libertyschool

Hi there! I'm trying to decide between a 10 day Mediterranean and Greek Isles beginning and ending out of Rome with stops in Santorini, Athens, Mykonos,Greece, Corfu,Greece, Valletta, Messina, Naples and Florence/Pisa  or a 9 day Greek Isles on the Pearl out of Athens with stops in Santorini, Mykonos, Zakynthos, Corfu, Kotor, Dubrovnik, Split,Croatia, Venice, Venice (Trieste). This will be my second solo cruise. I cruised the Mediterranean out of Barcelona in 2018. I visited Naples, Rome and Florence on that cruise so the Epic itinerary has a few repeats. The Epic is better suited for a solo traveler and has a more relaxed itinerary with a sea day and some later day arrivals, whereas the Pearl is a very Port intensive itinerary with no sea days and arriving early in port each day. I feel that the Epic makes the most sense for the relaxed itinerary and solo cabins, but on the other hand, it is my dream to see Venice and the Pearl itinerary has a whole day at Venice (until 11 Pm) before ending in Trieste. I have never sailed the Pearl, but I have sailed her sister, The Gem and I do enjoy the smaller ships. I would love some input from those who have done these itineraries to help me decide. This is a milestone cruise for me and I want to make the most of it. Thanks in advance! 

LOL!!! This is great! My fave response by far hahaha

I received an email which appears to be from NCL promoting a new travel protection policy available after final payment for $25 per person called Essentials Travel Protection. I can't find any information about it on the NCL website. I'm not sure it is legit. I will be calling NCL later today but was just wondering if anyone received this email?

Thank you all for the replies. I guess at this point all I can do is hope for the best and have an alternative plan in place in case of a delay.

So, I found a really great deal on airfare for a direct flight from Montreal to Barcelona for my September Med cruise. The only catch is, I arrive the day of departure. I booked it hastily because the savings was a difference of $300, but now I'm terrified. I have read many threads about the risks etc. Does anyone have any positive stories of flying in same day? If I were to change the flight, it would be a $300 penalty plus the difference in airfare. Might be worth it for the peace of mind. I'm travelling solo and first time overseas.

Plan on resting when you return home! Our trip last year was our second time on the Epic and we enjoyed it. Favorite show was Cirque, sitting on the floor level.

 

We spent two days in Barcelona pre-cruise and wish we spent more. We booked Barcelona Day Tours (Barcelona and Montserrat) and I was so sorry to see the day end. It was a fabulous and tour and guide.

 

Cannes - Booked Cannes Shore Excursion-small group Monaco and Eze Half-Day Tour. A fabulous tour with once again a great guide.

 

Florence and Pisa/Pompeii, Sorrento, & the Amalfi Coast - Booked both of these tours through ItalyTours. EU Our guides for both tours were wonderful and we had plenty of time to see so much.

 

Rome - We did the Vatican and Best of Rome and we both enjoyed it but wished we had more time without the guide to enjoy walking around on our own and the Vatican.

 

We walked on our own and toured here but cabbed it back to the ship in Majorca. I had the best Gelato in the mall of all places.

 

We used the Europe thread as was suggested above. Enjoy deciding what to do - we are pondering another trip it was so good.

Hi Linda,

Who did you book your Barcelona day tours with? I will be dong this itinerary as well in the fall and will be spending 48 hours in Barcelona pre-cruise. I am travelling solo so I would like to do some kind of organized tour.

I am not into health food... I am IN TO CHAMPAGNE ;)

Cruising solo for the first time on the Epic, Western Mediterranean leaving Barcelona on Sept 23rd! Pretty excited and a tad nervous. Hoping to meet people to do excursions with. Any tips are appreciated :)

Wow - you'd do something that would potentially hurt a small child? If I saw you doing that to somebody else's kid, I'd definitely report that to an officer on board. If I saw you doing that in public onshore, I'd call the cops on you.

 

It's one thing to say something to a parent - or even ask the child to be careful. Resorting to a physical response is uncalled for in ANY situation.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

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I'm looking at 12575 on Escape. It has empty spaces all around it. Anyone have experience with it? Is it a bad idea?

What if you had decided to play your own music while they were playing theirs? And the person on the other side of their balcony and above and below all did the same. There is nothing more annoying than hearing multiple sources of music. If everyone starts playing their own music, with their own speakers, wouldn't that be annoying to everyone? What is so difficult about using earbuds or headphones if you want to listen to music on your balcony? It seems like common sense and respect to me.

A lot of great songs here, Thank you!! Here is an oldie that I have on my playlist. Any Luke and Laura fans will remember this one ;)

Key Largo - Bertie Higgins

Thank you all so much for the encouraging words, stories and advice. Any concerns I had about the inside room are all but vanished. What a great community you are! <3 I really appreciate the ideas provided. The over the door shoe hangers and collapsible bins are a great idea. My girls are not super high maintenance. I think they can be convinced to pack light and make the best of the limited space. I'm really looking forward to this time together.

You'll be fine...it will be tight but how much time do you spend in the cabin? We pretty much only sleep there :) We're booked on the same boat in November...12th-19th. If you have not already checked out the roll call please do so...it's always nice to know a few people ahead of time. Link to the 11/12/17 Roll Call http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2441817

This is the same date we are booked! Thank you! I will be joining the roll call. :)

FYI make sure you have a notarized statement for the minors from their father allowing you to take them out of the country

 

You probably won't need it but it never hurts

 

I'm taking my 16 yo to Europe and am not divorced but have been advised to carry one as well

 

 

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Yes, This is something that I was planning on doing. Hoping he doesn't give me a hard time.

Hi! So I'm booked on the Breakaway in November with my 3 daughters (24, 17 and 14). With the incredible prices and 3rd and 4th sail free it was an unbeatable deal. I have never stayed in an inside stateroom. I selected an inside room because I'm trying to keep it as low budget as possible. This is a post divorce trip with my girls and is a much needed mother/daughter getaway. It has been a heck of a year! I realize that we will be very crowded but I was wondering if anyone has any pictures or experiences sleeping 4 in an inside stateroom. We are on the 11th floor, midship. Thank you in advance!!

Hi All. I will be doing an 8 day cruise from NYC with my 3 daughters next May. Our first stop is Port Canaveral and we will be there for the whole day (7-8). We will be going to Universal for the day, and I'd like some advice regarding car rentals. I've done this before using the ship transfer to the parks and it was great, but with 4 people it will be much more cost effective to rent a car. Is there a recommended rental agency? I've read some negative reviews about Hertz, is Avis better? My understanding is that there will be shuttles at the port? If our ship is docked at 8 am will they be there that early? The one advantage to the ship transfer is that they leave before the rest of the guests disembark at 7:30 so you know you are getting to the park at opening time. Any advice would be great. Thank you :)

1. Price

2. Comfortable beds

3. Warm chocolate melting cake

;)

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OMG we had a girls adult vacation, and we embraced all the kids. It was a blast. We did not encounter one rude or disrespectful child, maybe it was it was your attitude towards the situation. Just saying.....:D

Wish I could find the "like" button!

I've been on 2 cruises so far. Carnival Dream in 2009 and NCL Gem in 2012. Although I loved both cruises immensely, I give Carnival a slight edge over NCL. I'm currently booked for another Carnival cruise in a week and a half. All in all there were a lot more similarities than differences but I have to say that I absolutely LOVED the Dream. She's a real beauty. Maybe because it was my first, but she is very lovely. I found the MDR food to be much better on Carnival, although NCL has a slight edge on buffet. Staterooms are bigger on Carnival as well. I say go for it. You'll never know unless you try!

Ok, I'm convinced. We will skip cabbage and go to Junkanoo or the Melia. Thanks for the warnings everyone.

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Thanks Beachlovinglady I appreciate that your 1 and only cc post is to warn me about Cabbage beach. I am still undecided as of yet. I'd love to hear any other recent experiences. Anyone?

Is Sensation SE? Thank you In advance.

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How do you find the email address for your ships maitre d? I'm sailing Sensation in May.

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But its not a game! If you want to leave your chair with a towel and book and go for breakfast or whatever why should you give it up to another if you are coming back:confused:

 

 

 

If you were in the pool or Jacuzzi for an hour you shouldnt have to give up your seat by the pool so the same should apply to anyone leaving their chair for what ever reason.

 

 

 

People just want to turn up and expect to get a premium position chair within moments!

 

 

 

You need to share and then chair hop to get the ones you want or get there early enough to have a choice:)

Funny thing, the cruise line has a policy regarding chairs not being used for over 30 minutes. It doesn't matter if you are in the pool or hot tub or eating your 8th lunch of the day, if your behind isn't in the chair, it is not in use, period. I have zero qualms about removing personal articles from an unused chair. If people are incapable of abiding by the cruiseline policies that is their problem, not mine. I would NEVER expect my chair to remain "reserved" while I sat in the hot tub for an hour, that's ludicrous. Why people think getting there early and placing a towel on it bears some right of "claim" is childish. Do you also get up early and drape sweaters or towels over chairs in the buffet area or the theatre and expect your seat to be reserved for the day??? Then why on earth do you feel that it's ok for the pool area?

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