ollienbertsmum

It is true. Our ‘quick exit breakfast’ plan was first devised when we had a kettle in the stateroom (AOS) years ago. I suppose I never thought to change something that worked so well for us. In reality just a cup of coffee split between two though. 🤣🤣🤣

I understand your stress, I felt the same when going to Alaska. It will work out. Go early - you will not be alone so that will help. The journey has been explained multiple times and you can see advice on you tube e.g the advice about ticket validation is important. we have done the journey 7 or so times. I always get off at St Peter’s and start the day walking through the Vatican. We get the return from Termini, usually making sure that there are a couple of backup trains after the one we select. Just be sure to know that Termini is huge and the trains to Civi go from a platform that is a bit of a walk from the front entrance so get there at least 15 minutes before your train. If you get on in Termini you have more of a chance of getting a seat.

Great timing if you can get up in time. When we have wanted an early start we have always skipped breakfast - usually the one dressed first (guess that is always me) nips toThe buffet for a coffee and have had a yogurt or something in the room from the previous day. Then we do not waste time queuing. Between a breakfast andan early start I would choose the latter.

Yes. i have attached a map of where the Epic tender has dropped us off over the years (red marker). The walk to the Carlton which I have shown as an example is lovely (and flat). Lots to see around.

I had forgotten about getting on tour buses. Yes I have looked at those and thought ‘mum would not manage’ - that is not even taking going with a mobility scooter into account. Interested to hear from Kokopelli-az about push buttons to open the doors. Too late now for us, but ten years ago it may well have been the solution I wanted. I’m not sure where you are cruising, but in Europe, in your circumstances a private trip for five would be best booked ahead of time - and can be sourced online e.g by googling “ship tour to …” or some other wording. Then you can interact with the tour guide according to your needs. Planning ahead is the key.

One thing is going to an event, you will have budgeted for refreshments. Another thing is to have paid as a sort of ‘all- inclusive’ which is how I view a cruise once I have bought the drinks package. That sort of price for a milk shake???? I’ll wait until I get home and make one myself.

I do not have firsthand hand experience, but lots of observation on trips when considering whether a cruise would work for my parents, then in their 80s. They would have loved it as a 3 generation family holiday, I just knew that there were physical aspects we could not overcome. For me the main issue was opening the cabin door. I know that mum with weak arms and a frozen shoulder could not have opened either into or out of the cabin. Those doors are HEAVY. I have put thought to how I would cope when older. Im still not sure. There are narrower versions of rollators that are designed for use inside - but I can see that taking two rollators on a cruise is not really an option. On NCL I have seen the doors wedged open by the stateroom attendants with a plastic triangle. Are you mobile enough to use one whilst you are getting the rollator through the door? Maybe someone else can tell us if the accessible cabins have doors that will stay open for long enough to walk through, like a push button system. I think I would avoid the buffet in favor of dining rooms at mealtimes which means you have a waiter carrying your food. Just use the designated accessible area in the buffet when you do go for an afternoon tea or late evening drink. If it is quiet (on N CL at least) if a member of staff is around they would help you carry your cup. You do need to ask for help sometimes. Don't avoid the tenders! I have seen people take mobility aids on them. It is probably also best to ask about long and steep walks on the ports of call boards in case you won’t be able to cope ashore eg if there are long walks to any tourist sites. Also consider doing a ship tour. Even if you make your reservations online, once on board (and after the first day rush) go to the tour desk and ask about any hurdles you may encounter in the tender process. With enough notice you can always cancel. Although you are traveling solo, don’t think to yourself that you are traveling alone. There are always other passengers and staff around that would love to help if you ask. Seriously people do like to help, there is a bit of a feelgood factor when you help out. may you continue cruising for many years

Thanks, you are not insulting my intelligence. I am from Europe and have traveled to Asia, Africa and North America - but I don’t know the process of replacing a lost passport. I will be looking it up before my next trip.

DH is just the same for saying that he is foolproof, but he does keep stuff in the front tucked inside his pants. I think he is right that it would be a challenge for a thief but I think he could do better. In your position I would make sure that if either of you were assaulted, then the other has access to enough funds for both to continue their trip. ad to the backpack with hidden back pocket, that is what I use and feel it is as safe as can be expected. I keep my wallet, Id and phone in there. Perhaps a thief with a knife could access it if we were in, say, a crowded train. For that reason in busy markets or trains I turn my backpack around and have a it at the front. Not the most stylish way to walk around, but I still recall the heart sink feeling when I realized my wallet had been stolen. I don’t want to feel that again.

When we had 6 am arrival we have made it to the train station for 7:30 which you need to do to catch the 8 am train. I have written before that this means being one of the first off - and not going to breakfast. if you are going to catch a 9:15 am flight you would need to be at the airport at a similar time. If you only have carry on you have more leeway. Malaga airport can be busy in the morning. Not always, but you have to plan for the worst when traveling.

I’m team ‘go by train’. I’m not sure that I have that many photos from the train (nothing special) - but you do get a sense of the scenery across Spain. I have taken more photos along the trips - but nothing has been interesting enough for them to be saved.

I have always enjoyed my port days in Cannes. One stop we added a train ride to Antibes for a couple of hours. However if I was there during the film festival I would wander around/people watch/if it was warm have a swim from the public beach/eat something French - and so have a great day.

Thank you for telling your story. It sounds as if you were so calm and accepting during the experience. That must have made a difference. I had a close escape a number of years ago when we boarded in Malaga and the taxi driver (I am not convinced it was a genuine taxi) stole my credit card. I was lucky that my passport was not in the same bag. I read posts like yours because I feel so like ‘it could have been me’. I think that, apart from being calm, the other essential is that you have some breathing space on your credit card. Knowing that you can afford a last minute hotel and flight are so essential.

In my experience of numerous embarkation/disembarkation in Barcelona over the last 15 years, taxis are plentiful. I think that it would be more time consuming to take a shuttle somewhere else to get a taxi. Only the OP knows the plans they have for the day. I have to say that we were always one of the first off the ship. We sacrificed the last breakfast to get an early train home. If we were going for the day, I would still get off the ship promptly if going DIY. Bcn is one of my favorite cities with so much to see. I would wait in line for a taxi to my first destination of the day and walk/use the metro after that.

I love that photo. Their looks say “this is us and we are together forever”. Good luck to them. The gift is a great idea.

I have been on two eastern med cruises, lots in the western med. i like cruise 2 best. I would stay two nights in Venice pre cruise because Venice deserves it, but Trieste, nice as it is, is a couple of hours away by bus or train. You can also overnight in Athens to make the most of a beautiful and interesting city. You still get to visit Istanbul. I have been on several November cruises - loved the off-season calmness. One year we got caught in a storm that meant a cancellation of our port stop in Naples. It is a risk, we did not feel that it spoilt our cruise, but of course we had been to Naples before. I cannot recall sunset being an issue for us, really it is Santorini that has the big sunset ‘thing’. I think that it is overrated, sunsets can be beautiful everywhere. One of the problems of an early sunset in Santorini is that you have to get back to the ship after dark. The steps are dangerous in the dark. We shared a tender back with a lady who found this out to her cost. She avoided the cable car because she was scared of heights and ended up with a nasty break to her leg when she slipped. Crowds will not be an issue in November though. So at the end of the day I think it is about the ports you embark/disembark. You might need to watch some youtubes or read some blogs about the ports. happy planning

Thanks. I (reluctantly) took a couple to my daughter who needs building up after a wisdom tooth removal. She messaged me to say she enjoyed them (actually that is big praise). I read the recipe again and I realized I should have added the starch. I’m doing them again for sure

I finally got around to making latkes. I think mine are bigger than yours but the recipe said 1/4 cup for each one. I had to adapt slightly but I want to eat the whole plate ! The fifth one did not get to the photo

They look so good. I’m doggy sitting my grandog tonight. Tomorrow I’m going home to make them. Happy Hanukkah. I must get a dreidel too.

I have to agree with posters about using taxis with luggage. DH and I once tried to get from train station to our hotel which was right outside a metro station. It was my idea, and I have to say it was one of my worst! We travel fairly lightly in terms of luggage AND we are used to walking. The small amount of loose change saved did not compensate for the stress on the metro.

Graham - I still have Iona aft envy. I am sure you know I was booked on my *first ever* aft balcony on Iona in June 2020. Even though youngest went with me to Tromso in Feb this year I still regret not taking an amazing cruise.

Hang on, are they not the same word?

In the middle of summer the tourist sites are packed and it is soooo hot. I would have thought that the shoulder seasons might be more comfortable. I would have thought that travelling to Rome by a coach tour would be easier. There is a board “Disabled cruise travel” that might offer insight.

First congratulations on your 25th. You have chosen a good itinerary. Your first “must do” is visit the places with You tube and via blogs. This is the way you will find out which sites would interest you most in these cities. Then you can start joining the dots in terms of transport options. At this point you should come back and ask more specific questions. If you have a good time I am sure that you will return.

I would certainly think that staying overnight in Rome or Athens is a treat and would make a lovely change to Barcelona.