Littleribbie

Does Princess have a casino program tel #... thanks

Our May Gem cruise finishes in Venice....however I understand no ships are allowed. Ive been told,  2 different ports for where exactly we will dock...1 was Revenna and there was another place that was closer ( forget the name ) . Anyone know for sure where we will disembark. TIA....trying to line up transport to Venice...or decide if its easier to book hotel and transport directly thru NCL so not to waste precious time with cabs, luggage etc. 

We are doing this April/May..Odyssey Miami to Rome...NCL Gem (next day) Rome to Greece/Venice. I went to FB cruise Port page and have lined up a local who will assist us if needed to get another test the day we get into Rome. Our back up plan would be to purchase a couple EMed tests and take them with us

I suspect a cab to Mambo beach would be easy...but returning from the beach back to the pier??? are there cabs waiting for guests who need them later in the day? Anyone know what fare costs to and from Mambo...RCL pier....thanks

On 3/11/2020 at 1:14 PM, vacationlover_mn said:

My mom is going on her first cruise ever.  She only cares about visiting pretty beaches, ideally with shells.  She doesn’t care about free drinks.  What do you recommend?

IM not trying to be Debbie Downer...but does your Mom understand that removing the shells from beaches is a big no no. She can look and of course walk the beach in search of...but they are often confiscated when reboarding the ship. They may or not be too worried if they are obviously smaller shells...but just want to give you a heads up. How fun to be able to cruise with your Mom....have a wonderful adventure!

On 11/15/2019 at 11:22 AM, kandj05 said:

Have you stayed at this hotel?  What were your thoughts of it?

Yes, post and pre cruise....close to everything....the famous market, Dunkin Donuts, Las Rambles, the museum is across the street....its lovely in the evening. Very safe (just watch for the typical pick pocketers on Las Rambles ) Front desk is very accomodating. Tiny Elevator

Has anyone heard anything regarding the Odyssey not arriving in Florida and perhaps not making the TA sailing in April 2022. I am booked for it and then hopping on an NCL ship ( to use some FCCs) the next day...sort of a faux B2B. Im thinking I may have booked the NCL cruise too soon as it was mentioned on FB that the Odyssey will not be making a TA in 2022. Im thinking it was just a FaceBook arm chair speculation/guess but am curious to know if anyone else heard anything. RCL told me they have no plans at the moment to change any Odyssey itinerary except the changes previously announced. Thoughts? is anyone else booked for the TA (Florida to Rome) thanks

On 1/5/2021 at 3:49 PM, -Lew- said:

 

The Port of Rome is located in Civitavecchia...about 1¼ hours from Albergo del Senato depending on traffic.  My suggestion would be to hire a car service such as RomeCabs...there are other good ones...for transfer to and from Rome.  Your driver will know where your ship is docked.

 

Yes, Albergo del Senato does have elevators.

Thanks Len!! My husband is from Keene NH...big Patriot fan as well!! Have a brother in Stowe Vt....we prefer the Florida heat!!

Greetings! Could someone explain the difference please. Like many, we have a fair amt. of FCC from several cancelled cruises in 2020 and now our 2021 cruises. Except for the deposit our 2021 cruises were paid for using the 2020 FCCs. Anyway we only have 1 b2b booked for 2022 and have paid only a small deposit and the rest will be paid by previous FCC. Can the remainder FCCs basically be used as cash at the end of the cruise?....I have read the NCL info on what the FCCs can and can not be used for and I think I understand it. We only have a small token OBC from the Travel Agency so Im not even sure if they will put it towards our next cruise. We are not drinkers per se and will not purchase the drink package but can we use the FCC if we decide to have a drink with dinner? .....and any idea why we HAVE TO pre book excursions prior to sailing in order to use the FCC? Thanks for any help

On 9/2/2020 at 5:17 PM, firstimer2009 said:

We were in Rome last year after a Venice cruise and stayed at Albergo del Senato for 5 days.  I can't say enough good things, including the rooftop bar only for guests.  And if the weather doesn't cooperate they open a small bar downstairs just for guests.  People speak perfect English too.  There is a restaurant to the very right of the hotel, Hostaria Pantheon, that has outside seating looking over the Pantheon.  Great food and friendly staff.  We had many afternoon cocktail hours there then did our final night in Rome dinner.

 

Loved the area so much we are planning a Rome to Rome May 2022 cruise and staying right around the corner at an AirBnB.  If we were going to stay at another hotel though, I'd pick the Senato.

Sounds like this is  a great place...several good reviews here...may I ask how close this is to the ports...we will be arriving on RCL and have 2 days in Rome prior to boarding with NCL...I still havent looked to see which terminal each cruise line uses. Will most cab drivers know this hotel? Thank you...oh...do you recall if they have elevators?

On the epic last year, just sat down and put in $100 planning on betting $1.76...accidently pressed max bet ($8.88) no sooner did I notice my mistake and the little "choose 3 matching balls" came up....I picked 3 matching GRANDS and won $10,000.00. Best mistake I ever made!!  Was very bummed out that hubby was back in the cabin sleeping !! But i got my photo taken with a big cardboard check like they do with Publishers Clearing House winners!!  

Help with a few concerns before we pull the trigger please. Ft. Lauderdale to St. Petersburg leaving April 11th 2019. I understand there will be rain and we will most likely only have the warm weather the first week when leaving Florida so Im only concerned about the last 2 weeks (from Brest to St. Petersburg) will a couple sweatshirts and a semi insulated overcoat be ok or do I really need to winterize my wardrobe with a heavy coat, scarves, gloves and the like. I hate the extra packing but don't mind doing laundry on the ship. Also any suggested highlights that should be on my "must see" list?? Thanks so much

Thanks!1

3 hours ago, 1025cruise said:

Just be back before the ship sails.

Perfect...thanks!

I meant to ask this on my previous post...How do I find out the # of ships in Port for the day....Sept 12 and 13 2019 are the dates in question...thank you

Finally talked my sister into her first cruise from Boston with an over night in Bermuda. Can anyone tell me how late you can stay out during the evening and still be allowed back on the ship...….would like to enjoy dinner and perhaps strolling and enjoy a cocktail or 2 at local spots but didn't know if there was a certain time you must return to the ship....thanks. Any suggestions would be wonderful...thanks so much

Yes, Yes and yes!!! Let me tell you about the first day we used them...Very rainy morning in Rome, we thought "oh gawd, the tour guide may not even show up". Several ships in Port and very hectic....but we walked out of the terminal area and saw a guy with an ItalyTour sign but our names were not on it...he had a huge umbrella, we had nothing. We spoke to him and he assured us that the other guide was coming but told us to stay with him under the umbrella. We chatted about the tour he was on and the one we were going to be taking.....offering us his coat and plenty of room under his umbrella. He spotted our driver about 15 minutes later and took us to her for introductions..she allowed us to sit in her vehicle while the 4 other guests arrived. Of course the sun cleared up and made for a beautiful day!! The guide was fantastic, I feel bad I cant remember her name or the other gentleman that kept us dry....but we ran into the other tour later in the day and he made a special point to come up to me (he even remembered my name) to ask if we were enjoying ourselves!! It was absolutely one of the best full day tours ever. Although 6 of us he made everyone feel as though we were getting a private tour....he was truly interested in what we wanted to see and not exactly what was on the schedule....but agreed upon by all 6. The next day was Amalfi Coast and Pompaii…..same thing....WONDERFUL experience. Always felt safe and boy, these guides know their stuff...history, little fun facts, where to eat.....everything!! Even when they passed us off to the guide in Pompaii...that guide was also wonderful!! I would highly recommend them to anyone....no doubt the most professional group of people ever!!!

May 2018: We used ItalyTours.EU for the Amalfi Coast and Best of Rome and I couldn't be happier with this company. We always felt safe, they were quick to respond to all my questions and concerns, the guides and drivers were terrific and truly wanted us to see as much as possible...suggesting places to visit on our free time and places to eat. Very accommodating. Guisepee our guide was a blast, very knowledgeable and he sings awesome Italian love songs. This company may not be the cheapest but you get what you pay for....they were a lot cheaper than cruise line prices and much more personal service. There were cheaper guys holding signs for tours but why take the chance of not getting back on time, unsafe vehicles and less than stellar "service"....ItalyTours.EU will forever be my go to excursion specialists!! 

This would be a once in a life time trip for us. Princess is offering this on one of their older smaller ships which is fine as we did our first TA on an older NCL and now we love the older smaller ships. We live in Florida so this would be perfect...my hesitation is:  its in November 2020...any one with experience traveling in Nov. in the S.Pacific. This cruise is ideal as it also has us traveling through the Panama Canal which we originally wanted to do next year anyway. In order to do this we would get an inside cabin and try to stick to a budget...using the extra $$ for excursions and the like. Before I pull the trigger Im wondering if you know of any other lines that offer S.Pacific to Florida....or even California. It appears no one is selling them or Im just not seeing them...I cant believe most lines wouldn't have published all their 2020 cruises yet. Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated...thanks so much

Has anyone attended a Andalusian Horse/Spanish Riding School Tour? Distance from the port? Is it possible to hop a cab? this is the only thing i would like to do...then go find a great seafood spot so I dont want to waste time and money on a ship "tour" TIA

Considering a TA in 2020...to save $$ and to be able to book the spa/sanctuary for the entire cruise Im considering an inside. It sounds like the spa package with the various pools and emenities would be something i would enjoy.....anyone know the appox. cost of this? When they say "sanctuary" is that just the adult area and free?...what would I ask for if I wanted the "spa"?? thanks 

1st time Alaska Cruise: Considering Princess in Mid June /7 Day: w/Vancouver, Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway , Gl. Bay NP (cruising) College Fjord (cruising) and Anchorage.

Because viewing the glaciers/scenery are a high priority do we want to be Port or Starboard.....will there be things to see from both sides. Im sure most often we will be up on the decks for the best viewing but I know hubby likes to also relax in the cabin too. Also (might be a crazy question) but will June still offer the spectacular glaciers and flowers or would I be better off really trying to get a July cruise. Also I would love to splurge on a helicopter or seaplane ride at one of the ports....can anyone recommend one in particular. I did read that some seaplanes offer to land near or close to a glacier to be able to get out and walk around...oh my gosh...just the thought of that gives me goosebumps...that would be wonderful. Has anyone been able to do that? 

One more question and I will ask again on Princess page but: Princess lists this cruise but is listing about 4 ships all for the same cruise....Coral, Royal, Pacific....do they choose the ship at a later date? How does it work...Im considering this for 2020 and perhaps they haven't decided yet?? just confused....TIA

On ‎3‎/‎5‎/‎2018 at 3:04 AM, rexy69 said:

I'm talking about playing the Slot Machines......I've always heard that the Cruise Lines count on the Casino revenue to help them make their quota for each sailing.

So, has anyone ever really won a substantial amount from playing the slots?

Last year; Carnival only a few minutes after the casino opened on the very first day a woman sitting next to me was betting .88cents (min.) on a penny slot...I was on the same machine next to her betting the max. $8.80. wouldn't you know it SHE hit for the $10,000.00. It was on one of the bonus things where she had to match 3 and she matched 3 Mega jackpot symbols.....I had to pretend I was happy for her....not!!! LOLOLOL

1. 1 hour ago, Host Clarea said:

    

   You're welcome. 

    

   Also, I would not put too much stock in what RC reps tell you.  Your most accurate info will likely come from someone who has recently sailed on Brilliance.

   Yes, I noticed that with another booking...appears the sales people don't always get up to date information....uugg!

2.  

13 minutes ago, Host Clarea said:

 

I don't know if Brilliance has a spa package. The ship used to have thermal suites, but I don't know if those are still on the ship.

 

You are correct in that there is no extra charge to use the  Solarium.

Thanks so much for helping me out on Chrstmas Eve day!!! its much appreciated. I'll call RCL and inquire about the spa and post what I find out. Again, thank you for taking the time!

Heidi