CanuckCruizer

MeHeartCruising - It was my DH looking at the port map & it is different from the Google satellite pick. You are right, looking at Google Earth, there are 2 long tent-like structures, farther down the pier & 1 rectangular white building, right after the Security checkpoint. It looks like these tent-like structures are probably used for luggage drop-off and collection, but not sure. The trouble is, we were last there in 2018 and we only disembarked and went on our way in the private transfer. We have never embarked at Civitavecchia. No point in calling either cruise line, as you know how that goes - 10 different agents, 10 different answers...lol. Hoping that someone has done this same thing recently and can help. Canuck

coast2coast - I was just going to post the same question when I found yours! We are doing the same thing, only 2 days later - 2 different cruise lines S2S - getting off HAL and onto RCCL. We will have 4 large suitcases & 2 carry-on, so no "walking with luggage" for us (we are doing a B3B). We "think", going by the port map, that there is only 1 large terminal for all ships (We have been there a couple of times but honestly can't remember...& we have only disembarked there). Our luggage will be taken off HAL and put in the terminal for collection. Once we have collected our bags, we always get a porter to take our luggage outside to our waiting transportation. In this scenario, there will be no waiting transportation for us, but we "hope" that our porter will be able to help us get to the RCCL bag drop off area, as we think it should be just outside the terminal (same building). Then we will get in the queue for Royal Caribbean check-in. On our day, there are only 4 ships in port - 2 very small ones (under 48,000 gt) and Nieuw Statendam & the Explorer are the larger ones. Anyone ever done this or have any thoughts about our plan? We don't think that we will need a shuttle to be able to do this, as long as the porter will take our luggage from one side of the building to another. Canuck

gbits - thank you for asking - I appreciate it. We are now booked at Electra Palace, where they stayed, so looking forward to that. Thanks again! Canuck

CharlieCharlieCharlie - Just saw your post now. Sorry - we haven't been on the ship yet! ha 😁 I should have put "Edge Class" in my question, as it is actually for the Apex...We had to move and cancel some cruises due to the pandemic, so we are not going to be going until the fall of this year (fingers crossed) and our original B3B has now turned into a new B3B - just 12 days on the Apex now, then switching to HAL and then ending with RCCL. Haven't really learned too much more about the corner aft Sky Suites - have seen a few pictures here and there - still staying on Deck 11 for our cruise. What I do know is that these cabins "still" seem to be missing a dining table on the balconies, which is a real disappointment as we like to enjoy our daily breakfast out on the balcony. If you end up going before me, I will watch for any comments you may have. Cheers, Canuck

rsverdier - thank you for that info - did not know that. Will check out the link. Canuck

We only need one way to pier as we are sailing away to Athens.😀 We always book transport as regular cab cannot fit all our luggage.😉 Just looked up our Athens hotel to make sure they have bellmen - yep they do! We are ending in Miami, so don't have to worry about bell service there, thank goodness. Cheers, Canuck

Ashland - well, that is great news! Now, I will have to start my driver research for airport, hotel and pier rides. Canuck

LHT28 - thanks for those suggestions - yes, currently looking at the Krasnapolsky. Looked at Sofitel before and if I remember correctly, for the room we wanted - too many Euros. Canuck

😄Yes, but each person cannot pull two large 50 lb cases and a full regulation size carry-on, plus a large purse & computer bag. We expected the Movenpick to be like our Pan Pacific or Fairmont Waterfront here, where they deliver the luggage to the ship - but, unfortunately, it is not. For the amount of money that the hotels are charging (of course our Canadian dollar does not help), we expect there to be bellmen. We have stayed numerous times in Europe - in Venice (had all of our cases loaded onto a water taxi and delivered to the hotel with no problem), Barcelona, Rome and Carihuela - no problems. Canuck

LHT28 - yes, we always look for an elevator. Movenpick does not help with luggage to the ship, as I called them & they are sold out anyways. Barbizon Palace is one we are just looking at now. Thanks for your suggestions, Canuck

Actually, I called the Movenpick last year and was told that they do not have luggage service to the ship and that you have to get your own luggage out of the hotel. Also, it is fully booked for our time as the cruiselines book that hotel. Our search continues... Thanks for your help - I really do appreciate it, as it would have been a disaster with our luggage at the Banks Mansion. We just assumed that there would be bellmen, based on their high prices. Canuck

LHT28, Thanks for your reply. We are actually away for a much longer time than a month. We also like to shop and leave room to bring home all of our finds. Travel is different for everyone and we have never had any problems travelling with our cases, as we hire drivers and stay in hotels with bellmen. Cheers, Canuck

Ashland, Thanks very much for your reply. It really helps our decision as we certainly need a full service hotel. Canuck

Hi Kazu & Ashland - If I can ask you for more info about Banks Mansion. Have read several reviews on various sites that say that they have no bellmen, so you have to deal with your luggage yourself. The hotel confirmed this in a couple of responses to reviewers - they did say that it is a small hotel and "if" anyone was free/available at the front desk, then they would help you. A reviewer said that he got no help at all, while the staff at the front desk watched him struggle through the small revolving entrance door with the luggage. Others were given the room key and told to get in the elevator - again, no help getting in with the luggage and no offer of luggage delivered to their room. We are doing a B3B so will have 4 large cases. What was your experience? I have read many glowing reviews, but there are also several reviews that said that the hotel was not clean (pictures of black mold in shower) and people saying definitely not even a 4 star - so just a bit concerned. Love the location, but just want to make sure we are booking the right place for us, as our rate would be well over $800CDN per night. Thanks, Canuck

After much research and some good intel about the hotel, just completed the booking at Electra Palace. Now onto figuring out Amsterdam.... Cheers, Canuck

Hera is sold out for our dates. Anyone have any recommendations or feedback on either of these hotels or areas? Thanks, Canuck

Thanks, Marazul - will look it up.

Been to Athens before, only off a ship a couple of times - have never stayed there. Trying to decide between Electra Metropolis & Electra Palace (money is about the same, so not worried about that). We would be staying for 5 nights, in between 2 cruises. We are big view people and also like a nice upscale hotel. Have read lots of reviews on many different sites - both have many bad reviews and also glowing reviews - hard to know which ones to believe. Keep reading that at the Palace - you sometimes don't get the Acropolis view you paid for, but they have great staff. Thin walls - very noisy. Bigger pool than Metropolis. Good location - in the Plaka etc. Old hotel, but apparently renovated in 2018. Reviews, however, after that period, say outdated, worn out carpets etc. Metropolis is newer (reopened as new hotel in 2016) but reviews say it also needs updating. It has many reviews commenting on the not so friendly staff & bad management. Location is not in the Plaka but near Syntagma Square. Smaller pool. Thinking the view is better from Metropolis roof top vs. the Palace. Have seen all the sites before - loved shopping in the Plaka and Monastiraki area. Want to be able to walk out to nice restaurants for dinner from the hotel and be in a safe area. Looks like we could be close to restaurants at the Palace, but how safe is it to walk around at night? Metropolis seems to be maybe further away from restaurants for dinner? We also looked at Athens Gate but it is booked for the time we need. Has anyone stayed at these hotels and can offer an opinion? We have eaten at the Grand Bretagne and loved the view but, unfortunately, it is way out of our budget for next year to stay there. Any other suggestions would be welcome. Thanks very much, Canuck

Thanks FlaMariner!!😁

FlaMariner - LOL. I just wrote down all those things and got my credit card - I kid you not. I called HAL's numbers I had and was on hold so long (no one answered after 23 minutes) I hung up. Canuck

Where would I find the special number to call to try to get an upsell offer? Looked on HAL's site and could not find anything. Thanks, Canuck

Bob - you are the best - thank you so much. That is very interesting that he told you $3-$5 on the phone - never was discussed before - we always just gave a large gratuity as, like you, we don't want our bags to go in the water.😁 It is wonderful not to have to worry about luggage and have them waiting for you onboard. Canuck

Thanks very much Bob. Yes, luggage transfer, in the past was for gratuity but when I called to double check - guy said usually $3-5 per bag, but he did use the word "gratuity", so who knows. I just know that the hotel has changed a lot since pre-pandemic so make sure that the bellman knows it is the Ovation, as there are other ships in port. We had an incident where 2 longshoreman ended up in the drink, dealing with luggage - 2 more jumped in to save them (this was recent) so hopefully that won't happen again!😵 Canuck

Good Morning Bob & Micheline - Timmie's for breakfast - yummy. A couple of questions for you, if you don't mind. We have used the luggage transfers to the ship at the hotel many times in the past. Wondering if you could let us know if everything goes smoothly for you today (there is a sketchy review of a bellman shakedown asking for $55/bag - hoping that is incorrect or perhaps a competing hotel posting the review). Also, I would love to know your boarding experience at Canada Place to see what we are in for on Monday. Are there any C & A Level queues, Suite's queues & how it is working. Any info would be much appreciated. Hope you have a wonderful 1st day and a great sailaway!😎 Cheers, Canuck

Tree-skier - I was only giving my opinion, as you did yours. I am well aware where Burnaby is, as I grew up there. I actually lived in both South and North Burnaby and am well aware of Anton's. You are recommending a restaurant for Bob & Micheline to travel in a fairly expensive cab ride (during rush hour for dinner) from the downtown core to the suburbs. And, no, I don't have time to google how much Uber or anything else is...In my opinion, with such a short time in Vancouver, there are better options. I worked in downtown Vancouver for many years and there are a plethora of wonderful restaurants. But again, only my opinion. Don't really have time for this now as I have got to get packing. Bob - forgot to mention that the Pan has live music also starting at 8pm in the bar, so maybe you can enjoy that. Have a great time, wherever you go.😁 Canuck