Girr

Just be aware at more and more airports the ATMs aren't' bank related and have excessively high exchange rates. So many of the machines are basically the same as the kiosks or a currency exchange store found in airports.

I figured that - but still loved the photos!

This is why I LOVE cruising in the fall - the streets are EMPTY!!!!!

So, my concern would be they'll take all the people with flights first, and then leave everyone else for last. 😒 There's nothing to keep you from running a mock booking for flights the day you arrive in Trieste, and inserting that into.

They're working to get you to the airport on time just like all your fellow travelers. With flight numbers to try to "lump" like passengers (time/flights) to get you there within a reasonable time.

Yes, you will be charged VAT the entire cruise if it doesn't leave EU waters (or unless something changes) even if boarding in Civitavecchia vice Barcelona or Marseille. Like your upcoming cruise I was on the Epic in July and boarded in Rome. (This is the cruise you can start in Barcelona, Marseille, or Rome.) From day one in Rome until the last day (9 days) back in Rome we were charged 10% VAT on all beverages (alcohol/non-alcohol). It now sounds like you'll be charged a different VAT rate depending on the country's waters you're in but should anticipate VAT being levied the entire cruise. Now, if you leave EU waters during the cruise there's a different set of rules.

No what I was quoting from is a copy of the letter left in every cabin this week.

On the 2 Oct sailing from Marseille there were letters in the cabins stating while in French waters they would be imposing the required 20% VAT on purchases and alcoholic beverages and 10% VAT for non-alcoholic (even with FAS beverage). Also included 10% on non-FAS food (my interpretation). I don't have a problem with the collection of VAT - it's their laws. What I do have a problem with is the lack of consistency. When I sailed in July on the Epic my cruise originated in Rome (loop to Barcelona) and we were charged 10% VAT on all beverages. Up until that point VAT was only being collected in Barcelona, not the entire cruise. During this time period everything was a mess. If you remember there was at least one cruise right before mine while in Livorno only offered beer and wine while in port (this was an overnight in Livorno!). Some sailings in Greece if you didn't have FAS you couldn't get a drink! Here on CC people reported this was all being resolved by August - now as to their source?? Well, it's October and there's still no answer. Some people report being charged. Others report not. It appears on a MED cruise if your cruise leaves EU waters you may, or may not, be charged VAT. You'd think NCL corporate could figure this out. I know I'm really cynical, but in some ways I wonder if NCL isn't loving all this upheaval and hoping people cut back on their consumption. With FAS (and yes you have the option to decline!), I imagine their alcohol purchases are significantly increasing - just two beverages a day alone cover the cost of the service fee. But for the most part I'd say most cruisers aren't stopping at two or three a day. Then with the premium package people - imagine that VAT bill after 10+ drinks a day of the "good stuff" times 9 to 14 days at 20%! I'm sailing again on the Epic soon, and I just hope we get some consistency soon.

Euro is just like the states since post-COVID just about everyone takes CC - I've actually been asked for the card when making small purchases with cash. Business have learned, even with having to pay a fee, it's just so much easier for them not having to maintain cash to make change. Now, in some smaller off the beaten path they may prefer cash, but not so much. The major exception are taxi drivers. Rome, by law, requires taxi drivers to take credit cards, but you'd never know it. The rest of Italy and all of Greece doesn't have a similar requirement for I always have euros on hand for taxis. The best rule is always ask before you get it if you plan on using a CC. I also tip in Euros instead of using a CC. In Italy I use the post office ATMs - you'll get a great exchange rate and no fees! The downside is your only allowed to pull 200 Euros per transaction, but you can do multiple withdrawals. If you get large bills from an ATM just head over to a bank and change them out to 10s and 20s. As for the amount, this is really dependent upon your spending habits. How much do you normally get when vacationing?

They don't go into your luggage without you being present - thus the need to go Security and wait in a line (can be a long line!). Once the bag is open if it's only wine/champagne if you have the FAS beverage package off you go. If you don't then the option of corkage fee or them keeping it until the end of cruise.

Yes, the walk is doable, but between the Vatican and Colosseum you're already doing a lot of walking. Instead of walking these two additional miles from the Vatican check out the bus or metro.

Oops, scanned thru your message too fast so I probably didn’t fully answer. Shuttle-yes takes card. As to the bus, somebody recently reported it was free with the shuttle, but I don’t have first hand experience. In researching I see the bus for the train station is on Via Grande, and there’s a newsstand on the Piazza Grande that sells tickets. Hopefully someone will be here soon with personal experience.

Several years back on the Star I sailed in a DOS on deck 14 where they have the family suites. Two families had book two family suites (think six passengers each per cabin) plus two interior cabins across the hall (four passengers in each). The “abuse” of the butler was horrendous. These 20 people ran the poor man into the ground - I don’t think they ever ate a meal outside of their rooms.

For our July sailing the upper deck still had smoking. Never saw anyone using the area, but it was clearly marked as a smoking area.

The shuttle takes credit cards or euros.

Gem was updated in 2022, plus we're talking about one of the suites. As there are so few suites on the Jewel class ships I normally find the "suites treatment" better than the larger ships.

Nope.

The problem with a few days pre or post cruise is it's not enough time, and you'll beat yourself up trying to see it all. Yes, if you only had an hour at the Vatican, you'd feel rushed! But, then again, what are you going to cut out to spend more time there? That's why you need to build a plan on what's really important to you. Some could do without the Vatican, other's not. Or maybe the Colosseum is your must do. Or is simply walking around the Colosseum in the beauty of night, looking down into the Forum satisfy your need? It was probably my third trip to Rome before I actually went into the Colosseum as I had many other priorities. In those early days I also didn't have the budget for tours, so these were all DIY with the aid of many a guidebook. As to renting a car for a first-time visitor - No! Actually, I find public transportation or small tours, for the most part, a much better option (and I've driven a lot of Italy). Sit back and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Ah, the train to Civitavecchia, and even the train into Rome. When I started traveling again to Italy (I lived there as a small child) I was in my mid-20's and my budget was TIGHT. The train was my only option (it was better than the bus), and I never thought anything about it. It was just how you got to the port. I didn't find dragging my luggage (one small bag) thru Termini, up/downstairs at Civi, no luggage storage on train, prehaps standing almost all the way with no air conditioning, dragging bag to ship shuttle, etc. a problem. Again, it was just how it was done. After several years (a little more money in my budget) I learned about shared shuttles and gave it a try. Oh, the train was kicked to the curb after my first shuttle. 😀 But I won't knock the train (much) as it is a good value to get to the port. However, if you have any mobility issues, traveling with small children, excessive luggage, don't deal well with stress, it may not be for you. These days I'm a lot older, have some mobility issues, budget has increased, plus often have travelling companions so you'll find me in private transport to/from port. Then for getting into Rome from FCO the fixed taxi fare is 50 euros; whereas, the express train (Leonardo Express) is around 18 euros. Do the math: two of you comes to 36, plus then a cab from Termini to your hotel approximately 15 euros - TAKE the taxi! Now, if you're travelling solo the train may make sense (although there are also shared shuttles for this too!). As already mentioned find a hotel in Centro. Yes, the prices are better around Termini or St Peter's but you're just too far away. Become acquainted with Google maps (or similar) and "map" out what you want to see, then find a hotel in the middle of all of it! You'll find you'll be doing a lot of walking, and please don't forgo strolling in the evening. Rome takes on a totally different appearance after dark. Most important, make a promise to yourself and come back often, and hopefully with more time.

I think a lot of first-time visitors to Europe get a wrong impression and are put off/scared by the grafitti. I took two family members to Italy this summer for their first visit, and one asked me why I stayed in such a derilict area. We we're between Pantheon and Campo de Fiori! When she learned what we were paying per night she was shocked. To be honest Rome (and so many other cities worldwide) is "gritty". However, within a few days they came to appreciate the ability to be able to get out and walk anywhere in the tourist areas feeling safe. Some may consider it a false sense of security, but I'm never concerned about my personnel safety in central Rome; whereas, I can't say the same for my home city San Antonio. Yes, pickpocketing may (or not) have higher odds in Rome, but I'm not concerned about violent crime. I do carry a crossbody bag, but you'll not find much in it (maybe 10 euros, water bottle, etc.). Years ago I stopped wearing a money belt, and for the most part everything is distributed in various pockets. However, with the enforcement of the requirement to carry your passport I may go back to a waist device.

Taxi from Rome to the port will run around 120 to 150 euros - very dependent upon traffic as it's a bit of a drive. Keep in mind not all cabs have access to the cruise port, and some will only take you to the free shuttle. If you search thru Italy forum you'll find recommendations for good private transportation and shared shuttle services.

Starting 22 Oct Barcelona is banning the use of the northern docks in Barcelona, the southern docks will still be used. Barcelona is not banning all cruise ships (at least for now!) 😁Additionally, they are reducing the daily number of cruise ships. With the addition of the new cruise port in Tarragona Barcelona may eventually be phased out, but not yet. In closing the northern docks it will increase the walk time from about 10 minutes to 30 minutes. I believe most of the larger ships already use the southern docks. Partial Barcelona Cruise Ship Ban to Begin in October (cruisehive.com)

Barcelona, like Venice and Amsterdam, is making changes to docking cruise ships. Starting 22 Oct cruise ships will be banned from the northern docks, and I've read there's a possibility of another port being designated as "Barcelona" as in the case of Venice. Partial Barcelona Cruise Ship Ban to Begin in October (cruisehive.com) Spain may be going after these tax dollars in anticipation of putting in new infastructure. Or again, it may just be a money grab.

Oh Lordy, sorry I didn’t fully read through. I thought DH wasn’t buying into a device, so you’d settled for a neck wallet for yourself. Sorry. 😊

Keep in mind a neck wallet is easily cut. An extra security is to loop and secure to your bra.

If you put in luggage you’ll end up having to go to “naughty-room” to claim luggage and pay corkage fee. Really slows down getting your luggage. As already mentioned much better off hand carrying them on.