Lori Dobson

Moot point since we can’t get near a cruise ship....☹️

Unless there is an iconic item (like the gorgeous nesting dolls I got in Russia), I just buy interesting edibles. I already have enough stuff to dust. Oh, and the husband has to have a refrigerator magnet from each place. Our refrigerator is completely covered. Every once in a while, I will buy something big (like the amazing inlaid wood coffee table I got in Sorrento and had shipped home) but mostly, just food and drink items.

I've been to Italy and Rome three times, going back again in October. You can find your own (much better) tours for less money on the Internet - Tripadvisor is a good resource. Things that I have done and Loved are Vatican tours (which include skip the line, St Peter's and the Sistine chapel). Another fun thing to do are Segway tours in Rome - there are several companies that do this ranging from a couple of hours up to a whole day. Great way to see the city. My favorite is probably the food tours - an incredible and delicious way to see some great neighborhoods. Eating Italy is my provider of choice but again, check Tripadvisor for ideas.

Italy is amazing - Have a great trip!

Please leave the light on when getting "busy" on the balcony - with the light on, its much easier to critique your performance and I don't drop nearly as much popcorn.

How much is the charge for CLEAR? I remember asking a CLEAR sales rep and was surprised how much it was and it is a monthly charge. Am I remembering correctly? IMO it would only be a good value if a person does lots of travel, like for business.

Thanks!

CLEAR seems to be $15/month or $179 a year - EVERY year, unlike the $100 for 5 years with Global Entry and Pre-check. Yikes! :o

Brown gravy on fries.

NOW you're talkin'. Kennywood has the best ones (Small theme park in Pittsburgh).

Not on the buffet, per se, but the chocolate melting cake on Carnival - get that and ask for some peanut butter. A bit on the end of your spoon with the melting cake.... mmmmm...:hearteyes:

It's just a flesh wound....

I have seen the hot tub porn show too. I like to plunk myself down on a chair right in front of them and start a verbal critique. Sometimes if a staff member is passing by, I will call loudly for popcorn. The people in the hot tub get pretty ticked off but they usually leave!

Many of us find no need for a lanyard. I've sailed over 100 cruises just fne and never needed or wanted a lanyard I am not the only one. ;)

Well, I haven't done 100 cruises - more like 50 - but ever since I was taking my card out of my purse, got bumped into by another cruiser and watched my card fall over the side of the ship I have had a lanyard. Nor am I the only one.

Look into getting a transport chair- you can rent them cheaply from any medical supply place. MUCH smaller, lighter and less bulky than a regular wheelchair or a scooter, I know- I was in one for 9 weeks.

On a cruise this past January embarking at Singapore, I remember it taking about 20 minutes to get into the city cruise terminal. from the airport. A lot of traffic, too.

My apologies, I'm not familiar with the different classes of ships - will be on the Crown in October- where are the showers on that ship, gym or spa?

Thank you!

Lori - We travel with steamer trunks...:D Just our toiletries are 15 lbs. LOL

 

 

Oh PLEASE don't give me any ideas... :') :') :')

We like the train, but we travel with carry-ons only, so schlepping bags is kept to a minimum.

 

Depending on time of day, the train can be nearly empty or quite full of passengers. It is basically a commuter train...runs frequently. There may be express trains, but they are infrequent which, for me, means they are inconvenient.

 

The train I describe takes 1-1 1/2 hours from Rome Termini to Civitavecchia.

Great info - Also, There are a few flights of steep stairs to get to the train which is difficult with heavy bags. I need to learn to be like you and only have a carry on - if only I could stop buying stuff when I am there! :D

Just wanted to mention that there are several flights of steep stairs to negotiate when you take the train into Rome from the port - and wrestling large suitcases (packed with souvenirs as they were in my case) was no easy task. I am going back for a Med cruise this fall with two friends, who are in their 70's - I am not even going to attempt the train - there is no way they could do it with their luggage.

I was on a recent Baltic trip which disembarked in Copenhagen - when we got off the ship, there was a VERY long line for taxis - think amusement park ride style line - but it went VERY quickly. I think we were in line a total of 15 minutes. The taxis know when the ships are disembarking and they flood the port.

I bought one in "Little India" at embarcation in Singapore on a recent Asia cruise - had on of the Ladies from the salon who is native to India tie it for me to wear on formal night - can't tell you how many compliments I received - I loved wearing it!

We also loved the Cinque Terra ships tour. There is no way I would attempt this independently from Livorno. The tour was an excellent mix of sightseeing, walking tour and time on our own in the villages we visited

 

 

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Thanks for your comments - why would you not do this tour independently?

Not the OP but we did it and loved it. We don’t often do ship’s tours but there are several ways for this tour to get delayed, and so we booked the Princess tour for Cinque Terre to be safe.

 

I blogged about it here:

http://pescadoamarillo.blogspot.com/search/label/Cinque%20Terre

Thanks so much for the info! What do you mean by "there are several ways the tour can get delayed" - although the ship's tour is an option, there is a private company that does Cinque Terre but also stops at Pisa on the way back, which I would really love to do... I'm wondering what could go wrong! :o

OP, how was the Cinque Terre tour? I will be on the Crown in October and want to do that tour, from Livorno. I am looking at a private tour guide instead of the ship's tour but wanted to hear what you thought of it - thanks!

We did this same itinerary last September. Airport to Stockholm, took a taxi - much cheaper than O's bus shuttle. Also took a taxi after disembarkation in Copenhagen. Both were under $50 and well worth it. As far as Copenhagen to the airport, we stayed one night and had a hotel in the city center - there is a marvelous train right to the airport from the large main terminal to the city center, very cheap and fast. Enjoy your cruise!

Be sure to have a cannoli in Taormina. Nothing compares. They make them fresh while you wait

 

 

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Oh, my, I remember them... SOOOO good! :hearteyes:

Just did this trip September 2017 - absolutely Fabulous. Like others mentioned, we used Alla for Russia - did the 3 day which included a day in Moscow. Absolutely exhausting but worth it. LOVE Oceana - just got back from a SE Asia cruise last week, on Holland America - nice but nickel and diming drives you nuts when you have been on Oceana where they don't do it. Love the soft drinks are free, no photogs everywhere and the free shuttles in all the ports. Also the food on O is amazing - makes sure to get the Lobster thermadore in Jacques and the sea bass in Red Ginger if you like seafood. My next cruise will be on O - they seem more expensive initially but I found when I added in all the stuff I had to pay extra for on HA, it came out almost the same - and O is superior in a lot of ways. Just don't use their shore excursions, - MUCH more expensive than ones you can book yourself with a 3rd party.

Have a great cruise!

Jamaica is beautiful - upon approach in the ship, it looks like an emerald rising out of the ocean. Just be aware - many of the vendors are VERY pushy, shoving things into your hands in an attempt to get you to buy them, following you, chasing you down in some cases. Cab drivers are equally aggressive. However, don't let that stop you from going ashore. As other posters have said, every port/country/town or city has issues of some type. Just be careful and keep your head on straight and you will be fine.

Thanks so much everyone!