coloradocruiselover88

On 7/19/2023 at 5:33 PM, DIGTHIS said:

AHoy,

Can anyone tell me how much Princess is charging for euros on board?

AAA wants 19% which seems just a little high.

Thank you in advance,

Dave

AAA uses Wells Fargo for foreign currency; so there is a middle man fee unfortunately.

14 minutes ago, millybess said:

DH and I have had several spa treatments on Viking and in our experience none were really great.  We never had that feeling of, "Wow, that was nice."  Having said that, my best manicures have always been on a Viking ship.🙂

That is good to know, thanks!

Have my first Viking Ocean cruise and was curious about when the port talks are scheduled? On a river cruise they were typically before dinner.  Thanks for the help.   

PS - I search the forum and may have missed this.

I decided on a massage on day 3 of my cruise.  I figured after flying from Denver to Stockholm and then adjusting to the time change I would very much need one.

I personally don't like to have facials on a cruise because I have fair and sensitive skin and don't want to have a reaction to what ever products they use. But all of their facial descriptions sound lovely!

Either one will be a real treat or indulge and get both!

On 1/23/2023 at 9:35 AM, 1kaper said:

Yes, very much so.  But there isn't a whole lot there.  The main street is just a couple blocks away.  There are some stores and restaurants but there won't be a mall. 
I do think the shops at the port sell some very nice and unique things.  

Thank you!

Is the town of Sydney walkable distance from the cruise terminal? Thanks

On 6/13/2022 at 8:20 PM, okiedrifters said:

Cruisemom42….this is not a Turkey question, but a Rome question. I appreciate the information you provide, it has helped me so much with my travel plans, etc. Thank you! 
 

We have been to a Rome previously and did not need a visa. A fellow cruiser on my upcoming cruise next week,  just posted on FB that he tried to check in for his flight to Rome tomorrow (Air France) and it would not let him check in because he didn’t have a Visa. 
 

I thought if we were traveling through a Schengen country, with a valid US passport that doesn’t expire within 6 months and are not staying longer than 90 days we did not need a Visa.   I searched and the way I read it, we still don’t need a visa? 
Would you please clarify? We fly out on Thursday and if things have changed I need to get on the ball! 😂.

 

Thanks so much!
 

EJ 

A lot of international flights are limited to airport check in lately because documents may need to be reviewed.  Key word MAY.  He should call the airline to see why he can't check in on line.

This is so very sad and distressing.  Does anyone think that Princess would have behaved differently had the Aunt purchased Princess travel insurance? Is that even allowed in the UK? I am not familiar with the insurance laws/regulations.

It still breaks my heart that they were both treated in such an awful manner. Prayers for your Aunt.

3 hours ago, John Bull said:

 

Save a couple of strikes on your keyboard - it's Southampton, not South Hampton 😉

I can think of a couple of city centre hotels which provide transfer to cruise terminals, but not worth mentioning because they simply call a taxi, which saves you just £5 to £10.

Some hotels on the city boundary (eg the Doubletree at Chilworth) or outside the city offer cruise transfers, but they're poorly located for local amenities.

 

The hotels on the thumbnail map at the bottom of the linked page are all city centre, none is more than a £10 taxi ride to any cruise terminal.

https://www.londontoolkit.com/travel/southampton_accommodation.htm

Most of the hotels listed are fairly bland but perfectly acceptable modern national or international brands, quirkier ones are the Pig in the Wall, Ennios, and Mercure Dolphin (plus White Star Rooms, which isn't shown).

Some are more conveniently-located than others.

And some are better than others, but differences are clear from the prices and I don't think that any are to be avoided.

 

 

 

 

To those wine outlets listed by Polk01 add Marks & Spencer in West Quay Mall (same mall as John Lewis / Waitrose)  and the Co-op (called "Welcome") right by Premier Inn West Quay and Moxy's. 

All are grocery stores with wine aisles, Waitrose & M & S for the better wines, ASDA for the better prices and a wider range.

Or if you're serious about wines, Majestic Wines (on Western Esplanade opposite the train station and just 5 minutes from West Quay) is a specialist with a huge range and knowledgeable staff.

 https://goo.gl/maps/bMjWpmZ5g8Pjw7hd7

https://www.majestic.co.uk/stores/southampton

 

JB 🙂

Thanks for the info on Majestic Wines, looks like they have a fabulous selection!

I dislike that Viking opens up dining and shore x reservations in a tiered manner based on your cabin level.  But have never had an issue getting dining reservations once onboard.

On 4/21/2022 at 7:14 PM, biksgirl said:

the only reason I was considering this is because we are there July 24th. I figured it would be busy and hard to get sunbeds?  

 

If this is not the case, then your suggestion is perfect. @marazul  thanks 🙂

I think this is a really great idea to be able to reserve some loungers, but one of the companies that they partner with DK Oyster appears to have deceptive business practices and there are several lawsuits from US and UK based tourist. Some to the extent which they have told customers that they will call the police and not be allowed to return to their home country if they don’t pay their outrageous bills. Apparently their pricing is misleading in that day list it in a tiny amount that no one would think to take the time to convert it to know what they are actually paying. It’s deceptive marketing especially if you’re on holiday and also trying to figure out the conversion of local money in euros to your home country’s money. I don’t object to overprice drinks per se, but I do object to the way they treat customers.

Trying to book a grand suite for a 14 night cruise; however the layout of the Serenade has the grand suites on deck 10 below the lido deck (who designed this). So available cabins are 1532, 1534, 1536 with swimming pool above or 1550 with windjammer above. 

Any advice? More of late night and sleep in type....spouse is dead set on this cruise and very little inventory is left.

Ok thanks everyone; just traveling with a large group and was worried they might be sold out.  So I was wondering if I needed to look into private excursions.

I have been to Crete before and just got of the ship and walked all around and had a fantastic day! But this is a different port as well.

I love how helpful everyone is!  THANK YOU!

We are on Rhapsody of the Seas, June 27 out of Athens.  All of the ports have shore excursions with the exception of Crete (Chania).  While I have no problems getting off the ship and doing my own thing, I like to at least see what RCCL has to offer. Makes me wonder if stop will get cancelled.  It doesn't show up in the port schedule either.

RCCL has told me there aren't in inventory yet. Really 53 days before the cruise and they haven't contracted vendors yet?

Thoughts?

19 hours ago, cashmeremypuppydog said:

While planning our Mediterranean cruise, I contacted Stagakis Gran Prestige (SGP) Travel Services. Kostas informed me he was already booked but he also graciously offered to help me in any way. Usually, it should have been the end to a story like this one but not in this case.

The next day, I asked Kostas a general question about public transportation to a winery.  He answered back right away and during the next few days, several emails were sent back and forth. Kostas even took his time making detailed maps so we could enjoy downtown Heraklion after visiting the Palace and the wine tasting.

Through him, I found 2 drivers to drive us during our limited time in Heraklion.

Finally, Kostas instructed me to stop at a shop where a ‘gift’ would be waiting for me.

 

In April 2022, our cruise ship finally docked in Heraklion. We met our driver and I asked if Kostas was around so I could meet him. I was in luck and briefly thanked him for his generosity of time 😇 and unselfishness.

 

Our driver knew he had to briefly stop at a specific store for me to pick up my 'gift’. I was expecting a small token of friendship but was mortified when the clerk presented me with 3 boxes of delicatessen of Crete. I was so ashamed of myself as I had not brought a gift!

 

I can tell you Kostas is a special man. A beautiful man, inside and out! In this world of darkness, he is a shining star. It is so great to meet human beings like him. He made our day and our cruise…. We sampled all goodies with our friends and they were VERY good. I hope we can come back to Crete and us having a surprise for him. Time will tell…

The Canadians!😎

P.S. I had posted the maps on our roll call so many cruisers were using "Kostas maps"!

Any chance you can post the maps here?

It was amazing on our Dec 29 Emerald Princess cruise.  We ordered quite a few times on our last two days on the ship.  I have feeling as capacity increases it could take longer to get your items.

On 2/25/2022 at 4:37 AM, shopping girl said:

Hi lady I spoke to through Princess thought there were 220v sockets under the bed. I will take it with me and ask the cabin steward. If there is no 220v socket in the cabin then I won't chance using it.

I am keeping my fingers crossed for you!!! Please let us know if it works!!!!!  Have a wonderful trip!

I have had flat irons and curling irons stop working and had to replace them when traveling abroad.

Even though I had the right converters/adapters.

Use at your own risk.

Dyson airwraps are very expensive (in my opinion) I would not risk it.

I am guessing that Princess is offering is bulk airfares Which they negotiate with the airlines in advance. You will have no control over your reservation until it’s paid in full. So if you want to upgrade  you’ll have to request early ticketing. You might be able to go into your reservation and pick a seat before it’s paid in full, but it is not going to be guaranteed until princess actually pays for the flights.

i’ve had no issues whatsoever with using princess Easyair but I always request early ticketing so that I can manage my reservation.

Princess Emerald, November 7, 2022.  Transatlantic crossing, any other solos on this one?

I use Blacklane , Carey or Limolink car service.  It is pricey, but you can make reservations from the terminal to where every you want to go (door to door service) and you get the price upfront.  They are Not limos, but black car service.

My upcoming 11/5/22 from London Heathrow to Southampton (hotel by cruise terminal) is $226 pounds.

limolink.com

blacklane.com

carey.com

One would guess that they would split it for you if you ask.  Especially if you are paying.  We had them split the surf and turf, as we also did not want to over eat.

But sometimes I feel like they are "food" pushers!  At breakfast I use a packet of emergen C (can't drink it without stirring it in OJ) and ask for a little OJ and they always bring a full glass! It doesn't matter how illustrative I am with my hands😀

Good luck and kudos to you and your husband for not wanting to be wasteful.  There is way to much wasting in our world.

1 hour ago, sellwingri said:

Thanks but that’s not my question.  Are there private guides at the piers? 

I did understand your question, but was offering an alternative hence the word "if" in my reply.

8 hours ago, sellwingri said:

We’ll be on a Royal cruise in Spain (Bilbao, LaCorona, Vigo, Seville) in August and there are limited shore excursions.  In other European ports, there are private guides at the port offering you trips.  Is this true at these ports in Spain?  We’ve found them much cheaper than pre-booked tours.

More shore excursion may be added, so I would keep looking.  If you want to arrange something prior to your cruise in Bilbao, try Zach at https://thebestofbasque.com/.