roddonn

6 hours ago, strickerj said:

Oh wow, that long, eh? Well at least they (probably) haven't forgotten. 😉

For all of you who are still waiting for refunds....hang in there.    We purchased separate cancellation insurance from

a different company, and advised HAL that we did NOT want any claim for reimbursement or FCC from them.   I was

informed that our file was marked with NO CLAIMS REQUESTED and none would be processed.    Surprise!   Our Visa

has been credited with a full refund from HAL.    So it seems refusing their reimbursement confuses staff, or else as

the saying goes.....the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing.    Visa was credited on June 04....so there

is hope....coming "soon".

We're on the fence re cancelling our April 22 TA cruise, and the cancellation insurance issues don't help.    However,

I just received an email from a Viator company (Finn Tours) in Dublin, advising us that they've cancelled ALL ship

related tours, and will be giving us a refund.    So... now Dublin doesn't even want us.   How long before more of the

tour agencies follow suit.     To go...or not to go??

1 hour ago, Coral said:

Where do you see this? I am on Trip Advisor. Is there a promo code? Thanks.

Try Viator...they're associated with Trip Advisor.    The tour is called Glendalough & Dublin City Excursion Ship to Shore.

The p/u at ship is adjusted to arrival and they make sure to get back on time.    36.75 pp.    Approx. 7 hrs.    Are you

on the Veendam?

Donna

4 hours ago, trrn2016 said:

I also am using them in Belfast and Dublin in early May. Reviews look good.

We too are using them in mid May.   Trip Advisor has a special price if booked by Feb. 13.   Great reviews.

We have just returned from a South Pacific cruise on the Noordam and I will say that the entertainment was

fantastic!     Hopefully, that keeps up.... as entertainment is a pleasant plus, no matter which cruise.

I totally agree with you.    We were on the Rotterdam Nov. 04th, and there were many, many complaints about the so-

called entertainment.    Showing a movie in the main showroom instead of having the usual, expected singers &

dancers was very disappointing.    The choice of movies shown (except for maybe 2) in the Wajang is also up for 

some serious discussion.     As I said....many, many complaints.

Agree. There needs to be a half way point on roll calls. ;). I guess we have been lucky that way.

 

Also, don't forget - as a roll call member, anyone can bring up a topic so it is not only private tour oriented ;)

We need more people like you, Kazu. We were lucky enough to cruise with you & Jose (FLL- BCN.....March 30-April 13/17). Thanks to all your hard work with spreadsheets, etc., so many of us had a fantastic cruise, either by the various

tours you arranged, or by just getting together. Lots of good memories, thank you! The roll calls are what you make

them to be, in my opinion.

Donna

I too would just take a taxi from the Barcelona port to the airport. HOWEVER, I have also taken 3 or 4 cruise line transfer buses to the airport after a cruise. Yes, they will wait until a bus fills up for the most part. However, they generally do fill up very fast. A lot of people take these transfers. I have never sat on a bus more than 15-20 minutes before we headed off to the airport. But yes, I suppose depending on your particular timing, it could be a little more or a little less. I've also waited in line for a taxi for 15 minutes in Barcelona as we left the ship at the same time as many, many people and the line was quite long.

We have used BCN Transfer. They wait for you at the pier with your name

on a plackard. Very fast, easy and efficient.. and reasonable.

NCL SUN November 19, 2016. I need at least 8 people interested in a post cruise excursion with a transfer to Santiago airport ($95.00pp). Check out http://www.southexcursions.com. Get off the ship and tour Valparaiso, Vina del Mar and Santiago for eight hours then transfer to airport. Ideal for late departing flights to USA. Book tour and make contact with agent via website.

We have the same request as above for October 25th, 2016. We have booked this tour/transfer for the 2 of us, but are hoping for a few more to book, as it

lessens the price. Contact as above mentioned, attn: Stephanie.

Thanks.

Donna

I just tired Orbitz.

 

8 March 2017 YTO to FLL US $210 Single Economy

 

 

22 March 2017 Rome to YTO Lowest US$478 (Turkish Air or Egypt Air)

 

or 'normal' carriers one way on British Airways US$1,800.

 

 

 

More reasonable.

Be VERY careful booking with Orbitz. When Delta had a schedule change on our flight, Orbitz rearranged our booking to a flight that left at 6:30 AM….. and when I tried to explain that this wouldn't work, since the cruise only docked at 7 AM…. Orbitz suggested that I ask for this cruise to arrive earlier!! And.. I was told I was speaking to the supervisor!! They also said

there would be a fee to cancel and rebook. I gave up on Orbitz and called

Delta directly and was given another flight, with NO cancel fee. Never again

will I even think of booking anything with Orbitz.

That's the price the desk clerk at my Valparaiso hotel quoted me about 2 weeks ago. I opted for a comfy 4 pax van (that held lots of luggage) that provided a full day tour (8 hours) which we designed including a stop at Casa de Bosque winery for lunch. It cost $80 pp.

Was the $80.00 pp the cost of taxi, or was it with a tour Co.?…

Donna

It was 95USD p/p for our group. Suggest you contact them (http://www.southexcursions.com) if there is a group. Tour starts at 0800-ish depending on how quick the group assembles together (port disembarkation is a chaos). Ends at Santiago on your way to the airport at 5pm or later depending on if there is a hotel drop-off.

Thanks for the info. Hopefully we can join in with a group. If not, the bus

sounds very adventurous….

Donna

It was 95USD p/p for our group. Suggest you contact them (http://www.southexcursions.com) if there is a group. Tour starts at 0800-ish depending on how quick the group assembles together (port disembarkation is a chaos). Ends at Santiago on your way to the airport at 5pm or later depending on if there is a hotel drop-off.

Thanks for the info. Hopefully we can join in with a group. If not, the bus

sounds very adventurous….

Donna

Our group of ten cruisers used their company on a full day post-cruise from Valparaiso to Santiago with drop-off at the airport or hotel. Tour guide met us at port side. Started a city tour, then the nearby city for a walking tour, rode an (elevator?) and walked. Had lunch at a nice restaurant. Stopped at a winery place (wine tasting) along the way. We got dropped off at our hotel in Santiago while the rest opted the airport.

 

Definitely recommended!!!

Could you give us an idea of what the cost was for this Valp-Santiago tour. There's only the 2 of us, unless we could find others to share if necessary

to split costs. Our flight leaves at 10:00 PM.

Thanks so much.

Donna

We had hassles with HAL when we wanted to disembark early after an overnight in Sydney to catch an early flight back to NZ. We arranged with the front desk and they OK'd it, but they did not tell security on the gangway and they would not let us off as they thought we were skipping off the ship to avoid paying the final account.:eek:

 

I decided to phone HAL for info on early disembarkment and was told all we would have to do is advise front desk one day prior….. PLUS have our account

paid in full (!) and they would arrange for immigration process that early AM

before we left the ship at 3:30 AM!! He sounded like it was no problem & done often with ships overnighting…. at least in Singapore. Hope we don't have any problems with this, as we've booked a shuttle for 3:45 AM. I'll definitely ask them to alert security too!

Thanks for your help.

What time is your ship scheduled to arrive? I agree that it sounds very tight indeed. You need to arrive at Singapore Changi 2 hours before your flight to check-in, which means 4:50am to catch a 6:50am flight.

 

I doubt your ship would have docked by then.

Thanks for your replies.

We're on HAL Volendam which docks on Dec.07 & overnights till Dec. 08.

Our Delta flight departs 6:50 AM on Dec. 08, which means a very early disembarkment off the ship on the 08th. My concern is how much time will I need to get thru immigration and where is this done. I assume that a few more cruisers will need to disembark early as well, so there should be a process normally done. I hope! I need to advise the shuttle service of requested pick-up time at the cruise terminal, which I hope won't be a problem

at such an early hour…… open 24 hrs.?

Again, thanks for your help.

What time would we have to disembark the ship to make a very early 6:50 AM departure out of SIN? How far to the airport and how many hours do we need to be at the airport before flight time? Is immigration check, etc., done on

the ship, even at such an early hour? We need to know what time to request a shuttle pick-up at the pier. Thanks!

We must have been SO Lucky……after 27 cruises, we've always had great table mates, with fixed or anytime dining. One cruise (fixed dining) we will never forget because it was so much fun we hated for dinner to end. One of our table mates was the back-up singer for Dolly Parton, who resembled Dolly and had her fantastic character.. so you can just imagine what our table was like! After so many cruises, I can relate many tales of table mates, and I'd love to…

but…..it seems we've had the best!

Roddon, thank you for that information. We will be flying out of Barcelona on Friday, July 3. I'm going to book BCN for private transfer, just for my piece of mind. If my granddaughter didn't have to get back for work/school obligations, I really wouldn't mind missing my flight and staying longer! 8 AM is probably a good time for us. Are there a variety of shops at the airport? I love bringing back gifts and wine but this flying back home is a real bummer, but I still enjoy looking.

 

 

There are many, many shops at the airport… just not too sure what time they would open in the AM. Our last flight out of BCN was early PM, so they did get a good bit of our "left over euros"… This is a very clean, lovely airport….

compared to a few others we've flown out of.

]

Thanks for your very appreciated input.

 

We will be on Holland America's Nieuw Amsterdam ship.

 

I'm going to try and limit my luggage to a carry on and one large suitcase, not over 50 lb. My grown granddaughter is traveling with me and will have a carry on and a smaller check in. Having never done self-embarkation, I'm hesitant to do it, but it is a consideration.

To try and limit my luggage, I've already done a starter list of what I think I'll be taking! I love to dress up and always pack too much, so this is a very good exercise for me.

 

Our Delta flight is scheduled to depart Barcelona at 11:45 AM.

 

I agree with you on the private transfer. To me, peace of mind is invaluable.

 

Thank you again.

Gloria

Our flight leaves at 11:40 AM, and we've booked a pickup for 8 AM, and being a Sunday, there hopefully should not be much traffic. We've done the 28 Euro

last yr. from BCN, and didn't have a problem with waiting at all. Whichever

you decide on, I'd recommend BCN.travel in a heartbeat.

Enjoy your cruise!

How far is the port to the airport? Trying to book flights. Most leave around 10:30 am. Will this cut it close or should I try to find something later? TIA for any information. It is very appreciated.

You might try BCN.travel. We've just booked them… 28 euros for 2 of us.. not

each. You determine the time they pick you up at the cruise port.

There are plenty of loungers all up & down the beach. In the morning there is some shade, especially as you get closer to the vegetation. But as the day goes on, and the sun moves in its arc, it ends up beating down on those loungers.

Is there a charge for these loungers on HMC?

We're on the Summit next month & are so pleased to hear how helpful Celebrity

was to your family. We wouldn't dare travel without insurance and hearing that they were quick to respond to your needs is very comforting to know. What an ordeal you've been thru… we send every possible good wish for a full

recovery for your Dad… and a big hug for you and your Mom.

We've booked a post excursion with Puerto Rico Cruise Excursions and now

they've emailed us saying there will now be an admission charge of $12.00 US

each, beginning Nov. 15. Has anyone heard if this is actually happening…

or is the excursion company adding this charge on their own?

I will be sailing on the Summit and have a 4 p.m. flight out of San Juan on the last day. I was told by Celebrity that we could stay on ship till 1 p.m. but I'm thinking there is probably nothing to do on the ship! We will be spending a day in San Juan prior to our cruise so plan to see the city then. Anyone have any ideas of how to fill a few hours of time and also what becomes of our baggage? I will be travelling with my elderly parents so nothing too strenuous or busy is required!

thanks.

We also now have a late flight ex SJU, thanks to U.S. Airways. We see there is a cruise excursion (post cruise) which keeps your luggage on the bus while

you tour Bacardi factory, etc. (3 ½ hrs.) with Puerto Rico Cruise Excursions for

$40.00. The Celebrity post cruise tour is cheaper & only 2 ½ hrs. but your

luggage does not stay with you, according to Chris. Looking into the first option with PR Cruise Excursions right now. We're on Summit Dec.06-20/14.