PelicanLvr

On 1/1/2020 at 9:33 PM, Sunchaser46 said:

Can I walk to Grand Anse beach from the cruise port?

 

That would be a long hot walk.  Take the shared water taxi...it's right next to the port, easy, quick and not very expensive.  

3 minutes ago, Barwick Cruiser said:

On your other thread about these sweet 16s I posted that we had smoke several times in 6035, not from the passengers smoking area but rather the crew smoking area directly below these port side cabins. 

Very interesting and informative.

Yes, the passenger deck ends at about the doors to the Theater lobby.  Forward of that it is then a "crew only" work area.  Crew has to smoke somewhere.   That could be it.

13 hours ago, yvrbos said:

Xport, this time I was specifically asking about 6033 as the one that I have reserved is closer to the theater. I was wondering if I should change to 6033.

I  might hesitate because 6033 is on the port a/k/a smoking side.  I have seen folks gather on the open deck (port side) outside the theater to smoke.  That may be a smoking area....they tend to vary.  Sorry for the new wrinkle.  

BTW, we have stayed several times in 6028.  Never heard a peep there.

On 2/23/2020 at 12:08 AM, CruiserN1 said:

Wondering if these happen at every port and how long the party lasts. We're booked in a cabin that looks out at the helipad on Equinox and just want to know how much we will be disturbed by a party outside our window. 

OP - No worries for you.  This is a very short event.  About 30 minutes after we left the dock we were ushered off the helipad.  No music...the CD did make a welcome announcement but I don't even remember if he had microphone.  

It was just drinks and a "quiet mingle"

12 minutes ago, GRBlizz said:

Where is the Helipad on Edge/Apex?

Aren't they all located in the very front of the ship between the bow and bridge?

3 hours ago, Charles4515 said:

The ferry is the fastest way to get from the Dockyard to Hamilton. You can also take a bus for a slower more scenic ride. 

Simple and well said.

That's why you take a quality tour....no waiting for St. Peter's long security line.  Either take the tour or wait on the line.  

Was able to use that door with a Walks of Italy tour in March 2019.  Saved so much time as the non-tour line to St. Peters was across the square.  

Do the tour!

2 hours ago, BeachTunes said:

Thank you boilermaker 330 for starting this thread and thanks to PelicanLvr for the insight! We are also trying to decide which Vatican Tour to do in July. The Pristine Sistine tour with Walks of Italy sounds perfect! 🙂 Safe and happy travels to all! 

 

 

Yea...We had a really outstanding experience.  Highly recommended!

Have had dinner at Passions of the Beach at the Amsterdam Manor hotel (on a late port night stay) and the hotel staff was very friendly & accommodating.  AM was already mentioned by a prior poster. 

 I suggest spending the day at Eagle and looking for lunch at Amsterdam Manor.  Palm is much busier....and it will be a hot walk between them!

OP:  So glad you are taking your first cruise and it includes your first visit to Bermuda.

Yes, your plan is doable if you make that 2:45 ferry.  Remember the church seems to close at 4pm...so go there in a hurry.  Is that enough time?

BUT could you flip your days and go to the beaches on day #1 and get the first ferry or early taxi/tour to St Georges on Day #2?  That may be less crazy.    See the beaches and go into Hamilton for dinner on day 1.  You won't have to run off the ship for that ferry either.

The next morning you can control what time you start.  Arrange for a 4-5 hour tour starting around 8:30am  (returning 12:30 - 1:30) You would have the whole morning in St. George and see sites along the way.  I think that's a whole lot more doable.

It's tough not having a full day in Bermuda because St Georges is quite far from Dockyard.  Dinner in Hamilton is a great idea.  Don't be afraid to take the ferry back to the ship from Hamilton after dinner.   It's easy and completely safe.  We have done that, it's fun!  

South shore Beaches:   Horseshoe Bay is famous (and crowded) but beautiful.  Warwick long bay is our favorite.  Go to horseshoe and walk along the shore going left as you face the sea.  that would be great in the late afternoon of day 1.  Beautiful rock formations like in the Bermuda ads.

Enjoy and don't run too hard to try to see it all.  You'll miss too much.  Plan to come back with a bit more time. 

Do you think this might work for you?

Enjoy!  

Been to BDA many times, just not that recently, so I can't comment on the schedules.  But...

It's a wonderful island to experience.  Why not take a combo of ferry/bus connections out to St. George and see the beautiful island scenery and people watch as well.  You will be on your own time and can stop and do whatever you want along the way.

It could be a very fun day!  No rush, just take it all in and enjoy.  Stop in Hamilton and sit somewhere (on a balcony) and watch Front Street...then on to St. George.  Ask any directions you need from the bus driver or ferry mates, Bermudians are very friendly folks.  Warwick Long Bay is beautiful...get off the bus there and walk on the beach a bit....lots of beautiful rock formations to walk thru...then get back on a later bus.

I would get a map and plan a day with stops along the way.  Sometimes the fastest, most efficient transportation is not the most interesting.  

11 hours ago, boilermaker330 said:

Your detailed reply helps paint the picture of what the tours are like and greatly appreciated. We definitely want to maximize our experience and agree that tours led by local experts are the way to go. I have reached out to Walks of Italy and will look forward to using them thanks to your input!

You're welcome.  Enjoy!

Summit has been using the Pan American pier in San Juan for years.  Yes, that is where it has been departing from for a long time.  Nothing new here!

IMHO, there is no way these cabins all ALL sold out to specific bookings.  Look at the large availability of oceanview & inside cabins. 

My guess (I am not a TA) is that if:

Large Blocks given out to agents = capacity in that category.......it shows as sold out.

TA's out there:  Is that possible??

Recently I booked a sweet 16 from a large internet cruise agency and was told it was the last at that price in their block.  It clearly did not matter which room I booked, but I was part of their block.

It's all a big game....keep playing until you win!

I agree to call X and talk to them.  Yes, also try other TA that may have room blocks held. 

My guess is they are playing "games" with availability since it's a holiday sailing and they will get lots of families resulting in higher capacity.

When they don't all sell.....I have to believe X will offer them to 2 persons.  Be patient.

Agree you want "at least" a veranda.  Maybe you can even get a sweet 16.  Aft facing would be great for the Canal day.  Super view of the locks.

Another Thought:  Use your points and stay on Murano.  Arrive and get there and drop your luggage.  Use that day (your arrival day) for "island hopping".  Ask your hotel staff on arrival to map it out for you.  Besides seeing Murano, I suggest going out to Burano and also over to the Lido.  Enjoy Venice's outer islands...

Next day:  Leave early and drop your luggage off at the pier.  You will be stuck with your valuables, but leave luggage and carry- ons for porters to deliver to your stateroom.  We have done this after an early flight arrival. We dropped off around 9am.  Check in when the desks first open but do not get on the ship.  Go into town.

Take the vaperatto from P Roma (port Vaporetto stop)  down the Grand Canal - try to sit outside in the front of the boat (that's your only way to see the Grand Canal since the ships do not use it to get to the sea) to St. marks and spend the day (and night) in Venice.  DONT run back to the ship for dinner, have it in Venice and enjoy St. Marks at night. Have coffee after dinner at Cafe Florian and listen to the orchestra play.  Unforgettable....you will have lots of ship dinners.  

Next day (ship departure day) walk from the ship in the general direction of St. Marks (lots of signs to San Marco) and see the less crowded, less tourist Venice.  That is a great experience too. 

This uses your hotel points to your advantage and you see the islands...which you would skip if you stayed on the mainland.

Just a thought.  See as much as you can.  Venice is a wonderful place!!

11 hours ago, boilermaker330 said:

Thank you, PelicanLvr! So helpful to hear about your experience with Walks of Italy. We will be in Rome for 4 days pre-cruise, so will book the early access tour per your recommendation. Did you happen to use Walks of Italy for any other tours while in Rome? I see several Colosseum tours on their website that look interesting.

Yes.  I first used Walks in Venice a few years ago and it was also an outstanding experience.  We rented an apartment in Rome last March (2019) and used Walks for both the Vatican & Colosseum.

For Vatican we took the "Pristine Sistine" tour.  Early meet time (7:15am) just outside the Vatican.  Museum did not open till 9am....We were actually inside by just after 8am.   There are a few other groups that also offer this early entry so you are not completely alone....but almost.  We walked down the long hall of the Map & Tapestry Galleries and it was completely empty....just our group and the guards!  Walked into the Sistine Chapel and maybe there were 20 other people there.  It was a WOW moment.  Even after the Museum opens (everyone runs to the Sistine Chapel) you are still pretty much alone to see the major works like the Raphael Rooms.   

After the full museum tour you exit thru a side (guarded) door of the Sistine Chapel right into St. Peter's.  No second security check (with long lines) like everyone else.  Great tour there too.

If this tour fits into you budget and time frame....Don't miss it!!

Colosseum:  We also took Walks and did the VIP Underground Tour.  Also excellent and highly recommended (but few things can rival that Vatican Tour).  At the Colosseum, the really interesting spaces are not open to the general public.  With this tour you get into the underground where the animals and gladiators were (like in the movies) and also onto the partially reconstructed (but small) arena floor...the actual level the events took place on.  That floor area is pretty new.  Both the floor and underground are closed to the general public and we were alone at both.   You also enter thru the gladiator gate (closed to public) directly onto the floor and you can feel what it must have been like.  It was only one group at a time for 20 minutes allowed on the floor so it's pretty cool.

Great also to have a good guide for the Forum because well....it's alot of columns, rocks & rubble that needs explanation. You go to a high point overlooking it all and the guide really helps you understand what it was...then you walk thru it.  Very well done.

The companies you are looking at probably all offer similar tours.  They seem to have time slots at the entrances when their group can just walk in without the line.  Our experience with Walks has been very good.  As I think you have already decided...these tours are the way to go.  You get special experiences not available otherwise.

Enjoy Roma!!

Since you posted on the Italy Board, I am presuming that is where you are headed.

Never had a problem using American credit cards at most places in Italy. You also get an institutional (good) exchange rate from the card companies...so always charge in local currency to get that rate (even if merchant asks if you want to charge in Dollars..don't do that) and just make sure your card has no foreign transaction fees.

If you use AMEX make sure you have a MC or Visa also, as AMEX is less accepted in Italy compared to USA.  Finally, always have enough euros in your pocket to cover a meal in case you decide to eat someplace that does not take cards.

If this is a "once in a lifetime chance" to see Venice.....GO.

If you believe you will return with more time to spend in Venice...do it that way.

Have been the Venice several times but not to either of these two (above) hotels which both look very nice.

Choice is yours....do you want to stay in a quieter area of Venice and walk just a bit to the "action".  It's great to experience both the tourist area and a more peaceful side of this charming city....that would be Hotel Anastasia .

If you prefer to be "right in the middle of the action" really just steps from St. Marks....that would be the Wildner.

Totally different experiences.  You pick.  But whatever you decide, Please go to St. Marks Square at night after dinner and sit (outside if weather permits) at the cafe Florian and listen to the orchestra.  

Venice is a wonderful place....enjoy!

Did Walks of Italy Vatican Tour last March (2019).  Just outstanding!  Don't hesitate to use them.

Don't know your timing.....if you are staying overnight in Rome, do the early access Vatican & St. Peter's Tour.  Wow.  Walking down the empty halls of the Vatican Museum before it opens is something I will never forget.

There is no line to get into the Museum (it's not open yet).  Entrance is deserted.  Then later they use a "secret door" out of the Sistine Chapel and go directly into St. Peter's from there.  Only a few groups can use that door.  Very special. 

OP- You mentioned "a goal is to avoid lines"....please consider a company like "Walks of Italy" to see the big sites (a/k/a long lines) of Rome.  Their tours offer really great skip the line access.  The early access Sistine Chapel is outstanding!  Colosseum & Forum was also very good.  They seem to have a time slot for entry and you just walk in past the lines.

Have been on "Connie" several times.  I see where this cabin is....I see no reason to think this balcony is any smaller than others.

My suggestion:  Stay where you are.....unless you can get a "sweet 16"

Car Service - You will find many great reviews of ROMEINLIMO on these boards.  I would not hesitate to use them.  We have used them for a full day private tour from Livorno port.  

1 hour ago, Snit13 said:

So you are saying a guest who pays $1,000 for a cabin should have the same perks as a guest who pays $10,000?

Sounds like a great new thread.  Get popcorn!