Hi there.

I'm back now.

Good to have met you bayliner, glad you had fun. Just to rub it in the second week was very very hot with hardly any clouds or anything.

If anyone is doing the week i'd happily recommend the truck trip in marmaris, got a bit of fun for everyone. Look out for new trips at this place. The excursions manager is looking at some boat trips to be available in the next month or so at this port.

I'm looking to go last minute in September for the turkey end of the cruise.

Andy

Hi Laine and Andy

Laine: Yes I'll try and upload some pics, yikes! Never done it before! I have yet to title the photos yet!

Andy: Yes likewise, pleased to have met you also! It's nice to put a face to the name! Go on rub it in about the weather No seriously, we still had a fab time and will definitely sail on her again! We will have to leave our trip until beginning of next year, as I already have another two holidays booked this year next month! We are heading upto Dumfries and Galloway in our boat for a week! We have a Bayliner2052, hence my name on here!!!! We all waterski! But that's another story! variety is the spice of life!!

We are thinking of doing the Eqypt cruise, but not quite sure yet! So get your thinking cap on and if you can advise please, I will be eternally grateful

Debbie

Thanks Debbie and Kate for the advice it was really helpful.

Also can anyone tell me if the exchange rate is good on board or should I take Sterling and change it on shore or take various currency with me?

Does the ship accept credit and debit cards for the account on board, how does this work exactly?

Looking forward to the cruise only just over 2 weeks to go1!!

Cheers Nick

nick- when you "check in" on the dockside they will take an imprint of your card- we used credit card, but assume debit is ok- and then your account is automatically deducted from your card. They still send you statements of your account to your cabin at least 2ce during the week so you can keep track of spending and check the bill. If you want to pay by cach you have to queue up at the reception desk to pay by a certain time on the day before you disembark.
Not sure about the exchange rate, don't think it was too good or very bad either. We always take some euros to save having to queue to change money, and for anywhere with different currency you can just change a small amount either on board or in the port building.

Hi Nick

As Kate has said you can pay by debit/credit card or cash. When you arrive on board you need to register with Reception whatever card you want to pay by (we paid on our credit card) this is then authorised to allow you to spend against your card. By the Wednesday of your first week, you will get a statement delivered to your cabin of what your balance is at that time, this is then debited against your card. Then you will receive another statement the night before you disembark and the final balance will be debited against your card. Simply! No hasstle at all! I much prefer this system than paying over cash! Incidentally if you chose to pay by cash, you have to put down a certain amount of cash at the start of your holiday.

I would also recommend as Kate has said to take some euros with you. We have just returned from our cruise a couple of weeks ago and I also took a small amount of other currency with me which I got from the Post Office. The rate is usually decent also from there.

Happy cruising!!!

Debbie

Myself, my husband and daughter are going on the Emerald 4 August for 2 weeks cruising. We did the greek/turkey week last year so Croatia and Italy will be new to us. Can anyone give any advice on how much a trip on a gondola in Venice might be. Also is anyone else going to be on the ship at this time? Anyone been recently and can give some updates.

Thank you for your help

Going on 11th August Pestee
Sailed on The Destiny last year...hope the Emerald is as good.
Staying in Corfu for the second week.

Hi Liverpool Lou

Never been on Destiny so can not comment. We found the Emerald great last year. Other than this ship we have been on Ocean Village however both are so different. How many are in your party? Have you got the AI package?

I believe the gondola ride is about €70 per boat so cheaper per person the more people are on it. No idea where I got that figure from so could be way out.

luci

Hi Pestee,
Just 2 in our party, Mr Lou and myself. Yes we have the AI package as we booked more than a year in advance. Hope we DO like the Emerald as we have booked to do the Croatia/Venetian riveria on it in Aug 2007
Think you are about right on the price of the gondola ride Luci - had friends who did it in May and it was about that for an evening ride for 2 (singing was extra !)

well, 3 more sleeps, anyone else going on friday.

Hi everyone
hope you all have a great time. The Emerald is a lovely ship, much smaller than the Destiny but really friendly. We loved it and have been on it three times! Venice is great but the Gonola trip is a rip off! Just have a wander round the back streets instead and don't have a drink in St Marks Square either unless you have money to throw away
Shirley

Hi everyone. We are first timers this year, in September, on the Emerald. Can anyone please tell us what the dress code is for the formal nights

Any advice on shore excursions around Turkey, Croatia, Greek Islands would also be appreciated.

Hi Max011

Went on the Emerald last year and the dress code for the formal night was varied. Ladies wore smart long/short dresses and gents wore anything from tucks to shirt and ties. Personally I thought it was nice those who made the effort.

Would love some help on tours too, also does anyone know if you can use Euros in Coatia?

Going in 3 weeks and 5 days (not that I'm counting!) so starting to plan.

hi there, got back early saturday morning(doncaster flight) had a ball . didnt do the trips but i have brought all the info from the ship about them and bar prices etc etc anything i could lay my hands on really. will try help but my computer really doesnt like doing post replies so may be short replies . doing ok today with it tho

Hi Pestee

I did the Adriatic Explorer at the end of May. A lot of bars and stalls, shops etc. in Croatia do accept Euros, but you get Kuna back in change. I took Kuna with me which I ordered from the Post Office. We visited Croatia on 3 days, I therefore took around £80 in Kunas. In Rovinj near were the tender boat docks, there is a lovely cafe bar and a Latte or Cappaccino for around 60p!!! Its really cheap in that respect! It even comes out on a silver tray with some biscuits and a glass of water.

If I can help further just let me know.

Debbie

We went a few years ago to Dubrovnich and Split and they came on board to change money. We only changed a little as they wouldnt change it back.
Also we did the Dubrovnick trip first time and it cost loads. The next year we walked to the end of the dock and got a bus ticket from a kiosk and got a bus into Dubrovnick. This cost pennies each and we were able to go at our own pace. We were sitting having a coffee when the tour came past like a herd of sheep! When we eventually decided to get back to the ship we hailed a taxi which cost 10 euro.
Apparantly you can also go by a little boat.
As well watch out for bunjee jumping off the bridge! A great sight!

If you are going to Split as well, there are lovely cafes along the front (round the bay) its not very far to walk and a great market.
Shirley

Can anyone tell me what it's like when at anchor off Santorini ? Have heard that local boats come out to take you to shore. Being a non swimmer and very fearful of deep water I'm wondering how on earth you get safely from the ship to the boats. When on the Destiny we didn't have to tender to shore at any ports.

hi Liverpoool Lou
often the tender boats are the ships life rafts and they are always very safe. Lots of crew are there to help you and they set up a platform for you to leave from. Its no more than a large step from the ship to the tender. Don't worry is very safe - and quite fun as well. Then you have a choice of getting to Santorini - by donkey or cable car. We took the less frightening option - the cable car. By the way, try to be on deck when you arrive or leave Santorinin as the scenery is quite breathtaking.
Shirley