cpl100

2 hours ago, ExArkie said:

From the Luggage Forward Web site, under FAQs:

"Can I lock my luggage?

 

Domestic Shipments

Bags traveling within a single country must be locked. Failure to lock Items will void your right to file a claim for lost or missing contents. 

 

International Shipments

Bags shipped between two countries must be unlocked as they may have to be opened as a normal part of the customs screening process. If bags are locked, including TSA approved locks, and customs cannot open an item then the lock or seal may have to be broken.  

Locking any item traveling internationally can cause extended delays and will void Luggage Forward’s industry leading on-time guarantee."

Thanks!  I don't like the answer but appreciate your help.  I mean... people want to safeguard their belongings, don't they?

23 hours ago, TouchstoneFeste said:

And that TSA lock might be acceptable, since in your case the authorities with the most skin in the game would be in the U.S. Contact LF directly; they've always been very responsive to my queries. They've also always handled our luggage respsonsibly, so I didn't hesitate too much over allowing it to be opened, but I get your concern.

 

For what it's worth, they have insurance as part of their booking price ($400 per bag I think?) and additional insurance is inexpensive. As I recall it cost us $20 per bag to insure each for $1,500; and higher levels of coverage are available.

 

Which reminds me.... While you are completing the booking for international shipment (not domestic) they'll ask for a packing list. They don't require a detailed item-by-item list, just clicking on general categories like "Clothing", "Accessories", etc.

I thank you, again!

Thank you for your well-thought response.  I will be on Royal Caribbean so hopefully as seemless as you described.  Had not considered they may want it unlocked.  Not too happy about that actually.  Planned to use a TSA safe lock.

Any recent experience with Luggage Forward?   Thinking of sending one large suitcase home from Civitivecchia rather than hauling it to Lake Como and then home. 

On 2/20/2024 at 9:00 PM, cruisemom42 said:

The vendor recommended above,  https://sharedshuttle.it/  is a shared van service. I've used them a couple of times with no issues. From FCO to the port is 80 euro for 1-2 people. Very good value and reliable service.

Thank you for posting this.  I've just booked with them.

We desperately need some help please.  We have been in Rome twice and will be again in May.  We joined up with some friends who booked a cruise beginning May 17th.  I never dreamed it would be so difficult to find a place to stay two months out but apparently I should have.  Have read through to page six and the majority of the places either do not have availability, require a stay of more than two nights or the prices are over $500 per night for the most basic room.  We would like to be central and cannot carry luggage up a lot of stairs ourselves.  Can anyone offer suggestions please?  I am really struggling this time!

On 11/21/2023 at 11:34 AM, budmeister said:

This is what we did.  We did a sail excursion and they arranged for a taxi to bring us to them from Port where we got off ship.

What tour company did you use that provided this please?

On 2/14/2024 at 2:10 PM, marazul said:

They are a tour company.

https://santorini-privatetour.com/ or santorinidaytour.gr

Have you use this company for a private tour?  We are going in May and considering them.

1 minute ago, Spudd said:

You need to find a travel agent that offers them.

Yes, but how can I tell if the TA does?  I have never seen an ad stating “we offer group rates”.  Thanks.

This will be our first huge ship but have been on many ocean cruises before COVID.
 

Have you cruised on this ship?  Do you have any do’s, don’ts, tips or tricks for this ship regarding:

cabin choices/locations (balcony preferred)

initial booking

specialty dining (or other special) plans

first day must do and don’t 

anything else

Thanks for your help!

1 hour ago, firefly333 said:

The big thing nowadays with royal imo are group rates which are refundable and a good deal less expensive than booking direct. More so than freebies. With rates so high now I think people would rather have lower rates than freebies. 

 

I get some obc with group rates, or early booking bonus, not sure plus 100 shares of stock that almost always cover my gratuities. Got a few coming up with even better prices, no obc. 

 

Prices are double and triple what they were coming out of covid and so prices of the cruises and how to get lower deals I think seems to be my personal emphasis. I'm sure there are a few TAs doing freebies but I'm going with a TA with group rates. 

Please remind me how I find these rates .

Thank you.

We are planning our first ocean cruise after the pandemic.  Have done many before and a river cruise last year.

Are bonus's (like free gratuitities, obc, etc.) a thing of the past?  Want to join a few friends on the Odyssey of the Seas in May.  They went through a TA but didn't get any type of 'freebie".   So it got me wondering.

Also, are we still able to book with the cruise line and transfer to a TA and get their bonus'?

Anything I'm missing?

Thanks in advance for reading and your help.

We are on the Viking Baldur Grand European from Amsterdam to Budapest on September 25.  I sure hope we do not have a ship swap!  Are there any people with prior experience in September regarding water levels and ship swap likelihood in late September to early October?

On 6/22/2022 at 5:27 AM, Ine said:

they go for sale on the 1st Tuesday in September. Be also aware of the time difference!

Do you know what time they go on sale?  Thanks!

4 hours ago, Crusin-Suzan said:

We stayed at the Masion and loved it!   Good location!   But if you TA quick get in and out May want the Marriott!   Have fun!   We are in Copenhagen and doing Norway next week!   Surprised we have not crossed paths on one of these dam ships!

Thanks.  Will look into it.  We loved Copenhagan even though with the daily rain.  Have an absolute blast!

6 hours ago, princeton123211 said:

Stayed at the W on Bonvoy points and had a great experience. When I was making the comparison between that and the Marriott the W won purely on a far more central location. But I was very pleasantly surprised as to the quality of the hotel itself-- I'm not a huge W fan in general (usually small rooms and loud music in the US) and this was not that. Very large rooms, nicely appointed, received an upgrade/Bonvoy benefits, and some great restaurants on premise. It's across the street from the Royal Palace.  

Thank you.  I saw that there is a W in Amsterdam but my experience with the W in the US is the same as yours so I dismissed it sort of quickly.  Thanks for offering your perspective.

8 hours ago, Dutch_Travelgirl said:

@cpl100; you’re asking me which one I would choose, but I’m afraid it’s impossible for me to pick one over the other. If I myself were to stay in a city like Amsterdam I would want to stay in a hotel with a more local feel than a hotel that’s part of a USA-based hotel chain. I’m sure both the Marriott and the Hilton are great hotels, with good rooms and great hospitality service, but they’re just not where I myself would ever consider staying in outside of the USA. 

If you’re making me pick one based on location, it would be the Marriott. The location of the Marriott is close to perfect for a first time visitor to Amsterdam. 
If I would apply my own criteria, I would pick the Hilton. The hotel has a very interesting history (John Lennon/Yoko Ono, Herman Brood) and the neighborhood has a more local feel. 

Thank you for your insight.  We, too, were toying with the idea of staying in a hotel with a local flair but decided that a points-based stay this time is best for us.  I appreciate your time.

12 hours ago, Traveling Library said:

Stayed in the DoubleTree in June. Easy walk from Central Station. We took taxi to the port for 15 or 20 euro. We were upgraded (from points plus 40 euro) to executive level and the evening reception had so much food it was dinner and included a full breakfast. Hotel is an easy walk to a supermarket if you want to buy wine. We would stay here again. 

Thank you!  I will look into it.  I'm still trying to firm up the area in my mind.  Is this convenient to public transportation and sights?

12 hours ago, markeb said:

I've stayed at both the Renaissance and the Marriott. Different hotels, different locations, different vibe. Pre-pandemic, so things can change.

 

I like the vibe of the Renaissance better. I like the location of the Marriott better. The Marriott is near the museums; the Renaissance is closer to Centraal, but there were some nice local restaurants nearby. I have elite status and lounge access, and they both had good lounges.

 

The Doubletree is a great location for pre-cruise, but I'm pretty much a Marriott guy at this point. I have no first hand experience with the Doubletree.

Thanks!  I initially considered the Renaissance but research showed me that it is under extensive renovation and currently has a rodent issue.  Seriously considering the Marriott, though.  Was the lounge good enough to pay for that room?  (My status isn't quite high enough to get it automatically as this is our first trip since Covid so they downgraded me.)

We cruised from Southhampton just before the pandemic and spent a week in London first.  I found a transfer service (by coach) that picked up from our London hotel and took us to our Southhampton hotel with a stop at Stonehenge along the way.  I think the stop was about an hour and a half.  We thought it was an excellent choice and would recommend it.

On 1/1/2023 at 6:49 AM, Dutch_Travelgirl said:

If you look at a map of Amsterdam, you will see an area shaped like a horseshoe or letter U. That’s the Canal Zone and that’s where the main sights and museums are located. So if you want to stay near the hustle and bustle of the city, you should pick a hotel in that area or directly south of it, near the Vondelpark or Museumplein. 

If you were choosing between the Hilton and the Marriott, which would you choose.  The Marriott looks closer to the center but the Hilton seems like it is nicer.  I can't tell by the maps I have seen whether or not the Hilton is prohibitively far for touring/eating.  Thank you for your insights.

On 8/26/2022 at 4:00 AM, Ine said:

Doubletree near Centraal Station also is a good location with a nice bar with view over the city. Close to the cruise terminal too.

Is this convenient for sightseeing?  (Looking for pre-cruise hotel and prefer a Marriott or Hilton to use points).  Thanks!

Please share information about any of them if you have.  Starting a cruise in Amsterdam and would like to use points to stay at either of these (although I am intrigued by the more local hotels also).

Thanks!

May I ask which cruise line please?  thanks.

Thanks for posting this question.  We are doing a river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest in September and I am really hoping we will have no issues with water level.  I take cruises so I can pack and unpack once.  I do not wish to do it repeatedly on a river cruise.