4Ollies

If you are still looking, look at Taxi Stockholm.  We were on RC Serenade of the Seas and were off in record time.  We did not go through customs.  Just picked up our luggage and off we went.  I don't remember seeing anyone going through what I'm used to in Galveston, Miami, and New Orleans.  We did not have a taxi booked because I had no idea when we would be off the ship but had no issues finding one with TS at the port.  

On 7/16/2019 at 5:30 AM, Kangakid said:

Hi All, anyone arranged transport, taxi, or other from the Port to Arlanda Airport.  Have heard very conflicting reports about transport from the Port.  Can anyone shed some light on this for me.  Thanks in anticipation.

If you walk out of the port, there are taxis waiting there.  A young man working there heard us talking about wanting Taxi Stockholm, and said follow me.  He took us straight through and got us in with TS.  We used Taxi Stockholm for the airport to the hotel, hotel to port, port to hotel, and then hotel to airport.  All four had English speaking drivers, very nice cars, and if you used their app, you could order a taxi from where you were.  It was nice at 3:00 am to see exactly where our car was while waiting because the app has a map that tracks your assigned car.  

I know TJ Travel (and I assume the other highly recommended groups) had a guarantee that if you missed your ship they would get you to your next port.  That might help your FIL if he is worried about missing the ship.  I would think either the smaller group tours the local companies offer or a private tour for just your family would be a great way to see what you want together.  Contact the groups and see who has the best prices for your trip and will customize the trip for your family.  

I want to go back and spend a few days in Tallinn.  Such a beautiful city.  

On 7/11/2019 at 9:28 AM, Jezabel2924 said:

We paid TJ with a credit card (no fees) and the transaction was exactly as quoted in $$.  The guides will graciously accept any tips in dollars, Euros or Rubles.  They were a wonderful company to tour with.  Enjoy!

This is what we just did too.  We didn't pay until our second day almost at the very end of our trip.  

We used TJ Travel and I would highly recommend them.  We did a private tour for just the three of us since some of what the son wanted to see is not included in normal tours.   TJ was the first who offered me a truly customized itinerary and they were so easy to work with.    If you stick with any of the companies that are recommended on these boards, I don't think you will disappointed.

Another vote for TJ Travel. We just got back and used them for our two days in St Petersburg. We did a private tour for the three of us based around the things our son wanted to see. We did some off the beaten path things then also did some of the typical places like Church on the Spilled Blood. Our guide was Irina and she was amazing. She has lived most of her life there and spoke English easily. She was trained to teach English classes. The company is very easy to work with and I would use them again. 

Placencia is a great place to go. If you want really good food, try the Maya Beach Bistro. For a bar right on the beach, we have enjoyed Barefoot Bar. Tutti Frutti is a popular place for gelato plus it's airconditioned which is a nice break from the humidity.

We spent a week in Placencia two years ago, then DH spent a week there this spring, and we were never worried about safety. We have friends who live there about half the year and met tons of expats plus so many truly lovely local people. We toured the Spice Farm, did one of the chocolate tours, and we went to see Marie Sharp's factory (hot sauces and jellies) on our own. It's a beautiful country with friendly people.

I do think you need to exercise basic caution in Belize City just like you would in any other area. My own town isn't that big and we have our good and bad parts.

We are booked on the Serenade of the Seas for July 14. This is one son's choice. He really wants to visit Russia but I was not sure about spending a week plus there. His twin chose to go to Germany for ten days this summer so won't be joining us on this one. They will graduate high school May 2020 so we are doing senior trips early.

I am talking with a couple of private companies for tours in St. Petersburg. May use the same company in our other ports too.

Sounds like there is usually one planner in every group/family and the others just kind of go along for the ride. I did make L go through my list of ideas and choose what he wants to see. We will be doing a lot of Russian history.

Has anyone else been told that they could not watch the bridges open? I sent emails to a few companies and one replied that we could not add that on to our day (private tour) since we did not have a visa. Found that odd because another group gave us the prices to add it on to our day. Same email to each company, so expected a similar reply.

I am happy to read that aft balconies are great on Serenade. I was able to book one for July 2019 and there were not many to choose from. Was not really planning on booking 18 months out but there are not many sailings stopping in St. Petersburg.

I also booked the Holiday Inn because it has free parking and shuttle. It seems to have good reviews.

I keep hoping they open some for the Breeze soon.

I've not had any issues going with my DH while he dives if it's a beach dive. It seems like a lot of the dive companies partner with a beach club so that they both get business. Just email the company you want to use and ask.

The discover scuba dive is a great way to see if you enjoy diving. I did one in St. Thomas and had a nice dive. They had a small class time teaching the basics you have to know, then made you do the basic skills in the water like clearing your mask and retrieving your regulator. Think it is a pretty standard class through Padi. Hope you enjoy yours!

I like the hot stone massage. Would like to try a bamboo massage too. For some people the deep tissue is painful but a good masseuse watches body cues and knows when to ease up a little.

Darn I missed them. Have to get in the habit of checking early each morning I guess.

Just got home from our trip and wanted to also add what a great time we had using toursplaza. Needed something for 14 people to do ranging in age from 9-70+. Two ended up diving but the rest of us went off for the day with Miguel Burgos. He was very easy to find using the directions they had sent us. Walked out of the pier area to the taxi line and there he was. The van looked brand new, very clean, and well taken care of. First stop was at a shop where we could buy cheap water, soda, etc which he put on ice in a cooler. Then we were off to San Gervasio to visit the ruins. He explained about the two fees you pay to enter the area and then told us where he would be when we were ready to leave. Our next stop was for food and he recommended two places but said one was much more family friendly while the other just a little wilder than he thought we would want. He wanted us to look at the menu and then if we didn't like it he would take us to the next place. Wish I could remember the name of the place we stopped but it was perfect. Beautiful beach, pretty pool, and good food. He gave a us a tour of other beautiful spots on our way back to the pier. Wish we had had more time but didn't want the ship to leave without us!

Soulshaker33 my husband took our boys, then ten, on their first ocean dive with Eden Rock. They dove the Grotto and loved it. It was just the three of them and their guide. They got to see a lot of different fish, coral, fire coral (ouch), and went through the arches. If you have time I would try them!