schmoopie17

I have to reluctantly agree. I recall the conversation I had with a neighbor from Croatia who said you do NOT want to go there in summer due to heat, tourist overrun, etc. Much better in spring or fall.

They just came out...

Both of those would be Schmoopie-approved. But how does the first one do 11 ports in 10 days? As for Santorini, we've never been but everything I've read about it recently (cable car issues, donkey trail/poop, etc.) doesn't sound as appealing as I once thought it would be. Maybe we could find a Greek party bus to pick us up at the pier and get the group rate.

DAD: What's this thing?? YVONNE: *sticks out her tongue and makes the raspberry noise* DAD: That's not polite. I asked you a question. What is it? YVONNE: *sticks out her tongue again and makes the raspberry noise* DAD: I need a beer.

They will clamour if @YVRteacherjoins us. That's how they spell things in Canada. And it would be an honour if she and Dad would join us.

Good to see you made the mustard drill. And that you were able to ketchup with the rest of the group. Yes, I know I've used those lines a few (okay, many) times in the past. But it's Happy Hour where I am...and I may be overly "happy"...

Yes, the idea of #Schmoopiefest was for 2026...preferably in Europe...and for us, preferably something that stops in Croatia. But then it expanded to 2025. There are a couple mini-#Schmoopiefest cruises already booked for 2025. However, it looks like you and us (Mrs. Schmoopie and I) will be doing the Panama Canal. That's okay, we drink equally well in small groups as large ones. Still time for others to join.

OP is me. As for statistics, who knows? My mom lived to 96. My dad lived to 74. If you average it out, that means I should be looking at 85. However, my brother died at 71...so there goes that theory.

Cunard seems like it's too stuffy. I prefer fluffy, not stuffy.

I feel sorry for people who have a pug nose. They may never get on the ship...

I think this is the first time I have quoted myself on CC. Anyway, the reservations just opened for Choir of Man. I was only able to reserve two seats. Our friends will need to do their own reservation. So I answered myself.

Several months ago I bought 100 shares at $12.89. I bought it because we mainly cruise NCL and because it would be relatively cheap entertainment watching the stock every day. Didn't buy it to make a ton of money...we have enough other regular investments for that purpose. Today it closed at $16.14. We have totaled $450 in OBC since buying it. Combined with the $325 I would have made if I had sold it today, I'd say that's not bad for something that I bought for entertainment purposes.

Some people might argue that your first three words are more appropriate, given the shift away from production shows to lame game shows.

$250 refundable deposits. 10% Veterans discount.

That's fine. But I thought your concern was being able to see the city before the cruise. Getting in a day or two early lets you do that.

We never arrive the day of the cruise. Too many things can go wrong. Unless UK customers aren't allowed to add a front-end deviation (US cruisers can come in up to two days in advance), definitely do that.

Choir of Man is outstanding. Waiting to hit the 21 day mark to book it. Speaking of which, we just became Platinum. We're cruising with cruise virgins. Will I be able to reserve the show online for all four of us (like reserving Specialty Dining)...or will they have to reserve their own? I'm sure @BirdTravelscan answer this one.

Most of the Internet "Managers" we have dealt with on NCL only "manage" to further irritate their customers. Having said that, they are the face of an inferior product. Wouldn't want that job.

You need to make friends with a bartender in the Martini Bar. We got to know one very well on our last cruise and he made Mrs. Schmoopie a Chocolate Martini (actually, he made two) at no extra charge. Of course, we ended up tipping him much more than the upcharge would have been...

Aerosmith suddenly popped into my head. Now I can't get that song out of my head.

The Aqua is a clone of the Prima. The Prima is widely known as a ship that isn't conducive to cold weather sailing, since if the outside areas are closed (or nobody is out there because of the weather), the inside is very packed. TA weather can be very iffy to begin with...but in March, I wouldn't count on it it being warm. So you need to consider if you want to spend a week (with no port stops) rubbing elbows and confined with a couple thousand of your new friends. We did a TA on the Escape in November, but we had a ton of port stops before crossing, so we enjoyed it. Having said that, if the price was right, it could be worth it. YMMV...

You should have kicked the CD in the family "Jewels". Oh wait, I just remembered the CD is a woman. Never mind...

This is taken directly from Rome in Limo's site. They are one of the largest and most popular private transport companies in Rome. Sounds like it's their policy in all cases: Note for FCO passengers: as the traffic is limited to the arrival at FCO airport, there will be a 5 minutes walk from your arrival terminal to the parking where the vehicle is located.

On our November, 2022 TA we were unable to land in Horta in the Azores due to winds (at least that's what they said). A couple days later, I noticed a credit to our onboard account (can't remember the exact amount)...somewhere around $20. Hey, $20 is $20...well, maybe not in this economy...but every little bit helps. Now, it might be different if they cancel a port five months in advance, as they did in the OP's case (and ours for next February.) I guess we will see.