Worldtraveler 4727

4727, 18 days... are leaving from Seattle? Anyway, while you are traveling south off California the PM sun will be on the starboard side. As the ship gets further south on the Mexican coast, say around Puerto Vallarta you will start to head more towards the southeast, this will cause the PM sun to start to walk towards the stern. You will keep that general heading until you get near the Costa Rica/Panama border where you will be headed in a more easterly direction causing the sun to move more towards the stern, this will be about the last sea day and a half or so before you get to the Canal. After you round Panama's Azuero Peninsula mostly headed north here, but no sun worries because this will be the evening/night before transit.

 

After the transit and depending on your route back to Florida the PM sun will favor the port side.

No--not Seattle. SF to NYC.

This has been an interesting discussion. No consensus...but interesting....

Thanks to all who chimed in with their ideas. Some food for thought here.

Hello fellow cruisers~

Can anyone tell me which side of the ship would have the most AFTERNOON SHADE on a (covered) balcony for a cruise through the Panama via west coast TO east coast? This would be a September cruise. I'm expecting it to be pretty warm yet. Would that be correct?

TIA

I am not concerned about the ONE DAY of passage through the Canal but more concerned about the sea days of the 18 day cruise and the shadiest side of the ship.

Starboard, it is.

September, the sun is over the equator, and Panama is 6 degrees north of the equator, so you want the north side of the ship.

 

And crossing from west coast to east coast, you sail (counter-intuitively) on average in a north-westerly direction. So you want the starboard side of the ship for the shade, because the sun will be shining from the south and south-west, ie. the left hand side of the ship.

Thank you dsrdsrdsr! Exactly what I was looking for. Much obliged.

Hello fellow cruisers~

Can anyone tell me which side of the ship would have the most AFTERNOON SHADE on a (covered) balcony for a cruise through the Panama via west coast TO east coast? This would be a September cruise. I'm expecting it to be pretty warm yet. Would that be correct?

TIA

Thanks to all!

The multi-day pass on the Vaporetto it is.

And speaking of weather, any advice/experience on the acqua alta in Venice the first week in November?

Thank you Cruisemom42. I will look into Rick Steves. Great suggestion.

Thank you, Hank. I was hoping you'd see my post. :) Your advice is always so thorough. Much appreciated!

Anyone who has experience with a boat tour company, please weigh in.

tour-Italy.com has one where they advertise the following starting at 46E pp:

On all our Venice boat tours you'll travel in a luxurious motor-launch, limited to a maximum of 8/9 participants so that we should be able to guarantee that everyone sits outside to enjoy an intimate experience of the waterways of Venice while listening to the detailed commentary of your expert Venice tour guide.

In the first part of these small group Venice boat tours cruise down the Grand Canal at a relaxed pace with numerous photo opportunities as your friendly and knowledgeable guide introduce you to the splendid Palaces, Churches, Bridges and other Monumental buildings that line the main waterway of Venice. Learn the history and evolution of the main street of Venice, and be entertained by anecdotes about the famous and infamous people that once lived along this celebrated waterway.

In the second part of these marvellous sightseeing tours of Venice sit back and enjoy a delightful journey through the minor canals of Venice. In the hidden Venice, as you travel through four of the city districts of Venice you'll get a full overview of the city and enjoy picture postcard views of the most romantic parts of the city. These small group Venice boat tours start & finish at St. Marks square.

Has anyone taking this or a similar one?

(Your opinion, Hank?)

Thanks,

Kathy

I would appreciate a bit of advice from anyone in the CC family please

(Hank, are you there? :)

1. Most economical way from hotel at St Mark's Sq to airport for a Sunday 1:20pm flight

2. Amount of travel time that should be allowed for the above

3. multi-day Vaporetto passses: buy in Venice (best place?) or buy online before arriving and validate there?

4. Vaporetto vs Alilaguna. Is one better than another for getting certain places in and around Venice?

5. I understand the Vaporetto is the most economical way to experience the canals in Venice, but is there a "boat company" that has great tour someone has used?

Thanks in advance. (what would we do without CC?)

Is there no phone number on the website now? A few years ago I had booked a transfer from FCO to hotel in Rome. After paying and receiving my voucher, I double checked the name of the hotel. It was close, but not my actual hotel. I found the phone number, placed the call. The rep was very pleasant, I explained the situation, she placed me on hold, contacted the vendor, came back to me and said my hotel would not be a problem, they could do the transfer. Took all of 5 minutes. When we arrived in Rome, one desk was closed, but we were directed to a second desk, walked out to the van and were on our way to the hotel. Driver even knew our hotel had a curfew and stated we would be dropped off first because of the curfew.

 

I have used viator dot com many times, and have never encountered any problems. I've used them in Rome, Venice, Paris, New York City, Amsterdam, Hawaii, and Greece. I usually go to their website, as well as the cruiseline tours to see what is available at any location I'm going to. I don't always book with them, but I like to compare tours and prices.

Viator came recommended to me by a long-time cruising friend, and I do understand they must do a lot of things right to be so big and to have been bought by Tripadvisor. However, my first encounter with them was very disappointing, and I do not trust them. There are way too many other companies out there that are immediately responsive (like Rome in Limo) to take a chance on one that won't answer a query.

I'm guessing you're aware that Viator is a booking agency, not a tour operator.

A huge operation, with thousands of tours available world-wide.

 

You don't mention what your query was, but is it something they have to check with the tour operator? If so, it'll likely need a few days - one of the problems of dealing with a middle-man.

We gave up seeking more information about a tour from them, got the impression that they're not interested in chasing up detail - after all, they only get a commission.

But we have done just one tour through them, & found them very efficient.

 

If you've not yet booked, probably best look elsewhere.

 

If you had an unsatisfactory tour, I think you probably need to give them more time.

 

But if it's regarding an up-coming booked & paid tour, then I can see your problem.

 

JB :)

I am aware that they are a booking company, and I believe you are right--they are not interested in "chasing up detail." I had an important question (to me anyway) regarding transfer in Venice. It's been two weeks with no word from them. I have looked elsewhere for transfer and for answers to my questions. However, I still believe this is no way to do business--even if they "only receive a commission." They provided an email for questions; I received two return emails saying they would respond within 2 business days, and there's been no response whatsoever. I don't feel I could count on them at all for a transfer or for anything else--hence the red flag.

Heads up on a Red Flag for Viator. I emailed them twice. Twice I received a return email stating they would respond to my question within 2 working days. They never responded. Considering the number of companies out there operating tours/transports etc, I am choosing to work with someone else.

Further disappointment comes in knowing Viator is now owned by Tripadvisor, a company I trust very much :(

Insalata Ricci near piazza navotas! gorgeous salads and tiramisu and reasonable.

This one looks wonderful! Thanks!:)

I know for a fact that at least at the Academia in Florence that they DO OPEN for cruise ship tours during the scheduled Closed days and Closed hours

 

Enjoy

Srpilo

This is what is says at the bottom of the page for the Island Princess Oct 25 sailing to Florence for Princess excursions under Special Notes:

"The Accademia is closed on Mondays, May 1st and on some other holidays. A visit to the interior of Santa Croce Church will be substituted."

As for the other major Florence museum, the Uffizi, it is not offered at all for excursions on that date-presumably because the tour is on a Monday.

Princess was unable to answer this question, and with the varied answers here, unfortunately, the puzzle remains....

Traveler, something similar happened to us in 2012. All the guidebooks said a museum was closed on the day of the week we were to visit (cannot for the life of me remember which one, it may have been in Greece). The museum was open for our tour and also appeared to be open for anyone else as it was full of other groups and people. So there might be some truth to the statement, although I agree that it is unlikely they would open for just one tour busload; more likely for 20 or more and then only if it is not in conflict with religious limits. Which museum in Florence and what day of the week?

The date in question is Monday, Oct 26. And as I understand it, the Accademia and the Uffizi in Florence are closed on Mondays....

This comment was made recently:

"I have been told by Princess, that if the museums, (in Florence) are closed on the day that the ship is in port, and you book that tour, they have a special dispensation and you will get in....Again, I have no idea if this is true, but it is what I have been told."

Does anyone know if this is true??:confused:

If you haven't asked this on the Princess board already, you should ask there too. I would be surprised if it is true, but I've been surprised before!

Good idea.

This comment was made recently:

"I have been told by Princess, that if the museums, (in Florence) are closed on the day that the ship is in port, and you book that tour, they have a special dispensation and you will get in....Again, I have no idea if this is true, but it is what I have been told."

Does anyone know if this is true??

Sorry my Italian is not very good but people in Rome can tell how to get there..Il Vinyard Papa or in English The Pope's Vineyard. Price fixe at $35.00 per person it is all the food and wine you can consume while listening to a wonderful trio of singers. (The tenor owns the place and he won't leave until the last guest is gone.) Very, very good!

I can't seem to find anymore information on this restaurant online. Could you provide a few more details? Thanks

Our favorite place to eat is Sora Rosa. It is the place famous for this flattened chicken. It is cooked under a brick. It is really crisp and wonderful. There is a beautiful garden to eat in. Back a few months ago there was a show on tv about Rome and it was featured. I'm not sure the neighborhood.

This one looks excellent! Unfortunately, it is quite a distance outside of Rome---more towards the Appian Way---and would involve a 30E or more cab ride.:(

I will also be there for three days could you share the pizza places too.

Pinsere Roma: http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187791-d3570028-Reviews-Pinsere_Roma-Rome_Lazio.htm

Restaurant called Alla Rampa around the corner from the bottom of the Spanish Steps. Pasta dishes exceptional and fritta mista should be ordered and shared as appetizer. Also be sure to order house/table wine. Tastes good and inexpensive. Enjoy.

 

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This one looks wonderful! Thanks so much! :D

Just a short way down the board:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2181965

I did see that--but much of what is posted in that thread is Venice, pizza, gelato, trattorias, countryside.....

Looking for some restaurant recommendations for Rome. I have a couple places ear-marked for pizza, but could really use some suggestions for reasonably priced places for dinner. We are there three nights pre-cruise.

I understand Rome is a walking city--so even though we are staying near the Termini, we will happily walk 30+ minutes. (More gelato then;))

Thanks :(

Can anyone tell me if there are music stations available on the cabin TVs? If so, how many choices/what kind of music?

(specifically Island Princess but perhaps its uniform for all Princess ships)