RICHARD@SEA

I have been looking forward to the start of Explora Cruises.... I am old enough  & fortunate enough to have experienced the Italian, Home & Sitmar Lines of the 1960's-1980's.

I like the MSC product - in a balcony cabin on longer cruises....the Italian flavor is quite evident in many areas & the international presencce of crew & passengers usually make for a more fun cruise.

After watching the latest videos of Explora ! I see the influence of Italian design, a touch of contemporary glamour & a ship that is a very nice size - I just hope the cuisine & officers/ crew are equally delcious - ITALIAN STYLE!!!!

Unfortunately this rowdy party behavior is widespread - in many places like Fort Liquordale the young ones(16-35) have made a spring break that is no more than a drunken brawl where hotels are ripped apart, pools are unusable & the streets are full of drunk & stoned people.

so its not just the Brits - these "HEN" parties are horrible..in Phoenix they now ban them in hotels & BNB.

The cruise lines are responsible..... smaller ships are still able to sail the Norwegian Fjords.  Funny thing is that Bermuda built a larger dock are years ago - and yet the nicest cruise to Bermuda were the ones that docked right in Front Street & even sailed over to St George for a day..... only the smaller ships can do that.

UnThis is the wave of NOW...not the future...

many ports around the globe have already started putting limits on the size of passenger ships allowed to dock in cuty centers.

I actually applaud this...the ports were never built to accommodate such large vessels & the cruise lines don't seem to be in a hurry to up the Environmental Impact solutions - except to build larger ships.

This is the wave of NOW...not the future...

many ports around the globe have already started putting limits on the size of passenger ships allowed to dock in cuty centers.

I actually applaud this...the ports were never built to accommodate such large vessels & the cruise lines don't seem to be in a hurry to up the Environmental Impact solutions - except to build larger ships.

Amsterdam to close cruise ship terminal amid effort to restrict tourism | Netherlands | The Guardian

YOU CAN NEVER GO BACK.........

This topic reminded me of the FRANCE.... back in the early 1970's we were on here & she was the epitome of style elegance & luxe - even in the waning days of the great liners.  At that time there was only THE FRANCE & QE2

I really loved the FRANCE but got to love the QE2 after a few TA's & cruises.

Well when NCL announced they would buy & renovate THE FRANCE & rename her NORWAY I was curious. as to what would happen ...I did take a cruise on NORWAY & liked the new concept...at that time NCL was still a decent line.

Saying that even w a  few touches from the FRANCE still onboard  - she was not the FRANCE I loved...her speed was gone along w the International elegance.

i miss QE2 greatly & feel most privileged to of sailed in her a few times....but to see her in Dubai of all places just moored would be too sad.

Some of the greatest moments of taking a sea voyage are the minutes when standing on deck & you can feel the engines being revved up & the ship starts to move ever so slowly...the anticipation starts to fade & excitement builds, the winds kick up, the smell & taste of the salty sea  and then the ship is truly coming to life..as she should  - at sea!!!

There's also been a bunny invasion in the Wilton manors neighborhood in Ft Lauderdale a woman moved & left here rabbits behind...maybe there will be a bunny cruise in the near future...there;'s over 100 already!!!

4 minutes ago, Steeler Nation At Sea said:

 

 

What was your source, please?  I ask because this contradicts the answers that I received last year when researching.  The collective hive mind either here or on Reddit (I forget) said that the days before Norway or first EU port didn't count but that the days after until first non EU port did.

I asked the US Embassy in NY - I rarely trust info on these boards as few are experts on these important matters.... reviews / opinions are one thing....law is another.

PS

In this day & age if your TA doesn't know the ins & outs of Schengen, find a TA that is more knowledgeable.  So much for the TRAVEL "Professional"

whether I was travelling solo or w my partner & friends we always respected the customs / laws of where we were... 

certainly it's no one's business what your sexuality is about and ceratinly there are countries where its best left unsaid(Saudi Arabia comes to mind).  Random people in restaurants, bars or just walking down the street who ask should just be ignored.

Just be smart / savvy in your travels & be respectful of where you are visiting.

I looked into this recently as I am planning an extended stay in Europe - land & cruise ...staying in the 90 day limit I found that the total cruise days / portion is added to your limit.  Therefore all 7 days of your Norway cruise is counted against you Schengen limit.  

Some countries are more restrictive than others in counting but I wouldn't mess around w customs officials.

Everything is tech driven today - stamp or no stamp all they have to do is look in a computer to see where you've travelled.

I did a repo cruise 3 years ago(tho not to Europe) NYC - MIami on MSC...it was a 13 day cruise - I was trying out a move to FL....when i finished packing I had 14 suitcases/pieces of luggage.  I ordered a large UBER & when I arrived at the pier in NYC I apologized to the porter for so many bags - he said " this is nothing".

I was able to store the bags under the bed, alongside the bed & in the closets (less my clothes for the cruise).  Upon arriving in Miami I had an Uber van & friends pick me up - easy....

One thing i learned is that i could of left a third of the packing home - I also bought new clothes etc in Florida. So be prepared.

I'm going to Europe in September for 3 months w 2 suitcases & one carryon.  I'll have 39 days (RT transatlantic & 1 Med cruise)on ships - laundry service is great onboard.

Good luck....don't overthink or overpack.

2 hours ago, POA1 said:

There's a pickleball league at POA2 here in Fort Lauderdale. They play during our working hours but we pop out to watch from our balcony when we get a free moment.

 

I had no idea how serious the sport was. Thanks to all of you for the insight.

I read recently that Pickle Ball is starting to be banned in certain communities due to the annoying sound caused by the balls & paddles...

Its starting to sound like Pickle Ball is the new Bridge Players....

the dollar is also down compared to the Euro....

I read an article today that said the Acropolis was closed down yeaterday due to the high temps & heat ... the accompanying pic showed it mobbed w tourists...not good!!!

And its not even August!

15 hours ago, bunnyette said:

Ah yes, thinking the ship will wait for you!  Many years ago on the Celebrity Century during a Mediterranean cruise, the ship pulled out of Livorno, then it slowed to a stop, up comes the pilot boat, wearing life jackets this couple climbs into the ship.  An expensive trip as we found out they had to pay for their short trip!

many years ago the pier runners were shouted at & cheered  by the passengers onboard(there were many who had one too many cocktails ashore) - on the Italian ships when the Captain either put the gangplank back down or slowed the ship so a passenger could board from a tugboat - it was well known fact/ rumor that the captains would only do that for their girlfriends - not their wives!!!

11 minutes ago, Bocker3 said:

Should they have informed you, absolutely.  But rather than whining about lack of "goodwill", Perhaps it would be better to teach the kids that sometimes life throws unexpected things your way vs. teaching them that they should expect "compensation" whenever something happens that they don't like.

Resilience is priceless!!

 

I totally agree Bocker3.... do the kids expect compensation when construction is going on in their neighborhood or anywhere else they visit?? Today instead of teaching children that there are normal everyday circumstances that come w the territory they are taught / lead to believe they are owed "compensation".

There is constant maintenance on all ships all the time - try teaching that the work being done is for their & others onboard safety - a stop gap for the drama.

A BLACK SUIT !!!!!

I have several tuxedos & dinner jackets(I live in NYC -so lots of use) now I only pack the tuxedo/ dinner jackets when I do roundtrip cruises out of my homeport of NYC.

Travelling to Europe I pack a black suit w several white dress shirts & a few different ties.  I can use the jacket w other pants but the suit can be used without a tie or for more formal occasions - on land & sea.

It never goes out of style  - its the male version of a women's "Little Black Dress"

On 6/26/2023 at 3:22 AM, Janet&Carl said:

 

 

Thanks again Jan - after binge watching your blog we have put MSC back on the list of possibles.  We prefer the itinerary for 2024 but are not ready to go next year as we already have cruises booked with friends that I would not like to cancel.   If they repeat 2024 itinerary we would jump in a heartbeat.

 

Do you mean Magnifica ?? Richard@sea /.  Grandiosa has Yacht Club and they usually do the WC on ships with no YC.  I like that MSC includes meal time drinks, excursions etc.. but I am still leaning to Azamara as we really enjoyed our cruise on them apart from a few niggles 😉 

yes - sorry 2025 WC on  Magnifica 

Many years ago I did a similar cruise on QE2 & really enjoyed an easy getaway... I was wondering if anyone sailed on 30 Jun this year.

thanks

As far as the worst behavior I have seen / witnessed is Florida residents - both at sea & onland....

also - sorry as far as NY'ers I disagree - I've seen & experienced some of the nicest smartest & most worldly people here & onboard sailings out of NYC.

I think the cruise line may allow or set the behavior standards - Carnival, Virgin, NCL are more party types - how far it goes .......

For almost 40 years I lived & worked in Manhattan & friends always said I lived in a bubble - loved every moment - its not for everyone but I met people I would not of met anywhere else from all over the world & did & saw things that only Manhattanites could appreciate (yes I am a Manhattan snob - sorry Brooklyn, Queens & NJ do not even come close).

I was there staring in 1981 - the SEX AND THE CITY years - 

And I stand by my comments that there is no other greater sailing than that of leaving from the westside piers & sailing down the Hudson River, under the Verrazano Bridge & then out to sea.....

My mother was in an assisted living facility 3 years ago before she passed away in the New York suburbs...the monthly cost was $7300 a month & rose according to the level of care  needed.

use a TA - they can iron out the wrinkles for you... & no I am not a TA - just  have a very good one!!!

just speak to a Maitre'd  as early as possible upon boarding/ when the restaurant opens for table res.

i was originally assigned a 6 top, late seating....had it changed to a deuce by myself...easy peasy w a tip.