lbeck

Maybe I'm not using the correct terminology.  I'm probably talking FTF.  I only know that after returning from some of my other foreign travels I would see transactions for purchases that were billed at a higher dollar rate than my exchange-rate calculations determined at the time of purchase.

 A friend that travels overseas frequently uses a Morgan Stanley credit card where the money is taken directly from his investments and there is no fee.  I don't have that option.  I do have two Visa credit cards, a Visa ATM card, an American Express card and a Master Card.  So I'm trying to do my homework ahead of my trip this time since we'll be gone for 16 days and likely spending hundreds of dollars.  I don't like to carry lots of cash, but would it be better to pay the currency exchange rate and get local currency at a bank?

I've traveled to Europe and was surprised to see the non-us charges added to my credit card invoice.  I understand that there are differences on credit card usage fees depending on the venue of transaction...so...... what's the most economical card to use in Ecuador/PERU:???

Well we're headed for the GAT of Galapagos and Macho Picchu. on Feb 18.

I'm especially concerned about a knee problem that began a few months ago.  Dr thinks probably cartridge.  I hope to do snorkeling in Galapagos and hiking in Machu Picchu.    Any additional information will be appreciated!

I'll do the excursions regardless.  This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I'll deal with the pain...

We're considering a trip to Ecuador to include Galapagos and Machu Picchu. A friend used Go Ahead Tours and recommends them highly. The GAT www site shows 4.5 of 5 stars, but I'm always skeptical of ratings on the rated website.

I know that this site isn't really for tour company reviews, but any help or other resources will be appreciated.

I'd love some info also about travel to Cuzco and Machu Picchu. Can anyone recommend a reliable...good quality tour group that I might check out? We, also will leave from Chile, but would consider going a week or so early to see these sights. Thanks for any recommendations!!

lbeck-

one of the most beautiful sail-ins anywhere is into Kotor. The Kotor fjord is the southernmost in Europe and it is beautiful. Cruising in is worth it just because of that. I think that any cruise that includes Venice, Split, Dubrovnik, some of the Greek islands and Athens is a winner, especially if this is your first visit to that part of the world.

 

Maybe you can combine a cruise with some land touring in Italy. It is nice to be retired!

Can't advise you on a cruise, but if you are browsing and see Kotor, Montenegro, it is beautiful! The entry into the port is breathtaking and the old town is very quaint. There is a great hike to the top of the fortress that many people do. 1500 old stone steps to the top with breathtaking views from above. A bit of a slog, but worth it. Takes a few hours to go up and come back down, but the old town is very close to the port, so it is doable during a stop.

My wife and I have been on several cruises - Princess is favorite but we're not exclusive to this.

My son recently returned from Montenegro with some great pictures. I'm looking for natural beauty and would like some excursions for some short hikes. Montenegro appears to be quite hilly and there appear to be some great vistas for those of us willing to climb a little.

I'm not much for southern Italy but my wife is. Northern Italy appears to be more scenic. Never been to Greece so that would be a plus also.

Looking for maybe a 14 day cruise or thereabouts (I'm retired).

Well - trying not to make this too long. We may just plan ahead and do car rentals and such, but the cruise option is enticing.

Thanks to you both. I'll move this thread to https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=234 as recommended by Bob. I'll also investigate 'small ship cruises in Adriatic' since that may be a viable option.

I couldn't find a sub-forum addressing Montenegro. My wife and I have been on several cruises - Princess is favorite but we're not exclusive to this.

My son recently returned from Montenegro with some great pictures. I'm looking for natural beauty and would like some excursions for some short hikes. Montenegro appears to be quite hilly and there appear to be some great vistas for those of us willing to climb a little.

I'm not much for southern Italy but my wife is. Northern Italy appears to be more scenic. Never been to Greece so that would be a plus also.

Looking for maybe a 14 day cruise or thereabouts (I'm retired).

Well - trying not to make this too long. We may just plan ahead and do car rentals and such, but the cruise option is enticing.

A big thank you to everyone who kindly responded. Cruisers are special.

I ave booked my excursions through a 3rd party vendor shoretrips.com and they appear to be quite competent. I'll post any significant information after we return to the US.

There are many reliable tour operators out there. Take a look at trip advisor for recommendations. Most of the reliable operators will either ask for a minimal deposit or none at all and offer a full refund if your ship does not make it to port.

 

The one excursion that I would never book with a private vendor is an excursion to the mainland from Cozumel. It's just too far and too many things could prevent you from getting back to the ship.

My wife and I are leaving for the Western Caribbean on RCI Freedom of the Seas on January 17. We are sailing with other couples and finally got around to trying to book on the same excursions with the others. All six of the excursions are booked full and I have spent over an hour on the RCI www site trying to find other excursions. I've looked at twenty or so and all are full.

First - this really surprises me. Having cruised on Princess to Alaska, Australia/NZ, and British Isles, when an excursion fills up, they start another group on the same excursion.

Second the RCI www site is horrible. Users need to search and click on an excursion and start the reservation process before finding out that the excursion is full. A better approach would be to list only the ones that are available, or at least to design the site with a notation "currently full" or something to that effect.

Okay - enough complaining - now for my need for advice.

1. Is there any chance that I can book after the cruise starts?
   
2. Are third-party excursions reliable?
   
3. What are some recommendations for easily booked excursions at the various ports of call?
   

One of my buddies that has cruised extensively says that he never books excursions until on the boat. I've never tried that. Any success/failure comments for RCI?

My wife is extremely skeptical about 3rd party excursions. Mostly for the unlikely possibility that the excursion will result in missing the cruise departure due to e.g., transportation issues (broken bus, traffic, etc.). She also is concerned about security - especially in Mexico (even though El Chapo has been recaptured :) )

We both are interested in scenic beauty and historical excursions like Maya ruins and such. Moderate exertion is okay. We both walk a couple of miles daily. I'm interested in snorkeling if tropical fish are plentiful. I'll admit to being spoiled by Hawaii and Fiji, but I understand that there is some clear water in the Caribbean where snorkeling is great. What I'm saying is that I don't want a snorkeling experience just to get wet in murky water.

On the "missing the boat" issue, maybe there are some excursions with multiple units so that if one breaks down there is another to the rescue?

Well, I'll stop here so that experienced cruisers won't get turned off by a too lengthy post.

I will appreciate your comments and advice - especially if it is specific to our upcoming cruise. I'll be checking this board frequently since we will be leaving soon.

Thanks in advance.

The tipping protocol in Europe always confuses me. Some say that the bill includes a gratuity and some say that it depends on the country in question. Of course, the advice always is that you tip for exceptional service. But I don't want to look like the silly American tourist by throwing money where it isn't customary.

Here in the US I always give the customary 15%+ and probably much more for a small bill, given that the waiter/waitress has to do the same amount of work for a hamburger and water as for a steak and wine.

Also, I recall that a gratuity is added to the cruise crew following a cruise, and of course you are encouraged to provide more than is charged. Also, if you go on excursions, the bus driver is usually seen accepting tips, and I never know whether or how much to give. Same for hotel personnel. I'm healthy to open my own doors, but sometimes a bell hop grabs your luggage whether you call for them or not.

Any tipping advice for London and the British Isles will be appreciated. We're leaving May 30.

First, let me compliment this forum. Lots of useful information. My questions are mostly general in nature and may be thoroughly explained in a sticky note or or another thread. You can redirect me if needed.

I've traveled to Europe a few times before but prior to the Euro. Also, things change over the years and this is my first cruise in Europe (12 day British Isles - leaving for London this Friday).

Where is the best place to exchange my dollars to pounds, given that my transportation options are limited. In other words, ** bank on 15th street won't help me. I know that the airport (here or there) or on-board the Ruby Princess is convenient but likely not the best rates, but maybe I'm wrong. We'll be touring London for a couple of days in the Southampton area prior to the cruise so something in that area may be accessible.

Next, is it better to use credit cards or ATM cards to purchase items or to get money? I know that CC is generally not good for getting cash, but does the bank where the CC is issued generally give you the best rate when you are billed back in the USA? I have American Express and a Wells Fargo ATM card that can also be used as a Visa CC. Also, I recall that it's best to contact your CC/ATM supplier prior to leaving so that your card will not be blocked due to suspicious activity if you do not forewarn them that you'll be traveling overseas. Also that you may want to increase or decrease your limit. One friend told a horror story about traveling overseas and his CC was blocked on the first day because his limit on cash was $500 and he tried to withdraw more than that.

Finally, since this cruise has stops in Scotland, Ireland, and a brief time in France, should I get some local currency, or will my British pounds / US Dollars work everywhere without a large exchange fee?

Any other money answers/questions that I should know but haven't asked will be helpful.

Thanks.

I believe that you can automatically check for fare reductions for the specific flight that you are already booked on at yapta.com

That's basically what concerns me. I don't want to pay $1500pp and two weeks later seeing that the same seats are going for a few hundred less. I hate that.

Thanks Rick. I was not aware of ITA Matrix but just tried it. Interesting site. It does offer time flexibility but no notification option that I could find.

The best price that I can find so far is in the neighborhood of $1500. I continue to get notification of flights 900-1000 but always for flights leaving in a few days or weeks at most. That price differential keeps me from booking without continuing to gamble that there may be a low price available prior to a month or so ahead of cruise date. Sometime in May I will need to go ahead and book a flight. If I find anything south of $1000 pp (there's four of us) I'll book if it's at at all reasonable with logistics (stops, plane size, layovers, etc.)

Thinfool - Thanks. I haven't tried Kayak recently. I'll log in there and see about their notification options.

We're booked for a British Isles cruise on June 4. I have signed up to skyscanner and travelocity and for the past couple of months have been getting notification of low cost airfare RDU-London but always the window of times that'll work for me aren't available. Usually the listed fare is only for the week or two following the notification.

I'm flexible a few days before and after the cruise. Are there any sites that will notify me ONLY if there is a price drop during a specified time window?

Thanks for the additional information. I'm especially interested in your comment:

my TA was able to switch to that sale and I was able to get my air to London for half what the airlines was charging.

I'm fairly familiar with online services like Travalocity and Orbitz, but wasn't aware that a TA may be able to get us flying cheaper.

Thanks rds. All good advice. Much of which I didn't know about pricing. I'm posting now because of your advice

don't look back. Seriously. It's not worth the angst

Forgive this post if this is not an appropriate thread - maybe you can help. I did a search using terms ruby princess british and this is one of many returns with lots of posts.

We're pretty much locked into the 12-day British Isle Princess tour R427N with another couple. Sail date June 4.

Princess has a sale thru the end of October for $1999, and we will be booking this week. I've used this forum in the past and see that it still has lots of info. I'll be checking back to do more research on details, but want to ask now if there is any suggestions on price shopping, i.e., is there a better price than the current sale? I tried the price search engines here and didn't see anything other than the current sale.

Thanks for your response or a suggestion for a different thread.