sarshecky

What type of outlets are on the Apex? Are there US plugs or do we need adaptors? We’re doing an overnight in Cairo. What will I need for there?

Any tips on what to bring on Apex? 

JB- thank you so much for your thorough and thoughtful post. We will definitely take your advice while planning our trip.

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I have gotten excellent advice from CC on tour companies in many cities throughout Europe. We will be in southern Spain this summer, not on a cruise but I'm coming here anyways for the knowledgeable advice. We'll be in Jerez and Marbella and looking for advice on things to do as well as private tours to Granada, Córdoba and possibly Tangiers. Does anyone recommend any specific tour companies for a group of 12? I have contacted South Ole Tours and am also wondering if anyone has used them. Thanks!

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Flew into Istanbul with my minor kids and not my husband. He met us there from a business trip. Then landed in Izmir after the bombings. Now waiting to fly out of Izmir. Not once did we have to show evisas.

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We just finished a celebrity cruise that started in Istanbul. We had a lovely day with a fantastic guide. After the cruise, we spent a few magical days in Venice. We left Venice last night and were scheduled to land in Istanbul at 11:00. About 20 min before landing, the pilot announced that we couldn't land in Istanbul because of traffic. Once we were on the ground, we learned what happened. We were diverted to Izmir and spent hours in the airport before being bused to nearby hotels. They sent too many buses to the same hotel so we had to go to a different hotel. It was about 5 am before we got into a room. We could not get thru to Turkish air to rebook and finally found out that we'd have to fly to Istanbul and then have a day layover before flying to the US. We ended up booking Lufthansa thru Munich with a 22 hour layover but we just want out of turkey. We have to pay but just want to get our kids home safely.

It's so sad. Turkey is so beautiful with a rich history. Glad I saw it but really want to go home.

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We are currently cruising and will be in Malta tomorrow. Some of our party do not want to explore the historical sites but want to snorkel instead. Any suggestions on where to go and how to get there from Valletta.

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We will be in Mykonos next Monday. Woo hoo! Arriving in the early am and not departing until 3:00am. We want to spend time relaxing on a beach, before shopping and exploring the town.

What is the easiest and nicest beach to get to? It seems like taxis are hard to come by so I'm thinking bus is the way to go.

Any recommendations on restaurants or bars for the evening?

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We only have a few hours in Istanbul. I'm thinking of hiring a tour guide so that we can see what we want most efficiently. Does anyone have any recommendations for a good guide? Thanks.

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Thank you all for your quick responses!

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I have researched but cannot find an answer. I know there are 2 evening chic nights on a 7 night cruise but I don't know which nights they'll be. I'm trying to plan specialty restaurant evenings but don't know if I should avoid the evening chic nights. Is the main dining room food better on those nights? I'm on the June 18 sailing from Istanbul to Rome. Thanks.

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We are going to be in Istanbul for not even a day. We want to see a couple of sights, visit the Grand Bazaar and then head to the ship. Do we need lira or can we pay in euros or dollars? Thanks.

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I would make sure you are close enough according to Celebrity rules. We did a trip with 3 teens and and they were across the hall. Celebrity required them to be either adjacent or across from our cabin. Originally booked down 2 cabins and Celebrity moved them in a cabin trade.

 

Yes there is sufficient room for 4 teens - they likely will not care much about where they sleep - only suggest you get a pass key to make sure it is possible for the steward to "clean" the room. We checked for the first couple of days and got things sorted.

Thanks! They are ok not to be directly near us because it is a European cruise and some of them are 18. If the cruise departed or ended in the US, then they would have to be adjacent or across the hall.

Crowded is an understatement! One bed drops down and the other is the love seat fold out. Would be OK for 2 adults and a couple kids. 4 adults? You could not pay me to be that tight. A 195 sq' cabin for 4.

This will be for 4 teenagers. My husband and I will be down the hall!

I am trying to find out of cabin 1255 on the Equinox can sleep 4. I have searched different sites online but have found conflicting info. I have seen that it sleeps 2, 3 and 4.

I know it will be crowded but if it sleeps 4, just want to make sure everyone has a bed. Thanks.

Yes, I know the ship docks in Civitevecchia. We are going to take a private limo from the port to the Rome train station. I'm just trying to figure out what train time is realistic.

We will be disembarking in Civitavecchia in June, docking at 5:00am. What time should I realistically expect to get off the ship? I'm trying to decide what train to book from Rome to Venice. I'll be taking a private transfer from the ship to the Rome train station. Would a noon train work if I can get off the ship around 9:00? Thanks.

I will be on a Celebrity cruise in June which ends in Rome. We are going to spend a few days afterwards in Venice and will be taking the high-speed train. I want to book our train tickets but am confused about the options. We will be taking a private transfer from the port to the train station.

The ship docks at 5:00am. We don't need to rush to get off and would like to have breakfast before we leave.

Train options are: Italo at 1:25 or Freccia which has trains on the hour, every hour.

Which train should we take and at which time? What time should I arrange to meet the limo for the transfer?

Thank you for your help.

We did the Solstice last year. The ship was beautiful but honestly, I wouldn't do a RT out of Seattle again. There was a full sea day at both ends in open waters and seas were rough. Also, there were only 3 ports plus Victoria. I wished we had another port in Alaska. I didn't know any better but next time I'd choose a one way or RT from Vancouver.

Thank you all. I am so disappointed that we are losing a day there. But it would cost $500 to change our flights each and there are 5 of us.

@slopoke15 we don't arrive until 5:00pm the day before. We thought we'd have Saturday and most of Sunday in Istanbul. I can't change our flights to arrive on Thursday. Oh well, we'll do what we can and plan to go back another time.

I'm doing a Greece/Italy cruise in June and would like to do the 3 specialty dinner package. However, we don't depart until 10:30 that evening so don't want to be committed to eating on board in case we want to eat in town. Can we choose the second night as our first specialty dining night?

Also, how does a late departure work? Is it ok to not check in onboard until late afternoon? What time do you think they'll do the muster drill?

Thank you. This itinerary recently changed so I'm trying to plan accordingly.

Thank you all! We are staying in the Sultanahmet area. I wish we had longer but I thought we were going to have until 6pm on Sunday. Now it's too late to change my flight. Oh well, we'll do what we can. We're going to be with a large group. Celebrating my daughter's high school graduation with her 4 best friends and their families!

Thank you! Our hotel is in that area so I will follow your recommendations.

Is there a lot to do at night or would you recommend staying on the ship?

Any restaurant suggestions for lunch?

I am on a Celebrity cruise in June departing from Istanbul. We are no longer docking overnight and I am arriving the night before so only have the day of departure. Departure is not until 10:30pm. Having never been, I'm trying to figure out how to fit in some sites.

I want to see the Grand Bazaar, Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque. Can I do these on my own or should I book a tour? Is it better to do all my sightseeing and then head to the ship in the late afternoon? Or check in onboard and then leave again?

Any insights are appreciated. Thanks.

Thank you all for your tips!