graphicguy

Little touches confirming little details….I like them…. Ibis Budget Marseille Vieux Port Dear xxxxxxxxxxxx, Check in starts at 1PM and there is someone at reception 24/7. In case you arrive early we have lockers at your disposal for your luggages that you can pay by coins or card. Best regards. Front Desk.

Bless you! You get me!!!!

If someone is going to try to pickpocket me with my wallet in my front pocket, I hope they at least kiss me first! 😉

Beginning of the beginnng..checked in. Having snacks at the Delta Sky Club!

Great. You’re in! I’ve sent in the final count, but join us. We can fit you in…… Looking forward to meeting you. “This is looking to be a great group and a lot of fun. Thanks! So far… -Graphicguy (1) -biffluger (4) -Northofu1 (2) -Mary and Barbara (2) -GrammieCruising (2) -Ticatraveler (2) -Smokelynx (2) -Nicole (1) -Ted and Dolly Farmer (2) -Dumkat01 (5) -Peacham (3) -Vickie, Pat, Roberta (3) -loveysbydesign (2) -Thomas, Stephan and Leo (3) -JL2007 (1) -RedgeToo (1) -Big Moodys Fan (1) Sebastian and Sabine (2) Smiler000 (3) -Marc-O (1) NCL is hosting our… MEET AND GREET FRIDAY OCTOBER 6 FROM 11:00 A.M. UNTIL NOON IN CAGNEY’S STEAK HOUSE! They will have crew to answer our questions!!!! They usually provide drinks and snacks!”

It’s a sea day!

GAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!! Liquid broke in the back compartment of my backpack. Had some clothes in there. Not enough time to let it rinse and dry out. Pulling out a check in. Transfer done. Still can use back pack after it dries out. But, time is not on my side. I just broke all my self imposed rules………

I’ve sent in the final count, but join us. We can fit you in…… Looking forward to meeting you. “This is looking to be a great group and a lot of fun. Thanks! So far… -Graphicguy (1) -biffluger (4) -Northofu1 (2) -Mary and Barbara (2) -GrammieCruising (2) -Ticatraveler (2) -Smokelynx (2) -Nicole (1) -Ted and Dolly Farmer (2) -Dumkat01 (5) -Peacham (3) -Vickie, Pat, Roberta (3) -loveysbydesign (2) -Thomas, Stephan and Leo (3) -JL2007 (1) -RedgeToo (1) -Big Moodys Fan (1) Sebastian and Sabine (2) Smiler000 (3) NCL is hosting our… MEET AND GREET FRIDAY OCTOBER 6 FROM 11:00 A.M. UNTIL NOON IN CAGNEY’S STEAK HOUSE! They will have crew to answer our questions!!!! They usually provide drinks and snacks!”

We think alike. No Fanny Packs. Passport card, credit card and a little cash in a wallet attached to my phone, which is ALWAYS in my FRONT pocket. The rest, Passport, drivers license, cash, etc stashed in a very unlikely place.

Didn't miss much. Let me give you the READER's DIGEST version. I booked a cruise on the EPIC in the Mediterranean from Marseille. I'm flying out today to meet the ship. There....you're all caught up. 😉

Yeah....France, and particularly CDG are notorious for pick pockets. Sadly, I remember the guy who did it. He had to be another passenger as I was waiting in line to board when it happened. I'm usually pretty cognizant about my surroundings and who's around me. This guy was in back of me. He acted like someone behind him, shoved their way into me. Then, he mentioned to no one in general, that he had to leave the line. I didn't think anything about it until I had boarded and we were taxying for take off. I reached in my back pocket and my wallet was gone. I looked up and down the aisles of the plane when were were able to move around, and I didn't see him, or maybe didn't recognize him. I only had about $300 in my wallet. But, my driver's license was in it, as well as 3 or 4 credit cards and my ATM card. When I landed home, I started getting "pings" about charges made all over the place. I wasn't responsible, but it was a PITA to replace everything and notify my bank. Lesson learned. I do have cash, but not on me and in a place no one would think of looking. Plus, as mentioned, I travel with only carry ons, so my luggage is with me at all times. Just picturing myself with a scarf flowing behind me as I traverse CDG. Have to admit, I think I could pull it off. What others would think is an entirely different story. LOL!

Is that a hint? LOL! Yeah...I have a 3 hour layover at CDG. Plenty of time to wander around. But, last time I was there about 4 years ago, I was pickpocketed while walking in the terminal. So, probably just go to the Centurion Lounge or the Delta Sky Lounge and hang out, grab a bite.

Thanks, Henry. Yeah...will post live from the airport later this afternoon. Ready to kick this one off!

I like “Bird’s” idea of stopping at a Dollar Tree and getting some streamers for your cabin. That would be a fun activity you can do together. Not the activity I’d choose, but fun nonetheless. 😉

Yeah….from what I’ve heard from their entertainment crew the last couple of cruises, the current entertainment contracts will run out and they’ll be replaced by internally developed shows like what they have in Syd’s and Cavern Club. My guess is it’s cheaper to pay royalties on Fleetwood Mac and Beatles music that it is for Vegas type shows like SIX. I have to admit, I’m not a game show type of guy, so it won’t matter to me. But, I do really like the Syd’s and Cavern Club shows. As was said, if no one goes to the game shows, their tenure will be brief.

Yeah…the performers rotate in and out. Syd’s and Cavern Club are both OUTSTANDING shows, also!!!!

I think it’s in addition to. Stage manager on the Bliss this past Spring said COM has a contract for a few more years! The only big theater show that is being replaced with something else is SIX and FOOTLOOSE from her information!

Hmmmm.....just did a mock booking for the Prima out of Galveston in January. It let me change and choose specific available cabins. Maybe the date the OP is choosing has nothing but GTY cabins left? TAs sometimes have a block of rooms booked that MIGHT be available. But, I'd call them first to confirm they have the cabin you want actually available.

You can. Once you click on the cabin category and the price of a specific category, there will be a link in small print underneath the specific cabin NCL shows. It says.....CHOOSE A DIFFERENT STATEROOM. That's where you'll be able to choose whatever's still available on any given deck.

I just read last night on another cruise WEB site that this is a recent phenomena with Spain. Apparently, either the port’s rules have changed, or they are enforcing old rules. Either way, ports like Barcelona have been quoting environmental reasons as the reason for the VAT on drinks. This comes as Barcelona becomes a busier cruise hub. While, from an individual standpoint, a few dollars for the VAT aren’t going to impact me. However, you multiply several cruise ships, with 10s of thousands of passengers by $10-$50 per cruise, that’s a substantial amount of money. Show any government a significant revenue stream, and you can believe they’ll want their cut. If Celebrity is doing this, Royal’s not far behind, with NCL and OCEANIA already “on board”.

Yeah…I agree. That fare is nuts. I have a hard stop on a Haven Fare at $5K for 7 nites, all in. I have my own internal ceiling on ALL cabins on ALL cruise lines. I wonder if I need some help? LOL!

Nope….Spain is still charging VAT on drinks. Apparently they aren’t reading this forum! 😉

I’ve looked at Oceania and Viking and Viking and Silver Seas. Have yet to be able to justify their fares, yet. But, I keep looking. Maybe it’s me, but I don’t sleep as well in an inside cabin. I think it’s the fear that it will be so dark I can’t find the bathroom and will find a surprise of my own making in the trash can when I turn on the light.

Just did. On a cruise in the Mediterranean, in a 2 Bedroom Haven Suite, on the Epic, for 11 days, with $500 OBC, that is sailing next week. BTW…I’m bringing a $20 bill with me next week to cover Spain’s VAT!

I say go for it. I sailed a New England/Nova Scotia 7 nite cruise last year about this time in a Club Balcony with OBC. IIRC, it was about $800 w/FAS, DSC, taxes, tips, all in. By the time I got the $70 military discount I was close to $700. Even an inside cabin was about the same fare, but without the OBC. I shop total out of pocket. Taxes and fees are going to be what they’re going to be. Can’t do anything about them. This one was one of my best finds. I had a $0 folio on disembarkation day. Plus, I drank until my heart’s content, had 2 Latitudes and 2 FAS Specialty Dinners. As far as inside rooms, they’re not for me. I LOVE throwing upon the curtains in the a.m. and seeing the sun rise on my balcony. One of my true joys is having coffee and a danish on my balcony early in the a.m.