tcmagnum

On 5/3/2024 at 8:08 PM, Radio said:

 

I have thoroughly enjoyed your report on your trip to Bermuda.

This is on our 'wish list'.  So pretty.

Glass Beach will be visited.

Quick couple questions:  You said you rented a scooter.

Do you have a picture?  Who did you rent it from?  Daily or for the whole trip?

Thank you!!

On 4/28/2024 at 1:10 PM, Bobbi48128 said:

Hi.  i’ve booked a TA sailing from Rome to Port Canaveral in mid october    i’ve been to rome in october so i know what kind of weather to expect in the mediterranean ports.  but what about at sea.  what kind of temps would you expect while out at sea should i pack fall clothing? summer clothing, or winter clothing. is it warm enough to swim in the pool?  i’m going on ncl and don’t plan on dressing up at all. just want to be comfortable. 

thanks for any advice. 

I think we are on the same cruise this October and are starting to think of what to pack.  We are thinking layers like OldBear and Polar both suggested.  We will be optimistic and pack a bathing suit just in case, but....

On 5/3/2024 at 8:07 PM, YVRteacher said:

Back to Juneau!

 

After lunch we all walked to the Alaskan Fudge Company for truffles (so many truffles!)

 

 

I want them ALL!!!

On 4/30/2024 at 2:24 AM, YVRteacher said:

They did not know the Full Monty would be showing tonight in the spa.

If we get kicked off the ship due to indecent exposure, I’ll be really mad I don’t get those huckleberry truffles.

I am so very behind due to Kentucky Derby week, but I wanted to tell you that 'You are one hell of a daughter'!!  I'm at the beginning of the process that you are in the middle of with your father.  My parents are both starting down that long road.  Some days great, some days.... You are showing me how to use humor to get through whatever they throw at us.  I love the fact that you are traveling with him so much.  We still go to Vegas every 3 or so months since that's what they love and know.  I can't wait to see what else this cruise brings.  Hugs to you and your father.

11 hours ago, brookie848 said:

We've sailed in 17010 three times.

 

We like this cabin because it is the last 2-bedroom port side and it is obvious where your cabin is located by the break in the hallway (it makes sense when you are there). My husband also likes this cabin because it is right across from the Haven private gym.

Happy to hear you guys liked this cabin as we are in this cabin come October for a TA.

My sister wanted it because it was right across from the Haven gym.

Getting very excited!!

13 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

So many questions….do people bring puffins into businesses?  Is that such a large issue?

 

Assuming puffins can’t read their “stay out” signs.

Those were my exact questions...

What if the Puffin has cold hard cash to spend, can they come into store then?

42 minutes ago, surfnsun said:

Some Florence photos...

 

 

 

Loving your trip report.  Bringing up so many memories.

I am a carousel fanatic and have to ride one whenever I can.

So of course, I rode this one while my 3 best friends watched.

Our first Europe trip was a cruise on the Connie from Venice to Rome (back when cruise ships could cruise in/out of Venice).

You are going to LOVE Venice!!  Remember your goal in Venice is to get lost and see things you didn't know you needed to see.

22 hours ago, surfnsun said:

Ship photos...

Love going here in the afternoon for a cookie (or 3) for an afternoon snack.

Have a few for us!!

Love your Ninja Powers!!

I also think 'how you ask' will go a long way to getting the answer you want.

If you have a smile and are easy going...

But if you are grumpy gus, I wouldn't be surprised if they say no.

Good luck and let us know what happens when you are onboard.

On 3/27/2024 at 7:48 AM, smilegirl07 said:

 

All sounds so good!  We are flying in about a week prior to Rome and then will have to fly to Lisbon before the cruise starts.  And then once the cruise is over, we have another 3 days before we fly out.  I have NOT 🙄 worked out the little details where we are staying where we are going, etc before and after the cruise and I am realizing how quickly rooms are being sold out, excursions are being sold out, etc. Thank you for the info, all sounds so good, I am planning to take it easy since we have the kids but one of my daughters def wants to check out the Pisa!

You may want to check out Airbnb for your lodging in Rome.  This way you could get of center city and with more room than a hotel.  Bonus…You may get a place with a washer and possible a dryer.  Just read the reviews carefully.

On 3/11/2024 at 9:23 AM, PitCritter said:

Better late than never...

 

My apologies, I meant to post back sooner.

 

I can confirm that the no-show approach worked perfectly.  My aunt received a refund of taxes and fees to her CC and my mother checked in without any trouble.  I'm sure this is a regular occurrence.

Thank you for coming back and giving us an update.

We are looking at a no show due to one having a baby and wanted to have no issues.

May I confirm…You checked in your aunt like she was going and then did a no show?

Correct?

7 minutes ago, Travelicious said:

So many great suggestions!  I can't eat at them all, but I am definitely taking notes.  Unfortunately, I failed in my pre-cruise weight loss efforts, so I am a bit overwhelmed just thinking of all of that food before I even step foot on a ship!  

Since you get to go on a wonderful cruise, you have to take one for the team and eat ALL the food.  I'm looking forward to hearing where you go to eat and your thoughts.  I'm living vicariously!!

Enjoy!!

3 hours ago, OrcaGirl said:

Made it to FCO in plenty of time for my flight, though not without some misadventures.

 

The train from Civitavecchia to Rome Trastevere was arriving just as I made it to the platform, and I just jumped on. I didn’t even have a chance to look for a ticket booth, and no one asked me for a ticket. Sorry TrenItalia, I owe you one.

 

 

I turned on the data roaming on my phone to help me navigate and make sure I was going the right way. Which was especially handy on that first leg because there were no ‘the next station is…’ type announcements on that first train.

 

So as we pulled into Rome Trastevere, I knew it was my stop and I stood up and grabbed my bag. Unfortunately, because I am a polite Canadian, I let an older couple I recognized from the cruise ship get into the aisle ahead of me. Big mistake. Big. Huge. 😂 

 

They each had a large suitcase, and when the train stopped and the door opened, they paused right in the doorway while they tried to confirm that it was their stop. I was completely blocked, and despite me asking increasingly urgently to let me pass, they just…

didn't. 🤷‍♀️ 

 

So yay, I got to take the train an extra stop while trying to figure out on my phone how this might change my route or arrival time to the airport.

 

 

 

Fortunately, all’s well that ends well, and I was able to catch the right train at the next station, albeit with a much longer walk between platforms and having to carry my bag up and down a couple of flights of stairs.

 

This time I had enough time to find a ticket booth and pay my €8 fare for the train trip to the airport.

 

I arrived at FCO around 9:20am, so it ended up being just a little over two hours from the port to the airport.

 

I dropped off my bag, went through security, resisted the temptation to buy Italian gin packaged as motor oil, and headed to the Premium Plaza Lounge.

 

 

A lovely cappuccino, croissant and donut were my breakfast of champions, followed by some blood orange juice and a prosciutto and sun-dried tomato sandwich. Yum.

 

 

Heading to my gate now.

 

 

Random observations

 

Looks like everyone still smokes in Italy.

 

An Uber from the port to the airport would have been €170.

I’ll have a two-hour layover in Montreal, with time to answer questions about the cruise if you have any.

Glad your train adventure didn't turn into too much of an adventure.

Hope you have a safe journey home.

I'm a little sad your trip report is ending, but it has gotten me excited for my cruise.

Thank you!!!!

4 hours ago, Travelicious said:

We will spend 4 nights in NYC pre-cruise.  This will be our second time there.  The first time, we were unable to make it to Central Park, so that is one of the main goals.  Otherwise, I want to check out Chelsea Market, walk the Brooklyn Bridge, visit the Dumbo area and Dekalb Market Hall, and hopefully make it to Coney Island.  We'll see how the weather holds out for us getting all of this accomplished.  We like to walk a lot while on vacation, so plan to get around mainly by walking while in Manhattan.  Obviously, we won't walk to Coney Island, but will either take the bus or subway, or both.

 

We are booked for Gallagher's Steakhouse one night, and I hope to make it to Katz Deli one day for lunch.  Besides that, we'll add in some cheap eats, like $.99 pizza and Mama Jo's Breakfast Cart.  I'm pretty sure the cost of the hotel does not include breakfast.  😞 We are staying in Midtown, so "must eat at" recommendations are welcome.

If you have a sweet tooth, I highly recommend Serendipity 3. Located at 225 E. 60th St.  About .7 miles to the south/east of Central Park.  We didn’t expect much with it being popular because of a movie, but WOW!!  Frozen Chocolate was very good.

And I agree with the other post, skip the national chains for bagels.  Go to locally owned bagel shop. 
 

Have a great trip!!!

18 hours ago, PinkSandGirl said:

🍹

This view!!

Can't wait till it's our turn, but we still have 184 days (not that I'm counting).

Enjoy!!

20 hours ago, PinkSandGirl said:

Frozen Peach Banana Daiquiri with Malibu. 🍑🍌   Mmm...   I always make up my own flavor combinations. 🥰

🍹

 

 

 

 

 

 

I just found your live trip report and WOW!!  This trip sounds amazing.

Looks like you have found your 'cruising groove'.

And this drink!!!  Have a few more for me.

Hope you and your family have a great trip!!!

5 hours ago, Norwaylady said:

 

2 classes SAS Plus or SAS Go. Just before take off, I was like what is this smell? It’s like old socks 🧦🥴

Yep, a nasty smell of old socks…. 

 

Behind me was this “lovely” lady…. If my eyes could have burned her…. 👻 She would be on fire 🔥. She obviously didn’t see the problem🫠😵‍💫

So the socks and foot continued to be on my armrest all the way to OSL🫡

 

 

Passive Aggressively, accidently spill some water.

That would have done two things: remove the foot and wash it (well actually three things as the 'child' would have been angry and complained).

Some people!!

22 hours ago, Norwaylady said:

Oh hello there Summit⚓️ 

Love this one last picture of the Summit.

Thank you for taking us along with you!

9 minutes ago, DCGuy64 said:

I wonder if you could take a plate of potatoes to the omelette station (or someplace where there's a flat top) and ask the chef to jazz them up. Might be worth asking. No sense settling for 'bog standard' spuds on your holiday!

This is a great idea.  I wonder if it would work.  Worth a try!!

On 4/5/2024 at 8:05 PM, ceilidh1 said:

So yesterday was kind of a chill today - I drank a grand total of one beer and was in bed at 9:30! Even DS commented that I usually savour every last second and close the ship on the last night. I just didn’t have it in me after two days of hard partying. I guess this is getting old for you!

 

This morning I got up at 7:30am, grabbed some food at the buffet and brought it back to the room. DS and I ate, packed the last of our stuff, and left the room right at 8:30am - Stewart was just coming knocking to kick us out but I beat her to the punch! We were off the ship by 8:45am and in my house by 9am! I put in a full work day and now I’m in the process of unpacking and finding the next cruise to book!

Yes!!  You need to book another cruise so we can follow along.

Loved your writing style and I had fun vicariously with you!!

14 hours ago, OrcaGirl said:

Here we go again. I honestly didn’t think this cruise was going to happen for me, but I’m so happy it is.

 

I’ll be heading out on the Norwegian Epic for the 12-day transatlantic cruise from Orlando to Rome, with port stops in Gibraltar and Alicante. This will be my second time on the Epic (first time was the extended-due-to-COVID-shutdown cruise of the Epic in March 2020), second solo cruise, but first time sailing in an actual Solo cabin.

 

 

Very excited to read all about your exciting cruise!!!
We are on the return TA in October on the Epic.

Have never been on the Epic, so we will be looking for all your tips for an EPIC cruise!

Have a great cruise!!

11 hours ago, 81Zoomie said:

 

As we approached the passenger terminal, I spied someone whose cruise commentary we have followed for years!  We were quite surprised to find @Jim_Iain who will be joining the Solstice TP in a few days.  He has a  very large following on cruise critic and has such an enjoyable writing style!  We had a lovely chat and I can’t wait to follow his transpacific adventures 🛳️🌊🐬.

 

 

At the risk of being repetitive, DH had the lobster roll and I had kale salad.  The lobster roll was much fuller than on the last embarkation lunch!

 

 

 

 

Wonderful getting to meet @Jim_Iain!!  Love following his reports!!

Now that is a lobster roll!!  Looks so much better than the first one.

Congratulations on your first B2B!!

Doing a B2B is one of my goals!!

Have a great trip!!

10 hours ago, YVRteacher said:

 

As we were lining up/squishing in a smoosh for our NCL Shore Excursion some unfriendly lady grabbed me and pushed me. I said “don’t touch me” to which she responded “then get out of the way.” Ugh. 

#rude

 

So rude!!

I would have looked at her and said 'I hope you aren't allergic to poison ivy/oak'.

I have done this before (even when I didn't have poison ivy/oak) and it tends to get people to back off.  You can also use any other contagious skin rash - any of them work!!

3 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

Two complimentary pools, “beaches”, flow rider, games, loungers, day beds. 

 

 

 

 

We were pleasantly surprised by how much we enjoyed our afternoon in this port.

No plans.  Free to sit/swim in the pool.  And the 'beach' area was clean and quiet with the pool right there if you got hot.

10 hours ago, ceilidh1 said:

Where are my tribe members at????? I have shenanigans!!!! It’s almost midnight and you gotta wait. But they will be reported!

Very ready to hear about the shenanigans!!!  Hope they were some good/fun shenanigans!!