Jump to content
Cruise Critic Community

ski ww

Members
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    8,950

  • Joined

 Content Type 

Posts posted by ski ww

    Rio De Janiero Carnival Cruise 2016

    in South America

    Posted

    Here is one site with a lot of information about Carnaval in Rio.

    http://www.rio-carnival.net

    (They also sell tickets.)

     

    This Wiki also has good info:

    http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rio_Carnival

     

    And this one is about the samba schools:

    http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samba_school

     

    IMO, you might get more out of the event if, alongside looking at the costumes and floats, you know the general theme of the year's Carnaval, and how each of the schools have chosen to conform to it with their individual theme and the words of the "samba enredo" which all that school's participants are singing.

     

    Here is a site where you can hear the samba enredo of one samba school and see the lyrics. (Google a Translate might give a fairly decent translation if the lyrics are copied in.)

    http://noticias.r7.com/rio-de-janeiro/viradouro-monta-samba-enredo-a-partir-de-musicas-de-luiz-carlos-da-vila-ouca-15102014

     

    Thank you for your insight & all the info. We are on the Maasdam doing the Amazon round trip Ft Lauderdale in Jan 2016. Lots to think about.

    Allan

    Worst part of flying to your cruise port?

    in Ask a Cruise Question

    Posted

    I'm 6-2 so seating is one of my pet peeves. If you want to sit in an emergency exit seat you have to pay extra for that. Another thing is people and their carry on's which are getting bigger & bigger and more of them. If you get on at the end of the line by the time you get to your seat there is no more space left in the over head. They should enforce the number & seize of peoples carry on bags.

    Allan

    Reading List for a Cruise

    in Ask a Cruise Question

    Posted

    I find that the ships library has more then enough for us to read. We normally bring a book to read on the plane & leave that in the ships library to exchange for another one. I look for any thing new by, Vince Flynn, David Baldacci, Daniel Silva, Stephen Cannell or Michael Connelly.

    Allan & Marlane

    How many of you spend nothing extra while on a cruise?

    in Ask a Cruise Question

    Posted

    We are not terribly successful with choosing the "best rate this month" or anything :( I tend to go with my gut. If I don't gag it is usually a "not too bad rate" ;) We generally buy year-round and at least that keeps us from the experience a friend of mine has had three times -- buying all the needed US $ at the worst rate seen in a year, because she NEEDED US $. The first time it happened to her, she and I were going on a cruise. Every night at dinner I got to hear how she'd paid nearly 20% for her US money.

     

    She has not yet started emulating my way of buying $US, so I guess her way is better :D

     

    We find the best thing is to buy a little US$ all year, because the exchange rate goes up and down so much. At the beginning of this year it was $0.97 now it's down at $0.90 A couple of years back when we did a cruise to Australia we were getting a $1.15US for $1.00 Canadian. The other thing is if you're going to be doing a lot of travelling down south or cruising get an American dollar account at your local bank.

    Allan & Marlane

    If you could add a feature to a ship, what would you add?

    in Ask a Cruise Question

    Posted

    I have to go with the enforce the dress code for the MDR on formal nights. I agree not everybody wants or likes to dress up but then don't eat in the MDR. We've been to resorts where the dress code was enforced and people were turned away. We love the Crows Nest were you can look out over the bow. Some cruise lines may not have a bar at the front but they do have a bar high up further back overlooking the bow.

    Allan & Marlane

    Cruise Line Loyalty

    in Ask a Cruise Question

    Posted

    Different strokes for different folks. We've sailed with five different lines and have had bad exprience with all. This does not mean I have a bad thing to say about them, nobody is prefect we all make mistakes and can learn from it. All you have to do is read the reviews on CC about a ship and a cruise. Different people sailing on the same ship at the same time will go from never again to the best time ever and looking forward to their next cruise on that ship and line. We've developed a loyalty to a certain line because we enjoy their ships, the fellow cruisers we meet. I still, at the end of the cruise when I fill out the comment sheet point out a couple of things that they should work on that I'm not happy about. When all is said and done we've enjoyed all our cruises no matter what cruise line.

    Allan & Marlane

    How many of you spend nothing extra while on a cruise?

    in Ask a Cruise Question

    Posted

    When we first started cruising we did all the typical new things. Pictures, enough to fill a photo album all kinds of drinks. Now other then a drink as we sail away and the wine package for dinner that's about it. We love to do tours after all that's why we're on a cruise to explore and get a small sense of other cultures and countries are about. I think after a few cruises most people come to the conclusion that there are a lot of things that they can do with out paying all those extras. We always book an inside cabin as we spend very little time in it other then to sleep and change for dinner. That way we save money to take more cruises.

    Allan & Marlane

    Silly Reasons For Loving To Cruise

    in Ask a Cruise Question

    Posted

    The chance to see and experience different cultures. The different ports each day with out having to pack & unpack daily. The interesting people we meet on our cruises. Love the sea days to just relax. The food, dressing up on formal nights. Going to the show in the evenings. We find cruising is so much more interesting then going to a resort holiday. Then again cruising is not for everybody, different strokes for different folks.

    Allan & Marlane

    How to Oranize a Cruise Critic Meet & Mingle (Meet & Greet) on Holland America

    in Holland America Line

    Posted

    Yep. But ask for the person who handles the specific ship. They know much more that whoever answers, unless they are that person. I can attest that Dylan who handles Noordam and Zaandam is super helpful.

     

    Bon Voyage on your cruise next week. Looks like your getting your cruise fix for this year. We visited Hornfleur on a shore excursion last year when we did the TA to the Baltic last year. Nice little town had a coffee and something to eat at the harbour. Fair winds and sun shine.

    Allan & Marlane

    How to Oranize a Cruise Critic Meet & Mingle (Meet & Greet) on Holland America

    in Holland America Line

    Posted

    The information below has been compiled from the Holland America Forum, and is based upon individual experiences by members. It should be made VERY clear that there is no official sponsorship of Meet & Mingle Parties on board Holland America ships. We appreciate the generosity of Holland America in setting up these gatherings as they recognize the loyalty of Cruise Critic members. However, it should not be expected that each ship will offer the same amenities, or anything at all. Remember, too, that “paid” groups on board take precedence over non-paid groups, and there are often many groups on board vying for the same space. All of the above said, let’s get started with the party planning!

     

     

    1) Before contacting anyone at Holland America, your first step should be to POLL everyone on your ROLL CALL to see if they are interested in attending a Meet & Mingle on your cruise. It would be helpful to consider your daily itinerary, and obtain a general consensus as to when our fellow cruisers would be most likely to attend. More than likely someone has been keeping a general “who’s sailing” list on the ROLL CALL throughout its duration. Keeping this listing “fresh” encourages others to continue to participate and to join in on the fun! Please make sure your efforts are coordinated so that only ONE person from each sailing is contacting the cruise line.

     

    2) Once you have determined that there is enough interest, you will need to contact the Holland America On Board Events Coordinator for your ship no later than 5 weeks before your sailing. See the list here: http://c3270052.r52.cf0.rackcdn.com/communityphotos/Onboard%20Event%20Services%20September%202010.pdf

     

     

    3) The On Board Events Coordinator will ask you to complete a Meet & Greet Space Request Forum. See the form here: http://c3270052.r52.cf0.rackcdn.com/communityphotos/HAL%20MEET%20&%20GREET%20REQUEST%20JAN%202010.pdf and return either via email or fax. Note you will have to return the form to HAL 30 days prior to departure. The On Board Events Coordinator will then contact the ship for space approval and get back to you with your confirmation.

     

    4) Tips for Completing the Form: Be sure to ask for a NO HOST get-together, which means no one person will be responsible for payment..Indicate what you would like them to serve, such as Coffee, tea, pastries or a NO HOST Bar. Best bet is to choose only those items indicated as “no charge”. Also it's nice to invite Officers, such as the Beverage Mgr., Hotel Mgr. CD, etc. to attend your get together. You should have a general idea of when/where you’d like the party to be held. Offering up a few suggestions would be very helpful.

     

     

     

    5) You may want to ask ROLL CALL participants to contact you with their full names & cabin numbers..You should consider creating an email address for this purpose (yahoo or gmail are good choices) since you will be posting it on the boards. Consider contacting the Beverage Manager once you are on board. He/she should be able to fill you in on any specifics for your Meet & Mingle, and you can update the headcount for them as well. If you are so inclined, it would be a nice touch to create a personalized invitation to the event. You can deliver the invites yourself, or you can ask if the Beverage Manager would be willing to assist with distribution.

     

    Tip from LauraS: If you RSVP that you are going to the Meet & Mingle, GO! If any cruise line takes the time to set up a special gathering for Cruise Critic members, we should definitely do our best to attend.

    Tip from LauraS: When you attend the gathering, DO NOT SIT DOWN. This is often the kiss of death at these events. There is no entertainment from the cruise line – you are there to meet your fellow Cruise Critic members. Get up, and MINGLE!

     

     

    Tip from Member Spinner: “I think it's really important that we remember formally to thank these folks. I wrote little notes to the Bar Manager, Hotel M and the CD and dropped them by the Guest Relations desk to have them delivered, using the occasion to thank that staff again as well. I did this because I believe it is the correct and polite thing to do with no expectation of anything more but the feedback I got from all involved led me to believe that they don't get a lot of thanks; I was warmly thanked for the notes. Needless to say, the next meet/greet went just as well and I did the thank you notes again. I also wrote extremely favorable comment cards for each person who helped us as well. I sincerely believe it's the least we can do. Setting up an event like this which probably isn't going to generate any income for the ship and takes up the time of several important people for sometimes a very small group is a very gracious thing for them to arrange to drop into their busy schedules.”

     

     

    Many thanks to members Garsons, Spinner & Serendipity14 for their contributions to the above information. If you have any information to add to the above, please drop me a note at community@cruisecritic.com. Corrects/comments are welcome as well.

     

    The form that has to be filled out in para three reference the info required for the M&G will not let me print or fill it out on line to send to HAL.

    Allan

    Any suggestions for Heraklion/Crete?

    in Greece Ports

    Posted

    In Heraklion you dock next to the Venetian Harbour, just outside the Ancient City Walls. It’s about 1 kilometer walking to enter the historic center. Exit the cruise terminal building and cross the parking lot. When you exit the port gates, go to the right along the Leforos Nearchoy. Soon you will see the Venetian Fort on your right side, one of the main highlights. Across from it is the gate to the historic city center.

    From Heraklion main bus station it’s easy to catch a bus to Knossos or to other places around the island. The bus to Knossos leaves every 10 to 15 minutes. The trip to Knossos takes between 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the traffic. A one-way tickets costs €1,5 per person. The bus brings you in front of Knossos’ site entrance. The bus back you can find at the same spot as the Knossos site is the terminal station.

    Heraklion main bus station is located on walking distance from the cruise port. You have to walk about 500 meters. When you exit the cruise terminal building, cross the parking lot and exit the port gates. Walk to the right along the Leoforos Nearchoy. Soon you can see a small bus station building on the other side of the street. You can find the buses and ticket office for Knossos at the back of the building. https://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Unknown+road&daddr=35.341134,25.142145+to:Leof.+Nearchou%2F%CE%9B%CE%B5%CF%89%CF%86.+%CE%9D%CE%B5%CE%AC%CF%81%CF%87%CE%BF%CF%85&hl=en&ie=UTF8&sll=35.341971,25.141976&sspn=0.004481,0.009291&geocode=FSdGGwIdWKl_AQ%3BFU5DGwIdgaN_ASndAkq30luaFDGL6LJRppw-tQ%3BFTxEGwId55d_AQ&dirflg=w&mra=dme&mrsp=0&sz=17&via=1&t=m&z=17

     

    Amazing shopping street which runs from the Platia El Venizelou going east to the Porta Chania. Every sort of shop is here: designer clothes or fruit and veg! Upmarket consumer electrics or fresh fish! Knickers or cheese . Fresh ground coffee or a diamond ring

    Most memorable shopping experience is a stroll along Odos 1866, the street where the open-air market . Stalls are piled high with everything from seasonal fruit and vegetables, to discount socks, towels and T-shirts. It's also the perfect spot to hunt for typical Cretan souvenirs such as thyme-flavoured honey, dried herbs and teas, olive oil and olive-oil based cosmetics, as well as pumice stones.Another excellent place to browse for souvenirs is 25th Avgoustou, the street running up from the seafront to Platia Venizelou. Look out for museum replicas from Knossos and CDs of traditional Cretan music.For clothes shops, including everything from high street names such as Zara and Benetton to more exclusive one-off boutiques, try Daidalou, the street running east off Platia Venizelou.

    Cretan wine also makes a fine gift to bring home.

    The beaches near Heraklion - http://www.cretanbeaches.com/Information/Suggestions/beaches-accessible-with-public-transport/

     

    I hope that will help

     

    This is very helpful, we'll be there in Oct on the Prinsendam, thank you.

    Allan & Marlane

    "Themistoklis" - The new Cruise Terminal for Pireaus Port

    in Greece Ports

    Posted

    If we are just in port for the port call we find the HOP ON / HOP OFF to get into town to do sight seeing. Although this would not do if you're getting off and have luggage and doing a transfer to a hotel.

    All those people asking about buying wine to take on board I believe with HAL's new policy means they'll take it away when you come on board and return it the day before you get off, so no drinking it in your room.

    Allan & Marlane

×
×
  • Create New...