heidikay

I just got my status match. I submitted it online about a week and a half ago. So doing it online does work at least for me.

Maureen,

 

I have discovered the ultimate cruise accessory for you. I have utilized my somewhat limited photoshop skills to help you envision using it

 

 

~Brian

I'm laughing. Maureen you have hairy arms!!!

I have cruised Carnival many times. It is a good value for my family of 5. Funny what some like others don't. I don't care for the sea day brunch on Carnival, they offer the same menu every sea day. I prefer a traditional lunch in the dining room with a new menu each day. I was on the Breeze and really enjoyed the Blue Iguana Cantina. It is not available on every ship yet. But the Mexican breakfasts there are a favorite.

In the same vein, we are also looking for a 2 day tour of St. Petersburg and have run across Lentina Travel. Has anyone booked with them? There are many excellent reviews on Cruise Critic but nobody here has mentioned them. Their itinerary seems quite busy (which doesn't worry us) and they only have up to 6 people in a group (which is EXCELLENT). Any comments?

I looked at their prices (I think they are high) and you could find a tour recommended by folks here for a better price. I would check with a couple more places before you make a final decision. I'm not paying much more for a three day private tour with 5. Check around.

For the poster that have said the age demographic on Princess was 80, I'm curious to know what itinerary and cruise date they were on. I've been on over 25 Princess cruisers and have never seen the age demographic that high. I've been on 1 or 2 cruises where there were a lot of walkers and scooters but that was purely because of the time of year and the cruise itinerary and it was in no way the norm.

 

To me, Celebrity seems to have more couples and Princess more families, but again, that is itinerary and time of sailing dependent.

I think when you are in your 40's it feels like the age is 80+, even if it is only 70+. I was on a Princess cruise in February a few years ago out of Miami or Ft. Lauderdale and it seemed like everyone was about 80.

My promo chips were not replaced when I won bets on the Constellation in March. This was at roulette and blackjack. I specifically asked both dealers about it, and they only paid winnings in real chips. I kept racking the real chips, and betting only promos. For example, bet $20 promo on BJ, won, kept $20 promo and was paid $20 real. Make sense?

But then how do you cash in your promo chips? So you have to bet and lose every promo chip? That doesn't seem fair.

My agent said the best deal is to book on board and then to transfer the booking.

I think book on board.

I think now that a big mistake we made when we toured St Petersburg is not taking the midnight Neva River cruise to see bridges being raised. Even if it implies going to bed at 3a.m., it’s something that you can only do in St.Petersburg.

Gosh I wonder if someone else would chime in on this. I am travelling this June to St. Petersburg for 3 days with a 13, 16 and 20 yo. I'm just afraid if we stay up that late, my kids will be too tired the next day. Hey I need my sleep, too.

So is it a not miss and worth dragging the next day?

For anyone interested in the rides this appears to be a good value. Check out the PULS ticket. It includes entrance, all the rides and some food. I'm going to be buying it. There is no way my kids will want to walk through without getting on the coasters, etc.

http://www.tivoligardens.com/en/shop/pakker

Tickets up to 12 May are avavilable. Just bought mine. Was hoping to get ones with the 30 minute program but none available and I didn't want to risk missing out all together.

Thanks for the update. I don't need tickets until July but I checked out what was available and it appeared only to be tickets in the morning. Where your tickets in the morning?

Thank you. Somehow I missed the list of taxis before. I looked again and now I see it.

Is there a cab service that we can use to get from the airport to our hostel? There are six of us 2 adults 2 students and 2 kids. I figured it might be cheaper to get a taxi then to use the Express and an added bonus it would be more direct.

Any idea what the price of a taxi for 6 into central Stockholm is?

I would not recommend City Bikes if you are a group of six. The place near my home where you can pick up a bike has nine slots. I am not sure that it is always the same number everywhere. But to expect there will be six bikes waiting when you want them is risky, could be anything between nine and none at all. . And if you find six there is the problem of leaving them again after the three hours. There may not be six free slots where you can put them back.

 

Bike traffic in Stockholm city is crowded and hectic. Often very high speed. A group of six who are not familiar with the city could mean trouble. I would not recommend it. Public transport is an easy and safe way to get around. However there are places where it might be nice to have a bike, as for instance on Djurgården Island where you will find the Vasa Museum, Skansen outdoor museum, the ABBA Museum and other attractions. There is a place on Strandvägen street, close to the bridge to Djurgården, where you could perhaps rent bikes on one of the days.

 

Helmets are widely used when biking in Stockholm.

I was wondering if being a group of six would be a problem. It sounds like it will be. I never guessed you might have a problem finding a spot to leave the bike. I figured finding 6 in the beginning could be a problem.

Thanks for your help. I guess it will be public transportation or feet for us.

It appears it easy to get to Central station from the airport. There is a direct train that takes 15 minutes.

From there I don't know what would be open. I'm guessing you might get more help if you pose your question on the Amsterdam forum at tripadvisor.

Thank you for the information.

http://www.citybikes.se/home

I was considering using the city bike service when in Stockholm before our cruise. A three day pass would be perfect for us. But I have a couple questions. There will be six of us. Will most places have six bikes available when we arrive? Are the locations to leave them pretty easy to find? I realize they can only be used for three hour periods and then need to be returned.

Is biking around Stockholm fairly safe and easy? We usually bike in rural areas. My family did bike in Vancouver Canada once and we got along fine. But if it is very intense biking in the city maybe we should abandon this idea.

Also do most wear helmets? We do but I'm not sure about packing them.

Thanks everyone for the quick answer!!!

I have a question. Did Carnival or NCL or another cruise line have ships sailing down the coast? What happened to them? Did they stay in port? I'm sure the Anthem is not the only ship to cruise that itinerary. This has probably already been asked and answered but I can't find it.

Just an update-

 

I have cancelled my cruise per my doctors suggestion. With so little known about the virus and it spreading further and further, I just didn't feel comfortable going. My doctor said if I chose to go I would have to cover my arms and legs and wear bug spray. In all honesty, I go to the Caribbean to lay in the sun in my bathing suit and wear shorts and tank tops. I also go to have a carefree time. I can wear long pants and long sleeves in the cold Chicago weather anytime. I couldn't justify being worried about getting bit and maybe contracting this virus. My husband and I have gone and are going through too much to have a healthy baby- trip wasn't worth it.

 

That being said, my TA is working with Royal to determine reimbursement. I have spoken to two people there and both have told me I will be fully reimbursed by them provided I submit a doctors note stating he doesn't want me to travel due to the Zika threat. United airlines has offered me a full credit on our airfare with the change fees waived, but I may try to file a claim for that with my trip insurance. Worst case scenario is I have my airfare fully refunded in credit form.

 

I think the intense media coverage of this story may be a little overblown, but it is putting pressure on travel companies to work with their customers. I have been very happy with Royals response to my situation

 

 

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I think you made the right decision. The trip is not worth the health of your baby. I totally agree. I was just in Belize in late December and I was bit more than once after using DEET. And others were bit as well. I was at a Mayan ruin so I was in a grassy nature area.

I am in your same situation. We are cruising for our first time in March on the Carnival Dream. Ports well be visiting our Honduras, Belize and Cozumel. IF we decide to get off the ship I will be wearing long sleaves and pants and DEET repellant. It's been a difficult decision for us to make but with research I'm feeling better about being on a cruise ship rather then backpacking through the jungle. This is all only if my DR is ok with us going!

I was in Belize in December and most of us did get bit be mosquitos. We went to a Mayan ruin in the morning. And the bites really itched and we did use bug spray with DEET. I would for sure avoid nature areas.

I'm travelling to the baltics with my teenagers this summer and this thread is very helpful. Thanks for all the great tips.

When we got there we got right on the ship embarkation had started. I think we got there around noon.

Thank you. I don't know if we can get there that early. But now I know we should pretty much get on when we get there. I will try to report back later when we get on for others.

Does anyone know when the Splendor has been beginning embarkation in Miami? We sail tomorrow and wondered when we should try to get to the port. Thank you!