Momof3gurlz

I’m so sorry to read all that you’ve been going through. My advice (even though you didn’t ask lol) is to not make any big decisions while you’re still mourning and sorting through all the details of the estate. Between the loss of both your parents, being sick for a few weeks, dealing with your BIL and also breaking your wrist it’s been a very traumatic time. Let some time pass and some healing take place first. I truly hope the Bella cruise can be a bit of an escape for you. I hope you have a great week on Oasis!

We’re going to pass on it this year. Since we’re driving (stopping in Florence SC tonight), we really wouldn’t be there in time to appreciate the full day tomorrow. The last few years we’ve been going to FL for 3-4 weeks in the late Feb to early March timeframe, so next year we will wrap the car show into our planning.

Well we’re on the road headed to our first stop in Pennsylvania. Bella Cruise, here we come!

Dani thank you so much for this! As Maryann said, you are amazing. I’m now trying to learn how to bookmark as I know there will be so much more information I want to save. Until now, I’ve taken screenshots of posts I want to keep but that doesn’t always work with long ones because there are multiple shots I then have to piece together. @Sunshine3601 wish you were joining to Bella cruise too. @FromSea2ShiningSea what a beautiful wedding weekend, thank you for sharing the photos. @brillohead Im happy your search turned out so well!

I wish I could be as organized as you Bonnie. Like you, we have several days before the cruise, 9 to be exact, and another 5 after (including travel days). Plus I know I’ll be doing some shopping down in FL, so that means I need a lot of shoes because what if I buy an outfit but didn’t bring the shoes that would be perfect with it? I know I’m waaay overthinking this and it’s definitely because we are driving. I wouldn’t have this luxury if we were flying. If you see this on embarkation day, you’ll know it’s me 😂.

Okay guys, you have me seriously considering this as a surprise for Andy. We would have to do Sundays event as we won’t be there until then. It beats souvenir shops in St Augustine, right??

Bob, I took a look at tix for this as we will be arriving in St Augustine on 3/5. Wow. (Consider that this is coming from someone who is NOT a car person)

@dani negreanu thank you for all this great information. I’m taking screenshots and saving so I can write everything in my notebook. BUT, what is this “pack lightly” you speak of?? I’m not familiar 😂. On the Bella cruise, over a drink, @jmh2006 is going to share tips on packing for 2 weeks in Europe in only a carry on.

I definitely spent the majority of my research time looking at flights and all the options. The most important thing for me was a non-stop flight to Italy. We have a connecting flight on the return (Chicago) but I’m okay with that. Our best choices were to fly out of Philly which works for us since we can leave our car at our daughters & have them drive us to/from the airport (and a bonus visit with them). I also went with premium seats so the airfare cost is almost as much as the cruise. Oh, and @Ocean Boy, our flights to Venice and from Barcelona to Chicago are on a 787. Dani, I hope your travel goes much smoother this time around! What a great experience that must have been. Memories not only of seeing Italy for the first time, but the time spent with your grandmother.

Check out Batch Gastropub which is attached to the Hampton. We ate there in January and thought it was good.

Yes! Although I ended up finding a non-stop flight to Italy so I’m less concerned about my luggage now. I don’t care so much if it gets lost in the way home (1 stop). But I still want to discuss packing tips. Or maybe I’m just looking for an excuse to have a drink 😉😂!

I can’t imagine not loving it. I would’ve loved to visit the town my grandmother is from in Italy - Campobasso - but it’s not near anything. I’ll settle from being in the country she’s from.

Yes, I booked directly on all hotel websites. In Rome we are booked at the Damaso Hotel. Several of the ones on my list were not available for the 3rd night, I’m guessing due to cruised departing Rome on 9/30. This hotel popped up, has very good reviews and the clincher was - my maiden name is Damaso.

So now everything is booked! I even made a restaurant reservation for our pre-cruise night in Miami. Anyone been to Dolores But You Can Call Me Lolita?

Thank you so much Dani! The Sina Palazzo is a bit out of the budget so we’ve booked the Fontana. The convenience is a major deciding factor for us. Having never been to Venice, I feel a bit clueless about getting around the city. (for example: Are there streets or just canals?) also very convenient that Alilaguna stops right there as we’ll be looking to drop off our bags and start exploring.

Been busy getting things done in preparation for the Bella cruise. We leave this Friday, driving to PA for an overnight with Cristina & her family. Then a stop somewhere on the road Saturday night, Sunday night in St Augustine and then 5 nights at Old Key West in Disney. Probably only a couple of park days - the appeal is that we can stay here for “free” using our points. Saturday we’ll drive to Miami for a pre-cruise night. I’m also trying to wrap up booking things for our Med cruise before we leave Friday. After picking ourselves up off the floor from sticker shock over airfare and the added days (because if I’m flying to Italy it seems a must do to see Venice), we switched to a 7 night from Rome to Barcelona. We’ll fly to Venice & spend 3 nights, then take the train to Rome and spend 3 nights before boarding Celebrity Edge. Then 2 nights in Barcelona before flying home. Flights are booked, Rome hotel is booked, zeroed in on Hotel Jazz for Barcelona, will book that tonight. @dani negreanusomewhere I recall seeing you comment on Hotel Fontana in Venice. Would you mind telling me what you liked and/or disliked about it? Is there something in particular we should be looking for location wise? I appreciate any advice you (or anyone else) can offer. Okay, back to my packing.

Glad to see this update today and that the surgery went well. Continued thoughts and prayers for good reports in the next few weeks🙏.

Congratulations the engagements Mimi. I hope you have a great cruise! Agree OB, fresh towel for every shower and we’ll be asking for extras every day. Like you, I can’t imagine this being an issue.

@DaniDanielle sorry to hear Charlie is sick. I hope he recovers quickly. Hope everyone else with colds/Covid feels better soon. I know the cough from my cold last week has really dragged on. ‘Tis the season.

Ouch Debbie. Hope it’s not painful for you.

Add me to the list @h20skibum& family.

I’m glad you and DH enjoyed you visit to Venice. It’s a shame that travel, both getting there and getting home, was so difficult. Your pictures of the costumes were just beautiful.

I wish you safe travels and a great trip. Hoping you’ll share the highlights with us.

Susan sounds like Andy who constantly gives out “ piggy bank donations”. Maybe I need to buy myself a piggy bank 🙂.

A quick thanks for all the Anniversary wishes. We’re headed up to New Hampshire today, staying overnight at one of our favorite spots, The Bedford Village Inn after some outlet and LL Bean shopping.