daryleann

We have always used the hotel for storing the luggage but as we also leave late at nite I think we are just going to have to leave it there as late as they allow and we are planning on using hotel transport to airport so that should make it possible. You might check with your hotel - it sounds like they might be used to late leaving customers.

We took a morning train to Pisa (VERY easy) and walked to Baptistry etc (pouring rain but still doable.) You need tickets ahead of time on good weather.

We are scheduled to be there in November (NCL) and are taking a tour to Nicosia in the mountains. It is world's only divided city (Greek & Turkey) and will let you know how it went.

spanosbusesCyprus.com

They have several tours, and our cc roll call is also having a tour to Pathos. Check out your own roll call and see what they have planned.

HANK: Just reading your info for our cruise this fall. We will be in Naples Oct 31 and I went to the ferry link as suggested. No ferries to Capri on Oct 31. Is this normal?

Thanks for the info anyway - just in case ;-/

Could you point us to info on the turtle release and underwater boat tour?

thanks!

Why would the ship even go to Acapulco if not safe? We were to go to Casablanca one cruise and they cancelled it due to 'some unrest' but reinstated it the next week. If Acapulco is habitually unsafe, why would we even stop there?:confused:

thanks for that. We had done a taxi around town so this gives us another direction to go.

It has been many years since we were in Acapulco, and now the postings are saying it is too dangerous to get off the ship.

We will be there March 9.

Does anyone have recent info on what to see while there? Have seen the divers several times so something else, please. [if it were not safe, the ships would not go there - that is my opinion.]

Thanks in advance!

It's been several years since we did the same cruise, from Valparaiso. We stayed in Santiago for two days as we had been there before, then took the city bus to Valparaiso (lovely scenery and vineyards) where we stayed in small hotel and did all the different funiculars -( so much variety!). Took a taxi one day to Vina del Mar, then taxi to cruise ship in Valparaiso. (stormed that nite and lots of people sick. But lovely cruising among glaciers and super nice around horn)

If you haven't been to Santiago, I would recommend a couple of days there - lovely!!

From my experience - we almost never take a ship excursion as it takes so long to load and unload at each stop. So with private tour, not only do you save money, get more personal experience, you actually see more.

That said, if you are in port a shorter time (this time our ship leaves at 2 so must be on board by 1pm) then the ship excursion would probably be better, as -in my case- I would not get off soon enough to get much out of a tour.

(When we were last there, in '06, we got a group tour at the port and it was so very hot in that car - even with air, it was hot and stuffy. Some of those private cars are not really good for 6 or seven people - even if they DO have the seats!);)

If you are worried, why not just do it online? You have internet access, so that is the best way. In the past couple of years, I have seen the most popular excursions booked upon arriving on board.

Thanks for that, neighbor!!

Look at the forum on Guatemala and do a search for Antigua. You will see what others have done.

In some of my reading I remember a guide saying that the tourist area is only a few blocks each direction. Not sure where I read it and will try to track it back down.

I clicked on your link and saw the towel. I'd never seen one but I use the neck scarf, or a version of it. I make them with the small crystals that they use for dog beds, etc. They hold moisture and you wear around the neck to cool the carotid arteries so body temp drops a bit.

Nothing truly helps when you are not used to the humidity. We found that in Cartagena, the taxi ride was so hot (several people) that the outside air was a relief!

(we were on transit in '08 and could not see too much for all the crowds on deck - we had an inside cabin. THIS time I opted for a balcony. May be far away, but at least I hope to see.)

Here is what I am using for a DIY day in Antigua. Frommers has maps etc and good descriptions.

http://www.frommers.com/destinations/antigua-guatemala/275819

You can also check out tripadvisor.com and virtualtourist.com for info.

We have been here several years ago, but now people are saying it is too dangerous to even leave the ship...

What have recent travelers found here? I cannot believe they would even stop if it is not safe.

We enjoy doing our own thing either with small group or wandering on own, so would appreciate some current feedback.

Lots of ideas and suggestions on past threads. Read the titles and do some research.

Also might check out tripadvisor.com.

NCL has a great page toward the bottom of this article (not dated) that shows the ports on a map and lists the excursions available. Looked at the Guatemala one and our cruise is not listed as being one with those excursions. Perhaps that will change. Cruiser on our roll call said NCL told him they would list after Nov 1.

http://traveltips.usatoday.com/shore-excursions-puerto-quetzal-guatemala-57576.html

Has anyone had any experience with this company?

Thank you.

Since NCL does not have any excursions in this port, how can we get to Antigua? Several have mentioned the do your own thing type excursion, so what is the best way to arrange that?

Thanks for any advice!

Call your travel agent and ask. They are paid to help you and it is FREE from them.

Can't beat FREE :cool:

You mentioned the Rupe Museum so I googled it and found this site with absolutely stunning photos - of many places in the town! Whets the appetite, so to speak.

http://www.galenfrysinger.com/croatia_dubrovnik_museum.htm

Marge: cannot find where I got my list, and I will gladly send it to you, if you want, but I did find Frommer's walking tour. Lots of the same info.

http://www.frommers.com/destinations/dubrovnik/3280010008.html

daryleann at gmail dot com

"somewhere" I found a full list and description of attractions, with a cost (altho I don't know how recent) and saved the document. I will try to figure out which is which and # them... now if I could just figure out where I found it... with cut and paste, it is 4 pages, but almost as good as an audio guide.:cool:

Research over months makes this a real memory problem, which is why it gets spread out...:rolleyes:

When you get the map, center it on your monitor, then rt click on it and there is a selection for printing. I did it on draft, but it is still very dark. You then have to put some of the numbers in. It is a gif so it is constantly changing and depends on when it reads before it prints. (don't bother to zoom in, as you probably can't read Croatian any better than I can)