iamenu

7 hours ago, rojaan19 said:

Correct, asking about real milk without lactose, like lactaid.  I can’t eat nuts, and soy or coconut milk just taste funky.  If the ship doesn’t have actual lactose free cow’s milk can I hand carry a carton on board?  I was allowed to on a Viking cruise from San Juan, but it was confiscated when I tried on an NCL cruise from New Orleans. 

Thank you so much!  Most of the ships seem to offer soy or almond only! 

Can anyone confirm whether Silversea ships (specifically, the shadow) keep lactose free milk on board.  If not, can I hand carry a carton onboard through port security (Vancouver)? Thanks. 

I have been trying to find out if the ship I will be on in two weeks carries lactose free milk (with little luck) or if I can bring a carton with me on boarding.  I cant dring the almond milk and the taste od the substitutes just seems to ruin my coffee.  That said, the lactaid pills do work unless you overdo what contains the lactaid.  Also, not everyone has issues with all dairy products when they have an intolerance.  For example, I have no problem with cottage cheese, hard cheeses (like parmesan), milk as a small componenet used in cooking, or yogurt.  But too much pizza cheese, any ice cream, and any straight milk sets me off.  

Yes, there were about a half-dozen of us on this Avalon ship who had the staff get our Cambodia visa as were sailing northbound on the Mekong River. Worked fine and easy!! For the two of us, the cost, at that time, was a total of $100. Cash. No credit cards. If you are going south-bound on the Mekong, it would be different

:) Thanks so much! We are starting in Viet Nam and plan to do the online application with their consulate for that part of the trip. Definitely adds peace of mind to know we can manage the Cambodia visa so easily. I will check out your blog...any advice for this trip is greatly appreciated, as it is an adventure filled with firsts for me. First time in Asia, first river cruise, first time even getting visas!

Hi TLCOhio...glad I found your post. We are doing a Mekong Cruise in December. On your trip on Avalon, were there people on the boat who got their Visa for Cambodia at the river crossing? We have to use our passports a lot between now and then and don’t have time to send it away to get visas in advance...thanks!

Thank you, Stan. Great info! We are spending a 4 days in Barcelona before the cruise and 5 days in Paris after, so I will be fine with limiting the number of things I try to see from the cruise!

Sounds like it is a little early for Rome and Florence recommendations. My suggestion is that you first get some ideas from looking through a tour book. We did the Amalfi Coast by water in the morning and then Pompeii in the afternoon. Here is a link to pictures from that excursion.

 

 

 

https://markandkareneurope2012.shutterfly.com/pictures/973

 

https://markandkareneurope2012.shutterfly.com/pictures/1076

Thanks...beautiful pictures. Did you take the ship's tour, or use a local tour guide? I vaguely remember driving the Amamfi coast as a child...actually I remember my grandmother crouching on the floor of the car hysterical because the road scared her, so now I kind of want to see what all the fuss was about!!

In 1964 my family moved to Rome for a year, and we did it on a huge ship (for the time), the USS Independence. I haven't been on a cruise since...that changes this April. I am trying to select tour operators and am feeling completely overwhelmed. We will be in Naples, Rome, Livorno, and Cannes. I was able to book with the cruise line in Majorca, but I guess I got to it late and there are almost no options for these other ports.

 

I am worried about the provider's reliability, quality, and track record getting us back to the ship on time. I've tried to do some research, and am boggled now!:confused:

 

In Naples, I think we want to do a full day, half Pompeii, half Amalfi drive. Recommendations, anyone? I have no clue whatsoever about what to see in Rome and Florence. HELP!

 

Much thanks in advance!

I think I need to edit my question...I did a bad job of asking my real question. I think my first step needs to be getting some recommendations on good tour operators. I find myself getting mired down in all the options, but if I knew of some operators that were reliable I might be better able to choose from their offerings.

Thanks

If you lived in Rome for a year, surely you have some idea of what you want to do or see? And how to get around?

 

You can take the train from the port (Civitavecchia) into Rome and spend the day on your own -- we can help you with a plan if you give us some info on what you want to do.

Cruisemom42, Thanks for your reply...I was 6 when I lived in Rome, and I have vague memories of wandering around inside the colosseum and walking up very narrow stairs in a dome in the Vatican. I also remember the catacombs...scary for a 6 year old! So I am open to seeing almost anything. I think what I really need is help finding a reliable tour provider. Once I have that I imagine I will just pick from their list of available tours.

In 1964 my family moved to Rome for a year, and we did it on a huge ship (for the time), the USS Independence. I haven't been on a cruise since...that changes this April. I am trying to select tour operators and am feeling completely overwhelmed. We will be in Naples, Rome, Livorno, and Cannes. I was able to book with the cruise line in Majorca, but I guess I got to it late and there are almost no options for these other ports.

I am worried about the provider's reliability, quality, and track record getting us back to the ship on time. I've tried to do some research, and am boggled now!:confused:

In Naples, I think we want to do a full day, half Pompeii, half Amalfi drive. Recommendations, anyone? I have no clue whatsoever about what to see in Rome and Florence. HELP!

Much thanks in advance!