1island2go

Thanks for the info on Iconcierge I did check it out on the NCL website and through the app store. It gets less than favorable reviews on the APP store. Anyone out there that have used it on the Epic? Comments on reliability, etc?

What is this, and would the $7.95 be daily? We have an I Phone 5 and 6. Thanks for all the info and input. I don't see using the phones much on board. I think they would be more of a security blanket while on shore if we get separated. I take it there are phones on the ship by elevators and in common areas to call the room if need be, or at least I hope so. I only need to check email every couple of days...and though it might be nice to do it in the evening when I have a few minutes, I might wait until on shore and find a wifi spot. Texting is perfect just need a way to let the other know where we are if we get separated on shore or on the ship. So then will the international plan be sufficient? Will check out website.

We will be going on the Epic doing the MED in June. I have a question about cell phones and email while on the ship. I have a smart phone and wondering if I need to sign up for the internet package on the ship, if I have signed up for the international calling and/or data plan through Verizon. Seems like I am paying twice but maybe that is just the way it is. Anyone have suggestions how to avoid the big charges? I will not be surfing internet, just will need to check emails about every other day. Would it be better to just try to find a wifi spot in port to do it? If I don't get an internet pkg and do have international calling on phone can I still call spouses phone without issue on the ship? Sorry not very tech literate when it comes to international and ships as it is our first cruise. Any help greatly appreciated.

I too am curious as when I looked at website, I would like the headphones but no where to purchase. If I get entrance tickets on line when I go to pick up tickets after security can I get headsets then or do I need to call the phone number on website to reserve them? Thanks in advance!

Has anyone used either of these services recently especially CCS? Most reviews for them are a year old. I am interested as need to set up multiple transfers for our upcoming trip. They are similar in price. Especially want to know of any bad experiences or why not to use them. Thanks in advance.

Thanks for the info!

 

We are on the NCL Epic, if that helps anyone know which dock we may be coming in at.

I too am curious about the HOHO off bus in Palma AND Barcelona and we are on the Epic also. Thanks in advance to anyone that can tell me where we dock if there is a HOHO stop close by that we can buy a ticket and hop on.

Never mind I found the price for the ship transfers and over $200 way more expensive than using private companies. I am wondering though has anyone recently (as in this past summer)used Bobs Limo shuttle service from Rome hotels where they pick up at several stops. They are half what a private car would cost. I really am curious if their services are any good especially the shuttle service vs the private car. Thanks!

Any idea what cruise ship transfers in Rome cost and do they only run to the airport? Has anyone used ship transfers? I am thinking of using Bobs limo but can't find any recent reviews of their shuttle service into Rome from the port. Thanks~

Could you please tell me which company you recommend for tickets to the Colosseum, Forum, and Vatican and if any issues. There are so many of them out there, not sure which are legit which are not. Thanks in advance!

Is there ATMs on the Epic and do they distribute Euros on the Med cruises? Also if using a no foreign transaction fee Credit card is there any other fees or is their exchange rate higher? Thanks in advance!

Are there ATM machines on NCL Epic and if so do they carry Euros when ship is in the Med for the summer? Thanks in advance

Is Tucci close to Piazza Repubblica? We really wanted something within walking distance of our hotel on this Piazza. Thanks

Yes I am the one who put it on Chowhound...learned that from this thread! Hope to get some responses soon. I am looking for something close to that Piazza Repubblica as we will be very tired from arrival, and afternoon tour that day. Want something we don't need to navigate to the first night. Just a close walk from hotel some outside café would be great.

I too will be in Rome for the first time and arriving on a Sunday. Looking for a nice yet not expensive place to eat on Sun evening within a quick walk of Piazza Repubblica. Any suggestions of restaurants within a short stroll of this area? Thanks in advance!!!

If you're doing a western Med cruise, you're fine between countries. All the countries on the Epic's western Med cruises are part of the Schengen area; there's no passport/immigration control at those borders.

 

One nice part about a Med cruise is that if you miss the ship, it's not like you have to use the passport to fly to the next port, like in the Caribbean. It's typically an easy train/bus (or air, if one insists) trip to the next port, with no border controls at any part between. (This is admittedly more problematic if you can't get to the ship on the day before the sea day.)

So if I missed the ship in France and had to get to Palma Mallorca I wouldn't need a passport to fly there? It is a different country...

Thanks for all the input. I would rather leave it on the ship as I agree worse to lose it on shore and that is always a possibility especially with all the pickpocket reports. But then again if we are in a different country than where the next port is and something happens we are in trouble. We will be doing ship excursions in 2 ports, doing HOHO buses in two and a private tour in one. I would think if we are with the ship excursions we should be ok leaving them on the ship...key words here are should be. Guess we will have to figure it out between now and then. Also good to hear it is touch pad on the safes. Someone said there are two in the mini suites? Thanks again!

Thanks glad to hear this about the safe. How would I know if on the Med cruise what is required for passport? We are thinking carry photo copy leave original in safe, but not sure of protocol as hearing conflicting reports. Thanks for the info.

Got two questions...

1. Are the room safes on the Epic locked by combo or card swipe...if card swipe how do you do this with two people only one can unlock it?

2. Do most people leave their passport in the safe while in port and just take a photo copy on shore with them or do you take actual passport on shore. We are doing a Med cruise if it makes a difference.

Thanks in advance!

Can't tell what is that third outlet? Also is the 110 outlet close to the bed as we need to plug in a CPAP machine, or do we need to bring a long extension cord

Is it possible to see this show without doing the dinner? If you don't eat dinner there is there still a charge?

Thanks

We have never cruised before or been to Europe. We are taking the Epic out of Rome and I have a few questions for those of you that have gone out of Rome and cruised a lot. Here goes...love this board and thanks in advance...

1. How early would you get to port to board the ship and what determines your boarding group?

2. Read somewhere on one of the posts...you can buy alcohol after security and as boarding to consume in your room...is this offered in Rome sailings also?

3. It is our first cruise ever. Our 30th anniversary on our day at sea. Any suggestions of things we can request to make it special? Not sure what cruise lines offer.

Thanks in advance!:)

Which private excursion did you use and were you happy with them?

So are most of the shops and cafes along the water and close to where the tenders drop you off? We are looking to just wonder around do a little shopping after doing Florence and not doing a organized shore excursion. Thanks

Want to spend more time in Sorrento, Amalfi area with maybe a quick stop in Pompeii or just a pass by of that. In Livorno want to do a wine tasting with a stop in Florence. Possibly 1/2 and 1/2 time wise.

Looking for advise on shore excursions by companies in Italy for Florence and Naples that are not ship sponsored. Any suggestions on good reliable companies that are not too expensive for these two stops? Thanks again.