jess427rn

Hi! So both the ID NOW and BINAX NOW are accepted by Royal? I'm assuming then that ID NOW is also a rapid antigen, only a different brand? There are only a few places offering BINAX NOW in my area. All stores seem to have the ID NOW though.

Does anyone know (worst case scenario) if they have on-location testing at the Galveston port?

Thanks in advance!

Has anyone been to Park Royal Cozumel for a day pass. A website online (I can't recall the site) stated that this AI Hotel does not advertise day passes to their facility but mentioned that apparently many cruisers have been able to walk into lobby and request day passes for approx $55 and have all day access to their AI facilities. Has anyone been here?!

9 days, 14 hrs, 48 min :)

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Ok thanks for that info. I'm anticipating some long port days so on these days I think we will skip out on the MDR. I have tried twice to make reservations at the steakhouse through the carnival website but it's been 4 weeks and I haven't heard back. Did it take a while for you to receive your reservation confirmation?

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Hi everyone. We will be on the Vista on July 19 for a 10 day journey through the Med. I was wondering if anyone was able to take pictures of the MDR menus? Since this is such a port intensive cruise, I wanted to try to plan our dinners depending on the menu- maybe choosing the Lido buffet over the MDR on some days. Thanks in advance!

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Great review! I'm so excited because we will also be staying at the Gaudi Hotel for one night post cruise in July. I'm glad to hear you had a great stay!

Is the Sagrada Familia walking distance from the Gaudi hotel?

And I too have Verizon so thanks for all your info!

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Joe Banana limo offers a tour of Pisa, Florence and Chianti. We're doing this tour in early July. Looks like it has a quick stop in Pisa, a couple of hours in Florence, then a trip to a winery with lunch.

 

 

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Lol I just saw your post!!!! I replied before reading your suggestion! The tours they offer look great!

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Looking for a wine tour that will include a stop in Pisa.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

I found one! I don't have the link but it's through Joe Banana tours. It's the Cinque Terre and Pisa Tour. Check it out!

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Thanks again to everyone for all the input!

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I've contacted RIL regarding my request to go to the Capuchin Crypts and they said it wouldn't be a problem. All they requested me to do was to purchase VIP tour and skip the line tickets for the Vatican and skip the line tickets for the Colosseum.

I'm so excited!

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Looking for a wine tour that will include a stop in Pisa.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

I'm looking for the same exact thing!! When are you sailing?

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Thank you to all of your wonderful suggestions. I really do appreciate all of your input as I was starting to feel extremely overwhelmed! I had a few minutes at lunch to google the above mentioned Catacombs and I believe the Capuchin Crypts will be a great choice. We will talk this over as a family over the weekend and decide. I will then contact RIL and request my must-see's and wait for their okay!

Once again- I thank all of you for responses your great suggestions! They are very much appreciated. I love Cruise Critic!

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Oh my! I feel overwhelmed! First of all- thank you so much for your response. My kids are 17 & 15.

It's my 17 year old son wanting to go to the Catacombs. Well little do I know.... There's several catacombs in Rome [emoji33]

The company I have reserved is Rome in Limo. Initially when I booked (it's a reservation in a private sedan for the 4 of us) I asked if we can do their Best of Rome tour but include the Catacombs. And that just what I said: "Catacombs". They responded that it would be possible as long as we only did the Colosseum from the outside as it would take too long to pass security and view from inside. We were okay with that cuz we would be seeing the "Catacombs"!

I recently emailed them to confirm the purchase time of the Vatican admission tickets. They had instructed me to purchase 2pm tickets. I emailed them to confirm that 2 pm for Vatican would still be okay considering we would be going to the Catacombs too. Well on this response they said that they usually don't add on the Catacombs. So initially they said yes n now it sounds sketchy whether the Catacombs would be included.

So having said all this... I love your suggestion of skipping the museum and not missing the Vatican and St Peter's Basilica. We want to see the Trevi Fountain and he Colosseum from at least he outside for picture purposes! Now, I have absolutely no knowledge of Rome and the distances between the places I want to visit. Can you suggest a "Catacomb" we could see to please our need to see the "Catacombs"?! It's obvious I don't know much about Rome and don't want to ask this tour company to take us places where time will not permit. Oh and we do not plan to get a formal tour at the Vatican. We planned to do a walk through to save time. That's what I meant by no tour. As of now, I have Rome in Limo reserved for private tour. This Catacomb thing is what is throwing me all off. I want to have my son see something that he really wants. Please help!!!!!

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Can anyone tell me if it's possible to see both the Vatican/Sistine Chapel AND the catacombs? I understand it's not possible to see everything in one day but my husband and I REALLY want to go to the Vatican and see the Sistine Chapel but my kids are begging to go to the Catacombs. I do not plan on getting a guided tour of the Vatican so having said this, would it be possible to see both??? I don't know what the distance between these locations are so all thoughts would be appreciated.

Side note--- I know I'm pushing it now but would we be able to also squeeze in seeing the colosseum from only the outside (for pictures!) and the Trevi fountain to throw a coin???????

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If you are there a few minutes before opening (let's say 10) you should be able to see the raising of the flag and take advantage of the absence of crowds -- for a while.

Ok thanks, I'll make sure to check the opening time and will plan to get there a few min earlier like u suggested.

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I checked the time stamp on my photos I had taken of the soldiers getting out of the truck and marching through the gate and it says 7:48am. The gates opened at 8am. We leisurely walked up to the top and the photos I have showing the flag going up says 8:07am. They march slower than you would be walking up so there is some time to catch up to them.

Thank you!!

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When we were there we saw the soldiers unload from their truck and marched through the entrance. The gates opened just afterward (about 20 people waiting). We walked up nonstop so we could takes pics first then stop and take it all all once the crowds started up. We had plenty of time of course. We saw the flag going up as we reached the Parthenon. It was quite mad coming down against the herds :eek:

What time was this at?

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For anyone in even average shape, the walk up to the Acropolis really isn't tough. I wouldn't call it a hike. The bigger danger is the slippery steps and the crowds.

 

 

 

Yes it will be hot, but if you go first thing in the morning, it's bearable.

 

 

 

I've been there four times, and would you believe I couldn't really tell you how long it takes. The first time, a bus tour took us partway up (to the ticket gate) so we didn't walk the full way from the street level. The second time, I took the long (back) way up and paused frequently to look at things and take photos. The third time I went up like a rocket in order to be (practically) the first person inside -- arriving early enough to watch the soldiers go in and raise the large flag that flies off the back of the Acropolis. The fourth time, I was talking to someone nearly all the way up....

 

 

 

Anyway, after four times, it's never been the walk I remembered, so I have to say it's not that tough. ;)

 

 

 

Maybe at a steady pace it would take 20 minutes?

We will also be there in July. I wanted to do an early arrival. What time would you suggest arriving to the Acropolis at in order to be able to see the soldiers/raising of the flag? TIA!

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Just as a general point of reference, I checked with my bank today about getting foreign currency in advance and from an ATM.

 

 

 

I ordered 500 Euro (to have in advance) for a total cost of $617.45. That was at an exchange rate of 1.1909 plus a 'customer fee' of $22 which seems to cover overnight shipping. The teller said the fee would not increase no matter how much I ordered unless I went down to a small amount (like under $100) and then the fee would go up to $30. Didn't ask the reasoning behind that.

 

 

 

As for my ATM card, we have a limit of $510 per day here in the States and that carries over to Europe (or anywhere) as well. My bank adds no transaction fees for getting cash from a foreign ATM.

 

 

 

I also have a credit card I can use to get cash, but it will charge me 5% or $10 per transaction, whichever is higher.

 

 

 

Obviously, these numbers are for my specific bank and credit card, so YMMV.

If you don't mind me asking.... Who do you bank with?

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I'm traveling with my two teen kids and got a notarized letter from their father. I probably won't get asked for it but I now have peace of mind. I made sure my letter had my cruise itinerary with their fathers contact info in case of emergency.

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Indeed. I concur with your findings. On my trip a few weeks ago, I took about €1200 in cash and had $2500 loaded on to a Euro cash card... Which works the same as a debit card but you can't go overdrawn.

 

 

 

When buying from shops, virtually everywhere wanted cash and offered a better price for doing so. Luckily, these cards can use ATM machines at a charge. (About €2 per transaction.) Not sure how much you can draw at any one time.

 

 

 

These cards are common in the UK (search fairfx and icefx as 2 examples), but it's another option to consider. Especially if the exchange rate peeks. I bought mine when it was just over €1.40 to the £. I then panicked when the pound was in free fall, and bought the cash I took at €1.24 same happened for buying $ for a dollar card. I didn't buy when it was $1.60 and ended up at $1.38 as I was fearing the worst. It's bounced back a bit now, which is just as well as I need more!

Can you explain the Euro Cash Card a bit more? I like this idea but where would I go about getting one/loading it?

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I'm loving all of these! I'm writing them down in my notebook for the trip and going to mark off as I try each one!

 

 

 

I'M SO EXCITED!

Me too!!!!! [emoji4]

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Great thread! Thanks

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Random question.... Do you know if CCL is still doing the towel animals? I haven't seen any [emoji17]

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Every time I see a thread asking about internet on the ship I always see a response similar to this one. Leave the tech at home, you're on vacation. I respectfully disagree.

 

 

 

It's always bothered me to have someone else's expectations of a vacation dictate what my vacation should be like. I would never say leave the books at home to people reading by the pool. If someone else chooses to read, swim, jog, watch tv etc...well it's their vacation, let them!

 

 

 

In this case I understand to an extent with it being teenagers who more than likely had their parents pay for them. So they (parents and teens) should decide among themselves whats the best option, and many times that's why they come to the boards and ask questions. Then they can decide based on information they receive. But answering their questions by saying what they want is unacceptable has never made sense to me.

 

 

 

I personally have always gotten some sort of internet package while on a cruise. It doesn't mean I stay online 24/7. But there is always some sort of downtime on a cruise and what we each choose to do with it individually is always going to be different. I like to stay in touch with friends and family and brag by posting pictures :D! Maybe it's childish, but it's my personal taste and I don't think others should look down on people like me for it.

***You could not have said this any better.***

We will be on a 10 day cruise and my teens saying they are excited about our upcoming cruise would be an understatement. I agree with you, some people just want to share their experiences with those at home- in this case their friends. When I was a teen, there was no internet. But to many, the Internet now has become part of our every day lives. I'm online daily checking my emails and bank accounts. At my work we rely on the Internet to get things done. For my two teens, they take online classes and use it daily. And yet- they have their social media. Internet is part of life these days. I see absolutely nothing wrong with purchasing an Internet package for teens. Just my opinion.

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