Marion B

In reading Mr. Click and mydremvacation's posts, I want to expand on my wonderful experience:

We're jet-lagged, cranky and hungry when we arrive to bedlam at FCO. We're dragging luggage and carry-ons. There are dozens of drivers waiting to greet their passengers. Our is in front with a sign bearing our name. He has a luggage dolly and relieves us of every piece. We enter a late model, comfortable and clean car. Our driver asks if the temperature is to our liking. What about the radio? Is it our preferred type of music? Too loud or too soft? He offers us some chocolates. We sit back and relax.

We're given a commentary on the passing sites, as well as helpful information for out stay. When we arrive at our hotel, it is pouring. Our driver urges us to remain in the car. He runs into the hotel and returns with a huge umbrella, escorting me and then my husband into the lobby.

Rome Cabs? It doesn't get any better than this.

Marion

In my previous post, I meant to say "Rome Cabs" and typed "Rome In Limo" instead. Too much jet lag and too little sleep. Sorry!

Marion

Thanks to all who provided info on Romeinlimo. We used them from the airport to the hotel and hotel to Rome Port.

I agree with what everyone said: clean, comfortable cars, courteous drivers who arrive on time (or even 15 minutes early for the port trip which I really appreciated).

I would definitely not look elsewhere the next time we are in Rome.

Marion

Thanks DameatSea and Valerie, for the helpful information.

Marion

Appreciate all the info on Rome Cabs.

We have booked two services (airport to hotel and hotel to port) and received an email after booking, asking to confirm. We immediately did so.

We have not yet been asked to provide our credit card number to guarantee services. I thought that was a requirement. Should I be contacting Rome Cabs or not?

Thanks,

Marion

Thanks, Bennybear, for your feedback.

Marion

Thanks, cruisemom, for the prompt and helpful information. Excellent suggestion to take along a blowup of the map. Will do.

Marion

Cruisemom42 (or anyone else who knows),

For the FCO flat rate to a Rome hotel, would one near Termini qualify as being in "central" Rome?

Is the flat rate still 48 Euros?

Hope I haven't erred in picking a hotel (Hotel Canada) near Termini - the more I read up on the area, the more I hear words like "questionable" and "seedy."

Too late now - we're leaving in a few weeks and most other options are already booked or expensive.

Thanks to anyone who can help.

Marion

Lady Arwen,

Hope you get a quote from HAL on airfare; we are booked in October 2016 flying into Rome and home from Barcelona. After checking out every airline imaginable, HAL saved us $800 per person for anything we could find on our own.

Not sure if Norwegian Air flies into Canada, but, based on friends who have flown them and my research, their fares beat all the major carriers by a long shot.

We may be on the April 2017 transatlantic that you mentioned. We will see what HAL's airfare can do for us, but we've already priced out $600 per person one way from Prague (after the transatlantic ends) and it is only $600 per person one way - in Premium Class.

Hope you score a deal. Good luck.

Marion

Florida Tourist,

Thanks so much for taking your time to post. Your tips and insights have been very helpful for my upcoming Oosterdam cruise.

Hope your final flight went smoothly and looking forward to your review.

Marion

Florida Tourist,

Sorry to hear about your rough seas and queasiness; hope things have improved. Thanks for your continued postings in spite of this.

Marion

Florida Tourist,

Just as I was posting, your beutiful photos of the Signature Suites came through- and then Kermit's post about technical problems aboard the ship. Really hope this is fixed asap and you are on your way without further delay.

Marion

Florida Tourist,

Thanks for answering my question about the upsell. Forgot to mention that your tip on the Delta Comfort Plus is very helpful because we will also be flying Delta to Rome.

While you are enjoying your cruise in real life, I will continue to enjoy your posts and photos vicariously.

Marion

Florida Tourist,

If you don't mind - how much did HAL want per person for the Neptune upgrade?

Thanks,

Marion

Thanks for posting; I will be following along. We board the ship in October, also out of Rome and also in a Signature Suite, so I am really interested in the photos.

Have a fabulous cruise!

Marion

Lisa,

Very sorry to hear about your Delta snafu; hope things are fixed shortly and you are on your way. Wishing you a safe and smooth flight.

Marion

Lisa,

Your photos, narratives, menu postings and great attention to detail are most appreciated. I am really looking forward to your wrap up and comparison of Neptune vs Haven, when you have had a chance to unwind.

Wishing you safe and smooth travels home and thanks again for all the time, effort and expense you have put in to bring me and everyone else along on this cruise.

Marion

Lisa,

Glad to read you arrived safely. Let the adventure begin!

Looking forward to your thoughts on the Sheraton. If you've flown United Economy Plus, how did you feel Delta ComfortPlus compared? Thanks.

Marion

Lisa,

Thanks for the ticketing info - good to know. Hope your flight is as smooth as can be.

Marion

Lisa,

Another airfare question - we will be on the same Delta Atlanta - Rome flight, also booked through HAL; how soon can we get into the reservation and buy Comfort Plus?

Thanks,

Marion

Lisa,

A big thank-you for doing this. I will be eagerly following.

Marion

You are correct; you can't access Flight Ease through your PCC (or even your TA). We have had to have our TA access it and give us a list of available flights, airlines, prices, etc. That is the downside.

For us, the upside on two bookings was that we saved a good amount of money ($500 for two people on our Alaska cruise and $1200 for two people on our Med cruise). These were savings on the exact same flights I had priced out on my own. You do get FF mileage and the chance to purchase economy plus type seating, but you can't access the actual reservation until about 6 weeks before the flights to do this.

In one case, we booked the air a day after the initial deposit, and another time a few weeks later, when we were not happy with the airfare prices we were finding.

Good luck,

Marion

OP,

We were in the same boat as you, so to speak. We chose the May 15th Zaandam cruise over the New Amsterdam. For us, the deciding factor was the verandah cabin size. Having sailed (and loved both these ships) we knew the Zaandam verandah would be noticeably bigger than the NA verandah (and also $200 per person cheaper than the NA sailing).

But ... We have sailed Alaska twice already and enjoyed Glacier Bay (included in the NA itinerary, but not on the Zaandam schedule). So, we are taking a chance on Tracy Arm with Zaandam in that I have read that ships are not always able to sail in there due to prevailing weather conditions. This may or may not be a factor for you. As others have already pointed out, Zaandam is smaller and older and lacks the wonderful Tamarind Restaurant. Again, may or may not matter to you.

In the end, it was a delightful dilemma that we (like you)faced, but I don't think you could go wring with either choice.

Let us know what you decide and enjoy fabulous Alaska.

Marion

SwisLe,

We just left Epic on December 20th. I hope your cruise is as great as ours was.

If you get the chance, please tell Monica Mr. and Mrs. Smith send her their best. She was our first experience with the Haven and will be our benchmark for all future concierges. The lady is a gem.

Enjoying your reports and look forward to more.

Marion

If you were on the 12/9 sailing, Rod, then we were on the same cruise.

Like you, we gave the Epic a try because of a deal so good that we figured it was a misprint. Not so, and we ended up in a Haven suite with all four of the promos.

We loved the specialty restaurants, fabulous evening entertainment and mellow fellow cruisers- thought the ship had an upbeat "vibe." Loved the ports and because of the shore excursion credit, took more ship's tours than usual. Found them very good.

Our only suite comparison is to HAL and the Haven blew that out of the water.

I would do this exact same cruise again in a heartbeat. Happy sailings to all who are about to embark on her.

Marion