ronrick1943

We used Alondra Express. They were very good, friendly, and waiting for us when we came out of baggage.

Just a quick note: Everything in Cartagena has been a great experience. The seafood is really fresh and very good. We’ve packed up everything and waiting the car service to pick us up and take us to the port, then we’ll board the Nova. So in about a few hours I’ll be able to post about check in for the cruise and a little about the ship itself this evening.

Just a short update on are Cartagena stay. It’s Saturday night now (we’ve been here for 2 nights, one more and we board the Nova), I have to say this is a beautiful city, everyplace we’ve eaten has been excellent. The fish outstanding, the service is the best. The only bad thing are the street vendors, you really have to say no, no and no—and keep walking. Another thing it’s really hot and humid, however on the pool floor of the hotel it has a nice cool breeze- but street level forget it-it’s HOT! We have one more full day in Cartagena before we board the ship. At that time I’ll write about checking in to board and first impressions of the ship. Please remember this report will be as we see it, will talk about the very good, the good and maybe the not so good. But we’ll be honest about what we say and feel about the Nova.

I think you are wrong🤣, those 3 case’s you see are big weighing in at 59 and 64 pounds at the airport with 3 carry on’s, We like the relaxed code, but Ron did bring formal dress for the holidays-Me just a dark suite. Looking forward to me you. Rick

You say you brought a lot of luggage? Check this out, not only did we bring everything we “may” need—but the box in the photo leaving are Condo is a Christmas Tree for the suite, believe it or not. It arrived with all the luggage. PS: Cartagena is really, really hot and humid.

We left home via private car service Rancho Mirage, California to LAX about a 3 hour drive. We arrived at the American Airlines Terminal, we booked first class with 5 Star Service (the add on service is a bit pricey), they greet curbside, take your luggage, check you in, front of the TSA line, take you to the Flagship Lounge, afterwards escort to the your seat on the plane. We flew LAX to MIA and spend the night at the Airport Hotel inside Terminal E, staff was great and you would never stay at this hotel again except for the location. Next day check in again for Cartagena on American Airlines. ave to say the service and the food was really good on American. Arriving in Cartagena we cleared immigration really fast because we filled out the forms on line before we left. We cleaned in about 15 minutes, and believe it or not all 3 bags and 1 box arrived with us. The car we used was waiting and took us to are hotel, The Bastion Hotel in the old city. This is a super luxury hotel with really great service and nice suites. The restaurant at the hotel was outstanding both food and service. We’ll be here for 3 nights before we board the Nova. We’re both looking forward to this cruise. When we board 12/11.2023 will be in a Silver Suite and more to a different Suite in Lima, the reason being we booked the Cartagena to Lima at a different time (much later) and the Suite we wanted wasn’t available. When we book a cruise the suite is important to us as we spend time on the ship, touring isn’t that important to us. Yes we booked a few tours, maybe 5 total for the whole cruise. We enjoy getting off the ship, wonder around the city, have lunch, people watch and enjoy a relaxing day. So this review will be about the ship/cruise itself. This review will be the way we see it, you may not agree and that’s OK-everyone see’s it differently. We’ve cruised about 35 to 40 cruises in our lifetime, so main line and in the last 20 years luxury lines. I’ll write more once on the ship.

Yes, they have you sign the check. It show up on our ship bill and then the credit was given for the dinner. Wasn’t a problem at all, didn’t have to ask.

That sure isn’t convenient for guest—-I wonder what happens if your on the ship and want to go to the city. Sounds like aa mess……..

Maybe the port doesn’t allow private vehicles on the port grounds. I would think they would take your bags at the Shuttle area (but who really knows). Not a problem, I’m sure will meet up early in the cruise. Have safe travel………Maybe it was a good thing for us to change plans and start in Cartagena - but we’ll still have to use the Shuttle while in Lima.

Hi, I tried to send you a message but on your account messager was disabled. So once we get to Lima we’ll send you a note (on your suite door holder), maybe we can get together for lunch and meet early on.

There-ticket is a copy of your SS billing with a photo of the ship with an over print E-Ticket. So if for any reason you don’t get the E-Ticket (which I’m sure you will), just bring na copy of your final SS receipt with you. See you on the ship……….

I’m sure every Uber driver and Taxi will know the port and dock space for the cruise. I wouldn't worry about your e-tickets. I think we got our’s about 2 weeks before the cruise date, and it’s really the latest billing that states E-Ticket on it. Like I said will be starting in Cartagena and using the ship as are hotel in Lima. We’ve booked a cooking school in Lima in between some site seeing. Have a safe trip to Peru, see you on the ship.

WE booked the Lima to Fort Lauderdale first, staying a few days in Lima before the cruise. Then I was the Cartagena, when booking the suite we had was taken so we had to take another suite-so we’ll be moving in Lima. I don’t know how to send a private email here. We’ll be on deck 7 in the back of the ship when you board. We depart on December 7th, Palm Springs to Los Angeles to Miami (over night at the hotel in the airport), December 8th we depart Miami to Cartagena and boarding the ship on the 11th in Cartagena. For sure, looking forward to meeting you, but we might be a little psycho because we live in California.

We start in Cartagena on December 11th with a b2b Lima on December 19th. Our e-Ticket shows both cruises on the ticket. So it must be something with the main office in getting everything out (I hope).

Hi, we start in Cartagena on the 11th of December, we got are e ticket from TA via e-mail the other day. We stay on ship in Lima continuing to Fort Lauderdale. So you should get yours in a few days.

I upstanding, Lois convinced me—we’ll be singing up for both cooking class and the extra cost dinner—-the food sounds great if not fabulous.

Lois, you sold me—I’ll be booking the Salt Kitchen Dinner. Thanks for a good report, fellas you see it.

It does matter—you are on the ship now. I’m looking forward to you honest thinking about the ship.

And why does it close so early, it was nice to get coffee later in the evening.

TA’S are my favorite cruise, enjoy your cruise—looking forward to reading more. We broad her Dec 11th.

Yes, but giving information (TO ME) is different than saying which line I like better. i’m really not brand loyal either when it comes to cruising - after a while I get bored with a cruiseline. I enjoy the moment. I also believe it’s the crew—-if the line manages and the crew delivers on the promise, it’s going to be great.

True, but I think you have to cruise a line and make your own decision to what you like. I enjoy Silversea, but hate the included tours. So I need to make that point or forget that in my decision.

Looking forward to seeing your post, enjoy your cruise. We board her on the 11th of December in Cartagena- Lima - Fort Lauderdale.

The best cruiseline is the one that works for you, not what someone else thinks is good.

Couldn’t agree more—I’ve been saying that for years….It’s happening…….