-Lew-

 

An inaccuracy: Not all arrive at the bottom and take the funiculars or hike to the top. You CAN drive up the road to the town.

He didn't write that...

 

He wrote:

 

 

Everyone does initially arrive at the bottom, whether they arrive by train, car or other mode of transportation.

 

Lew

We do 20 days on the Emerald during the winter. In the past I have booked each cruise separately, but for 2014 it was quite a bit less expensive for me to book the 20 days as a single cruise.

 

Can't tell you why, but my TA was able to buy the 20 days for much less than two 10 day cruises.

 

Lew

FYI: Rick Steves: Orvieto is all an Italian hill town should be

 

Lew

There had been discussion of cruise ships approaching Marittima from the west. Is that option still on the table?

 

On the surface it seems like an easy answer.

 

Lew

 

There's always a chance you will find a better deal, but sometimes you just need to pull the trigger and put your blinders on. Live with the booking you made and enjoy your cruise.

 

Lew

In October 2013 we drove to Venice from Florence by way of Verona. We found Verona to be a very nice place to visit.

 

We had lunch at one of the outdoor cafes near the colosseum then did a bit of exploring on foot.

 

Verona by train would be a straight shot from Venice.

 

Lew

Current information shows you disembarking at terminal 2; embarking at terminal 21. This is, of course, subject to change.

 

Just take a taxi. No need to concern yourself with the location of the Coral as the taxi driver will know where to take you.

 

Enjoy your cruise...

 

Lew

 

Paul - you get on when we get off. We'll be sure to take good care of her for you! :)

Enjoy your cruise, Jackie!

 

By the way, did you receive the email I sent to you on December 20th?

 

Lew

Good question...

 

I investigated annual plans about a year ago and learned that, yes, they are available, but none provide complete coverage to the extent individual trip insurance covers. To do so would be prohibitively expensive.

 

Like Pam, we have been MedJet insured for years. AARP members get a pretty good discount on the annual premium.

 

Lew

 

There's a huge difference between the Royal's Sanctuary cabanas and those on other ships. For instance, on the Coral and Island, they are essentially just curtains around a couple of loungers. I don't think there's an additional cost beyond booking Sanctuary loungers. On the Royal, however, they are like outdoor living rooms with couches, TVs, and other perks besides the loungers.

Thank you, Pam, for enlightening me. I know I read about cabanas with TVs before the Royal was launched and thought I would see them in the cabanas by the Retreat pool. When I didn't see them, I thought they decided against them.

 

At $130 per day, I don't believe we'll be doing the Sanctuary cabanas... :rolleyes:

 

 

Lew

 

The Sanctuary cabanas are a whole different experience and run $130 a day.

I know the cost of the Sanctuary is not $130 per day. What are the Sanctuary cabanas?

 

Lew

On the Royal TA they were $50/half day or $80/day. You would need to do it onboard.

 

Consider the Sanctuary...a much better value.

 

Lew

The method for posting large graphics is to upload them to an online photo sharing site, obtain a direct link to the graphics, and enter the direct link in your post. When composing your post, you would paste that link into popup window that appears after clicking on the Insert Image icon at the top of the message composing window.

 

Sounds a bit complicated, but it's really quite easy once you've done it.

 

Lew

At one time there was a private bus company that provided shuttle service between the Orlando area and Fort Lauderdale. Perhaps someone can provide current information.

 

You may want to consider renting a car and driving yourself. If you do, check Budget Rent a Car. You would be able to pick up the car at the airport and drop it at the Budget office on 17th Street...very close to many hotels.

 

We use the Budget office on 17th to pick up a car for a drive to Walt Disney World every winter and then drop it off at MCO. We've found they have a best rates.

 

Lew

There are many fine hotels in Venice and Mestre...each with their own positives and negatives. For us, taking the train to and from Venice is not an issue at all...and taking a taxi from the hotel to the cruise port could not be more convenient.

 

The Best Western Olimpia looks very nice; however, a Junior Suite for three days in October costs €972,00 while the cost is €473,25 at Best Western Hotel Bologna.

 

The Hotel Bologna will arrange airport transfers and there is a bus stop at the train station across the street.

 

Is the Hotel Olimpia more convenient for exploring Venice? No doubt about it, but for the €500,00 difference, the 10-15 minute train ride to and from Venice is not inconvenient at all. :)

 

Lew

We've stayed at the Best Western Hotel Bologna twice and will do so again in October. We get a Junior Suite for about €167,00 per night. Other rooms are available at lower cost.

 

The Hotel Bologna is right across the street from the train station and couldn't be more convenient. A free breakfast is included and the front desk personnel couldn't be more helpful.

 

Lew

 

As others have said unless one is highly recommended...Anyway or anyone want to recommend one?

I did as Paul...asked fellow cruisers onboard. They're the best source of that kind of information.

 

Lew

 

It has been suggested that you request your "no upgrade" request in writing? How does one do that? Just ask Princess customer service to send an email? I would really like to know.

And what are you going to do with that if and when Princess upgrades you?

 

 

Turn your booking over to a discount TA, pay less, and have them take care of it.

I agree...

 

A good TA will be more knowledgeable than most Princess reps and will have access to the right people when an issue arises...plus you'll get better pricing.

 

Lew

No liquor...no matter what size.

 

Lew

 

If you have a 3rd person, can all 3 sit out on the balcony? Will 3 chairs fit out there?

A third chair, such as the desk chair, will fit.

 

Because it is so narrow, the only comfortable way to sit on the balcony is facing forward or aft. The person in the third chair will be behind one of the other two...fine for reading, not so great for dining or conversation.

 

Lew

 

They are.

Only Baja and Dolphin decks have (partial) coverings.

That's not true. As you can see by the photo, each deck has a covering. No way Caribe deck balconies are visible from Lido deck.

 

Lew

 

Caribe deck S2s are private. Those on Marina deck are not private at all as they are fairly open to Lido deck.

 

Lew

 

Lew, Like you (and partially because of you) we got ourselves involved with Andrews and are now in a very good place with that friendly credit union. But it did take us a few months to work through all the options. Initially we did get their Global Trek Visa and then noticed that the payment options were a minor pain. We simple used our local credit union's (which is our primary bank) online bill payor system and set it up so that we could pay the Andrews Visa via our bill payor (at the other credit union). But then we decided it might make sense to also get an Andrews debit card as another back-up on our long trips...as they charge no foreign exchange fees or other fees on that debit card. Or course this meant we also had to technically set up an Andrews checking account (to service the debit card) but that created another way to pay their visa (transferring from the checking to the Visa..online).

 

We have also been able to set-up (with Andrews) an online bank transfer option (at no cost) that allows us to move money between banks with a few clicks of the mouse. Am loving all these new backups and backups to the backups since we have a few lengthy foreign trips in the coming year. But we are thinking we might have to go back to College and take a few new Finance Courses to keep all this straight.

 

Another advantage to an additional Debit card is the ability to get more daily foreign currency from ATMS.

 

Hank

P.S A very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Some good points, Hank. I have ACH set up with Cap1 for funding my checking account / debit card there. I should probably look into Andrews' debit card for the reasons you state. Thanks for relating your experience.

 

Happy New Year to you too...

 

Lew

 

I don't use e-bills, so I can't be certain, but I don't believe they do. I am going by the list provided to me from my bank's website. I use their bill-pay, and it shows a list of payees eligible for e-bills. Penfed is not on the list. :(

Interesting... Thank you.

 

 

We used our Andrews CC on our last trip to Europe in October - they never asked us to put in a pin number and always asked us to sign. The point of getting this card was to not worry about using it under any circumstances, and we did not have a problem. But I thought that it would automatically use pin. Anyone else experience this?

As I mentioned above, we were not required to enter our pin until our very last purchase in Europe...at a retail store. I don't know the reasoning behind requiring or not requiring a pin, but I was ecstatic when my wife was asked to enter her pin in Madeira...our final stop before heading across the Atlantic.

 

Lew

 

Hello, I am trying to find out if the Royal Princess changes time to be what the time is at the port. I am looking into booking a day sail when we are in St. Thomas and I am trying to figure out that time thing. Thank you for your response. :)

First, the answer to your question is yes. Ship time is the same as port time.

 

Second, you've effectively hijacked this thread by posting a question that has nothing to do with the thread's topic. I suggest you start a new thread when your question does not relate to the topic at hand. :)

 

Lew