Jimbo

1 hour ago, bobmacliberty said:

 

I enjoy Rick Steves' shows and like his walking audio tours.  We used his audio tours in Rome and they were very informative.  As you know, he's about value travel.  The hotels that he uses look to be clean but basic.  I'd rather spend a little more on hotels and get A/C and working elevators.  Have you looked at Tauck tours?  They are more of a luxury offering and may be too expensive, but they are supposed to be excellent.  They won't cover as much area as the Rick Steves tour you're looking at, but I'd rather spend more time in fewer areas to get a feel for each place.  I love cruising but my biggest gripe is that you basically do a "drive by" for each port stop.  For land tours, I'd rather spend 4 or more nights at each stop.

6 minutes ago, mets07 said:

@Jimbo We are doing a back to back this summer in Europe similar to what you had planned. We will spend a few days in London pre-cruise.  We have already done multiple trips to Europe right after we were married (40 years ago 😉). People told us to travel before we had kids and we took their advice. Those were trips we did on our own and went all over by car or train. My husband also returned to England & France with my older son and also visited Japan when same son was studying abroad. 

 

We have long since become huge cruising fans and are fine with the combination of relaxing sea days and intense port days. We are doing a Norway cruise followed by a cruise to Spain/Italy/Portugal/France.

 

We know it will be hot weather but we are ok with that.

 

I hope you have a great time whatever you decide. @bobmacliberty mentioned Tauck tours .... those were very popular with my husband's family.

 

 

 

 

My parents went on Tauck Tour, many, many years ago to Hawaii and they could not keep from telling everyone how nice it was and that they took care of EVERYTHING on the tour. They really enjoyed it a lot.

Even back then though it was very expensive and even now even more expensive. Probably more then we want to spend.

43 minutes ago, NHProud said:

Granted , I agree with you. I’ve been to all of the places mentioned except the three between Rome and Paris. We lived for 13 months 10 miles from Dachau . 
 

You’ve been warned , you’ll have to transport your luggage in some places, no A/c , no elevators and in one hotel a shared bathroom.  
 

Steves is known for his no frills travel . It is not for me but you and your wife are younger and more fit than me .  I would definitely check out his hotels . 
 

We’ve been waiting since 7:30 am for the geek squad guy . We were to be his first stop today . Best Buy has no number for him and still looking. Bad service for $250 to install a TV. 
 

 

 

Going to pack light though, fine with me just shorts and t-shirts and a pair of sneakers. Not having to pack dress clothes like for a cruise sounds like a dream vacation for us.

We can handle our own luggage when packing like no problem. Having to share a bathroom for a night or 2 not a big deal.

Yes, all the hotels are probably going to be nothing like 5 star hotels but no big deal we will be traveling with our boots on the ground getting the real experience of what these countries are all about.

Good Luck on your geek squad arrival, usually those guys know their stuff when they do finally arrive.

1 hour ago, NHProud said:

Look at Gate 1 travel tours.  I have friends who have used this company.

I looked, but not easy finding a tour that covers as many places as the 21 day tour Rick Steves offers.

15 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

I'm going may 2025 and staying over in rome. Im hearing mixed things like even if the hotel says it has ac it doesnt in may. By law the hotel cant turn on ac until june. 23 days plus 4 or 6 days in rome. Idk. I am worried about pick pockets and hearing stories. I dont speak other languages. Bus system. I've never been let alone by myself. I know I can get a hotel close to most things but I'm still worried my first time. Reading just worries me more. The reason for 4 or 6 days is from what I see flights cost more on friday, 4 days. I can stay 6 days and fly home on a sunday about the same price. 

 

My buyers called today out of the blue needing more time. I agreed to only 10 days. Not happy, kinda mad. I called before I made a deposit to move and she lied and said her rate locked and ready. Liar. Calling moving company to see if I can push it back a week. Waiting for call back. Ready for this to be over. She is from Vietnam and she and her co signer both dont seem to understand dates matter. Hes trying to BS me about how it's not unusual a few days late or a automatic extension 30 days. I said no such thing, contacts dont have 30 days extension built in. Hes making stuff up. He acts like hes a expert and doesnt know I know better. I'm really pissed off this morning after all his BS. I've paid to move, no one here and the house will be empty, lawn needs mowing etc.

I know exactly what you are talking about when selling and moving and needing the money to make the purchase on the new house. Timing is everything.

1 hour ago, NHProud said:

Did you look into Road Scholars and O.A.T . ( Overseas Adventure Travels ) ? 
 

I have friends who have used both .  

Can't seem to find a like tour at either of the 2 tour companies you named above like  what Rick Steves Tour offered....

45 minutes ago, cruiselvr04 said:

We did a 14 night Grand European with Viking from Budapest to Amsterdam.  It was wonderful by the way.  
 

Most places in Europe do not have A/C at the places you tour or restaurants or shops. We were always so glad to get back to the boat to cool down.  Chain hotels have A/C but some smaller ones do not.  If you’re climbing stairs in a hotel I’d say you won’t have air. We were there during an unusual heat wave in June. Several days it was miserable hot with no relief until we got back to the boat. They don’t even run the busses A/C until they are in motion. It was in the 90’s with no A/C. No wonder the Europeans go to the beaches in August! 
 

I’m not trying to discourage you but it is different.  We’re looking at France and Switzerland next.  I might do Switzerland in the summer but not France.  I’d choose May or September instead for France. Better rain then heat for us. 

We are looking at dates in October, no way would we do this type of tour in the summer.

14 minutes ago, cruiselvr04 said:

We have not but I’d be interested in hearing how yours went.  One problem I have with land tours is the packing and unpacking. But of course you do see more in depth.  River cruises, for us, is a better way to go but not everywhere is accessible by river of course.

They do suggest packing light and some of the hotels actually have washers and dryers where you are allowed to use and wash your own clothes.

Some of the hotels also might not have elevators or real good air conditioners systems........Is this a common thing for some of the hotels in Europe to not have elevators. I guess not all hotels there have AC either? Is this a common thing there?

Most likely not the greatest place to ask this question but has anyone ever taken a Rick Steves  Tour?

We are looking to take  Best of Europe in 21 Days Tour in the fall of 2025

 https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/europe/europe-21-days#tour-dates

The tour groups are small, 24 to 28 people which I think would make it nice.

We have canceled our side by side cruises we had planned for this May to Europe and Norway Fjords Cruises.

Just though for traveling that far to Europe we wanted to see and do more then we could ever do on cruise stops.

Granted this wouldn't get us to Norway, but at a later time we might do a cruise up that way in the future.

Anyone here ever taken one of their tours?

29 minutes ago, Lionesss said:

CUTBACKS. 
 

Now some of what I am sharing could be real RCI cutbacks or……….

Just related to clueless cabin attendant. 
 

- no more free pressing in suites for one outfit each for first formal night. 
—no more ice unless you ask for container then only filled once during cruise 

—almost missed qualifying for free luggage valet. Cabin attendant forgot to leave form in room. I just remembered on a whim it filled it out as deadline approached. 
—waiter would not bring out broiled lobster. When asked head waiter we were served with 5 tails ( total for us). 
—only one lame fruit plate. One banana 9 red grapes and an apple. Nothing else presented. No strawberries. Not that I needed them. They could improve presentation. 
—2 bottles of water and one bottle of wine from casino. Last cruise. 6 water and 3 bubbly wine. ( same points)

—speaking of same points. On quantum received $1000 comped and this cruise it was a tad under$600.   But they  could not adjust the free grand suite benefit. 
—only drinking glasses in bathroom. We just brought extra up from park cafe. 
— no invites for art show ( not that I care). Or any paperwork. 
 

when I questioned the above to guest services. They said refer to app

 

when I referred to app. Nothing there. 
 

so I asked concierge about why I did not get any notification of any events he apologized and spoke to hotel manager. 
 

now we do not consider ourselves special in any way. 
the grand suite was a comped cabin. 
we were happy. 
but for those who pay for the perks, well they may not know they are not getting them because they do not know about them. 
 

oh. One funny one.  I asked for one carton of milk one day and you thought I wanted the whole cow.  The officer hummed and hawed and reluctantly got it for me.  The area at breakfast that has them was empty. How hard is it to restock!!!

It may seem trivial. 
 

but 

 

we did receive little pillow tokens on most nights. 

suite pool deck. EXCELLENT!!!!!

loved it. 
 

 

later 

 

It's the little things that put Royal above the others, just have to get used to it not being the same or move on to other vacations options.

When you ask for things because that is the way it has been for years and years, now they just roll the eyes and look at you like you are out of your mind. Get used to new times or move on I guess.

Last night we had dinner at Fishy Fishy Cafe,sat at one of tables they have outside on a deck.

I had the Stuffed  Bacon Wrapped Shrimp,my Wife had the Fried Combo.

Picture below is for @Ocean Boy not sure if you can see but it's a light house...does this count as a lighthouse picture? You can just see Overton the green canopy on the boat on the island across the water.

This morning I went and got what they called a gallon of fresh just picked North Carolina Strawberries,the sweetest Strawberries I have ever eaten.

Really good.

30 minutes ago, laurieal said:

That sounds like something I would enjoy a lot, thank you for sharing. 

This is from their menu. Fries selections.

STARTERS

CHICKIE’S & PETE’S® WORLD FAMOUS CRABFRIES® $7.49  

With two sides of our cheese sauce

ULTIMATE CRABFRIES® $17.49  

Crabfries®️  topped with crab meat, our famous cheese sauce, & aioli

LOBSTER CRABFRIES® $23.49  

Crabfries®️ topped with garlicky butter poached lobster, our famous cheese sauce, & chives

CRABBY SWEETS® $7.99 

Seasoned sweet potato fries served with a side of our famous cheese sauce

1 hour ago, HBE4 said:

 

 

That happens to me occasionally when using my laptop.  Then it'll correct itself after a few hours.

 

I don't think I noticed it on my phone.

 

Yes, this was on my laptop here I'm using on vacation.

Weird pages 4809 and 4810 are a repeat !

3 hours ago, laurieal said:

I’ve heard the name old bay seasoning, but I don’t think I’ve ever had some. What do you put it in?

Chickies and Pete's using old bay on their French Fries, Philadelphia thing started back in 1977. They are called Crab Fries.

https://chickiesandpetes.com/what-are-crabfries/

14 hours ago, laurieal said:

The Frozen in Time ice show was really good! It’s all based on stories by Hans Christian Andersen and everyone around me seemed to like it a lot. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For years I’ve been reading about the sand art guy here on Cruise Critic. I know people love him and I thought it sounded cool, but…sand? During an ice show? … ok

 

I get it, now. That guy was amazing. I couldn’t believe what he was drawing in the sand. 
 

I always think those sand art guys are just showing pre recorded video and really not doing any real drawing in the sand when I see guys doing stuff like this. Just can't believe they can do pictures like this  so fast like they appear to do.

I would have to be just behind them up on stage to believe they are really doing pictures like this so fast.

22 minutes ago, IrishWhisperer said:

Yes, can’t wait for quantum now! Home tomorrow to pack the things we forgot before heading back to port on Monday !

 

Pretty unusual isn't it to start in Vancouver and end in Seattle isn't it?

What a downer, so sorry.

@A&L_Ont needs to put on your rally caps otherwise you guys are going to pull an O-fer !!😎

12 minutes ago, firefly333 said:

I just love your house but the food confused me. Lol. Just a plate of food dont know where it is or why its part of your house pictures. But i sure love your house. 

The food is from Tonight our first Day in Southport, NC......................food picture was in there to let you know I can't get full bloom pics of the Iris because we are in Southport for 2 weeks myself, but hopefully our sitter at our house can get us some pictures if they get in full bloom before we get home.

The one food picture was a huge piece of Flounder, other dish was Fan tail shrimp, both were excellent.

On 4/26/2024 at 6:06 PM, Luckynana said:

Beautiful, Jim!!  I love Iris'

On 4/26/2024 at 6:28 PM, firefly333 said:

I've noticed you have such a beautiful place. 20 or more years ago I'd have sure loved it, now so much work, but you keep it beautiful. 

We have a lot more iris at the back of our house in the Memorial Garden with the 2 peach trees we planted when we first moved to Virginia.

Took a picture this morning of the Iris before we left for our 2 week vacation in Southport, NC.

Hopefully I can get our house/cat sitter to take some more pictures in 7 to 10 days from now when all the Iris are in Full bloom.

Here are some pictures from our dinner tonight at "The Frying Pan" in Southport, NC.

This is a a picture from looking out from the Restaurant.

8 hours ago, Coralc said:

I have seen a few hypnotists. There is always that question about "Is it fake"? I really don't know. I have volunteered, but never been chosen as a participant. 

Probably cause always planted people are picked in the end so the show looks good and makes you think it's really working.

52 minutes ago, A&L_Ont said:

Tomorrow we are having a sporgie.

 

 

We leave for Toronto at 9 and the gates open at 1pm. The hockey starts at 8 and the doors open at 7pm. We have a room at the Sky Dome hotel so it’s steps from the ball park. 

 

For the Jays game all food and drinks are included with our seats. I’ve been planning my grazing. 
 

Both sports venues are minutes from each other. 

 

Maybe you will get to see a Shohei homerun, he hit one tonight in the 1st inning.

Think I would go for the Lobster Roll and Smash Burger for starters.

1 minute ago, Rogueperson said:

The first time I realized it was on my last Royal cruise last year to Greenland on Jewel.  I heard it is not always available and is dependent on how many Diamonds and above are sailing.  If there are larger amounts, they allow it to alleviate the Diamond lounge rush for coffee.  This is what I heard but the reason I knew about the coffee bonus was because they left a note in our cabin the first day.

 

This post got lost as I posted this earlier.

We were on that sailing, what was weird some mornings they didn't either bother to slide our sea pass  cards.

17 minutes ago, Lionesss said:

All aboard was 3:30 ship time. Jamaica is one hour behind us. 
One of the excursions we’re stuck in traffic with 9 min to get back. 

They were told “no worries”. Line getting through security. ( borrowed from our cruise thread). 
 

 

no problemo

Little spring time in Southwest Virginia from our house.