erby2283

update: nevermind. Finally got both emails. One the cancellation and one “well that didn’t go as planned.”  Lol

Is it taking awhile for people to get their confirmation emails? I did try and cancel and rebook the refreshment package and it showed my obc on my account. But “apply credit” button is greyed out when I try to click on it after entering an amount to use. Still I thought it processed but when I log on through the web instead of from the app, it’s still showing in my cart (but can’t apply the credit). I also still haven’t gotten an email regarding my cancellation of the package - which I know I did bc it let me add it to my name. 

If I booked the refreshment package and applied an onboard credit, if I cancel and repurchase at the lower rate, anyone know how long before the OBC shows back up in my account? If at all? Any chance I can immediately apply it again when I purchase now? Thanks in advance for the answers. 

44 minutes ago, SoloAlaska said:

Honestly it took me a prescription to finally make a dent in my weight loss. I was a classic yo-yo we’re I would loose 10-15 pounds and then put it all back on and more. I’m at almost 35 pounds lost in just over 4 months. I couldn’t do that if I didn’t have all the knowledge from before plus the support of the meds. Everyone’s body is different so do what works for you and feel no judgement if you need that extra help. 
 

Have you tried an alternative to diet soda? I know it’s a hard one to break the habit but the side drinkers I know that gave it up found it much easier to loose weight after.
 

You don’t need to eat salad to loose weight. The benefit to salad is it fills your stomach. My favorite “fill me up” food is a home made soup using home made bone stock, lots of protein, lots of veggies, good seasoning, and a small amount of whole grains. It’s easy to make each batch unique by switching the protein (I usually use chicken or pork) and switching what type of veggies you use. I try to avoid veggies high on the glycemic index except in moderation. Freezing portions is something that really helps me save on cooking time and I always try to have some at hand so I can have it when I get home instead of picking up fast food on the way etc.

 

Being healthy is so much more than our weight. Being active, toning our muscles, and having good mental health is all so important, it’s great that you already have been so consistent on going to the gym.

35 pounds is fantastic! That's about the amount I want to lose. I'm not against medication to help but  my deductible is $2,750 so I'd have to pay every bit of that before anything would be covered.  However, I may take a go at it when my physical rolls around next year. Between my migraine meds and this, I'd probably hit that deductible in one month and then everything would be free until the new health insurance year. 🙂

I enjoy soups too - but I wouldn't have the willpower to not add potatoes or pasta...lol. 

As for the soda, it's always been my ONE vice in life. I've never had an alcoholic drink, I never smoked, etc... but soda, soda is what I always want to drink.  I've never been able to cut it out completely, but when I try, I make deals with myself (drink 2 yeti's of water and then you can have a diet soda) and when i do that, I'm so full from the water that I usually end up only drinking 1-2 a day. Like you, I have heard so many people say cutting out the soda was key for them. I wish I could - slow poison is what my grandma used to call it. I just need to get stronger about making choices...nothing changes if nothing changes. 

18 hours ago, Jan_In_Maine said:

Erby2283 - Welcome to the group  -  I find that if I log everything that I've eaten and the number of calories that usually works (a little) - plus the exercise.  Sometimes we don't lose weight much, but we end up losing inches.  

 

Keep coming back each week ... we are all here to support each other.  Jan 

Thanks for the welcome. My family keeps saying you may not be losing but you're definitely healthier exercising/working out.

18 hours ago, SoloAlaska said:

Welcome Erby. This is an awesome little group full of support and understanding. Being a picky eater who likes variety must be really difficult when trying to make changes. 

Thank you. It's extremely hard. Just eat a salad...how can I do that when I don't like lettuce, tomato, cucumbers, cheese, dressings, etc.  LOL  Did I mention I was picky? 🙂

15 hours ago, Izena said:

Welcome Erby.   We are a supportive group.   Everyone seems to take a different approach.  It does help to have the accountability of weighing.    This  has been an awkward year for me health wise - trying to remain positive  -  it does help to keep track of what you’re eating whether is carbs, calories or points.     

Thank you.  I have tried to log foods in the past but then I stop when I forget.  I've even tried products like Noom or myfitnesspal, carb manager, Numi.....  I just really think every woman is different and until we find what it is that works best for our bodies, it will be hard to be successful.

I did pick up some ingredients to make a tea that's supposed to help stimulate fat burning and aid in digestion, etc.  Going a little bit outside my comfort zone bc I don't like lemon flavor and the tea contains water, ginger, lemon, cinnamon and a tad of honey.  I figure I'll try it - can't be worse than the stuff I had to swallow for my colonoscopy prep....LOL.

Hi everyone - wanted to jump in on the conversation and introduce myself.  When I booked my May Icon cruise last November, I said I wanted to lose about 30 pounds.  I had just had my hip replaced (at 48) and was just able to get back into walking and exercising.  Here we are a year later and I've lost....oh....about 3 lbs.... smh.

I go the gym and work out 2-3 times a week for the last 3 months - lost nada.  Was swimming before that - lost nada.  

Not gonna lie, as an Italian, I am a carb junkie.  I did well on low carb a few years ago but I am so darn picky that it's just not sustainable for me. I get tired of eating the same thing and as picky as I am - it's not much. I also drink a lot of diet soda so I'm sure that doesn't help.  Still not going to give up and hope to be able to lose some weight before May - I still have time...but then again the holidays are coming up.

I agree - love your google sheets! I usually use trip it but I love your google sheets! I searched through their templates but didn't see any I liked as much as yours...but couldn't find the one you used either...

There is a tour company called Sandra's (something - google sandras tour santorini) that offers tours that bypass the cable cars in both directions. However, someone on our cruise boards recently did her tour and said the beginning of the tour was pure chaos - not being able to find the guide, and people walking around aimlessly not knowing where to go.  So it cut into their tour time.  She sent an email to the tour company and the tour company replied that she is trying to work on the situation.  Hopefully we get some better reviews in the next few months. Is chaos during the beginning of a tour better than a 2+ hours wait at the cable car? That is the question. 

When I cruise in 2019, we were advised that tender tickets would be passed out an hour before we docked (I think that would have made it 6 am).  But I needed to be on the first tender to make a private excursion, so we were the first ones in line at 5 am and given a ticket close to 6.  Then went back to the room and finished getting ready until they started calling for for Tender Ticket #1! 

1 hour ago, ninjacat123 said:

BTW, I heard back from Sandra of Sandras Cruise Tours!  Her email stated:

 

HI I have been working with the operator on this and am still doing so, soon as I get an update I will send email to all guests

 

Thank You

Sandra Oleary

709 691 2750

 

I'm thinking she is trying to fix the beginning of the tour.  That would make a huge difference!

Glad she responded - she has 10 months to get it fixed - well 9 I guess so I can make my decision....lol

I’m right there with ya. Been before and can’t find anything so really want to do. Plus we leave at 3pm so it doesn’t leave much time to venture to St John. 

3 hours ago, ninjacat123 said:

So, I discussed it with Craig and this is what we would do if we were on another cruise that had Santorini as a port...Wake up at least by 5:00am and if no one is coordinating the line up with post its, we would do it.  Get on the first tender to the Old Port.  There was no line for the cable cars when we got off the first tender.  Get up to Fira via the cable cars. Wander around, get some pics, eat a gyro, buy souvenirs, have a glass of wine at a restaurant with a view (The Vine was great with a wonderful view, but you had to order lunch to sit at a table, we sat at the bar) then get back to the cable cars and head back down to the Old Port by noon.  We spoke with a woman from our cruise who did this and she said she didn't wait for the cable cars. This would be the cheapest (6 euro each way) and hopefully the least stressful. Yeah, you don't see Oia but it was so crowded there it didn't feel as special as I thought it would.  My 2 cents.  Now, if we were spending the night in Santorini we could do a lot more.  But that's another trip😉

My only concern is that two other ships arrive  an hour before us and three more of us arrive at 8. So I would already be worried the line to the cable car would be getting long from these other two ships arriving before us. 
 

Also, if it’s just some random person organizing the sticky notes for tender tickets, do people really listen to that person? I mean what’s to keep some people from saying that they’re not going to take your number or follow the numbering system bc you’re not affiliated with the ship? 

Thanks for taking the time to write up your synopsis.  I was still weighing the Carnival excursions versus Sandra's but if a tour company can't even respond, I doubt they really care about their customer service.  There is a guy on our sailing who is a TA and selling tours that he is putting together and I'm just shocked at the prices he is charging.  He advised about a private tour in Santorini which bypasses the cable cars but the price - $179 each - and most of his tours are like 4-6 hours.  I guess I'll just stick to my Carnival Cruise excursion - even though we may have to head back way earlier than we'd want, I'm not interested in dealing with the fiasco of Sandra's Tours - unless I read more posts between now and Sept that things have improved! I can find other private tours way more affordable than what the cruise line and this guy is offering and they have great reviews!

On my one previous trip to the Mediterranean, we were lucky to have an overnight in Venice.  It was great to enjoy Venice in the day and night - and to just wander with no plans. I LOVED Venice and wish we were going back this time but it's not meant to be.  

4 minutes ago, not-enough-cruising said:

Thank you. I am well aware the published position statement on the topic. 
 

Behind the scenes personnel, as I stated above, are not tipped positions. My cruise fare covers their salary. 

No worries - I have the same opinion as mentioned earlier - you do you and I'll do me. 

Unless we have worked for a cruise line, I don't think we can so for sure where their salary comes from. Maybe they're guaranteed a rate and the cruise line hopes  the auto-tips cover those salaries and if not, they pitch in the rest???? Who knows for sure?  I personally leave the auto-tips on and prefer to tip my steward, and dining staff additionally according to service. It's the cruise lines being greedy, not their staff who leave their families for months at time - many work for weeks at a time without a day off.  So if a little extra money can help and I have it, more than happy to do it. I'm never one to push my ideals and values on others - it's just what I choose to do. 🙂

7 minutes ago, not-enough-cruising said:

Since win are laundry staff and dishwashers, tipped positions? 
 

Clean linen and clean flat ware are the bare minimum expected for my exorbitant cruise fare
 

"As a way to reward our crew members for their outstanding service, gratuities are shared among dining, bar & culinary services staff, stateroom attendants and other hotel services teams who work behind the scenes to enhance the cruise experience."  

Do these tips not also pay for the "behind the scenes" crew that you don't see or wouldn't necessarily think to tip? Like the laundry crew, or buffet staff? Just a serious question. 

On 10/25/2023 at 8:59 AM, gumshoe958 said:

Looking at the prices they’re charging, people for whom money is no object.

Absolutely not true - I booked Nov 2022 and price for our balcony on deck 12 was $1045 (3 adults to the cabin - room total was $3135 for all of us). All about demand the timing. 

On 10/25/2023 at 9:05 AM, Newcruiser215 said:

I booked the day reservations opened. 

We pretty much did too - and am so glad we did. Probably the only time we'll get to sail her. 

I could be wrong but I also believe I read that Carnival also has no scheduled stops in Santorini in 2025 either. 

Loved your pics today! My grandfather was born in Sicily - in a little fishing town called Licata.  In fact, I've been researching on dual Italian citizenship but it's proving a little complicated and I don't feel like forking out money for an attorney to handle it...lol.   Last time I cruised Europe, we sailed the Strait of Messina and I swore I'd make it to Sicily next time to honor my grandpa so I'm very excited for our stop in Messina next year. ❤️  In fact, last time, while sailing the Strait of Messina, there was a yellow butterfly that appeared and was flying all around me - yes, I believe in signs. 

21 hours ago, IntrepidFromDC said:

 

Split looks like quite the consolation prize... not like losing Half Moon Cay and getting Freeport.

 

 

 

If you're a Game of Thrones fan, there are some wonderful tours in Split from when they filmed there. Plenty to see around port too.

13 hours ago, ninjacat123 said:

Good morning Katakolon!! We are taking it slow today, possibly just wandering a bit. 

36 degrees here in Charlotte this morning - I'd say that's a heatwave...lol

8 minutes ago, singinalot said:

 

thank you! relationship change but it is the best for both of us. 

Excited to look at new countries and get to planning

 

I'm sorry - it's still tough even when for the best. I'm three years out of a 12 year relationship and we're much better friends than bf/gf. Hard at first but definitely for the best. I wish you a future of happiness and much travel. I'm sure you'll find the person for you.

7 minutes ago, singinalot said:

 

definitely a great score! and don’t blame you on the savings for sure

Thanks. I'm kind of a stalker when planning. Had researched all different airports we could fly into and take the train to FCO if needed, etc.  Taking the trains around town and even to port still scare me a little but I'm sure we'll figure it out. 

I did feel like I scored yesterday with roundtrip non-stop airfare to FCO (main cabin) for $913! Premium economy is $350 extra (each way) but that $700 would pay for most, if not all of my excursions right now so it's hard to fork that out just for seats. 

5 minutes ago, singinalot said:

Who’s ready for the solo adventures of singinalot? That’s right, changes on the horizon and in process. Next trip I’m looking at is Lisbon or Amsterdam in December. We shall see.

Oh no....I hope this is just for a vacation and not a relationship change...or if it is, I hope it's what you wanted. But yes, I am ready! Love your reviews.....and your planning. 

4 minutes ago, singinalot said:

 

 

ohhhh I so hope you get to go this time! 

One note I would say is to skip Sorrento and force them to take you to Positano only so you have more time. I want to go back to Sorrento and spend more time and honestly trying to fit the two in the same day is just not enough!

 

Happy to share Carmine’s information. He is Rick Steve’s recommendation. Carmine Foggia foggiacarmine@gmail.com owns See Amalfi Coast tours. I think he’s 3rd generation of your guide? He’s truly passionate about giving an italian experience. tell him singinalot referred you!

 

we paid 400euros for our private day. a bit of an increase from prices in 2019, but I get it and still totally worth it 100%

Thank you - We asked Italytours if they would skip Sorrento and they said they would only do it if we booked a private tour @ 209EU each.  I still have 11 months to make plans so we'll see 🙂  I'll check out Carmine though - thank you. 

1 hour ago, erby2283 said:

So overall, was the frustration worth the not having to deal with the cable cars? That is the question - and that is what tour operators like Sandra should understand - people are willing to spend the money for her tour knowing that it allows them to bypass the cable car mess but they have to get their act together.  They should at this point.

 

Overall did you feel you had enough time in port? How long did you get to spend in Oia and Fira? And what time did you get back to the ship in relation to when you leave port?

Thank you - perhaps in your review to Sandra you should let her know that there could be a good market for her with good word of mouth her on CC but after what you experienced, many are now scared to use her touring company - perhaps others are daring enough to book between now and next Sept when I cruise and we'll hear better reviews. 

Again, appreciate the feed back and hope you are enjoying the beautiful, yet busy, itinerary!

So overall, was the frustration worth the not having to deal with the cable cars? That is the question - and that is what tour operators like Sandra should understand - people are willing to spend the money for her tour knowing that it allows them to bypass the cable car mess but they have to get their act together.  They should at this point.

Overall did you feel you had enough time in port? How long did you get to spend in Oia and Fira? And what time did you get back to the ship in relation to when you leave port?