DipBrat

I think the 2 hour blocks were around $20. I would be hesitant to base my whole vacation on the Guppies program. Is this your first baby who I guess is not born yet? He/she might not be comfortable being left alone with strangers. If he will be in daycare it will be easier but even the. It can be hit or miss.

As for itineraries it depends on what kind of kid you have. A 18 month old might be happy in a stroller while you tour around cities or you might really wish you were on a beach in Bermuda.

Personally I would wait until this time next year to book and see what kind of vacation appeals at that point.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Thanks very much to all responders. And, Terry, I've been enjoying your photos and reports for a long time--shame on me if I haven't said that before. In fact, I'd already reviewed these photos and reports (and other threads about the area-- I always do some homework before blindly posting questions).

 

 

 

I don't want to try another cruise line, since we've been super-satisfied with Regent (though I have not a whole lot of desire to sail the new Explorer). Also, my elderly husband isn't real gung-ho about traveling anymore; at least having the familiar ships makes it more comfortable for him.

 

 

 

BulaBoi: We did a 14-day Alaska cruise in May last year and loved it. How would you rate the scenery in Alaska (we did not go to Denali) with the Norway scenery? And am I correct that the average temps are usually cooler in Scandinavia? When I googled, that seemed to be the case. Alaska, of course, would be a lot easier to get to. (Wish we had done the fjords back in the day!)

 

 

 

How do Iceland and Greenway compare (in scenery and weather) with the Norway/Sweden itineraries? (I wonder if I should post that query in a separate thread.)

 

 

 

Has anyone loved the Russian ports like Arcangel (sp?), Murmansk, etc.? (We're not interested in military stuff.)

 

 

 

Does anyone who knows the area well want to take a look at two itineraries I'm thinking of and say if one is significantly more scenic than the other? June 24 on Regent Explorer (very expensive per diem) cf August 1 on Navigator (a ship I'm a little concerned about because it doesn't do rough seas as well as the other three Regent ships).

 

 

 

In any case, thanks again for these replies, and very grateful for any continuing input..

Arkhangelsk and Murmansk are fairly dreary. Military history and access to Arctic tundra probably highlight of a visit. Nothing like the scenery of Norway or Alaska. It could be interesting to see Soviet city planning and architecture, depending on your interests.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Was there last year no visa required . Bring a photocopy of your passport.

Are you also a Barbados passport holder?

Sent from my iPad using Forums

There are several trains per day even on weekends and holidays. If it is the weekend I would say you are better off flying as traffic will be a little better than on a weekday especially in the morning. There are probably several flights an hour. The train is modern and comfortable but not especially scenic.

Since you need a visa anyway you could also consider arranging a Moscow tour guide to meet you at the airport and arrange your own transport to Moscow. An airport taxi should be easy to arrange in St Petersburg or use Uber. Aeroflot tickets are easy to buy online.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Depending on how much appetite your kids, and I guess you, have you could share your food with them if fries and pizza isn't what you want to feed them. There is no cost to this and everyone seemed fine with it.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

No idea how it's split, but the bar staff don't get any. That's why there is a separate gratuity on drinks.

 

 

 

As to the question of prepaying, we do so as it's cheaper for us in the UK, but I do like it not being on the onboard bill. It makes it slightly easier to see what you have spent.

Is this always the case or just because the current NCL eschange rate is better than the real exchange rate?

The drink charge is a service charge. Do the bartenders even get all of it or does some go to the house for "expenses"?

Sent from my iPad using Forums

If only cable car no need to get a driver. Taxis are easy with fixed prices on Langkawi.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Sorry, maybe recourse was the wrong choice of words. There's plenty of time for us to change plans, and we haven't made any payments beyond our initial refundable deposit. I'm just annoyed that to take the same cruise we wanted (a couple weeks earlier), the price would be $800 more. We're likely going to change our trip entirely now, and I like what we've come up with as an alternative, but it's still frustrating when you have a good trip ready to go and then it changes.

Those couple of weeks earlier are key. Weather much better in September compared to October.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Badaling is substantially more crowded as it is the go to site for Chinese tourists. Mutianyu is also very popular and only a bit further from most locations. I also recommend huanhuacheng. It is also close relatively quiet even In summer and surrounds a lake. It has renovated sections for the classic photos also. The drive is a on smaller roads but about the same time as Badaling.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

It's always busy, at least in summer, but I found the hours before closing to be a bit quieter. The quietest time for Russian tourists is first thing in the morning but this would depend on the cruise schedule during your visit.

There are also lots of off the beaten track corners that are less visited.

Enjoy! Even a non-art buff could easily spend a week there.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

To me it wasn't really speciality worthy fare. The nachos were more substantial but still queso rather than real cheese. $6 is cheap for a burger but don't forget you already paid like $75 a day for food so your lunch was actually $30.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Everyone has their own standards. It's fairly generic and heavily scented but it will probably be fine for the males. Easy enough for you to bring a carry on approved bottle of shampoo and conditioner for your use.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

You can use the arcade credit to "gamble". Of course you win tickets that get you some kind of toy, but better than nothing.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Outside of Oceania has anyone ever been checked for food on disembarkation at a port? I wouldn't take an apple and toss the core in a rural area but the idea that a pastry from the ship will spread disease in Stockholm is ridiculous.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Frozen Irish Coffee. Whiskey,

Irish Cream, iced coffee.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

I only did the Argentinian side to avoid visa issues. I still couldn't find a way to make it work without an overnight. I came in late the night before and toured till mid afternoon before taking a late afternoon flight back to BA. Agree the boat ride is essential, much more entertaining than Niagara falls for example. Actually the falls in general are more impressive than Niagara Falls.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Thank you that was my thinking but the Rupee amount did not seem correct either

 

Perhaps someone who has been recently will know and advise me

There won't be a definitive answer. Everyone has their own ideas about tipping in developing countries. The rupee amount may seem very low but if you consider it is probably well over an hours wages for a driver or other semi-skilled worker it is fair.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Make sure you have some warm clothes. I was there the last week in January and it was very cold on the water.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Google maps will only feature the regular Broward Transit routes and not the Tri-Rail shuttle. Click here for the timetable. A 25 to 30 minute ride from airport to rail station. Note that on weekdays the average service interval is 15 minutes but on weekends nearly an hour which is reflective of the frequency of train service.

 

 

 

Here is also the home page for Tri-Rail shuttles; click on the banner on top for general Tri-Rail info.

It really takes 25-30 minutes for the shuttle? Seems a bit dishonest to use the word airport in the station name.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

You can go to all those places. The only stop in the Caribbean that I would be unsure of at this point is Cuba, I only say that because Cuba requires a visa for US citizen. I've never gone to a location that requires a visa without a passport.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Yes it is not US regulations but foreign rules that limit the non-passport routes. Cuba must require a passport. They might revisit this if they want to encourage cruises. Of course if you are on a Miami around the world cruise you will of course need s passport.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

I would think most 3 year olds would enjoy the show. 8 might be too late but is there a 6 or even 7 pm show?

Sent from my iPad using Forums

I like to rent cars on a lot of islands but St. Thomas driving and parking look like more hassle than it's worth. Driving on the left is easy enough but judging the far side of the car is always tricky. Add that to the to the very narrow roads and it doesn't sound ideal. The closest beaches are $8 a person by "taxi" so $64 for your family.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Guides get $10 a day in lots of countries. It seems excessive to me. Even if the guides are otherwise unpaid. There is. No way the rest should get anywhere near $20 a day from the two of you.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Mafia is maybe too strong a word, maybe. The prices are exorbitant only by Thai standards. A lot lower than the free and fair prices in most European cities for example.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

If you want hassle free and are unadventurous look at a Japan only cruise or maybe Japan and Korea. China has come a long way but it is still on the chaotic side.

Sent from my iPad using Forums