SMOKEY0202

Shuttles start running to train station, BLQ and Marco airport at 7am. Buses are lined up outside port. No problem getting on early shuttle. Taxi are extinct at the port. Be prepared for port area to be industrial area and it's not what you will think like other popular ports. Last time you couldn't drop luggage off til a certain time and no where to crash but outside under tents. It's a very small port area with limited seating once you are checked thru security.

That's Royal IT for you, same issue as well. Now if there was a glitch on the cruise planner with some excellent prices that would be great when we can all get logged back in.

Traffic crazy in Athens. Taxis aren't cheap so best option is to utilize hop on hop off red bus. Better option for price with plenty of stops along way and drops off right back inside gates at pier at the ship

Royal offers paid transfers to Venice, BLQ airport and Ravenna train station. Buses start departing at 7am. You can book tickets ahead thru Royal or onboard ship.

I can't even imagine your mom ever staying in the drenches for any cruise. Is the ship crowded? This will be another awesome blog for sure. The valet parking at Tampa you just can't beat for the price.

You are looking for the famous Leo Brown. You won't be disappointed. Makes each visit more rewarding every time go there booking him for the day.

I have stayed at the same Hilton and the Harrah's there. Both times, never had issues with safety. Traffic can be the hurdle so that's why i stayed at both those properties and it's also across street from the passport office. Just park the car and forget about it. Both are literally right there by the Riverwalk and in prime location to all the restaurants, cafes, upscale shopping and cable car is right there to get around. You can't beat the location at all. I would stay at either location. You can literally walk to Riverwalk(port) area. Check with Harrah's because i have been able to get reasonable rates for stays with gambling from cruise lines.

Oh my all that food and it's only just begun He will be in food coma before sail away Don't forget grab a lava flow and those delicious Ranger Cookies

Safe travels home to your own oasis... Hubby might get flowrider withdrawals being in dry dock. It's been so enjoyable that you have brought us along with the blogs as your family as evolved. Your cabin this week was definitely beyond magical. How you seriously go back to booking any other cabin ever again would be way too hard. My theory you only live once so.....the next endeavor would be owning your own yacht sailing the seas in retirement. We can't wait to see prom and graduation pictures

How the week just flew by so fast and as usual another great blog filled with great memories and surprises A week in this type of suite how could you ever think of booking anything else but this type of suite all the time. It's pure heaven and no need to leave cabin at all. Any word on how many kids and capacity this week?

That would be interesting to know how many passengers are still lingering from delayed flights from AirtoSea. Any ramblings if all passengers will make it onboard or not This weekend chaos with delayed and cancelled flights just proves AGAIN reason to have travel insurance and more importantly plan to arrive days ahead of time.

Any Ranger Cookies yet? News said there are major flight issues again today. Hopefully everyone makes it onboard even the ones who ended up driving from cancelled flights. Definitely so stressful just getting to port anymore with the flight situation.

Well between Luis and the sparkling Effy, what more can a gal need except maybe Luis accessories to go with bag or a couple more cruises booked. Heck just do both, she well deserves it.

This means Sabrina is well behind starting her Live Blog if leaving March 8

It is a tender port. Ship excursions do get 1st priority off the ship with diamond and above members(must get ticket from in the lounge) All other passengers not on ship excursions will have to get ticket from designated location. Depending on weather conditions, ship excursions are tendered over and buses are lined up at different area AWAY from the cable car platform. It is very feasible to book independent excursions and much cheaper. Tour operators are waiting at top of platform. We did independent and thoroughly enjoyed. Much smaller group only 10, price cheaper and had quality experience. We were 1st group off ship and at top of platform within 20 minutes. Be prepared for long lines for cable car back at end of day. We ended up taking steps back to ship but be cautious of being slippery and donkeys. It doesn't matter whether a ship excursions or not, everyone takes Cable car back ad no priority line for ship excursions. You can't buy tickets ahead nor round trip Enjoy Santorini

Seems like a great week for everyone. What was your mother's opinion overall of the ship and cabin? Is she ready to spend the inheritance for a few more Icon sailings? Seems with so many new dining options around, there seems to be something for everyone's pallet that no one can say nothing to eat. Were there ample assortment of slot machines?

Anyone checked out the slot machines in the casino? Ample variety of machines? Lines long at slides and flowrider?

Was the S2S booked Sabrina? How has service been on getting drinks? Lines long for the slides?

What are dinner plans tonight? Anyone been over to casino yet to grab pictures?

Well Sabrina officially made to the WJ for lunch. She must venture over to see the spread for dinner this week Don't forget pictures of Effy store Headed to book S2S yet?

Did line to embark move quickly? Has anyone ventured over to WJ just to see layout and actually went inside the venue?

Plus Sabrina will probably make a stop at Effy as well so this is a definite win A cruise booked and hopefully a new piece of jewelry

Guess that means Sabrina will be over to Next Cruise to book the S2S with a stop at the Effy store as well Sounds like a win win to me and Hubby gets his flowrider

Solo cruising has been a HOT topic this last week. I have sailed Celebrity many times solo and now with this new philosophy of charging excessively is really churning with many people across the board because of their excuse saying it's supplement fee for what 2 people would spend onboard. Even did a mock booking with Royal as solo and rate was at least $475 higher than double occupancy. It's really disappointing to say the least because it's putting a stigma against Solo travelers. I know Facebook has blown up to CEO of both Celebrity and Royal over this craziness. Reality is what gets spent on a cruise solo or as couple in a stateroom goes both ways. Some people don't spend an extra dime once onboard nor tip any crew members so how their realization is losing money from solo traveling alone makes no sense. It's gonna make people look at other cruise lines who welcome Solo travelers I can't wait til board Celebrity in few weeks to speak to concierge about it and hear their response.

Dreams do come true so surely Sabrina will have her wish granted from the cruise genie As rates continue to increase across the board with cuts in services and now even more than normal for Solo travelers that has been rambling across the Internet, it definitely could change ways in cruising or even with which cruise lines some of us sail. Fact is we are all always sailing by reading everyone's Live Blog and that is rewarding for each person to take the time on their cruise to bring us all along in for their venture. One big family...