lvcrzn

shouldn't be a problem, but i've heard through he island telegraph that there is some road construction, who knows what that will be like by nov. & traffic jams can be a problem, so allow yourself plenty of time.

 

Magens will be very crowded when i'll be there & with over 16,000 cruisers there on our port day, you would have to pay this former st thomas resident to go there:d.

 

The escape gets there early, & i'd plan on magens first thing, then do whatever else you have planned. If it gets too crowded, grab a taxi for paradise point or downtown if you want to shop, then a quick trip back to the ship. You might also head for sapphire, coki or emerald beach.

harpharp thank you so much for your response!

I'll be in St. Thomas in January on the ESCAPE. I would like to DIY to Megan's Bay. There will be 3 other ships in port. I've read that Megan's bay can be very crowed. Will there be a problem getting a cab back to the ship as I have a 3 p.m appointment on board?

looking for a recommendation for private transportation to MIA after cruise. We dock at 8a.m..

Thank you.

We vote for one of the hotels in the Marriott complex. Their shuttle is $10. Very pleasant services, plus their shuttle runs 24/7 from the airport. Very convenient since some stop at 10

 

Stayed their twice.

Merriem, I am booked for a precruise night at one of the Marriots in this complex through my own web research. With you having stayed there I appreciate your personal recommendation.

The ESCAPE IS SCHEDULED to return to the POM at 8:00am (Jan, 2016). I was told that I should not book a flight home before noon. I've booked a 12:10 p.m. out of MIA. I've now read so many posts that this is too early. I'm confused and need some past experience advise. Please! I will do a "walk off" if needed.

Your speedy replies were so appreciated.

YOU ALL HAVE EASED MY MIND AND FOR THAT I SINCERELY THANK YOU!

The ESCAPE IS SCHEDULED to return to the POM at 8:00am (Jan, 2016). I was told that I should not book a flight home before noon. I've booked a 12:10 p.m. out of MIA. I've now read so many posts that this is too early. I'm confused and need some past experience advise. Please! I will do a "walk off" if needed.

I really hope the Silhouette does repeat the British Isles cruises in 2016 that they are offering in 2015. As you live in England, I can see why those cruises might not be that interesting to you, but for Americans, I think they offer a lot of interest. I also like the fact that they embark from Amsterdam, one of my favorite European cities.

I would hope the same as I am already planning!! This Itinerary is bringing me back to Celebrity.

We had a private tour with RIL for both Rome and Florence/Pisa.

What a wonderful experience!! For Rome our Driver (and phenomenally knowledgeable) was ANGELO and likewise our tour Guide AZZURRA for the Vatican. This experience went beyond our expectations!!

Pisa/Florence Driver a native to the area and also extremely informative was GIOVANNI.

They made this the most memorable visit that we have had to these cities in Europe. This was the first time that we used RIL. We will forever use this company as it was well worth doing so.(over 300,0000 CC hits speaks volumes).

I never understand the motivation of the people who post those hyperbolic, inflammatory stories about the crime situation in Barcelona (or any European city). Are the posters small town US residents who have no coping skills in any large US city? Are the posters uncomfortable with the unfamiliar so they magnify everything and anything that is different from their normal way of life?

 

The breathless warnings about the situation in Barcelona says more about the poster than they do about the real situation in that lovely Catalan city.

 

The advice you've already received about keeping your valuables safe is excellent. Follow it! Nothing is completely foolproof, but robberies and scams are crimes of opportunity. Make yourself less of a target and the let the foolish tourists all around you serve as the target.

Thank you so much. Your post makes so much sense.

Thank you Norma and Rollie for your responses. I will take note of these.

I think if I read another post or watch another YouTube about the thieves and their scams and victims' stories I will not venture out while I'm in Barcelona for a couple of days in conjunction with the cruise! Seriously PLEASE ANYONE WHO HAS RECENTLY RETURNED...just how bad is this situation on the streets and especially in the train station? Is the hotel safe...safe??! :eek:

We used BCN Travel 2 weeks ago, 48 euros for 4 people, prompt & roomy. (They sent a van).

ROOTHY123

So glad to read this post as I have booked transportation with this company a couple of days ago. (Early flight back to the States so we are under a tight time constraint and it is imperative that we get to the airport ASAP at disembarkation). Did you confirm your reservation with them at any time? After reading the last post I am now concerned.

We did the Epic crossing last year, arriving at 5am. We were off the ship by 6 easy customs. Not many people get off that early. No lines, taxi right there, no traffic. It was a Sunday and no other ships in port. I couldn't believe how quick it was. The airport is close. You will make it.

Did you walk off with your luggage? If I do not "walk off" how long is the process to pick up my luggage at the carousel?

4774Papa and Kirk.. THANK YOU! Incidentally, I will be following Papa's detailed DIY Monsterrat guide.

Because I do not have a Chip and Pin credit card (I'm told that the train kiosks only accept chip and pin) can I purchase the Montserrat visit (rack rail, funicular etc) ticket with Euro at the Train station with an Attendant????

Sincere thanks to you all. I have rethought our Sagrada Familia visit and will schedule for another day based on this sensible advise. Combining the Basilica with audio tour and tower visit would have taken it into the later part of the afternoon. (Probably would not have been the best thing to do considering the long flight from the US). I hadn't taken into consideration the possibility of having all of our valuables with us should we not have been able to check into our hotel.

Our flight is scheduled to land at 9:40a.m.in Barcelona. What would be the earliest arrival time at Sagrada Familia? We are purchasing our tickets on line and are not certain as to how long it will take to deplane, go through customs, the taxi ride and Hotel checkin on La Ramblas near Placa Cataluyna.

Thank you.

Victoria, your reviews are wonderful, entertaining and so informative. Thank you. It must be an Architect trait ( I am married to one....I can say with out a doubt you all see the world with a different set of eyes). We will be in Barcelona in a few months so I especially liked this posting. Of course we cannot wait to see Gaudi's works.

Do the mini suites have a proper enclosed bathroom?

 

I'm looking at upgrading our balcony to a mini & wondered about the bathroom situation. ( sharing with my mum)

The Mini suite that I stayed in did not have an enclosed bathroom. However there was a curtain to separate the area from the rest of the room. This layout is not the most ideal.IMHO.

First time poster here.

 

My wife and I are looking to take a 6-9 day cruise in June. Trying to find a cruise line for us. We've cruised several times before, but it's always been Caribbean. We're at a different stage in our life looking for advice on which cruise line to choose.

 

What we're looking for:

• Mediterranean cruise.
  
• Our budget is under 12k.
  
• Age - Late 30s
  
• Adults only. We have three children and are trying to have a "Get away" vacation.
  
• Large ship.
  
• Not too crowded.
  

 

I'm cross-posting this to a handful of the cruise lines we've heard about. Can any provide info for this cruise line, or suggest a better one given our criteria above?

 

Thanks!

All posted is great advice. My opinion: Epic is large but crowded. And while 12K allows for a very nice itinerary, remember to take into account the cost of excursions as you will probably want to experience the local culture of each port. Private excursions with a Guide can be expensive (but well worth it).

Hi everyone,

I'm hoping someone can help me plan our time in Barcelona. We will be arriving on a Saturday morning (Jet Lag), have Sunday and Monday also. We board our ship on a Tuesday so I guess we have that morning too. We would like to take the train to the Montserrat. A Sunday Mass would be nice. Sangrada Familia is a must. I've heard most museums are closed on Mondays. Would like to see the most of what there is with our time. I'm hoping to get some good advise on what to see and when:)

Thanks,,,,,,,,,Mary

4774pappa post on June 18, 2013 has a step by step DIY TO MONTSERRAT . I will be following it for my trip. And PamIam post on June 25, 2013 added a few other points. The previous post on this tread with the attached web site for tourism is also extremely helpful.

With all the posts regarding pick pockets, I am extremely concerned (and now totally paranoid) to have cash and documents on my personage for our DIY to Montserrat! And the prior day we were going to drop our luggage at the hotel and DIY Sagrada Familia and Park Quell. (Our room might not ready because we will be landing early and can only drop off our luggage) We will have to have our docs and cash on us! I would like some advise PLEASE from the cruise Critics. :confused:

Pink panther , I will also be on NCL MED cruise and will book a tour with them for Cannes. While I will be taking some private tours in other ports I am concerned about the Tender situation in Cannes. The private tours require a 1 week prior for cancellation. This would cause a problem if because of weather, the ship does not tender to port. (This has occurred in past cruises I've been on). If booked with the ship you will receive a refund should this occur. Having taken many tours in the past offered by the cruise lines, they have been very informative and enjoyable.

Will the Staff change on the Epic when it repositions to the Western Mediterranean ports? I have the current list of personal.

Thank you.

To all who responded to my post THANK YOU! I will now follow your expert advise and take the second day in Barcelona to spend a whole day in Montserrat and use the day we arrive to visit to Sagrada and Park Quel.

TO 4774PAPPA.. A SPECIAL THANKS for your detailed DIY... to have spent so much time typing every step of your visit to Monserrat was beyond thoughtful. This will be my first time in Barcelona and I now feel very comfortable following your step by step post. I've been on many Tours and this will be my first attempt at a DIY.