nickie2000

good day,,,,i'v been or Carnival cruise lines and mostly on Royal Carribean, this will be my first MSC which I will be on august 19th sailing out of Genoa, I can be honest and give you my opinion upon my return,,, my email is below if your interested contact me

nickie2000_2001@yahoo.com

Hello need honest advice!!

We have booked above ship as only ship departing Havana in January 2018 apart from carnival, booked for itinerary

Previously cruised P&O,Princess,Disney,Celebrity & Holland America have enjoyed all some better than others,we go away to enjoy ourselves and not to find fault at every opportunity. Although read reviews re this ship I'm definitely seeing more very negative reviews than positive! So seriously thinking of cancelling the cruise and staying in hotel after 3 nights in Havana.

Please please can someone give me honest advice regards this ship?

I'm not expecting Celebrity, but we really don't want absolutely awful.

 

Thanks Julie Roodnat

hello skier52 I know ur very knowledgable I would need need advise

I know port in genoa is 15 minute taxi ride to airport, my cruise arrives at 9;00am I am booked for a 12;20 flight into rome will I make it

...

Hi by typing "taxi genoa airport to cruise terminal" into Google and choosing two random results and following the link i got these prices

 

 

 

 

 

You can workout a fare that fits the number of people in your party

 

THe fares seem fairly consitent

 

 

Pete

hopefully you can help me with my question, I will be on the armonia this august 2017 arriving into port on august 26th at 9;00am at genoa port, my flight is at 12;20, will I make it, does the ship arrive earlier?, and how long was custom clearance?

this is my first MSC cruise, have done Royal Carribean and usually on the return we always seem to be into port earlier? so can you tell me your experience disembarking

Me and my DH sailed the MSC Armonia after the lengthening and refurbishment back in 2014 and absolutely loved it. The atmosphere onboard is wonderful and the decor is more classic than todays built ships. The food ranged from good to very good and the service was friendly. Note that the cabins are quite small including the balcony cabins. If you prefer a larger cabin go for the Aurea Suites. A lot of nice bars and lounges onboard and the pooldeck is large with plenty of space. If you go for the Aurea you will have access to a Aurea Sundeck. We have sailed all the class of ships in the MSC fleet and the Armonia was great. Big is not always best. Here is my video from the ship. Enjoy :)

 

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YES you would make it, considering that you are really arriving with no delays by 11;00am, take one hour for customs and baggage pick up, so that makes you to 12;00, so if you have a ride service ready to pick you up by 12;30, it will bring you right to the ship in one hour, so ou arrive by 1;30, so yes its very doable, but if flight

leaves and arrives on time, and you have no baggages lost,,,, so having it done multiple time the trip your doing, on our first trip to rome, our flight left over 5 hours later, we were to arrive room at 8;00am in the morning instead we got there at 1;30, and our plan back then was to take the train, which was a big no no by that time, and we had no reserved service, so by the time we got a service to bring us, 150EURO later we made it to the ship at 3;30 on the noise, YES MY ANXIETY WAS WAY HIGH,,, it was our first European cruise, we didn't get to enjoy the sail off , and have left many other times since, and I always fly in the night before, get to relax at a hotel in Civitavecchia, get to be the first to board the next morning nice and calm and enjoy just sitting a sipping our first drink,,,, so matter of choice...ENJOY YOUR CRUISE...

Has anyone flown into Fiumicino Airport and gotten on the cruise ship in Civitavecchia the same day? I am planning on going on the October 6th, 2018 cruise and want to know if I arrive at the airport by 10:00-11:00 am would be sufficient to make it to boarding by 3 or 4PM. We have never done any international travel just local ports like Miami and Port Canaveral. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

EMERALD IS NOT BLACK with MSC, its GOLD

to be BLACK, you have to be DIAMOND, the level above EMERALD,,,,

On this thread post # 23

 

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2473520&highlight=emerald

 

 

 

Pete

it goes by level, so if your still bronze then it won't matter changing now or later, but if your not planning to cruise on a msc yet, but have other cruises to do, wait until you move level higher to do the match with MSC, as its a one shot deal,

plus really does not give you a great advantage right now if your not doing a booking with msc....

my suggestion, if your cruising on the ncl, and you have a few nights to go to move to next level, wait till your on next level, to actually do the match with msc

hope this helps

Hi,

 

Sorry, I know there's a lot of threads on here about status match, but I have a bit of a specific question. I want to apply for status match from NCL to MSC. At the moment I'm bronze on NCL with 10 points (10 nights). In October I'll have 24 points- which annoyingly is still Bronze after NCL recently moved the goal posts for Silver.

 

Should I wait to status match until October- will the points difference make a difference to which MSC tier I'm matched to? Or will NCL Bronze always be matched to MSC Classic?

 

I've tried to work out the equivalent points value in MSC but can't due to the experience based points system.

hello skier 52, I see your full of knowledge , been seeing some of your replies and I appreciate all your input, so i'm emerald, what would put me to in msc, I'm planiing on doing a cruise wiith them for the first time, on the msc armonia, can you tell me how msc is different from royal, what am I to expect cause been sort of reading bad reviews on msc, which I know some reviews are somewhat meaning less, also one thing ive been researching and can't understand at the buffet for lunch people say the drinks are to be paid? is this true, don't they offer coffee, or juices?

all been given vouchers for 12 drinks, says beer, wine and cocktail drinks? now cocktail drinks is it with alchol? of they virgin cocktail drinks? looking forward to hear from you thank you.

Diamond with Royal Caribbean will definitely match to BLACK (the top level) with MSC, not sure about the others.

 

 

Pete

ok,, new poeple, welcome, i've been using booking.com for over 5 years and find they are very good, honest, they don't charge your credit card just use it too reserve your room, your pay in the contry currency to the hotel, also if you book the ones that you can cancel with no penalty up to the day before that is a bonus as your researching best places to stay and all.... we stayed on la rambla, very small room,, but most are like that, plus your there just to sleep so why pay so much for luxery,,, when you can use that money for better things... now depends for mean of transport some take cabs some of us are more adventourous and take bus and metro like what we did cost for that one way was 12 euro for 2 people versus cab ride of 30 -35 euros one way for both and we stayed on la rambla by cab its about 20 minute ride bus 30 minutes so its close center of barcelona

hope this helps enjoy

yes u can

i agree with rollie also i would do park guel or la sagrad uon after our check in, head to montserret first thing the next morning once your there you won't feel you have to rush threw it and leave when you wish back to barcelona and continue on whatever else u wish to see and do...

ok yes there are plenty of taxi's but like someone else said 4 people with at least 4 luggages in a taxi, i don't see it happening as someone mention the taxi cabs are small in europe so u would have to take a van,,, do your research, i would book a transfer you could find for about 40 - 50 euro.. cabs yes its about 30 to 40 euro so we opt to take bus cause we were 2 people so our cost was benefit was only 12euro versus cab of 30 - 40 but since your 4 people at 40 -50 that would be about 10 - 12 euro each which is benefit..no need to drag luggage on the bus... bust like i said plenty of cabs at airport but for 4 people with luggage??? there are vans there but don't know the cost that is why i would check and book the pick up you can check and see viator site for pick up from airport what there cost is.....hope this helps enjoy barcelona is very nice...just word of advice beware pick pocketers,,, carry vrry littlle on you no nap sack on the back carry everything facing your chest...no purses or cmeras over shoulder they actually pull and run and work in teams...

Hi, Would like to know if you think taxis would be plentiful or hard to get from bcn aiport to (address ) Serria-st . Gervasi. I beleive its near Ave Diaganol.Please excuse spelling .

If you know that area, also how much should we be charged, 4 people 4 cases and some hand lugguge. Will appreciate your help. Oh, we arrive Mon Sept 29th.....Thanks.

was our first day 3 hours after checking into our hotel walking LA RAMBLAS we got robbed... so just beware,, they even snatch cameras off your shoulders so carry something very cheap,, no purse everything carry in front of your chest.. they are quick and work in groups but besides that its a beautiful city to visit...

ok now as for your flight ow $1300 and more that is expensive, i live in canada usually travel in september and when i did spain paid $1000.00 so i personally don't think it will go higher chances are maybe it will come lower i don't know how long your willing to wait to booke the flight,,,my thought as for the return you ask for early disembarkation its a 30 minute drive to airport by cab so if you off ship between 7-7;30 you'll be at airport by 8;00 that's 2 1/2 hours cutting it close but doable,, i would personally if there's a flight book it for 11;00 11;30 but if not 10;30 ur safe but u must be off ship ASAP lol enjoy

i've been to barcelona and have used the hop on/off RED BUS... you don't need to buy tickets on line they are sold right on the bus when you board its not any cheaper on line,,,just make sure you keep your receipt at all time during the whole day that is your way of hoping back on once you get off,,, if i recall there is a one day or a 2 day pass so all depends if ur in barcelona for more than a day i would recommend the 2 days pass, one day is 22euro pp 2 day pass is 29euro per person,,, there is the red line which is the biggest route , the blue and the green it cover many stops and you see lots, also if you use the city sightseeing hop on/off bus in another countery keep that receipt show it in your next country when u do the hhop on/bus again and you get 10% disount of you next ticket... even from one year to another, i've been doing it for the past 5 years....use ththose bbuses almost in every big country well worth it...

i would book the 11;30 flight plus do an early off board disembarkement,, would give you plenty of time to get to the airport,,, do check in and relaxe couple hours around the airport without being to stressed out...

i agree with everyone and with your final decision if your really set on visiting the sagrada family palace then take the metro fastest quicker way to get there and do that then you have the whole day to spend at leisure usung the hop on/off bus...when we were in barcelna first time we only saw the la sagrada from the hop/on/off bus route and never went to visit it inside we will be in barcelona this year and will probably visit it this time....enjoy good wise choice i think

i've been to both cities yes barcelona has lots to see and do and if its your first time in barcelona i would opt to stay the second day there and really get to see it all, now as for madrid its also very nice and also lots to see i honestly found it more friendly and safer than barcelona... now if you could take and early flight from barcelona to madrid and if you have a late flight leaving from madrid back home then i would go visit madrid.... you would need to check you times like lots have said..but in true honesty if it is your first time in barcelona, there is lots to see there...enjoy

hi gam888 sounds like your doing the same ports i'll be doing in september,,,

i've already been to barcelona before, so will just walk around, have been to palma also spend 3 days at the beach,, the beach yes is with pebbles...so we will probably visit the town...gilbraltar we've been and we had taken a bus tour from the malaga area as we were staying in malaga for 3 days... but if i recall from the port in gilbratar it is doable alone for more info you can read tomportguides,,, i'm sure he has info on gilbraltar and many other ports good infor...have not been to vigo am also trying to research and decide...MALAGA i've been there 2 times very nice town, safe and easy going around,,, from malaga depends the time you have at the port but easy to travel by bus..just check schedules before hand and the return times available...people are very helpful...

Thanks everyone for your input on cadiz will be one of our stop this coming sept. 2014 i think we will be do the do it yourself walking around town especially after i read that there are many shoe stores...:d

last year we did the hoho bus ride around the town, got a feel for it and then got off on the far side of town near the cathedral and had a very pleasant walk thru the town, exploring on our way back to the ship.

thank you for writing this your humor is out of this world..you had me laughing out loud and rolling intears at the end i wanted more to read...

your writing and telling story you sound so much like my son i can actually visualize your serious face telling this story...wowww...it was just great...i will be touring most of those ports this september and i will honestly be laughing just thinking of your review....

I'll post some really great pictures as soon as I can get them downloaded, uploaded, overloaded - whatever the technical term is!

Hello all... I live in Slovenia, Ljubljana, so I can help you with some info if you need them.

 

Somebody was asking about Lipica, where the white Lipizzaners come from. It's a nice trip, around 30 min drive from Koper, they have a heard of around 400 horses and also riding school performing (similar to the famous one in Vienna). The place is from 16. century, has some great stallions there you can see. So if u like horses, that's the place to visit.

 

Slovenia is small, from one end to another, u need aprox. 2h drive. Ljubljana is in the middle, higway all the way from Koper to Ljubljana, so drive is fast. Very old town, with castle in the middle. Ppl lived here since 2000 bc, it was a swamp and houses were on sticks. Also it was roman city, so you can find some ruins. Sunday afternoon is nice, walking by the river, having coffee and so on.

Bled is another 30 min from Ljubljana, also higway, so fast trip. Lake with it's island, and castle is really nice. Also one thing you can see is Postojna cave, very nice, you go in with a train and than walk around stalactites.

 

And for Terry from Ohio, If you like some art, go for Italia, Ravena is nice, but I'm not sure what to see in Opatija. It's just a coastal city, with hotels and beach, but if you like that, see here is very warm, up to 80s in summer and water is clean, no sharks or anything, so go swimm if u like that :) Dubrovnik and Split is a must see. Hvar and Korcula are islands, with turists and old towns, if u like that, u'll enjoy wandering around, having icecream and buying souvenirs.

 

Oh, something about Piran and Portoroz. Well Piran has a nice church with a nice view, and some walls around, old part with narrow streets and has a charm, but Portoroz is more turist place, with hotels and casinos and beach. So if u like some walking and just enjoy sun, that's a place to go, you can easy walk from Piran to Portoroz by the water, it's leveled and nice, but not short. :)

 

Slovenia only has 42 km (26 m) of coast, but it's nice and water very warm so we go there alot, just for fun. Also, if the day is sunny, you can see Alps, they are just an hour away from Koper, Soca valley with green river Soca... :)

 

Oh yes, and cruise ships are new addition to Koper, they are trying their best to offer as much as they can.

 

If there are any more info I can help, just ask ;)

hello, guess you would be perfect person to ask for infor...i will be arrive on cruise ship in september,,,is there local bus to take me to Ljubljani,,,and local bus to take me to the postojane caves...

how long is the trip from the port for these places,,,all infor.would be very much appreciated....

We are getting ready for our first visit to the Croatian Coast, including Kotor on Monday, June 13 from 7 am to 4 pm. We will be tendered and plan to be up early to see the "sail-in" to this dramatically positioned, fjord-like port stop. We are considering three different ship tour, all fairly reasonable in pricing. Would like to some feed-back on these three options:

 

#1: Driving up to Njegusi, with a panoramic view of the Bay of Kotor, Old Royal Capital of Cetinje, photo stops en route to Budva and then seeing this historic coastal, medieval fortified town, finishing with a panoramic sightseeing walk through the old town of Kotor; 7 hours, $76.75

 

#2: Driving up to Njegusi, with a panoramic view of the Bay of Kotor, village of Njegusi, Royal Capital of Cetinje, sightseeing walk through the old town of Kotor; No Budva coastal visit; 5 hours, 45 minutes, $50.75

 

#3: Driving 55-minute drive along the Adriatic coastal route seeing the town of Budva, reaching the 15th century settlement, now a worldwide recognized hotel resort of Sveti Stefan; shopping time in Kotor at the end; four hours, $38.75

 

Three interesting and good stops for sights, lots of pictures, etc. What have you seen and done in this area? What did you love the most, hear great things about?

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

For lots of interesting details, great visuals, etc., from our July 1-16 Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise experience from Copenhagen on the Silver Cloud, check out this posting. Don’t be shy and feel free to ask any questions of interest. This posting is now over 37,700 views. Appreciate those who have “tuned in”.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1227923

hello terry,, read your post,,i will be in kotor inn september this year 2013,,,

i presume you went, what did you end up doing,,was it worth it...

did you do on own or with tour guide,,whom would you recommend

any infor would be greatfull..

tks nicolina (canada)

Hi,

We just got back from a cruise on the Oceania Insignia. I had booked with Mario and he was great at getting back quick with emails. Very friendly.

 

We had his brother and he was wonderful. Wow ton's of history and a great driver. They were very accommodating even when our ship made a last min change of plans:

 

Our ship changed ports at the last min. because of winds. Mario's brother was waiting at the port I had told him. When we got off the ship we talked to a taxi driver and told him that we were trying to meet up with Mario. There was a taxi driver that could speak English said he had Mario's number. He was helpful and called Mario. Mario then called his brother to let him know we were at a different port. Mario came to meet us an hung with us till his brother arrived. They didn't even complain about our mix up or charge us more.

 

I would highly recommend both of them.

how expensive is he??

we're looking at being in messina on the 9th of september

tks

nickie2000_2001@yahoo.com all info would be apprecaited, how do i get in touch

with him

tks

In case anyone's interested, I've been researching train transportation options and here's the link... (in fact this covers trains all over Italy - you just need to know the stations you're interested in)

 

http://www.trenitalia.com/cms/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=ad1ce14114bc9110VgnVCM10000080a3e90aRCRD

 

Use stations:

Messina Centrale (it appears to be a few blocks from the pier)

and

Taormina-Giardini (at the base of the town)

 

It appears at this time of year that the trains run about every hour or less and take anywhere from 40min. to 1hr. and cost around $4Euro each way.

so if i get this right between messina and taormina, by train is lets say 1 hour to be safe...

so 1 hour to go

1h hour back

is 3 hours enough in taormina, do i get to see mt etna...

once back into messina i still have 2 hours to kill before getting to the ship

so is it doable on my own...any response would be appreciated...

tks

$50 USD is great!! But we are 8 and it seems all the cars are tiny!! Maybe there is public transportation?

have you found any infor of how to get between port of messina into

taormina???

am arriving by cruise boat on the 9th september into messina

want to do taormina on my own....

any suggestions