crazycruiserdc

9 hours ago, Nachosdelux said:

Yes. One US and one italian

Do you happen to know how many US outlets and USB ports are by the vanity?

Did you take this tour? I'm thinking about using them.

Do you remember if the ship changed time to island time?

We just got back from our Med cruise and used a pin and chip card from USAA. It worked great. For the most part you are still fine with magnetic stripe. The only places you really need the pin and chip are at automated machines like parking garages, toll booths, train stations. If you are driving then this card is probably essential. At train stations you can always go up to the window to purchase rather than the machine.

We just got back from a port stop in Marseille. We did a private tour with 6 people from 9am-4pm with provence-reservations.com. We toured the Luberon area visiting L'Isle Sur La Sorgue, Bonnieux (market day), Rousillion, and Gordes. We also drove by Menerbes and Lacoste.

Just realized you said you have a HAL transfer. I would call them and see what the earliest time the bus will be running. It probably starts at 7am and I would guess you would be in the first group to get off.

We just did this last week. You can do expedited disembarkment (meaning walk off with your luggage) from 5-7am. We did this for our 9:30am flight. We got off at 6:30am and prearranged a taxi through BCN travel. Glad we did this because there were no taxis waiting at that time of morning. After 7am you get assigned times to get off based on your travel arrangements. You will receive a form mid way through your cruise to select what kind of disembarkment you want to do. It should not be a problem getting a taxi from 7am on. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Thanks for the advice the ship is overnight in Barcelona anyway so we will already be docked.

We sailed on HAL and were overnight. You were allowed to walk off the ship anytime up until 7am with your luggage. After that you were assigned times to go off based on your travel situation. We planned to walk off because of our early 9:30am flight. I imagine there would have been plenty of taxis at the 7am time but when we got off at 6:25am we were the first people off the ship along with another couple. They grabbed the only available taxi. We had our taxi prearranged to pick us up at 6:30am. While we stood there for 5 min. there were no taxis. It was deserted except for a ship bus. If you are not getting off early then don't worry about a taxi.

We did a 9:30am flight but we were docked overnight so we walked off the ship at 6:30am and prearranged for a taxi. There were no taxis waiting that early in the morning.

We just came back from our cruise and disembarked in Barcelona after an overnight stay. We left between 6:30am and 7am and there were no taxis waiting. You need to have one lined up if you are walking off the ship for early disembarkment. We used BCN Travel for 28 euros for 2 people. The driver was right on time. Very easy. We would have been stranded to get to the airport if we had not scheduled this ahead of time.

Tipping is not expected in Europe. We tipped the first taxi driver and he expressed surprise at it so we did not do it after that.

Loved your review and your pictures are outstanding! We are heading on the second portion of your cruise in Sept. Did the evening shows have two show times? If not, what time did they usually perform? We are scheduled for the 8pm dinner and don't want to miss some of the entertainment. I'm debating changing to the "As you wish" dining.

Corinne

Does anyone know how it works if your ship is doing an overnight in that port before disembarkment? Can you walk off at any time if you have an early flight?

We docked and got the HAL shuttle from the port into the old town. Shuttle was $14 each return and took about 10 minutes. There were lots of taxis available and they were charging €10 each way.

 

The bus dropped us off right outside the gate

 

I have heard another reviewer mention a city bus into town. Do you know if this is something different from what you took?

Itsjb1- About how much did the taxi cost to the beach?

I bought this camera specifically for my Alaska cruise. It did not disappoint. I got some good wildlife photos. You will need the continuous mode for whale shots. I got a few good ones that way. Yes, there were plenty of people with bigger cameras and lenses but I did not want to haul that around the entire trip. This was a good compromise.

TeamAguilar,

It looks like you took the shuttle to Livorno town center. Did you take the local bus from there to the train station? And did you do the same thing in reverse? A lot of people on the forums say that the cruise ship shuttles don't run early in the morning, ie. before 8:30am. I guess you didn't experience this?

How did you get from the ship to train station? Was it easy to get there on your own? We are considering doing it ourselves to save some money but I've heard it is a hassle to get to the train station.

I would also appreciate your notes on Herculaneum when you return.

Thanks! Corinne

ramseyadams at cox dot net

Here is my review of Celebrity Millennium on July 12, 2013.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1886007

We just reserved the Coastal Classic Gold Star train ride today for next summer in June when we are taking the same cruise! I saw where you deposit your luggage before checking in for the train, but when you get to Seward, where do you find your luggage. We plan on getting off the train, and trying to get a taxi to take us straight to the ship to check in. I don't know if we will get off again to look around or not.

The photos were magnificent, and it was fun to follow some of what we will be doing next June! Thanks for all the specific information!

Bell Ringer,

You will check your luggage with a cruise line attendant at the Anchorage train station and it will be taken directly to your cabin on the other end. I think they actually drive the luggage in a truck so it arrives before you do. At least that is what Celebrity does if you are taking the train the same day the ship departs. Very easy!

I think the video is amazing on this camera. I can't get as good of pictures as I do on my Canon G11 but I needed the zoom for Alaska. I'll have to keep practicing.:D

I've signed up for the octopus encounter at the SeaLife Center in Seward so I'm interested to hear your opinion of it. I'm having doubts now and might change to the puffin encounter.:confused:

Like you, we are huge Disney fans and have really enjoyed Disney cruises and RCI. I think they are both the best in the industry for all around cruising and entertainment. We are going to try Celebrity next July to Alaska with the same itenerary you had. I'm really enjoying reading about your experience!

How does the Panasonic FZ200 do in low light situations? I'm thinking about this camera for an Alaska cruise but it could be overcast the whole time. I've tried other competitors to this camera and they are terrible in low light. Not sure I want to go to a DSLR.