doctrd

Thanks, did you notice if it was in on demand format, could scroll through and select movies?

From what I remember with Princess, they would just continually play a few movies over and over. Difficult to watch a movie from the beginning. 

Does the Medallion Net have anything to do with onboard TV ?  In other words, did they upgrade to smart TV where you can stream movies/shows directly from the TV?

If so, are the medallion net minutes used here also?

Other Cruise lines have so much better movie and show selections through their internet connected TV’s.....I was hoping this would finally be an upgrade for Princess. 

We were just at Plaza Resort last week. 

Great place, walking distance from port. 

We made mistake of taking taxi, waited over 15 minutes for a 5 minute ride!  We walked back. 

There are several day pass options, least expensive is $10 for chair and includes 1 basic drink. Great deal, but they do have pool option also. 

If you are lucky can snag a day bed with canopy. 

https://www.plazaresortbonaire.com/en/visitors/day-pass

Here is video I took snorkeling on the shoreline. 

Do you have to make advance reservations for Carambola Beach Club?

It's best to have reservations. When we went (a few years ago, but plan on going again in March), we had reservations for 6 chairs, and people coming behind us did not have reservations, and did not get chairs.

The walk is steep but short.

I felt it was well worth taking the boat as we were there when it was much less crowded. As we were leaving, there was a huge, continuous line pouring in from the bus stop.

Just make sure you know where to meet your bus for the return trip to Fira! The parking lot will be filled with buses, and you need to know exactly where your bus will be waiting for you.

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We used Paris Metro Map by Mapway Ltd. it worked well for us.

 

 

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I have used Citymapper. App for many large cities. Gives routes for train, subway, bus and any combination. Four very useful, and free.

They do have Paris download.

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When I was having problems redeeming points last year, they were just changing over their system. That's why my eligible purchases did not show up for a long time.

They seemed to have resolved that issue, and I have used it successfully a few times in the past year.

The advantage now is you can use the credits for any of the Carnival-Princess-Holland America and others that are owned by Carnival, and apply for statement credit. I just booked a Holland America, and the deposit was immediately listed as an eligible expense, and I cashed in the points. The only problem with this is the reimbursement varies with the amount. Low amounts only give 1% benefit, up to 2% for over $4,000.

Now reading the rewards benefit it says "redeeming for a statement credit toward a Princess Cruise line offers the best redemption value", so by that do I assume that if I redeem for Holland America I will only get 1% rate on a $4000 cruise???

The schedule as posted on the rewards site says:

Redeeming for a statement credit toward a Princess Cruise Lines transaction offers the best redemption value. The greater the purchase amount, the greater the potential rewards value.

Princess purchase amount ($50 or greater) within last 180 days = Redemption points value

$50 to $499.99 = 1%

$500 -$2,000.99 = 1.25%

$2,001-$4,000.99 = 1.5%

$4,001+ = 2.0%

I have not been here yet, but going here soon.

Doctors Cave Beach, take a look....

http://www.doctorscavebathingclub.com/

Same issue here. Case has been expedited. Was told it would be credited by Friday last week. This was call number 4. Called today since I received no credits. Points finally did show up but I got the same story too that I needed 200,000 points to redeem at 2%. I have 144,600. Was told to call again on Friday 2/3 to see what happens. My 180 days has only 14 left. What happens if they don't fix it in 14 days. So frustrating. Will look into a new reward card when all is straightened out, if ever. Any recommendations?

If you have a Fidelity Investments account, they offer 2% all purchases no fee Visa card.

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They are really having problems with the rewards center. They answered my email saying they had a system issue last week, and all is good now.

Well, on website, they don't even show my points anymore. Their app is not working ( again), and a phone call to customer service says their system is down!

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Cobra: by the way, love the car!

How did you get resolution? I too have 200,000 points to pay for my cruise, but still shows no eligible purchase....

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Was just checking boards to see if anyone else is having same problems as I have been...I guess so!

My cruise has been paid for and appears on statement, but several calls to credit card company with no resolution. They claim that it does not appear in their system, so there is nothing they can do! The transaction cleared 2 weeks ago, and it clearly says "Princess Cruise Passage".

Keep us updated if you get any resolution, and I will also.

I'll bring my binoculars, and long range zoom camera, and maybe see something on one of the yachts parked in the harbor...but our boat will still be the biggest!

I've heard of a trick that you can try...check the TV set for USB ports. Many of the newer sets have them. You can plug your device into that if it's available.

I just checked my TV, and there are 3 unused USB ports, and they worked fine for charging.

We are looking at a cruise that stays overnight the opening night of the Cannes Film Festival. One part of me thinks it may be exciting to be there at that time, but then the crowds and traffic may prevent normal sightseeing. In addition to walking around Cannes, would probably get to St Paul de Vence again.

Anyone ever been at the festival to comment on what a normal tourist might expect that is not invited to the great parties?

I use AirBnb now, but back then I found it on this site:not sure if it's listed at airbnb...

They also have their own video of the place, shows the tub filled, that takes a while!

This is just one example, just check the site and browse...

http://www.rentalinrome.com/spagnastepsapartments/cosmopolitanhitechluxuryapartment

I see nobody has mentioned the benefits of the aft facing cabins. We are a lover of the aft facing cabins, whether is a regular room or a suite. On Celebrity it's category SV, sunset view. Less expensive than C class, and much less than Aqua class. It's just a regular room, but the aft view is great with less wind and more private. Motion is generally less at the rear of the ship, but the Med is generally very stable anyway.

We are also a fan of apartment rentals rather than hotels. Have to do a little more research with apartments, but a great site is airbnb. Look for a good central location, check for AC and elevators.

Here is a short video I did of the last apartment we had in Rome a couple of years ago, and this was just for the 2 of us!

Don't miss the end, check out the Jacuzzi tub in the bedroom....

To answer the original poster question: we had done the boat to Oia transfer last year, and it was fantastic. Be aware that it's a one way boat trip, they do not take you back by boat, only back by the bus they supply.

You do not have to walk very far after exiting the boat transfer, they supply a bus to take you to the top of Oia. So no long walk uphill as other poster had commented.

Company was Dakoutros Bros, buy the ticket at the docks upon exiting your tender. There is a big sign, so you can't miss it.

The advantage for us was not having to walk up, donkey up or take the cable car ride up the mountain to Fira. The other advantage was being in Oia early before the crowds. As we were leaving, the one way walking street in was packed with tourists heading in.

They supply a bus to Fira, included in your ticket.

Just word of advise, make sure you pay attention to the meeting place of the bus, and the times that they go to Fira. Ask the driver where he will be parked to wait for you. This is because when you get back to the bus parking area, there will be many buses, but only one is valid with your ticket. May sound simple, but there was a group of us walking from bus to bus asking if it was the right bus....that took a while.

Wife was afraid of Cable car, so glad I found a way around the ride up. I did offer the option of walking down, or donkey down in Fira, but I did convince her that the 5 minute ride down was our best option, and she was fine with it once we got moving....

Thanks for the tip, had never heard of Tarquinia before.

We give that a try if no other options from this port besides Rome...

This site gives you step by step guide to bus to Eze..pictures and all!

http://www.avidcruiser.com/port-profiles/europe/mediterranean/france/eze/

I have rented several apartments, and do a lot of research before booking.

Things that I look out for:

Good central location for walking.

Check out the area on Google Maps street view to see how the area looks.

Study the photo's carefully. I pay careful attention to bathrooms, look for upgraded shower or bathtub.

If need 2 bedrooms, make sure they are actually 2 full size rooms. Many second bedrooms are a small room with single bed, or bunk beds.

If 2 bedroom, I always look for 2 bathrooms.

See what floor, remember the floor is one more than we are used to, so 1st floor is up one flight of stairs.

Elevator...there are many apartments on the 4th, 5th floor (5-6 flights of stairs) where there is no elevator in the building.

Air conditioning if its at time of year you may need it, many do not have AC.

Read reviews, see about noise problems. I try to avoid places with no reviews.

Look for non-smoking apartments if you are sensitive to smoke odors.

Make sure lists WIFI if you are going to use it.

Scooters are a great way to get around Mykonos. There are very few taxi's, so can't depend on them to get you around.

Really don't need to reserve, there are plenty of places to get a scooter.

You do have to be careful around the curves, there could be sandy spots. Friend of our wiped out with wife on board, just a few scrapes, but not pleasant.

Also consider ATV, more stable.

Mykonos: We bought a day pass for St John resort. Was not cheap...but had a great meal, relaxing time at the infinity pool, almost private ocean beach. Included transportation from ship, and then can ask to be dropped off in town on the way back.

That was a great relaxed day...

In Santorini we took the ferry service to Oia...takes you to the more scenic town at the other end of the island, bus picks you up at the bottom and takes you to the town. Then they have a transfer bus to Fira.

We liked it because it was relatively less crowded at Oia at first, as we were leaving the huge crowds were just getting there.

Just make sure you make note of where they tell you they will pick you up at Oia. After exiting town, there were many, many busses, but only one was for this tour.

We took the cable car down...very easy ride.

We rented a car in Corfu, went to town and Palaiokastritsa Beach. Had a great lunch at the restaurant overlooking the beach, sat outside for a great view. There is also a restaurant at the top of the hill in Lakones overlooking the beach with incredible views of the 3 beaches in the area. Had to take glass elevator to enter restaurant, Castellino's.

Also took boat ride at beach to the small grotto's.

Just make sure have GPS, and note the location of the port for the return trip.