CPT Trips
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Posts posted by CPT Trips
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Take Vantage out of the equation. They no longer exist.
One thing I like about GCT is that there are multiple program directors on onboard instead of just a single cruise director.
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On 12/24/2023 at 1:33 PM, CPT Trips said:
Remember this? See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_advertising
I had to search for this, to justify
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On 4/5/2024 at 12:33 PM, Second seating said:
Yesterday in New England!!!
Second seating
And a few days later also NE, Sugarloaf during the eclipse. Not mine, found on Reddit.
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On 3/25/2024 at 12:15 PM, theotherchad said:
Is it just general level of friendliness or is there more?
BTW, I have lived in NYC in my youth and I did discover that, while New Yorkers and Eastern Seaboard folk in general are less likely to greet and smile at strangers, the actual friendliness of the people there is pretty much the same once you get to know them.
There’s more. It’s something much different than “friendliness.” Maybe that the smiles and loud greetings seem superficial. And the cruisers are much more homogeneous. -
Cruises out of the Port of NY/NJ have a very different vibe than that of TX based cruises.
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4 hours ago, clo said:
All over the world really, we wait until we arrive and get a really small amount in the airport if, say, we need to take a taxi from the airport. Then we go to bank ATMs and use our debit card that has no foreign transaction fees and rebates us any ATM fees.
This . . .
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We enjoy Grand Circle. Their cruises are typically longer duration (~2weeks) and the price point is comfortable for us.
They break the cruisers into several groups, each with Program Director, that you stay with for the entire cruise. The included tours utilize local guides and the PD stays with the group. Frequently the PDs offer additional tours/activities during the afternoon or, if a late departure, after dinner.
GCT provides future cruise credits (~5% of trip cost) after 2 or 3 trips. It increases to ~7% after more tours (8-10?). All trips with GCT/OAT count, not just river cruises. They also offer a discount on multiple trips in one year.
As we enjoyed our first trip an as GCT/OAT also offer land tours and small ship cruises, we kept coming back. -
On 3/13/2024 at 10:53 PM, UDChE89 said:
Guess I’m heading down on SEPTA. Cassatt is one of my favorites.
Tickets go on sale April 1 -
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5 hours ago, Canal archive said:
Yes I agree that there are challenges but why do people get disgruntled, excuse me ‘but there by the grace of god. We are on holiday it’s not a race, I hope. Although maybe I’m happy to be reconciled to more than the norm. I just hope some others are not in the same situation.
Back when I worked with people with disabilities there was a word often used to describe people without disabilities, TAB.
Temporarily able bodied.-
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5 hours ago, Izengolf said:
It is easier for me to choose because I love anything Roman
Here's one to consider.-
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The ship’s WiFi should be available whenever you are aboard. When you are in towns you can find a lot of hotspots. Assuming you have the ability to use WiFi for voice, there may not be a need to activate an international plan.
As an aside to people who have this same question, T-Mobile’s regular plans include free data and messaging and voice is $0.25/minute. We switched carriers to them several years ago and only wish we had done so years earlier.
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Just be aware that some of these TAs charge a non refundable “agency fee” and keep it if you cancel. Others charge a “ booking fee” over and above the cruise fare.
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DD’s roommate suffered appendicitis on a spring break trip to Punta Cana. Local clinic wanted a sizable deposit. As they had been bargaining with beach vendors for a few days, they decided to try bargaining with the clinic. It worked.
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Much depends on what company you tour with. We toured Egypt in December. I was reluctant, then decided to go as we knew, through our experience and that of others, that they responded well to emergencies. That fact led us to decide to travel.
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On 3/1/2024 at 9:55 PM, franski said:
Funny you should mention Les Andelys... We asked our cruise director about the hike up to Chateau Gaillard - and was told it was a gentle 15 minute walk. So - we chose that excursion. We made the hike - and it was worth it - but there was nothing gentle about that hike!!
Fran
It was a considerable elevation gain from the river (just visible in background) up to the Chateau.
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Those that appreciate Impressionism might want to make a trip to Philly this summer.
https://press.philamuseum.org/mary-cassatt-at-work/#:~:text=Mary Cassatt at Work opens,by a fully illustrated catalogue.In addition they have a good collection of other impressionists.
https://philamuseum.org/collection/curated/impressionism
If that doesn’t provide your fill of Impressionism, tryhttps://collection.barnesfoundation.org
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16 minutes ago, franski said:
Completely agree... We were there early - and I also have a shot of the Japanese bridge with no one on it!!
Fran
Is that really the name of the bridge? 😉 I thought maybe it was called that because of all the tourists with selfie sticks and posing. 😎🤦🏻♂️-
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5 hours ago, Canal archive said:
Now you just have to decide which of his WaterLilies about 250 different paintings you prefer, he outdid Van Gough and his Sun Flowers many times over. It could of course be something to do with trying to achieve perfection. Some of his Water Lily canvases are huge.
For those who aren’t aware, the ones at l’Orangerie are in the huge category. -
On 2/26/2024 at 10:41 AM, Canal archive said:
Brussels protesting farmers are bombarding the police with rotten eggs and poo slurry. Puts a new slant on term dirty tricks !
Did they use one of things manure spreader gizmos that GIs in Germany called Schitzenschipzers? 😉-
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56 minutes ago, Hlitner said:
Also keep in mind there are slopes, steps, and some uneven surfaces so folks who are mobility challenged will need to take their time moving about.
The flat level places in Eze were few and far between. The cafes and restaurants were crowded. But we enjoyed the visit and the views from Jardin d’Eze were incredible. We are glad we went (via bus from Nice).-
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On 2/12/2024 at 5:12 PM, screwsmcernst said:
question for previous travelers about wine we bring onboard. Are we allowed to open and pour in our cabin and walk around the ship or sit in the lounge, with a glass without being charged a fee?
It’s easier to get forgiveness than to ask permission. Snag a wine glass from the bar . . . -
1 hour ago, Coral said:
So do Italians! And those in the UK.....
And German transportation workers . . .
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We went to the d’Orsay when it opened in the morning, we couldn’t get in and a surprisingly orderly line formed. Then almost an hour late they opened the doors. Despite there being a line, the museum staff set up a pole and tape queue that totally screwed up the order of the line.
That’s where being American (aka monolingual) hurt. Fortunately there was a family near us in line, saw our situation, spoke to people around them and yelled at the guard. Then we were waved up to join them. Turns out this Asian guy told the guard we were his cousins from America.
And that’s my story of a 55 minute strike. So named because even when employees are less than an hour late they aren’t docked pay.-
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On 2/18/2024 at 1:57 PM, cruisemom42 said:
Truthfully, I agree that those who get up early and get a good viewing position are not obligated to give it up.
On the other hand, I like to think I am kind, so if I had a really nice position I would offer to let someone else take it for a few minutes to get some pics, once I'd gotten mine. (After all cruise ships don't move that fast.) But it would be on the understanding that I would get the spot back once they got their shots.
I have had mixed success “lending” some my prime viewing spot on the rail. Too often the person I moved for either wants to keep it or lets their friends in.
Compare GCT with Gate 1 and Vantage
in River Cruising
Posted
My experience with GCT and the Program Diectors differs from the post above.
Yes, you have the same group the entire trip.
But,
- local guides are used for most, if not all, group tours. The PD is on the tour, often as a “herder” bringing up the rear.
-All PDs are available to you for advice on DIY activities during free time.
- on most cruises, one or more PDs will organize a group activity during a day’s free time.
The slowest person in the group rules, like just about every group tour I’ve ever been on. My experience has been that the PD is usually proactive in dealing with a significant outlier, even to the point of suggesting that they don’t participate in certain activities.