Semi/Live: an "Epic" TA, 15 nights NY to Barcelona 04/22/23 - 05/07/23

[mking8288]

All aboard and we are on the move already, set sail 5 minutes early at about 4:55 pm local time. Ibiza tomorrow's arrival time is 12 noon, all abroad at 9:30 pm.

 

 

Edited May 4, 2023 by mking8288

[www3traveler]

Hi,

Thank you for all the wonderful pictures and commentary.

I hope you wife and sister in law have room and under weight for your long journey home.

When is your next adventure and to where?

 

Mandy

[mking8288]

FYI - we skipped Cadiz due to weather and as of this date, no refund or credits for the cancelled port taxes, charges & fees.  Just checked our Onboard Account, it is what it is and 😳👎😤 we aren't surprised.  Kindly skip preaching about the cruise ticket contract or T&C, we've been cruising for over 1/4 century, thank you.  We would be pleasantly surprised otherwise with the good will.

 

Just sent out #4 bag of free laundry 🧺 this afternoon as being "entitled" 😁 🫢 

 

Meanwhile, notice more sparodic use & wearing of both surgical & N95 style face masks over the last few days ... and coughing. 😷  No escalated protocols otherwise that I can see, washy washy has been done as a song & dance without the spray bottle and hand sanitizer or soap & water washing are strictly voluntary - norovirus, just stay away for several more days. 🤧

[mking8288]

On 5/2/2023 at 6:33 PM, podgeandrodge said:

... Platinum & Sapphire or Diamonds, with 15 days at sea, we get 2 free bags of laundry done...""""" - good to know, the latitude rewards page doesn't state this or I couldn't find it anyway!

It has never been clearly explained or written out, we asked onboard the Escape several years ago doing a 14 nights and CN team told us 2 bags per ... 

Asked recently on the 12 nights Getaway and it was 1 bag, not 2 per, no different than 7 nights.  We asked & they confirmed verbally that we each get 2 bags ... our #2 and #3 bag of free wash, out of 4 came back - free with #3. Bag #4 out of 4 free bags just picked up - should go thru. 

 

Otherwise, I can see some missing out on a 14 days+ cruise with this useful benefit. 

 

P.S. stay tuned while I try to replicate the Pixel 7 Pro and USB-C Dongle & HDMI adapter/hub.  Samsung is definitely a breeze to use, especially the monitor is also branded under Samsung. 

[podgeandrodge]

3 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

 

 

P.S. stay tuned while I try to replicate the Pixel 7 Pro and USB-C Dongle & HDMI adapter/hub.  Samsung is definitely a breeze to use, especially the monitor is also branded under Samsung. 

Thanks! Yes, on the Pixel I think you'll have problems replicating the Samsung set up. Seemingly Google have software disabled the functionality (known as DLP alt mode I think) to sell Chromecast! Interesting to hear if you manage it! 

Edited May 4, 2023 by podgeandrodge

[bedfordmom]

Were some of those shoes in the bin in the picture 5euros? Love shoes made in Spain!!!

[mking8288]

Hola, our waiter tonight at Taste couldn't figured out how we ended up with a English-Spanish bilingual MDR menu, but it is one of those less used frequently on shorter cruises. This amigos does speak, read & write another language, just not Spanish, LOL 

 

Sorry, @dexddd not rubbing it in with the food pix - get creative with options. BTW, haven't seen clam chowders or even Minestrone soup served in the MDR yet ... 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 4, 2023 by mking8288

[mking8288]

Tomorrow's Freestyle Dailies, Day 14 - OMG ... time to start re-packing those clean laundry.  

 

 

O'Sheehan's "new" appetizer, soup & salad menu on the Epic, for your convenience (@dexddd)

 

 

[mking8288]

1 hour ago, bedfordmom said:

Were some of those shoes in the bin in the picture 5euros? ... 

Yes, the ones on the left side of the bins are closeout specials as marked.  Not the ones in the boxes. Lots of slippers & sandels, etc. from 14.95 to 24.95 Euros. 

All of them made in Spain, quality workmanship that we can see.  We just stumbled upon the store in one of the side streets, a few blocks from the shuttle bus stop area.

 

 

 

[AtSeaAlways]

3 hours ago, mking8288 said:

FYI - we skipped Cadiz due to weather and as of this date, no refund or credits for the cancelled port taxes, charges & fees.  Just checked our Onboard Account, it is what it is and 😳👎😤 we aren't surprised.  Kindly skip preaching about the cruise ticket contract or T&C, we've been cruising for over 1/4 century, thank you.  We would be pleasantly surprised otherwise with the good will.

 

Just sent out #4 bag of free laundry 🧺 this afternoon as being "entitled" 😁 🫢 

 

Meanwhile, notice more sparodic use & wearing of both surgical & N95 style face masks over the last few days ... and coughing. 😷  No escalated protocols otherwise that I can see, washy washy has been done as a song & dance without the spray bottle and hand sanitizer or soap & water washing are strictly voluntary - norovirus, just stay away for several more days. 🤧

The greeters in Garden Cafe should get coffee or energy drink sponsors on Instagram.  They have unlimited pep- and for a good cause- Washy Washy. My new favorite quick breakfast item- the pre made cheese omlettes. 

 

I have been half following developments from the smoke stacks aboard- quirky and French like the rest of the ship.  This morning a brief cloud of soot rained down (possibly from air starting an engine?) - and the white steam has come and gone just now and might be back.  

 

The ship really needs bedside USB ports.  Power is nearby.   And 4" taken off the stainless water cup racks in the buffet.  Shorter guests cannot reach the cups.   

 

I stumbled onto the Virgin Voyages forum on a search for Ibiza port lunch ideas  - crazy random service problems there- not here.  All by the book.  We are on vacation :)

[mking8288]

7 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

Our cruise styles are so different ...well, actually, not yours and mine, but ... Same with McDonald's. They are just better in other countries ... 

 

🙂  haven't seen blue sky in days in central New York. I almost forgot what a beautiful day looks like ...

Haha 😆 don't admit just anything - I found out back in 1985 on a budget trip to Hong Kong then, that McD there made great coffee (LOL) ...  Pizza Hut is very popular in urbanized mainland China, except I didn't recognize half of the items on the menu, and the sauce & cheese mixes ☹️ 

 

Anyway, we are hanging out on the oversized angle balcony, just 3 more nights with this cruise. Then, we reset the countdown meters & start focusing and planning the next one - with our own "debriefing" of what we'll leave behind at home, to leave more space in the luggage. 

 

Cheers & more blue skies ☁️ 

 

 

Edited May 4, 2023 by mking8288

[bedfordmom]

27 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

Yes, the ones on the left side of the bins are closeout specials as marked.  Not the ones in the boxes. Lots of slippers & sandels, etc. from 14.95 to 24.95 Euros. 

All of them made in Spain, quality workmanship that we can see.  We just stumbled upon the store in one of the side streets, a few blocks from the shuttle bus stop area.

 

 

 

Thanks, you don't happen to remember the name of the store.  Those shoes will be worn frequently and  be a nice  rememberance of your trip.  

 

Also let us know what you should have left at home and what you wished that you had brought   in terms of clothes etc.  I continue to really enjoy your trip report.

[The P]

5 hours ago, mking8288 said:

Hi, Sharon ... see all the fun you are missing, time to put a TA on your bucket list - last minute deal, perhaps ??  I just can't promise or guarantee great weather for the duration.

 

She already regretted.  Instead of buying 2, should've brought 4 pairs, 😆😆😆.  They got plenty of Euros in their money belts and even carried their own (shopping) bags - I just ride shotgun & watch their decoy bags as they're busy trying all the shoes out.

That's the husband's job when the wife is making shoe decisions. Good work, Henry.👍

[mking8288]

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 4, 2023 by mking8288

[mking8288]

2 hours ago, bedfordmom said:

Thanks, you don't happen to remember the name of the store ...

 

Also let us know what you should have left at home and what you wished that you had brought in terms of clothes etc.  I continue to really enjoy your trip report.

You are most welcomed, it's just paying back and sharing.  Name of the shoe store is C & M Calzados, just 5 blocks from the shuttle bus stop in town.  Didn't realized it scored a 5.0 rating on Google Maps ... as a Google Local Guide when I am not hanging out on CC, I contribute too.  

 

We all over-packed again with the weather forecasts, could've left a fleece vest and fleece jacket at home, and kept our bigger 24" spinner under 40 lbs in total combined weight & leave room for purchases. 

 

DW is ditching an older pair of sandels before we fly home from BCN next week. 

 

[mking8288]

7 hours ago, www3traveler said:

... I hope you wife and sister in law have room and under weight for your long journey home. When is your next adventure and to where?

Thanks, Mandy ... the plan is to layer extra at the check-in counter & especially at the boarding gate, and stuffed the coat pockets with the heaviest items.  Since extended family works for airlines back home, we got a few tricks to bail us out if necessary 😁 but we should slip under their gate "police" radar with the sizer & luggage scales. 

 

We will/should be on "sabbatical" over next 4 months as usual again, avoiding the summer crowds - although one of the nieces has a deluxe suite plus a 2nd room on MSC, and we might get to ride along.  Otherwise, Fall to New England & Canada is almost certain to happen, final payment coming up this month.  Late Fall, either a re-positioning (deposited) or possibly a TA going the opposite way ... but, we aren't sure yet. 

 

Being 25 to 45 minutes from MCT give us options on booking a last minute special & just go - being happily Retired opened up lots of options for us. 

[mking8288]

Update on missed port - Cadiz, just checked our Onboard Account tonight, getting a Refundable OBC of $18.39 each x 3 persons posted.  That's always appreciated. 

 

 

 

We are currently about 190 nm from Ibiza @ midnight, ship/local time - should be one-time or early for our noon arrival.

Edited May 4, 2023 by mking8288

[JIMESOPUS]

@mking8288 Thanks for the shoe info, I'm sure Carol will be visiting that store on our November cruise. Can't wait for the Ibiza review, I have read that's the unofficial home of Cava, which may get me in trouble ( again ).

 

Jim

[www3traveler]

7 minutes ago, mking8288 said:

Thanks, Mandy ... the plan is to layer extra at the check-in counter & especially at the boarding gate, and stuffed the coat pockets with the heaviest items.  Since extended family works for airlines back home, we got a few tricks to bail us out if necessary 😁 but we should slip under their gate "police" radar with the sizer & luggage scales. 

 

We will/should be on "sabbatical" over next 4 months as usual again, avoiding the summer crowds - although one of the nieces has a deluxe suite plus a 2nd room on MSC, and we might get to ride along.  Otherwise, Fall to New England & Canada is almost certain to happen, final payment coming up this month.  Late Fall, either a re-positioning (deposited) or possibly a TA going the opposite way ... but, we aren't sure yet. 

 

Being 25 to 45 minutes from MCT give us options on booking a last minute special & just go - being happily Retired opened up lots of options for us. 

One of my cruise websites reported this morning that recently the MSC Seaside scored a 67 (80 is passing) in a USPH inspection.  The report was 18 pages detailing 105 violations.

 

I live 320 miles South and East of Seattle, Washington which limits being able to just jump on a cruise.  It is a 6 to 8 hour (s) flight to either NYC or Miami, getting harding and harder to do with getting older and changes in airline schedules.

[mking8288]

 

 

 

 

 

Good morning, about 9:55 am and beautiful day, sunshine & blue skies, calm sea.  Almost at Ibiza port, straight ahead. 

 

Using Pixel 7 Pro's 10x and 30x zoom to bring the image up close. 

 

NCL shuttle buses @$15 p/p round-trip to town. More details & reports to come later.

 

First, breakfast at O'Sheehan's - plus the menu

Edited May 5, 2023 by mking8288

[mking8288]

Harbor traffic and or cruise berth isn't ready for us to come in yet - we are holding our position just outside the harbor and using thrusters to turn starboard ?  It's a little after 11 am, early.  LTE signal is strong, turning off ship's WiFi for faster data access & upload.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 5, 2023 by mking8288

[mking8288]

Ibiza harbor & cruise piers with busy ship traffic.  Pretty downtown and has a modern look & urbanized look to it. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 5, 2023 by mking8288

[mking8288]

Almost done as we backed into our berth ...@ 11:45 am.  

 

Going to be a mad rush for the gangways to go shore, especially for those with booked shorex

 

 

Castle of Ibiza - no Uber services available in this area ☹️

 

 

 

Edited May 5, 2023 by mking8288

[dexddd]

20 hours ago, mking8288 said:

Hi, Sharon ... see all the fun you are missing, time to put a TA on your bucket list - last minute deal, perhaps ??  I just can't promise or guarantee great weather for the duration.

 

She already regretted.  Instead of buying 2, should've brought 4 pairs, 😆😆😆.  They got plenty of Euros in their money belts and even carried their own (shopping) bags - I just ride shotgun & watch their decoy bags as they're busy trying all the shoes out.

What do you put in the decoy bags?  Sapphire pins to lure the Ocean's Eleven gang?

Edited May 5, 2023 by dexddd

[dexddd]

15 hours ago, AtSeaAlways said:

The greeters in Garden Cafe should get coffee or energy drink sponsors on Instagram.  They have unlimited pep- and for a good cause- Washy Washy. My new favorite quick breakfast item- the pre made cheese omlettes. 

 

I have been half following developments from the smoke stacks aboard- quirky and French like the rest of the ship.  This morning a brief cloud of soot rained down (possibly from air starting an engine?) - and the white steam has come and gone just now and might be back.  

 

The ship really needs bedside USB ports.  Power is nearby.   And 4" taken off the stainless water cup racks in the buffet.  Shorter guests cannot reach the cups.   

 

I stumbled onto the Virgin Voyages forum on a search for Ibiza port lunch ideas  - crazy random service problems there- not here.  All by the book.  We are on vacation 🙂

What happen there?  New shoes already spontaneously combust after first use?