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Have to say first that I wouldn't normally worry about wifi on vacation but family situation will require it on this trip.

Has anyone experienced the wifi recently on a Transatlantic? Is it any good going across or is it intermittent?

thanks

Has anyone taken the subway into Athens since they introduced the new ticket system. Last time we were there, you could buy a 24 hour ticket for the bus to the subway and then into Athens from the kiosk across the street from the cruise terminal. Is that still possible?

Thanks folks. That give me a couple of options

Has anyone found a tour company that does a day trip to Taormina from the port of Messina for a reasonable price?

We absolutely loved Iceland and have been there twice on cruises but this time was disappointed with what seemed to be a type of tourist ripoff. The city offers a shuttle bus from the cruise terminal into town. It is about a 5-7 minute ride each way and costs the extravagant price of $20 U.S. or $25 Canadian per person. They sell the tickets in the small terminal building. The bus drops you off at a lovely new building downtown where you will find tours, hop-on/hop-off etc. If you want to use the toilet there, be prepared to pay 2 euros....yes that's right...2 euros to use the toilet.

All other stops on our cruise this time, free bus shuttles were provided and we felt welcome by the places. But this outlandish price in Iceland did not make us feel welcome as tourists. I understand that Iceland is a very expensive place but hopefully they will consider reducing this shuttle cost and the cost to use the toilet.

We are stopping at Port Canaveral on NCL gem for the day. There are 5 of us and we want to go to Cocoa Beach. The ships shuttle is expensive for all of us. Is it easy to get a taxi to and from Cocoa beach from the cruise terminal

Has anyone stopped in Newcastle recently. Have been looking at getting into the city. On one web site they say there is a shuttle bus that goes to the shopping centre and Tynemouth train station, anyone seen this? On other sites, it appears you are on your own to get to transportation and into the city. If so, there must be a train station fairly near the port?

Taxis won't mind the trip down to Cocoa Beach for shore trips. That's one reason why 888-transport has a Port contract - to avoid picky taxi drivers and to give rides anywhere!

 

Uber will be your best bet if they can fit 5.

 

If your ship docks at terminal 1 then you can also use the SCAT bus $3 per person return.

 

Here is a Guide to the Beaches of Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach for Cruisers

Great info - thanks!

We will be in Port Canaveral for a cruise stop from 1-9 p.m. There are 5 of us that want to go into Cocoa Beach for the day. The ship is charging $20 p/p for their shuttle. I have heard that taxis don't like to do short trips like that from the port. Can anyone suggest our best alternative?

thanks

Thanks folks!

Trying to find exactly where the ship docks in North Shields and directions to the subway stop to get into Newcastle. Is anyone able to help?

thanks

Should I pre-book transportation from the cruise terminal to the airport or are there usually lots of taxis/shuttle vans?

I agree, that's exactly what I'm looking for. We're possibly on the same cruise - Jan. 25 out of Tampa on NCL? Unfortunately I haven't had any reply to my question so not sure what we're going to do.

Anyone who has been to Santo Domingo recently - are there plenty of taxis for hire or small tour operators at the pier when you get off the ship? I'm just looking for an old city tour without having to walk in from Sans Souci(I think that's where we dock). Also, any idea of prices being asked for a city tour?

thanks

We just booked the Aug. 19 Iceland cruise. Did almost the same cruise on NCL back in September 2010 and really enjoyed it. Went back in the records to see how much we paid then and found that the price has literally doubled. Of course, I believe the Canadian dollar was stronger back then so the exchange rate is killing us. However that doesn't account for that much difference in price.

Anyway, looking to see if roll call has been set up yet. I have a good contact for reasonable prices on the circle route excursion in Iceland.

I don't really care where the problems are and who didn't do their job properly, that's for NCL to figure out. But I would really like to see those August/September cruises on the web site and available to book. Has anyone heard anything new on this?

We're getting ready to book the Sky suite for a TA. Just wanted to confirm a couple of things as different places seem to give different answers. What's the difference between Sky 1 & 2? Do both have access to Michaels Club? Do you get the free drinks in Michaels if booked in Sky?

thanks

It's been years since we've been to St Lucia and we took a ships tour last time. Don't want to do that this time. Is it necessary to book with a company before we go or will there be tour companies waiting on shore when we get off the ship? Thinking of going down to Soufriere, any idea how much that might be? Is there a bus that goes there?

thanks

Hopefully this link works.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2274510

Well, certainly answers the question, thanks folks!

However, I agree with some of you that I expect things could change. It's way too easy to get to Platinum and that is costing NCL. When it starts to cost, it will be changed.

I agree, I think they will raise the nights. That or bring in a higher tier and subtly reduce down what platinum offers.

 

After 6 or 7 cruises I've just reached platinum and on the Epic in two weeks - anyone know how I claim my Bistro meal? I'm guessing I can't book this online?

You have to book once you get on board. If you try to book online before you go, they charge you. I haven't had any problems booking as soon as I get on board. So still waiting to see what happens when they go a la carte.

So, they are introducing a la carte charging in the specialty restaurants. I think the newer ships have it already? Anyone know what is going to happen with the free dinners the Platinum members get?

Thanks folks! Appreciate the feedback.

I notice NCL has recently implemented an 18% gratuity charge for the specialty restaurants. Are we being charged that that on the free dinners with platinum level?

I've been reading a lot of stories about how slow the porters are at the this terminal collecting the luggage. Supposedly, there are line-ups just to drop off your luggage. I've never encountered this anywhere else. Anyone care to comment?

Thanks folks, some interesting observations! We are also going with Alla so hopefully we go somewhere reasonable. It will be interesting to see the difference in 10 years.