The world is my oyster

More information to come.

We booked our Malta vacation with Airtours. Although we had a bad experience with them in Santorini, the price was to good to pass up.

We booked our tour in January 2010 and paid the full price 7,498 kr in February 2010. At that time the price in dollars was 1,072. This price included round trip air (coach) from Stockholm on SAS, round trip coach transfer airport/hotel, 4 nights in a 5 star hotel (Corinthia Palace), 4 full breakfasts, free shuttle to three locations on the island from the hotel (several times daily).

Additional expenses included:

Stop on our mail 100 kr 10 € $ 12
Cat hotel 780 kr 78 € $ 97
Parking 300 kr 30 € $ 36
Gasoline 250 kr 25 € $ 30
Dinners (3 at the hotel) 1166 kr 116 € $ 145
Bus transportation on Malta (5day pass) 222 kr 22 € $ 265
Misc. food and entertainment on Malta 1300 kr 135 € $ 162

STTL 4118 kr $ 511
STTL 7498 kr $1072
TOTAL 11616 kr 1205€ $1583

The flight was smooth as silk. SAS did a great job as always.

Air Tours gets high marks for providing exactly what they promised.

Corinthia Hotel was not 5 star although by Malta standards it was an excetionally nice hotel for a very reasonable price. The room was large, clean and comfortable. Jackie, our housekeeper, get top marks for taking such good care of us. Her english was great. The inventory for the mini-bar was incorrect. I had it emptied and we used it to keep our goodies cold. The front desk was great. Very responsive, helpful, and again great english which is so helpful when it is the only language you speak. The concierge service was not very helpful. They were unable to provide the level of detail we needed. The hotel is old and has a formal feel to it. The dining room staff are a bit stiff, but that seemed fine in this formal setting. The smart casual dress code was not really enforced, which was fine with us. It must be said that the breakfast was very good as were all the meals we ate at the hotel. The pool area is very nice but not if you have a handicap. The poolside staff were often missing so you had to serve yourself. We had no problems and although the pool water was way to cold for my wife, I enjoyed it. The indoor pool area was not to our liking. We both felt the hotel was a 3+ on an international standard and although we would not stay there again (because of location) we would recommend it to someone who was looking for a nice relaxing place to spend some time.

Sunday - I purchased a large bottle of Bailey's at the Malta airport for €14. It was great with the coffee in our room each morning and evening. After a smooth trip to the hotel and a painless checkin, we went to the bus stop near the hotel and headed to Kirkop for the "Cottage Cheese Festival". The people on the bus and at the festival were very helpful and friendly. We walked around, ate pasta, drank beer and wine, listened to music and talked to the locals. We bought 2 bottles of local wine for €3. The wine was not so great, but for €3 what could we expect. We
had dinner at the hotel and it was very nice (starter, soup, main, and dessert cart. We had a nice quiet evening and slept like babies.

Monday - The hotel shuttle took us to Sliema in the morning. It is a busy place with lots of bars, restaurants, and shops. We walked around and to tell the truth we found nothing of great interest. It is on the ocean and it was nice to sit and watch the waves. We met with our internet friends Mark and his beautiful wife Mette. They are the best. We had coffee and they gave us a briefing on the wine bars on Malta. They also gave us a list of their favorites including addresses and phone numbers. This couple are full of fun and energy and love Malta. Mette is Swedish and she and my wife had a great time talking about the Swedish community on Malta. By the time we finished our coffee, my wife was ready to move to Malta. After coffee it was off to Valletta for a late lunch and to see the sites. We visited St. John's Co Cathedral which cost €12 which we thought was fair. The cathedral is beautiful. We ate lunch at Da Pippo Tratoria, 136 Melita Street. This was a real find and I would like to thank those who recommended it to us. We were served antipasta and bread, ordered a local red wine and had pasta and "red sauce". Everything was delicious, everything. The place was packed, with lots of chatter. Lots of local families and friends. The entire meal for 2 with wine and an after dinner drink was €35, I added a €5 tip and they probably should have received more. We will return there when ever we are in Malta and recommend you find the place if you are in Valletta. What a place! After eating we walked around Valletta. It is a nice place but IMO does not require more than an hour or so. We went back to the hotel, had dinner and went to bed.

Tuesday - Today was fun. After another great breakfast we walked to Balzan from the hotel. We were looking for a bus to Mgarr. We never found the bus but did meet a very helpful man who drove us to Mosta. We wanted to see the Domed church, but there was a double funeral, an old politician who was very well known and a 19 year old boy. There were hundreds of people dressed in black so we decided to forget the church and go to Mgarr to see the ancient ruins. The ruins ended up being a pile of old (5000 BC) rocks. The rocks we of no interest to us, but we did stop in and have a cold beer at the local hole-in-the-wall. There were several locals having coffee and they were interested to talk with Maria and I about anything and everything. The Maltese that we met were as friendly as any locals we have met anywhere in our travels and they all speak great english. One of them drove us Mosta where we caught the bus to Mdina. The walled city in Mdina was nice, but we got there at about 2pm and there were hundreds of tourists and hundreds of school children. Maria like the place, I would have been happy if we skipped it. We got back to the hotel and spent some time in the sun by the pool before chinese dinner and bed.

Wednesday - After breakfast we walked to the San Antone Gardens across from the hotel. Beautiful place. There is a great exhibit there which shows the history of the people of Malta. If you visit the gardens you should visit the exhibit. We left a €6 donation which is more or less expected. Again we met a very nice local lady who added lots of first hand information about Malta. From the gardens we walked to Attard. It is a small, quiet village. We had a great cold coffee, and then walked to a wine bar for a great bottle of wine and some more friendly conversation. Maria and I would be happy to live in this small village. We took the bus back to the hotel and spent the afternoon by the pool. That evening we had an early dinner at the restaurant across from the hotel. Although many have
recommended it, we thought it to be overpriced, the food was below standard, and the service bad. It was a €65 mistake, and the only one we made while on vacation. After dinner we took the hotel shuttle to St. Julian's and took a long walk to Tiffany's wine bar. It used to be called Portovino. It is a very nice place and we would have stayed longer if we had not made arrangements to be picked up by the hotel shuttle at 9 pm. We had 3 glasses of very good local wines and would return to this wine bar again on our next visit to Malta.

Thursday - After breakfast we checked out and the trip home was great. Overall we enjoyed Malta and will go back. There was so much we did not see. We will try to stay in Valletta because most of the buses start and stop there. We will also go for a longer period of time (a week to 10 days). We did not save money with the bus pass, but it was worth it because we did not need to carry coins. If you go to Malta and stay at the Corinthia Palace and if you eat at the restaurant across the street, stick to the pizza.

There are 5 properties which meet our needs for or London 2010 trip. These addresses seem to have apartment id #'s. Simply copy and paste.

www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/England/holiday-apartment-London/p65348.htm?uni_id=1026694

www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/England/holiday-apartment-London/p65348.htm?uni_id=1026694

www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/p400542

www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/England/holiday-apartment-London/p53759.htm

www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/p401960

Royal Caribbian - Brilliance of the Sea Ref # is 8534989 for on-line account.
1st4cruising (Confirmation # A003247).
Brilliance of the Sea's guest services on-board telephone number is 0017323353285 Ext 15.
RC Incentive Sales telephone number is 1-800-345-7225.

Departure Date - November 30, 2009.
Length of Cruise - 12 nights 13 days.
Superior Balcony (category D1) cabin #9576.
Trip booked through 1st4cruising.
Booking agent Camilla e-mail (judith.edwards@1st4cruising.com).
1st4crusing telephone number is - Skype +4408448715656 Open at 10AM -Camilla.

Total cost for 2: 2887 pounds sterling includes the following:

Parking for 15 days at Moby. (Includes R/T transfer to Arlanda approx.40 pound sterling extra).
R/T flight for 2 from Arlanda to Heathrow via SAS (approx.260 pounds sterling extra).
Transfer for 2 Heathrow/Sheraton. (approx. 8 pounds sterling extra).
Hotel 1 night for 2 Sheraton Heathrow.
R/T transfer for 2 Heathrow/Sheraton. (approx 8 pounds sterling extra).
Flight for 2 from Heathrow (lht) to Barcalona Airport (bcn) via BA. (About 221 pounds sterling)
Transfer for 2 from Barcalona Airport to the boat. (About 8 pounds sterling)

Cabin D1 Superior Balcony, Deck 9 Room 9576 (12 nights for 2).
Meals for 2 - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner in the Minstral or Windjammer or room (early seating small table). Plus soft drinks, hot drinks, water, and snacks.
Entertainment in the theater, movie house, poolside and clubs.
Pre-paid gratuity for 2 for waiter, asst. waiter, and room steward.
Airport and port taxes for 2.
On-board credit of (approx. 135 pounds sterling) for 2.

Transfer for 2 from the Boat to Barcalona Airport upon return. (About 8 pounds sterling)
Flight for 2 from Barcelona Airport to Heathrow Airport. (see above)
Transfer for 2 from Heathrow Airport to Sharaton Hotel.(approx. 8 pounds sterling extra).
Hotel 1 night for 2 - The Sharaton Hotel.
Transfer for 2 to Heathrow from Sheraton Hotel.(approx. 8 pounds sterling extra).
Flight for 2 from Heathrow to Arlanda. (see above).
Transfer for 2 from Arlanda to Moby. (see above).

Deposit of (700 pounds stirling) was paid on 12/03/2008.

Additional Expenses:

Porters for baggage handling (approx. 24 pounds sterling).
Meals Lunch and dinner the day before the cruise. (approx. 60 pounds sterling).
Drinks - $100 cocktails (50 x special cards).
Inquire about wine packages (12 bottles approx 120 pounds sterling).
Room service breakfast for 2 for 10 mornings (approx. 20 pounds sterling).
Room service dinner for 2 for 2 nights (approx. 30 pounds sterling).
Specialty restaurants 2 nights for 2 (approx 200 pounds sterling).

Itinerary (Note: you cannot apply for a visa more than 90 days in advance).

Day 1 Barcelona, Spain No Visa Required

Day 2 Cruising

Day 3 Valletta, Malta

Walking from Valletta toward Sliema along the strand.

The fountain at the bus terminal.

From the bus terminal you walk away from the city through the linear Maglio Gardens, located between two roads, the Mall and Triq Sarria (triq is Maltese for street or road). There are usually some vacant seats in this area so if the sun's shining, which it usually is, it's a good spot to eat the cakes.

Valletta and its suburb town of Floriana are perched on the steep Sciberras peninsula jutting out into Malta's two deep natural harbours, Grand Harbour and Marsamxett Harbour. Floriana lies within Valletta's landward fortifications which extend to the Portes des Bombes on the main approach road. This suburb town has fine gardens laid out in the time of the Knights. Check out both Republic Street for jewelry and the Upper Barrakka Garden for photos.

The grid of narrow streets house some of Europe's finest art works, churches and palaces.

Walk along the strand toward Sliema to check out the marinas.

Day 4 Cruising

Day 5 Alexandria, Egypt - We will stay on the ship. Visas would cost 70 Euro.

Day 6 Port Said, Egypt - We will stay on the ship. Visas would cost 70 Euro.

Day 7 Limassol, Cyprus - We will stay on the ship. Just does not seem worth the effort to get off here.

Day 8 Rhodes, Greece - Swedish passport should be good here. If so check out old town. Have a cheap beer. Maybe even a rented boat R/T to Faliriki to check out the strand and Luna Park. Try to find a good Emery Wine Cellars wine. Research the Colossus of Rhodes. The Old Town, as the locals call it, is today one of the best preserved fortified medieval towns and has been listed by UNESCO and a world cultural heritage monument. Walking down its paved streets, admiring the imposing Knightly buildings, the walls and their dry moat and the bastions, the Byzantine churches and the mosques, the squares, gardens and courtyards of houses, the visitor feels that time has stopped while at the same time discovering that this unique town is still living, full of surprises and just asking you to explore it.

Day 9 Athens (piraeus), Greece
Day 10 Cruising
Day 11 Sicily (palermo),Italy

If you visit Taormina use Sicily Life, the driver spoke perfect English and ran informative comments about the places we passed on our 40 minutes drive to Taormina. I can highly recommend him and his company (Sicily Mount Etna tours Taormina apartments...by SicilyLife. Taormina is a charming medival town pearched on the mountainside overlooking mount Etna with plenty of palaces, squares, staicases and small side alleys.

Day 12 Cruising
Day 13 Barcelona, Spain

One of the signature spots is its Solarium. The glass roof-topped pool features an African Safari-themed ambiance, complete with life-sized stone elephants, and fountain and other water effects. It's a lovely, peaceful spot for relaxing. Its loungers are comfy and topped with thick cushions. There's also a whirlpool.

There are coffee stations in the Windjammer cafe, one of which is are open 24 hours a day. In addition there are pizza, pasta and panini outlet called Seaview cafe. The food there is really good.

If you want cakes and cookies you can have them for free from the coffe shop; Latte tudes.

You can pre-book online different wine packages which include either 5 -7 -10 or 12 bottles. They also sell the packages in 3 different price levels; Diamond, gold and platinum.

The ship will add on 15% service charge on all the beverages you purchase, including packages. You may also be asked to pay a corkage fee if you take this wine to dinner with you.

Also worth remembering is that if the cruise is only sailing within the EU countries they have to add on a 17.5% sales tax on everthing you purchase!!!
I guess that if you are sailing to Egypt ports this tax will not apply.

If you sail in a Grand Suite and above you get to use the concierge lounge with free coffees (24 hours) and free house drinks (usually 530pm-830pm) plus other perks. Can I take the free coffees and drinks back to my cabin?

www.royalcaribbean.com the latest prices are: (also watch 1st4cruising.com)

7 D1 cabins at 28060.

7 JS cabins at 45540.

7 GS cabins at 58120.

6 OS cabins at 76680.

Ask the cabin steward for extra pillows.

It is a good idea to arrive early at the Windjammer to beat the crowds because it could get very frantic up there at times for lunch on the day of departure. Expect chaos and you won't be disappointed.

Visit the pursers Office early and see if there is a Grand Suite or better available and what it would cost to change cabins. It is worth it if you can get the cabin for about $600 pounds sterling. The Grand Suite includes free house drinks and light food in the Concierge Club.

Upon arriving in the port area for boarding, there were tents and porters to check your luggage with. I had been issued e-documents and had my cabin information and what was needed to be printed on the tag, but once I gave the porter my cabin number he had already filled out the 2 tags with additional information needed and put them on. We tipped him.

Ship layout:

Level 13 - Putting green and Viking Crown Lounge

Level 12 - Seaview Cafe, Fitness Center, Spa, Sky Bar, Crown and Anchor Lounge

Level 11 - 2 Pools, 3 Hot Tub, Fitness Center, Thermal Suite, Solarium, Pizza, Solar Bar, Pool Bar, Windjammer Cafe,

Level 10 - Concierge Club, Yacht Club

Level 9 - Our assigned cabin, Library

Level 8 - International Ambassador Desk

Level 7 - Royal Caribbean Online

Level 6 - Pacific Theatre, Cinema, Scoreboard Sports Bar, Casino, Champagne Bar, Schooner Bar, Chops Grille, Portofino, Bombay Billiard Club, Calcutta Card Club, The Colony Club, Singapore Slings, Jackarta Lounge

Level 5 - Pacific Theater, Promenade Deck, Shops, Latte-Tudes Coffee Shop, Minstrel Dining Room

Level 4 - Royal Caribbean online, Lobby Bar, Guest relations, Explorations, Zephyr Dinning Room, Minstrel Dining Room

Level 3 and 2 - Rooms Only

I have clients all over the world and it's not a problem to either get their cabin reduced or get them upgraded whenever the price goes down as long as special do not specify for new bookings only. With RCCL we can get price reductions up until a few days before sailing - and these rules are the same for everyone no matter where you live.

I have to wonder why they offer incentives to new bookings only, leaving those who have booked early holding the bag. I would hesitate to book early if I have to pay more money for the same benefits or more benefits for the same money.

Tipping

I agree with Patty. $1-2 for a few items and $4-5 for a breakfast-lunch or dinner tray.

I would also take into concideration how fast the order arrives to your cabin and how much the poor room service waiter has to carry.

I feel the need to correct a couple of things about tipping. I don't think there are assigned seats in the theater. You show up and sit in whatever is available. The trick there is to show up early. If you sit closer to the front, you're more likely to get free stuff, or be asked to participate on stage. We usually sit up in the balcony and watch the action.

Since the room service is free, what you tip is up to you. Depends on how many full meals you order. But I highly recommend the room service on Royal Caribbean. Especially breakfast as well as hot chocolate and cookies before bed.

Definitely tip the porters - $2 per bag. Remember the porters in the terminal are not the same ones that bring the bags to your cabin. Your bags are heavy. Surely that alone deserves a tip. When you show up at the terminal, they'll hop right on it for you. And they'll bring luggage tags, just in case.

I only tipped the maitre d' on this last cruise because we were initially placed in the late seating when we requested the early seating. We were moved to the early seating, so I left a small thank you tip for the maitre d' at the end of the cruise. I did not tip him when I requested the change. I suppose it could have greased some wheels, but he told me because we booked our cruise very early, he didn't think moving us would be a problem. If we have been a last-minute booking, I might have slipped him a $20 with my request.

You are getting good info about tipping!

Tipping tour guides/drivers is appropriate whether your tour was booked through the cruise or on your own. No tipping necessary to the folks on the ship who work the excursion desk.

At the pier the porters will take your bags when you arrive and put them in big carts/bins for loading on the ship. $2 per bag for these guys is the standard.

When you depart the ship and pick up your bags in the terminal building you have the option of using a porter to take your bags to the curb (they do not take bags past the pick up zone) .....or you can take your own bags at that point. If you use them, the same standard $2 tip per bag is appropriate.

On the ship your bags will be brought to your cabin and left outside your door. No tipping required or expected. You will probably not see the person who drops them off, anyway.

Room service is delivered by the food service people, not your cabin steward. Tips for these folks are not included in your automatic tips.

If you order any drinks from room service that require payment, you will be presented with a bill to sign and the tip for that purchase is added to the bill.

All items used out of the mini bar/refrigerator will have a 15% tip added, even though you served yourself. I suppose that is to cover the person who restocks the mini bar.

I don't remember if this has been mentioned in this thread ...... you will need to put your packed bags (the ones that you don't plan to carry off the ship yourself) outside of your door the evening before you leave the ship, Usually by 11 PM on Royal Caribbean. They must have the bags ready to off load as soon as the ship is cleared when you dock.

Departure from the ship is in groups and you will get a colored tag to attach to your luggage to denote which group you are in. Your bags will not be available to pick up in the terminal until your color is called to depart the ship. This is to prevent utter chaos (as opposed to regular, everyday chaos)

Be sure to keep your clothes for the next day .... wouldn't want you to have to use the bed sheet to depart the ship! The cruise directors always make jokes about this!