megr1125

I could have saved my 30 euros for the affogato and spritz I had at Florian.  And I wasn't even outside.  Maybe I had water too.  It's not even really comfortable to sit inside.  

Had I skipped that, and in hindsight probably should have, I'm sure I could have given that 30-35 Euro to the gondola operator and had a longer tour. Yes, touristy but lots more fun IMO.  😄

You're welcome.  If you're at the Hotel Rialto (I stayed there.  Great location, but I wound up changing hotels.  Long story.  Lesson learned, Megr1125: don't book the SMALLEST room, otherwise your knees will hit the wall when using the facilities.  True story)  Ask them for directions here: Trattoria Al Gazzetino.  I asked for a place for lunch and it was only about 5 minutes away. Great food, not crazy expensive.   The places right by the hotel near the bridge aren't that good.  There were a bunch of little markets (they don't look like much from the outside) and a slightly larger grocery store one bridge away (Sort of south, parallel to the canal).

Have a great time!  

15 hours ago, BillinTexas said:

We are arriving by Celebrity transfer bus coming from Venice on a weekday (Oct 12 Thursday). Right now I’m leaning to picking up a couple of bottles of wine in Venice if possible since the options in Ravenna aren’t looking good. 

That's probably your best option.  There's nothing near the port, very few cabs and the bus isn't going to stop.  The port area is somewhat empty.

You could POSSIBLY get a cab but they are in short supply and it will likely waste an hour between calling for a cab, waiting for it to arrive, getting somewhere, and getting back to the pier.  It'll be easier in Venice as I remember lots of little markets here and there that had wine.  As for soda, I didn't see any 6 or 12 or 24 packs, just singles.

I stayed near the Rialto bridge and there were at least 6 little shops (deli, coffee, wine, etc) and I think some over in the Rialto market area.  I don't recall any near Plaza San Marco but I wasn't looking!  

The Ravenna port is about 20 minutes from Ravenna proper.  I don't recall seeing anywhere in Ravenna to buy wine and I don't remember anything on the way.  Are you staying over the night before?  How are you getting to Ravenna/the pier? (A little more info might make it easier to guide you!)

If you depart on a Sunday, pretty much everything will be closed, though I did a quick google search and found 1 or 2 shops that open on Sunday from like 9-1 and then later in the afternoon.

12 minutes ago, Another_Critic said:

Did you turn the magnet over?  They are two-sided.

Actually, some were double sided, and others were single sided. I was on several Royal ships with 2 magnets.  

Twice per day room cleaning and the old menus with the always available stuff on them.  Better quality meat without paying an upcharge.  I'll stop now.

23 hours ago, NCteacherlovescruising said:

Some recommend storing our luggage, others staying near the train station since we will come and go by train. I know another option is taking it on the vaporetto. One of the hotels I like, Rialto, is right by one of their stops. They have also been very responsive to my emails, so they have scored major points already!  Dh just wants to do what’s easiest so IMO that would either be to store luggage or get a room near the train station. It looks like storing luggage would only cost about 20 euros, unless I looked at the wrong location. 
 

I googled luggage storage near the train station and several popped up. Which one is right by the train station and do we need to reserve ahead of time or can we just show up and get one?  I feel better knowing our luggage would be in lockers and it’s insured, although not for near enough to cover the contents. I pictured a big mess of luggage like you see in airports and cruise terminals, only with employee only access. 

If we decide to stay near the train station, which hotels would you recommend and why?  
 

Any suggestions, other than Rialto, if we opt to store our luggage?  
 

Are the checkin/checkout times appropriately the same as in the states?

 

I stayed at Hotel Rialto and took a private water taxi. Walked maybe 50 feet or less to door.  One Vaporetto stop was close and no stairs required.  Another stop there was a small bridge and some steps.  

Rialto let me check in early but they will store luggage.  Do NOT book the smallest room.  Well, you can't anyway since it would have a single bed. Book a larger room, you'll be happier. )  😄

I had friends stay at the AC Hotel by Marriott. It's  reachable via bus or taxi as it's on Piazzale Roma.  They loved it 

The Polaris lounge at EWR is awesome.  Showers, quiet rooms with lounge chairs to nap and a sit down restaurant.  Also excellent drinks at the bar.  You won't need the lounge passes.  

I went to Café Florian.  It's overpriced, WAY overpriced, crowded and slow.  

While I splurged on private water taxis, it's easy to get luggage onto the Vaporetti but they can get crowded.  Just keep in mind bridges and steps if you are staying in Central Venice.  That's why I spent the extra money, to cut down on my climbing.  I stayed at Hotel Rialto and walked maybe 20 paces to the door from the water taxi dock.

40 minutes ago, LIxo said:

Did you (or your travel agent) book it for you? I called my travel agent yesterday and she was pretty sure they didn't offer a transfer from Raveena to Bologna airport. She was going to call Celebrity and find out, but I have not heard back yet. 

They do, and you can book it on the ship.  BUT your air needs to be on the same day OR you'll need to find a fake flight to give them if you book it ahead. 

Looks like someone took a can opener to it.  OMG.  Hopefully Rimowa did the right thing---depending on the size, that's a $1500-2000-ish dollar bag.  I think I sold 2 in 5 years.  😄

 

Ravenna, and generally the cruise line's transfer service is the easiest and best price as it's around 90 minutes give or take.

I used this company however to get FROM BLQ to my hotel in Ravenna.  Reasonable price, nice car, on time too.  https://transfer-voyage.com/

3 hours ago, LHT28 said:

WOW  I have  been lucky  then and 

 Used my hard shell case for the past 15 yrs

1 fatality  the cruise line took off the rubber bumper on the side & the airline took off the other one  (same trip)

 HEYS  repaired  it  n/c

UA busted a wheel off my hard side and they were going to cover it.  Sent it to their approved repair shop and the wheel was backordered until who knows when. (It was currently available TravelPro)

The repair person told Travel Pro that since there was no ETA, they needed to replace the bag. (It was the very first trip too!) .  They did.

I managed a luggage store for 5 years.  I have had cheap luggage (it's cheap.  It's bad).  I've had expensive luggage, reasonably priced luggage and decent enough stuff that will last a few years and I'll just replace it.  Having had my soft side bag get wet on a ramp in a bad storm, I'll keep my hard side.

I was a firm 2 wheel luggage user but as I got older and achier (is that a word???) I switched to spinners.  (I also had broken wheels on my 2-wheeled bags).

That Rimowa above looks like it fell off something and got run over.  Ugh.  And that's not a cheap Rimowa (well no Rimowa is "cheap") What in the actual heck happened?  That's probably the worst-destroyed bag I've ever seen, and I've seen a lot of them.

They won't issue tickets until 45 or so days out.  You have ZERO say and you also could end up at EWR. 

If you want control you'll have to pay them for premium air so you can get some control 

https://www.ncl.com/freestyle-cruise/premium-air.  Otherwise, it's take what you get and like it.  😄

On 6/29/2023 at 4:48 PM, majmaj4 said:

There was a clause in the conditions that said if the airline cancelled the flight; Flightease would rebook you.  In that case the rate might be higher; and you had to pay the difference.  

 

I called today to get clarification and they basically told me in this case you don't get any choice - you have to pay for the flight and can't change it if you don't like the flights (unless you pay any cancellation fees).

 

Does anyone know if this is correct - that clause is making me nervous about booking thru flight ease.

This is direct from the FAQs about FlightEase

Airline Schedule Changes

Airline bookings are subject to flight schedule changes by the airlines. Schedule changes can occur at any time and may affect your flights. Holland America Line is not responsible for airline schedule changes. Holland America Line will assist guests affected by airline schedule changes so that flights booked will meet ship embarkation and disembarkation requirements. Any associated costs related to or caused by an airline schedule change is the responsibility of the guest.

40 minutes ago, TeamCan said:

Hi, Thanks for posting the schedule.  Can you book the transfers from guest services?  Do you know the cost of the transfer to Ravenna Train station and is it approximately 30 min to the train station? TIA

It's $10 USD

I stayed one night at Hotel Rialto, right next to the bridge and in the thick of things. 

It was a nice enough place but do NOT book the smallest room type if you're a solo traveler.  The first room I was in, when using the 'facilities' my knees hit the wall.  I have zero idea how a man could do this without making a mess.  My room also had a bit of a musty smell so they changed my room to a larger one with a double bed and larger bathroom.  Still small but I could use everything inside.

That said, I left after one night (was supposed to be there for 3) as the room would not cool off enough and because of all the people seeing the bridge, the area was too crowded for me.  I switched to the JW Marriott which is on its own island, adding 20 minutes of time to get to San Marco (via complimentary private water shuttle)

I will say that whatever hotel you choose, look at google earth to see how to get there and how many bridges there are.  I chose Hotel Rialto as the water taxi dropped me of 25 steps (paces, not step steps) from the door.  The JW has a water taxi dock too, and arriving via water taxi is fab.

On 6/27/2023 at 11:26 AM, TKATeacher said:

We just did this same transfer with Royal on June 25...husband and I were assigned one shuttle bus (2.5 hours and no comfort stop) and our daughters another shuttle bus (they are 18 and 20), but their shuttle bus took 3 hours and had a comfort stop. So no confirmed regularity on this one!

It would be nice if they'd be consistent.  LOL.  That'll never happen.  I swear it's probably up to the whim of the driver.

On 6/26/2023 at 10:14 PM, jsn55 said:

Hi, we'll be transferring from Trieste to Piazzale Roma in Venice.  How did you arrange for the private water taxi?  I haven't done any Uber/Lyft stuff, I really don't use my phone for much and it won't work outside the US anyway.  Having a private water taxi sounds great. 

Via this company

https://www.motoscafivenezia.com/it/contatti.php

You should entertain having a phone though, as that's how you'll find out what your water taxi number is.  I called them when I got off the bus.  Your idea about a rent-a-teen is a good one though.  😄  I often tell people who are not tech savvy to go find a kid!  

BA cancelled my LHR-EWR leg (VCE-LHR-EWR) last month, probably since my flight was not particularly full per Expert Flyer (not 100% sure if that is the reason it cancelled but it cancelled the night before my flight)

I was booked, via cruise air, in Club World and they kept me in Club World, albeit in a not yet updated aircraft with front and rear facing seats.  Aside from zero privacy, not much room and really no little spots to stash stuff except a stupid, hard to access drawer, I didn't have any issues with the change or being rebooked.  (It all happened automatically).

1 minute ago, graphicguy said:

Pray that no one’s hurt.  

 

Frankly, surprised this doesn’t happen more often given the amount of traffic in and out of that port.

One deceased, one in hospital

A friend of mine has friends onboard now.  Seems they can stay in cabins and food is available but the bars and pools are closed.  Carnival Celebration started showing movies on the Lido deck and it seems that there are divers in the water in Government Cut (via the VHF feed on the PTZ Miami webcam.)

Miami Dade police just told the Fischer Island Ferry boats to shut down.  

On 6/12/2023 at 7:45 PM, azgrandmax3 said:

We appreciate all your advise.  Our situation is this.  Arrive day before boarding ship. Concern is the one night at hotel.  Morning getting to pier.  We have transportation from pier back to airport at end of cruise.

So what transportation do you recommend for 4 adults with luggage airport to hotel, then hotel to pier?

Thank you,

I've used them for airport pickup, port drop off and a few weeks ago, round trip port to Grande Bretagne and back (our cruise called in Athens for a day so I booked them to take me to the GB as it is a great location and I was able to walk around Athens a bit, shop, eat and have a drink at the rooftop bar, then I got picked up by the same driver and went back to the ship.

https://athenstransferservices.com/

On 6/18/2023 at 9:40 PM, maggiev said:

Gotta love the airlines

i think I get it - that’s the price but it could go down

Bingo.  It can pay to keep checking too and with HAL/Princess/Cunard's air it's 1000 times easier as you can change it right on line. With Royal and X, you can change it but you have to call.  Pretty sure that by the (literal) 10th time I called, they were done with me but either my fare went down, biz went down to within my budget, or I changed a date.  

I would not cut it that close at all.  They fill (or darn near fill) the buses.  I took Royal's to Venice City Center.  They were around 15-20 minutes behind calling numbers ( I was on the later bus, 9:45 I think) and it was close to 10 or so, maybe a little later, when we left. 
 

The process was easy and efficient if not exactly timely.