originolsin

On 10/5/2019 at 12:47 PM, compozer said:

We have a 10:30 pm flight and my plan was to book a hotel at  the airport, drop everything off and tour around, come bcak, shower and head to check in around 7:30.   BUT they are all booked for our date.   The cruise ship offers a  6 hour motorcoach tour - n

\ot thrilled with their stops but they drop you off at the airport at 2:30pm.    We can't check in until 4 hours prior to our flight.   The only other EZair flight was 1:30 am flights

Which airline?

13 hours ago, bubbachief said:

Thanks for the info. Our flight leaves at 0820, so won't have much time to look around.

If you arent leaving straight from the cruise ship, another option would be to book a transit hotel inside airport security.  You could  drop your bags off and go through security around 8pm and just have an over night bag.  You will already be through security and can get up and head to the gate around 7 am.

On 9/25/2019 at 9:42 AM, bubbachief said:

How many hours in advance are recommended to be at SIN for departures?

Flying JAL to NRT/SEA

Sin is rated the best airport in the world for the 7th time in a row.  I would rather get there too early and check everything out than get there late and be rushed.  But 2 hours is generally more than enough time if you are pretty comfortable with the whole process.  

for JAL- 3 hours to 60 minutes(cut off time) you check in at the regular desk, for 12-3 hours before scheduled departure you can check in early at the early check in lounge.  If you have excessive baggage or have to make any payment including upgrades, you cannot use the lounge to check in.

I have not been on this tour, but can tell you that 32 is pretty torn up with construction and back in Feb it took me 6 hours to go from San Jose to Puerto Viejo and it normally takes me 4.  That was in a car with the ability to pass people.  There are lots of neat things to do closer to Limon, but only you can decide if it is worth it to spend half your time in a bus to see the forest and volcano.  The country side and drive is definitely pretty though.

On 9/17/2019 at 7:39 AM, Hoyaheel said:

Some individual data points from my recent experience [with an American passport]:

1. Vietnam evisa is $25 (single entry only, not all entries/ports allowed- check with the consulate website).
2. Our Azamara provided visa was $6 or $7 in 2016.
3. The multiple entry visas we had for our Aug 2019 Vietnam & Cambodia trip were $135 per person + $20 fedex - I did the application online and emailed the consulate (instructions are online). 

We are staying before and after in Vietnam, so we just did our 30 day multiple entry visas and they were also $135 pp.  We elected to send our passports to the embassy in DC and received a sticker visa(because we had time and prefer to have it in our passport for the memory).  

On 7/10/2019 at 8:42 PM, KansasScrapper said:

Can I find Cuban Rum anywhere?

It is really hit or miss down there.  I found some Havana Club 3 yr and 7yr in a random supply shop by Foxy's on Jost Van Dyke

but you will really just have to look around.  They like to sell the local rums, because it is easier to get.  

If beach time is a priority, I would look for something that takes you to Cahuita National Park to see sloths, monkeys, birds and lizards right along the beach and then over to Puerto Viejo for beach time and lunch.  I dont have a specific tour operator in mind for that, but if you did run across someone with good reviews that included those things, I wouldnt hesitate to have that in your itinerary.  You arent going to find any beaches worth going to in Limon, they are mostly from Cahuita south to the Panama border.  

8 hours ago, ScttSki04 said:

Thanks for the info, we will be in Limon on the Serenade OT seas in January and he's one of the zipline tours we are considering..

Probably the same one we did, the canal boating trip was really neat, caymen, birds.  This was our first ziplining experience, so really enjoyed that.  Food was good at the beach restaurant, beach was ok but small and secluded like it was the restaurants own private beach(no beaches are private in CR by law, so if someone were to try to tell you a beach is for hotel guests only then they are making it up, not that you will find anything other than maybe a 12 room hotel no Hyatts or Marriotts on this side) Stopped along the road at a spot to look at and hear howler monkeys, banana plantation was informative and interesting to see.  Probably one of our all time favorite tours and have vacationed there almost ever year since because of it.  We fly into San Jose and drive over to just south of Limon, Puerto Viejo and stay for a month.  Great people, great food, and a beautiful country!  I would take the tour again with him and recommend his company.  Actually probably should take the tour again on a non cruise ship day next time we are there.

I dont have any experience with them, but have done a canal tour.  Caymen, birds, toucans, sometimes howler monkeys, beautiful surroundings, boats on shore that have been impounded by the police for drug smuggling, a little bit of a drive but the country side is amazing.  

Tortuguero Park and boat ride are very enjoyable.  Lots of wildlife, caymen, birds, maybe some howler monkeys.  We used Charlie Soto Okey Dokey tours from Limon.  Have been back on land vacations every year since.  It is a bit of a drive, but beautiful country side.  Some other places look closer on the map but Hitoy Cerere Biological Reserve for example took me approximately 3 hours each way on single lane dirt roads in a four wheel drive vehicle and when you get there, you have to wade through dense forest and rivers to see things.  I would stick to Tortuguero from Limon where you are going to be there just a short time.  Also, keep an eye out for poison dart frogs, they are pretty neat and come in a variety of different colors depending on the area.

Used him about 5 years ago, one of the best tours we have ever taken and inspired us to make CR a yearly land trip(3 weeks in Feb).  Are you going to be on the Caribbean side or Pacific?  We did our tour from Limon, but have explored most of the country since.

On 8/21/2019 at 7:55 AM, compozer said:

I heard this several months ago.   I try to fly only Delta for the miles.  We will be flying on all Delta flights going to Rome in November and are booked on Korean airlines from Singapore to Seoul for our return flight.  Then Delta from Seoul to Detroit and the last leg home.   I check often for a lower price BUT now I don't see our return flights listed at all with EZAir.  And am wondering if I should switch to American on our return home.  It will cost more but it may save a lot of frustration.   I am planning to call Princess today but don't have much confidence with them.   We heard here that our Pacific Princess cruise Tahiti to FLL was canceled and many of us called Princess and for 5 days we all got different stores - none of which were that it was canceled.   And it was canceled.   So I more accurate information here. 

No reason for you to switch to AA on your flight home.  Korean Air earns you Delta miles and they do a non stop from Seoul to Detroit.  Also, you can fly with 1 stop from Seoul to Detroit with DL if you prefer to fly DL metal.  I dont use EZAir, but google flights is good to use.

45 minutes ago, cccole said:

originolsin,  I am sending this info to our group and I know that some will include a visit to the museum before or after our organized tours.  Thank you soooooooo much,  Cherie 

Forgot to mention the cost is 8 cuc per person.  The Capital building is 10 cuc per person and is neat, but dont think it is worth that much.  I had exchanged some cuc to cup at a bar and the cost for the Capital is 10cup for locals and residents, but couldnt convince the ticket lady that I was a resident.  Was able to find a local to purchase my tickets for me in cup and think that it was worth the equivalent of less than 50 cents to tour there for half an hour.  It isnt possible to get a local to buy your entrance into the Revolution museum because you purchase those right at the entrance.  Almost every where you go, if your purse is bigger than a lunch box, they will require you to check it(stores, museums).  Enjoy the trip and message me if you have any other questions. Cant wait to go back and explore more!

On 7/12/2019 at 5:58 AM, EatonDoolittle said:

They are not allowed to leave the island except under stringent circumstances. 

So it is doubtful they would have the opportunity. 

Their number 1 export is doctors and teachers.

23 hours ago, cccole said:

Thank you sooooo much for this.  I had not heard of the Revolution tour, it sounds very interesting.  We have a walking tour and a classic car tour scheduled while in Havana and are then heading to Vinales for 2 days and then Playa Larga (Bay of Pigs) for 2 days.  I am so happy to hear how much you enjoyed your visit!!!  Cherie

It is definitely worth a visit to the Museum, even if not on a tour.  The placards are in English and Spanish and the Museum is in Old Havana.  The building is the old Presidential mansion for Batista.  There are bullet holes in the marble walls from when the college students tried to uprise before the Revolution as we know it took place.  All of the students were killed and most of them as they were retreating, as they didnt get the roof top support they were counting on.  They have parts of a US plane they shot down during the Cuban Missile Crisis for violating their air space and it took the US 19 years to recover the body of the pilot because they denied it was one of theirs for that long.  Also, you have to remember this is from Fidels perspective, so there are many accounts where he claims the CIA either tried to kill him or engaged/promoted in acts of Terrorism on his people(we know the Bay of Pigs, but claims to many other incidents).  I personally took everything with a grain of salt because I am sure neither our Government nor theirs is going to tell us everything or the entire truth. 

On 7/4/2019 at 4:36 PM, cccole said:

Au contraire RJB,  many are still traveling to Cuba.  We are a group of 13 traveling from the U.S. in November and I use this forum for information.  I hope those who visit or have visited Cuba will still read this forum and contribute.  Thanks to everyone who helps all of us plan our trip.  Cherie   

We also used this forum for some useful information.  Just got back from a week in Havana and loved it and cant wait to go back and explore the rest of the country.  Some highlights for tours were a tour Revolution tour including the museum, the boat that the Castros, Che, and others came over from Mexico on and Revolutionary Square.  Also, a walking tour through old Havana with a local and his mother who use to give him the same tour as a child telling him the history of each area.

We just returned and were pleased with the experience.  We communicated with the host to have them set up transportation from and to the airport(although paid separately in local currency).  We also booked tours through airbnb and were pleased with the tours and the value.  Booking tours through them also enabled us to carry less cash down there since we are from the US and cards wont work.  

Alaska was our first cruise.  I would say, read a lot on here.  There use to be an on going thread on things to bring, I dont bother with half the stuff people found useful any more.  I dont drag along duct tape, flash light, power strip, over the door shoe holder....I just found it more cumbersome and annoying.  It is fine to be prepared for every single thing, but just enjoy your vacation.  Seasickness isnt something that you know you get until you get it.  If you feel queezy, dont fight it, go lay down in your cabin for a bit and it will help.  Ship tours are more expensive and packed with people.  You spend more time loading and unloading people on the bus then seeing what you want to see.

Have fun, dont worry a whole lot, learn by others experiences on here(take the people who complain or have horror stories with a grain of salt on here) and the next cruise you will know what to expect a lot more from your first hand experience on this one.

If the price goes down before final payment, you can get that new price(fact check me to make sure that hasnt changed).  I usually book cruises around 6 months out, but cruise lines know that it is a big purchase and paying in increments is more palatable for people.  They hope you book 2 years out and just pay it off and never price check. Once that last payment is in, you may get a credit if it goes down in price but that is usually an exception rather than the rule.  I am not sure if we can recommend sites on here, so I will just say that some sights have Memorial day sales, Labor day sales, 4th of July sales.  They usually dont have a better price, but may include perks that you dont get straight from the cruise lines website.  Shop around and wait it out, You are far enough out that it isnt going to sell out on you.  You will be so familiar with the pricing that you will know when to pull the trigger.  

This is a fun conversation.  Let me add perspective.  If your ring is worth anything above sentimental value, it should be taken care of with your home owners insurance.  My wife doesnt wear hers in some ports to not draw attention.  You arent going to be held up at gun point because of your ring and asked to remove it, but you may become a target to grab your purse.  If you dont feel comfortable, just throw it in the safe.  You could probably leave it sitting on the nightstand in your room and never have a problem.  There is also the possibility of beach, water, lotion, sunblock, etc allowing the ring to slip off and losing it that way.  If you are that worried, leave it at home.  If your husband is that worried that you arent wearing a wedding ring, that is his own insecurities and his problem(not saying that is the case here, but guys really dont care if you are wearing a ring when they try to pick up on you)

I am relatively young, 38 and have been cruising since 2005.  Back then, there were art auctions with olives swimming in martini glasses.  I thought they were pretty cool and I could own one, but the extra $500ish was a lot of money to me back then.  Fast forward, $500 doesnt meant what it use to and I am glad I didnt over extend myself on those same pieces that I see on just about every cruise.  I mean, it might have been cool to have in my house for a while, but they arent a legitimate investment.  

That gold by the inch though!!!!!!! HAHA

Depending on when you are going and if you play around with the dates a little, Qatar is running a special in their Qsuites.  I just booked Lax to Dad(2 hour flight to HKG) and then Sin to Lax for $2800 a person.  They fly out of JFK, BOS, ATL.  The Qsuites also have the option of two seats next to each other in the middle that make into a full size bed.  It is one of the best business classes out there and United Polaris and Delta One products dont touch it.

Oh, and the planes fly West to East, so you are not going all the way across the US.  Layover in Doha, Qatar and if you book a layover for longer than 7 hours, you can get a 4 or 5 star hotel of your choice for $29.  Four Seasons is one of them.

Then take a taxi to Fells Point and go to The Horse You Came In On, said to have been the last place Poe was seen alive.  Has been a bar since 1775.  I have walked from Fells Point to the Inner Harbor at night with my wife and child, but I grew up there and know the area.  Better to just take a taxi or Uber and not worry or put yourself in a situation by taking a wrong turn.

On 11/27/2018 at 4:28 PM, John Bull said:

I've never heard of, or seen on Cruise Critic, any first-hand report of folk on independent tours missing their sailing either. The pier runners (google that on YouTube ) are those who've gone ashore on their own and left their brains on the ship.

I have seen it on a Mediterranean cruise.  The destinations are quite away from the port, so it is more common there.  One time I watched a taxi come screaming down the port after we left with a couple in it.  They put the couple on a pilot boat and brought them out to the ship and they climbed a latter on board.  I have watched off of my balcony when they call names repeatedly and no one gets on before we leave. 

But to the OPs question.  If you are taking a cruise sponsored tour, it is the cruise lines responsibility to get you back on the ship or to the next port.  You really dont need to stress about it and just go have fun.  It defeats the purpose of the trip if you are watching the clock and worrying, especially when you are not the one in control or with the responsibility. 

Or you could just take the train, but one time we took it someone decided to jump in front of it and we were stuck for hours.