Taxi tour shore excursion in Gibraltar is worth it

 I paid about $90 usd for the taxi tour of Gibraltar and I think it was worth it. I lucked out and sat up front. You go to the lighthouse first with a great view of the rock and mosque. Next to Micheal’s cave. Much smaller than I had expected and the steps are not difficult. They say 75 upwards but it was only about 40. The light show is pretty but I prefer the natural colour areas. The entrance fee of $16 euros was included. The next stop is to see the Macau apes. Stay a few feet away, as the babies will jump on you. The apes jump on the taxi vans and it’s fun to watch.  You can get off in town or at the cruise port. It’s a long walk to port but signage is good. Lots of shops on Main Street but very crowded. 

I enjoyed the tour and my time in Gibraltar.

Hope this helps

Marcia

MSC versus Princess mega ships

 This year I have been on MSC Virtuoso and princesses Enchanted Princess. Below is a comparison 

 Embarkation and disembarkation is fast and efficient on both

The ships are fancy, but both don’t have walk around promenade decks. They have walking tracks on the highest decks 

Cabins are similar in size and both don’t have sofas in the cabin

The bathrooms are both small, but MSC has enclosed shower stalls (Better), and Princess the dreaded curtain

Princess offers self use laundry rooms and MSc does not

Princess and MSc do not clean their ocean view windows

MSc beds are very hard, Princess beds have topper for more comfort 

Food in the buffets are both just ok with poor quality fruit , limited variety and excellent pizzas 

Food in the main dining room is good on both ship lines, but Princess offers a more varied menu

Entertainment quality is similar, but MSc has extra cost circ de soleil

Security lines are shorter and faster on Princess. The worst thing on MSc are the long security lines in every port. 

Cost of the cruise is similar between lines, as is the internet cost.  Connecting is hard on both and both lose connection.

Guests are mostly British on MSc and American on Princess.

There are more solos on Princess, as MSc only offers a set number of cabins to solos so you have to wait for sales to get reasonable prices 

Overall I would take either as long as the itinerary was good and price was reasonable 

Hope this helps 

Marcia

Enchanted Princess review

 Enchanted Princess is a relatively new ship at 2 years, but the carpets in the hallways need a good cleaning. Even in my balcony cabin there is a large stain at the door. 

Here’s what I like 

- the food in the amalfi dining room is quite varied from the menu on the gem class ships and has a good flavour and is still hot when served

- the theater is big with comfy seats and the entertainment ok to  very good . Loved Mighty Quinn

- the balcony cabin is fine for one person but seems smaller than other Princess ships. But the shower and sink are bigger. Had a couple minor issues but these were were fixed quickly 

- the cabin steward is friendly and efficient 

- they have a more varied arts and crafts class with a Celtic knot necklace thats fun to make

- embarkation was quick

- walking track good but not as good as having a promenade

- entertainment venues are bigger than most ships, and lots of seating 

- security lines are shorter and more organized than most ships

- love the limited seating outside on the promenade deck'

What I am annoyed with:

-the balcony is tiny and you can’t recline the chairs 

- you don’t automatically get face clothes anymore. You have to request them and then the steward advises that it will likely be one a day. He advised this was a cost cutting move

- no more towel animals due to cost cutting for towels

- the mini golf area is the worst I have ever seen on a ship. Just a few broken holes

- no promenade deck so you have to use the walking track on 18 aft. Note to get to it you have to get off at 17, walk by the smokers and up steep steps.  I found a handicapped elevator at back of ship

- very little choice in teas and it’s the cheapest brands

- staff generally do not say hello or smile 

- unless you are a smoker don’t use 17 aft as the cigarette and cigar smoke is overwhelming 

- entertainment staff are just ok, with a couple of good ones

Marcia

Ajaccio Corsica- tips for visiting this port

 Ajaccio old town center is really small. The two main attractions which are Napoleon’s birth house and the Leche art museum are each about a 5 to 10 minute walk. The Citadel and beach are both a 5 minute walk and across from the beach is their cathedral. The beach, citadel and church are free. Napoleons house is 7 euros and the leche museum is 5 euros.  You must use a debit or credit card for the museums. No cash is accepted.

Below are tips

bring a credit or debit card for museums entrance fees

Be careful if you go to the beach. They say over 1000 visitors drown each year. There’s a drop off in the water with an undertow .

The leche art museum is a beautiful building with lots of local and other artists.

Napoleon’s house is small and takes about 30 minutes to listen to the free audio guide. Note while local make money off his legacy, they don’t like him.

This is an expensive port with tshirts around 25 euros. Shop at the market at the port and you will save a bit

Honey is a good buy as there are no pesticides used on the island. I bought the gift size for 6 euros.

It’s a very windy island so have a hat that ties on. 

the town and harbour are beautiful so enjoy yourself 

Hope this helps

Marcia

Lucca the shore excursion in Livorno was excellent

 I just took the Princess shore excursion to Lucca from the Livorno port. I would recommend it to all travellers. It’s about 4 hours, with a 45 minute drive from port. They stop for a washroom break just before you enter Lucca. You see all of the highlights, squares and walk part of the wall. My favourite was the main cathedral with St Martin’s statue on the outside. Shopping for souvenirs was at reasonable prices, with a tshirt at 11euros.

I will return to Lucca as it’s not crowded, the people are friendly and it’s very easy to walk around. It is considered one of the most accessible towns in Italy.  The guided portion is about an hour, with an hour free time.

Hope this helps

Marcia

Why Skagway is my favourite port in Alaska

 I have visited Skagway three times over the years and in my opinion its the best port in Alaska

Things to do

- you will see Harbour seals feeding near the ship in harbour. Locals have even named one of them

- The train excursion or the mini bus along the Klondike pass have amazing scenery

- the prices for souvenirs were the cheapest I found in Alaska

- the bear and eagle quest tour to Haines is a must do

- The town is a 5 minute walk from the Ship and is an easy strolling town

- The waterfall and cemetery is about a 45 minute walk both ways but the waterfall is worth the walk

Hope this helps 

Marcia

Two Alaskan Shore excursions that are must dos - Haines and Deadliest catch boat

 I only booked two shore excursions on the Sapphire Princess and both were excellent

First the Bear and Eagle tour that takes you from the cruise port in Scagway by Catamaran to Haines.  Its a lovely 45 minute boat ride with amazing scenery and calm waters to Haines.  You then take a bus to see the eagles and birds nests where the guide has some gear that you can use with your cell phone to take amazing pictures. Then you drive along looking for bears and you stop in a national park where the water views are terrific. We saw a mama bear and cubs.  The lunch is great (ceasar chicken wrap etc) in the town hall.  I would take this tour again. There was a couple who had been on it several times

Second the Deadliest Catch tour out of Ketchikan.  I am not a regular watcher of the series, but don't let that detract you.  The staff are friendly and informative.  We saw eagles - they throw out fish to them.  We also saw a humpback whale up close and personal at the side of the boat.  You will laugh alot at the speakers, get to handle crab and other sea creatures. Again another great tour

Hope this helps

Marcia

Juneau Alaska review

 I am a bit late on posting this review of the port of Juneau which I visited twice in September 2023 on the Sapphire Princess.  First of all below are the good and not so good things

- the new walkway along the sea port is beautiful with all of the totem poles. Its a nice place to stroll

- the shopping here is identical to what you will get in Ketchikan including the prices and sale items only the name on the stuff changes to Juneau

- the not so good are all of the homeless people sleeping on the sidewalks.  Doesn't look like there is anyone to take care of them 

- the number of pot/cannabis shops surprised me

- the number of closed shops on the main street was sad

- Loved the Alaska state museum and I would recommend it to everyone who visits. It costs 13 USD but is worth it.  It is a visual easy walk thru of Alaskan History, and all of the various animals.  It about a 10-15 minute walk from the cruise pier.  

- Surprised at all of the Philipino food vendors in the park - they know the audience of cruise staff and the food smells amazing

This trip I did not go to the glacier or whale watching as I have done so before

Hope this helps

Marcia.