vinonme2

Brad, from what I've read about Blend, it sounds quite interesting. Can you tell me ore about it.... is it reservation only? Cost? Hours?

Thanks again for all your pictures and information!

Thank you for the absolutely wonderful pictures! This ship is so totally different in every area, yet so very interesting. I'm so glad I'm doing the Trans-Atlantic cruise because it will give me the time to fully enjoy this beautiful ship.

Lisa, thank you for the picture of the gelato bar. I guess I better add about $100 to my budget because there is no way I can pass by without getting one. There was one day in Venice that I stopped at 4 gelato bars. Yummy.

You and I will very likely meet often! I love gelato and, like you, especially when in Venice I am sure to have a minimum of 2 gelato a day.

Gloria

It's in the Explorations Cafe/Crow's Nest area (deck 12 forward), just like on the two Signature ships and all Vistas except the Noordam.

 

http://www.hollandamerica.com/main/DeckPlansFull.action?ship=ko&deck=o&deep=0

Thank you!

Enjoy every mlnute of your time on the Koningsdam!

I'll be reading your every post and hope to see lots of pictures too!

Gloria

Thank you so very much for all the Koningsdam pictures, they are wonderful!

Have you seen the library or know where it's located? I can't seem to find it on the deck plan and it's one of the first places I usually go to.

I can't wait to sail on this beautiful ship!

Looking forward to more of your posts!

Hi Jacqui,

Please add me to the Hal Future Cruisers' List:

Koningsdam, 10-24-16 16 night Passage to America Inaugural Transatlantic

B2B with 11-9-16 4 night Bahamas

First time traveling solo

Thank you Jacqui,

Gloria

Thanks Pia! Carrefour is the store I couldn't remember the name of. It's about half way up on Las Ramblas. First time we went to a Carrefours was in Australia and we were very happy with the wines we bought there.

When we saw a Carrefour in Barcelona, we immediately went in and bought a few bottles, although this store had a smaller selection.

Boqueria is in a small shop right adjacent to La Bouqeria Market. We have gone to this store also. As Pia stated, it is more expensive but they have many wines to pick from.

Thanks so much for all your input, it's appreciated.

We (2 adults) will be in Sorrento and Venice for 8 days before getting on the ship in Venice.

From previous trips to those areas, I know there are some wines I definitely want to bring on the ship to enjoy.

Having a glass or two of wine every evening on our balcony has become a tradition I don't intend to stop, it just adds to the beautiful memories. It's a 12 night cruise and 2 bottles doesn't cover it.

I'm also bringing 2 or 3 wine bottle bubble bags with me for additional wine to fly back to the US with. Those I will gladly let Princess hold for me till the last night.

Good advice about being prepared to pay the $15. per additional bottle. It's worth it when you enjoy certain wines. If they collect the fee, no problem. If they don't, then it's a few more dollars for me to spend elsewhere.

We disembark in Barcelona and are spending a night there, so I'll pick up a bottle of wine either when we disembark or on Las Ramblas (can't remember the name of the store but I remember where it is).

in a European port.

I know the cruise line rule is 1 bottle of wine per adult when initially boarding at any port and each additional bottle has a corkage charge of $15.00. I am fine with that.

Recently I have been reading a lot of posts saying passengers can bring on wine in European ports and not pay corkage.

My question is - Since I'll be checking in on the ship on Saturday (the only day for initial check in) and the ship sails Sunday, would corkage be charged for any wines brought on board on Sunday and would I be able to take them to my cabin?

Would appreciate any feedback from someone who has experienced this.

Thank you.

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.

Carol - okay, I peeked at your profile:) . I'm going to make the Catalan Beef Stew - it sounds delicious!

My husband and I were on a previous Nieuw Amsterdam cruise (T/A) and Alicante was one of our stops - very relaxing and enjoyable place.

My last check on the Hal website shows there are still cabins available, so why don't you just book one and come along! This will be my 3rd. Nieuw Amsterdam cruise. I especially love their Tamarind restaurant and wish they had it on all their ships.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a local, non-touristy restaurant to go to for tapas and perhaps dinner? Our last visit we ate on Las Ramblas - very disappointing - so this time I want to be prepared where to go.

Thank you all again! Your responses have given me a really good comfort zone.

Gloria

Disembarkation in Barcelona is usually very efficient. How different times are handled is more cruise line than port dependent. Which cruise line will you be on? Can you carry your own luggage and do self disembarkation? What time is your flight?

 

Regarding BCN Travel semi-private transfers. From what I have seen these are usually 7-seater vans but if they have a lot of people wanting a transfer it could be a larger vehicle. I personally prefer private transfers as there is no waiting for other passengers. For me it is worth the extra cost.

 

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

Thank you for the quick response, it is greatly appreciated.

All my previous Europe trips have included Trans-Atlantic cruises back home and I don't know if disembarkation is handled the same in Europe as in the US.

Our cruise will be arriving in Barcelona the day before disembarkation so we can actually get off that day, but are not. On cruises like this, for the morning of disembarkation, are you still given color coded disembarkation tags and have to wait for that color to be called before getting off the ship and going thru customs? I've had some past experiences in Fort Lauderdale where we waited well over an hour past our stated disembarkation time. We always drive to Fort Lauderdale so flights are not a concern. There could easily also be a delay waiting for all those on the transfer reservation to get off, even though they have the same color code. If we could get off any time, that would be a great relief.

Would you know the number of people for a semi-private transfer? I didn't see any mention on the BCN web site.

Thank you again.

Gloria

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.

After reading your above post, I checked the BCN.travel web site and the lowest fare they quote for 2 people is 48 E.

Was your rate a promotion of some type or perhaps an error?

N Amsterdam - 21 June 2015. 12 day Mediterranean Romance Venice – Barcelona.

Pre cruise 8 nights Amalfi Coast and Venice. 1st. Hal cruise for granddaughter.

Thank you for the replies. I have no problem with pre-paying for our reservation. Our cruise is only 12 nights and 6 of those nights are late departures and another night is overnight in port. I don't want to have to get back to the ship for a leisurely dinner on those nights.

Can I make a Pinnacle Grille reservation now for an upcoming cruise and when I board the ship, have that reservation as my freee one from Explore4?

I think the OP is just trying to confirm that this is an option.

Thank you 2pbears, yes, I am just trying to consider all options.

And to some of you others who replied... what works for you may not be something someone else would care to do but for some reason, you can not accept this.

I very rarely post on CC because of the rude and inconsiderate replies that are too often given. Some of you need lessons in manners and how to be considerate of others.

I'll find my way.

Tried several times to log onto http://www.marozzivt.it/script/bigli...pobigl=marozzi, but no luck.

As I mentioned in my post, we don't want to do the train.

There must be a way to get us where we want to go, so I'm going to keep at it, but would really appreciate any other suggestions or help.

I did look up air (Delta) from the US to Rome, then Naples, then to Venice, etc. but at almost $3,000. each, that's really steep. There has got to be a more economical way!

My grown granddaughter and I will be flying to Italy next summer for a land and cruise vacation.

Has anyone had any experience or know the best way to get from the Rome airport to Sorrento?

Is there an express bus or shuttle from Rome to Naples?

We'll be having several pieces of luggage so I don't think a train would be a good option.

After Sorrento, I'm planning on getting back to Naples (have done that express bus previously and it's excellent) and then flying to Venice. We'll spend a few days there before boarding our ship.

Really appreciate any help!

Yes, IslandStar, I caught that typo, so I sent the email with the correct spelling and it didn't come back. Trouble is, I didn't get an answer back either.

This morning I sent another email to Mandoo. I really hope to hear back from him in the next few days, but in the meantime, I'm also going to contact AJ Meddy.

Thanks again for your response.

Terri and Jim,

I'm shocked to read this. Jack's and my very, very best thoughts and prayers go to you both. We hope you will be home very soon.

a corrent email address for Mandoo? I've tried mandooatgranadatours.com but it comes back.

Thanks!!!

A few years ago I booked Capt. Wayne with a group of 24 of us from our roll call. Emails were answered promptly, he was very pleasant, answered my specific questions, and made a positive impression.

Sad to say, that was as good as it got. I had our group meet on the ship and we got off as a group, so that there was no waiting for stragglers. Unfortunately, Capt. Wayne was not at the dock waiting for us.

We waited and we waited and we waited. A local on one of the other boats in the area called him for us. The reply was that he was on his way. We waited another 20 minutes, the local called Wayne again. This time the story was that where his boat was docked for the night was locked and he had to wait for the place to open up.

Finally, an hour after he was to be there, he arrived. Our excursion was naturally cut short.

The boat was to have restroom facilities - it did not.

Wayne later told one of the men in our group that he had overslept.

Sorry, no recommendation from me.

It may be more of an adventure for the two of you if you go to new places- that you haven't been before. If that makes it any easier.

 

Yes, I've been thinking that too. The Constitution has some new ports for me.

 

Just to throw another cruise into the mix- we LOVED the British Isles cruise we did on Princess. It was an 12 night cruise roundtrip Southampton England. On day 11 we disembarked in LeHavre (one day early) and took the train to Paris and spent two nights there. Great way to end our trip.

My husband and I did this cruise - Emerald Princess - in late May/early June 2011. It was a great cruise. We got to Le Harve June 1 and did an all day tour of the military cemetery, the battle area, and several small villages. The locals, all volunteers of every age, were getting ready to do a tribute in memory of D-Day. They were digging ditches, filling sand bags, had American flags all over, were driving old US Army jeeps, and even the small local restaurant we ate at, the waitresses were dressed in WWII WAC uniforms. In one of the small villages, the mayor came to meet us (our private tour guide had pre-arranged this) and took us to a small park in the middle of town that had a monument of a US solider with a plaque by it, expressing the villagers thanks to the US and our military for being liberated. It was the most touching tour we ever took and left a lasting impression on us.