MerlinsMum

I'm not big on obstructed views, sorry..I feel if you are going to get a balcony, get a balcony..I had an obstructed view once, and it just was soooo frustrating NOT to be able to see the whole sea & view...never again...BUT, if that's the only way you will get a balcony, then do it- but you won't get that "real" balcony experience IMO...it is your vacation...do it in style, if you can, don't worry so much about the $$, it's not that big a difference, usually..

 

 

 

Big Al

Our obstructed view on the Brilliance did not obscure anything at all. We were above the lifeboats. We saw beautiful sunsets, sunrises, sat outside in the early hours while we slowly cruised into our target ports. Nothing was marred.. My only regrets as not being able to afford a bigger cabin, as being a group of three females, we needed more space than we had lol

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My daughter and I both purchased a Bella Perlina triple bracelet set on the Brilliance other week. Both of them have tarnished. My daughters wrist has gone green.

Cant return them, so will learn from our mistakes and not bother if we go again.

Must admit we are very disappointed with the quality. Told it was silver, but obviously not!

We hadn't planned too much on Santorini, as we thought there may be too many people on the tenders over and back to have much tome for anything special, so my daughter got in touch with a diving club, and booked us (myself, my daughter and grand daughter) for adiving experience.

It lasted about two hours, with the introduction and advice on how to use the equipment, and about half hour under water with the guides, taking us down to about 5 meters.

it cost 65Eu per person, and I think it was well worth the money.

It was awesome.

I would love to do something like this!. was it a good itinary? Did you manage to do any tours?

Really?? That isn't what the July 16 new rules say and some folks have posted they couldn't bring water aboard from a port day.

Royal Caribbean do not let you back on board with any water bottles, but they have water available for you as you re board the ship from port stops.

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Can't remember the size of the water bottle but if you weren't on a package it was 3$ for a small bottle, or a few dollars more for the premium avian water. Not knowing the costs of things in Europe, we opted for the plan that included the water, now knowing you can get a bottle on land for a euro, I don't think I would do it again.

That was on Royal Caribbean.

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Just before dawn, getting up, making a cuppa, and sitting on deck to watch the sun come up. Best sight ever.

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Is the aquarium worth writing home about?

It was Brilliant!

took us about two hours to walk around, but we did stop and take loads of photos.

the underwater tunnel was amazing.

Am so glad we went.

and there are penguins!!

We were in 7084. It was classed as obstructed because we were over the lifeboats, but there was nothing missing from the views. Only if you wanted to look straight down. Which was basically either the sea, or the port gangway.

Sitting out there at night watching the world go by and the sun coming up, or going down, was just magical.

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I believe the X80 bus runs until November 1st. Viator also has Sights of Athens hop on/off bus at 1/2 the price of City Sightseeing. The routes are the same.

Dave

I am presuming all the buses will stop at the major places of interest.

I think I will wait and see what the differences are between the tour companies, and go for the one that suits us best. having limited time in ports, i want to try get to see as much on my list of to do's as possible lol

I think that 2 hours in the aquarium is enough.

We are going to visit there again , in our cruise stop in Barcelona on next sunday.

We are planing to visit the aquarium between 10 to 12 at noon,and then come go to the ship for lunch.

Cool. That sounds long enough. Well be walking there and back which is approx. 45 mins either way, so it is definitely doable.

i sailed on Brilliance out of Barcelona on 25th July - we had booked 2 staterooms and we bought 4 bottles of wine in the duty free at the port after security and put them in our hand luggage. How we regretted not buying more!! - No one checked at all. Could have carried on whatever we could fit in luggage.

Yes, but some may not he so lucky and have it confiscated.

I think I'd rather stick to the rules and not get left behind at the port. Lol

Hi yes I saw this too, but it seems to be a completely different bus.

If we can get the ticket for that one, and use it on the Athens HOHO it would be grand.

I have tried to get the timetable for the x80 but the page comes up as an error, so whether that means there's no more x80 or not, I don't know.

Getting the HOHO bus will give us more to see, we may even stay on the bus the whole route and see where it goes. Although we still have to get to the actual stop where we can get on it. Which is in Athens town centre, so we still need transport to get there... The search still goes on.....and 5 days to do it...

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The X80 express bus isn't a regular bus; it only runs from the cruise port to the historic center of Athens (two separate stops, one of which is very near the Acropolis). If you search on here or Google Athens x80 express you'll find a lot of info. It's probably the easiest way (other than a taxi) to get into Athens on your own.

 

 

 

Only warning is that the bus runs only during the tourist season. I believe it stops running around Nov. 1 each year.

You are correct as to which museum I was talking about. The Museum of Archaeology, not the Acropolis museum. I have read it takes at least three hours to get round, so know it's going to take up a big chunk of our one day visit. But it's gotten be done! Lol

We'll be there on September 5th, so hopefully the bus will still be running on that date.

Also discovered there are two terminals where our ship might dock, so will find out when we get there how far it will be to the bus stop.

I will see if I can get a time table for x80. As long as we're back on board ship by 17.00 I think it looks like a good plan.

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Have you looked at catching the X80 express bus from the port? It stops within walking distance of the Acropolis and Archeology Museum. You could then just pay for tickets at the entrance. It would be a lot cheaper. The museum is very impressive and has the benefit of air conditioning!

I didn't look into busses, as I wasn't sure if they'd be easy to catch and regular timetables.

But I will look into it, thank you.:)

Has anyone bought the HopOnHopOff bus tickets in Athens that include entries to museums etc?

If so what are they like and are they worth the money?

We had looked into a mini tour, but they don't cover where we want to go, (specificalloy the Arcaeology museum and Acropolis)

would we be able to use one of this tickets to get into the above?

Thanks

:D

Sounds like a nice place for a visit then. If its not too big, well have time to go casa piccolo as well. Bargain!

would anyone know how long we would need to go around the whole aquarium?

we need to be on board ship by 4 p.m. for sailaway,

We are hoping we'll have time to visit it pre sail.

thanks, :):)

Planning to visit this pre sailaway.

would anyone know how long it would take to do the whole aquarium? Looks a rather big place. but needs to get back ship by 4 p.m. for sailaway.

Thanks.:):)

Any one been to this museum?

We;ll be in Valetta for the day, and thinking of having a look round, and want to know if its going to be worth a visit.

thanks

Going to the following vary soon and wondered which is best for snorkelling?

Katakolon

Mykonos.

Rhodes

Crete

Santorini

Cephalonia

Thanks

we are thinking of doing so in Santorini, but only of the tenders to fira arent running late.

There are both Euro and US receptacles, so either will work.

Thank you. I managed to purchase a pack of two with one of each in. Bargain!

Does anyone know what kind of adaptor plug we'll need for the ship? European or american?

It depends on what time you get into Barcy, and how long you have to spare. We will be going the day before, so we can book to see the sagrada familiar, the famous church Gaudi was building.

If you decide to go, they recommend pre book times tickets, as it gets really busy.

here is a link (if it works0 to info about it...

http://www.sagradafamilia.org/en/