AnnetteSC

We were originally planning on walking around on our own but now, because of the travel advisory, we’re thinking of doing a ship excursion. Nothing big….it’s called A Taste of Nassau and offered by MSC.

Unfortunately, there is no info on their website about this excursion. Calling them did no good since they didn’t have anything to share.

By any chance, has anyone done this excursion and is able to give me info about it? Thank You! 

We were originally planning on walking around on our own but now we’re thinking of doing a ship excursion. Nothing big….it’s called A Taste of Nassau and offered by MSC.

Unfortunately, there is no info on their website about this excursion. Calling them did no good since they didn’t have anything to share.

By any chance, has anyone done this excursion and is able to give me info about it? Thank You! 

Thanks!

Hi! I’m new to MSC but cruised many times with other cruise lines.

Going on the Meraviglia out of NY to Bahamas and, under the recent travel advisory for Nassau, we’re rethinking our original plan of walking around on our own.

I am looking at excursions with the ship but, the one I like, has no info on MSC website. It’s called A TASTE OF NASSAU and it’s 4 hr long.

By any chance, has anyone done this excursion? If so, can you enlighten me about it?

Thank You!

Thanks for the trip review. My friend and I jumped on the July 4th sale and booked the last sailing in Alaska for the season on Millie’s September 8, 2023 sailing.

My daughter and her family just got back from a Mediterranean cruise on the newest Celebrity ship, the Beyond, and absolutely LOVED it! She said food, shows, service, etc was perfect! 
I’ve cruised on Celebrity and Azamara (and many other cruise lines) and have always been pleased. I hope this cruise will not disappoint, especially since it’s my first Alaska trip.

Did you eat at any specialty restaurants? Would love to hear about that if you have any info. 
thanks! 

Yes, we used Joe Banana Limos, aka Italy tour sharing, last year for our Mediterranean cruise. We used them in Florence (did Florence/Pisa); in Rome (best of Rome with Vatican); and in Amalfi for Pompeii and Amalfi coast.

We were extremely happy with their service!

To answer your questions...

The drivers are very knowledgeable and will tell you a lot about the area you are visiting. Yes, they will drop you off at locations you want to explore and tell you when and where they will pick you up. They will also give you tips. they do not walk around with you. They give you free time to spend as you wish.

For our tour in Rome, we did the Best of Rome with Vatican, guide included. It was worth it! The guide got the tickets and got us to skip the lines (the line was so long that it was wrapping around the Vatican wall that day!).

For the Amalfi/Pompeii, the driver again told us about the area and dropped us off at Pompeii. He told us what time he would pick us up and where. You can also book a guide for Pompeii ahead of time with them and they'll have the guide waiting for you when you get off the vehicle.

and speaking of vehicles, they picked us up in Mercedes vans. they were clean, with A/C and fresh water. Most of the vehicles also have free WiFi.

Like you, before I traveled last year, I asked a lot of questions on tour groups. Joe Banana is one of the top companies recommended here and on other travel sites. I was very happy with the decision to go with this tour company! :)

Great advice! Thanks everyone!

I had tried everything you suggested before posting here but, no matter how I rotated or edited the picture, it still loaded upside down!

And I took the photos in portrait mode to begin with.

People have reported having trouble uploading photos. It's no big deal, uploading the photos is optional, they will take your photo at check-in and it will add about 10 seconds to your check-in time.

Thank you!

I am trying to upload pictures to expedite boarding but, when I load them for each of us, one is upside down and two sideways (although the originals are perfectly straight).

Did this ever happen to anyone else here?

Just wondering if one could use Paypal to transfer cash to create an onboard (cash) account. Does anyone know? Thanks!

We will only be in San Juan for 6 or 7 hours during our upcoming cruise. It's our first time there. We would like to see the best it has to offer (sightseeing only, no time for beach) without rushing.

I understand OSJ can be done on foot from the port. We do have the option of going with a ship's excursion and visit both, probably by bus.

Would you recommend we stay in the Old San Juan area or try to see both old and new SJ?

TIA!

Thanks for all your replies, everyone! :)

The Avacado Fiesta is a new take on the Guacamole and margarita class at Sabor. We enjoyed the hands on class we did March of last year. Had plenty of food and was fun. However, the cocktail classes at Wonderland were our favorite.

Thanks! I didn't see the cocktail class listed...is it only offered while on board?

May I ask where you see that info listed? I'm new to the cruise planner. Thanks!

Under "Entertainment & Activities".

Royals promo's are false advertising. I guess it fools the first time cruisers.

I TOTALLY agree with this statement!! They ran the BOGO50% off deluxe drinking package a couple weeks ago and it was totally false!! When placed in cart, it charged same price for BOTH! What happened to BOGO50% off?

Calling CS is a waste of time and gets you nowhere.

First time on Royal for us and, so far, not impressed! :mad:

While looking at my cruise planner for our upcoming Harmony cruise, I saw they are offering a cupcake decorating class and an avocado fiesta class.

There is very limited info listed and was wondering if anyone has done one of the above mentioned classes.

I would be interested in one but not sure if it's interesting enough and worth the money.

Would appreciate opinions from people who have participated in one or both classes. Thank you!

Thanks everyone!

We'll be stopping in San Juan next month on our Harmony cruise. This is our first time in San Juan but we only have about 6 hours there.

We're interested in sightseeing Old and New San Juan. Is there a local tour company we could book with or should we go with the cruise ship's tour?

I'd rather give the money to a local company, especially after the hurricane.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!!

For those phones on which you want to use iMessage, put the phone in Airplane Mode and turn on WiFi. Connect to the Royal WiFi wireless service. iMessage should work now, without having to purchase VOOM or Royal IQ. This will only work on the ship (and only on Harmony and Quantum class ships), not in port.

Thanks! I already purchased Voom one device for communication with family at home but not Royal IQ. In case the iMessage should not work, we can always buy the R-IQ on board, right?

Is it $8 on board also or is it more expensive?

Annette, when you pack your suitcase, "line" the interior perimeter with your extension cord. It won't be as visible on an x-ray.

 

 

Be sure that it is UL rated, and when you are not using it, put it away. Do not leave stuff charging when you are not in the cabin. Just keep the cord in a drawer.

 

:)

Thanks for the tip! :)

you can try and find a free wifi hotspot at the port. Keep your phone in airplane mode so you wont incur roaming charges in the different islands; or you can get an int'l plan with your cell phone company before you leave home

Thank you!

Is umberto with RomeinLimo?

Umberto is with joebananalimos, aka Italytoursharing.com. We had him for our Amalfi coast and Pompeii excursion last June and he is very good! He took us to the restaurant up the mountain of Positano. The food, the wine, the view and the atmosphere were amazing!

Thanks for all your answers but I'm still not clear (sorry)...

The three of us have iPhones. I purchased the Voom one device to keep in touch with the rest of the family back home. Since we have our DD15 on this trip, we want to make sure we can communicate with each other in case she's at a teen's club. We plan on paying the $8 pp to use the Royal IQ app.

What I think I learned is that you put your phone in airplane mode, enable WiFi calling and you're all set. If I understood correctly, some people with iPhones are able to message each other without using the assigned number Royal IQ gives you. Is this correct?

Also, Royal IQ allows you to text each other only when you're on board. What happens when you're at port?

We're sailing in 40 days on Harmony. I purchased a Voom one device package for the cruise. While reading here, I learned that there is the Royal IQ app that enables you to text and call between you and your family. I understand there is cost involved.

I am not sure I understood everything correctly so I'm asking here:

1)I think to use Royal IQ app on board, you pay $8? Is that per day or per cruise?

2) If you purchased Voom, do you still need to purchase for the use of Royal IQ?

3) How does the app work? I mean, do you have to change the settings on your phone to use it? I wouldn't want any surprises from my cellular service carrier...

Anything else I need to know on this subject?

I'd really appreciate detailed info on this matter. Thanks!