All Inclusive?

[gehrandt]

A group of friends are talking about sailing on the SD - Greek Islands - and we are debating joining them. Have cruised RCI and a few months ago NCL - never have sailed on a fairly small ship.

 

What is included in the "all inclusive" that they advertise?

 

Any input on what the shore excursion tipically cost?

 

Any suggestions/tips/advice appreciated.

[Jim Avery]

One of the things we enjoy most about SD is never having to sign tickets. All food, beverages, use of water toys is included in the fare. You pay extra to use the Segways and for spa treatments and anything you buy at the shop. Casino expenses, of course, are extra. You can see the cost of SD shore excursions on their website. Click on your itinerary, click on the ports, scroll down to the bottom of the excursion description and you will find the cost.

[Jane1614]

Gehrandt, Which SD are you considering to Greek Isles? We are booked on it leaving Rome/Civitavecchia on May 31.

It too will be our first SD cruise. We haven't been on a cruise of anykind in 10 yrs! Can't wait.

[gehrandt]

It would be end of August - beginning of Sept. Probably a large group from AZ. They do one every year but usually for a longer period of time - we perfer the 7 day cruise (our Bengal cat, George, REALLY gets annoyed if we are gone longer then that - think the cat is worse then the kids ever were).

 

Would be our first small yacht size cruise. Sounds really interesting - except for the very long plane trips.

[Jim Avery]

gehrandt:

Where in AZ? We are in FLA most of the time but have a retirement place in Sun City West. We also tend towards 7 day cruises as our Silky Terrier does the guilt trip on us pretty well. They are harder to leave than the kids were.

Try SD in the Caribbean. Nobody does it better.

Jim.

[gehrandt]

We are on the other side of town - Superstition Mountains.

 

Had a meeting yesterday to get some information and "sort of" prices.

 

Understand if you do an excursion with a crew member there is no cost - has anyone done those? If so, what are the like? Tks.

[gehrandt]

We are on the other side of town - Superstition Mountains.

 

Had a meeting yesterday to get some information and "sort of" prices.

 

Understand if you do an excursion with a crew member there is no cost - has anyone done those? If so, what are the like? Tks.

[zqvol]

gehrandt:

Where in AZ? We are in FLA most of the time but have a retirement place in Sun City West. We also tend towards 7 day cruises as our Silky Terrier does the guilt trip on us pretty well. They are harder to leave than the kids were.

Try SD in the Caribbean. Nobody does it better.

Jim.

 

Jim,

 

Didn't realize that you were out that way. FT and I lived in Peoria for about 10 years. Nice golf courses in Sun City and Sun city West area!

 

FT and I are on SD II March 8 2009 (trying to get Disney Jen,, and others to join ( you know that I have no idea what FT is planning)). You and Lois should come along.

[Jim Avery]

ZQVOL:

Would love to but we are already booked on SDII 12 April Miami roundtrip. Hope that gives them enough time to re stock the bars after you guys leave. Small world about Peoria, right down the street.

Jim.

[Jim Avery]

We are on the other side of town - Superstition Mountains.

 

Had a meeting yesterday to get some information and "sort of" prices.

 

Understand if you do an excursion with a crew member there is no cost - has anyone done those? If so, what are the like? Tks.

 

There are occasional "pub crawl" type excursions with the activities director that have no charge other than what you buy/drink. Other walking tours might or might not have a charge. The charges for all shore excursions are listed on SD website. They can be quite fun.

Jim.

[Cammiem]

We are on the other side of town - Superstition Mountains.

 

Had a meeting yesterday to get some information and "sort of" prices.

 

Understand if you do an excursion with a crew member there is no cost - has anyone done those? If so, what are the like? Tks.

 

We did a few free excursions, called, "shoreside casual walks," with crew members. We split our excursions between the free walks and the standard excursions.

 

In Portofino, Italy, we walked around the picturesque town with the Activities Director. We saw many things we'd not necessarily see on our own. Timing was such that after the shoreside casual walk ended we made our way to the meeting point for the paid excursion we'd signed-up for.

 

We also walked with the AD through Monte Carlo, Monaco. We saw the main points, then were offered time to walk on our own (translated: shop) prior to meeting in front of the casino for the walk back to the yacht.

 

The Chef's Walk in St. Tropez was fantastic and I highly recommend it if offered on your voyage. We made our way to a central square in front of a quaint wine shop to sample many different types of wines, cheeses, cold meats & breads. Chef served us and we were accompanied by several other passengers & crew members. It was very memorable.:D

 

The shoreside casual walks were discussed the night before during Cocktail Hour in the Main Salon. Sometimes they complimented the standard excursions, sometimes they were offered at the same time as the standard excursions. Typically, they were in the mornings and lasted appx. 4 hours. We'd be back onboard in time for a lovely glass of wine and a fabulous lunch followed by an afternoon on a sunbed and an endless glass of champagne.