floatinrocks

Thank you so much for the education, I thoroughly enjoyed it and we will check out that restaurant.

The HOHO bus meets you right at the ship in Nynashamn and then you can use it in Stockholm. No need to wait for the masses to use the freebie shuttle from the ship. To me it is worth the 20something bucks to get there faster and easier. You can book your tickets ahead on Stromma.

Thanks, that sounds like a really good plan, we'll definitely do that.

We just got an email from our TA saying Celebrity has advised we will be docking in Nynashaumn instead of Stockholm and port times will remain the same. I'm not too impressed. What I'm reading here is that NCL extends the port time to make up for time lost getting to and from Stockholm. It's a ways off so I guess time will tell if they offer a shuttle "feel like a bunch of cattle" to and from.

All I can say is that - I have coronary artery disease and 2 stents. I did this when I was younger than you (I was about 60) with the encouragement of my cardiologist. She said to "pace yourself, keep hydrated, rest frequently and use common sense". I was fine. If you are concerned, check with your Dr.

forgot to add - She had done the hike herself and was familiar with it.

I forgot to say I've have double bypass surgery and then 2 years later 7 stents in another artery. LOL But your advice is very wise and I will talk to my cardiologist about it and my regular doctor. We have friends who have said, they've done it and I wouldn't be able to do it. I'm thinking they probably didn't rest and I would definitely listen to my body. Thank you very much.

I will be 70 when we go to Honolulu, I do have Coronary Artery Disease. I walk 30 to 40 minutes 3 - 5 times a week. Does anyone know (any doctors out there???) if I bring water and take lots of rests if this is a possibility for me or should I just give up the idea?

Do you pay for everything you eat at the International Café? We've never tried it.

Love the sea days. Activities on the different ships / cruise lines gives you the ability to do as little or as much as you want. We also just enjoy reading a book on the promenade deck & watching the sea go by. Go to a thread from the cruise line you'll cruise with & find out what other people are saying about their cruise for that itinerary.

Allan

Hey, we're doing 15 day out of LA December 2018 but I noticed your post, we're in Penetang!!! Small world.

You can get to Pearl Harbor on the city bus ($5 bus pass). I advise you to go ASAP and when you get to Pearl Harbor go to the desk and get your free boat ticket. Then check out the excellent museum while you wait for your boat. Also no bags are allowed but you can check them for a couple of $$$. You do not need a pricey tour to go to Pearl Harbor. There are also 3 other attractions that are privately operated and you must pay for them. The WWII submarine , the Mighty Mo Battleship and the Pacific Aviation Museum - called one of the top aviation musuems in the US. And they have a great café to get lunch.

I'd like to print the bus routes can you advise where I'd find that? Sounds like a great idea, compared to Cruiseship excursion prices. I've also noticed your information is always very succinct and clear, thanks for that.

Please describe James Beard French toast.

Where are you finding that French Toast in the Dining Room or the Buffet????

If Mount Gay go for the XO (1703) "Cask Strength".

Never seen it for sale in the USA. Never visited Canada.

Thank you I will.

Vive la difference is right. We can't all get aft balconies with wake sounds and views, so it's a good thing we all like different staterooms. Glad you enjoyed the pic if not the sound and good to know I may get another if I find a good balcony sale like you did.

Not sure if I can put the link here so I'll just say search for Antigua vip tours and you should find it. Think it was $175 for two adults and a child. Let me know if you can't find the site.

I'm pretty sure I found him but it's 100 per person for a full day. From what I know of the rules of posting on CC, if you are asked for a tour recommendation, that is the only time it's okay, to post the details of that tour. Just FYI.

Port Royal

Thank you I'd not thought of Duty Free. We can get Mount Gay here, I'm not sure about the other two though. It's a plan.

Thanks. After multiple email attempts through both email accounts he provided, I didn't get a response. We found a similar tour through another vendor that had phenomenal reviews, similar pricing, and extremely prompt and detailed communication so we went with them. Thanks.

Who did you book with and how much?

For people like us who are flying with carry ons only, what would you suggest we buy besides Rum?

Added all the instructions for mustard and Paprika, washrooms, crafts etc. to my notes, I'm excited to get going. Thanks everyone.

Thanks everyone, I will definitely get more than 1000 Florints , I was thinking of getting a 100 Cdn changed into Florints and see what that would get me. I'm sure I'll have no trouble spending. LOL

I'd like to go to the market and get some Paprika gift sets for family. We are in Budapest for the day and overnight then it's back home next morning.

We did the same cruise in Sept/Oct last year. You will LOVE it!! Seriously, you will be so well fed, you will struggle to even feel like buying coffee or cake on-shore but we did occasionally and we would have regretted it if we hadn't. I took E500 cash, plus a cash card loaded with more, and didn't spend half of it!

 

I also took 1000 Florints, as you do get some time at Fishermans Bastion in Budapest where you can look around. They take Euro too, but I didn't want to be one of "those" tourists. Came across some American's who were super rude to a lady in a shop in Austria when she wouldn't take US dollars! I mean, why would she? Anyhow, back to Florints. They were also handy for the toilets, although they prefer coins so maybe buy something to break up a bill. Plenty of lovely things to chose from, and inexpensive.

 

I got both cheese and paprika back into New Zealand, I think as long as the cheese is vacuumed packed it is OK. You will get a tour of a cheese place on the first day in Amsterdam. Be prepared to eat non-stop on this trip - its AMAZING! Lots of "tastings" all the way along.

 

Just a hint - in Vienna you get an excursion choice to go to Bratislava. Go. The hot chocolate is to die for!! Such a contrast to rich Vienna. On my list of places to revisit.

 

Be aware the a lot of our group were disappointed to discover the Spanish horses are not open every day. You also get a half day guided tour through Vienna, and past the stables, and then option to catch the shuttle back again after lunch. We made the most of this, so we saw a lot of Vienna so we could go to Bratislava. But then, I had already seen the Schronbruun palace. Vienna was the place with about four excursion options - all excellent.

 

Enjoy!!

Thank you Henrys Aunt, I had come to the conclusion I would get 500 Euros. I'll always be able to use my bank card. Did you spend 1000 Florints??? I don't want to be that couple either. I'd prefer to have home country currency wherever I go. I once had a salesgirl in Buffalo, push 2 pennies back towards me (I'd gotten a couple of Cdn. pennies mixed in with my American change) she curled her lips (like poop was on the counter) and said, "What Is THAT".

Anyway, thank you very very much for the hints and the information.

Scenic does include everything - and most guides will be able to direct you to "free" toilets - but I would suggest having some Euros on hand just in case. We stay away from airport ATMs and usually find one in town. Again, the guides are a good source of info.

 

Not sure what bank you deal with, but ask if there are any articulation agreements. We bank with Scotia and so there are a number of banks in Europe that we can use and not be charged ATM fees.

 

 

Hungary is the best for Paprika... If you get an opportunity, go the to Central Market and buy it there. It is available *everywhere* in Budapest... the price may be affected by where you buy it, a "pretty" tin etc. Look for the expiry date - it is considered "good" for a year. You can buy hot and sweet everywhere - smoked is a bit more difficult to find (but is at the market). You can use Euros in Budapest, but you won't get the best exchange rate. We love Budapest... so much to see and do there.

 

We have not had any issues bringing home Paprika - haven't tried to bring back cheese. We found Scenic had some amazing cheeses on board - so really got my fill before we disembarked.

 

Enjoy your cruise!!

 

 

Fran

Thanks for the info Fran. We bank at Scotia as well so I'll be sure to get a list from them before I go, that will make it a lot easier. I've never been to Budapest but I just know I will love it.

Thank you everybody, thanks for the link that will come in handy more than you know. Also, what is the grainy german mustard in tubes called? Anybody know? Did you purchase it in Germany or Budapest? I've had Hungarian Goulash at a restaurant here in town and it was a thick thick soup, no noddles.

No place like Cruise Critic for information.......love it.

Thanks I will check with customs about the cheese and I'm bringing it back to Canada not US.

I am cruising Scenic Amsterdam to Budapest April 11th. Everything is included in their one price so I'm really having a very hard time figuring out how much I should get in Euros and Florints. It's 15 days. I'll want to bring home some soapless soap, Gouda cheese as gifts, Hungarian Paprika etc. Any suggestions?

I like the post about buying a coffee and getting change for toilets, good advice!!!

:rolleyes:

Thank you so much for all the useful information. I'm not sure which hotel we will stay at in Prague. Depends where Scenic put us up. I'm getting a brochure and hoping it will say in that. Again thanks for all the info.

Hi I'm hoping that someone who has done the gems of the Danube and Prague with Scenic can tell me why my docs, which i just received, show nine hours for the transfer from Prague to Nuremberg? From my research it should take about three hours, four to five if you allow for a stop for lunch.

Anyone got the answer,

thanks

Hello,

We are doing Gems of the Danube with Scenic and 3 Days in Prague in May. Can u tell me if we need money in Prague for meals or anything other than "special tourist purchases"? We are stumped with the amount of Euros to bring and Forints for Budapest. Any suggestions would be so very much appreciated.

Marge