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Should you tip your tour guides on a cruise ship sponsored excursion?  We will be in Italy, Greece, Israel and Cyprus.  Some of these countries to not customarily tip.  TIA

Should you tip your tour guides on a cruise ship sponsored excursion?  We will be in Italy, Greece, Israel and Cyprus.  Some of these countries to not customarily tip.  TIA

Thanks for the input all.

Don't forget the things (and charger cords) you had plugged in overnight for the last minute charge: Fitbit/exercise tracker, phone, tablet, travel charger bank. 

And sunglasses.

6 hours ago, Joebucks said:

Turn off my AC. Not paying to maintain a house temp while I am gone

 

I created a packing checklist in Word. I check that the night before. I no longer forget things

 

Notifying the bank is a thing of the past, at least with some companies. With all of the technology we have, many banks already know you are traveling. Haven't had a problem with Chase

Our bank (FNB) is big about it.  I have gone 3 hours to Kansas City for a day trip to IKEA and my card was denied.  Got a call from fraud protection about 15 minutes later.  To me that wasn't traveling.  I just went to IKEA.

I did mean immigration, not customs.  Sorry and thanks for info.

Arrrgh!  I accidently voted for sea days.  I much prefer going to a different port every day.  I get bored to easy on ship and my ADD kicks in.

How does it work when we go to different countries on a cruise?  Do we have to go through customs?  Does Global Entry work/help in countries out of the US?  We will be sailing out of Rome.  Visiting several other Italy ports, Cypress, Israel and Greece?  We are US citizens?

I have only done Caribbean cruises.  Unsure how to dress/pack for the Mediterranean in October (18-Nov 1).   Will the weather be conducive to laying out on the ship?  Will I need a jacket for the ship?  I can look at average temps and it seems pretty good (60-70) during the day.  But wanted input from anyone  who has been on Mediterranean cruises in October/Fall. TIA

8 minutes ago, freestyling said:

We did this when leaving one day early in Lisbon. Since you have already notified and received permission to disembark a day early, just let guest services on board know you will be purchasing wine for storage. I would bring the wine storage slips to guest services 36-48 hours before disembarkation.Just remember you have to self disembark so there is no assistance with luggage or at least isn’t suppose to be.  Have a great cruise.

Thank you.

I am planning on buying some wine while in Italy and Greece to take home with us.  I know the ship takes it and returns right before debarkation day.  But we are leaving the ship one day early in the morning.  Does anyone know if it will be difficult to track down our alcohol a day early?

My TA told me to lay everything I think I need for the cruise out on the bed.  Then only pack 1/2 of the stuff but bring double the money.

Just now, 1of4 said:

We put them on at the hotel the morning of the cruise and borrow a stapler from the front desk.  I don’t fly with them on as they can be ripped off.  If you are not going to a hotel then hole punch them at home and bring elastics, string or zip ties to attach in the airport before you go to the port.

Duh!!  Zip ties!!  What an awesome solution.  And takes no space.  Thank you.

Ours went down in price with about 60 days until sail.  We received $200 drink card, $200 excursion money and a free dinner at both pay for restaurants per person (there were 4 of us).  Our TA reached out to HAL.

I have printed off my luggage tags and when folded, they do not fit in my luggage tag holders we have always used on RCI.  I printed them on cardstock and covered in packing tape to make more durable.  But I seem to remember you are not supposed to put your cruise luggage tags on until after you have arrived at the airport?  Is this correct or my memory wrong.  Don't want to have to take a stapler with me to  attach after landing.  And do you print a luggage tag for your carry on? TIA

I bought a soda card (unlimited) and my adult room mate did not.  Did this about a month ago.

I have some OBC and wondering if the OBC will be used automatically for the gratuities if the OBC is still available when it is time to pay them?  Or do I need to go to the desk and  tell them to use the OBC?

I know the unlimited cost more in Europe.  Does the stuff a bag cost more in Europe also?

We have always sailed RCI and love to have a late night (midnight) snack/light meal before heading to bed.  Yes, I know eating this late is bad for you.  But what are the options on the Rotterdam?  Anywhere to grab pizza or sandwiches this late at night that isn't room service?

Thanks.  Made my day.

Does HAL have the clotheslines you can pull out, in their bathtubs?  And do the elevators change the carpet each morning to say the day?  We are on Rotterdam, if that makes a difference.

We received a free dinner at Canaletto's and I checked out the menu.  I honestly don't know what  most of it is. Any recommendations or clarifications?
 

Thanks.  Found it.  I don't go that high up apparently.  Was looking closer to the actual post. 

There used to be a field I could type in key words to find posts concerning the words.  I can't find it.  Am I blind or is it gone?

11 minutes ago, Cailey53 said:

Shower amenities are in dispensers in the shower. The body lotion are in small bottles, and you can request more from your room steward.

AFAIK, the pop cups are only on the K'dam and NS with the Coke Freestyle machines, unless they have recently rolled these out fleet wide.

Thanks.  I couldn't come up with the proper name of the Coke Freestyle.