BEFdoc

On 2/10/2020 at 6:01 PM, campolady said:

So sorry for the late reply but I have only just seen your post.  There are several companies that can offer day tours either by taxi or rickshaw/tuk tuk.  Here is a link for a taxi company with tour details https://transfertaximalaga.com/en/tours-prices/ and here is one for rickshaw/tuk tuk tours (the advantage of these is that the vehicles can get into the narrow back streets where cars are sometimes inaccesible) https://www.malaga-rickshaw-tuktuk.com/ .  There are also horse and carriage rides available for shorter durations just to give you a taste of the city.

 

Hope this helps.  If you have any further questions please do not hesitate to ask,

Thank You for the information. I will contact the companies as you suggested.

Happy Cruising

B

On 1/9/2014 at 12:07 AM, campolady said:

We live mid-way between Malaga and Granada and know the city of Malaga well.

 

If anyone visiting Malaga on a cruise has any questions I will be happy to do my best to help - the city is not great at promoting itself which is such a shame as it has so much to offer.

Wow,

Thank you for your generosity.  We will be staying the day there in November and we have mobility issues.  Group tours do not lend well to this and I wonder if you have ever heard of cruisers hiring a taxi for the day for a tour of some of the sights you mentioned?  Also, what would be a good taxi company and what would the pricing look like.

Once again thank you for your information.

B

On 1/23/2020 at 9:21 AM, lpmpsail said:

New to Princess here - I usually book my own air online but have found in the past that with some cruise lines, it's sometimes better to call and actually talk to a person.  But I prefer to be able to see my options online so talking to someone can get confusing and they tend to direct you to what's easiest for them to book.

 

What are experiences out there with booking online with EZ Air?  Any problems?  Thanks!

Interesting question as I just had a rebooking.  Called my cruise specialist at Princess and while on the phone she checked each leg of the flights.  On the return flight she found a better price $108 less and better airline.  I don’t think you can make changes on just one leg of a rtw ticket without risking the leg you want to keep on the website.  I haven’t had as much luck on the website as with my cruise specialist.

On 10/21/2019 at 6:15 PM, mafw said:

Easy peasy 

Upon boarding ask room steward for chair.  They will bring you one like the one under the desk.  Cruising is like rolling over the waves, you just roll with the changes.  
Cheers and Happy Sailing
 

 

We have been traveling on Princess for some time and it has been our favorite.  We are Elite members.....However today I spoke with Customer service, after my MANY letters went unanswered... I asked to have a chair in our balcony room.  I was told the rooms have been redesigned and all Barrel chairs removed.....I asked if two or three people in room WHERE WOULD THEY SIT.....i was told no chairs they have been removed.....If you look at the pictures of any balcony room....they ALL SHOW A BARREL CHAIR......However customer service said sorry...they are gone.   I asked how could this be done AFTWR FINAL PAYMENT AND WE WERE NOT INFORMED........My husband has a bad back....where should he sit on the floor????No recourse...I have several upcoming cruisesALREADY BOOKED...With no where to sit I will Be forced to cruise with another line to be able to sit on my transatlantic cruised....If I would have been made aware of this policy when booking I would have chosen another room...however ALL PHOTOS SHOW A CHAIR.....GOODBYE PRINCESS

On 6/3/2019 at 10:39 PM, jimmieg said:

Summer 2020 Enchanted is doing 21 day round-trips embarking at all three above ports. (Can also be booked OW as a 14 or 7).  I have not previously traveled Southern Europe/Mediterranean.

My schedule is flexible. Cruise $$ are the same. 

What are the pros/cons of embarking/disembarking from each of the above ports? Thinking of air, airports, shuttle convenience to port, pre-stay hotel cost, etc.

What would you folks experienced in these ports suggest?

Thanks!

Another vote for Barcelona.  I would avoid Rome because of the airport.  We were stranded at the Rome airport after delay, delay and cancellation of flight.  Customer service and Rome airport is non-existent.  Took us 3 days to finally depart Italy.  50 euro taxi each way contributed to more expenses.  Won' t be flying into Rome again!

Not experienced with HOHO in Cartegena.  However, used them in multiple cities in Europe and US and have some general advice.   Some cities seem better organized or arranged for HOHOs and some don't.  There are multiple reasons, but some include traffic congestion, poor scheduling of drivers and buses,  too few buses, how many tourists and ships in port, etc.

Checking Trip Advisor (sister company of CC) there might be a problem with scheduled stops in Cartegena.  In other words, you might be waiting a long time for a bus when you could be seeing the sights.  This is critical for us as cruisers as our time is limited in port.  We opted not to use the HOHO in Cartegena and went with a tour instead. 

I hope this helps shed some light on the HOHO issue.

Happy Cruising

On 5/14/2019 at 2:56 PM, denmarks said:

Is a dining room open for lunch on the Grand Princess on embarkation day? Is it available but limited to certain people?

Been 50/50 for us.  Sometimes they close it early, sometimes they have PreCruise activities or private parties.  Also, if BV group is too large they may turn you away.  Worth a try.  Good luck!

On 4/22/2019 at 10:13 AM, CineGraphic said:

I'm booked on the Enchanted 2020 TA, and it's almost sold out already, so when sale time comes around, this sailing wont be included. You can't put on sale, what you don't have to sell. This means no re-faring, no free gratuities, no free obc.

I usually re-fare during the 3 for Free sale, as it's combinable with my casino discount.

I'm not too sure if I'm willing to give up free grats, and obc simply because this is the ship's first time crossing the Atlantic.

I just rebooked/refared the same cruise with the current promo and free grats.  Check it out...

First the bus...no not directly to the port and our berth at least the one I saw.  I recall seeing information on another board, maybe Europe destinations that can give more information and Trip Advisor.  I have heard people walking the distance.  I recall scans for luggage.  Nice well organized check in.

On 5/1/2019 at 7:47 AM, windsurferfirst said:

As the Emerald doesn't leave till 10pm I was wondering if its possible to checkin, unpack then get off to do some sight seeing. We are getting a Princess transfer from the airport but would like to drop off hand luggage freshen up and then do the open top bus tour of the city.

Yup, did this cruise last year.  Easy peasy.  Only problem is I forgot the mandatory muster drill as I was touring La Sagrada Familia.  No big deal as I made up for it the next day.

Cheers

The walk path is actually pretty spectacular on a sunny day and is essentially flat thanks to public elevators. While the walk along Elliott Avenue isn’t all that special (typical sidewalks, Starbucks midway), pedestrians should use the path through Myrtle Edwards Park, which is great - lovely views of Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains. It’s generally amenable to wheeled luggage. I believe in most mapping apps it’s signed as “Elliott Bay Trail”.

 

The distance door to door is roughly three miles, but that neglects using the shuttle to take you down the pier. The actual walking distance is around 2.4 miles - once you enter the port property it’s a short walk to the posted parking shuttle stop.

 

To access the trail from the market, either drop down to the waterfront/Alaskan Way via market elevators or walk along Western Avenue to Bell Street and the elevator/skybridge. Continue north on Alaskan Way to Broad St, and enter the park just past the sculptures in the fountain. You’ll literally be able to see the cruise ships from there; walk towards them.

Hi Vibe Guy,

Can you explain the shuttle, where to pick it up, where it goes and how much?

Thanks in advance..

Yes, the balcony is larger than standard about double the size partially in the shade and partially in the sun so you get the best of both worlds..

Golf cart rental ditto... How about Zip Line adventure?

How about fridge in the cabins? Princess yup, carnival has on some ships but, many don't.

Generally speaking, if it has an on/off switch (like a power bar you plug a computer into), it has a surge protector. An extension cord does not. Or even better, a multi-head power splitter:

 

https://www.amazon.com/Cables-Go-29803-Power-Splitter/dp/B000083KIH/

There are 2 types with and without. The price reflects it also. Without cheaper and allowed. Strange thing is that Carnival is obsessive about surge protectors while Princess less so. I have used a travel one for years without an incident.

Hi we used them for an excursion in Belize. They are a middle man or broker and use local guides for their tours. We had a good time in Belize, it was a snorkeling tour. Only worry I had was if things go wrong, who do you contact? Nothing went wrong so wasn't a consideration.

Wife and I have duplicates of casino club cards. So we bring two of

them and they work great. No problem if they get lost as we can pick up new ones for free. Also, much less of a worry than a credit card.

Hi Cruisers,

I have received an email about staggered or staged boarding time depending on deck level. I also saw a post about this not long ago. For those that have embarked from the San Pedro/Port of Los Angeles, what has been your experience with this? In particular, we like to board early so that we can eat lunch in the main dining room. Are they boarding "strictly by the deck" or is it flexible and "suggested" boarding times? We will be sailing on the Star. Any information on recent boarding is greatly appreciated.

Thanks cruisers for the suggestions. I think that the shuttle might be the trick.

Happy cruising.

Hi All Cruisers,

The one way cruise leaves San Pedro. The return trip is via airline to LAX. Any ideas how to negotiate 4 travelers with this scenario? My idea is to park at LAX off site parking, then take a shuttle to LAX. Pick up a taxi or shuttle to San Pedro Port. Any suggestions and ideas of a shuttle company or taxi are greatly appreciated.

Thanks again for all the suggestions.

Cheers

Thanks again Crewsweeper for the suggestions. Not going to Coz so looks like best shot for Tequila is Costa Maya.

Good cruising and best of luck.

If you are going with a private driver who works for Bodden the yes ask the driver.

 

If you are in fact going on a group excursion that Bodden is organizing.. the West End/West Bay options are best. It is not fair to ask the group excursion people to wait on you to go shopping.

Yup, the group and I wouldn't think to ask for the group to wait. So, looks like West End/ West Bay it is. Thanks for the help.

Thanks Crewsweeper, I will try the "Minis" on the Malecon. Any of them larger than a "Mini"? Larger might have a bigger selection.

Thanks again for the information

Going with the Victor Bodden's group, so maybe he can be of some help...

Thanks for the suggestions.