Empire the P.A.
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Post by Empire the P.A. on Jun 4, 2011 22:34:51 GMT -5
Here's the thing. I just got back from a Vegas vacation that pretty much wiped out my fun/vacation money. I knew going into it that this was going to be my one and only for this year (40th b-day present) but when I got back an offer was sent to me from Harrah's. Harrah's offered me a free 7 day European cruise on the Norwegian Epic or Jade. I would have to book it by August 4, 2011 and actually take the trip by October 16. I've never been to Europe and the ports of call are places I would love to see. So, should I take this cruise? I would have to work overtime to raise up money for the flight and fun money to Barcelona (Epic) or Venice (Jade). I would also have to find someone to go with me and it is kind of short notice. Any opinions? Norwegian Epic - Ports of Call: Barcelona, Spain, Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy, Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy, Naples, Italy, Palma, Majorca, Spain Norwegian Jade - Ports of Call: Venice, Italy, Dubrovnik, Croatia, Athens (Piraeus), Greece, Ephesus (Izmir), Turkey, Split, Croatia
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wvugurl26
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Post by wvugurl26 on Jun 4, 2011 22:40:23 GMT -5
I am a very bad one to ask. If the overtime is available to fund it and vacation time is available, I'd go. Since you have the means to get extra money to pay cash I'd say you only live once. Then again I really like traveling. I'm sure there will be some who say don't do it. My opinion is if the opportunity is there and you can pay cash, do it. I pretty much break all the YM rules so you should probably ask someone else
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Post by BeenThere...DoneThat... on Jun 4, 2011 22:44:43 GMT -5
<<< Any opinions? >>> ...yeah... take me! ETA: ...do you know what's the day trip time frame for each port of call? ...do you think you'll go back to Europe on another, more lengthy, vacay if you go this time? ...do you have any burning desire about any particular city, such as a bucket list? ...I ask because it would be our opinion that: Barcelona, Florence/Pisa, and Naples could be good day trips to do highlights and go away feeling satsified... no way could you do Rome as a day trip... not been to the others on that one... Dubrovnik, Split, and Ephesus could be good day trips to do highlights and go away feeling satisfied... no way could you do Venice or Athens as a day trip... ...imo...
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Empire the P.A.
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Post by Empire the P.A. on Jun 4, 2011 22:47:03 GMT -5
I do have 10 weeks banked in vacation time so that's not an issue. I have the overtime available to me which I rarely do, but it is there. I would want to go in September so that would give me three months to save up. I guess I should check how much air fare would be to see if I could swing it.
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Empire the P.A.
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Post by Empire the P.A. on Jun 4, 2011 22:51:15 GMT -5
Been There, if you can go I do need the extra person to go. It's one of those double occupancy deals.
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Post by BeenThere...DoneThat... on Jun 4, 2011 22:55:19 GMT -5
Been There, if you can go I do need the extra person to go. It's one of those double occupancy deals.
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Empire the P.A.
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Post by Empire the P.A. on Jun 4, 2011 23:03:23 GMT -5
I don't think I would really go on my own initiative and I'm not a long vacation stay type. I think the cruise would be the perfect setting. I don't like staying at too many different hotels. I like the fact the hotel (ship) is moving with me.
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Post by BeenThere...DoneThat... on Jun 4, 2011 23:09:00 GMT -5
I don't think I would really go on my own initiative and I'm not a long vacation stay type. I think the cruise would be the perfect setting. I don't like staying at too many differeent hotels. I like the fact the hotel (ship) is moving with me. ...I hear ya... we like the cruise style vacays for similar reasons... ...so, with that in mind, then you may want to give some serious thought about taking advantage of this offer, if the airfare is within reach and the spending money won't break you... in fact, I'd even shrug off a little consumer debt for a couple months to pay off the CC after the trip... and I say that likely for the same reason mentioned by wvugirl... traveling is fun and experiences are invaluable... ...and it sounds like this may be a once in a lifetime situation, since you want to see tastes of Europe rather than eat a full meal... ;D
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Catseye
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Post by Catseye on Jun 4, 2011 23:11:20 GMT -5
How badly do you want to go, Empire? On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being "If I miss this opportunity, I'll regret it for the rest of my life". Also, do you really love to travel? Are you truly willing to work the O/T and maybe cut back non-essential spending in other areas to reach this particular goal? How difficult will it be to get someone to go with you? Too bad a friend of my can't afford to go, otherwise I'd recommend her. She lives to travel, unlike myself. I'm a real homebody.
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Empire the P.A.
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Post by Empire the P.A. on Jun 4, 2011 23:26:57 GMT -5
I am a homebody too but I feel I should make an effort to see and experience more things while I can. I have always wanted to see Italy and doing it through a cruise would make it more comfortable for me. I don't do well in new settings and I've been on cruises before but only to the Caribbean and Bahamas. Short day trips to the listed cities would be perfect. I love walking around old cities and just looking at buildings and people watching. ETA: So I guess I would regret that I passed this up.
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Post by BeenThere...DoneThat... on Jun 4, 2011 23:38:51 GMT -5
<<< I have always wanted to see Italy and doing it through a cruise would make it more comfortable for me. >>> ...then do Epic for sure... while I would hate that one misses Venice, and I absolutely love the different pace of southern Europe, you will most appreciate, imo, the Epic tour... (no pun intended)
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Empire the P.A.
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Post by Empire the P.A. on Jun 4, 2011 23:47:33 GMT -5
I was leaning towards the Epic. Oh and when I think of Venice it reminds me of the Katherine Hepburn movie Summertime. Rossano Brazzi
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Post by BeenThere...DoneThat... on Jun 4, 2011 23:56:58 GMT -5
...keep watching those movies all summer, imo... not only would it keep you motivated about the OT fatigue and other savings efforts, but it will give you the refresher of what bridges, buildings, backgrounds you'll then see, or look for, in person... there will be so much to see and hear and smell and feel on this trip... so much history, so little time... ...also, Venice is a great city to go for a week, maybe even for a 4day weekend... hopefully you will do that on another trip sometime in the future... and you can stay in the same hotel for the duration and definitely spring to stay in the city... don't waste time staying at a cheaper hotel on the mainland and have to ride the train in... Venice is a very pedestrian city of wonderful Italian flavor that a lone traveler can enjoy... but a travel buddy is better... ...have fun dreaming and reading and readying yourself for a wonderful time fulfilling this life's pursuit... and bona sera!
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wmpeon
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Post by wmpeon on Jun 5, 2011 0:27:50 GMT -5
If you don't already have a valid passport (and check your expiration date!), make sure you start that paperwork asap, even if you're still mulling over going. Passport paperwork can get hung up and you don't want to find out too late that you can't go because of a passport issue.
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❤ mollymouser ❤
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Post by ❤ mollymouser ❤ on Jun 5, 2011 0:47:03 GMT -5
I think it would depend on the entire cost of the trip, including airfare, fees/taxes/mandatory gratuities, shopping money, etc.... as well as what my emergency fund and debt load looked like.
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dancinmama
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Post by dancinmama on Jun 5, 2011 1:12:00 GMT -5
Don't forget the cost of tours. We did a 13-day Mediterranean cruise in 1999 and spent $800 on tours (Turkey, Greece, Italy, Monaco, and Spain).
Would I do it? If you can swing it with overtime - DEFINITELY!! It is an absolute awesome trip. I hope to do it again in the next few years.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 5, 2011 1:35:14 GMT -5
If It was me and I had the overtime available to make the money to take the trip I would do it.
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whoisjohngalt
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Post by whoisjohngalt on Jun 5, 2011 3:49:05 GMT -5
I am drooling just reading about it. If I was single and offered an almost free vacation, I wouldn't even have time to type this post, I would be gone so fast Lena
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reader79
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Post by reader79 on Jun 5, 2011 3:51:33 GMT -5
How much did you drop at Harrah's? LOL.
Go on the trip, take lots of pics for us.
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jitterbug
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Post by jitterbug on Jun 5, 2011 7:50:19 GMT -5
How much did you drop at Harrah's? LOL. That's my question! All our vacations are gambling vacations and all Harrahs every offers US is 2 nights for free!! LOL.
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swamp
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Post by swamp on Jun 5, 2011 8:01:25 GMT -5
I would do it, and I'd go alone if nobody wanted to go.
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phil5185
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Post by phil5185 on Jun 5, 2011 8:37:01 GMT -5
Harrah's offered me a free 7 day European cruise on the Norwegian Epic or Jade. Hopefully you understand that this is not really a 'deal'? 'Harrah's has a big heart and loves you so they give you free things?' They definitely make money on then deal, their marketing dept is not staffed with stupid people, LOL. So you don't need to let yourself be controlled by their schedule/rules/destinations, you can go whenever you want to, and stay as long as you want to.
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2kids10horses
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Post by 2kids10horses on Jun 5, 2011 8:48:31 GMT -5
Phil, as usual, is right. Read the mice type. Figure out what this will REALLY cost.
With the Global recession, I would imagine that the cruise lines are offering good deals on all cruises.
I'd shop it.
I'm not saying "Don't go", I'm saying "Shop it".
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Empire the P.A.
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Post by Empire the P.A. on Jun 5, 2011 10:45:46 GMT -5
I know it's not a truly free vacation. I would be responsible for port charges, taxes and air fare. I don't drink and I'm not much of a souvenir buyer so that saves me a big chunk. And I do have a valid passport so no worries there. I was thinking that I would continue to do the overtime when I got back from the trip to pay off anything extra I spent.
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Empire the P.A.
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Post by Empire the P.A. on Jun 5, 2011 10:52:14 GMT -5
Harrah's offered me a free 7 day European cruise on the Norwegian Epic or Jade. Hopefully you understand that this is not really a 'deal'? 'Harrah's has a big heart and loves you so they give you free things?' They definitely make money on then deal, their marketing dept is not staffed with stupid people, LOL. So you don't need to let yourself be controlled by their schedule/rules/destinations, you can go whenever you want to, and stay as long as you want to. Oh I know Harrah's is trying to woo me back into spending my money at their casinos. I cut back a huge amount and was suprised they offered me anything this year. I have some time to think it over and start on the overtime to see if I'm willing and able to work the extra hours. Also I'll price around the cost of the whole vacation to see how much it would be without the free room. Thanks for all the advice everyone!
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NancysSummerSip
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Post by NancysSummerSip on Jun 5, 2011 11:18:48 GMT -5
It's been said, but I'll say it anyhoo. Read the fine print. This could wind up costing you more than a cruise you shop around for on your own. You get wooed by the "free" part and think it's OK to make it up by spending money.
Other than that, if you can go at the specified times, and have the interest, by all means, do it. Take tons of pictures!!!!!!
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Artemis Windsong
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Post by Artemis Windsong on Jun 5, 2011 13:21:10 GMT -5
Someone one this board knows someone who has done one of these cruises with Harrahs. I'll chat it up with some of my gambling/traveling friends. No, I don't gamble in the casinos but I do like to travel. One option to compare pricing is to check out is www.OAT.com (outdoor adventure travel) or Voyager. They are medium sized group travel packages. Also check with your local bank rewards club to see if they have materials.
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simser
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Post by simser on Jun 6, 2011 14:02:26 GMT -5
I just got back from a cruise (with NCL no less) and can tell you that it's a lot more than just the cruise. We paid 584 pp for a week, had a $75 room credit, didn't fly into port (we drove 8 hours each way with 1 hotel night), and went to the Caribbean which has cheaper tours.
Grand total for 2- $2600!
Expect to pay for beverages (even sodas), a nice restaurant or two, $12 tipping charge (per person, per day), the tours, extra tips for the tours, and any gambling you want to do. It will add up fast! Say you find a friend. This trip will probably cost each of you at least 2k (flights, tours, service charge, minimal souviners). Plus there's always last minute things to buy (I perpetually have to get a new bathing suit!).
Cruise critic is a great source for how much you can spend. They have a lot of current pricings.
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