TxTeach79's Pearl European Adventure LIVE - 6/24

[cruiseny4life]

8 hours ago, TxTeach79 said:

and we have an hour and a half long layover at CDG. Tighter than I’d like (Air France changed the schedule after we booked, shaved off an hour or so), but the good news is it’s all booked as one trip unlike last year

This happened to us on our way to Barcelona. Actually we had an 80 minute layover. Ours was also one trip so no leaving to recheck bags despite what they told us in Syracuse. Our American passports did have to be checked by a real live human, instead of the machine. We still had plenty of time to grab a few pastries at the place next to our gate.

 

You'll be good!

[TxTeach79]

Here’s the aforementioned flight information. First time on Air France 🇫🇷 

 

[TxTeach79]

This will be my first time on a 787 Dreamliner too…. I think

[TxTeach79]

Got this, which is exciting, but it also makes me laugh that it’s just a link to a YouTube video. They have no idea if you’ve watched it. Princess’ is in the app and you have to do it. 
 

[Roscoe13]

10 hours ago, TxTeach79 said:

We have some real War & Peace potential brewing with this one, I can feel it 

Fun fact...

Original title of War and Peace was...

War!  What is it good for?

[AKR2011]

1 hour ago, TxTeach79 said:

Got this, which is exciting, but it also makes me laugh that it’s just a link to a YouTube video. They have no idea if you’ve watched it. Princess’ is in the app and you have to do it. 
 

You will probably get it sent to you at least 5 times. They figure if they send it enough then you'll do it.

[TxTeach79]

19 minutes ago, AKR2011 said:

You will probably get it sent to you at least 5 times. They figure if they send it enough then you'll do it.

yep, that definitely happened last time 

[TxTeach79]

She’s leaving Kotor behind X Constellation and Mein Schiff 6

 

 

[Funsince1983]

16 hours ago, natefish95 said:

LFG! Hopefully your bestie Kylie from the flight to New York isn't on the flight to CDG. IMAGINE!

 

Is @HelloItsMeB already planning what lounge y'all will go to before the flight? Do you even have PreCheck??

Would be pretty egregious if Kylie were there. 
 

 

(I'll see myself out now) 

[gambler]

Can't what for the adventure to begin. Nice score on the slots and dinner. I don't know if you did not say or I missed it, How did you end up on the last cruise, up or down?

[TxTeach79]

32 minutes ago, Funsince1983 said:

Would be pretty egregious if Kylie were there. 
 

 

(I'll see myself out now) 

don’t even…. 

[TxTeach79]

30 minutes ago, gambler said:

Can't what for the adventure to begin. Nice score on the slots and dinner. I don't know if you did not say or I missed it, How did you end up on the last cruise, up or down?

On Venezia I was down, but nothing too bad. I gambled less than I have in the past overall on that cruise. Went to more shows and stuff. Enjoyed my balcony. 
 

Jewel class casinos (I’ve been on Jewel and Jade) aren’t anything crazy, but one thing I AM excited about?? The all too rare at sea Video Poker BAR. Really stoked about that. Favorite place to gamble on land. 

[TxTeach79]

I mean, if anyone should get Goodrum, it should be Pirates 

 

[fethiyeden]

I arrived late but at least you’ve not left yet.

Looking forward to your adventures.

 

[TxTeach79]

2 minutes ago, fethiyeden said:

I arrived late but at least you’ve not left yet.

Looking forward to your adventures.

 

Perfect timing! Happy to have you onboard!

[Stratford1950]

48 minutes ago, TxTeach79 said:

Perfect timing! Happy to have you onboard!

A word of advice on Santorini. The island can handle one large cruise ship well, maybe 2. If you look around and see 3 or more consider your options. One, just go ashore and walk around do not wait in line for more than 90 minutes for a cable car up to the next level…or two stay on board and enjoy a sea day. Do not attempt to walk up and getting on a donkey would be one of the worst choice you’d ever make.

Good luck🧐

[TxTeach79]

2 minutes ago, Stratford1950 said:

A word of advice on Santorini. The island can handle one large cruise ship well, maybe 2. If you look around and see 3 or more consider your options. One, just go ashore and walk around do not wait in line for more than 90 minutes for a cable car up to the next level…or two stay on board and enjoy a sea day. Do not attempt to walk up and getting on a donkey would be one of the worst choice you’d ever make.

Good luck🧐

 

See, @HelloItsMeB? IT CONTINUES

[TxTeach79]

Ship spotter schedule... who are we gonna see?

 

Trieste: We are alone on embark, and will be joined by AIDAblu at debark

Koper: Just us.

Dubrovnik: Us and World Traveller, the Atlas mega yacht. We were with her in Amsterdam in '23.

Kotor: Us, Wind Surf, and X Constellation

Corfu: Just us.

Santorini: Us, Celestyal Discovery, Wind Spirit, and everyone's favorite toaster at sea... EPIC

Mykonos: Us, Celestyal Discovery, Marella Discovery, Disney Dream

Split: Just us.

[TxTeach79]

The one excursion we've booked through NCL is in Koper, the Hop & Taste of Slovenia: https://www.ncl.com/shorex/114340946/55309970/shorex-detail/KOPN18

 

We have walking/food/wine tours booked through Viator in Dubrovnik and Corfu. A beach day booked through Viator in Mykonos. Rijeka, Split, Kotor, we're currently just exploring on our own. 

 

And, of course, the of so controversial Santorini. We originally had this really cool sunset wine dinner at Santo Winery booked, but basically we'd have to cut it short way early to ensure getting back to the ship. We're currently holding this: https://www.viator.com/tours/Santorini/4-Hour-Private-Custom-Santorini-Tour/d959-340623P1 but again, it's kind of mixed communication on how much time we'd have to get back onboard. That one is gonna be a wait and see. 

 

 

[MeganGC1983]

I think an important factor in that is when does everyone leave. We were lucky to be the last to leave last June. Everyone had sailed away by 7 and our back onboard time was 9. We went over to Oia in the morning, headed to Thira about 3. Walked, drank and ate around there til 8:15. Zero line at the cable cars. Watched the sunset from the fishing “village” and caught the last tender back at 8:45ish. 

[Sadebud]

Just finished a marathon read of your Venezia cruise...now to start on this one!!  Safe travels @TxTeach79 and @HelloItsMeB!  Enjoy!

[TxTeach79]

9 minutes ago, MeganGC1983 said:

I think an important factor in that is when does everyone leave. We were lucky to be the last to leave last June. Everyone had sailed away by 7 and our back onboard time was 9. We went over to Oia in the morning, headed to Thira about 3. Walked, drank and ate around there til 8:15. Zero line at the cable cars. Watched the sunset from the fishing “village” and caught the last tender back at 8:45ish. 

 

Great point, but it's kind of jammed up for us. The smaller two ships, Discovery and Wind Spirit, sail at 9p. We sail at 10p, but unfortunately so does Norwegian Epic and all 4,000 of her pax....

[TxTeach79]

As far as getting to and from Trieste... we booked a small group transport via Viator upon our arrival, which was a little pricey but very convenient. Since we have no rush coming back, I was planning on just using NCL transfers back to VCE and then the water shuttle to our hotel. Unfortunately, no matter what I do with the flight times, I haven't been able to book the transfer online. Keep getting error messages. No biggie, I'll either book onboard or we'll figure something else out. 

[TxTeach79]

Okay! So our pre cruise night in Venice... we're going to be exhausted, that's for sure. Dallas to Paris overnight, layover, Paris to Venice, drive from Venice to Trieste... we'll be beat.... but making the best of things, we've booked the Savoia Excelsior Palace Hotel.

 

 

In addition to being very well reviewed, this is a photo someone posted from their room on Trip Advisor..... 

 

 

So yeah... unless the eDocs are weirdly right an we're at the cargo terminal across town, this should be about as convenient as it comes on cruise day. 

 

For more good karma, here's Viva from the hotel:

 

[Retired-N-Happy]

1 hour ago, TxTeach79 said:

Santorini: Us, Celestyal Discovery, Wind Spirit, and everyone's favorite toaster at sea... EPIC

Looks like a full house.  So...what ya gonna do?