Stonymtncruiser

I have used to Esim's the last 2 cruises. Airola which did not works as promised in the Caribbean and Holafly which worked great in Mexico. 

 I would recommend Esim just do a little research as to which company is best for you. They are easy to purchase, install and use.

 Make sure your contacts have whatsapp.

3 hours ago, Island2Dweller said:

Re the comment on Oyster card.  Oyster still works but is now considered "old tech", and you need to pay £7 (not refundable) for the card.  The majority of transport fares in London are now paid by contactless bank card or ApplePay/GooglePay - which gives the cheapest fare and has no up-front cost.

HopOn-HopOff bus tour is an excellent way of getting an orientation but should not be considered as a transport method.  The normal service buses are infinitely more frequent and vastly cheaper.

Changed from last year I gather. Thanks for that info, might be heading back next year.

On 10/24/2023 at 5:34 PM, WinterCruiseLover said:

I have no experience with London, but I am interested in your comment that you are staying 4 day in London pre-cruise.  I am considering something similar and wondering if you've planned what to do and see during those 4 days?  I'd be very interested to hear.

 

Thanks!

We have been there a couple of times. Windsor castle is full day tour, pre book. Hampton Court full day. Tour of London full day. Westminster Abby couple of hours. Kensington Palace a couple of hours. Most museums are free, War museum 1/2 day, British History Museum full day +. Oyster card you can pre load and travel on the subway and busses. Hop On Hop off is another good deal.

On 10/13/2022 at 5:39 PM, happyyaya said:

Any suggestions for hotels in Rome that perhaps have connections to cruise terminal in Civitavechia? Or easy taxi ride to cruise terminal?

last year we took the train from the Airport to Termini Station. Lots of hotels within a short walking distance and you are only about a 20 minute walk to the Colosseum and the Forum. 

 We then took the train to Civitavechia from Termini. You can but the tickets in advance with a App and save some $$. Make sure you also buy a shuttle bus tix to get to the port from the station unless you just have carryon. You can do that while booking your train tix. 

On 9/4/2023 at 8:14 PM, Giantfan13 said:

 

I'm sure this has been discussed before but I need some advice quickly. We are staying at a hotel by the airport, Hilton Garden Inn, and we need transportation to the port in Civi. We are 2 'older' seniors who just cannot schlepp luggage on the train so that is out. We had a shared van that took us in May, but we just got an email that they do not use vans anymore and only doing private rides. I have looked on several sites and most have rides in the over 100 Euro PP area. We are looking to hopefully, be able to share a ride/van but haven't seen any company that has a 'respectable' rate. 

Any suggestions would be most helpful.

 

Cheers

Len

There is this option from the cruise port. If someone has space on their shuttle you can tag along.

Shared Shuttle Transfer: Rome, Airport, Civitavecchia Port - Civitavecchia Port of Rome

We were there in Nov 2022. Off the ship early and took a cab to the train station then on to the train to Florence. Cab was inexpensive split between 2 couples. We were able to extend our stay in Florence by doing this ourselves rather than using the ship. 

The Port of Civitavecchia posts a link to a shared shuttle site 

Shared Shuttle Transfer Rome Airport Civitavecchia Port - CivitavecchiaPort.org 

 You look up the date you want and can hook up with someone else or you can start your own for people to join you. 

On 4/30/2022 at 3:39 PM, Turtles06 said:

 

Reviews say this is very noisy (either the device or the air tube) --- sounds like your husband likes it, so could you please comment on the noise?  Thanks!

 

 

 I bought one a couple of years ago to travel to Europe then do a TA cruise. It is up for sale now, noisy, and you  need a expensive lithium battery if you are using on a plane or don't have adaptable plugs. 

 I went back to my larger one, and actually the bags are not much different in size. 

10 hours ago, kaymoz said:

I want to travel with "just" a carry-on bag, but I must travel with a CPAP, so I'm seeking advice for "streamlining" my luggage process. 

For ease of moving from place to place, I'd like to be able to stash the CPAP inside my carryon suitcase (with the zipper expansion feature in play), and then remove it for the airplane part of my trip, since the expanded bag wouldn't conform with any airline's carryon size limits!  Plus, airlines don't "charge" for carrying a CPAP in addition to the carryon. 

This approach means repacking the bag some whenever the CPAP comes out of or goes back into the suitcase, typically in an airport. 

What strategies would facilitate this kind of rearranging and reordering of the interior space while on-the-go?

I always attach my CPAP bag to the handles of the suitcase until it is checked in. Then I carry it with me and store it up top in the aircraft. You don't want to loose it or have the airline forget your suitcase. You can also look at a backpack to put it in. 

Thanks for the advice. We are doing a NCL cruise so will probably choose LGA from the comments posted. 

 We have flown to LGA twice but this time we have options. Now to book the cruise and do addons.  

We are looking at doing a cruise which will return us to NYC Nov17. Looking at flying to Wpg from NYC and there are 3 options. One from JFK, one from LaGuardia Airport and one from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). We have flown from LaGuardia before but are wondering if one of the others is a better option. They all leave within a hour of each other so that is not the issue. Looking at ease of access from the cruise terminal and facilities and ease of boarding at the airport. Any help would be appreciated. 

We have stayed at the Hilton and the Double Tree by Hilton Easy access to the downtown part. Publix almost across the street. We used a UBERXL to get to the port $7 in 2019.

 Have heard good things about Intercontinental and also the Holiday Inn.

1 minute ago, ColeThornton said:

 

 

Wow.  How long did that take?

26 days on the ship. All the ports were great. We would do it again in a heartbeat.

 In 2019 we did a Venus to Miami cruise in November. You will probably want to bring a light jacket or coat and dress in layers. Be prepared for rain also. The weather on our cruise varied greatly, but we had a great time in each port. A balcony is always a nice to have but not a need to have. We are not in our cabins long other than to sleep and change clothes. 

 In some ports it is advised you book an excursion in advance ie: Rome and Pisa.

 I have used a PCC at NCL for my last few cruises. She has been a great help with some issues that have popped up. Recently I booked a cruise for 2023, she was able to get NCL to let me use a Cruisenext certificate for the cruise even though it was due to expire this year (2021), also we had some credits from a previous year (also de to expire in 2021) that they will honor. 

 Like other TA's she has given us advice on cabins, places to stay etc. 

 If you are not happy with a TA feel free to check others out. Personally I have used some of the big ones and have had mixed results (twice with the same person great, once they gave me someone else and not so good)

 We are thinking of doing a cruise that ends in Cape Canaveral and then catching another cruise out of MIA that starts on the same day. Question to all, is this doable and what are our options? 

 Do not really want to fly BTW. 

2 minutes ago, KeithJenner said:

I believe it has been $99 per day for a while.

 

Very few people pay the full price for it. If anyone wants the beverage package then they pick it as a perk and get it for free (or just the $20 gratuity if appropriate).

 Its not actually free. They boost the price up so you end up paying for it anyway. Check it out, get a price with the Bev package and one without to see the difference. Add in the gratuities and you have to drink quite a bit every day to break even.   

Anybody use them in the last 6 years?

I do not drink $89 worth of drinks in a day usually, so I do not take the drink packages. I do like having some drinks and was wondering if anyone knew if NCL sold a wine package on board (such as a 4 or 5 bottle package) as they do on some other lines?

first cruise on Norwegian jade wondering how every one likes the ship

Hey if you are on the Oct 26 AND Nov 6 cruises why not join us on those Roll Calls

YIkes..... I'm cruising on NCL in February I hope they don't make me walk the plank! In my defense ... it was a very long time ago and that captain is no longer on that ship.

Their policy now is no one on the bridge. Except NCL staff that is.

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I think it depends on the hotel director and how full the ship is (in particular the suites). I co-organized one in Nov. 2010 on the Pearl. We were quite suprised to be taken from the check-in desk over to VIP check-in. Truthfully I had no idea what was ging on (it was not explained to us why) so I just assumed that we were getting early boarding. Once on-board, we were give the whole VIP shpiel by Carlos Zarate the concierge (Lunch and breakfast at Cagneys, VIP debarkation, etc, etc) . Stupid me went up to him and said, Excuse me sir, I think there has been a mistake, we are not VIPs. He said, Maam, you are our very special guests this week. Do not question it, just enjoy!

It took me a few hours to put 2+2 together and realized that it was because of the M&G (it came to together when I saw the other organizer in Cagneys with us!)

We also got Champagne from the Captain, invited to a special cocktail party that was hosted in the 3 bedroom Garden Villa (wow!), got canapes each night, and VIP debarkation and tendering.

 

I do not think this is the norm at all, but perhaps because we were sailing under capacity (I think the hotel director said we were at 93%).

 

Basically, I would not expect anything but it certainly was a nice surpise!

We had almost the same also with Carlos but on the Sun.

I didn't organize it because I thought I might get something out of it. I did it because I had a little free time and thought it might be fun.

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Other things being equal, yes the less maneuverable has right of way-- but there are a number of other governing conditions: in an overtaking situation, the ship being passed has right of way, in a crossing situation the one to starboard of the other has right of way - among many others.

 

 

 

It is pointless to speculate right now, given the lack of information.

3 senior navy officers from the ship were reprimanded the other day because of their inaction. Should answer your question.

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Small flashlight - for event of total power failure - never used/needed it, but will always pack it.

Most cell phones come with a flashlight so I stopped bringing one. just remember to charge your phone.

Hey all,

 

We will be going on our first cruise in September on Carnival Triumph. However, we are not sure whether we should purchase travel insurance, and if we should, through who. Carnival offers their own when purchasing tickets, but I wasn't sure there weren't better options.

 

Do you guys have any advice for us?

 

Thanks!

We were on a cruise that left Miami a couple of years ago. By 10 at night we were in Nassau having a very ill traveler taken of the ship by another boat and taken to the hospital there. I am not sure what happened but a bill from the medical department on the ship, transport from the ship to the hospital, care at the hospital, transportation home, and missing the cruise can leave you a hefty bill.