hi2you

On 1/14/2020 at 2:59 AM, crystalspin said:

I like the one on the right playing shuffle board. I would probably forsake the spats!

Love the hat.

Love the fashion of days gone by. I sometimes wish I could travel back in time and appreciate the 70s style again. I was a child then and was more into my Barbies style than what I was wearing. Love the fashion of the 40's. Everyday dress even looked fabulous.

On 11/12/2019 at 4:53 PM, MicCanberra said:

Only one way to fix that issue, book something.

That sounds like a great idea, MicCanberra. : )

I use clear ziploc bags. On the past couple trips/non-cruise I took, I considered what I wanted to wear and packed that days wear into a ziploc bag...easy and less decision making when I wanted to be out touring around.

Sadly nothing booked...so it's just a ? for me!

On 3/19/2019 at 6:35 PM, kurtp13 said:

hi2you

I love my Brompton bike.   I found some manufacturer videos on folding and unfolding to give you a better view.   Owners are a little cult like (in a good way).   Check out also the Brompton World Championship videos.   I was in one race in Richmond, VA that was held on the UCI course.   

 

I ride in so many more places then I ever used to.   And I don't have to think much about whether it might be worth taking.   It's super easy so why not.   When I travel occasionally for work, I can now do something healthy that's not boring.   It can allow me to see parts of an area than I might not have before.   

 

I have not done a bike and barge.   This might be fun and you wouldn't have to manage the bike when you're not using it.    No storage or bag handling.   I don't see a river cruise in my immediate future.   Maybe later.   

Happy Riding. Soon the trails will be open again for spring/summer biking. Wooohoooo!

Great bike. I have never seen one like that? Curious, have you ever done a bike and barge trip? If so, with which company and how did you like it. My sister and I have been discussing the possibility of taking one next year.

Hi,

I am not quite sure where to post this, or even if it is applicable for this site. Has anyone ever done a bike and barge trip. You bike during the day, then sleep on a barge/ship/boat at night? If so, which company did you travel with, and how was the experience?

Pompeii

 

Biggest lemons I’ve ever seen!

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Those were our thoughts exactly...the lemons are huge....but the lemon drinks made with them...had one -not called lemonade, but lemon something with pizza in Italy....so delicious.

I have researched and gained so much valuable advice and information from these boards that I decided to write a review in hopes of helping some other travelers!

 

A bit about my family...we are a family of 3 from Florida. My husband is a semi-retired law enforcement officer, I am a middle school teacher, and we have a 13 year old daughter. We love to travel.

 

To start off, I made a few purchases before the cruise that were very helpful. I have terrible luck posting pictures and links, so if you want more information please let me know!

 

My Travelon Anti-theft Crossbody Bag: I first saw this bag at a local store and it sold for almost $70. Amazon sells it for much less. I bought mine from the Kohl's website. I had a 30% off coupon and I had some Kohl's cash which made it very affordable. It has 2 locking zipper compartments and was easy to organize all of my stuff. I usually carried everything the family needed in an overloaded backpack, but a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis stopped that. I need to travel lighter and this bag fit all of the important items.

 

Barcelona is notorious for pickpockets, so I needed something for my husband as well. I found the Lewis N. Clark RFID -blocking Hidden Belt wallet on Amazon. DH used it everyday of the trip. Someone on our roll call was pickpocketed in Barcelona and lost over 400 euros. For about $10 it was a wise investment.

 

I am a notorious over-packer and once had to pay dearly at the ticket counter. For this trip, I invested in a luggage scale. There are many on Amazon. It gave me the peace of mind I needed and no extra fees!

 

I also purchased on Amazon the Saunorch Universal International Travel Adapter. It also has 4 USB slots. This kept DH's Cpap machine running and 3 phones charging all night long.

 

Next installment: Getting There and it wasn't half the fun!

I too, used a Travelon bag on my recent Med trip...it was fabulous...loved knowing there was a little bit more security.

I have never been to Bermuda. I have sailed on the GEM. This is my favourite ship of all I have been on.

Off Epic last month. It is one large ship. I have decided I prefer the older smaller ones. It was still great. The staff were excellent, the food delicious, and the shows outstanding...from the ones you have to pay for to the free ones. We did experiencing crowding at breakfast time in the buffet. We never tried the dining rooms, so uncertain what that was like. The reason for the crowding on the first day could have something to do with the inclement weather, so everyone wanted to eat inside.

And beware if you are going to use the self-serve icecream machines. We were going to, then something that never even occurred to us, happened. We watched a woman, who had made her cone, and eaten much of the icecream of her cone, put that same cone back under the ice cream dispenser and reloaded the same cone. A different version of double dipping. If her cone taps the top of the ice cream dispenser......

other than that....a terrific trip...very busy one...always on the go...didnt stay up late many nights to do the late onboard happenings because we were too tired and getting ready for the next day's outings. wouldnt change a memory though.

I just got off the EPIC. The smoke doesn't bother me as me as it use to. I did learn that if I walk around the other side of the pool (the opposite side of the smoking section) that you can't smell the smoke. That would be if you are coming from back of ship (Spice H20) go to the right side. The smoking section is on the left side of the ship.

 

The night of the 80's party there was a lot of smoking happening in Spice H20 but the wind was making it go off the ship.

Thanks for the tip.

I have been on the Epic 4 times and hate smoke. I never found it bad at all on the Epic.

Thanks. after seeing the initial post, my heart jumped. I cannot stand smoke either. I board on Sunday. If it was bad, i am sure the cruise line would have some non-smoking sections anyway as a common courtesy.

Hi all,

 

I wanted to check in with the fashion trust here to see if i'm overlooking any sites/brands to buy outdoor dresses/travel dresses.

 

I like Athleta, Prana and North Face dresses. Are there any other brands i'm overlooking? Sites to buy? Some of the ex-Officio ones look ok but some might be a bit old skool for my taste.

 

I like the idea of wearing something that can be dressed up at night then maybe the next day as a cover up/siteseeing garb.

 

Thanks!

Cowie

Columbia Sportswear and I bought a dress at Sport Check---McKinley brand. I love it. It is knee length and even has a hidden zipper pocket on the side.

Think about losing weight - Procrastinate - To Late.

Aways take the stairs onboard and with walking around ports...it's easy to lose weight on a vacation.

One thing I like to do: I write the addresses of friends and family I want to send postcards to onto labels, then I don't waste time writing out their address onto the postcard...just peel and stick and write a short message.

Other: photocopy of Passport....use a a card with a magnetic strip other then a credit card to open and close cabin room safe. I have used, library card, store points cards, etc....

Do NOT post and announce on social media that you are away from your home.

Check out the layout of the ship you will be cruising on. Packing list...ask yourself - will it be worn at least twice on the trip; as much as we would like to take our entire closet with us....that isn't a reality.

We just got off Epic and booked our own excursions at every port. Even Cannes, which we were most concerned about because it is the only tender port, there was no problem. Our excursion there started at 9am and we were there to meet the driver 20 - 30 minutes early.

Great to know. Thanks for the info.

Both are lovely. The first one more striking...get you noticed more because of its originality. It is fantastic. The sparkly blue, classic colour is a little subdued because of that, except for the back. I like them both. Which one will pack better? Or you could just take both and add another dress up evening. Why not-you are on vacation-you may do whatever you like. Have fun.

I bought this travelon for a trip to Spain . It worked great . I loved the side area for water bottles

 

 

https://www.ebags.com/product/travelon/ant-theft-classic-cross-body-bucket-bag/261878?productid=10267544

That looks about the same size as the travelon purse I bought for my upcoming trip...different style. I was worried the size might be too large...glad to know it should be okay.

Great ideas. I don't carry any tote onboard...only my room card. If I need something, I simply go back to my room. I take books on the cruise, but rarely read them, as I end up watching the people around me and enjoying that atmosphere.

Rolling clothes instead of folding, helps lessen wrinkles as well.

I've just got off the Epic. Firstly, I was not a fan of the Epic and secondly, I only travel in the Haven. I last travelled in the Epic Haven in 2014 and , to be honest, it was horrible. It was everything it shouldn't have been; Noisy, unruly kids, unwanted guests, rude staff and average food. I even witnessed a fight between security and non-Haven guests who had taken over the courtyard. Needless to say, I didn't want to go back.

 

I live in Spain and so travelling from Barcelona is easy for me and, sadly, the Epic has been a permanent feature since 2011.

 

Fast forward to 2018 and the Epic Haven is exactly that. To start with, only Haven guests are allowed in the Haven and POSH. Key card access blocks the "tourists". The staff are incredibly friendly and everybody tries to learn your name on the first day, not just in the Haven but everywhere on the ship. The food in the Epic restaurant and the speciality restaurants was fantastic and well worth the extra money.

 

I also tried Taste and O'sheehan's and the food was extremely nice as was the friendly service.

 

I am not going to write a review but I will say this; If you have had a bad experience on the Epic, give it another try because the latest hotel director has, pardon the pun, turned the ship around.

 

I used to hate the Epic but she is now my first choice.

Thanks for the info. I will be on the Epic in May. Looking forward to a couple days in Barcelona. It will be my first trip there.

23 and counting

I would wear it multiple times, even on the same cruise...yes. I said that. The ship is quite large....the first night you wear the gown, chances are not many fellow cruisers will see it anyway, and if they do....well, they will simply say what a terrific dress. I am trying to pack minimally this trip, aiming for only a carry-on. I have two black dresses...not gowns, but they aren't one's I would wear at home. I plan to wear both two times each, at least, with a wrap one night, without, switch up the jewelry.