Crossing the Globe (Kind of) - A Pr1ma (Hopefully) Live'ish Adventure, 11/20 - 12/1

[debenson0723]

On 11/12/2023 at 6:18 AM, cruiseny4life said:

Palau de la Música Catalana: Visit the Palau de la Música Catalana, a stunning modernist concert hall. While Gaudi wasn't involved in its design, it's a UNESCO World Heritage site and a masterpiece of Catalan modernism.

I wandered into this building last year just in time for a tour and it was stunning! There were only about 6 on our tour, maybe a dozen people in the whole building total, so not a typical tourist site. We got to go up on the stage for a different perspective and also in the balcony. You probably won't spend more than an hour here but I highly recommend. 

I was in Barcelona about the same amount of time you will be there, then flew to London for a few days prior to going to Southampton to board the Prima TA. Looking forward to your review, as always!

[Seas2mountains]

12 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

OH! Do you work at a school? 

 

I am researching each of the restaurants ChatGPT suggests. I've noticed one or two are kind of touristy, but I'm hoping for a jewel. I missed out on the one restaurant overlooking Sagrada Familia. No reservations available - they open up seven days in advance. On Saturday, it looked fine. By yesterday, all spaces were gone even though it gave the impression a lot of tables were available. Alas, Barcelona has a bunch of great looking restaurants. I think I'll find something and we'll do a quick walk-by of Sagrada Familia. 

I do work at a school but don't send out too many emails to parents.  I don't completely trust it as I have found some inaccuracies. It has been interesting to read what ChatGPT produces as I have not ever copied and pasted the suggested email but used it as a guide. When reading that you were putting together your plans for Barcelona, I wondered if ChatGPT could help as I have been experimenting with it for travel plans.

 

I'm excited to read all about your adventures and to get some ideas for Barcelona! That is wonderful that you and your husband are just a few days away from this adventure! 

[ggTexasGal]

18 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

Had a gorgeous rainbow on the way in to work tomorrow.

I read the above sentence and want to know if you can "time travel"?  If so, I'd love to have some of your luck rub-off onto me! 😉

[cruiseny4life]

So....ummm, welll, unfortunately there is no time traveling in my future. At least not yet. Tomorrow is here and yesterday was today, not tomorrow. I was just so excited by the rainbow! By having Friday off! By the trip to Barcelona! By being in Barcelona! By the cruise! Anyway, you get the idea. So today is today and yesterday was today, but is now yesterday. 

 

I'm sorry to disappoint that there is a supreme lack of time traveling ability on my end. Just an overly excited man that is too old to be so excited, but still is! Though, I do get a little sad when I see the pups and our cat. Anyway, morning dancing has commenced in our household! My husband is still a grumpy face in the morning, but he doesn't dissuade me from dancing with the pups and with myself. 

 

Since it's November it also means I'm dancing in the dark with Rihanna!

 

 

[ggTexasGal]

7 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

Anyway, you get the idea. So today is today and yesterday was today, but is now yesterday. 

🤣😍  Wishing you and your hubby the best cruise yet!!!

[cruiseny4life]

17 hours ago, mking8288 said:

Sweet, we are checking in tonight for our flight out of JFK - can have an update for AP's Terminal 1 once we get airside, not knowing what airlines you are on (hence their terminal)   Jet stream across the Atlantic to Europe continue to be strong, the daily flight we are on has been saving as much as an hour, not quite Concord speed of sound, but 6 hours +/- is good for the TA flight, 

 

Meanwhile, I'm playing with "Bard" instead of chat GPT ...  Maybe there's a chance that we might see 2 of you roaming BCN this weekend but if not, see ya onboard and possibly at the cruise terminal ... our arrival time is 10:30 to 11 but you get escorted up the gangway first.  Priority embarkation, useless for us.  Happy & Safe Travel ahead for all ... 

I read about that jet stream thing a couple weeks ago. I'm hoping it's still in play when we leave! I suppose you have more chances since you're heading out today. 

 

Apparently JFK is one of those annoying airports we have to go through security as we leave one terminal to another. Why can't it be like EWR? Oh well - plenty of time to wander over to Terminal 1 after our flight from SYR. 

 

We have a whopping 1:20 in Paris, so that's where I'm guessing we'll miss our connection. I hope not, but hey at least we'll have Paris to discover until the next flight/train/whatever we need to do.

 

Safe travels to you and everyone else leaving for Barcelona!!

[cruiseny4life]

17 hours ago, Sugar Magnolia said:

I knew you were special. 🤩
 

Very! Hahahaha

[cruiseny4life]

17 hours ago, debenson0723 said:

I wandered into this building last year just in time for a tour and it was stunning! There were only about 6 on our tour, maybe a dozen people in the whole building total, so not a typical tourist site. We got to go up on the stage for a different perspective and also in the balcony. You probably won't spend more than an hour here but I highly recommend. 

I was in Barcelona about the same amount of time you will be there, then flew to London for a few days prior to going to Southampton to board the Prima TA. Looking forward to your review, as always!

Thanks! Took a look at some photos. It looks like a stunning place - it's on our list of places to stop in if we have the opportunity. 

[UKstages]

48 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

So today is today and yesterday was today, but is now yesterday

 

that's good, but i think paul mccartney may have said it better. 

 

29 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

Apparently JFK is one of those annoying airports we have to go through security as we leave one terminal to another.

 

i'm mostly an EWR guy, but i believe delta runs an airside shuttle bus at JFK between terminals 2 and 4. non-delta passengers have been known to hitch a ride to avoid going through security again. not sure if that's still allowed.

Edited November 15, 2023 by UKstages

[cruiseny4life]

More possible good news regarding Pr1ma. Someone posted somewhere that this week's cruise is Pr1ma's first cruise WITH STARLINK!!!!!!!! Sounds like internet is working well for those onboard. Let's see how it fares as we transit the vast Atlantic. 

 

Definitely getting the unlimited internet now...much to my husband's chagrin. But, dear reader, please remember that he required us to get internet on previous cruises as he worked from the ship. Now that he's not working he's all, "we can save money by not getting internet." And I'm like, nope! Not how it works! I need my internet and I know he'll need reels and YouTube to save him from boredom by day two. 

 

Gosh, I hope he doesn't see this post. 🤠

[cruiseny4life]

38 minutes ago, UKstages said:

 

that's good, but i think paul mccartney may have said it better. 

 

 

i'm mostly an EWR guy, but i believe delta runs an airside shuttle bus at JFK between terminals 2 and 4. non-delta passengers have been known to hitch a ride to avoid going through security again. not sure if that's still allowed.

Welp! We are Delta/Air France customers so perhaps it'll work!! I'll keep an eye out for the shuttle. Thank you!! 

[cruiseny4life]

Usually I forget to download movies, shows, and podcasts until I'm in the airport. Then I frantically attempt to download everything in five minutes! This time I actually remembered ahead of time to get the downloads going on Hulu, HBO, and Spotify. 

 

- Music is downloaded, including playlists and liked songs on Spotify.

 

- Podcasts will be downloaded in a bit, just depending on which episodes I actually listen to before our flight on Friday. Options to include:

    - Make Me Smart - best podcast EVER, though I do miss Molly Wood.

    - Marketplace - I have a MBA and enjoy keeping track of the economy. Kai Ryssdal might just possibly be my favorite news personality. 

    - The Economics of Everyday Things - I like hearing about oddly specific goods

    - National Parks Traveler - come on, I started this live out talking about hiking the Grand Canyon. Did you not expect the National Parks to make an appearance?

    - Amateur Traveler Travel Podcast - just a nice little travel show

    - Sea Change - I'm boating on the ocean and that ocean, and our world, are changing rapidly. This show from WWNo/WRKF has really been eye opening to the extent of change along the gulf coast. 

    - How We Survive - another one from American Public Media. This season is dedicated to climate change. 

    - LGBT Outdoors - fun podcast to hear from those in my community

    - Rise Up! - I really want to open a bakery. When I was in Yellowstone, I had a part time gig at the local bakery, crafting yummy scones, breads, muffins, cookies, pies, cakes, and other delish items. And this Mark Dyck guy from Canada may genuinely be the kindest man I've ever listened to on a podcast. 

   - Travel Tales by AFAR - new one that I haven't yet listened to. I may not download any here. 

 

- On Hulu, I have the following entertainment options ready to go:

    - Vesper - no clue if I'll like this movie

    - Boston Legal - I'm almost done with the show, but not quite yet through with Denny Crane, Sharon Schmidt and Alan Shore

    - Han River Police - I started watching this when I traveled to Wyoming. Stopped watching it as I thought my husband would like to watch with me. He informed me last night he has no intention of watching it, ergo it's on my list to finish. It's in Korean, so a lot of subtitles! 

 

On Max, my choices are:

    - Station Eleven - this may be a bad choice. I'm not sure, but will try it out

    - The Polar Express - hey, Christmastime is almost here!

    - Kids Baking Championship - I'm hoping to learn some baking skills from this show. Who knows if I'll actually watch it or not.

    - The Pacific - Watched three episodes of this when my husband was galavanting around the Mid-Atlantic with his mom. Just like Band of Brothers, I'm really enjoying (is that the right word to describe watching a war mini series) this show.

    - The Nun II - we started watching it, but it was dark out and I was on my phone so I wouldn't see the scary parts. On the cruise, I'll lock away my phone, then just hide my eyes when I'm scared. Pr1ma is too new a ship to be haunted, so no scary nuns can get me...I'm a little worried about Barcelona and Cartagena though! Old European cities seem like they could be haunted. I did tell my husband that two nights ago, when I took the garbage out, I thought I saw a nun in the cornfield next to our house. He just laughed at me. I...well, we live like 100 yards from a cemetery dating back to the 1700's. I'm not so sure about this choice. 

 

Plus, we have whatever movies/shows NCL will allow us to watch on Pr1ma. I think my entertainment options are great ones.

 

Does anyone else have any suggestions? What's your favorite podcast? I'm always looking for new ones to listen to! 

Edited November 15, 2023 by cruiseny4life

[schmoopie17]

I'm happy to find another person who is not into anything Gaudi. It's all just so...appropriately enough...gaudy. There...I said it.

 

In Barcelona we did our own self-guided tapas tour in the Gothic Quarter. We're back in Barcelona next fall, so will have to find something else to entertain us.

[UKstages]

22 minutes ago, cruiseny4life said:

Does anyone else have any suggestions? What's your favorite podcast? I'm always looking for new ones to listen to! 

 

currently on hiatus, but if you haven't heard them before, they're all new to you:

 

the randy rainbow podcast

 

and just to make this on topic, i will say that randy and his chums have done broadway-themed cruises on NCL, i think, miost recently on the gem. one of those sixthman deals.

 

also:

 

the moth

this american life

 

storytelling at its finest.

 

and just to keep this on topic, i will add that many NCL cruises depart from american ports and i have never seen a moth in any NCL shipboard closet.

 

[mking8288]

1 hour ago, cruiseny4life said:

We are Delta/Air France customers so perhaps ... Thank you!! 

Oops, DL flights are mostly T4 (together w T3) and all Air France (codeshare ??) at T1, either shuttle bus or free AirTrain, landside. Will take another look this evening since we'll be at T1. 

 

Yay on Starlink 😁🫢😆👏👌😊🤞😎Hey, we can host & stream CC live joint Q&A onboard at sea if this is true ...just kidding 🤓

[graphicguy]

Love Kai Ryssdal, too.

 

If you have an Audible account, I highly recommend GOING INFINITE by Michael Lewis.  It's a fascinating look into the start of the Crypto Currency craze and more specifically Sam Brinkman Bankman-Fried and his role in it! 

[Sugar Magnolia]

@cruiseny4life I sense your excitement all the way from the other side of the Atlantic. Have a safe and uneventful flight to Barcelona. 

[Seas2mountains]

9 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

    - Marketplace - I have a MBA and enjoy keeping track of the economy. Kai Ryssdal might just possibly be my favorite news personality. 

   

Thank you for the suggestions. I tend to read more don't tend to listen to podcasts but several that you suggested do sound really interesting and I may need to check them out. I also have an MBA and enjoy keeping up with the economy and financial markets, too, so I will check out Kai Ryssdal.  Sorry I don't have any suggestions to share with you.

 

Have a safe and hopefully uneventful travel day tomorrow! Can't wait to follow along! 😎

[vacation44]

Safe journey tomorrow and have an wonderful time!

[cruiseny4life]

21 hours ago, schmoopie17 said:

I'm happy to find another person who is not into anything Gaudi. It's all just so...appropriately enough...gaudy. There...I said it.

 

In Barcelona we did our own self-guided tapas tour in the Gothic Quarter. We're back in Barcelona next fall, so will have to find something else to entertain us.

Hahahaha that's exactly what I was thinking when considering Gaudi's gaudy work! 

 

I think we'll be doing a similar self-guided tour to secure yummy tapas for our bellies! Hopefully whatever we do will give you a spark for your trip...or a thought that "I'm not doing what that cray cray @cruiseny4life did!" 

[cruiseny4life]

21 hours ago, UKstages said:

 

currently on hiatus, but if you haven't heard them before, they're all new to you:

 

the randy rainbow podcast

 

and just to make this on topic, i will say that randy and his chums have done broadway-themed cruises on NCL, i think, miost recently on the gem. one of those sixthman deals.

 

also:

 

the moth

this american life

 

storytelling at its finest.

 

and just to keep this on topic, i will add that many NCL cruises depart from american ports and i have never seen a moth in any NCL shipboard closet.

 

Don't be worrying about staying on topic on my thread. I veer all over the place and then bring it back....maybe, kinda, sorta. I'm sure it annoys some, but it's my style.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm going to check them out. I didn't know Randy Rainbow had a podcast - I've obviously enjoyed his parody YouTube videos. Or is it content? I feel like saying "video" is uncool now. 

 

As for The Moth and This American Life with Ira Glass (sorry, had to)...I do occasionally listen to them. It really depends on the episode...sometimes it's just not interesting to me. That pains me as they are such well-produced pods!!

 

20 hours ago, graphicguy said:

Love Kai Ryssdal, too.

 

If you have an Audible account, I highly recommend GOING INFINITE by Michael Lewis.  It's a fascinating look into the start of the Crypto Currency craze and more specifically Sam Brinkman Bankman-Fried and his role in it! 

No Audible here. When I worked at school, one of our benefits was an Audible account, but not where I currently am. Instead, we have access to the Calm app which is a meditation app. I've tried to use it so many times and...welll, I'm just not a meditator type. 

 

Kai (yup, first name basis here hah) was on The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway speaking about things he doesn't normally touch on. It was really interesting. I'd recommend checking it out if you haven't already heard it. 

 

12 hours ago, Seas2mountains said:

Thank you for the suggestions. I tend to read more don't tend to listen to podcasts but several that you suggested do sound really interesting and I may need to check them out. I also have an MBA and enjoy keeping up with the economy and financial markets, too, so I will check out Kai Ryssdal.  Sorry I don't have any suggestions to share with you.

 

Have a safe and hopefully uneventful travel day tomorrow! Can't wait to follow along! 😎

I (think) there is only one media personality I'll be sad about when they retire and that is Kai Ryssdal. He's a great commentator, has excellent interviews with folks such as Janet Yellen, Jerome Powell, and every day people. He seems classy and down to earth. I think you'll enjoy his radio (and podcast) show, Marketplace. Make Me Smart - well, you'll enjoy, but it's a more personal show, not made for radio. His politics align fairly closely to mine which probably makes me feel more connected to him as well. 

 

And, thank you for the travel well wishes! Friday morning, though! I so appreciate you being a time traveler with me. Hehe

[cruiseny4life]

15 hours ago, Sugar Magnolia said:

@cruiseny4life I sense your excitement all the way from the other side of the Atlantic. Have a safe and uneventful flight to Barcelona. 

Are you onboard V!va yet???? Cheers to you as you make your way silently across the Atlantic. I wish our ships had a port stop in the same place, at the same time so we could say hi. I guess we'll have to make do with knowing we're cruising at the same time.

[cruiseny4life]

2 hours ago, vacation44 said:

Safe journey tomorrow and have an wonderful time!

Thank you!!! The plan is to have a most wonderful time, just before the most wonderful time of the year. 

[cruiseny4life]

A few weeks ago the not-so "priority" luggage tags arrived. Every cruise, except our first, we've forgotten to take them. I went to the desk this morning and pulled them out so that maybe we'll remember to pack them.

 

 

Speaking of packing, we still haven't even started. I've been trying to pack since this weekend, but other things get in the way. Like taking the pups for a walk. Doing dishes. Stopping by Olive Garden and Red Lobster (oops). Last night I had to go to the pharmacy for my pills. Tonight I have to shop for my grandma and mom. Mom's watching the pups - for a fee this time. Ugh! She's charging us almost as much as our dog sitting college student and wants a carton of nasty cancer sticks purchased for her before we leave! The grandma is staying home, alone, while we're gone (mom lives with her), so for some reason wants a bunch of groceries. 

 

I have a feeling I'll be packing tomorrow morning before my aunt picks us up to drop us at the airport. Not the first time and sure won't be the last time we pack thirty minutes before leaving! 

 

Oh, here's a random morning photo (this morning, to be exact) from the cemetery at the end of our dead end street. Quite literally, dead end, eh? At least we have quiet neighbors! The pups and I decided to go say hi to our neighbors before I left them for the day. (And yes, I'm going to miss the dogs and cat while we're away for two weeks. It's the hardest part of cruising!!!) 

 

[cruiseny4life]

Slightly...well, VERY off topic. 

 

A few weeks ago I booked my aunt a cruise on MSC. The same aunt that is driving us to the airport tomorrow. Her cruise leaves from Brooklyn a few days after ours leaves Barcelona. We discovered a pleasant surprise - we'll both be in Bermuda on the same day! Most likely, we'll meet up, might have a meal, or go mini golf together at dockyard. 

 

Anyway, last night I made sure her e-ticket was issued and attempted to book the thermal suite pass for her. Let's just say this. MSC IS FREAKING STUPID!!!! The cost of the thermal suite pass is $130 for the entire cruise. Since she and her mom wanted the pass, it would be $260. Ok. That's fine. For a five day cruise that's a good price, especially compared to NCL's thermal suite pass. Well...apparently MSC also adds an insurance fee if you originally booked MSC travel insurance. The fee was $126, which means that they would basically pay for a third pass! I called and spoke with a MSC travel agent rep. Yep, the fee is real. My aunt said forget it. She'll attempt to book onboard or see if a day pass is available.

 

Then, I looked to see if I could book her the basic internet package which was $79.95. Again, MSC IS FREAKING STUPID!!!! The insurance increase caused the price to go up to $182. Well, she said forget that. The only reason she wanted insurance is to keep her foreign language learning app streak alive. I told her Alex and I have NCL's internet package, so would keep her streak going by doing it the two days she's at sea.

 

So, MSC, you missed out on $80 for the internet. And probably $260 for the thermal suite. I know it's a drop in their very large financial bucket...but seriously! This definitely makes me rethink ever trying out MSC's Yacht Club. Absolute stupidity from that cruise line. 

 

Anyway, we're looking forward to meeting up in Bermuda for a bit!