trackies

Dang. I just called them and you are right. No freestyle machine. The information on the package is very misleading. I will cancel the package and go a different route. 

I will contact them and check. Thanks for the heads up. Liz 

18 minutes ago, Host Clarea said:

 

I agree, it's not been reported to my knowledge.

I just checked the soda package For my cruise and it says it includes freestyle beverages. Would that be the same as freestyle machine? 
 

46 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

Not sure if Vision has a Freestyle machine, but you'd have a lot of choices and they should not be flat.

Actually I looked at an older post - and it does have a freestyle machine.  So thanks v much.  L

40 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

Not sure if Vision has a Freestyle machine, but you'd have a lot of choices and they should not be flat.

I was so delighted when I read this but alas, Vision of the Seas does not have a Freestyle.  Back to the drawing board!  L

2 hours ago, Biker19 said:

Likely to be about $4, if that's the main thing you are drinking, you may want to consider the soda package or none at all.

Thanks your info is v helpful.  the soda package is just the fountain drinks and in the past they have often been flat plus it doesn't include sparkling water or decent coffee but considering the price increase from our last RCCL cruise a few years ago, it really may not be worth it.  Liz

Refreshment package only has a 10% discount on Vision of the Seas, Panama Canal in November.  34.58 CAD.  This is a big increase from a couple of years ago.  I'm trying to figure out if it is worth it.  Can anyone please post the cost of canned pop  and sparkling water?  I can't find that info anywhere and it would be a huge help.  thanks!  Liz

 How do you know which locks you are going through?  We are on Vision of the Seas, November 2019 and I can't see where it identifies old locks or new locks.  Thanks for any replies!  Liz

Hi - the hike and float is very doable.  My sister is was having a bad leg day and so one of the guides went with the group on the longer hike (still very easy) and the other took us on a very flat, pretty path through the woods.  We really enjoyed the excursion. It is relaxing and beautiful. 

We've done the full train trip twice and enjoyed it thoroughly both times. The views are stunning. I recommend bringing a windproof jacket and warm hat - because then you can stand outside between the cars and get an extra thrill.  

Cruiser Bruce is absolutely correct. A passport is required.

Butchart Gardens is truly lovely and has spectacular lights for the evening (in addition to the fireworks). They also have a v good dining room - so you could eat and wander if you like. It is best to splurge and get a private shuttle or taxi to get there - that way you will make the most of your time.

We docked in Civitavecchia at 7 am a couple of weeks ago and caught the 7.44 train. We were on the first port bus and walked very quickly from the bus stop to the station, bought the ticket at the ticket office which is just on the left before you enter the station, and managed to get the train which was running a couple of minutes late ;)

Thanks for the info - much appreciated. Liz

Yes, you can book in advance at www.trenitalia.com.

 

It's reliable - Italian trains generally are.

 

And yes, it uses the same station as the regional train. In Rome it doesn't stop at all the stations as the regional does.

We dock in Civitavecchia at 7:00am. Is it reasonable to think we can catch the 8:44am Regionale train to Termini Station? (we are all brisk walkers).

Thanks for any advice, Liz

Hello,

For planning purposes it would be really helpful to hear from people who sailed on Serenade what time the gangplank was down and available when you arrived in Civitavecchia. We are scheduled to be in port at 7:00am, June 19th.

Thanks a bunch, Liz

Bob - this question is about Civitavecchia. I know you docked at 7:00am, do you remember what time you go off the ship? We are trying to sort out timing for our shuttle pick up and to plan our schedule for the day. Love your review! Liz

For me, the regular train has worked fine. Also, if you are looking to maximize your time in Rome, you can get off the ship earlier and be on your way to Rome on one of the earlier regular trains, rather than waiting around for the special train.

 

Trains can be crowded, yes, but I am willing to take that trade-off for a) more time in Rome and b) better options for planning my day due to the regular train making several stops in Rome rather than just at the station closest to St. Peters.

 

I guess I am just lucky; I've visited Rome and Italy multiple times and have never run into an issue with trains being significantly late. (Most strikes are announced in advance.) Nevertheless, when I am traveling on a port day on my own, I always figure out which train is the last one I could possibly take and still make it back on time to the ship -- then I plan to take the train BEFORE that one. That way, in case of any foul up, I still have an option. (And my Plan C is having the name of a private driver service with me, just in case...)

Hi Cruise Mom, We have booked two back to back med cruises which means we stop in Civitavecchia twice. We don't like to rush around cramming visits in. So we thought that on one visit we could experience some of the antiquities - Colliseum (3rd ring tour), Forum and Pantheon. Then the next visit do the Vatican with a couple of booked tours. Is that all doable as DIY, with booking tours in advance at the various sites? Do you have any recommendations based on your experience? thanks for all your posts - super helpful. Liz

Hello everyone,

I very much appreciate the range of opinions and experiences on this thread. Thanks very much for taking the time to share your thoughts and suggestions. We've booked back to back Mediterranean cruises this summer and I have to pick my port expenditures wisely and decide where to spend the money on a private, when to DIY and which ship's excursions work. I feel much better informed about the Athens options now! Thanks. Liz

Rome (last part)

 

After realizing that we were actually standing on 2000 years of history….

 

(see the amazing original stone floor in the middle?)

 

…..we left the underground section. After passing through a small part of the public part (here we actually did need the audiohelp, since it was so crowded we couldn’t understand Francesca without it anymore), we headed up these stairs to get to a chained off section once again.

 

 

We finally had arrived on the third ring

 

 

The whole area – once again – deserted…We had room to breathe and move around freely…after Francesca told us lots and lots of interesting stuff once more

 

 

You had a breathtaking view of the Forum from here

 

 

And last but not least the best possible view of the whole interiour of the Collosseum.

 

 

After letting us enjoy our privacy up here for a couple of more minutes, Francesca brought us back to the second ring (the public area), collected the audio devices and said goodbye. We assured her we had the best possible time and we enjoyed it immensely! She even spoke some German! Tarik could have asked her all kinds of stuff --- but he was a bit too chicken….or simply overwhelmed by all the impressions (and translated information overdose).

 

We then had the option to take all the time we wanted to stroll around the public part…But we felt that one more piece of info about this place would surely make our heads burst! Not only the kid was a bit over the top. Don’t get me wrong – it was FANTASTIC!!!! But after this tour we needed some time to digest all the info and impressions. It was sufficient and we just didn’t feel like joining the herds on the public levels…We made our way to the exit (sigh, which basically gives you a good tour as well) and we were off to the Metro.

 

The way back to Civitavecchia was uneventful. The Metro worked out nicely and Termini wasn’t such a hastle anymore, because we knew where to find those moveable bands to our platform. The train to Civitavecchia was already there and we could grab a seat and chat about all that we had seen…this way the train ride flew by. Since we took an early train out of Rome – I believe it was the 14:28 train, we arrived at the port real early as well…no tourist hordes waiting for shuttlebusses yet at all….how very pleasant. We just entered an empty shuttle bus and a minute after that we were on our way to the ship …. YES! Rome can be done without stress. We were proud of ourselves. The ship was basically deserted again and we ate about a ton of food at the Park Café! We were starved!

 

Thought on Rome:

 

This was the second time Tanja and I went to Rome on a cruise ship. I really value all the historic stuff we saw this time and am glad we did it. I wouldn’t want to miss it. However this day would not compel me to return to Rome. Maybe it’s just us, but I didn’t get the “Rome” feeling in these ancient ruins. I missed the vibes from the actual “modern” city which is so intermingled with the ancient ruins and palaces in town. I don’t get that feeling either at the Forum or the Collosseum but I did feel it intensely on our walks through the city last year….not the coin in the Trevi fountain made me want to return (quite the opposite) but this unique Roman feeling….real hard to describe…I guess you’ll have to experience it for yourselves. I definitely want to return to Rome (as many times as possible). There will be more archaeological sites in the planning, but I’ll try to limit that and get some actual city stuff in there as well --- otherwise I’d feel that I missed Rome.

 

 

Stuff I learned in Rome this year:

 

Rome has many faces – today we only saw part of the ancient one.

 

Always book your Collosseum tickets online – and if possible book the third ring tour!

 

Simultaneous translating sucks if you’re hooked to the words of the tourguide.

 

Don’t say a train station sucks if you’re too stupid to find the moveable walkways.

 

 

Next up: the evening on the ship (Yes – we finally saw a show!)

Hello Stef, I don't know if you are still monitoring this board. thanks very much for your wonderful review - full of helpful information. We are going to be in Rome twice on the Serenade of the Seas (yay). We will follow your recommendation and buy a third ring tour of the Coliseum and will visit the forum as well. Do you think it would be too much to fit in the Vatican as well on one day? I'd love to get your opinion. Thanks and have a great cruise this summer, Liz

I truly appreciate the time and effort involved in your cruise review. Your information is very helpful and entertaining! We are doing this exact cruise in 2014 on the Splendour in June. Thanks for all the tips. Liz

Hello,

Up until now we've cruised on HAL and only in balcony cabins. Since we'd like to cruise more often, we've booked a one week alaska on the Amsterdam on a guaranteed inside cabin to see how we like it. I do like to sit and watch the scenery go by and also like to read outside. Does anyone have any tips for best seating areas on the Amsterdam?

Liz

Great photos and thanks for the information.

Hello, we were up in Skagway this past week and booked the Bennett Lake Scenic Journey directly with Chilkoot Charters and Tours. You bus one way and train the other. We found the train journey delightful - the views were spectacular. We spent most of the trip outside between the cars ogling the huge drops as we snaked around the mountains. (definitely bring a windproof jacket and fleece top). I don't think we would do it a second time, but we wouldn't have missed it as a one time experience.

Thanks for posting your review Judy. We haven't booked anything yet in Corinto and I felt a bit uncomfortable when I first read about the tour - tourists dropping in on poor people kind of thing. However now that I've read your comments, I like the idea of contributing to something worthwhile like this.

Hello, we are new cruisers and are sailing on the Amsterdam next Tuesday in cabin 6164. Does anyone have any opinions to share on that cabin? thanks, Liz