless we specifically asked questions. At Montserat our time was not managed very well. There was a mass going on, and he separated himself from us, so we could not get his attention when leaving. Again at lunch he sat with another guide, a friend, and we had to wait for him. The other couple wanted to see the Black Madonna, so there went another 2 hours. Again, he was outside.

I was more interested in the Cava part of the day. He took us to the "winery" with nothing going on, probably a friend. I had specifically asked about the Friexenet tour, which they said was included. He argued that the office told him to go to this winery! After much discussion, we back tracked to Friexenet, where we missed 1/2 of the tour, which was the last tour of the day. During the tasting we talked with another group from Barcelona Day Tours, and they said they had no problems, they went right to Friexenet.

Sometimes things happen, but this was not a great way to end the cruise.

[He walked with us along the quay, to the entrance to the ferry to ensure we boarded safely and on time. The hydrofoil took us back to the terminal where we reboarded our cruise ship so it was a perfect end to the trip. We chose his route back rather than retracing our car journey which we could have done. The return on the ferry not gave us more time in Sorrento but gave us a different perspective of that beautiful coast line.

We would have no hesitation in recommending APTours, this trip and especially Arturo to anyone visiting Naples as good value for money, very interesting, beautiful scenery and worth doing for anyone who wants to see the Amalfi coast. We have now decided that we will return and spend a holiday along the coast sometime soon.

I hadn't thought about the ferry back. Is it that much easier?

We may be interested in joining you. We are on your same ship, I think. Celebrity Equinox,but want to go to airport as have flight leaving the next day. I'll contact them and get back to you in our thread.

I am into wine, and saw that don't need to go to Santa Ynez for tastings. Where in town is good for tastings? We're on April 2013 Century saling, with no excursions listed. May just rent a car to Solvang, but sounds like a hassle.

I haven't read all 29 pages, so I apologize if this has already been answered. We are on NCL Sun-in Stockholm on August 24 (our anniversary). What other ships are in? Where can we find out where we dock? Can we get the HOHO bus from there? Can we get to the Ice Bar from there. Would like to book the ice bar in advance if it is sure that we can get there. Thanks.

Is there any wineries in the area to visit? Is it possible to hire a taxi or driver at the port to see some of the countryside?