Ray

Apologies if you were offended Me i joke about everything because life is to short to worry about things but i realise not everyone is the same.

Maybe he had the pizza

The Metro is good and pretty easy to use ( very similiar to NYC Subway system) each route in numbered and colour coded. Signs in metro tunnels leading to each stop only show the LAST metro stop on that route, so the likes of the yellow line will have two tunnels going in different directions with only the final destition displayed at entrance, so when you are heading for a train make sure you know the final destination of the route you want. http://www.ratp.fr/en/titres-et-tarifs/paris-visite-travel-pass Stations are in my opinion cleaner and safer than NYC, However this is one place you can be scammed and not expect it! If you arrive at airport ( CDG) head downstairs towards RER train and there is a place to purchase tickets. Buy RER ( Train) ticket into Paris, this ticket will allow you to use metro to get to your final destination within Paris, when you arrive at Gurd De Nord or any other main Station you will as we all are first time be lost and be looking for correct subway to get to hotel, Be careful of gentleman wearing suits approaching you to offer help, they will ask to see your ticket tell you it's NOT valid even though it is, and that you need another one to use metro, and to follow them. they will take you to ticket machine OUTSIDE station and then put their weekly or monthly pass into machine to buy your tickets ( which you dont need as you were already inside metro station), if you are lost ask the guards or police. The metro is zoned from 1 to 5 so if going outside Paris this is zone 5 and more expensive. Very Nice area you are staying in, i have stayed near there in Place de Italia, given your location almost all Paris Landmarks are within walking distance. so metro pass may not be needed some days, The Latin Quarter which is near your hotel area is a great place to eat, every restaurant offers fixed price 3 course meals prices range from 10 to 18 Euro https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g187147-d189685-Reviews-Latin_Quarter-Paris_Ile_de_France.html Some Attractions such as the Louvre, Arc De triomphe etc offer free entry on a sunday. https://en.parisinfo.com/discovering-paris/themed-guides/paris-for-free/free-museums-and-monuments-in-paris/free-admission-and-good-deals-in-museums-and-monuments-in-paris The Area around the Moulin Rouge is an eye opener if travelling with younger children or men with heart conditions best to avoid lol Around every attraction there will be Eastern Europeans looking for visitors to try and beg money from or sell things to. like anywhere else just ignore and walk by. Some Toilets in Paris can be an experience as my oldest daughter found out A hole in the ground with 2 footprints in concrete to show where to put your feet as you squat wasnt her idea of luxury ( public toilets charge so make sure you have loose change ) Anything else you want to know just ask Ray

I have been to Paris 5 times if you need any advice on places to go, good places to eat and how to avoid being scammed etc feel free to ask

I must agree I couldn’t care less whether someone is good or bad as a CD, AM or whatever, for me it’s about the trip, seeing new ports, meeting new people etc The crew are only a small part of the experience and in my opinion not worth worrying about

Couldn’t agree more!!! For any new cruiser like myself seeing what can only be classed as constant abuse or criticism directed at any cd or any other member of crew on forums like this may make new cruisers think twice about booking a particular ship because of what is written, therefore potentially missing out on a great ship and ports of call just because they read constantly that the CD or AM was no good. Dont get me wrong it’s ok to have an opinion but not to go on and on constantly about it. Way I see it if you have a problem learn from it, if asked to express your opinion do so in a manner that is respectful to those that ask and those you are talking about then leave it at that! Don’t repeat yourself over and over trying to be a voice that is heard when no one is really interested

For a new cruiser like myself it's great to see that you are NOT posting everyday, as this can only mean you are busy enjoying yourself and have no time to post.

I purchased the voom surf and stream package for 1 device months ago at a cost of £76.55, today in the sale the same pack after discount will cost me £83.95 Taking a note of the price for packages or excursions you want to do months in advance does help to see if you are getting a good deal when sales are on

you contardict yourself, you say on one post you DONT expect to have much fun then your last you want to join in the fun. Way i see it from all your posts you want a CD job and very few of the current CD'S meet how good you would be in your own mind. Your constant complaing about how bad people are is tiring and boring

You never know for every 1 person complaining there may be 5 saying they do a great job. And IF youre not expecting much from the cruise WHY book it? Way i see it if you go onto a cruise with such a NEGATIVE attitude towards crew/ ship or anything you're just going to pick up on every little thing that you dont like and complain about it constantly.

Would be even better if her in doors wasnt going

No you need to stop off be it Iceland, dublin, london etc. We are going to london this time on way to NYC with BA. a few hours hanging about airport then Delta down to SJU. Stopping off in NYC for a few days on way back

About £800 pp for the flights ( thats ABZ to JFK to SJU)

Fantastic blog so far, and it's great to have a blog from a first time cruiser Cant wait for my first cruise which is also on Freedom.

Looks as though you answered your own question before even posting! in your own words "Without sounding arrogant" you have had a lot of good advice here and all you have done is reply stating how bad BB is and how good you would be, and also that your shows would be for a younger crowd ( so are you just going to ignore the older cruisers?) everyone is different! just because you think BB is dated and not funny doesnt mean everyone feels the same, IF you become a CD people may look at you and think your no good because they dont like your show's or think youre arrogant . you cant please everyone some people just like to complain!

no worries at least i remember the 2000's, the 90's were just a blur

mmm millenium street party???? sounds great :) now being 50 THIS year i would need to request music by the like of Avicci, David Geutta, Calvin Harris ( no im not joking ) something loud with a good dancebeat that gets the blood pumping, you see everyone is different, not all old people like to sit and moan about the noise just as not all young people like a good party. Me? been there and got the t shirt! thing is i still wear it

OUCH are you saying OLDER people have no sense of humour? trust me if you are my CD in 10yrs you will see the older generation can be fun AND some of us are naturally funny without even trying :) glad you enjoyed the bobby on the 2 cuises ( you may need to google it as it's maybe just a UK slang)

As someone who coached football ( soccer ) for a number of years, i would say this. i learnt a just as much from the BAD coaches as i did from good ones, what i learned from the bad ones was what NOT to do. If this CD is bad maybe scouting him out to see just why he's bad and where he makes mistakes will be of just as much help to you in your future career as spending all your time with only good CDs, because you will know what not to do.

This is why i am not purchasing wifi package for myself, peace and quiet for 12 days , however my wife has demanded wifi pack so she can keep in contact with kids back home as our youngest is making us grandparents for the 1st time before we head away on cruise.

http://www.theworldisabook.com/12692/san-juan-puerto-rico-with-kids-5-free-attractions/ The cruise port in San Juan is right in the heart of the Old Town so there will be plenty to do and see.

Looking forward to following your blog

From RC Website The minimum age to consume alcohol on Royal Caribbean International ships on sailings originating in North America is twenty-one (21). The minimum age to consume alcohol on Royal Caribbean International ships on sailings from South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand is eighteen (18). The minimum age to consume alcohol at all private destinations remains twenty-one (21) without regard to where the sailing originated. these age limits apply to ship, when in port i guess it's the age limit of wherever ship is docked

Europe is made up of 50 countries, each of which is different and has something different to offer unlike most Caribbean islands where it's more for the sun, sea and weed lol. From the Fjords of Norway, the northern lights in Iceland, the canals in Venice to the ancient ruins in Greece, every town or city will offer something new to see. Nothing better than sitting outside a cafe in France or Italy with a cold beer just people watching.

Fantastic Blog loved how you graded each meal as if it were one of your pupils exam papers