jsn55

I pray they've found the passports by now. If nothing else was stolen out of the room, it's surely possible the PPs are there somewhere. One gets so distracted travelling, you do things that make complete sense at the time but no sense later. As for using a hotel safe, it's perhaps a minor deterrent, but they're not very secure. I read about a hotel room safe in a cabinet, and the thieves made off with the whole cabinet. I'm quite confident with valuables in an inside zipped front pocket of my travel vest. I'm also super aware everywhere, ready to scream STOP at the slightest provocation.

I am loving this Epic TA review! Tomorrow I can check in for our Marseille departure on 16 October, so this review is most enjoyable. Such a great job!

I've not been seen in public wearing a bathing suit for eons. But back when I did wear them, smart people would pack two: wear one, wash it, and wear the other the next day. It would take a traveller of great insecurity to pack 9 suits for every 7 days of a cruise.

I would love to read @mking8288 trip report on his TA. But I don't know how to find it. Seems he has many pages of contributions ... can anyone tell me how to find this Epic trip report? TIA!

I've never been on a cruise I didn't totally enjoy. Always a few glitches but basically it's a joy to be cruising on anything, anywhere, any time. My expectations are always low when I travel, I'm delighted with the good things and ignore or fix the negatives. I'll bet you have a wonderful time.

I find an aft balcony cabin to be the best choice on any ship. Super quiet, lovely sound from the water while underway, just seems quite private. Some ships have 'wrap-around' balconies in the corners. But Epic does look 'chopped off' at the stern (what were they thinking?) so the balconies are probably all the same size. Still, it's worth it to be able to see at least 180 degrees 24/7. If things are looking interesting off to the side, just step right up to the balcony rail and have a look!

I have some leggings, but I'd never wear them outside the house. Too many women obviously don't ever look at their own rear view! Don't wear jeans either. I prefer close-cut soft knit pants that are hand-washable if necessary. Always bring an upscale silk pair for dinners. My best discovery years ago was to bring only black pants and black shoes so I never have to bother wondering what I'll wear. I try to subtract a pound or two every trip but I'll never get to the point of carryon only.

When I was a kid, I 'lost' everything. I found this so annoying that I set up a mental routine to keep track of important things that I've followed all my life, especially when travelling. I pack only clothing with pockets now. My passport, credit card and cash live in my upper left shirt pocket. They go in one place back in the hotel or ship. It's all so automatic now that I don't remember the last time I lost anything. It will be annoying to have to carry my passport, but I know I won't lose it. I don't want to waste a single minute dealing with the 'authorities' about anything. I really appreciate the warning here on CC.

In addition to my regular daily regimen of vitamins and Rx, I bring only items that might be needed 'right now' like decongestant, medicated hand cream, bandaids or Pepto. I obtain the generic names of things I sometimes take so I could pick some up locally if necessary. I just started on CBD for arthritis pain, so need to look that up and see if I need to take any special precautions with it. I just dump everything into a bottle for morning and another for evening and have for 40 years. I don't know where this 'original labeled containers' advice comes from.

I agree, there's nothing like TripAdvisor reviews to furnish a great 'feel' for a restaurant or hotel. It's important to read many reviews and know which ones to mentally discard. I don't book a hotel or seek an activity without reading TA reviews. If there aren't any, or few, I move on. I happen to enjoy that part of planning a trip. I was referring to 'recommendations' in books, magazines, blogs, whatever. Perhaps meaningful at one time, but largely outdated.

Absolutely! I don't bother reading about his hotel recommendations either. With hotels and restaurants, it's so easy to get current reviews. I've had so few bad meals in Europe that I usually just go by the 'look of the place' and the posted menu. I'm just not very fussy.

Roma is the only place I've ever experienced any crime ... despite my loud scream (I had just read about this trick), a woman, several children and a baby managed to slit my husband's front trouser pocket and make off with 15 whole euro. He was livid about ruining his favorite travel pants. It's not that I distrust foreign police, I'm only worried about a communication failure if I do something 'wrong'. So I comply with all common sense rules, plus the intel offered here. Just don't want to waste a precious minute of my trip dealing with issues.

We did Pompeii on our own and enjoyed it. But there are places that are so remarkably enhanced by some information and knowledge ... and Pompeii is one of them. I can't wait to take a guided tour in October when we dock in Naples.

THIS is why you never find me in any 'recommended' place for food or drink, nowhere, never: "our way to Piazza Plebiscito to reach Gran Caffe Gambrinus which was almost a total, expensive waste. Interior was lovely but service was terrible as was the food with the exception of the Matilda pastry ..."

EXACTLY! I'm grateful for the warning.

This is a terrific idea ... it's been around since 2016 and we world travellers never heard about it? Seems like there's not been enough publicity to make people aware of the sunflower badge.

The taxi drivers having coffee when a monster ship arrives! SOOOOO French! I will be smiling about this little story all day. You wish a taxi, monsieur? Just wait until I'm done with my coffee.

Thanks for this recommendation ... plans are totally skewed and now we are sleeping at the airport. We ordered a car to pick us up, do some sightseeing and deliver us to the cruise port for boarding. It was easy and efficient ... I appreciate your posting this.

I've been 'working on' a very similar cruise for months. I'm a fiend for research and really enjoy the process. The advice above to only deal with one port at a time couldn't be better. I'm not as efficient as usual because I started out reading about them all. I start at the library, several good guidebooks on Med cruise ports. I am a big Rick Steves' fan; he provides all the little details and gives his opinions on everything. You could buy his book and take the relevant pages along on your cruise. Once you get a sense of a port from a book, you can branch out into all the excellent forums here on CC. You'll pick up hundreds of 'tips' to pursue and lots of first-hand info to guide you. It's a great itinerary and you'll no doubt love the whole Med experience.

Best bet would be an NCL shore ex that will drop you at the airport ... your luggage is safe in the bus while you see the sights. A car service would be even more enjoyable. At your Meet&Greet, you may want to spread the word and find others to share in the cost of a car or private shuttle.

The Chateau at Versailles will host Equestrian.

A marriagable-age daughter's father's worst nightmare!

OMG! Are you telling me you wrap your neck with the uninflated pillow like a scarf???? Mine's too big to fit in a vest pocket. Absolute genius! I never thought to weigh mine, that will be interesting.

So true! Once you travel with a vest (lots of them available, no point in paying more than $50) you'll never go back. I have a little 'flight bag' of necessities that comes out, then the vest is folded into a big plastic bag for the overhead. Same thing for airport security. I satisfy my inner fashionista with a nice scarf. The convenience is SO worth it.

I would have done the same, ask if it would be 'OK' to light up. Seems like common courtesy to me. Y'all are educating me on the casino. I've never been a gambler, but it sounds like the casino is a pleasant place to spend an hour or so in the evening. And get to know others who drink and smoke!