Fishboy1947

4 hours ago, cruzin4us said:

I had to re-upload my vaccine information/card and my airline flight information.   The "onward" journey is not saving my information, the time of my departure flights keeps going back to "0" after I save it.   Argh

Can you tell me where you see any info on flights?
 

I am not having any current problems with the app but don’t even see where flight info would be

Thanks

8 minutes ago, mthomp5 said:

When you click on “Learn more about these tests” on Walgreen’s website it says that their rapid NAAT test is a molecular test.  This is listed under one of Princess’ accepted NAAT tests. 

Thank you, I thought I checked all the Walgreens info but I missed that.  
 

They only schedule three days out but fortunately there are many locations nearby. 

Walgreens, at least in my area, has stopped their rapid antigen testing. They offer a “rapid NAAT test” with results within 2 hours but provide no more detailed description.  Walgreens says to check with your travel provider to see if their test is accepted. Princess’ accepted NAAT tests are: 

• Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) include: 
  • Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
  • Reverse transcription real-time PCR (RT-PCR)
  • Quantitative PCR (qPCR)
  • Reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP)
  • Transcription-mediated amplification (TMA)
  • Molecular test or molecular diagnostic
  • Isothermal amplification
  • Droplet digital PCR or digital droplet PCR (ddPCR)
  • Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)

Many Viator tours are not ship shore excursions. They are not necessarily geared to cruises and aren’t setup based on ship arrivals. They are tours offered for all travelers.

As an aside, I was booking a tour in the British Isles. I found the actual tour operator but did not like their cancellation policy and was ready to book the same tour using Viator. I advised the tour operator and they changed their cancellation policy. Always use the actual provider if possible

We have a couple cruises booked.  How do you know which berth/pier your ship will be docked at?  I'm specifically looking for Caribbean Princess at Cozumel on June 30, 2022 but would like to know how to find this info in general.

I have traditional Medicare with a Medigap plan G policy. I have always purchased a GeoBlue Trekker Choice single trip policy. Their premiums have been good, but getting higher now that I am 75. They also offer high policy limits, I usually buy $1M coverage with $500 deductible 

I’m only looking for Medical and evacuation coverage.  I’m not concerned with preexisting conditions exclusions

GeoBlue says they will act as a primary insurer with rights to go after any underlining policy. Since there is a lifetime $50,000 limit on foreign coverage in a Medigap policy, is GeoBlue the best choice?  

If this is a Celebrity cruise, I’ve been told you can arrive day 1 and use ship as a hotel or arrive day 2 prior to sailing.

We plan to stay day 1 in Venice and arrive at the ship on day 2.

It used to be nice having the “hotel” arrangement when the ship was docked in Venice. It’s a pain getting now from Venice to Ravenna. 

It’s even worse for Jr. listed some places but missing in other places. Booked EZAir, called since no Jr and was told they didn’t have a way to add it but it is not a problem. If not a problem, then why do they stress that name has to match exactly

7 hours ago, notentirelynormal said:

Please, ask them anything.  I have always had them personalize. They are one company that really listens. Our second cruise we toured the Almafi Coast with my mom.  She is really hard of hearing and she doesn't weigh much.  A wind could knock her over.  She was around 75-80 at the time,  As we are walking down the rock steps into the restaurant I overhear the driver talking to her.  He is talking right into her ear, holding on to her arm and guiding her all the while telling her that not only is she beautiful but she has such good balance and how smart she is.  You know, the Italian lover you always hear about and want to meet.  It made her day and boy did she feel special!  Right there he earned his keep - and tip!

 

The restaurant he took us to was amazing.  He ordered for us.  Now, we didn't know what to expect OR that they were picking up the tab so we were going easy not having seen a menu.  The food comes out and we are thinking - man, that isn't much food for three people so we eat sparingly.  Then the next course comes.  And the next.  And the next along with our wine for each course.  Oh, and then the desserts.  We were so full and so happy to find out it wasn't going to cost us a dime.

 

Just a note - they do still take credit cards but since life changed with Covid going on, they have been forced to change how far in advance you can use a credit card.  Now is it 7 to 10 days prior to service.  I don't blame them and let's face it, there are so many companies that ended up having to return money when Covid people couldn't travel. Money has been spent and now your trip is cancelled and they have to find it to refund it to you.  So far I have had one company in Marseilles that says she never got my money so she can't refund me.  Now I have to fight it with Paypal or however it was I paid her.  Anyway, just ask Jany about it.  If she can make it happen, she will.

That’s good to know about the credit cards. Their website clearly states “cash only” or travelers checks. It is stated in the details of each tour. I like what I see and read about their services. Thank you

They have an excellent reputation as do several of their competitors. My problem with considering them for a future trip, with multiple ports that they service, is that they only accept cash. 

25 minutes ago, iamtrustworthy said:

Hi Fishboy 1947,

 

As a PA resident, I know of only one company that allows you to insure only the deposit now and increase the insurance when you pay more money.

 

Steve Dasseos

I responded by email to you

Thank you

Three of us live in PA, ages 75, 70 & 19.  Two live in FL, ages 17 & 19

My only interest in travel insurance is CFAR, in case we decide to cancel the cruise trip, after final payment, due to world events or travel uncertainty.  All other expenses of the trip will be refundable and booked using a credit card but not billed until we are on the trip.

Thank you

I have booked a cruise to include three of my grandchildren.  None of the grandchildren live with us and two of them live in another state.  Should we purchase five individual CFAR policies or three (us alone + grandchild + 2 out of state grandchildren) or two (one for residents each state).  The grandchildren are aged 18 & 19.

Thank you

I have just booked a cruise, final payment March 2023.  When I purchase CFAR insurance can I insure only the deposit now and increase the insurance when I make final payment?

thank you

5 hours ago, martyap said:

Doing some research for my daughter and another family for mid July. They are interested in touring the Amalfi Coast…Amalfi, Ravello and Positano…….with a little extra time browsing in Sorrento and a DIY quick lunch. They do not want to visit Pompeii or have the tour operator’s pre planned restaurant for lunch…..usually great views but so so food. They also want to end and visit a pizza shop or two in Naples before returning to the ship. They are in port 11 hours so I guess 8 for the tour would work. I just emailed Rome Cabs and Limo in Rome…..any others? Thanks

Try Italy tours.eu, I have found only very positive reviews

14 hours ago, John Bull said:

 

Agreed.

But KB's Mum is looking to take out €1500, and even if all five of them use their debit cards they're going to struggle with ATM daily limits.

TBH, I'd avoid operators who want that kind of money in cash. Just imagine the expense of buying €1500 cash, then having to convert a chunk of it back because of  a change of plan or the operator cancelling 🙁

 

Why put yourselves through that sort of grief just so that the operator doesn't have to declare it to the tax-man 😉

 

JB 🙂

I’ve come to the same conclusion, cash to avoid taxes. Surprisingly this is one of the most mentioned and recommended tour providers in Italy 

1 hour ago, BCHappyGal said:

We too are doing a cruise on Celebrity (Constellation) out of RAvenna

Did not realize it was so hard to get to from Venice... or so far!!!

 

Thought we would make Ravenna our headquarters for our Pre Cruise visit and just go into Venice daily to sightsee but it appears that is not a good idea...Suggestions please

We’re planning to stay in Venice and transfer to Ravenna on sail out day, 5:00 PM.

I’ve used credit cards for virtually everything but tips in Scandinavia and the British Isles.

I am now preparing for a trip to Italy and regularly see “only cash(euros) accepted”. We’re looking at a popular tour service for the 5 of us. A full day tour costs about 600 euros. They offer a special for tours at 3 ports, about 1,500 euros. Only cash accepted. My thought was no big deal, I’ll have the driver stop at ATMs. Then I read that the daily ATM maximum withdrawal in Italy is 250 euros.

Looking for tours that can be charged

Celebrity offers a discount for veterans. I am a US veteran from reserve service in the Marines. As a reservist I had six months of active service and five and a half years of reserve service. 
 

To get the discount Celebrity indicates that you have to produce proof at boarding, usually a DD214. As a reservist my DD214 only shows six months of active service. Has anyone had experience as a reservist qualifying for the veterans discount?

I belong to an organization, Veterans Advantage, that companies use to prove veterans status. They indicate that Celebrity has used them since 2007 but I cannot find anything on Celebrity’s website to verify this

3 hours ago, MCazer said:

Our first stay in Rome was at a Guest House. It was wonderful. Close to the Colosseum and just so cool to be staying local. We couldn’t believe the giant wood door to the courtyard. The old elevator and how immersed we were.  Second time, AirBnb in Florence. Lovely second floor apartment close to train station and everything else. Last, a beautiful place in Venice, with access to the roof and view of a canal. We did have to drag bags over a few bridges! 
 

This August we will be at another airBNB in Rome. 3 bedrooms this time, as we will be with our adult children!  
 

we only choose rooms through AirBNB’s SUPERHOSTS and have not had any problems at all.

Thank you for the SUPERHOST tip, never used AirBNB. I think this will really add to the trip vs staying in hotels. Depending on strong kids for Venice

22 hours ago, Whitechapelgirl62 said:

I’d call Celebrity to get an answer to this - i’m on the 13 Oct sailing which departs 2pm so if your timings are similar you’d need an early start to get to Ravenna from Venice. Could always do a post cruise stay in Venice. Like you say 2 hr + Journey to Ravenna. Bologna (where i’m flying into from London - again quite a distance to get to Ravenna) is another lovely place for a pre/post stay

Called today and was immediately assured that I could arrive on departure day and the first day is merely for our convenience. When I asked if there was anywhere where I could see this in writing I got an immediate dial tone. Will have to try again

Our departure time is 5:00 PM so we should have plenty of time from Venice but will plan carefully. I have seen listings of private transportation direct from Venice to port. With a party of 5 this may be justified. Our cruise ends in Rome(Civitavecchia)

3 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

There's not a one-size-fits-all solution. Ideally I look for a tour provider who either accepts payments from multiple parties in advance or on the day of the tour. The problem with "day of tour" payments is occasionally someone doesn't show up -- and then the arranger is usually on the hook for the extra. (Sometimes the tour manager will reduce the cost but not always.)

 

I've also been places where the best reviewed tour provider or the one willing to provide the itinerary I want will only accept payment from one party. My philosophy with these is that I've traveled thousands of miles to see X, Y and Z who knows when I will be back?  I will take a private tour there even if it is a tour for one (I travel solo).  Any additional "sharers" are just lessening the amount I'd pay if I went alone.

 

For the OP:  You can always request a price for the size of your own party only. Sometimes it will be reduced, as they can use a sedan rather than a mini-bus or van. Sometimes not. Either way it can be priceless to enjoy a day doing precisely what you want, at your own pace, without having to worry about the logistics.

 

Europe, my most frequent cruise destination has much better public transportation and tourism infrastructure than, say, the Caribbean. An option I use whenever I can is to just sightsee on my own, using buses, trains, taxis where needed to get around. Often in larger cities many of the main sites are grouped together and within walking distance. It can be gratifying and fun to spend a day this way, and the more you do it, the easier it gets...

 

 

My question on touring on your own is, do you get much more from the experience if you are with a guide? We are going to Athens in Oct, you laid out a nice, doable walking tour. Will we miss much being on our own, realizing we need to read up on the attractions beforehand?

I’ve participated in shared tours where the fees are handled by the tour provider. But I also see many private tours where there are different prices for groups of 5 or 8 and we are just traveling as a couple.  I know we can try to put a group together on the roll call but how do you handle the payments, if we have to pay upfront?

We are looking to book our first Celebrity Mediterranean cruise. The embarkation is Venice, actually Ravenna 2+ hours away. The itinerary shows an overnighter in Ravenna. I assume that we can forgo the first night and just arrive at the ship on the departure day. But I’ve traveled enough to not assume anything.We would prefer staying in Venice

Does anyone have experience with this or a similar embarkation experience?

23 hours ago, Jim_Iain said:

On an overnight you are permitted to spend the night ashore without making any formal request.   For that matter you can spend all night out at a bar.  LOL   An overnight is like a regular port stop and you can come and go from the ship at anytime.

 

 

 

If I can piggyback on this comment, we have an overnighter in Venice, actually Ravenna, to begin our cruise. Can we stay in Venice and arrive at the ship on day 2? Or do we have to check in on day 1? Don’t see any benefit of an overnighter in Ravenna, would rather have a couple days in Venice