Flojo18
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Posts posted by Flojo18
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On 1/6/2023 at 12:36 PM, kazu said:
Can’t answer everyone but the ship’s doctor was in error. Said the elbow was ok other than sepsis and it is clearly fractured (they could tell from the ship’s x-ray) and did their own to be sure at the hospital, need surgery and going around circles with insurance, Wish Jose was here 😢
Sending love and prayers to you Jacqui… hope you have a speedy recovery and return home soon. 🙏🏻💞
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On 5/31/2022 at 2:08 PM, LasseKjus said:
With things ever changing from a COVID standpoint, I though i’d give a review of our MSC Opera May 21-28 Mediterranean cruise.
This was supposed to be a May 2020 cruise, then a July 2020 cruise and it ended up being a May 2021 cruise. We went from a five person balcony on a newer ship, to two ocean views on a ship we last sailed 17 years ago.
We did four days in Paris before our cruise, which was incredibly fun to start.
Most of this review is how COVID affected the trip.
EMBARKATION — We boarded in Naples, Italy. Naples is a bit run down, it seems and can be sketchy. We stayed at the Holiday Inn and took a cab to the port at 8 a.m., arriving at 8:10 a.m. There was no real idea or order of what to do. There was one security officer checking documents prior to entering the terminal. We had to show tickets, passports and COVID vaccinations.
We get to enter the terminal and wait in a long line to enter the terminal building. The seemingly are letting in a handful of embarking passengers a little at a time. This line was over an hour of waiting outside. When we we get to enter, we are again in a queue, this time its nearly an hour and half. So we don’t board until 11 a.m., nearly three hours after arrival at the port.
One of the most interesting things is that despite being told we need travel insurance WE NEVER HAD TO SHOW IT. I originally bought insurance and then found it didn’t meet their requirements. I bought more and never showed it to anyone. I was a bit frustrated, but it wasn’t the end of the world.
COVID PRECAUTIONS ON THE SHIP — The crew wore masks, but there was very little in the way of mask wearing except in the nightly shows. The crew enforced masks in the theater.
Apparently the muster drill was virtual, watching on the TV and calling a number to say you watched. We apparently missed that and had to go to an in person makeup drill, which was not very time consuming.
We tried to play ping pong, golf and table soccer. Those were being cleaned regularly and we were limited to half hour increments of playing. There was an attendant at the hot tubs. There were only 7 allowed in the hot tubs and the attendant was tracking time. People were asked to leave the hot tub after 15 minutes.
It didn’t feel like we were very crowded until about day four. We had rolling embarkation, but it seemed like we turned over half the ship in Barcelona. It also seemed as if they were only using half the dining room.
We didn’t take any excursions through the ship.
THE SHIP — The ship is old and shows wear (like some of the elevator buttons you couldn’t even see the number they were so run down), but she is in good shape. She was very clean.
Food was plentiful and in typical MSC fashion not super but never bad. We were never hungry. Only juice is served at breakfast. Water is for purchase at dinner unless you book from the USA (which we are) and water is then included. Tips were only 10 Euro per person. I budgeted 15 Euro.
THE STOPS — OK, now is the cruise review.
Genoa. Cruise port is run down, but once you get away, it’s a crazy beautiful place. We seemingly walked straight up to an old castle which also held the Genoa World Cultures Museum. We navigated local transportation and found so many wonderful areas to explore. We had street pizza and gelato. We took a train back to the ship area after a long day of walking.
Marseilles. We got off the ship late. Apparently there was some sort of strike that was keeping us from getting off. We got off the ship two hours late and they let us have an extra hour. There was a shuttle to town, that you had to pay for, 16 euro per person. Didn’t expect that. We walked around Marseilles and hit many of the main stops. The old port, MuCum, the fort. Last shuttle back was an hour and a half prior to all aboard.
Barcelona. I could go back 100 times. It was so nice. We went to the Olympic museum and Olympic stadium area. We toured Montjuic and the palace and the Arenas de Barcelona. We bussed to Las Ramblas and explored there and trained back to the shuttle drop off. There was a shuttle to the main part of town which was 8 Euro.
La Goulette (Tunis, Tunisia). First time in Africa. We contemplated doing a shore excursion, but we did a private cab and did more than the excursions that we could do via the ship. We also did it for 1/3 of the price. We toured Tunis and its Medina area. We went to three stops in the archaeological area of Carthage and the went to Sidi Bou Said. On the way back to the ship, the cab driver took us through a tour of La Goulette.
Palermo. We were tired by now after four days in Paris and four days of heavy walking on the ship. We walked to the Palermo Cathedral and then to Ballaro street market. So incredible! We then wandered the streets of Palermo doing some shopping.
DISEMBARKATION — We had what we thought was a tight squeeze. We had a 10:31 train to Rome. I worried about how long it was going to take to get off. We were instructed that we would be called at 8:40 a.m. to disembark and I was worried how long passport/border control/customs would take. We eat breakfast, then we head to the theater to wait to be called. After 15 minutes of waiting, we get called to disembark right at 8:40 a.m. Our bags are waiting for us and there is literally no one checking passports or customs. We walk right out and by 8:50 a.m. we’re getting our cab to the train station.
AFTER THE CRUISE — Our flight was from Rome to Miami via Casablanca, Morocco, with a 20 hour layover. Casablanca was crazy amazing. So many nice people and so much to see and do. Everyone wants to do this trip all over again. Prior to the cruise, we toured Paris and spent two days in Disneyland Paris. It was a crazy fun two weeks and would love to do it all over again.
Can you tell me what currency you used in Tunis?
Thank You,Flo.
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I toured with them recently on Oct 31, 2019. It was FABULOUS! Our tour was Mt Etna and Taormina. Had a van with 8 ppl which was great for navigating closer at both locations. Our driver/guide Salvatore was truly wonderful! We had some extra time after Mt Etna so he took us to a cafe in the town below for some local specialties (which were amazing!!) !!
The price was very reasonable. We had 2 hours in Taormina which was so nice. Most other tours give much less time. Sal dropped us at the top so we would save time and get to see all of it. Really great having a van on those narrow roads.
The office was great about info prior as well.
I would highly recommend this company!Flo.
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1 hour ago, Moriah said:
Yes, it does. All your clothes will come back beautifully pressed. And if you want pressing only (no washing), you can specify that on the laundry slip. You also choose folded or on hangers.
Thank you!
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1 hour ago, Krazy Kruizers said:
HAL does a wonderful job when it comes to pressing. Many times we have sent out items that only needed only pressed.
Thank you!!
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3 hours ago, crystalspin said:
Yes, just not eco-dry-cleaning.
Thank you!!
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Wondering if the unlimited laundry package includes pressing?
Thank you!
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50 minutes ago, SimplyMarvie said:
We're living in Israel now. Honestly, I'd get Shekels from the nearest ATM when you get off the boat. While people will take dollars, the exchange rate they'll give you isn't great and not everyone is going to take them to begin with -- if you're in the Old City in Jerusalem, yes. In Haifa or Akko or Ashkelon, not so much. Credit cards are widely, widely accepted here and we rarely have problems using our US Cards... but when we do, it's nice to have the shekels to save the day.
Also, if you're thinking about using taxis, download the GETT app (Israeli Uber, but with licensed taxis) before you arrive. Its so much easier and will avoid getting shaken down by unscrupulous drivers (particularly a problem in Jerusalem).
Thank you very much!
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1 hour ago, pris993 said:
We have traveled a lot to and in Israel, have family there. Some will take dollars, but will give you change back shekels. If you use a taxi which we do often, most drivers know where you can change money if need be, often merchants know where the nearest change office is too. Enjoy your visit.
Thanks so much!
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Thank you so much! I'm really excited to see Israel... have never been
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When off the ship, will I need Shekels to purchase souvenirs in Israel?
The Fleet Report and Daily for Wednesday June 7th, 2023
in Holland America Line
Posted
Hi Jacqui!
how are you feeling? It’s been a bit. You were missed on the last cruise for sure!
Are the fires effecting you? We are under a cloud of smoke here in NJ.
Hope all is well!!
xo,
Flo.