ab0si

I have not heard of Eurobuzz, but I looked at their web site, and I see nothing to get excited about.

 

They seem expensive, and you pay for both incoming and outgoing calls.

 

The best plan for you depends on your useage, if you'll be making (or receiving) only a few calls, just stick with your home GSM carrier (T-Mobile, ATT, etc).

 

For heavy useage, make sure your GSM phone is "sim unlocked" and buy a local prepaid sim card for the country you're in. Then you'll get a local number, free incoming calls, and much cheaper local calls to the USA or Canada.

All true, but be aware that Italy requires pre-registration of sims/cell phones with an Italian number.

Some airlines, Aer Lingus, for example, offer 1 way at exactly 50% of a round trip fare.

Europe has many low cost airlines, so if saving money is very important (and you can keep your luggage light) you can fly across the Atlantic to City A and then get a cheap intra-Europe flight. More hassle, as your bags will not be checked through, but often cheaper. Many of these low cost airlines are not in the ITA database and don't use travel agencies, so you won't see them listed on Kayak, Expedia, et al.

If you give us your departure and arrival cities and date, we might be able to give you some more specific help.

It is in the upper tier for pricing, but Crystal does both vegetarian and vegan. Vegetarian offerings are on the menu every day; vegan needs to be ordered a day in advance (but, many of the vegetarian offerings are vegan, anyway).

I agree with the previous posting. The new AVE line makes train travel actually faster (central city to central city) than flying. Allowed weight and excess luggage for internal flights will amaze you if you fly. The train is comfortable, but do not expect interesting scenery.

Just curious--so forgive me for jumping in on your thread.

 

Do people actually read on a cruise? when

Sure do:) A "cruise" means different things to different people. My idea of a cruise is LA->Hong Kong 17 days, one stop in Hawaii and the rest sailing. We've done this cruise three times. Or cruising the LA->Miami through the canal. The last time we did that one, I got off the ship at one port to see a friend.

In addition, I can not remember the last time I went an entire day without reading a book (other than when in the hospital doped to the gills).

Some people drink tequila concoctions; some of us read. Different strokes.

I always carry one of my laptops. because ...

1) download digital pictures

2) burn CDs/DVDs of digital pictures (often for fellow passengers of their

pictures)

3) talking books and music (yes, I schlep my iPod also)

4) so my wife can play games

5) on-line check-in for flights; reconfirm hotels, etc. et al

Also, we never take just a cruise... there is always a land portion before and/or after.

For emails: I have my own domain, so I make up a new email address for each trip and give it to people who might really NEED to contact me. On board the ship, this will be the only address I check.

My favorite thing to do in Kiel:

take the train to Luebeck

My second favorite thing to do in Kiel:

take the train to Hamburg

there really isn't much to do or see in Kiel.

Paul

Several firms offer a free pick-up service. I know some of the Budget franchises do, for example.

Paul

I can't figure out where they would put the BalconyVision camera where you would not see it. I also have a hard time believing the cruise line would spend the money for such cameras plus the monitors, wiring/transmitters, plus the salaries of people to watch them.

Paul

FRA is a fine airport. Of course, if God punishes you and you land 4 hours late, there is not much you can do about it!. FRA is probably the best sign-posted airport I've seen. You should have no problems at all.