DipBrat

If you miss the cruise cutoff by 45 minutes you should should be able to easily make it. Cabs take credit cards but charge exorbitant fees for the privilege. Three hours is way too early. 2 hours is very comfortable 1.5 is a bit rushed and 1 hour is minimum and you could be out luck if anything goes wrong.

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No Canadians do not need to pre-apply for an ESTA. I wouldn't take the fact that you haven't heard about it as evidence you don't need it. A lot of Europeans haven't heard of it either. Most of the time they can apply at the airport but it is not instant for everyone and many miss their flights.

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Canadians are exempt. As Americans are for Canada's ETA

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I haven't seen a Cruise affiliated credit card that seems to make sense. Works out to 1% in OBC wheras cash back cards pay at least that and often more. If you spend a lot on cruises and not much else the 2% you get on RCCL spending might make sense but even then other cards have better returns.

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Yes it stopped in Nassau. (Dec 23)

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By any objective measure a Panama Canal cruise is vastly more dangerous than a European cruise. I am not trying to scare you away from Mexico/South America, but Europe is probably the safest place in the world to travel. The biggest risk of death and injury when travelling by far is car accidents. Granted the Med has higher rates than northern Europe but about on par with US rates.

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Main pool is adults only till 5pm. I assumed the same for the adjacent hot tubs. Surely your 17 year old would be fine in the adults pool and frankly I can't see them kicking out a well behaved 13 year old either. The kids pool is small but 5 feet+ deep and despite 1500 kids on my cruise most of the time wasn't actually that busy.

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No need to worry about a balcony. High railing with no way to slip underneath.

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The kids pool is deep and fine for a family swim. There aren't really any chairs facing the kids pool if that was your plan.

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How did the expired student visa even come to their attention?

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There is sushi and some noodle dishes at Food Republic. A la carte and not included in the dining package.

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Just to follow up. On Escape last week was able to get in and out in under an hour at savor/taste both nights for 7pm show times getting us there soon after doors opened at 6:30. We didn't feel rushed but no coffee or desserts.

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I wouldn't count on free port wifi. It will get congested in most ports in the afternoon. Also not very practical if you want data while on an island tour.

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I was on the same cruise which was my first mega ship cruise and mostly agree with your review. As others stated there are two pools. The kids pool was actually 5 feet deep and there was mostly room to swim. I thought the entertainment was very good. I went to the early showing of Brat Pack and it was full of kids. Agree the F bombs were mostly gratuitous, but didn't see any kids leaving.

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He was last week

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St Maarten and Barbados have very good service.

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Sorry, I made a mistake. I have just checked and in the case of Daytona in November 2005, it was thumb prints only. Orlando six years later, was photos and fingerprints.

You were photographed departing from Orlando. By whom? I don't mean to doubt you but don't see how this is possible. If I don't have luggage I might not even talk to anyone in person. So when you check in with a passport from some countries you need to go somewhere else to be photographed and fingerprinted?

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Linen pants can be as comfortable as shorts. Another option is zip off pants. For shoulders easy enough to bring a lightweight long sleeve shirt to put on.

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You have probably confused Kobe and Kyoto. Certainly make the easy trip from Osaka to Kyoto which is well worth a full day or longer.

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ID and credit card in ziploc in swimsuit pocket. Flip flops, hat, shirt and sunscreen on chair. If you have no pockets and your whole party will be on rides you will need a locker imho

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Around 90 minutes.

 

But fyi, the online booking system will not allow you to book anything within a 2 hour time frame. Might even be 2.5 hours. It definitely won't let you book dinner at 5:30 and a show at 7.

I assume this is only advance reservations. In other words can you show up at 5:30 to a specialty restaurant with a 7 showtime eat quickly and go or will the system say they can't seat you?

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We are going more for the hike and views. Will have plenty of city and village time elsewhere on the cruise and land trip. The view of Vernazza from the trail was one the highlights of our last visit. Those temps are fine for us as we hike in similar temps here. Colder like 20's with wind chill... not so much as we found out a few winters ago in Grand Canyon. [emoji14] But will keep tabs on weather the day before to decide.

 

Just want to make sure the train logistics are sound.

 

 

Anyone has other options from Genoa?

I didn't notice that you are going in January. I would actually even increase my recommendation. The towns are overrun in the summer time and I can't think of a single place that would be closed that I would miss. Rain would really preclude the steeper hikes but the 20 minute walk from the train station and wander around Corniglia would still be enjoyable if it is a bit wet.

You can still hike between Riomaggiore and Manarola but instead of a flat 20 minute walk it is a tough hike over the mountain. Slippery and some spots so steep there are ropes. Easily the most difficult of the 4 hikes. Vernazza to Corniglia is similar to the hike you did but it might be a bit long for the time you have. Manarola to Corniglia is also very steep but mostly stairs.

I say go for it. Even 4 hours there is worth it.

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$327 seems high I think it should be more like $200. The bus is very convenient. It's a standard long distance bus and takes you to the main station. From there a short cab ride to Crowne Plaza.

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This is a common question. Other than Japan nobody is likely to be offended by tip. Not perfect but to me the best comparison I can think of is it's a bit like tipping at Starbucks, it will be unexpected but they will take it and of course appreciate it. It also seems that in a lot of South East Asia guides and drivers have come to expect tips from western tourists.

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