Live EPIC Mediterannean 11-Day Cruise from Marseille, France October 2, 2023-with pics!

[omahabob]

When we meet people, we don't shows pictures of our kids. We show pictures of the fur babies. That works both ways though. We have neighbors who come over to see the dog, not us.

[All-ready2cruise]

lol, yea, had the same with my Sadie

[graphicguy]

10 hours ago, All-ready2cruise said:

@graphicguy, it doesn't matter though, does it, we love them so much we'd do anything to make their life better.  My sons, 1 of my own and , 6 step sons, are the best.  

I do love my pets but, all past sadly,  my kids are the best. 

Cheers

Amen to that!

 

My son is a doding offspring.  I’m an empty nester in recent years.  He calls all the time just checking up.  He’s worried about me traveling alone through Europe for a month.  He’ll be with me for part of that trip, but he wonders if something happens, no one will be able to communicate with him in English (the only language he knows) if something goes awry.  I mentioned to him, if something goes awry, I won’t be able to communicate with anyone in Europe either.  I’ll leave my well being with those who find me destitute somewhere in France doing my best Marcel Marceau imitation trying to communicate.

 

I’m extremely proud of him.  I gave him the best education I could.  He’s taken it and run with it.  Too often I’ve seen other parents bemoaning the exact opposite experience with their kids.  He took a smaller salary with a medical startup and got (at the time) a healthy share of stock options.  They went public right after the COVID restart.  He did well!!!!

 

I keep having to remind him that I traversed the globe for roughly 3+ decades for my work.  I’ve forgotten more about travel than he’ll ever know.

 

We’ll be together for a week in Cortona.  The rest of that time, and the purpose of this thread, I’ll be solo on the Epic.

 

In the interim, the doggo is looking at me and wondering why I’m chuckling to myself while she’s the only one around trying to take her after breakfast nap.

Edited July 10, 2023 by graphicguy

[graphicguy]

OBC…..I’ve done enough cruising with enough cruise lines, I have a pretty good understanding of how the OBC works, and how to work the OBC perks.

 

This has been thrown around these threads for quite some time.   But, just a brief recap….AMEX., more specifically, AMEX Platinum and Centurion cards (non branded…for example, no Delta Airlines branded cards qualify for the perks).  I know there are other perks available for AMEX’s blue and gold cards, too.  I’m not as familiar with those, however.

 

The way it works, you pay for your entire cruise using your AMEX Plat.  They gave me $300 OBC (the amount is dependent on the the cabin type you book), a dinner at LeBistro and a bottle of wine.  Given I use a TA, make certain the TA participates in this AMEX program.  Not all of them do.  And, I’ve been told by NCL’s PCCs when I’ve spoken to them, they DO NOT participate in the program.  You DO NOT have to book your cruise through Amex Travel to get the OBC.

 

On my last cruise on the Bliss several months ago, I was chatting with my Cruise Next Manager, who informed me of the $200 OBC I could receive for signing up for the NCL Credit Card.  There’s a minimum amount you have to charge on it to qualify, and you have to do it in a specified period of time.  Plus, you don’t have to use it to book another cruise to get the OBC.  I signed up.  Bought a dishwasher that I needed.  Paid it off immediately.

 

Lo and behold, a $200 OBC showed up on this booking after I asked my TA to check into it.

 

So, that’s $500 of OBC.  My TA says she saw somewhere that I MIGHT qualify for another $200 from NCL.  But, she’s not certain and is checking on the qualifiers for me.

 

Either way, I’ve got $500 OBC at least, as well as a free LeBistro Dinner.  I’m not a wine person.  So, I’ll give that bottle of wine away at our Meet and Greet.

[JIMESOPUS]

@graphicguy We are not wine people but thanks to a post here in CC we now " gift " our wine to a crew member. On our last cruise, we had a fantastic waiter. We asked which wine would he drink, he picked out one. After the meal, we went down to Guest Services and gave them his name and the bottle. The next day we ran into his boss, she was shocked that we did that and that he was very happy / surprised. 

[graphicguy]

11 minutes ago, JIMESOPUS said:

@graphicguy We are not wine people but thanks to a post here in CC we now " gift " our wine to a crew member. On our last cruise, we had a fantastic waiter. We asked which wine would he drink, he picked out one. After the meal, we went down to Guest Services and gave them his name and the bottle. The next day we ran into his boss, she was shocked that we did that and that he was very happy / surprised. 

What a great idea.  Thanks!

[graphicguy]

I'm proud of the fact that I've never missed a cruise I've had to fly to for embarkation.  And, out of the ~30 cruises I've taken, the vast majority I've flown in the the day of embarkation.  Lord knows I've been chastised by my reckless behavior here at CC.  I've had airports close because of bomb threats, leaving me stuck on the tarmac for hours.  I've had weather delay not one, but two flights.  I've had an UBER get woefully lost taking me to the pier adding 2 hours to what should have been a 20 minute ride.  I have never missed a cruise.  My track record stands and remains pristine for not missing an embarkation or sailing.  I'm damn proud of it.

 

When will I come in the day before?  When there's a + or - hour's time difference (I live in EDT/EST).  When I can't get a direct flight.  When I can't control my own flights/transport to the pier.  When there's no other flight to get me to the ship on time if my original flight is late/cancelled.  When there's no other airport within 2 hours of my embarkation pier.  When I can't use only carry on luggage foregoing lost checked luggage.  Although, I've had my gate checked luggage get lost from the check in gate to the baggage handler who was no more than 100 feet away from where I left off the luggage to be loaded.

 

This cruise won't qualify given my self imposed rules of cruise travel.  And, I got a lot of rules for all sorts of cruise scenarios.

 

There's a + 6 hour time difference.  Given I'm going to be gone for nearly a month,  I need something bigger than a carry on.  Therefore, I need to check luggage.  I DO NOT have a direct flight.  I got close.  My flight is direct from CVG to CDG.  But, I have to get from CDG to MRS to where the ship is.

 

That means, ship sails at 7:30 p.m. on Oct 2.  It is coming off a charter, so I believe it will be in Marseille either the nite before or early on Oct 2.  

 

I'm flying out Sept 30 at 7:00 p.m....lay over in Paris for 3+ hours and planning to arrive (using the term "planning" very loosely) in Marseille right around 2:00 p.m., Central European Time.

 

Then the question of where to stay comes in.  Stay near the Airport?  Or, stay near the port.  I chose staying near the port.  As tired as I'll be from the red-eye, I'll be too "jacked up" to just go to sleep.  So, found a hotel in the "old port" area, the Ibis Budget Marseille Viuex Port.  Don't know the area.  But, it seems it's relatively close to at least some restaurants.  And, I'll assume a short ride to the Epic in port.

 

There were lots of hotels available.  But, some ranged from $400/nite all the way to $1,400 nite.  To sleep?  Not even remotely considering that given I can book an entire cruise for $1,400 nite.  And, given a little shopping, I can probably find an entire cruise for close to $400-$600.  Ibis is/was $160/nite.

 

Still working on what I'm going to do after the end of the cruise.  And, looking at a lot of excursions, which I'll report here.

 

 

[batoryfirst]

No way are you too early with your travel report. I’ll be with you through it all😎

I have enjoyed your previous posts with all your details that you are so kind to share with us. 
 

Nancy 

[Ticatraveler]

Hey! I think we will be neighbors in the Haven. The cruise started with just my husband and I. Two bedroom because its my favorite.  But then my adult kids heard about it and decided to join.  We are very excited about the overnight ports.  We have been to most of the ports before.

 

 

 

[graphicguy]

1 hour ago, Ticatraveler said:

Hey! I think we will be neighbors in the Haven. The cruise started with just my husband and I. Two bedroom because its my favorite.  But then my adult kids heard about it and decided to join.  We are very excited about the overnight ports.  We have been to most of the ports before.

 

 

 

Cool.  I’ve organized Meet and Greets in the past.  Doing it again for this cruise.  Love doing that as it gives all of us a way to interface with crew upper management and each other.  Plus, NCL does a really nice job of hosting us with snacks and refreshments.  NCL loves Cruise Critic members.

 

If interested, sign up here.  It’s going to be a pretty good sized group.

 

 

Edited July 11, 2023 by graphicguy

[graphicguy]

19 hours ago, batoryfirst said:

No way are you too early with your travel report. I’ll be with you through it all😎

I have enjoyed your previous posts with all your details that you are so kind to share with us. 
 

Nancy 

You’re kind.  Thank you and glad you enjoy them.

 

I appreciate others when they report on their trips.  If I can’t be on a cruise, I like reading about them.

 

I’m on the odd cabin number side.

 

Mine was a total “heat of the moment” choice for this cruise.  I was only supposed to go to Italy to visit relatives.  It turned into this as the deal was just too good for me to pass up.  Frivolous?  Probably!  Do I care?  Not even a little bit!

 

I’ll be gone nearly a month, including the 11 days on this cruise.

 

I’ve flown in and out of Barcelona….about long enough to go to the Sagrada Familia, but that’s about it.  So, looking forward to spending a little more time there and to visit the other ports with those overnights making it a little easier to explore.

[graphicguy]

Trying to make heads or tails out of the FREE AT SEA PLUS offer.

 

So, according to the pre cruise concierge, I can get...

 

-Premium Plus Beverage package.  Don't need it, but if I had it, would use it for some of those fancy/schmancy liquors I see people talk about all the time in these threads.  Alone, this would cost $383.

 

-2 extra Specialty Dining Meals.  Again, don't need them as I already have 1 LeBistro dinner from AMEX, 2 Specialty Dining coupons via FAS and 2 Specialty Dining coupons for being Sapphire Latitudes.  That's 5.  But staying in the Haven, I get use of that Restaurant, too.  11 day cruise with 7 Specialty Dining coupons wouldn't go to waste, though.  An $82 "value", supposedly.

 

-Unlimited WiFi upgrade....an alleged $229 "value".  This one I could really use as I will be doing the "live" review here.  The Steaming option would cost me another $100, however.  Have not had much luck with internet, on any cruise, on any cruise line, ever.  Sometimes it's good.  Most times not.  I don't know how good internet service is throughout the Mediterranean, though.  Anyone have any insight on the "streaming" service on Mediterranean cruises?

 

-an Additional $50 exclusion credit for the 2nd guest.  Well, that's all well and good, except I don't have a 2nd guest.  The real question is, would that transfer to me as a solo?  One pre-cruise Concierge says yes....another says no.  The one that said "no" states I'd have to buy two separate upgrades to double my Excursion credits. Huh? If true, I'd be getting $100 off each excursion I book through NCL.  THAT would be very useful...especially given I get 20% off all excursions as a Sapphire.  

 

Total cost for all of this?  $462.  I sort of like this.  I'd jump on it if they would offer the $100 excursion credit per excursion.  Not so attractive if not.

 

Am I thinking right?  I'm going to email the concierges go get clarifications so I have something in writing, either way.

[All-ready2cruise]

Ya know, when I look at my reservation, it does look like it would be the original $50 discount, plus the additional $50 discount, plus the Lat. 15% discount for excursions, doesn't it?

 

That would make a huge difference in cost especially for the tours in EU.  

Of course I could be wrong but it would be nice. lol

[cruiseny4life]

57 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

-an Additional $50 exclusion credit for the 2nd guest.  Well, that's all well and good, except I don't have a 2nd guest.  The real question is, would that transfer to me as a solo?  One pre-cruise Concierge says yes....another says no.  The one that said "no" states I'd have to buy two separate upgrades to double my Excursion credits. Huh? If true, I'd be getting $100 off each excursion I book through NCL.  THAT would be very useful...especially given I get 20% off all excursions as a Sapphire.  

If two people in the stateroom upgrade to Free at Sea Plus, each person receives a $50 excursion credit. For those sailing solo, it's only one $50 credit, which of course is received as part of the regular Free at Sea perks. But, the cost of Free at Sea Plus is slightly lower for a solo cruiser.

 

Source: https://www.ncl.com/about/terms-and-conditions/promotions

 

And, of course, the $50 discount is credited, then your Latitudes reward discount is taken off.

Source: https://www.ncl.com/latitudes-rewards-program/benefits-terms-and-conditions

[All-ready2cruise]

Yeah, would be way too much to expect it to be 2 $50 credits per solo cruiser, lol. 

[graphicguy]

11 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

If two people in the stateroom upgrade to Free at Sea Plus, each person receives a $50 excursion credit. For those sailing solo, it's only one $50 credit, which of course is received as part of the regular Free at Sea perks. But, the cost of Free at Sea Plus is slightly lower for a solo cruiser.

 

Source: https://www.ncl.com/about/terms-and-conditions/promotions

 

And, of course, the $50 discount is credited, then your Latitudes reward discount is taken off.

Source: https://www.ncl.com/latitudes-rewards-program/benefits-terms-and-conditions

 

8 minutes ago, All-ready2cruise said:

Yeah, would be way too much to expect it to be 2 $50 credits per solo cruiser, lol. 

Thanks.  Hadn’t seen that before.  You guys know more than NCL, as I was getting different answers from them directly.

 

If allowed to capture the additional $50/pp/per excursion, that would have been a $200-$300 swing for me.

Edited July 11, 2023 by graphicguy

[All-ready2cruise]

You're certainly not the only person.  I don't pay attention to this Plus feature of NCL.  I guess there are many who would benefit from it, just not me, even if DH were still around it wouldn't be important enough to pay that kind of money. 

IMO, while reading the fine print is important,  with NCL it should be the first thing everyone should do. 

[graphicguy]

2 hours ago, All-ready2cruise said:

You're certainly not the only person.  I don't pay attention to this Plus feature of NCL.  I guess there are many who would benefit from it, just not me, even if DH were still around it wouldn't be important enough to pay that kind of money. 

IMO, while reading the fine print is important,  with NCL it should be the first thing everyone should do. 

Might think about the upgrade given the unlimited internet.  But, just got off the phone with NCL again.  They said the upgrade for WiFi does not include streaming.  Not sure if there's much of a difference.  But, if I'm trying to upload pics and short .mov files, that may be worth it.  But, they made it sound like I'd have to pay an additional $100 on top of the Free at Sea Plus to do that.

 

So, I consider it a hard pass.

 

I'll just upgrade my internet on board.

[graphicguy]

Transport.......From MRS to the hotel (old Marseille port), I booked this.....

 

VIATOR

Pick up at MRS with a driver who is supposed to pick me up somewhere at the airport (they say they'll send the details when the ride is paid for on Sept 29) who will have my name on a placard.  And, they are giving me a ride in a white Tesla.  Why that matters, I'm not sure.

 

Price is $74.43.  I'll throw in a Jackson for a tip if everything goes well.

 

From there, assuming I can get an UBER, I will take that to the ship.  Hopefully, get to the ship some time around noon.  I do not want to be waiting around the pier to board and don't want to get stuck in any sort of crowd getting on the ship.  So, perhaps even have lunch first, and then head to the pier.

 

 

[All-ready2cruise]

Planning's going well I see, good job! 

Just an aside, the only European country that I've heard Uber is no longer available is Denmark.  Not that it matters in your case. 

[graphicguy]

Excursions.....here are the ones I've looking at....

BARCELONA

-Barcelona's Best-$129

-Scenic Barcelona (which will be free after discounts and credit)

Probably do both since we're there for 2 days and will allow me to revisit Sagrada Familia

 

PALMA MAJORCA

-Palma de Mallorca Attractions-$119

exactly as it sounds...sort of a "best of" tour

 

NAPLES/POMPEI

-Pompei and Sorrento to visit artisans and the ruins-$169

 

ROME

-Rome and the Vatican-$299

My understanding you really can't get into the Vatican or the Coliseum with out being on a tour (well, you could but it take forever)

-A Taste of Italy and Rome-$199

These are both sort of no brainers and we're there for 2 days so...well, of course!

 

FLORENCE/PISA

-Pisa and a Test of Tuscany-$179

-David and Florence-$209

Another 2 day stay and really have to do both of these.

 

CANNES FRANCE

-Monaco and Monte Carlo-$109

This is another one that's self explanatory.  If you're going to be in the French Riviera, gotta see this.

 

This is subject to change, but so far, this is what I'm looking it.

 

All prices do not include the Sappire discount nor the $50 excursion credits.

 

 

 

[cruiseny4life]

24 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

CANNES FRANCE

-Monaco and Monte Carlo-$109

This is another one that's self explanatory.  If you're going to be in the French Riviera, gotta see this.

Make sure to take that jacket and tie! And, your passport. Otherwise no can access the casino. 🙂

 

I hope you're getting some pizza in Naples!

[Grimix]

On 7/10/2023 at 6:11 AM, graphicguy said:

So, that’s $500 of OBC.  My TA says she saw somewhere that I MIGHT qualify for another $200 from NCL.  But, she’s not certain and is checking on the qualifiers for me.

 

Either way, I’ve got $500 OBC at least, as well as a free LeBistro Dinner.  I’m not a wine person.  So, I’ll give that bottle of wine away at our Meet and Greet.

So with all your cruising you didn't pick up some NCLH shares at bargain basement prices?

 

Don't quote me, but I suspect the streaming upgrade only opens the ports commonly used by the major streaming services (youtube/netflix/hulu/etc, maybe filtering based on IP, don't know. I'm in software, but not networking.) I don't think it boosts your actually bandwidth, so just uploading I think the extra $100 would be a waste. 

 

Unfortunately (or fortunately) this will not be live for me because we'll be on our cruise to Alaska. We're going to the airport on the same day, but no big time difference so our cruise leaves the 1st. Have a great one!

[tjc78]

@graphicguy

I will be looking forward to your live review.  I just changed our Christmas week cruise from Breakaway out of New Orleans to Epic out of Port Canaveral.  Obviously much different itineraries!  Yours sounds amazing.  

[mking8288]

10 hours ago, graphicguy said:

Trying to make heads or tails out of the FREE AT SEA PLUS offer.

So, according to the pre cruise concierge, I can get...

 

-Unlimited WiFi upgrade....an alleged $229 "value".  This one I could really use as I will be doing the "live" review here ... does not include streaming.  Not sure if there's much of a difference ... sound like I'd have to pay an additional $100 on top of the Free at Sea Plus to do that.

 

I'll just upgrade my internet on board.

 

Dan - just FYI, based on our recent Epic TA and sailing between islands before disembarking in Barcelona, my "opinion" is that ship's basic unlimited WiFi will suffice for doing your live review, as long as your hardware are fairly recent & current over 802.11.ax or .ac (WiFi 6 compliant) - didn't have trouble getting 6 to 7 Mbps download and 4 to 6 Mbps upload speed most of the time.  Also, cellular towers in the Med apparently put out fairly strong signal over the waterways with regional large ferries crisscrossing.  We're a good 3 to 5 miles off the coast sailing thru Gibraltar and were actually using cellular signals onboard - and, between Palma & BCN, had basically good & usable cellular signal as we sail around the southwest coast once leaving the port before turning northwest for a good 2 to 3 hours.  I don't think you'll see or notice any substantial difference uploading & posting pictures.  

 

Besides, there's no compelling reason to not wait until you get onboard to do the upgrade, with all that OBC available vs. paying forward & upfront pre-cruise, just my 2 cents.  

 

Not holding out much hope to see Starlink live on these older ships anytime soon ... just reading a trade article about Carnival converting & upgrade 11 more of their ships within the fleet already, with superior results/speed & good pricing options, unlike we know "who" here.  Of course, Princess & Royal has been all in - tag me puzzled as to why & what the heck is going on with Harry steering the NCL rudders, dragging the paddles along against enhancement.  I'll check out one of the "older" Plus ship in a couple weeks before you go and get the latest benchmark with the A15 Bionic chipset.  

 

We'll chat again before you head east.  Regards - Henry 

 

P.S.  Depending on your Haven suite's location relative to land - "active" cellular signal towers, you will get much better d/l and u/l speed while under way ... just make sure you have your global data roaming active.  One of the many reasons I love our Google Fi Unlimited Plus plan ... Or, get one of the 30 days unlimited data e/Sim to roam EU-wide, super inexpensive.  BTW, many of the "private" land-based tour operators prefer WhatsApp for voice & text msg/updates - do check & confirm if you might be considering them.  

Edited July 12, 2023 by mking8288