JudeeJim

Any tips for economic transport from Rome airport to downtown and from downtown to cruise port?

 

Thanks from Canada!

We have room for two on a private tour. We can put our heads together with the driver and go where we want. They will stay with us. We are an older foursome in our 70's. For more information contact me at Chptravlr at aol dot com.

Judee

I have to agree about the food. This was our 2nd time on the Brillance. Our 1st was in the Baltic a year and half ago. The food was not good on that cruise and I swore to not sail on RCL again. The service could have been better too. We decided to give it a try one more time as we wanted to do the northern Atlantic. The food only got worse. The first night the menu said some kind of steak which turned out to be Prime Rib. I had to turn back many main main dishes. No more RC for us.

Judee

You are a tourist. You'll stick out no matter what. Follow/observe some simple cultural rules and you'll be fine.

 

 

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Just to help anyone going to Singapore these are important things to know:

You cannot import gum or buy it there.

You must cover your mouth when you pick your teeth at the table.

It is a $1000 fine if you don't flush the toilet.

I'm sure there are other things but I liked these the best.

Judee

When we cruised the Caribbean I forgot my eyebrow pencil. My brows are very blond. In each port I went to stores trying to find one. No luck. Always remember to pack your eyebrow pencil.

We are so proud of the Seattle Seahawks winning the Super Bowl my husband and I bought tee shirts in team colors and printed with logo and winning. We will wear them a time or two on the ship but not on excursions. Some may this is tacky but I will dress as I please. Better than the lady I saw at lunch at the buffet on one of our cruises. She was about 60 years old wearing a bikini with a shear covering that when she bent over or reached for something everyone was mooned. Many people were laughing.

I know fanny packs are out, what does everyone use in their place?

Cross body bags?

 

 

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I use my husband. He carries those things I need in his backpack during excursions and he carries what I might need during dining. I also have a plastic thing around my neck for cruise card and nitro pills. I hate purses.

Tangee lipstick is available online from Vermont Country Store: http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/store/jump/productDetail/Health_&_Beauty/Bath_&_Body/Make-up/Tangee_Lipstick/61436

I bought Tangee from Vermont Country Store online. I love it and the scent reminds me of being a teenager.

Jessica by Jessica McClintock is the only perfume I wear. Every time I wear this I have many people as "what smells go good". I worked in a high school and even had a student ask the same thing. I told my daughter, a high school teacher, and she gets the same question. I highly recommend it. Perfect for cruising as it isn't a heavy scent.

Judee

I was 23 years old and was working foe General Telephone as a telephone operator. The company was on strike and not knowing much I was a scab. I was seating at the switchboard and all of a sudden the whole board lit up. People were saying all trunks were busy and they couldn't make calls. I said "due to the work stoppage I'm sorry you can't make a call". The person said to me "no the president has been shot and has died". When JFK was laying in state in tne Capitol my 2 1/2 year son said"look at all the Popeyes". I will never this tragedy.

Judee

On our last cruise on the Nordam I made an interesting observation. The casino was devided for smokers and non-smokers. The non-smokers area was very small and had poor choices of slot machines. In the smokers area there were many more slots and not many smokers. Since so many people have quit smoking you would think HAL would reverse the areas. Just a thought and yes I am a reformed smoker.

Judee

Yes, you're correct. Was thinking of deck 11 VT.

We were in a VT cabin on the Eurodam from FT Laurdale to Italy and loved it. Close to Spa, Exploration Cafe, Library and if you go out the door and turn left there is a staircase to a quiet sunning area. also close to Tamarind restaurant. would request this if on the Eurodam again.

judee

Yes, you're correct. Was thinking of deck 11 VT.

We were in a VT cabin on the Eurodam from FT Laurdale to Italy and loved it. Close to Spa, Exploration Cafe, Library and if you go out the door and turn left there is a staircase to a quiet sunning area. also close to Tamarind restaurant. would request this if on the Eurodam again.

judee

I so agree. With all the fancy and expensive imported brands out there, good old domestic See's simply cannot be beat. We always pick up a box at the airport for any housewarming gifts we might need alone the way. Last box ended up being a gift for our wonderful Sister Cities guide in Kotor, Montenegro.

 

We all have our own special talents, but mine is being able to identify the fillings in at least 90% of all See's candies from their outside shape and signature markings after a life time of loving this brand. :p

 

When I was younger this meant being able to avoid the dreaded marzipan. Now that my tastes have matured a lot more, that is one of the first ones I go for, but only after taking all the marshmallow-caramel ones for myself first. I also had a pretty strong Bordeaux Creme stage too for years.

My son joined the Air Force right after high school. He spent 4 years in So. Korea and each year I would send him a pound of See's chocolates for Christmas. Half was mixed chocolates and half Bordeaux. He would offer them to his friends but always told them keep their hands off Bordeaux. Oh, my Mom worked for See's in Los Angeles. Just had to share. And now my two cents worth CASH.

Judee

On our Alaska cruise on the Zaandam we had filet mignon and lobster in the MDR one night that was to die for. No kidding. Best I have ever had on a cruise ship, or anywhere for that matter. Maybe it was a fluke but we remember it as being really good.........

I wished I could have had the filet mignon and lobster but I was punished because I chose not to dress formal? My brother husband and I were told we could have that dinner in our cabin. I think this should have been served in the Lido.

Before all these fancy creams and other stuff my Mother had us use plain old corn starch when we were teens. It worked well and was cheaper than other products.

VT and VQ cabins are so far forward, and so high, you will be subjected to a lot of motion if the seas get rough.

 

If you have problems with seasickness, VT is not the cabin for you.

Fortunately we didn't experience rough seas as I am subject to mal de mar but had no problem in the VT cabin. Also to explain the area there are only 10 cabins, 5 on each side. There is a door that goes from the hall into the ropped off Retreat area but there are stairs that go up to what I would call a quiet sunning area. It is not part of the Retreat.

Judee

Judee,

How did you like the VT cabins? Too much motion? I know the balconies were small, how did you like them?

Linda

We really liked the VT cabin. The location is fantastic. We did feel some motion but no more than in other cabin classes. The other thing is it is very quiet and only out the door to the steps that take you to a very nice sunning area. We are going on the Noordam in March and my husband was hoping there were VT cabins but there aren't any so we are going to do a VE.

Judee

Thank you all for the information. I do get motion sickness but feel I will do well in the VT cabin. I'll take my chances and if I don't like it I will book a different cabin on future cruises.

Judee

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Thanks for all the information and especially the pictures. I think I will like this. If anyone has negative thoughts on the VT let me know.

I hope I will be happy with the VT cabin we chose on the Eurodam for our Transatlantic in April. It is on the Observation deck and there are only 10 cabins there. Anyone out there who has used the VT cabin and if so can you share your thoughts?

Judee

Thanks for everyones suggestions. I did contact on company and they quoted me $101.00 rental from Santiago with drop off in Valpariaso. We have decided to take the bus there. I have been told they are delux buses and very safe. I have taken delux buses in Mexico and they were very nice. The cost should not exceed $30.00 for both of us.

Judee

I have driven from Venice to Naples, Italy. It was great but I did avoid going into the center of cities, especially Naples. I would like to rent a car and drive from Santiago to Valparaiso but haven't found a rental that lets you drop off the car in Val. If you find one that does please post it. Also if you find out you need an international license I would like to know.

Judee

I have a number of glass tear shaped things (not sure what they are called) that I wear around my neck and many times I have been asked if they were Murano Glass from Italy. I paid $1.00 each for them and people think they are the real thing. In the past I have answered no but from now on I am going keep them guessing.

Alright ladies, spill it! Where's the best place to find good and inexpensive costume jewelry? :D:D

Try consignment stores. They usually have some pretty nice stuff. A couple of other suggestions would be garage sales and e-bay.

For those of you who have had a total knee replacement, how long did it take to recuperate to the point where you are comfortable travelling and doing things you enjoy without pain. I know I need one and I keep postponing it because I like to travel and want to feel sure I will be able to do so.

I had my knee replacement done on Jan. 11. The hip was in August. My hip took awhile to quit hurting, probably a couple of months. Now for the knee. My doctor warned me that a total knee replacement is much more painful than the hip surgery. He also said it will take more time to be pain free. I am still taking Aleve twice a day for the pain but it isn't going to stop me from enjoying traveling. Go for the replacement and remember each day it only gets better.