CruiseDigits

19 hours ago, Hlitner said:

Also keep in mind that Termini is a huge train station.  Depending on your train's platform you can find yourself walking several city blocks (within the station) just to get to or between platforms.

Yes, Termini is HUGE.  We took the train from Termini to the port for our cruise several years ago and thought we'd given ourselves plenty of time.  We ended up running to catch our train with all of our bags!

The Nativity façade was built by Gaudi -- this linked review site recommends the Nativity tower, the review provides great detail:

https://www.peppylocals.com/qa/4/which-tower-in-sagrada-familia

When we visited we did not go up in the towers, my wife is claustrophobic, though maybe I should have gone up alone!

I agree, my interpretation of the community guidelines is that it's acceptable to mention air consolidators, or most other types of companies (except travel agents) by name, assuming they aren't your company.  I think the biggest thing is that CC doesn't want the site overrun by advertising.

These seem like the relevant parts of the "Advertising is Not Allowed" section of the community guidelines:

• "Cruise Critic defines advertising as an individual or company's attempt to generate business or other commercial enterprise, either directly or indirectly, by using our Cruise Board."
• "There shall be no third-party recommendation (whether positive or negative in tone) of travel agencies on any forums within Cruise Critic."  Note no mention of companies other than travel agencies.

1 hour ago, DShock said:

Agree. Normally we go one night prior but with problems they are having now thinking about 2 nights, just in case there is one of those lengthy delays or cancellations. 

I've never used the service but it seems like Freebird may be an good option for a situation like this.  Seems like it would be less than paying for a second night at the hotel.

Would love to hear feedback for anyone who has used Freebird.

4 hours ago, SimplyMarvie said:

There's no bad option here. 🙂

+1

I think it also depends on their interests and where you'd like to go, though I'm assuming you think both are great options!

On 7/2/2019 at 11:18 AM, Voelfgar said:

Just to let all know that Delta one seats on Boeing 767-300ER are not the same as one's on the 777or their Airbus'. They are a lot less private

And seat width-wise it is the same as their domestic 1st class seat.

 

The aisles are very narrow and if your seated in the "B" seat, all the passengers seated behind you will be bumping you as they go by.  all passengers board from the door located forward . There is no door between delta one and select comforts.  Also do not reccomend sitting in at least the first 2 rows.  A lot of noise coming from the galley and the door of the bathroom .

This is good to point out for folks who aren't frequent flyers.  The Delta One page does a nice job highlighting the international suites but there is also the included wording in smaller grey font, "* Seat configurations may vary depending on aircraft type and size"

When you click through to the booking pages on Delta you have the chance to expand the "Details" section to see the aircraft type for the flight options on your route.  Make note of the different aircraft options.

Armed with the aircraft type you can head over to Seat Guru and explore for the appropriate aircraft.  Check to see if there are differences and if everything looks good then head back and complete your booking.

Hope this helps!

4 minutes ago, FlyerTalker said:

In many cases, you would have been better to just put your spend on a cashback card and use the cash for the cost of the ticket.

I agree that this is the best approach for most folks, but not everyone.

29 minutes ago, cayman09 said:

Are either of these methods available for a one way international flight?

Yes, both of the methods are available for a one way international flight.  For example in the "Miles + Cash" option shown by @waterbug123 to get started you'd go to the Delta booking site, select "One Way" and click the "Miles" toggle button where it says "Show Price In"...

@CruisingIGo what dates are you thinking?  I picked random dates in May searching departures from LAX, SEA, SFO, or OAK and I'm seeing lowest pricing on ITA out of LAX.  Multiple airlines.  Fly to Rome, fly back from Athens.

Yes, I was thinking of ITA for a reference point of comparison.

The calendar function on ITA Flight Matrix is usually a pretty helpful starting point.  If you haven't used it and want a click path let me know and I'll post the steps I use here.

It's changed since Monday, now listed as August 15th.

It's now listed as August 15th, "We are currently accepting air reservations through January 5, 2020. On August 15, 2019 we will open our schedule for sale through March 6, 2020. This date is subject to change! Please check back frequently."

This is the source page: https://www.southwest.com/air/flight-schedules/index.html

Agreed, the times are usually pretty accurate.

16 hours ago, Toofarfromthesea said:

We booked our excursions online, long before our cruise, 1 through the cruiseline, 3 through private companies.

4 hours ago, paul929207 said:

Nearly all our excursions in the Caribbean are arranged on the pier as we disembark. Most are 2 to 3 hours and cost $25 to 35.

We've taken both approaches, it depends on the port.  Biggest thing is to do your research (you are in the right spot with Cruise Critic) so you know what to expect and what approach works best for you.

5 hours ago, princeton123211 said:

He also is in the process of selling a bridge in Brooklyn if someone is interested...

Maybe they can stay at the TWA hotel before they drive over to inspect the bridge.

Here you go, yes 200% is what they are targeting, "'My objective is to sell every room every day twice a day', said Tyler Morse..."  The article is behind the WSJ paywall:

TWA Hotel at Kennedy Airport Targets 200% Occupancy

Agreed.  Though they were referencing something much much higher, I'll look for the article and post if I'm able to find.

I can't find it now but one of the articles about the opening included a quote that they plan to book at over 100% utilization for the rooms because they figure that many people will have odd check-in or out times.

And the comments about parking just made me smile, I saw where that one was going   NYC is its own world.

On 6/18/2019 at 5:12 PM, FlyerTalker said:

 

Emirates and JetBlue codeshare, so you could book through JetBlue for through service from MXP-JFK-ORD.  Also, check the Emirates website for their pricing on that combination.

Definitely check both carriers.  For example, I recently saw airfare for the exact same Iceland Air flight that was cheaper booking through JetBlue than it was on Iceland Air.

It looks like Southwest is pushing back their next scedule release to August 8th:

"We are currently accepting air reservations through January 5, 2020. On August 8, 2019 we will open our schedule for sale through March 6, 2020. This date is subject to change! Please check back frequently."

@preschool teacher you may also want to try to adjust to fly back one day later if your schedule permits.  Sometimes even a little timing flexibility pays big dividends.

It's on the Southwest flight search page for me, here is a screen shot that I just pulled up:

:

I echo the comments about using a car service, that would be my first choice.  Also thinking out loud, one additional option is to do a one-way car rental -- it's not a fun drive and there are tolls but it's an option (the backup plan for the backup plan).

Hopefully you're able to get on a flight to EWR.

2 hours ago, grahamfam3 said:

Well, I’m not sure what service your husband is in, but I can tell you what the US Army’s AR 670-1 says about wear of the Dress Blues:

 

That's the beauty of the military, there IS a regulation, you just need to find the right one.  When I transitioned out of the military the lack of documentation in many companies was one of the things I didn't expect.