Thank you for such a detailed video! I’m taking this cruise in 2025 and I’m trying to get an early start on researching tips and suggestions. This video is exactly what I was looking for, as most other videos focus on the cruise ship.
@@AntandGlen I’m booked on the Celebrity Infinity. I know it’s an older ship and I was concerned about it being dated. I’ve seen some pics of refreshed public areas and it looks good. I’ve not seen much info on any cabin updates but I’m trying to focus on just having a good time. I’m part of a group of eight retired gay men, me from Canada and the rest from the US via a friend. Excursions are booked, three days prior to cruise in Athens is all set too. Really looking forward to it!
That sounds like a terrific trip. We have not yet done Celebrity but will get round to it for sure. Would love to hear your thoughts once you’re back Doug
Been on several cruises and never new could ask for those items and on first day is great tip as well as all other specific. Thanks headed on this one end of year :-)
Gentlemen, my wife and are doing a similar itinerary to yours but on Norwegian and it's a 10 day. You shared many good tips so thank you. Since our airfare was part of the cruise, we had to get the cruise line to change the flight so we could get a day in Rome. They would not do more. We also found the cruise lines adventures a bit more pricey so we went with Viator. We have used Viator for other trips (Northeast US trip and Costa Rico) so we started booking things with them. They have many that are adjusted to meet the cruise line time schedule and will make sure you get back on time. Athens is one we are struggling with because everything is so far from the port. If you have a suggestion of a place or two we might use a private guide to make sure we get back on time. Also, because of your choice in cruise lines Ultra might refer to the size of ship. Most in the med are much smaller ships.
Hi! We're so happy that you have found the video useful, and you really won't regret your extra day in Rome. It's a beautiful city. I did go to Athens for the day, I took the train from the port - (the vlog is coming out in the next few weeks) you can get a taxi directly to Athens from the port and it'll take about half an hour depending on traffic. I would recommend the Acropolis if you can get an early time. I think the 'all day tickets' are a scam (that I fell for), but there are some tour operators there with guided tours - It may even be worth paying the cruise line premium as it's such a popular, but wonderful place. Also, there's some lovely rooftop bars which have great views! If you do decided to go solo to Athens, Give yourself a decent time buffer to get back to the ship (pretty obvious tip, but this was the main reason why I had to turn back once I was given my tour time) Have an amazing time on NCL! What ship are you on? My first ever cruise was the Epic in 2012 and I've been looking forward to getting back on NCL! - Ant x
We are on the Epic. We did book a tour through Viator which picks you up and drops you off at your ship. They adjust the time to meet the ship. The only question I have not got answered is what is an enclosed balcony. They indicated we have one.
Ultra class means it’s slightly different design to the other quantum class. Slightly bigger ships. Think the main dining room is one big room as opposed to on different levels. And they added a teppanyaki restaurant as well as Izumi. It’s meant to be more of a technologically advanced ship.
Thanks for clarifying. Can only say these changes are so subtle that we both missed them! Please do check out the Odyssey vlogs coming next month and let us know your thoughts!
Thanks for the kind words! Check out the F’book page Daniele Your Driver in Rome, there should be a link to their website from there. Very professional, great communication and most important, super punctual. We hope you have a great cruise!
Hi guys, can you remember what time you disembarked? Hoping to make an 1130am flight home and no idea what time to book our private transfer for! Previous cruises we have always been off the ship very early!
Hey Gemma, we walked our own luggage off and we were outside the terminal by 07:15-ish. We had booked our transfer for 07:30 but they were already there waiting for us. Our flight from Fiumicino was 11:15 and we were there in plenty of time, as there was no traffic the whole route. Hope you have a great cruise!
@@AntandGlen oh that’s perfect, thank you! I’ll reach out to the fella you booked for your transfers and see what he can do for us! We are going in October… I am currently sat in the sunshine watching your fabulous videos, very exciting 😊
This video was SOOOOOO helpful!! Thank you. I didn't know about the FB groups for the cruises, or that you could look up the ports to see how busy they would be. I also didn't know about the mattress toppers & feather pillows, and it never occurred to me to ask the attendant for a bucket of ice. THANK YOU , THANK YOU, THANK YOU. This is the same cruise that I am going on in next month, I'm so grateful that I found you guys. Happy cruising :-)
You are welcome, glad you enjoyed. You can normally bring with you a limited number of beverages (non-alcoholic) it’s normally something like 10-12 individual sized bottles or cans. Check with RCL website to clarify the limits. Or pre-purchase water to be waiting in your cabin, if you don’t want the hassle of carrying it.
This cruise started and ended in Civitavecchia. We booked our flights, accommodation and transfers all separately, although a good travel agent would do all that for you
The magnet for the door is only one sided now and you only need to put it out if you don’t want to be disturbed. Odyssey is a Quantum Ultra because it has additional amenities over her sister ships (Playmakers, El Loco Fresh etc)
The Ephesus tour we booked through the cruise line. Cannot remember exactly how much we paid but it was not a crazy amount. Always better deals to be had by booking with 3rd parties, for sure
We stayed in an apartment in the Piazza Navona / Pantheon area, which was a great location for a short stay. Plenty of accommodation choices around there.
Thank you for such a detailed video! I’m taking this cruise in 2025 and I’m trying to get an early start on researching tips and suggestions. This video is exactly what I was looking for, as most other videos focus on the cruise ship.
Glad it was useful and thanks for viewing!
Looking to go on this very cruise this September. Thanks guys
Hope you enjoy it!
Just found you guys and subscribed…#1000! I’m on a Greek cruise in May so these tips will come in handy. Thanks!
Really appreciate your comment Doug and thank you so much for being our 1000th subscriber! Means a lot. What ship will you be on?
@@AntandGlen I’m booked on the Celebrity Infinity. I know it’s an older ship and I was concerned about it being dated. I’ve seen some pics of refreshed public areas and it looks good. I’ve not seen much info on any cabin updates but I’m trying to focus on just having a good time. I’m part of a group of eight retired gay men, me from Canada and the rest from the US via a friend. Excursions are booked, three days prior to cruise in Athens is all set too. Really looking forward to it!
That sounds like a terrific trip. We have not yet done Celebrity but will get round to it for sure. Would love to hear your thoughts once you’re back Doug
Been on several cruises and never new could ask for those items and on first day is great tip as well as all other specific. Thanks headed on this one end of year :-)
Glad it was useful to you. Cabin stewards are your best friends! Wishing you a fantastic time on the Odyssey.
Gentlemen, my wife and are doing a similar itinerary to yours but on Norwegian and it's a 10 day. You shared many good tips so thank you. Since our airfare was part of the cruise, we had to get the cruise line to change the flight so we could get a day in Rome. They would not do more. We also found the cruise lines adventures a bit more pricey so we went with Viator. We have used Viator for other trips (Northeast US trip and Costa Rico) so we started booking things with them. They have many that are adjusted to meet the cruise line time schedule and will make sure you get back on time. Athens is one we are struggling with because everything is so far from the port. If you have a suggestion of a place or two we might use a private guide to make sure we get back on time. Also, because of your choice in cruise lines Ultra might refer to the size of ship. Most in the med are much smaller ships.
Hi!
We're so happy that you have found the video useful, and you really won't regret your extra day in Rome. It's a beautiful city. I did go to Athens for the day, I took the train from the port - (the vlog is coming out in the next few weeks) you can get a taxi directly to Athens from the port and it'll take about half an hour depending on traffic. I would recommend the Acropolis if you can get an early time. I think the 'all day tickets' are a scam (that I fell for), but there are some tour operators there with guided tours - It may even be worth paying the cruise line premium as it's such a popular, but wonderful place. Also, there's some lovely rooftop bars which have great views! If you do decided to go solo to Athens, Give yourself a decent time buffer to get back to the ship (pretty obvious tip, but this was the main reason why I had to turn back once I was given my tour time)
Have an amazing time on NCL! What ship are you on? My first ever cruise was the Epic in 2012 and I've been looking forward to getting back on NCL! - Ant x
We are on the Epic. We did book a tour through Viator which picks you up and drops you off at your ship. They adjust the time to meet the ship. The only question I have not got answered is what is an enclosed balcony. They indicated we have one.
I love your blogs. All the tips given are great ❤
Thanks so much, glad you enjoyed them, LadyD!
Ending in Piraeus in October. Not heavy luggage people so our plan is to catch the hop on hop off and get to our hotel that way.
What ship will you be on, Trish?
Thanks, Glen, for the sign post🎉
Ultra class means it’s slightly different design to the other quantum class. Slightly bigger ships. Think the main dining room is one big room as opposed to on different levels. And they added a teppanyaki restaurant as well as Izumi. It’s meant to be more of a technologically advanced ship.
Thanks for clarifying. Can only say these changes are so subtle that we both missed them! Please do check out the Odyssey vlogs coming next month and let us know your thoughts!
Great videos!
We are doing 12 day cruise in October on Odyssey & spending 5 days in Rome.
What company did you book your transfers with?
Thanks for the kind words! Check out the F’book page Daniele Your Driver in Rome, there should be a link to their website from there. Very professional, great communication and most important, super punctual. We hope you have a great cruise!
Hi guys, can you remember what time you disembarked? Hoping to make an 1130am flight home and no idea what time to book our private transfer for! Previous cruises we have always been off the ship very early!
Hey Gemma, we walked our own luggage off and we were outside the terminal by 07:15-ish. We had booked our transfer for 07:30 but they were already there waiting for us. Our flight from Fiumicino was 11:15 and we were there in plenty of time, as there was no traffic the whole route. Hope you have a great cruise!
@@AntandGlen oh that’s perfect, thank you! I’ll reach out to the fella you booked for your transfers and see what he can do for us! We are going in October… I am currently sat in the sunshine watching your fabulous videos, very exciting 😊
This video was SOOOOOO helpful!! Thank you. I didn't know about the FB groups for the cruises, or that you could look up the ports to see how busy they would be. I also didn't know about the mattress toppers & feather pillows, and it never occurred to me to ask the attendant for a bucket of ice. THANK YOU , THANK YOU, THANK YOU. This is the same cruise that I am going on in next month, I'm so grateful that I found you guys. Happy cruising :-)
Glad it was useful ! We hope you enjoy the cruise, it’s a fantastic itinerary
I like your tips😊 you two are very funny
Thanks for the comment and glad you enjoyed the video!
Taking this exact cruise 6/30/24
Hope you enjoy it as much as we did
Thanks for such an informative video. Can we bring water bottles on board?
You are welcome, glad you enjoyed. You can normally bring with you a limited number of beverages (non-alcoholic) it’s normally something like 10-12 individual sized bottles or cans. Check with RCL website to clarify the limits. Or pre-purchase water to be waiting in your cabin, if you don’t want the hassle of carrying it.
Did you book flights on your own or with a travel agent? The port starts in Civitavechhia and ends in Piraeus, right?
This cruise started and ended in Civitavecchia. We booked our flights, accommodation and transfers all separately, although a good travel agent would do all that for you
The magnet for the door is only one sided now and you only need to put it out if you don’t want to be disturbed.
Odyssey is a Quantum Ultra because it has additional amenities over her sister ships (Playmakers, El Loco Fresh etc)
Thanks for clarifying!
Did you book the excursion through RC or an outside group ?
The Ephesus tour we booked through the cruise line. Cannot remember exactly how much we paid but it was not a crazy amount. Always better deals to be had by booking with 3rd parties, for sure
Can you recommend a hotel or area to stay in Rome, please? Thanks
We stayed in an apartment in the Piazza Navona / Pantheon area, which was a great location for a short stay. Plenty of accommodation choices around there.
Hey there.! I have questions is there any indian restaurant in this cruise
I believe it’s the P&O ships which have an Indian restaurant. The Windjammer buffet on Odyssey of the Seas pretty much always had some Indian options.
What time of year did you do this trip ?
This was mid-September.
Hi! Goin in a week! Odyssey of the Sea! Did u walk to town from port of Kusadasi? Or Taxi?
We can feel your excitement! Walk straight into town from the dockside, it’s right there. Have a terrific time!