bonsai3s

Agree with all of them. @marazul @mapleleaves Thank you both. @zqvol One of these days, I may just try walking down.

We were able to visit most, if not all, of the sights at both Oia and Fira...all in one day. * Both Fira abd Oia are relatively small towns. If you can embrace walking up and down hills, steps, navigating through winding narrow streets....with the blessing of your 9-yr. old...then you'll be fine.

@ticketsunlimited I know you asked about euros vs dollars. Just a friendly reminder... 1. Be mindful of what you wear when visiting churches or any religious sites. For example, to visit inside St. Peter's Basilica (Vatican/Rome), shoulders and knees must be covered. 2. You can use the coins to pay for using the toilets. Have a great time in Rome, and happy sailing.

@FionaMG Hi Fiona! We are doing well. Currently at home and trying to lose weight before our next adventure. Wonder (Sep/Carribean), Quantum(Sep/TP), Anthem( Nov/Dubai). Hope you guys are doing well and perhaps we will cross paths again...safe travels.

4 ways (that I know of), to get to Oia: 1. Private tour. 2. Ship's tour. 3. Boat from dock, to dock below Oia, bus up to Oia, then bus back to Fira, then down (the3ways) to the dock. 4. Local bus. Briefly, this is what we did. We managed to get on the first tender...short queue to the cable car. Up in Fira, it was about a 10-minute walk to the bus station (an open square/plaza)...cost was 1.60€ per person each way, payable in cash to the conductor...it was about a 30-minute bus ride to Oia with 5 local stops. Once in Oia, it's a short walk to the iconic blue domes (again, narrow streets, hills, and incredibly fun looking for the right photo spot).

@Tina80 Santorini is the island. Fira is the hilltop town. 3 ways to get up to Fira: walking, riding a donkey, or taking the cable car. Once you get up to Fira, you will discover narrow, winding streets, with lots of steps and hills. Views are breathtaking. You have probably read the possible long queues for the cable car...and the difficulty of walking up. Everything will be up to your 9-yr. old. Happy sailing. @FionaMG wrote a wonderful review of the Odyssey of the Seas, with a stop in Santorini.

It has been many years since our last Princess cruise...could someone kindly tell us how to get a table for 2. Thank you.

Oh my... If she sails straight to Singapore...then we'll be screwed (again)...we already have our flights and hotel. * @Chiliburn We genuinely respect all your opinions...but this may be the one time we're hoping you're wrong. Thanks...we'll have contingency plans in place.

Exactly. We were booked on the Anthem from Southampton to Singapore...only leg not cancelled (yet) is Dubai to Singapore. Yup, nothing.

@Babynan When folded, are you able to carry or lift your powerchair? * From the ship, there are 3 ways to get to the train station in Civitavecchia: 1. Free shuttle. Leaves when the shuttle is full. Drops you off at the port gate, and still a long walk to the train station. 2. Bus. Takes you directly from the ship to the train station. 3. Shuttles...smaller than the bus but cost the same...I think it was 7€/person. You can purchase your train tickets at the tobacco shop or inside the train station. (We usually buy the BIRG ticket, about 14€, gives us access to the train and metro in Rome.) See attached photos. Train Station in Civitavecchia.Tobacco Shop adjacent to the train station. Queue can be as long as inside the station.Ticket window inside train station.Monitor showing train schedules and designated platforms.Outside tracks.If your departing platform is other than No. 1 platform, you'll have to go down these stairs, then back up, to get to platforms 2, 3, 4,....

That's exactly what I said to the Doctor onboard! I asked him: "Why am I being disembarked for a fever?" No answer. * Many lessons learned...1. bring good medication.

K, On our recent Ovation transpacific, I had a fever the night before our arrival in Honolulu. The doctor onboard was able to stabilized my condition and I felt better. U All test results were negative...including 3 covid tests. I felt fine but the doctor kept me all night in the medical unit and was subsequently informed that I would be disembarking the next morning...an ambulance was already scheduled to take me to the hospital. The doctor said I would have to get a "Fit to Sail" document signed by a doctor from the hospital...in order to continue sailing. (Honolulu to Vancouver was the 3rd leg of our B4B). DW also had to pack all our stuff. I politely told the doctor at the hospital that I need a "Fit to Sail" document...so we can get back onboard the cruise ship. And I need it in 3 days...the Ovation will be in Kailua-Kona before sailing directly to Vancouver. The hospital doctor cleared me on morning of the 3rd day..talk about cutting it close. All test results were negative...including 2 more for covid. (We were booking our flights to Kailua-Kona with the nurses helping us) But there were a few hiccups...the hospital doctor signed a "Fit to Travel" document...the ship's doctor (a different one) working that morning said she won't accept the "Fit to Travel""...it must say "Fit to Sail". No time to argue...so we had it redone. She (ship doctor) then said that we would have to provide ALL medical records in order to get back onboard. Calmly (but smoke coming out of my ears), I told her the other ship doctor did not tell us about that requirement. (we were told the other ship doctor was out enjoying the day in Kailua.) * We made it back onboard. E.

Yes, there's a shuttle to town...but it wasn't free. * Having a senior moment and can't remember the cost...it may have been $8 or $10 / person roundtrip.

@cruise wizard Thank you for all the great info...much appreciated. * So PZ's will be identified by having blue cards...does it say Zenith on the card? * How's the Premium Drink Package? * How's the wifi and unlimited laundry? * Were you invited to the Z lunch? If so, how was the menu? Thanks again.

Many years ago, they had a string quartet (Rosario String Quartet)...they're gone. We do enjoy the Stowaway Pianist...especially when he's inside the elevator.

On the Ovation this year...there were 99 P's (if I remember correctly) and most attended both lunches. Can't remember how many P's were on the Quantum sailing last year, but the CWO and dinner were highly attended.

Last year, on the Quantum Transpacific, Brisbane to Honolulu...we had CWO (lunch) and "Dinner with Officers". Each table had an Officer joining us for dinner...we had the Loyalty Ambassador at our table. This year on the Ovation Transpacific, Sydney to Honolulu, they had a second Cheers with the Officers...the second one was a wonderful Brunch...outstanding menu. * Perhaps it was done twice because of the lengthy sailings.

@monkey@cruise What is the nearest train station for Haneda Airport? Thanks again. * OP, sorry not trying to hijack this thread.

Oh my, wondering if you knew where the Quantum of the Seas will dock/disembark on October 15, 2024. Thank you.

We disembarked the Ovation last month and we'll be back at Pier 91 again in September. Just wanted to say: "You guys are the best". Thank you.

@POA1 it has been well over 10 years since we cruised with Princess. Should I call Princess to make sure they still have my DD214 on file and still eligible for military obc? Thank you.

Fond memories for me...when I was younger and stupid ( older now...still stupid). I brought wine in a box...yes, no one even asked. That wine-in-a-box had a silicone type bladder inside that perhaps I could've replaced with spirits. Disclaimer: I am not suggesting for anyone to do this. * My liver said not to drink like I was still in the military. We give other passengers, and crew, our wine(s) and drink vouchers.

Same thing happened to us. So the next time, I just took it out of my hand-carry bag and placed it inside the TSA bin. They opened the box and asked: "What is it?" I said: "It's a crystal block given by Royal Caribbean". He said : "Nice!" * Much easier and faster than the first time through TSA. I had it in the bottom of my full backpack.

Ok, I'll give this one a shot. We have sailed on the Spectrum of the Seas to Japan...but out of Singapore. We have sailed from Shanghai...but not Spectrum. That said... Spectrum did not feel crowded during the cruise. (Even having over 5,000 passengers) We only felt the crowds on embarkation, disembarkation, and when they had sales on Deck 4 Esplanade. Most of the passengers will probably be Chinese...with a few Brits, Aussies, and Americans. English will be the first language...but Mandarin or Cantonese will be spoken. Pools and bars are typically empty...but the casino will be crowded. Shanghai is one of the worlds best kept secret...the modern Bund District, the magnificent Yuyuan Garden, and the local flea markets where you can find $2 YSL leather wallets. (Faux) Kobe...you've got to try the buttery Kobe Beef. Osaka...visit Osaka Castle. Yokohama...we watched a baseball game. (Most just walk around town) The Spectrum of the Seas is wonderfully unique catering to the Asian market. Specialty restaurants include Sichuan Red, The Hot Pot, and an incredibly delicious (complimentary) noodle bar. Happy sailing.

Currently onboard the Ovation. Some random thoughts: * Beautiful sunny day in Ketchican. A bit early for the salmon run. * Cold and raining in Juneau. 5 ships docked the same day. Glad we had our umbrella. * Skagway...38° and a few drizzles. Free 2-minute shuttles from the ship to the end of the pier. (Not to town) The shuttle to town is $3 each way. The free shuttle is there because of the ongoing rockslides...passengers are not allowed to walk to and from the ship. * Seapass and a photo ID is required returning to the ship. * "Live, Love, Legs" and "Dreams" are current production shows in the theater. "Spectra's Cabaret" in Two70...reservations requied. Happy sailing!