Miryam1234

1 minute ago, Fishboy1947 said:

In the airport. Wasn’t even looking for the machine and bumped into it. Entered the code and 5 individual passes came out

Thanks! We are 4 adults and I booked private transfer to Piazzale Roma. Was thinking of changing the tickets only after we've settled into our Airbnb, to cover some extra time on our last day. Did you by any chance use the porter services in Venice? If so, what was the price level?

On 7/5/2023 at 7:46 PM, Fishboy1947 said:

If you purchase your ACTV vaporetti tickets online in advance, I think 30 days, you save about 10%. Also anyone under 26 can get a 3 day pass for less than a regular 2 day pass.

 

Where did you change your booked tickets into actual vaporetto tickets? Was the place easy to find?

There are two Royal transfer options from Venice:

one from the airport and another from the City Center - from the Venice Tronchetto (port) end of People Mover. Note: the people mover runs from Piazzale Roma to Tronchetto (Venice) port, and the transfer leaves from the port end entrance of the line. 

If your hotel is not near the People Mover (Piazzale Roma), you need to find a way to get there. It may require vaporetto or water taxi. There are a couple of hotels around Piazzale Roma, which is the only part of the city which is connected by road to the mainland. Even the train station is over one walk bridge. So I really advise to pick the hotel carefully, if your luggage concerns you. 

Royal has not been very consistent with their information. Some Royal reps tell there are no city transfer available, others know it to be. We've booked our transfer from Tronchetto (=city cente) to Ravenna. Our TA arranged it with Royal, and even they had to call three times to get it sorted out. 

16 hours ago, blueboys24 said:

Not sure if Im correct but i understand the ship is going into drydock when you get to europe. my question is if this is the case do you notice any difference in service or things available on board to be less or is there no difference. the reason im asking is im considering a transatlantic next year on harmony and she goes into drydock after she gets to europe next year. thanks in advance and loving your review.

we were on Allure 5 yrs ago when the previous drydock was just after our arrival to Europe. They did start working during our voyage and were fully in work very early on the arrival morning. The work they did during the cruise, was inside new cabins in the back of the ship, so mostly it was just smell of metal being worked, like welding or something. Other than that, we did not notice any interference etc especially not to the service.

But, for my husbands great delight, they had a sell out of all goods in all of the stores, including the liquor store. Which meant he stocked up our already totally full suitaces with some great alcohol deals on the last night of the cruise. I remember him paying something like 10 USD for a Grey goose bottle and two gins with 14 usd together. 

Sorry for going to totally different direction, but I thought somebody might want to take an advantage on the sale as it is likely to happen again. Allures drydock is long and extensive, so they are definately going to clear the stores fully. 

John, When you get to the point of time changes, plese let us know how does it work this time. At noon or at night?

Loved your periscope, seen boht!

Oh, rubbing the salt on my wounds? We were supposed be onboard, but had to switch boats due to Hubby's work.

Still glad I can sneak in with your review.

Have a wonderful cruise!

47 minutes ago, little britain said:

Anyone seen this before?

Thanks. 

Now I know where I can find my husband if we get separated during our cruise next week. 

Finns and Russians seem to share at least one thing besides the border between the countries. Our mutual love to vodka. And not to gin!

May I ask off topic; Is everything else okay on Jewel?

We'll sail on Aug 25th and very much looking forward to it!

We have 2 specialty dinner package  but the rest will be on my time dining. I have booked those other times already for MDR in cruise planner and specialty slot for the first night. I assume the second will be allocated once onboard. 

We've had this experience too, that some of the crew remember us from years ago. They have a good memory and then you may have something to be remembered from - some peculiar thing which occurs several times during a cruise. Or, like us origins - there have been cruises when we have been the only 2 (or 3 if our daugher was with us) Finns onboard and many ships have been made in our city of Turku, Finland. And I am sure to tell everybody that it was us who made the ship by ourselves and by hand, of course.

One waiter had been promoted to head waiter and he came running towards us and jumped to hug me and got us by surprise totally, like we had met our long lost son or something. We had not even seen him yet, nor did we know that he would be still working. Then he hurried us quickly us to our table and went to explain to our table waiter team with an excited and loud voice that "these are the most easiest family ever, if you just make sure they have their sparkling water and chardonnay before their buts hits the chair, then they will order one appetizer each, share maybe one between them, one entree without any modifications and a dessert each, with coffee and cognac. They will give you no trouble at all and will tip you well". That was funny! Maybe tipping also helps memory?

Also we've have 2-3 waiters whose first question has been: "Where is your daughter?" when we've met them on another cruise and were traveling without her.  

7 minutes ago, BNBR said:

 

Most rental companies do include it with a charge. Might actually be cheaper to just pay the $20 for the portable transponder and have your own. But you should have no issues with the rental providing sunpass options. 

Thanks! I am relieved to hear that. It's no use for us to purchase own, as we may or may not come back to FL in the future. (We come from Finland). Easier to stick to rental option. 

2 hours ago, dsnutz said:

Driving to Tampa in a few weeks and using  a rental car. Would you suggest getting one for this? We’re coming down a few days early too, staying one night in St. Pete  and then in Tampa to Park and Cruise. Leaving a week from Saturday so it sounds like I need to get on it if so 

 

Thanks!

I was under the impression that rentals had this Sunpass thing already included and you get the bill afterwards to your credit card. At least that's how it worked last 3 years with our Hertz rental.

If this is not the case anymore,  then I am also in trouble and would like to know more if anybody could enlighten the situation. Thanks!

Looking forward to reading your trip report & review

Oh! We were supposed to be onboard on this cruise, as I have a big birthday next week. But then Oasis transatlantic April 21st became available and we chose to move our trip with a month or so, and go for the transatlantic.  I can celebrate a little later, I dont mind. Navigator cruise was quite expensive, too, as our 14 days TA was only 15 eur more compared to Navigator  - both prices included gratuities and drinks package. So with 15 eurs we got 5 more days which I think was a great deal. 

I didnt know this was right after a refurb, since I only picked it up because of the date. It would have been great to be among the first to experience all the new bells and whistles. But thanks to you, we get to hang along. 

Have a great trip, I'll be following closely!

On 10/7/2018 at 4:25 AM, TPKeller said:

My plan with Hertz went fine as well. Picked up at TPA, dropped off the next morning at the Marriott Waterside (700 South Florida Ave). One interesting note, they didn't actually have a shuttle on-site, they used the car I had just returned to run me over to the port. To return at this particular hotel, you just pull up to the Valet Parking in front of the hotel and tell them you are dropping off a Hertz rental. They held the car right there while I went in and took care of the paperwork.

 

An observation: The hotel staff told me that it was likely they would use the car to shuttle me, so it is apparently not uncommon. So if you have multiple people in your party (I sailed alone, so I did not) it may be a good idea to just leave the luggage in the car (while your party keeps an eye on it) while one person goes upstairs to turn in the paperwork. If they're going to use the same car, no sense in unloading all the luggage just to have to load it all back in the car again!

 

Also, apparently the hotel moves the Hertz desk around from time to time.

 

Theron

Thank you for the detailed report! Just the info I was looking for.

For us, my husband is the one who rents and drives the car, but needs me as a translator when returning the paperwork, so we may still need to unload the car, unless the valet people already know about the shuttle situation at the time of our drop of. 

Did you happen to pick a car up after your cruise as well?  Apparently it will be driven to the port for us to pick it up. At least our rental information states that the starting point of our rental is cruise port and not Marriot. 

Excellent video of day 1. I sure hope you'll continue!

One possible explanation (in addition to greedy company) would be that none of the ships stop at Turkey - meaning they don't get outside EU area and are therefore bound to pay taxes (VAT) to EU countries. That rises prices for about 20-25% alone.

Judging the whole dinner experience, especially on a longer cruise, with just one question is not fair. Especially if you have my time dining, you will most probably end up with different teams on different nights. Some are good, others really bad. Whom should I judge?

I always make a comment about the MTD problem for the cruise line. I also comment about the "need for perfect 10"; it is the cruise line's fault if they think only 10 is acceptable. They should just have Yes/No options where YES = 10 and 0-9 = No. Because that's what it really means!

There is not going to be any change, unless we - the cruisers - complaint about the unfair judging system to the ones that make decisions about the survey.

If I face problems, I will complaint on the spot. To the maitre'd, hotel manager, front desk, guest services. That's the only way I will have the annoying thing amended for me. And that is the only thing, which interests me and serves my purpose. I of course hope it will also affect future cruises, too - there is always place for improvement. On the other hand, I will give praise on the spot as well. If I enjoy, like something or think I've received extra special care etc, I will thank and let the person know, AND tell his/her boss about it.

Did you yous the Voom or Surf & stream? If yes, how was it?

According to Avis, it's similar to:

 

Nissan Altima Sedan, Toyota Camry, Mazda 6, Hyundai Sonata, Subaru Legacy, Dodge Charger, Ford Fusion, Buick Regal, Chrysler 200, Chevrolet Impala LTD and Honda Accord.

Great, thanks! My husband says he recognizes most of those and can consider the size now better.

Here's a good reference on Port Canaveral car rentals:

 

http://cruiseportcanaveral.us/car-rental/

Thanks! This was most informative!

Do you happen to know what kind of a car is Ford Fusion (Avis)? We dont have that car in Finland, and I was wondering what it is size wise. We're looking for a full size car but these types are confusing.

Like I said we haven’t hated it it’s just not for us. We’ve had a great time as a family it just hasn’t met our expectations. This is purely a personal observation not stated as fact for everyone!

 

 

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May I ask; what were your expectations? Because most of the times, the disappointment follows when the expectations aren't met.

Sorry your not enjoying thoroughly. We sailed with another family on our very first cruise. That family never returned, as they felt the same way as you (=cruising is just not their thing) and we were hooked from the first step, really looking forward to the next cruise in 270 days or something.

My daughter is in Sockholm for the weekend and Ed Shearan concert tonight. They are visiting Vasa Museum as well! Glad to see tour photos as children dont share anything with their parents while traveling it seems!

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Seems to me that you are landing your day in Helsinki together with Mr & Mrs Trump and Mr Putin.

I hope your day goes well - there are massive security procedures being built for the event at the moment and some sights are restricted around Presidents Palace by the market square.

But anyways, welcome to Finland! The weather should be good, as we are facing heat wave. July is the warmest month of any year and this time to the utmost.

Looking forward to your adventure; I wish I could do a Baltic cruise but my Husband denies traveling "this close". He insists that cruising is meant for warm conditions and you can never be sure while in the Baltics.

We were just assigned the adjacent room, 7620 on Jewel. How was your cabin? On the deck plan it says 7622 is "obstructed" but 7620 is not, but I can't help wondering how can one cabin be obstructed but not the adjacent one if it is a lifeboat? Surely it affects more than one balconies? Thanks.

The cabin was fine as the obstuction is a hatch that can be opened to climb on the white cover on top of the lifeboats which actually obstructs the whole deck view. So ylu actually cannot see the lifeboats at all, but you cannot see directly down to the water due to the cover.

If i had a chance, i would go at least one deck higher, but ours was guarantee as well. And at least we had a balcony and could see the sea if we watched directly horizontally and not down!

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Read the entire thread in one sitting and am enjoying it thoroughly. Personally I love the sidebars...isn't it funny how one comment can take the thread sideways.

 

^^ This!

I just love the way some reviews go off road in the most enjoyable way. I have learned a lot, and not only about English language. The debate of TP seems to be global problem, and my Dear Husband always calls me The Wife (sometimes with a tone that clearly represents the hashtag) although in Finnish, and I never knew I could be offended. Here, it sounds like a compliment rather than an insult.

And the lips on the child's forehead - never knew about that either. Too bad my rotten spoiled balcony/suite loving daughter is already 21 so I probably don't get to try that anymore.

Looking forward to the rest of the story.