smrtypnts

On 3/30/2019 at 7:15 PM, Floridafrank said:

How do you book the express train tickets in advance? Does anyone know the exact departure/ arrival points? Having trouble finding on the trenitalia site. Thanks 

Me too!!!  I have spent far too much time on the site trying to figure it out!

How does one get from the ship to the train?  And where in Rome does the train let you off?  Would love to know if it is the same station where the Colleseum is.

14 hours ago, Xmas515 said:

This thread is hilarious!   Not as funny as most of the stories here, but this one sticks out in my mind on my family's first cruise.  We decided to take a March Break cruise with friends (March 2011) on the Disney Magic.  On one of our excursions, I think St. Martin, we were on the bus back to port.  A truck broke down in front of the bus and we were trapped behind it.  We weren't moving for quite some time so rather than wait for a tow truck, my friend decides to lead the passengers off the bus and push the truck out of the way... My friend is the woman in front.  We made it back to the ship.    

That's hysterical!!!

Experiences comparison (not including YC)

 

They claim that if you have chosen the Aurea package that you get preference of cabin but that is not true. i had originally booked the aft facing cabin with the fantastica package. I decided to upgrade to aurea, but they would not let me keep my rear facing cabin which made me very sad. I would have much preferred that cabin than my side facing cabin on a higher deck. I made a choice, but for the cruise line to say there's a preference/choice is just not true.

HI Sweetmona,

 

So...in response to your question...yes...you will find a different vibe on MSC. They are providing a comfort zone for all levels of international travelers while cruising in the American market of the Caribbean. Their style in the main part of the ship is a bit chaotic but the pax seem to thrive. The secluded Yacht Club is, IMO, the greatest advance in mass market cruising in this century. The YC offers the best of both worlds where you get privacy, a greater level of luxury and the big ship experience when you want it.

What is the Yacht Club?

following, but seems like it's kind of old.

We took a cab to SuperParadise. We were some of the first ones there. Front row lounge chairs were 2 (with umbrella and towels) for 40E. They got cheaper as they went back. The front row, even though more expensive, filled up quick since they offered an amazing place to sit and enjoy the water. The crowds didn't start coming for about an hour or 2 later and the place filled up as the day went on but we really enjoyed having the beach to ourselves in the morning. It was a windy day in Mykonos but we didn't know that until we went back to town. It was absolutely beautiful on the beach. They have clean bathrooms and places to change and also decent priced food. We took a cab back to the windmills in the afternoon and enjoyed walking around and stopping for lunch overlooking the water. Celebrity docked and we were given a free shuttle bus to and from town.

How were you able to make sure you got a cab back to the windmills or town or whatever? Did you just get lucky? Or did you ask your cab driver to come back at a certain time or what?:confused:

We were just in Olympia and used mamousis tours. www.askistours.com . Theodorous was the driver for the day and did a great job of telling us about the area . he also booked a private guide for us for the ancient site and museum. The guide was an archeologist who was fantastic.

We had been to Olympia before without a guide and you really get so much more out of the experience if you know what you are looking at.

Took me a couple of hours to figure out that there's a big difference between Akistours.com and Askistours.com

Not trying to be offensive or say anything mean or disparaging. Just letting others looking at this thread know.

The website is set up where on some cruises you choose a balcony cabin and then the experience, Bella attracts no extra, Fantastica up attracts an extra fee, On some cases there is no extra for Fantastical.

It wouldn't be the exact same cabin, it would a cabin in a different area of the ship, they group cabins according to the "experience" level.

 

When booking through the web site you choose the cabin / experience combination of your choice then on the next screen you get an allocated cabin with the option to choose a different cabin if you aren't happy with the allocated cabin. You can view all the available cabins, on a deck plan, to make your choice At least that's how it operates in the UK

Pete

Thanks to everyone for all the help. Much appreciated! :hearteyes:

I booked a balcony and for an additional $70 pp i added the fantastica package and my reservation says I have a B2 category. Could it be that had i not added the fantastica package that my reservation would say B1 category even though i would be in the same exact cabin?

"Fantastica" isn't a package - it's a cabin category. Perhaps you upgraded from what was a Bella level?

Definitely not. I only made one reservation that I have never changed. But when I was looking at booking on their website when i picked the cabin I wanted it "offered" me this additional option for an added $70pp

B1,B2 and B3 are the old categorisations for balcony cabins. They are now:

 

B1 = Bella Balcony

 

B2 = Fantastica Balcony

 

B3 = Aurea Balcony

 

It depends on where you're booking from and what ship or itinerary you're sailing, whether the vouchers are included or not.

I booked a balcony and for an additional $70 pp i added the fantastica package and my reservation says I have a B2 category. Could it be that had i not added the fantastica package that my reservation would say B1 category even though i would be in the same exact cabin?

We did it because we got the mealtime drink package and the 12 vouchers each with the Fantastica package, which was worthwhile to us.

It was worth it for us for a variety of reasons. All three of us got the drink package which was more than enough for our needs but we also took full advantage of the free morning breakfast room service and after being on the ship I am 100% certain we enjoyed our room on the 11th floor far more than we would have our original room on the 8th floor. Other perks like guaranteed dinner choice are nice too. I would absolutely do it.

I am only now doing a little research. I booked the fantastica package (I must have booked the fantastica cabin without realizing it) because for the extra $70pp it was worth it just for the drinks. But what does that mean "guaranteed dinner choice"? This will be our first time on MSC although I've sailed almost all the main lines in USA.

We are just back from sailing the same itinerary on MSC Poesia. Ask me anything. I will have a detailed trip report in a few days.

 

Bari - docked - we walked from the Port to the Old Town, wandered round and walked back to the ship for a late lunch,

Katakolon - docked - booked a guided tour with Katakolon Express to Olympia - they had 2 buses of MSC guests the day we went (no sign of the train)

Mykonos - tender - walked round the lovey maze of white streets, saw the windmills, had simple Greek meal and gelato for the children

Athens - docked - booked private tour with PGT (no 1 rated for Tours in Athens on Trip Advisor) - well worth the money

Sarande - tender - couldn't find either a MSC shore excursion or a private tour that appealed to us so we sort of made it a sea day and spent most of the day on the ship

Dubrovnik - docked - (I read sometimes this is a tender port which would be great because you would be taken straight to the Old Harbour which is next to the 2nd entrance to the City Walls) - took taxi from dock to Pile Gate, walked the walls, then wandered the streets, lunch, more wandering then taxi back to dock.

What kind of tour did you do in Athens? Do you remember how much you paid for this private tour? Any and all info you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Good day,

 

Wander if someone can help me. We will be going on the eastern mediterranean cruise that will be docking at Sarande, Albania for a few hours in July. I am looking for the prices that the Poesia charges for all the excursions when you book on the cruise itself and not before the time. Has anybody been on this cruise in the last few months and can help with prices please.

What did you end up doing? We'll be going next July and I am wondering what to do in this port also.

Hi, I just returned from my first cruise with Princess to Alaska Jul 9-16. Dress code was relaxed. Even on formal nights; not a lot of jackets or ties. Most people wore regular shirts and slacks. Shoes were black/brown/sneakers

I'm kind of sad to hear this since I rented a tux for DH.:( My daughter just got married a month ago and I am wearing my mother of the bride dress.:confused:

The actual park is named the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park, and is composed of two units -- one in Seattle and the other in Skagway. The NPS headquarters is where the film about the Klondike gold rush is shown, and around the corner is another NPS building with great historical displays. Down the street the NPS has displays in the Mascot saloon, and across the street a little farther down the NPS as another historic saloon set up for their Junior Ranger program -- wonder place for families with children.

 

We've had had meals at the Skagway Brewing Company several times, including last month, and have been pleased.

Thanks a lot, Northern Aurora

www.skagway.com has a walking tour map.

 

I've enjoyed a walk out to the Gold Rush Cemetery, going down Broadway to State, then return via Alaska. Consider Lower Reid Falls when there.

 

I'm a strong advocate of the Park Service visitor site. The walking tours do require tickets, not sure if those are now available online? Worth a look at the movie and exhibits. They do have other in town locations to also visit.

 

Across the street at the Red Onion, the walk up Brothel tours could be of interest? Small admission fee.

Thank you so much Budget Queen--I am going to take all of these recommendations under advisement and make a decision.

Great tour - you will love it!

 

Here are some hikes - I have done the Gold Rush Cemetery hike:

https://www.nps.gov/klgo/planyourvisit/things2do.htm

 

I have also done the National Park Service walking tour:

https://www.nps.gov/klgo/planyourvisit/walking-tours.htm

 

This can probably be hit or miss depending on tour guide but ours was excellent.

 

You can probably also get the White Pass train ride in but it is more sit down - though I usually stand outside and take pictures from the last car. It is worth doing once. Will give you the gold rush history and the scenery is outstanding. I know - another excursion.

LOL you're right--another excursion....but I still love the thoughts and possibilities--Thank you! I'll look into each one.

What excursion are you doing?

Skagway Glacier Point Wilderness Safari

Travel through the fjords and rainforests on this stunning Alaskan excursion. Your guided adventure will give you the opportunity to see everything from whales and seals to cascading waterfalls. Walk through the forest to arrive at your canoe which will take you on a trip to the Davidson Glacier! Enjoy a picnic lunch before ending your tour!

I've already spent a ton on excursions and the excursion I'm taking in Skagway is 6.5 hours,but I'll still have 7 hours in port. So what is recommended in either walking around, or possibly eating king crab or seeing something via taxi that you think would be a good choice? I know this is subjective. My husband does not like shopping so that's probably not the thing we want to do. Any and all recommendations welcomed.

Thanks everyone for your advice. I'm going to look into a hotel in Bellevue. I see there is a Marriott there

Bellevue's a bit far from downtown Seattle--do a google maps directions search to see the distance.....you have to get on a highway or two and I suspect any hotel savings will certainly be eaten up by Uber costs. I can tell you Uber is great in the downtown Seattle area. I spent a week there in summer 2015.

If you stay anywhere in the downtown area it's easier to NOT have a rental car. We used Uber a lot and stayed in the Queen Ann district. We stayed an entire week so we did an airbnb, which I realize is probably not optimum for you.

I agree with this. We always get an OBC of some sort from our TA, but it's the discounted cruise price that keeps us coming back. There are plenty of other ways to get OBC (Princess promo, FCD, Shareholder, Military, etc.).

discounted cruise price? My TA is good, but I never get a different price than what is advertised on any of the travel websites including the cruise website. So you actually pay less than advertised prices?

I too am following. We have our trip planned for September on Island Princess out of Anchorage, but precede the trip with 3 days land beginning in Fairbanks.