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tobyt

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Everything posted by tobyt

  1. We loved our Lido balcony room (L104) on Enchanted this fall. I was concerned about the motion sickness (since I am prone) but was excited about the location and thankfully the Mediterranean was mainly calm and flat. The one day the ship was rolling in a storm I think regardless of location we would have felt it. I had my Dramamine with me and take it mainly as security daily while cruising for tenders, winding roads and the occasional rough waters. Room was quiet, very few people walking near due to location and really no staff noise that far forward. Quick walk for a swim in Retreat pool, or to the action of lido deck, bar service CLOSE for drinkes in the room ( faster than trying to order on app!), I would certainly book the location again!
  2. Delightful way to start your trip ! Plus nothing like a yummy soufflé to start the trip off right! Be certain to check both sides of the dining since there is usually only one entrance open. Enjoy!
  3. We have been above and it was not an experience I would consider again. The price was amazing, it was a last minute trip and overall we made the best of it but it was not just during showtimes it had impact, tender days they used it to gather, rehearsal time pretty much daily and far more events than we expected. It was indeed price effective but not really relaxing.
  4. Hello, it was a private tour. I used our roll call and met a like minded couple to share the cost. Depending on your activity on the roll call it should be pretty easy to find others to share. Vikki was super responsive and does these very cool photo shots of flying dresses that are beautiful. If I was younger and cuter I would have considered! Photos are amazing on their site!
  5. We love Grand Turk, perfect beach day! You stay right at the shops/beach or walk in either direction for more beach beauty. I personally love to go grab some of the giant conch shells, walk right from the pier as opposed to left for Jacks. We have spent lovely days walking in San Juan, shops, food and drinks and over to the forts, never felt concerned for safety. Tours being booked would not worry me, lots of options, relax and enjoy!
  6. I will be curious if anyone successfully bypasses the dreaded cable car on a private tour. I searched and searched with no success. We had no priority tender but planned accordingly and were very early off the ship. Delightful day with Skyline Tours. We did wait in a scary long line for the cable car down but it moved along Ok. Our plan b had always been to hoof it up, understand it is not always an option. We spoke with several people who had delayed or missed tours because the cable car stopped running due to electrical issues. A boat would solve part of the issue but suspect the cable car drama saves even more extensive tourists coming from the cruise ships so maybe the island is fine with the limits it puts on daily attendance.
  7. Funny when we were on Enchanted in October everything seemed a drama to the person assigned to the Gelato shop…she had too much work, she was seasick and putting cake away as it was close to closing, suspect same person! I am going to guess it was her first and last contract. We did enjoy a couple slices of cake and a couple sundaes…enjoyable would I pay extra, maybe but with the package nice to have something different.
  8. I second the soufflé! I also adore the fettuccine!
  9. Are you all TSA pre check or can you be by then? The security line is a bear at times in FLL and while I have made similar timeframes it has always been just two people for a flight out of the airport. The size of your group, possibility of someone being pulled for additional screening and taxi service would all be concerning for 7 in a way that it doesn’t for just a couple. Also, with seven you are looking at two cabs maybe a private car pickup could help since there is no taxi line to wait in and you can schedule pickup. I loved the comment about the weakest link in your party holding you up, are you willing or able to leave that person and some get on the flight? I did not see if the group was elderly family members or children or simply a group of friends where it would be Ok if part of the group missed the flight.
  10. If well made the Baked Alaska Martini goes down pretty easy….can see that being trouble if the bartender is spot on making it. If you have not tried it I highly recommend!
  11. FYI, I printed our tickets at home prior to our trip last week for timed entry just to be on the safe side. I somehow printed two copies of one of the tickets…I breezed through, hubby did not. I then had to scramble to find the email on my phone (which thankfully I had not left at the hotel!). I asked to rather unhappy ticket taker how to tell which was which and his answer was no way to tell so keep the email and use caution when printing!
  12. Yum, starts the trip off just perfectly! I think the beef was the best of our whole trip including Crown Grill and the soufflé was the best,
  13. I was in London on public transit July 2005 when there was a terror attack, certainly scary and unplanned and I am thankful we were not harmed and since it was the end of our stay less impactful. Fear lets the bad guys win, the world keeps turning. Sadly it can happen anywhere, be aware, known your own risk tolerance and what you personally are able to accept to enjoy a trip. If the risk is too much for you or the perceived threat would make you anxious then you have your answer, don’t’ second guess what is right for you and your family. I have accepted that there is risk to travel but there is also risk to going to the store or going to the movies, my plan is to just keep going until I can’t.
  14. Wondering if anyone has feedback of doing an excursion to Wales from Liverpool?I found one from busybus that looks interesting but not certain if it is too much. We are not really Beatles fans and I would like to see more countryside than city. Any assistance is greatly appreciated!
  15. Thoughts…..helpful planning, airport pickup, so calming to know how you are getting to your hotel after a long red eye and a new city. We met our driver exactly where they said they would be and we were quickly whisked away. I know taxis are readily available but I find great comfort in having a plan and knowing that I am not getting ripped off. Consider treating yourself and making a reservation with George’s.
  16. This port gave me cause for days and I struggled with how to handle. After reaching out to many operators opted to use Skyline for a truly memorable day. Yes, the tender and the cable car is not ideal but this was a stop I had been dreaming of! Up early and a tender ticket wait which was not awful, YES I got up early on vacation to be there long before our tour would start and I would do it again. Tender in then a short wait for the cable car, it was less than organized and I could easily see tempers flaring on a busy day or when lines are long. Thankfully we made it up no issues before the cable car stopped running due to some electrical problems. As a person who shut theirs eyes going up and down I would not be able to handle getting stuck! I did see people walking up and we did consider in the afternoon as the line was long but it moved quickly and I was glad not to smell like donkey poo! Vicky was a dream helper planning our day, quick to communicate and calming my nerves. Demetri our guide meet us right on time to start the adventure. Santorini is everything I thought it would be and more gorgeous! We saw it all, red beach, black beach, lighthouse, beer brewing company, Megchorli (my favorite) and of course the spectacular Oia. I loved it all and our tour was perfect! If you are hesitating, concerned or still researching here is my advice….get up EARLY, get on the tender and up the cable car, we actually were at the top several hours early and shopped and had a pastry…and weren’t crazy that we were going to miss our tour. Reach out to Skyline they will help you plan your perfect day!
  17. tobyt

    Athens Gate

    I know it has been mentioned many times over on this site but I wanted to add my thoughts on this gem of a hotel. I had pre booked many months earlier and requested a room with a view of the Acropolis. It was appreciated not to have to pay prior to arrival. We got to the hotel well before check in but our room was ready and up to the 6th floor we headed. Please note the elevator is a bit quirky and small but I was very thankful not to be hoofing it up! The stairs have limited handrails and I would not attempt unless you are super sure footed! The room was super clean, view was amazing, bathroom really quite nice. I was expecting something much smaller for a city hotel but I was pleasantly surprised. For a quick moment I could have succumbed to the comfortable bed but that had to wait I had a new city to conquer! When we finally did collapse the room was quiet, bed was awesome and we slept great. The one wrinkle in an overwise terrific stay was breakfast. The space was nice, but there was no signage, no staff greeting or directing and dirty dishes everywhere, no beverages and no one seemed interested, We had a quick bite and headed out to climb the summit. The proximity to everything we wanted to do was ideal and I would not hesitate to stay there again or recommend to anyone looking for a clean, well located, reasonable hotel.
  18. The most important thing to think about is how you would handle the worst case scenario…not necessarily related to the conflict but have a plan…medical emergency, natural disaster, where and how you keep your money, passports and do you have comprehensive travel insurance on your trip. We returned Saturday from a long awaited trip to Italy and Greece with no issues and did not see any evidence of heightened concern in any airport , except in Boston. It is too early to make a call on how this will play out but maybe outlining your fears and how you would handle will help.
  19. I justified that it was so close in cost it was easier to know what my spend onboard would be as well as paid for before travel especially on a port intensive trip where I spend lots off money the ship, easier for me to budget the cruise cost. I like lots of water, special tea, husband like fresh juice, we both drink soda and that is without a couple of alcoholic drinks (and I can try new things) with the gratuity and WIfi. Plus, the new casual dining adds another 60 figuring two meals each. I know when I have seen others on CC doing the math the are talking more a ship trip like the Caribbean and wanting to spend more on the ship with adult beverages. For me just the opposite since I never really know what I will spend on port tours and expenses. Just my POV.
  20. Karma cruisers thank you for this great review! I booked this trip for Sept 2024 and it gives me lots to consider!
  21. Thank you for the updates! Keep adding little tidbits it will keep me from worrying too much prior to boarding on the 14th!
  22. Love small group tours…Harv and Marc whale watching in Juneau was amazing and worth every penny, we were lucky enough to watch a mother teach her baby to breach…other family members went on a ship tour and saw almost none, the smaller operators are better able to get out and look for them, I would highly recommend for Juneau. island Wings Bear Watching at Anan was just a once in a lifetime tour. I can’t even use words to describe the flight, landing on the water and hike into the feeding area. I had in my head that I would be happy with one or two bears but we saw easily a dozen, mother and two cubs, bald eagles….just incredible. SUPER pricey but amazing. I think so highly of these two tours I just had to add 🙂
  23. After having our ATM and bank account skimmed for 3k we are super careful to have it be a single access only as an ATM. I know we could have taken a cash advance on the credit card but frankly my stomach hurt just thinking about the fees. We do have a new bank…..
  24. Yes to both and several hours of my vacation calling our US banks from my vacation I can’t get back!
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