My new life, I hope

[swamp]

so go. screw the price, you have the money.

[wvugurl26]

Go see it now. You've spent years waiting to live your life.

[chiver78]

definitely go! just pack snacks. NCL's food is notoriously awful. as in, makes people physically ill. unfortunately, that's what my concert charter is on, so we're stuck with it. but the vast majority of my friends that sail have all had issues at one time or another.

[zibazinski]

Geez, I've been on NCL three times. No food issues ever. I thought it was Carnival that always made people sick.

[chiver78]

Carnival's food wasn't anything to rave about, but it never made us sick. I had one dinner where I seriously thought I wouldn't make it back to my cabin in time. I lost 6lbs that trip.

[zibazinski]

[cael]

Our one cruise so far has been on Norwegian and we had no issues with the food! We ate at the buffet a lot so it was buffet food, but it was fine (and included obviously). The few other restaurants we went to were pretty good too - we aren't particularly picky though, so as long as there's something to eat we're usually happy enough.

Go for it Pat, hope there's a stop in Greece, it's beautiful enjoy!

[tcu2003]

We cruised Louis Cruise Line in Greece for our honeymoon and I would recommend them. They also had some Mediterranean options that included Italy do you want to compote their itinerary and prices to Norwegian.

[resolution]

Oceania has good food and some nice Italian itineraries.

[zibazinski]

I want to look at those myself. I still want to see Italy. I guess it'll be with DD now.

[marvholly]

I, too, am looking at cruises to get away over part of the winter. Would LOVE to do Italy and/or Greece.   However, air to EU is VERY $$.  Also, single supplements are generally quite high.

I have sailed Carnival, Celebrity & NCL, albiet not in 10+ years.  Food was ok - banquet food.  After all they are feeding 3000+ people/meal.  WTF do people expect?  Ruth Chris?  Michelin 5*?

[Blonde Granny]

We've sailed with Carnival, Dolphin (no longer in business) Princess and Holland America.  Worst: Carnival  the Best: Princess
the most underwhelming: Holland America.  With HA, we didn't even have the mandated evacuation drill, cabins were worn, and there was only 1 electrical outlet in the stateroom and that was under the desk.

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

The Trevi fountain just underwent a complete rehab thanks to the fashion house Fendi.  They turned the water back on last night after 18 months of work.  Go.  Go see the Trevi fountain.  But, maybe do a land tour?  Can you get to Rome from a cruise ship?  

[resolution]

The port for Rome is Civitavecchia and then the ships will bus you to the city. A lot of cruises will start or end there and you can buy supplements for a few days hotel stay before or after the cruise and stay right in the center of old Rome.

[chiver78]

Nov 5, 2015 6:32:58 GMT -5 marvholly said:

I have sailed Carnival, Celebrity & NCL, albiet not in 10+ years.  Food was ok - banquet food.  After all they are feeding 3000+ people/meal.  WTF do people expect?  Ruth Chris?  Michelin 5*?

[/p][/quote]

basic safe food handling from the workers(temps and cleanliness) and to not hurl after each meal would be a nice start. <shrug>


sent from my electronic distraction

[chiver78]

I wish I'd made it to Rome over the handful of work trips over there. <wistful sigh>

what are the itineraries you're looking at, Pat? if you can get to Venice, do it. I went in November and it was still just stunning. I would love to go back and just stay there for a week.

sent from my electronic distraction

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Pat, what is the time difference?

[Ombud]

Nov 4, 2015 15:59:36 GMT -5 @patstab said:

Good idea zib.
im looking at a cruise in the med for 10 days in December. It's cheap on a Norwegian ship but have to check the airfare. Likely not the best time of year but that's ok.

single for over 65 is about $700. I want to see Rome.

Fantastic price! Have fun

[mroped]

NY to Rome time difference is 5 hrs. So at noon in NY is 5 pm in Rome.

Chiver, you might get sick on cruises not from the food but because of the old fashion "sea sickness "
Some people hurl, some sleep a lot, some eat continuously. All are forms of sea sickness.
Next time at sea try eating toast or just very dry, solid food. No soups, coffee or tea. Carbonated drinks or water. No booze either! 

[chiver78]

Nov 5, 2015 23:22:04 GMT -5 mroped said:

NY to Rome time difference is 5 hrs. So at noon in NY is 5 pm in Rome.

Chiver, you might get sick on cruises not from the food but because of the old fashion "sea sickness "
Some people hurl, some sleep a lot, some eat continuously. All are forms of sea sickness.
Next time at sea try eating toast or just very dry, solid food. No soups, coffee or tea. Carbonated drinks or water. No booze either! 

this isn't sea sickness. I've had that on some rough sailings. but thanks....


sent from my electronic distraction

[steph08]

I love Rome. Go. You have the money, now you have the freedom and time.

Go to the Coliseum. Go to Vatican City (I highly recommend getting tickets online early to avoid the massive lines). Go to the Roman Forum.

Or just walk around and eat gelato at every place you come to before you get on the cruise.

[sarcasticgirl]

I saw screw the cruise and just go to Rome. It is an amazing city, why waste time on a boat?

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using proboards

[sarcasticgirl]

Nov 5, 2015 20:36:36 GMT -5 @patstab said:

About 11 hours and 1 day difference.

The time difference between you and Rome?
That isn't right.

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using proboards

[GRG a/k/a goldenrulegirl]

Nov 6, 2015 8:08:14 GMT -5 @patstab said:

No that's between s Korea and Indiana.

I can never figure this out.

Did you gain a day and 11 hours or lose a day and 11 hours on your way there?

If you lost it, then I say extend your stay in Korea to make up for lost time.  

[obelisk]

Please take the loooong way around.  You will not regret it.  It will bring balance in your life.

[Sam_2.0]

Pat, I hope you get out on ANY trip that you are able to enjoy. And please send us pics you absolutely deserve this!!!!

[taz157]

Nov 6, 2015 22:06:30 GMT -5 Sam_2.0 said:

Pat, I hope you get out on ANY trip that you are able to enjoy. And please send us pics you absolutely deserve this!!!!

Soooooooo

[NastyWoman]

Nov 6, 2015 22:09:14 GMT -5 taz157 said:

Nov 6, 2015 22:06:30 GMT -5 Sam_2.0 said:

Pat, I hope you get out on ANY trip that you are able to enjoy. And please send us pics you absolutely deserve this!!!!

Soooooooo

x1000

[marvholly]

Pat

I am betting you will get a nice surprise when you get home. With all the veggies you are eating and the walking you are doing I swuspect you will have lost some weight on this trip.

[lund]

Nov 6, 2015 22:06:30 GMT -5 Sam_2.0 said:

Pat, I hope you get out on ANY trip that you are able to enjoy. And please send us pics you absolutely deserve this!!!!

!



An acquaintance of mine went on a bus tour named something like "All around Italy in eight days". He afterwards told us that he had seen most of the "must sees", and though he found them interesting, he felt no urge to return to most of them. But he loves to return to Firenze/Florence.

I suggest that you check the costs of bus tours in the off-season or shoulder seasons. (I think that shoulder season would be better.)
There may be a difference in cost and "level of luxury" according to what kind of customer they are expecting, so read the descriptions well.

There is the possibility of making a cruise and a bus tour back to back, using the same air fare....