NCL Gem to Greek Isles = Heaven

[peg013]

My goodness. You really did your homework and all that planning seemed to pay off. You really crammed so much into the time you had. I think that is one of the things that may give a trip a bad reivew is not doing the research and finding all these little out fo the way, local only not NCL excursion places. Some people just get off and say " Now what?" I think you get an A+ on this one.:)

Can you plan my next trip?:rolleyes:

 

You can plan my next trip too, Kathy!:)

[Mooder]

Hey miss pupule, the web site you mentioned didn't come up with anything - I think the correct site is: www.visitsplitcroatia.com

 

b0684 - The hoho bus route map and schedule is on their web site - looks as though it starts near the waterfront at Riva and you can buy the ticket on the bus

 

The price is 15 Euro for Combo bus tour and walking tour. The walking tour alone is 12 Euro. Sorry I didn't ask for price for hoho bus alone :o

 

I asked for a price in Euro and they didn't say that payment had to be in Kuna, but then again I didn't ask :o, but I think you may have to pay Kuna if you want to go into the palace cellars,they quoted "about 4 euro"

 

Thanks again to miss pupule for pointing me to split vision in the first place :) (and the rest of Split info that you posted some time ago;))

 

Our experience was that the tour company accepted euros. It was the shops that we needed kunas.

[Mooder]

Did you go to Nafplion on your cruise?

I didn't see any remarks re: that port?

 

Sorry, we did not.

 

Thanks so much for your review! We don't have this trip booked or anything but I have to admit I'm pretty darn tempted now:p

 

 

I love your pictures as well!

 

-Q

 

Thank you. I hope you get to go!

[Mooder]

You can plan my next trip too, Kathy!:)

 

That would be a privilege. ;)

[Mooder]

Thank you SO much Moder!

I'm stressing a bit about the cable car to be honest. I think I might just manage it if they will let us go up in one less than full ... what are the chances do you think?

Also, approximately how long does it take from once the doors close until you get up and the doors open again?

Thanks for all your help!

 

The trip is not long - maybe 5 minutes. My sister said the worst part for her was standing on the steps waiting for the cable car to come, but you can wait against the wall and just not look at the hill. Remember to sit facing UP the hill and you will be there before you have time to think about it.

[OceanDreaming2]

You can plan my next trip too, Kathy!:)

Mooder = Kathy??

 

If so, please plan our Gem cruise!! Not much activity on our rollcall lately. We need help! :cool:

[Mooder]

Mooder = Kathy??

 

If so, please plan our Gem cruise!! Not much activity on our rollcall lately. We need help! :cool:

 

Yup, that's me. Peg outed me! LOL Our rollcall was insanely quiet but in the end I met the nicest people. What's the old saying about not much there, but what's there is cherce!? ;) As you can probably tell I am loving reliving this cruise so anything I can do to help, say the word! And then take me with you!! :D

[evgal/nj]

kathy,

thanks again for your wonderful review, LOVE the pix's !!!

i have been looking forward to this trip all yr, oct can't come fast enough!

 

have a question about the cable car in santorini, are there many steps ? did you see anyone with a wheelchair? thinking of taking a ship tour only to avoid the cable car with the wheelchair, but it seems we'd have to take the cable car down after the tour. what do you think?

 

karen

[misspupule]

Hey miss pupule, the web site you mentioned didn't come up with anything - I think the correct site is: www.visitsplitcroatia.com

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks again to miss pupule for pointing me to split vision in the first place :) (and the rest of Split info that you posted some time ago;))

 

Hey Freckles

I probably had too many gin and tonics when i posted website but i knew you'd come to my rescue call 911!:eek: me and my friend diane did the hoho bus in barcelona in oct 2008. It was cold and rainy, don't you love her "bonnet"?:D:p she was a real trooper and we went as far as we could before the rain got to us. thanks california for your plastic. between your british and my hawaiian. we'll understand each other and the rest of cc's are gonna get "pupule" or "purple"!! hopefully B0684 will find what she's looking for.

happy cruising

miss pupule

[Freckles_51]

Miss Purple and Freckles, Thanks for the info, I'll check out the web site. I'll let you know if we take it, but it won't be until Sept. Can't wait for to see Venice and the Greek Islands. Thanks again.

 

We're going in September as well....B2B starting Sept 18. When are you going?

[Freckles_51]

Hey Freckles

I probably had too many gin and tonics when i posted website but i knew you'd come to my rescue call 911!:eek: me and my friend diane did the hoho bus in barcelona in oct 2008. It was cold and rainy, don't you love her "bonnet"?:D:p she was a real trooper and we went as far as we could before the rain got to us. thanks california for your plastic. between your british and my hawaiian. we'll understand each other and the rest of cc's are gonna get "pupule" or "purple"!! hopefully B0684 will find what she's looking for.

happy cruising

miss pupule

 

Love the bonnet! :D Who says we don't recycle? :);)

[Mooder]

kathy,

thanks again for your wonderful review, LOVE the pix's !!!

i have been looking forward to this trip all yr, oct can't come fast enough!

 

have a question about the cable car in santorini, are there many steps ? did you see anyone with a wheelchair? thinking of taking a ship tour only to avoid the cable car with the wheelchair, but it seems we'd have to take the cable car down after the tour. what do you think?

 

karen

 

Karen, we did see someone getting ready to use the cable car with a wheelchair. We saw them putting them on a lift for the steps but we got into the car before we saw how it worked out so I don't have much info. There were steps in Fira after exiting the cablecar that I think you will have to deal with. If you do the ship excursion will they offer any help at the end of the excursion, which I believe otherwise just leaves you at Fira to find your way down? If so, that might be a way to go. If not, then they really aren't helping. I did some traveling with my mother in a wheelchair before she passed so I empathize. If it were me, I'd email Ocean Waves and see if they have any suggestions. I don't know if they do, but it is worth asking. At a minimum, they will be more familiar with the options and topograhy.

[Corby114]

Good morning. I just have a quick question. What time did you get on line for the cable car and how long did you have to wait before getting on? We're trying to make the most of Santorini, but don't want to be the last ones on the ship.

[Mooder]

Good morning. I just have a quick question. What time did you get on line for the cable car and how long did you have to wait before getting on? We're trying to make the most of Santorini, but don't want to be the last ones on the ship.

 

When you go up, they will tell you when the last cable car will run down. (I think it was 10:00) We allowed about 15 minutes, were a little worried, but there was no need. When we arrived there was a line of other cruisers and we all got down within 15 minutes.

[b0684]

We're going in September as well....B2B starting Sept 18. When are you going?

 

We're going the week before you, September 11, for just 7 days. Sorry about the miss spelling of miss pupule. When we took the hoho bus in Barcelona, it was Sept also and the weather was great and we got to see so much at our own pace. Agan thanks for all the info and have a great cruise.

[misspupule]

We're going the week before you, September 11, for just 7 days. Sorry about the miss spelling of miss pupule. When we took the hoho bus in Barcelona, it was Sept also and the weather was great and we got to see so much at our own pace. Agan thanks for all the info and have a great cruise.

 

Hi b0684

No problem on the spelling, i get it all the time.:D we are on the oct 9 sailing for 7 days but in venice 7 days before the cruise. will be watching the reviews from now till then. if you need any more info just ask, someone here will help you.

happy cruising

miss pupule

[Freckles_51]

We're going the week before you, September 11, for just 7 days. Sorry about the miss spelling of miss pupule. When we took the hoho bus in Barcelona, it was Sept also and the weather was great and we got to see so much at our own pace. Agan thanks for all the info and have a great cruise.

 

You might want to join the roll call for your sailing. There are quite a few people on our Sept 18 roll call that are sailing B2B from Sept 11, and they seem like a fun bunch. :)

[OnlyMe]

The trip is not long - maybe 5 minutes. My sister said the worst part for her was standing on the steps waiting for the cable car to come, but you can wait against the wall and just not look at the hill. Remember to sit facing UP the hill and you will be there before you have time to think about it.

 

Thank you Kathy!!! Hopefully I'll be able to cope with it ... either that or I send DH and our little fella up in the cable car and I slum it on the donkey:o .... Thanks for all your help!!

[Ganu]

This is going to be my first cruise. any advise will enormously help. thanks in advance.

 

We are planning to take NCL Gem from Venice on 10 July 2010 for seven days (Adriatic tour - izmir, venice, nafphthelon, dubrovnic). We are four (myself, DH, DS is 15, DD is 22). Our cabin will be on the deck 5 in the middle.

- explain me about shore excursions.

- is it cheapter to take the shore excursions offer by the ship

- what is cheaper? please suggest me?

- what is important to see in croatia, turkey and greece? what not to be missed

- we are vegetarians (no egg either). what to avoid? will we get enough food

- what is not allowed to carry in the ship

- do we have to buy bottles of water from outside and take it to our ship? is it allowed? what is cheaper

- are we have to pay separately for tennis court, bowling, spa and others

or it is all included in our price?

- if we don't want to take shore excursions, are we allowed to stay in the ship? do we have to pay for that? what can we do?

- do we have to take medications for anything? is it needed?

- the very last day the ship reaches Venice at 8am. do we have to clear-off the ship the leave the ship or are we allowed to stay in the ship

- what is cheaper in the ship and what is not wiser to spend money on the ship

- does my son need to carry his tennis rocket? or can he get one there?

- do we have to book all the recreations in advance? like theater etc?

- will we be given a card for our meals? or do we have to get every time?

 

It is all like a dream for me. I just donno what should be done and what kind of precautions to be taken. I appreciate your earliest advise on anything.

[lhall85917]

This is going to be my first cruise. any advise will enormously help. thanks in advance.

 

We are planning to take NCL Gem from Venice on 10 July 2010 for seven days (Adriatic tour - izmir, venice, nafphthelon, dubrovnic). We are four (myself, DH, DS is 15, DD is 22). Our cabin will be on the deck 5 in the middle.

- explain me about shore excursions. The cruise line will offer shore excursions at each port. Generally they are more expensive than findings something on your own; however, for first time cruisers they are more convenient. If you want to find independent excursions you can go to the ports of call section on this board.

- is it cheapter to take the shore excursions offer by the shipNot usually, but it is easier. You will probably end up with a larger group than doing it on your own. Also, if they are late getting back, they will hold the ship for you!!

- what is cheaper? please suggest me?Not sure what you want to know??!!

- what is important to see in croatia, turkey and greece? what not to be missed

- we are vegetarians (no egg either). what to avoid? will we get enough foodYou will get plenty of food, there are dining rooms and buffets. You might want to indicate on your reservation that you are vegatarians.

- what is not allowed to carry in the shipNo open flames, irons, booze

- do we have to buy bottles of water from outside and take it to our ship? is it allowed? what is cheaperYou can buy bottled water on the ship or carry on your own. In general, anything you buy on the ship is more expensive than buying it off ship

- are we have to pay separately for tennis court, bowling, spa and others

or it is all included in our price?bowling and the spa are extra, I'm not familiar with the tennis but I don't think its extra

- if we don't want to take shore excursions, are we allowed to stay in the ship? do we have to pay for that? what can we do?Yes, you can stay on the ship whenever you want, no extra fee - lol. You can use the pool, hang around public areas and read, play cards, relax, etc. Sometimes they will schedule activities such as trivia but most activities will be when the ship is sailing

- do we have to take medications for anything? is it needed?no

- the very last day the ship reaches Venice at 8am. do we have to clear-off the ship the leave the ship or are we allowed to stay in the shipthey will want you off the ship by around 10, you can disembark at your own leisure

- what is cheaper in the ship and what is not wiser to spend money on the shipyou'll see lots of different opinions on this depending on what you like. We don't do the casino, spa or drink so we probably aren't the best ones to ask!! We buy the soda cards because we are soda drinkers, you purchase that the first day and your sodas are free throughout the trip.

- does my son need to carry his tennis rocket? or can he get one there?not sure about that

- do we have to book all the recreations in advance? like theater etc?no, you can prebook shore excursions if you like but can also do that onboard. Each day you will get a sheet with the next day's activities, for theater shows, you just go at the time off the show - there is no charge

- will we be given a card for our meals? or do we have to get every time?no card, just show up, they may ask to see your room card at the dining room but nothing is charged to it.

 

It is all like a dream for me. I just donno what should be done and what kind of precautions to be taken. I appreciate your earliest advise on anything.

Welcome to cruising, I hope you have a wonderful trip!

[LoisGriffin1]

I have just been on the cruise you are going on so some quick answers:

 

- is it cheapter to take the shore excursions offer by the ship

Generally no but they will wait for you if there are any delays. In Nauplion we left pretty late because of the late returning tours (its a very short stop)

- what is cheaper? please suggest me?

In Nauplion and Dubrovnik you are dropped right in the center of town so you don't need to do a tour. They are both wonderful little places just to walk around.

- what is important to see in croatia, turkey and greece? what not to be missed

Hard to answer. It depends on your interests. We walked the walls in Dubrovnik, took public transport in Athens and walked around the ruins, Ephesus took an NCL tour (Ultimate Ephesus was more expensive then others but worth it for the small 12 person shuttle) and Nauplion we walked the 999 steps up to the fort looked around and took some great pictures and then walked around the town

- we are vegetarians (no egg either). what to avoid? will we get enough food

without a doubt. Talk to your waiters about your food requirements. The buffet will also have plenty for you

- do we have to buy bottles of water from outside and take it to our ship? is it allowed? what is cheaper

You could easily get bottled water as soon as you get off the ship and its just a fraction of the price. It was hot so water was the first thing we looked for when getting off

- are we have to pay separately for tennis court, bowling, spa and others

or it is all included in our price?

bowling and spa costs but not sure how much. The rock climbing wall is free and is great fun. I made the mistake of looking down right near the top and nearly fell from the fright

- if we don't want to take shore excursions, are we allowed to stay in the ship? do we have to pay for that? what can we do?

There is less open but you will find the pool nice and quiet. I would recommend at least visiting the port for a short time

- do we have to take medications for anything? is it needed?

nope

- the very last day the ship reaches Venice at 8am. do we have to clear-off the ship the leave the ship or are we allowed to stay in the ship

People started leaving around 8.20 on our cruise. You can choose what time you wish to leave (between 8.10 and 9 something if I recall right)

- what is cheaper in the ship and what is not wiser to spend money on the ship

I am British so the ship was a lot more expensive than when I cruised last year as the US dollar exchange rate has changed a lot. Its totally up to you what you spend. You could easily spend nothing all week and still be well entertained, fed and watered. NCL do like to push their products but you don't have to buy if you don't want to

- do we have to book all the recreations in advance? like theater etc? No just show up. You may wish to pre-book the pay extra restaurants should you wish to visit them

- will we be given a card for our meals? or do we have to get every time? Your room card is everything you need on the ship. Its gets you to your room, buys your products onboard and gets you on and off the ship

[Ganu]

thank you very for your time and replies. these are really helpful.

Few more queries are coming up in my mind...

when we take the excursions other than the ones NCL offers, are we given packed lunch or do we have to take care of ourselves?

We are going to be in Deck 5 Room 5576 with a panoramic view. Is it good?

How about the room services?

How about the laundry, is that we need to pay extra?

Are we obliged to pay tips?

What not to be missed to attend in the ship, like shows?

Are we always have to walk with passport and money?

Is there a safe place where we can keep them?

How much money do we need to carry per person?

How far it is safe to do your own tour in Croatia, Turkey and Greece?

What are the important and interesting things that we can buy on the shores?

What kind of dresses we need to carry? Does it need to be formal always?

We are taking the cruise from Venice Port and we will be staying in Venice for few days earlier.

Can any one please tell me how to reach the port in venice? Will there be NCL transport to take from St. Marco to the Port?

If we need to go by ourselves, can you please guide how to go from the railway station or st.marco?

Thanks agains;)

[rrobynec]

:p The six of us enjoyed a delightful meal (I had the grilled shrimp - huge - yummy) and local wines in a perfect setting. The restaurant was part of a lovely hotel on the cliff and is called Finari. (http://www.fanari-restaurant.gr/) We met up with Gabriel once again just in time to drive back to Fira and take the cable cars back to the tendering area.

Mooder--I am confused:confused:

When I go to the website listed above, it says the restaurant is in Fira....

I am hoping to recreate your wonderful day in Santorini and don't want to make any goofs!

 

Also, out of curiosity, what day of the cruise was your Meet & Greet, since the sea day is the last day of the cruise?

[Mooder]

Mooder--I am confused:confused:

When I go to the website listed above, it says the restaurant is in Fira....

I am hoping to recreate your wonderful day in Santorini and don't want to make any goofs!

 

Also, out of curiosity, what day of the cruise was your Meet & Greet, since the sea day is the last day of the cruise?

 

Sorry, Robyn, I didn't realize until later that they have a restaurant in both towns, so I grabbed the wrong website. Here is where we ate - it is connected to the hotel. http://www.fanarivillas.gr/

 

Gabriel (or whoever you get as your guide) will be able help you find it - I wouldn't want to try to give directions. :)

 

Our M&G was Monday morning, just before arriving in Corfu.

[Jesse88]

LoisGriffin, I was just going over the information you posted in June. Thanks for taking the time to educate those of us who need it!:)