katmich12

We booked a tour with Trunos of Frasier Taxi and Tours. It was fabulous! His van is immaculate. He provided snacks and drinks. We saw most of the island and toured the Montreal Gardens, a stunning Botanical Gardens. Highly recommend this comprehensive personal island experience!

19 hours ago, keesar said:

Murano is a great choice.  As for  the second restaurant, the choice would be between Tuscan Grill and the Lawn Club Grill.   If you like grilled food and like to eat outside, then the Lawn Club is for you.  If you like an Italian style steakhouse with a great view around sunset, Tuscan is the way to go.  Tuscan is a little fancier and you are not exposed to the elements like sun and wind.  We usually get more dressed up for Tuscan.

 

You can't go wrong.

We had dinner at the Tuscan Grill last February. It was outstanding! Also ate at the Lawn Grill for lunch. The Tuscan Grill is an elegant restaurant with a more extensive menu. The elements are definitely a factor outside.

We had a great tour with this company last week. Everything was smooth and well organized. You could be dropped off in town or go back to the pier. We had plenty of time at Maho Beach and Marigot on the French side. Sarafina's Bakery has great food. Highly recommend this company. The Mailman was our guide and he was fabulous!!

We did what turned out to be a private tour with just 4 of us, but we just paid the normal price of $33 per adult for the island tour minus beach break booked via the website. I was expecting there to be other people, especially as there was another ship in port, but we were the only ones with Hudson, our guide. His SUV would have held 7, it was very luxurious and spotlessly clean. We toured all over the island, including a view overlooking the harbour, the oldest church, the cricket ground, the rain forest, Shirley Heights and Nelson's Dockyard. Hudson was lots of fun, full of nuggets of information, very proud of his island home and happy to talk about it and his family. He stopped at a stall and bought us a selection of fresh fruit, took photos of us, slowed down for us to take photos of things we found interesting along the way....

It was great, we had an amazing time.

We toured last week with Lawrence of Antigua. He has a website and filled his own van with 9 total including my husband and I. The vehicle was clean and Lawrence was great. We saw the highlights for $40 each. Plenty of time at the Nelson Dockyards, Shirley Heights, English Harbor National Park and Rainforest. Great narrated tour. Highly recommended!

My husband and I will also be on St. Croix in February. We are looking for an island tour. What local companies do you recommend? Please give a website if available.

Thanks,

Lindy

We spent 30 days on a B2B on Infinity in cabin 3114, in Oct. 2012, and didn't notice any sound like that. In fact, we loved that cabin because it was so quiet. That private hallway and the big window was so nice!

We will be in 3116 on a Panama Canal cruise in April. How many hanging closet spaces are there?

katmich12,

here is roberto's email: robtads2@hotmail.com

our roll call had two tours booked with roberto, both were excellent.

 

Have a great cruise and post a review when you return.

thanks!!!

Hey Quilter Girl,

Good to see back on the message board.

Our cruise was way beyond my expectation. It was awsome.

 

For ports of call:

Cartagena: we were part of a private tour with Lee Miles. The tour guide was great and we went to places we had researched before hand. Love the walking tour of the old city and even the tour of the Emeral Museum.

 

Colon: I organized a private tour with Robtabs. Roberto had one of his guides Zunilda waiting for us. We were 11 people. We went to the Gatun Locks and the town of Portobelo and ended with a lunch at a local cafe in Portobelo. Learned lots of history about Panama and it was a great way to get ready for our full transit the next day. Our guide was excellent. She answered every question we had about Panama and we had lots. She was not reading from a script, but very personable. We even went by her house in one of the neighborhoods.

 

Costa Rica: We took the ship tour of a Coffee plantation and tour of Sarchi which included lunch. It was an easy tour and it was harvest time for the coffee beans. Learned lots and the guides were again very informative.

 

Gautemala: We did the DIY ship tour to Anitqua. We hired a local guide for $10.00 per person for a wonderful walking tour. This can be done at the drop off point in Antiqua.

 

PV: we just got off the ship and took a taxi to the Malecon and walked to the LosMortos beach area. We all have been to PV before so we knew our way around town.

 

Cabo: did the same, just got off ship and walked aorund and had a nice lunch at a cafe overlooking the marina. Great shrimp cocktail and wonderful chips and salsa with a guitarist playing Neil Young songs. Great way to end our last port of call.

I am interested in seeing the construction site when we dock at Colon. Do you have a contact email/phone number for Robtabs Tours? Thanks!

Lindy, Licensed cabs in Panama must be yellow with a checkered stripe. I'm sure you could find a taxi to take you out. Taxi should run $30 or so an hour.

Here is a link to some info about the new visitor center and some pics.

 

 

 

 

 

So far I've heard nothing but good comments about this experience.

 

Regards, Richard

Thank you so much for the pictures. Is this close to where we will dock in Colon? Not sure about the different Locks.

Lindy

My opinion: If you have done a complete transit of the Canal you have had the BEST view and experience available. If your interest is primarily the Canal, you might look and see if your ship is offering a tour that takes you to a newly opened viewing area where you can actually see and watch the construction of the new locks. I have not done it, but it is supposed to be well done and an interesting experience. I wouldn't take the ferry transit tour if I'd just done a complete transit. And the Miraflores Visitor's Center is primarily for all those folks who aren't on a cruise ship. All those folks watching you go by are wishing they were on the ship! Regards, Richard

Thanks so much for your great advice. Is it possible/safe to find a private guide or taxi from the dock to see the new construction viewing area? Lindy

Emy, Two suggestions, if offered . . . If your primary interest is the Canal, and its offered, do the ferry boat which takes you through Gaillard Cut, Pedro Miquel Lock, and Miraflores Locks then drops you off in Amador for the bus ride back to Colon and the ship. Alternatively, take a tour which includes the Visitor Center at Miraflores Locks where you will get a good view of the action. Regards, Richard

Richard,

Is your advice to take the Ferry excursion out of Colon after we have just gone through the Canal? I am slightly confused as some say it is fabulous and others say it is not worth the cost as we have just seen the locks in transit and to go to see the Milaflores Visitor's Center. What do you think as our interest is the Canal. Thanks!

Thanks once again for your very timely and useful advice. You deserve an award for the aid you've provided to posters on this thread, aid which has helped many of us get the most out of our stay.

 

I doubt my wife will gladly attempt the cable car but a cafe near the Ploce Gate sounds fine. A year ago, she enjoyed cups of tea and people watching on the Stradun while I hiked the walls. We both were happy.

 

Thanks again. Some day I hope our paths cross so I can thank you personally

I have another possibility for you. We were in Dubrovnik the first of October. We hooked up with another couple on our cruise and hired a taxi for a half day tour. We went to the bridge and to the cable car overlook but did not ride the cable car. We also went to Cavtat, a charming resort town. We walked through town and up to the top of the hill to a family mausoleum and to the city's cemetary. We paid by the hour and split the cost so it cost 100 euros per couple. I would advise setting a price for where you want to go before getting in the cab. If not, be aware of the cost per hour and how long you want to tour. We were dropped off at the Pile gate and walked the sea side of the wall. Stunning. We loved seeing both places.

Thank you so much for your info - it is very helpful. Hope we have the same great weather you did. We will be there in 2 1/2 weeks. Did you have any trouble getting a taxi driver at the pier? Did you start the wall at the Pile gate and exit at the Ploce gate? I have two things in my notes about where to exit - Ploce or where the Maritime Museum is. That is why I am confused. Do you have a card from your taxi driver ? If so, maybe I can contact him and arrange with him before we leave home. Again, thanks for your help.

We had no trouble finding a taxi at the port; there were tons of them. I don't have a card for him. Again, find out exactly what the charge will be for the tour you expect. I think I would try to set a tour not by the hour. It will be cheaper if you have two couples as the price is for the taxi not the passengers. We entered at the Pile gate and walked until the seaside wall was ending and there was a place to go down and exit. I think it was the Museum entrance at the bottom.

To Dubrovniktravelady: Would appreciate it if you could answer a couple of questions. I have read all your posts with wonderful information. You say to enter via the Pile gate and walk the sea side of the wall. Is the half-way point of exit at the Maritime Museum or at the Ploce gate? Also I have printed the map and it says the South route is the sea side walk and would take 2 hours. I believe you had said it would be about 1 hour. Just trying to plan our time so we also get to see all the major sights. Another question - I read somewhere that you should carry your passport with you in Dubrovnki - is this necessary? Our ship, Oceania's Insignia is now going to dock instead of tender. How far and how long will it take to get to the Old Town from the pier? How has the weather been ? Hoping it doesn't get too cold and rainy yet. Thanks in advance for your help with these questions. Looking forward to seeing your beautiful city which I have heard so many wonderful things about.

I am not Dubrovnik Lady but am just returning from a cruise on Celebrity Solstice. We were there on Oct. 5th. The weather was spectacular as was the area. We were with two others from our ship. Originally, we were going to take a cab to the cable car. We negotiated for a tour at 120 euros. We then added a side trip to Cavtat, a beautiful resort. We walked UP to the mausoleum above the town. We were not paying attention to the time and ended up owing 100 euros per couple rather than 60. We thought it was worth it for the tour with Allan and the historical info. If you take a taxi tour, set on a time limit first if you are on a budget and the driver would probably hurry you along. We also walked the sea side wall. Stopping for pictures, it took about an hour.There are many steps but we were fine. The views are worth it. We took a cab back to the ship from the Ploce gate and it was expensive. I think walking to the Pile gate and taking a cab from there would have been cheaper.

Enjoy your visit. We certainly did.

We just returned from our first Med cruise on Celebrity Solstice. Our perfect vacation was even better because we used Rome In Limo for three ports. Our drivers Giovanni, Mauricio and Carmine were professional, knowledgable and tons of fun. They maximized our time in each port for a fraction of the ship's cost. They made lunch reservations for us and we simply walked in to waiting tables. The restaurant at the top of Sorrento was stunning. I can't even imagine navigating the roads. The eigth of us who shared the van all LOVED this company. Great choice.

thanks!!!

My favorites are the Franciscan Monastery to view the old pharmacy, entrance fee is 30Kuna. Next is the Dominican Monastery for their religious art museum, entrance fee is 20Kuna. The Rupe Museum is my favorite and should not be missed and it is not on the main promenade, a short walk up the steps of the Siroka Ulicia (Big street), entrance fee is 40Kuna. Sveti Vlaho church (no fee) is a must, if you have time and is located in the middle of the placa, but some afternoons the doors are locked for some reason.

There is a one day pass available, but does not include either Monastery. Personally I don't believe it's a good value unless you want to see the sites included. Cruisers have such limited time here, it's rather difficult to view our many historical and cultural sites. Too many guests only walk the wall, buy a gelato and return to their ship, missing some magnificent museums. Walking the entire wall can be difficult for some and takes up to 2 plus hours, doing only the sea side is much easier and will take only 1 hour, entrance fee is 70 Kuna. Don't forget the cable car, the view from the mountain is shown in my photo below, fee is 80Kuna.

Decide which sites are important, map your route and spend your time in Dubrovnik visiting only those which will be of interest to you personally. Dubrovnik itself is a piece of art, enjoy your time here.

I am planning our day in your city in October. We do want to see more of your Old Town and not just walk the Wall. If we want to see the seaside, do we go in Pile Gate? Is there a direction to go to only do half? We plan to take a cab to the cable car first. Your information is guiding my plan. We look forward to our time in Dubrovnik.

That solves the problem! Nice crisp images now. I've become a very lazy photographer....

I don't know much about photography. What setting do I use to achieve the best crisp non-people images? Also, is it possible to develop a panorama shot or just to replay? I continue to read and practice. It may take the 2 months I have before the cruise.

Lindy

As far as I know, when you press the review button, by default it goes to the last shot taken and you can move between them using RIGHT and LEFT on the four-way controller. You might try pressing the display button ("UP" on the four-way control) to switch between viewing modes. One of the modes is calendar and I have never seen the use of that one...maybe that's the one you're seeing?

 

Play with the setting all you want. If it gets screwed up, go to page 95 in the manual and reset to default using "Initialize".

 

Dave

It seems to be working. You are awesome!!

Lindy

Spend some time playing with the modes. I really like the Hand-held Twilight for low light. You still have to take care and hold the camera as still as possible (and hold it still until it stops taking all six images), but it does a terifficjob of low light capture.

 

Sweep Panorama takes some practice but once you get the hang of it, it will amaze you at how easy it is to get a good pano. (It even takes out extra ghost images of people walking while you sweep the scene!)

 

Have fun and post some images!

 

Dave

Hi Dave,

Got the Sony and it is great. Wish you were here to explain some of the features. I downloaded the manual so am making my way through it. When you are viewing pictures taken, how do you get it to go to the last picture taken? It seems to go anywhere, not to the last shot. This is different than our other camera and not so convenient to checking the last shots especially when on vacation and lots of shots taken.

Lindy

Just finished a thread on the exact same subject!

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1442332

 

All the work is already done! :)

 

 

Dave

Check the Sony on Amazon that Dave linked. I also got a battery and case that I ordered separately. Total price is $214. It got great reviews and should suit my needs. It was almost half price and can be returned if something is not right.

Lindy

Went to East Lansing last week for my nephews wedding and then up to a cabin for a short vacation. Some from that week.

 

 

 

 

 

Great pictures! What camera did you use?

There is a site that allows you to book access to St. Mark's Basillica. The price to skip the lines is 1 euro pp. The website is http://www.venetoinside.com/en/saint. It seems like a good idea as our time in Venice is limited. I am thinking of taking the vaparetto on the first day to see the Grand Canal and the ship's shuttle the next morning as we have a reservation for the Doge's Palace Secret Itinerary Tour.

Thanka for the fabulous pictures. Does the ship shuttle in Venice take you down the Grand Canal? Did you prepurchase an entrance voucher to San Marcos?

Lindy