1 hour ago, frantic36 said:

 

When we did this in 2019 it was a guided tour. They want to make sure that people get in and out at the same time as they only allow so many down in the caves at one time. They also had the guide to make sure people didn't touch things they weren't supposed to. This is also why you need to arrive at the correct time of your ticket.

 

We did this as part of a private tour so I can't help with taxi recommendations.

Do you recall how long it took?

8 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

You should be fine. Are you going to arrange to have a taxi waiting for you to get you back to the ship? The Hypogeum is in a sort of residential area and it won't be easy to find a taxi unless you happen to poach one that's dropping someone off for the next tour.

Thanks... How would I arrange to have a taxi there?

I have tickets for the Hypogeum at 3:00 and our ships departure is 6:00.  I'm just wondering if anyone who has been to the Hypogeum can offer thoughts on timing?  It looks like we are about 15 minutes away from the port, but now I'm thinking we might be cutting it too close for comfort.  I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Thanks

Claire

I have read most of the Valetta posts, but I think I need some wisdom from the experts.

We will be there in late May from 8:00 - 6:00.  We would love to do 3 things, just not sure if its feasible and if it is, what is the best way to do it.  

We would love to go to the Blue Grotto in the morning, visit the Hypogeum and then Valletta.

I would love any advice on the best way to fit this all in.

This is exactly what I was looking for!  You have been most helpful!!!

On 2/6/2024 at 5:49 PM, Hlitner said:

On 2/6/2024 at 5:49 PM, Hlitner said:

I am going to toss out a simple factoid and thought since "Santorini Anxiety" seems to an issue on these boards.  DW and I have been to Santorini (on cruises) at least 20 times.  We always do the island on our own (we do not like group tours) and over the many trips have used taxis, local island buses, and rental cars!  My message is simply that we still hear to tell the tale, still enjoy every visit to Santorini (will be there again this spring), and have never missed our ship :).  

 

Hank

Hi Hank, I would love to tap into your wisdom.  We are there with Celebrity on May 31 from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm.  There is only one other ship and it comes in the afternoon.  What would you do for the day?

On 8/25/2023 at 8:07 PM, CMWITTS@GMAIL.COM said:

My wife and I visited Mary's house in 2017, three days after visiting the Vatican. as a cradle catholic i couldn't wait to visit the Vatican. It was beautiful and the art and Museum were breathtaking... However... Not even knowing the history of Mary's house when I walked in I had as close to a religious experience as I could ever imagine. Please know I'm not a bible thumping religious zealot, I'm just relaying my experience. So I don't consider it a "tourist trap", but to each his own.

This is helpful to know... we are RC and were looking forward to this visit, but then started to question if it is worth it.  Thanks for posting!

On 7/18/2023 at 9:39 AM, IWantToLiveOverTheSea said:

I may have mentioned this before, but if not: We really enjoyed Hotel Granvia.  It was around $150, included a nice breakfast, and was located in the area I prefer for Barcelona (L'Example, near Placa Catalunya). 

I'm looking at booking for May and it the rooms are over $350 a night. 

If we are in Mykonos from 8:00-6:00 would it be feasible to book on one of the catamaran tours.  Mostly we want to go snorkeling if it is available.

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

On 9/15/2023 at 6:30 PM, cruisemom42 said:

My suggestions, for what they are worth:

 

-- Get off the ship early and get a taxi to the Acropolis entrance. If you can get there when the gates open you'll have about 90 minutes before it gets overcrowded. You can purchase advance tickets here.

 

-- After the Acropolis, walk back down the slope (making sure to see the Theatre of Dionysus) and then along the short path to the Greek Agora. It's not as visited but is well worth it. There is a Greek temple there (you can see it from the top of the Acropolis) that is far more complete than the Parthenon and is well worth seeing up close. Also there is a small museum inside the reconstructed stoa (Stoa of Attalos) that's fascinating. It includes actual ostraka (broken pottery pieces) that Athenians used to vote out or "ostracize" citizens who they felt were abusing power -- you'll see actual written names of famous "classical" Greeks such as Themistocles and Xanthippus.  (Rick Steves has a good audiotour or self-guided walk in his guidebook if you prefer written).

 

-- After this, you can continue on foot to the nearby Monastiraki area and have a gyro platter or some souvlaki for a quick lunch. (This area is known for its casual restaurants, easy to find one. They range from basic hole-in-the-wall takeout with tables on the sidewalk to real cafes.)

 

-- Now you're close to the Roman Forum, which includes an actual paced space (forum) as well as remains of several Roman buildings, including a library built by Hadrian.  At the bottom of the Roman Forum is the wonderful Tower of the Winds, a beautiful but rather enigmatic octagonal building built entirely of marble.

 

-- From here it's up to you. You could walk back through the Plaka, with a quick stop to look at the Arch of Hadrian and the Temple of Olympian Zeus (unless really interested, a quick outside view is fine).  End at the Acropolis Museum, where you can learn more about the current and previous buildings on the acropolis, as well as see bits of sculpture from excavations there. You should be able to catch a taxi from here or, slightly backtrack to the area in front of Hadrian's arch where the X80 express bus stops.

 

-- Alternatively you could walk to Syntagma Square from the Roman Forum to see the old Royal Palace and Changing of the Guard. The X80 bus also has a stop here, and there are always taxis in this area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is really helpful!  Our ship docks at 5:30, what time should we plan on leaving for the acropolis?

We will be visiting Mykonos, Santorini, Athens and Olympia next May/June and we would love to do some snorkeling.  It's there a location that anyone would recommend?

You guys have been VERY helpful.  We do want to travel when it's warmer so we will probably stick to late May or June.  But I've learned a bunch from you all.

19 minutes ago, Selion said:

Do the Status Match with MSC.  Should be a link on their website under Voyager Club.  If you can't find it, ask your TA to do it for you.

 

Edit: This is the US page: https://www.msccruisesusa.com/manage-booking/msc-voyagers-club/status-match

It starts by asking if I've booked before or have a trip booked.  And since I don't have either I can't get the discount for my first booking.  Am I reading it wrong?

It looks like I can't sign up for Voyager unless I have either cruised with them before or booked a cruise?

1 hour ago, alyssamma said:

No problem.

 

It would help if you know what you want to see in the med, or don't care and just want a med cruise.

 

Also, each ship is different...some are older for example and may not have what you want. On the other hand, for the med, which is port intensive, maybe you don't care.

 

Also understand the different experiences (Bella, Fantastica, Aurea, Yacht Club).

 

Lastly, don't forget...Voyager Club = 5% off. That price I gave was without the discount, so it would be even cheaper in reality.

Sorry, I hit the wrong button... we are pretty easygoing about where we want to go.  We have done much of Italy (by land) so more of Greece, Spain, Malta perhaps.  We are also very simple travelers, we do want a balcony and we don't want to worry about the bill we are racking up with our drinks.  We want anywhere from 7-10 nights at the best price we can find!  

2 minutes ago, alyssamma said:

My cost is *total*...not per person 🙂

 

okie dokie... I'll check it out!  Thanks for all your help!

2 hours ago, alyssamma said:

@perakcruiser explained the 2nd Q...but based on what you said, I'm not sure that is a "great" deal...assuming you don''t need drinks/wifi, you are looking at like $2200 USD total before taxes. MSC Med cruises are often pretty cheap...here is an example:

 

 

Not the exact same, but you can see it's half of your price ($1200 USD vs $2200 USD). 

 

Point is...there are often good med prices...shop around...pick what you want exactly...

 

I'm just realizing that this is actually more...perhaps you are mulitplying the Canadian cost at 35% or so?  If this is $1198US it will be about $1600 CA.  My original post would be about $1100 US for a balcony plus the drink and wifi package.

32 minutes ago, skipsaur said:

Also, just looking back through my spam emails:

 

May 9 - "Last day of sale!"

May 10 - New sale starting!" (Same as yesterday's)

May 17 - "Time's almost up on this sale!"

May 20 - "Our Memorial day sale is here!"

 

Seems like just as one ends, a new "sale" starts. Seems like a bit of marketing, just like "free" drinks packages.

this is exactly what I was wondering!

4 minutes ago, alyssamma said:

No, I understood that...see above where I did the conversion to USD. Your total price is about $2200 USD. What I found (after a very brief search) was something almost half of that.

My apologies, I see that now... where did you find this one?

3 minutes ago, alyssamma said:

@perakcruiser explained the 2nd Q...but based on what you said, I'm not sure that is a "great" deal...assuming you don''t need drinks/wifi, you are looking at like $2200 USD total before taxes. MSC Med cruises are often pretty cheap...here is an example:

 

 

Not the exact same, but you can see it's half of your price ($1200 USD vs $2200 USD). 

 

Point is...there are often good med prices...shop around...pick what you want exactly...

 

Thanks, Alyssa... I think the difference is that the price I quoted was in Canadian funds (sorry, I stated that in the original post but not the follow-up post)... which is about 35% more than the USD.  I just don't want to jump too soon, just because it is promoted as a sale.

6 minutes ago, Bgwest said:

Bella

fantastica

aurea

 

Sorry, I'm still lost... how would I know this?  I am not even sure what it refers to.  

3 minutes ago, alyssamma said:

Is this pp or total? Does this include drinks and wifi? What experience is this?

With the drinks/wifi package it is $1849 pp (before taxes).  I'm not sure I understand the second question.

17 minutes ago, zinniagirl said:

I've just started searching for a med cruise next May and have come upon the MSC current sale.  I just don't know if they raised prices for the sale or if it is worth booking at the sale price?

Here are the details... 

7 night Europe

I've just started searching for a med cruise next May and have come upon the MSC current sale.  I just don't know if they raised prices for the sale or if it is worth booking at the sale price?