Thebox

My son has an early flight out of Germany. Does Oceania allow self disembarkation? In addition, if the ship "arrives" at 8 AM, what time would you estimate clearance to disembark? Thanks so much for your help!

Thank you!!

Traveling with a picky eater son on the Diamond Princess in Japan. Please let me know if there are french fries available at the Horizon Court and/or main dining room? I know it sounds silly - but it's important to make him less nervous about the trip! Thanks for your help!

Visited last July with RCCL. There was a shuttle available as soon as you left the ship. Think the price was $12 round trip. Stopped at 3-4 locations around the city in a loop. About 15 minutes between buses when you were ready to return. What a fantastic cruise! Enjoy!

Hank, driving around Europe is beyond me (I have a hard enough time not getting lost here in Atlanta.) Correction on original post - it's a bus, not a train (train takes twice as long.) If you're comfortable, can you tell me what you found disappointing about Obidos? 

Apparently there is a train that takes only a bit over an hour - but not sure how close it is the the port. Also, information I've found so far is very vague about how often the return bus runs. Has anyone done this on their own? Any information would be great - thanks!

Thanks Ine!

We dock in Amsterdam at 6AM at the end of the cruise. Would like to catch an 11:00 Thalys train from Central Station to Paris. Do I have the time? Would appreciate any input/direction - and thanks!

Ship is docking at 6AM in Amsterdam at the end of the cruise. Would like to catch an 11:15 train from Central Station to Paris. Do I have the time to catch this train? Any help would be appreciated - and thanks!

Reading the positive Tropicante reviews, I reserved 4 loungers in September for our Christmas cruise and immediately received a confirmation from Steve. Since I had reserved so far in advance, I sent a reminder e-mail to Steve the week before the cruise and again received a confirmation. Arrived at Tropicante at 10:15 this past week and were told by Steve that we were not on his reserved list. I then showed him copies of our two reservation confirmations.

While I completely understand overbooking to ensure that Tropicante is fully utilized, I was disappointed in Steve's customer service. He told us this was "only the second time this has ever happened", and suggested we go next door (small bar/restaurant with about 5 loungers.) When I told Steve I was nervous about eating in a restaurant in Mexico where I had read no reviews and asked about Pez Quadro (the only other restaurant I remembered from cc reviews) - he said they were "only average" and that he himself eats at the small establishment next door. Really, Steve? You go next door to eat literally the same menu items you offer yourself? Instead, seeing my hesitation, I would have appreciated a quick call to another better known restaurant to see if they had availability and directed us there.

I know most are more than pleased with Tropicante - just a 'heads up' to arrive earlier than 10:15, not assume two confirmations equals a reservation - and, if you do find yourself in an overbooked situation, don't expect him to recommend a true competitor.

Gave up on waiting for an e-mail reply and just called Beach bum to check on availability. They're sold out on the day we'll be there. Anyone know of another vender who offers this? Beach Bum tells me there are no other venders, but not too surprised by that answer. If anyone can help, would be appreciated

Anyone?? Sent two 'contact' forms to Beach Bum asking about availability/price. No word yet. Anyone book with any other vender or try this activity? Any info would be great. Thanks!

Has anyone taken this kind of excursion lately? Traveling with DH and two young adult sons. Although none of us know how to pilot a boat, thought this might be fun. Since we've been to Stingray City, I've been searching for something new for the day. Beach Bum offers this (I think they are by the pier) and takes you to Governor's Reef and the Cali to snorkel - two new areas for us.

Any information you can share on whether you liked the experience, if it was simple to learn and what operator you used? Thanks!!

And... Mizz K and bibbysnow - have a great cruise!!

That is great news (that he is eligible for platinum upgrades at the beginning of the cruise!) Thanks for sending info! (Haven't looked at his/our boarding Doc's yet - just going by the info via phone from the carnival rep.)

Now I need to look into what perks he'll (we'll?) get!

My young adult son will reach platinum level in the middle of our upcoming family Christmas cruise. I find this ironic considering I'll remain Gold - yet have paid for all of his cruises other than one short cruise he funded on his own.

Anyway... he asked, when booking, whether he receives any of the Platinum perks during the Christmas cruise and was told 'no' by Carnival. The benefits, per Carnival, kick in on the first cruise you book after you've reached Platinum level.

Earlier this week, on our last night post cruise, we were headed back to the Conrad after dinner and the guy stopped us and started giving us the father/fight/scam story. I said "wow. you're all over the internet!" He just said "God bless" and quickly walked away. Seemed like a fitting end to the vacation - like cramming in one final mini experience!