60andhappy

We also took the included trip to Berlin last summer and enjoyed it.  We did not hire a guide but I researched and planned a walk focusing on the wall.  We are in our late 60's.  We started with lunch and then took our time.  We certainly missed lots of the city but loved what we did see!

Just a heads up for any of you visiting Rome during early March. 

https://www.tripadvisor.ca/ShowTopic-g187791-i22-k12337436-Week_of_Culture_Rome_2019-Rome_Lazio.html

State museums and archaeological sites in Rome will be open for free for six days in a row, from 5-10 March 2019, as part of Italy's first edition of Settimana della Cultura.

The free museum week is included in a package of 20 days of free admission to state museums, first announced by Italy's culture minister Alberto Bonisoli last year.

The Italian culture ministry is expected to announce full details of the free museum week on 26 February.

We are on the March 9th sailing.  Fingers crossed!

We booked alot of early excursions on our Homelands cruse a loved having a room service breakfast on those days.

I happened to notice the discussion about snorkeling on the Great Barrier Reef.  Weather can have such an impact on the experience.  We have snorkeled for years.  Our trips to the GBR were beyond anything we had ever experienced.  We were on a land based tour  and booked two trips from port Douglas.  We booked two separate trips because friends and family had experienced windy rough trips to the reef.  Both our trips were out of this world!!!! We did one to the platoon which was good-you need to go out as far as possible for good snorkeling.  Our favorite was a large dive boat which visited three reefs.

If you snorkeled don't miss the GBR!!!!

We loved the Chefs Table on our Homelands cruise in 2017 and were able enjoy each of the menus offered.  Our first stop upon boarding our Mar 9 Med cruise will be the Chefs Table to book further reservations!

We did the train trip from Bergen to Oslo last summer, booking directly ourselves.  We travelled comfort class ( more room and coffee).  It was a fabulous day!

We were looking around the spa and were offered a tour. The gentleman recommended working up a sweat in the dry sauna then going into the snow grotto and rubbing a hand full of snow on any aching joints. We loved the spa, used it almist daily and both felt great on a vigorous port intensive cruise

It must be a pretty dispiriting prospect to be setting off on an expensive trip without the confidence that you'll actually manage to get on what are advertised as included excursions. People must be left feeling pretty disconcerted at the prospect of having to beg to be included or hope that others drop out.

All passangers will get an included excursion as offered in each port, maybe just not at the the they prefer.

But, on our included excursion we did not go to Sibilius monument.

We were on Homelands last Aug and the included did include the Sibilus monument.

We just returned from the Sheraton OSJ and loved the hotel and it's location in the old city near the pier. The view from the 9th floor pool area is fantastic.

This is exactly what we're planning to do.

That's exactly what we did!

We stayed in Old San Juan for three nights last week and had a wonderful time. Restaurants, shops, historical sites are all open and welcoming. Sadly tourism is down and the some businesses are struggling. Outside the city of San Juan is still recovering but the city is in good shape.

We are at the Sheraton Old San Juan. Great hotel, great location. Expect for a number of FEMA workers at the hotel all seems normal. Everyone we meet is friendly and apprecitative of our presence and business.

We just came back from our cruise and stayed in Old San Juan for three nights pre cruise. We walked everywhere, day and night and never felt unsafe! The shop and restaurant owners are so grateful for our business after being closed for 2+ months, it was actually heartwarming to be there and helping their economy recover!

We totally agree with the above post. We just spent our second of three night pre-cruise in old San Juan. We feel so appreciated everyone we encounter.

Thanks sb44

Will suitcases fit under the bed on the Pride?

Thanks

We checked in from January 21-23 with no issues at all. Booked months ago with Airmiles and had the pleasant surprise that a buffet breakfast was included both mornings. Lovely staff, very nice, clean property... loved the hot tub and pool... we had a brief power outage on the Sunday night but it was the last night of the San Sebastian festival and Old San Juan was hopping with crazy crowds and over 30 000 people.

Nice time hear RobinCruiser. Thanks for your post!

We are staying threef nights pre cruise ato the Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel and would love some sugestions for breakfasts.

Thanks

The free hop on/off trolleys look to be a great transportation option. Are back up running?

Thanks!

I noticed just after the new year, they updated their web page and removed the red notation stating they were not taking reservations until after January 8th. I tried to book on their page and can book for the upcoming week so I think they are back to normal and accepting new reservations. I have a reservation booked months ago with Air Miles, for January 21st to 23rd. I emailed the hotel reservations desk direct and received two replies, three minutes apart... First one telling me they had a three night minimum and then the second confirmed my pre-booked reservation, and advised me that they looked forward to seeing me. I printed off that email and I'm taking it with me, just in case.

Following we have a reservation Feb 7-10. Hope all goes well!

i know many of you are concerned about embarking from San Juan. No worries! Flew in yesterday and airport has electricity, Starbucks had a line, taxis easy to get. roads are great, stayed at Sheraton wonderful!! Ship is clean, food great, no problems!! I have been on countless cruises and the embarkation rates a 10! Will post more when I get back:)

Thanks kkbay, nice to hear San Jaun is getting back in its feet. We are booked at the Sheraton Old San Juan in Feb. Is that where you stayed ?

Thanks everyone for your replies

Hi

We hope to eat at the Chefs Table a couple of times during our Homelands Voyage. Is there a charge for the wine pairings if we don't have the beverage package?

Thanks

Didn't look at this port schedule to see if Sea was listed for Aug. 13, but just in case this is not what you were using, here's a port website to check, if you haven't already: https://www.portgdansk.pl/shipping/list-of-cruise-ships-notified-for-2017

Thanks roothy123