fonemanbob

9 hours ago, Fuzzywuzzy said:

Alaska was at the top of our list for a long time, we managed to do that in 2015. Now the Med (Italy & Greece) has moved to the top. 

You will love Greece. We are going back to Santorini soon.  You will truly enjoy it.  

Personally we would prebook transportation. Like Dan1 said you wait forever for the RC bus to fill up.   

We will be there in Sept. as well and plan on arriving at the terminal by 10 a.m.  Wherever we sail from we always arrive at the port at around 10 a.m.  Those who wait to arrive late will usually be stressed out by the crowds and lines. So not the way to start a cruise.  Been there done that. Not any more.  And carrying off your luggage on disembarking is so great. Either in our personal vehicle or in a taxi and on the road in under an hour is the only way to travel.  Enough of that waiting for numbers to be called. 

Been there and did that two years ago.  The train is cheaper and reliable.  We took a taxi as we had 4 suitcases and 2 carry on`s and a backpack.  No way were we going to attempt that on a train.  We get Euros from our local bank before we left and then when we were there got we  more out of an ATM.  Going back to Greece next year via  Rome. Love the culture.  

Good for you and keep checking.  A T.A. is so good to have.  Got one a few years back and so glad we did.  

Only controlled substance requires the original container especially if going to Europe.  Congrats on your successful procedure. The fact that your wife was the donor is a real blessing.  That is true love and then some.  We just switched to the pouch and it is real game changer.  No more lids popping open and pills everywhere.   

I went from suit to sport coat to sometimes Khaki`s and a polo shirt.  He will be just fine.  You will be amazed at what you will see people wearing on formal nights. It will be a whole gamut of fashion.  From Tuxes and Gowns to you name it.  Our first cruise years ago this couple showed up on formal night at our table in work out shorts and tank tops.  We kid you not.  We are going on Anthem in Sept.  It is a great ship.  Enjoy the cruise  and welcome to the Blog.   

On the plus side no snow storms in those 2 cities.  And if you want to speed up the process at the airport or docks  get Global Entry ( $100) or T.S.A.  precheck ($85) which you have.  If you will travel overseas it is so worth the extra $15.  And it is good for 5 years.  We love it and it was money well spent.  That is just our opinion. Any day is a good day to fly to get on a cruise ship.  This might sound crazy but we like to catch flights between 5 and 6 a.m. No highway traffic or long lines at the airports either. Booking the early flight helps with the fact should any glitches develop you have alternate options.  Living near Knoxville,TN. does not allow you many options. Now Phoenix on the other hand gives you many options.  And who knows they might even serve Turducken on Thanksgiving.  Enjoy the cruise.

Its on our to do list.  We feel doing the back to back gives you the best of both countries and beats flying over there twice.  30 days is a lot of cruising but both countries are spectacular. Go for it. Will be looking into booking it on our cruise in Sept. on Anthem. 

It is probably the same champagne they serve at the art auctions and that is nasty stuff.  Nothing worse than skunky champagne or bad strawberries

We love the convenience to be able to carry your luggage of the ship and get in your car and go. That alone is worth the money.  No more waiting for your number to be called and herded like cattle to long lines.  Or shuttle buses. We average under 1 hour to get off the ship and on the interstate. That is priceless in our eyes.

IF you are able to disembark by say 6 a.m. I would say you should be to the airport by 7 and thru security at the worst 1-2 hours.  What day of the week?  The big question is will the ship actually dock at 5 a.m. and what time do you actually get off.

Late or early all non carry on bags have to go thru the scanners and will be delivered to your room.  It`s not worth it to arrive late and be in long lines and find  most food gone in the Windjammer.  It is so worth it to arrive at the port at 10 a.m.  We always have a small carry on with documents and meds.  It is an amazing spectacle to see people walking around with lots of luggage and the sort.  Almost as entertaining as watching the Wallmartins on a Saturday.   People you are on vacation.  That`s why there are porters and the such.  

The one and only key that you need the entire cruise is your Sea Pass card to get into your room.  We place our key rings and cell phones and wallets in the safe until we disembark.  Like RickinSTL stated we to also like to disconnect.  Their is nothing finer than the open sea and salt air and the waves lapping up onto the ship.  Other than an occasional dolphin or a passing ship.   It is very peaceful.

Back to back doing Australia  and then New Zealand.  30 nights total.  Can`t see flying there twice.  Also while there  doing the climb over the Sydney bridge twice. Once in the A.M. and the other at night. The view is supposed to be spectacular.  And then diving the Great Barrier Reef.  Last the Opera House and Australia Zoo.  God Bless Steve Irwin.  By Crikey.

Tipping the room steward and bartender on the first day has always paid off handsomely for us.  We have done this on every cruise. At first the kids and wife thought I was crazy to do that.   They are so underpaid and work hours longer than most farmers.   Bring 2 bottles of wine on board if you like wine. The daily drink specials are also good.  Don`t buy merchandise on the ship.  All purchases go on your sea pass.  You can run up a huge tab in no time.  Use your camera and have someone take your picture.  We do that a lot and take other peoples pictures all the time.  We do a lot of non ship excursions and find them to be smaller in group size and cheaper.  But if you miss the ship its your dime. Or no excursion and do our own wandering.   

Age is only a number. I would rather be on 8 wheels than 2 blades.  I have a titanium: knee, hip, and shoulder. If I fall I`m going to be fine.  The floor on the hand is going to have a dent or too. LOL  HAHA  I will be 69 in July and don`t feel or act like it.  We will be on Anthem in September and YES I will be roller skating.  If i am able to get on board after the metal detector lights up like a Xmas tree.  

We have been very fortunate that the majority of our cruises have had an OBC.  And now that we use a TA we get additional OBC.  It is  a wonderful and helpful perk to have.

Hopefully you can speak that language otherwise you will be very lonely. And yes the service we have heard is not the same that you receive from other countries. Also the menu will be geared towards what they are accustomed too.  And with all of the rioting going on over there I would stay far away. 

Bump out rooms offer the best views. They also fill up fast.  

Hydrate with lots of water.  Take Advil at bedtime.  And eat food and snacks.  Also don`t use the excuse I`m not driving so I can have 1 more drink.  Nothing worse than having a hangover on a sea day or getting sunburned because you were too  blitzed.  Lastly don`t know anything about the hangover pills.  Sorry.   

We did Aruba 5 years ago and took a taxi to a restaurant where we had dinner on the beach.  We don`t remember the name of the restaurant but the food was excellent, and the sunset was spectacular.  And the cab driver who took us to the restaurant came back after dinner and took us back to the ship.   We love Aruba and Curacao.  We also love Barbados as well. Especially the wood sculptor Reggie.    Enjoy your cruise.  

We were there 2 years ago and are going back next year. We stayed at Hotel 1898. And will be staying there again.   The roof top bar is a must. We walked  down Las Rambla and had Tapas and Sangria all 5 days we were there. Local taps and people are a lot of fun and food is so good.   Two  days before and 3 days after our cruise.  Shopping and restaurants that the hotel recommended were excellent.  You hear about pick pockets and at times can spot them. Be smart and alert.  Otherwise go to Park Gruell and Sagrada Familia is awe inspiring.  Took taxis from and to the airport and the cruise terminal.  We also did Montserrat.  Very beautiful as well.  If you go to Santorini, Greece do the non ship wine tour.   It goes to 3 wineries and is worth the cost.  Only 8 people and the driver and a sommelier.   

6 minutes ago, marti314 said:

Can anyone confirm if they leave OBC credit alone if you win a bid?  For example if you reprice, say move from interior to balcony they will only give you the OBC available at the time (reprice).  WIth the bidding do they leave everything alone from an OBC standpoint?

Thank you.  Excellent question.

How much should a person bid?   Is that in addition to what the upgrade will cost?