SMOKEY0202

Well way Batman is thinking on retirement sailing Suite Life, obviously his financial eyes and calculation hasn't looked at those god awful rates even for the bunker. Maybe he is planning to keep working while you sail the high seas in retirement. Just was over at Next Cruise and literally almost choked on rates for a sailing. Even picking a cabin down in drenches was outrageous. Just to do a sunset Aft vernada, will need to sell a kidney and God knows what else when add airfare for across the pond .....

Let's Go and is Batman wrapping suitcases again in plastic? Sure hope he remembers to pack underwear Don't forget red panties for the casino gods Currently on Celebrity and it's become a swingers invasion heading to Bermuda

Can't beat perks with Celebrity with status match. Lately Celebrity sailings have been cheaper. On Celebrity sailing now and got Concierge class cheaper than Royal for a basic balcony. Celebrity does have some unique itineraries.

Thats been a big problem dealing with itineraries outta Ravenna. You just have to mentally prepare if coming from Venice. Last cruise outta Ravenna, many passengers complained that logically it's more of headache to get to port and were totally exhausted by time arrived. All can say when buses pulled up at Ravenna port, someone had remark it looked like refugees arriving with long haul, traffic and packed bus like sardines. Port is industrial and so small, don't expect much of a terminal or anything. I did first cruise outta Ravenna when cruise line started and it was a pop up tent outside with mini holding area that was so small. No suite area nor barely any chairs to sit, luggage was lined up in same area as passengers waiting to board. Only way i do a cruise from Ravenna is flying into BLQ then train to Port. Much easier and enjoyable train ride.

I find it more logical to stay in Rome then take train down to port. The port area is industrial with limited options. Rome also wide variety of options and it's so easy to take train down to port or grab a shuttle. It's roughly 40 minutes to port from Rome near Termini station by shuttle. Might as well enjoy Rome for the attractions and great food.

In this day and age, it's definitely worthwhile to use a travel agent. You still can have the control to some degree to decision making etc however let agent deal with Royal on logistics with pricing, casino comps etc. Ever since Covid, not sure if it's lack of training or communication or consistent glitches but it only took one time that if didn't have my agent i wouldn't have been able to resolve issue as easily. With FCCs, i literally had my bookings with cabin poof vanish and my agent not only call Royal but if she had to get her BDM involved then that's what happened to get my individual cabin back at that rate with correct dollars of FCCs to the exact penny. Honestly i don't have time nor patience to deal directly with Royal since it's become such a zoo. Even recently at Next Cruise there was issue applying offers with solo and resident rate. I could do it all on my end thru Royal website but Next Cruise couldn't. I text my agent because wanted that sailing which had limited availability left and she said just book it thru Next Cruise to get perks with OBC and deposit considering long sailing and once she got it on her end would call to fix the problem. Not every agent will be right fit for you. It's like finding a Dr. One you might like and work well may not be right for someone else. Don't think just big box agents like Costco only have deep discounts and perks. Agents utilize systems that can have group rates and discounts. In the end for me, i always know my agent is a text, email or speed dial away.

What about news today with Southwest cutting flights and pulling out from some airports

Walks of Italy and Spain Day Tour company are also very reliable as well. It will be a great trip alone just with all the food and wine

I researched different tour operators to what i was looking to do, reputable, guarantee back to ship and booked ahead of time. I prefer a more small group setting so usually won't book ship excursion. You will find the right tour operator that meets your desire.

There are plenty of tour companies that offer excursions to the winery. We did it thru non ship excursion and it was so easy. Tour operators were all waiting at top of cable car at platform. It was a small group under 10 with more intimate enjoyable experience and much cheaper. There are plenty of reputable tour operators.

It is quite feasible to do on your own. Only difference with ship excursion is those groups get on tenders 1st. Every time we go, night before we get a tender ticket for non ship excursion. We have gotten off ship in no time and explored on our own. There will be many tender boats operating. Public transportation is very easy to use there.

Shuttles start running to train station, BLQ and Marco airport at 7am. Buses are lined up outside port. No problem getting on early shuttle. Taxi are extinct at the port. Be prepared for port area to be industrial area and it's not what you will think like other popular ports. Last time you couldn't drop luggage off til a certain time and no where to crash but outside under tents. It's a very small port area with limited seating once you are checked thru security.

That's Royal IT for you, same issue as well. Now if there was a glitch on the cruise planner with some excellent prices that would be great when we can all get logged back in.

Traffic crazy in Athens. Taxis aren't cheap so best option is to utilize hop on hop off red bus. Better option for price with plenty of stops along way and drops off right back inside gates at pier at the ship

Royal offers paid transfers to Venice, BLQ airport and Ravenna train station. Buses start departing at 7am. You can book tickets ahead thru Royal or onboard ship.

I can't even imagine your mom ever staying in the drenches for any cruise. Is the ship crowded? This will be another awesome blog for sure. The valet parking at Tampa you just can't beat for the price.

You are looking for the famous Leo Brown. You won't be disappointed. Makes each visit more rewarding every time go there booking him for the day.

I have stayed at the same Hilton and the Harrah's there. Both times, never had issues with safety. Traffic can be the hurdle so that's why i stayed at both those properties and it's also across street from the passport office. Just park the car and forget about it. Both are literally right there by the Riverwalk and in prime location to all the restaurants, cafes, upscale shopping and cable car is right there to get around. You can't beat the location at all. I would stay at either location. You can literally walk to Riverwalk(port) area. Check with Harrah's because i have been able to get reasonable rates for stays with gambling from cruise lines.

Oh my all that food and it's only just begun He will be in food coma before sail away Don't forget grab a lava flow and those delicious Ranger Cookies

Safe travels home to your own oasis... Hubby might get flowrider withdrawals being in dry dock. It's been so enjoyable that you have brought us along with the blogs as your family as evolved. Your cabin this week was definitely beyond magical. How you seriously go back to booking any other cabin ever again would be way too hard. My theory you only live once so.....the next endeavor would be owning your own yacht sailing the seas in retirement. We can't wait to see prom and graduation pictures

How the week just flew by so fast and as usual another great blog filled with great memories and surprises A week in this type of suite how could you ever think of booking anything else but this type of suite all the time. It's pure heaven and no need to leave cabin at all. Any word on how many kids and capacity this week?

That would be interesting to know how many passengers are still lingering from delayed flights from AirtoSea. Any ramblings if all passengers will make it onboard or not This weekend chaos with delayed and cancelled flights just proves AGAIN reason to have travel insurance and more importantly plan to arrive days ahead of time.

Any Ranger Cookies yet? News said there are major flight issues again today. Hopefully everyone makes it onboard even the ones who ended up driving from cancelled flights. Definitely so stressful just getting to port anymore with the flight situation.

Well between Luis and the sparkling Effy, what more can a gal need except maybe Luis accessories to go with bag or a couple more cruises booked. Heck just do both, she well deserves it.

This means Sabrina is well behind starting her Live Blog if leaving March 8