lisa6191

43 minutes ago, Earthtones said:

On the Odyssey this month "basic" wifi for one device per passenger was included and you could upgrade to streaming quality for an amount that varied, depending upon how many days remained on the cruise. I think it was about $10/day, but you had to buy it for the duration of the cruise (not just for two days).

 

Some ships now have Starlink, which I think is included and provides high speed access. Not sure where the Encore is in this conversion, but all ships are supposed to get Starlink soon.

Did you use the basic Wi-Fi or did you upgrade? Was the basic ok for like checking email, Facebook, things like that? I won’t need to stream shows or anything like that.

10 minutes ago, Earthtones said:

I may be responding too late, but I (fellow curly) brought a universal diffuser that fit perfectly over the dryer on the Odyssey earlier this month. 

 

This is the one I brought with me: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZJ6Z9Q7?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Thanks, we leave tomorrow! I decided to bring my Dyson, and then I am bringing my collapsible rubber diffuser for before and after the cruise (my Dyson is US voltage so I assume I can’t use it in the hotels in Greece). 

I’m going to save that diffuser though, that looks like a good option for if I don’t bring my Dyson on a trip. Too late for this trip though. 😊

I have tried to search but I can’t find any info on the Wi-Fi packages available on Encore. It’s not included right? Does anyone know the choices and costs?

thanks,

Lisa

We have a pool and spend our winters in Panama, so I definitely have more than 9 bathing suits. However, I can’t think of any reason on earth that you would need more than 3 bathing suits max on any normal length cruise. 

51 minutes ago, Sthrngary said:

Here is our itenerary!

 

@Sthrngary We overlap on Athens, Kavala, and Istanbul. Would love any tips on attractions or food options, I am good on the rest.

If you have info from other cruises, our other ports are Skiathos, Izmir, Kusadasi, Mykonos and Milos. We are also flying to Santorini post cruise for a few days. I think I have everything pretty well in hand but always like to check to see if I’m missing anything! I am a researcher and planner like you and I love to do it. My family just goes wherever I tell them to and is always happy. 😊

35 minutes ago, lisa6191 said:

We are leaving next week for a Mediterranean cruise out of Athens on Seabourn. Do you mind if I ask what ports you are going to? If any are the same as mine I would love to see your recommendations! Your posts are very helpful! Also is your video public on YouTube? Would love to see it!

 

Sorry forgot to tag you. @Sthrngary

On 9/18/2023 at 9:14 PM, Sthrngary said:

Hello All:

 

Today is a very special day for me.  Not only is it 52 days to my "Once in a Lifetime" cruise through the Mediterranean.  More importantly, my wife is now researching the ship, the ports, the food on the ship and the cruise in general.  She never does that, EVER.  I usually do all the planning.  I am THRILLED.

 

We are going with friends who do "NO" planning and I have been doing all their planning.  I was getting uncomfortable I might mess something up for them or they would not be clear on an important item.  So I did a YouTube video for them and my wife.  The video was 41 minutes long.  We got through 18 minutes that took one hour.  WHY, because everyone had questions and talked over the answers being given on the video.  

 

Every minute or so I had to stop the video and answer question.  My wife then realized, she had some studying to do.  Today I handed her my "Journey Document" which was 47 pages.  I started it over a year ago.  Covers all aspects of the trip giving recommendations NOT requirements.  We are not using the brands excursions.  I find the to be much more stressful then going on our own. No waiting for buses to fill up for an hour, no having to get up early to make an excursion. We just get up, have a nice breakfast, put on our backpacks, get the mass transit to the city Central and go to two of three sites.  

 

This entire process just became so much easier for me with my lovely brides new found interest.  

 

Cruise well and enjoy every moment. 

We are leaving next week for a Mediterranean cruise out of Athens on Seabourn. Do you mind if I ask what ports you are going to? If any are the same as mine I would love to see your recommendations! Your posts are very helpful! Also is your video public on YouTube? Would love to see it!

47 minutes ago, Khareef said:

I don't think you are allowed to bring a hair drier on most (if not all) ships due to obvious fire hazard reasons.

It’s not on the prohibited list and I believe you are allowed. Please someone correct me if I’m wrong, don’t want my Dyson confiscated for sure!

2 hours ago, cruisr said:

BBCs are the best frozen drink.  I first had one on Seabourn 26 years ago and alwys get them now.

What is a BBC?

39 minutes ago, SDuckers said:

I am trying to decide whether the topic of tipping, or the topic of jeans in the MDR, is the most likely to blow up on this board on any given day.

I so did not intend to start a war! LOL Just being my usual neurotic pre-trip self trying to think of everything I might need.

28 minutes ago, Khareef said:

This made me laugh. My partner brings her supposedly universal diffuser everywhere but it never fits anything, so I often have to manually keep it in place 🔥 my hands. Maybe it is a parallel universe universal diffuser:-)

Yeah, universal usually isn’t lol. I have a collapsible rubber one that stretches, so it has worked on some dryers we’ve encountered, but since I bought my Dyson I take it everywhere with me (the diffuser for that is magnetic so it definitely won’t work on anything else). It’s small but the battery transformer thing is surprisingly heavy, which is why I am trying not to bring it. I’m sure I will though. 😊

31 minutes ago, Mr Luxury said:

No need to tip room service staff as their gratuities are included.

 

thank you!

Back to my original question, I see that people do tip the porters, but what about the room service deliverers? We may do this a few times for breakfast so I want to be prepared.

I know tips in general are included, but do I still need to tip the room service delivery person when they come with the food, and the porters when they take our luggage? Just trying to make sure I have enough small bills with me.

I am trying to decide whether to bring my own hairdryer on my cruise next week. I have a Dyson which I love and which is relatively small, but I travel carry on only and I'm trying to minimize what I take. I have curly hair and need to use a diffuser. Does the dryer on Encore have enough of a nozzle to attach a diffuser (I do have a collapsible travel diffuser)? If anyone happens to have a pic of the dryer I would be eternally grateful (I know, bizarre request LOL).

Thanks for any help with this!

@cruisemom42 kind of random question, but will I need insect repellant? We will be in Greece and Turkey, first half of October. I wouldn't think so but wanted to check with someone who has been there!

We are leaving on a cruise to Greece and Turkey on October 1. As of now, the weather looks beautiful, mid to high 70’s during the day and mid 60’s at night. I had originally planned to wear sleeveless sundresses at dinner, but I’m thinking I might be cold. Do you think I will need more than a cardigan/shawl though? Trying to decide if there is any reason I would need anything as warm as a fleece or something like that. How cold does it get on deck at night? This is my first cruise outside of the Caribbean, so I am used to warm nights. Thanks!

It wasn’t working for me earlier but it is now, so maybe try again.

3 hours ago, whystayhome said:

re:  Bosphorus Cruise

 

We decided to visit a palace on the Asian side when we were in Istanbul last year, so hopped on the local ferry for almost nothing [can't remember for sure - maybe $1 each way, maybe less] and had a beautiful cruise on the Bosphorus to and from the palace.  And when the ship leaves port, it slowly sails along the Bosphorus as well.

 

You might want to visit the Cistern for something different to do.  The archeological museum and the tile museum are also spectacular.  Also the "fresco" church, AKA Chora Church is definitely worth seeing, but it may still be closed for renovation.

 

Linda

Thank you! The ship excursion for breakfast and Bosphorus cruise was $170/person which seemed outrageous to me. I had also read about the cheap ferries and we plan to do that instead, and maybe get a Turkish breakfast somewhere on our own. Also, the Cistern is on our list for our first day in Istanbul.
 

It turns out that the cruise port is not where I thought it was, and it will not be a big deal to return there before the afternoon excursion. Problem solved. 🙂

Hmm, that’s interesting. They made it sound so beautiful! The main attraction of this excursion was that it was a small group tour, and it also included high tea at a different palace (Ciragan). I did call Seabourn and the woman I talked to wasn’t 100% sure, but she thought we would have to return to the ship to take the excursion. So maybe I need to rethink that entire day. I had originally signed up for two excursions that day (Bosphorus cruise with breakfast in the morning, and this one in the afternoon). But then I was thinking we could do breakfast and a Bosphorus cruise ourselves for way cheaper so I was going to cancel that one. But then the logistics don’t make sense since it will be ridiculous to go back to the ship to come right back to the palaces.

Back to the drawing board I think. We are trying to use up a ton of OBC which is why we are even considering these excursions, normally we would do all of it on our own. 
 

What were your favorite things in Istanbul? We have two days there and several of the usual things will be covered on our first day.

12 minutes ago, SLSD said:

I don't know the answer to your question, but we did spend a number of days in Instanbul some years ago.  We toured all the major venues with a private guide and love them.  I have to tell you that the Dolmabahce Palace was our LEAST FAVORITE place.  Let me explain.  It is a somewhat rundown wooden palace built to emulate western palaces.  It was like a labyrinth and felt like a fire trap to us.  I couldn't wait to get out of that place. It was not attractive and made us a bit sad.  There are so many wonderful things to see and do in Istanbul.  I would skip this palace.  Yes, it was that gloomy and not special at all.  I don't say this lightly.  

 

Instead, you might look for the church that has wonderful frescoes all of the Virgin Mary.  It was truly special and located in an interesting neighborhood with an open market right outside.  

 

We have an Seabourn excursion planned while we are in Istanbul that is supposed to depart at 1:30 pm. The place we are going (Dolmabahce palace) is right where we will be doing our morning sightseeing anyway (on our own, not with a ship tour). Is it possible to meet up with the excursion at the palace, or do we have to go back to the ship to be checked in or whatever? If we have to start from the ship I will need to rethink my plans, because that makes no logistical sense.

Thanks!

9 hours ago, highplanesdrifters said:

Unfortunate news on the partial charter.  We are 21 days on Encore end of October. The first leg of (7 days) are sold out.  I fear a partial charter.  This is my first time on a ship over 500 people. Perhaps my last.

 

Wishing you calmer days ahead. Or, grab a bottle of beer and jump in the pool....OK, maybe a bottle of PR Winston Churchill. One must maintain some sort of standard.

How do you know that leg is sold out? We are on an 11-day sailing on Encore at the beginning of October, so maybe right before you. Hopefully no large groups! (Or white fluffy dogs!)

On 5/4/2023 at 4:01 AM, FlyerTalker said:

 

Curious that she uses both an iPad and a Kindle.  Mrs FT ditched her Kindles for the Kindle app on an iPad Air.

 

 

Kindles are far superior to iPads for reading outside, no glare. I still use both for that reason.

Thanks all! I couldn’t imagine I was the only one who liked flavored liqueurs. 

13 minutes ago, Asquare said:

They had it on the Encore last summer.  I like amaretto old fashions and the bartender had two amarettos to choose from.  There was also Kailua and other flavored liquors behind the bar.  

Awesome, thank you!