Dancer Bob

Ay one time, there would always be a couple of excellent (could follow anything you could lead) paying-guest dancers, and several you could work with. I've been very disappointed on my last trips. But bergenbird's post implies there were not only female paying-guest dancers, but enough male paying-guests to keep them busy.

The Drasssanes Metro is at the foot of Las Ramblas. I have walked there, something like 1/2 hour, there are sidewalks all the way. There is also a port shuttle which drops passengers at the World Trade Centre, stops at all the Adossat terminals.

When you accept that it's not straightfrorward to get quality hosts, the question becomes "Why?" And that is based on "What is a quality host and what are their expectations?" My last trip on QE was very disappointing. There was only one lady who was a passable dancer and the hosts were lined up to dance with her. I'm now taking my business to Costa. A better dance environment, with itineraries and prices that suit me. I hope Cunard is listening.

There will be monitors showing gate number and which part of the terminal it's departing from, eg 2F. Make sure you follow the signs for that area. I've done it in as little as 20 minutes depending on the line at border control. The 23.15 flight seems to work best.

I've never had to claim a bag even when connecting to an airport in France. Last time through CDG, they seemed to be transitioning to the new ETIAS/EES system, used the e-gates but had to have passport stamped. Very slow, hope they get it working right. I rate CDG and LHR about equal.

A number of years ago, my travel agent had a group on BA, scheduled early morning arrival, for a late evening cruise departure (I traveled a week earlier). BA cancelled the flight, said no problem, lots of space on tomorrow's flight. That of course was too late, he spent most of the night rebooking people to get them there on time. Earlier this year, snow in London, BA was in chaos, my flght was delayed two days (I was three days early, so no panic). Same day arrival- best have a contingency plan.

Done T3 to T5 twice in the last year. First time was 87 minutes (tight connection, I was watching). Second time I hit the shuttle bus just right, but it wasn't much faster.

So far, only while the ships are in the Pacific. They're being very wishy-washy about the number.

Actually, four tablets. I had a US tablet I broke the screen, had to replace it with one purchased in Mexico, that one the battery died, replaced with one purchased in Canada. This dates back to Firenze in 2022. App doesn't work on any of them, which is why I think ADA is just a convenient excuse for them not solving the problem.. I also don't trust Android not to have some sort of hidden setting and deliberate incompatability with Costa's system.

I believe there is a stop close to Marina, which calls itself Dubai Harbour. Unless there's been a radical change the entrance for Mina Rashid is on the west side, a considerable distance from the HOHO bus.

Thanks. Was originally planning on Caesarea, but it looks like there are some interesting museums in town instead. Ship sails at 20.00, so staying within walking distance in the afternoon sounds like a good plan.

I agree, a cruise is no place to have your nose buried in a computer screen. I have two Android tablets, and the Costa app doesn't work on either. The English hostesses (there were two) on my last cruise said this is normal, saying it has to do with US ADA rules. Personally, I think Costa bought a system that was deliberately proprietary in order to have a captive market, but I don't know of any way to prove it. The only American ship I've been on recently is Sky Princess (with a group). The buffet was somewaht better than Costa, but only somewhat. Nothing else was any better, and the music, definitely inferior. Except for group activities, I found it somewhat boring.

Cunard has ordered some American hosts for some QM2 and QE sailings. I'm not plugged into the UK rumour mill and have no idea about QV and UK hosts.

Considering inclusive food only, from about 05.00 to 21.00 (as noted, may vary depending on port stop), but note closures for cleaning. Regarding extra-cost pizza and hamburger overnight, you get a discount as a Costa Club member, it's not too expensive.

There was a discussion on this topic a number of years ago on the Ports of Call-British Isles board. I recall that it wasn't convenient for a same-day flight. There may have been changes so it would be worthwhile resurrecting that thread.

From my personal experience 1. My original flight was cancelled, I was able to rebook on an earlier flight rather than waiting til next day. 2. My original flight was overbooked, there were seats on an earlier flight which gave me a much better connection, the airline was happy to rebook. Rare, but possible. As well as, if there's a huge line at security, it's just an annoyance, no panic. Not to mention it makes travelling on non-refundable tickets lower stress.

Just to be clear, you mean only whole-ship charters? Since you're aware of the economics, it would be relevent to phrase the question, Here's the average cost of a cabin on a whole-ship charter, what themes would you be willing to pay that?

Not to mention the OP was going to wait til the absolute last minute, and that on a holiday weekend. Very poor planning.

Because you have so few options- two or even three days early. Be very wary of booking through the cruise line, they buy the cheapest flights, which you don't want.

A cruise ship shuttle would probably follow the same route as the Blue Bus, although it might go to someplace like Placa Catalunya. From the WTC you go past the Columbus statue to get to Las Ramblas, maybe a 5-minute walk. Drassanes Metro is at the base of Las Ramblas, marked on the map. I assume you will have euros from your time in Rome. Read the thread about pickpockets. That area is particularly bad when cruise passengers are there.

Doing a port stop March 2024 on a Friday. Does public transit shut down at a specific time or exactly at sunset?

If you're looking for only-slightly-different-from-home, Western Europe is a better choice. Something more exotic, Arabian Peninsula is fine. Costa and MSC position a ship there all winter, so you are more flexible on dates. Sir Bani Yas island, the ship stopped at the Nature Preserve, not the tourist area. Salalah I nominate for one of the worst ports in the world, but that stop was only on the repositioning back to Europe. Based on my experience, I do not recommend the site that Arkansascruisers used.

I agree it's the arrangement that counts, and QR orchestras have often failed badly. Costa went through a spell where headquarters ordered the musicians only to play non-dance music, but recently, the muscians have gone back to playing what the passengers want, I was told those managers are now "pursuing other opportunities". It would be nice to think that will happen at Cunard.

For those flying in day of cruise, or if your friend is delayed- the checkin cutoff is due to having to submit a manifest to US CBP. When using the cruise line transfer, your name can be added as soon as you board the bus. Lowers the stress factor.

Last time I sailed out of Rome the airplane parked at 13.00, I arrived at Civitavecchia FS at 15.58. From there it would have been perhaps an hour to finish boarding (I arrived several days early). Wouldn't have left much time for Rome. If you go with a car service, quite different, but won't be cheap. Can't think of a reason why there would be any confusion with the daily program.