LIVE from the Ruby Princess - BARCELONA to VENICE, May 5th - May 17th

[sultan_sfo]

A Different Viewpoint:

 

Passport info is of little value in identity theft. One has to turn in the Passport at so many different places including hotels in many countries where sometimes they keep it or photocopy and return it. One shows the Passport even to enter the Casino in Monte Carlo! The most vital info is SSN because SSN is the link to all the personal data. The next most vital is DL # because DL# unfortunately was linked to SSN some 10 or so years ago (at least in CA).

 

Hi..

 

...

Carol

 

Protecting your passport is like protecting your SS#..I'd want all the information up front before surrendering my passport..

[painfree]

Like the original poster..I only wished to point out another example of how protective we've become of our personal information..I didn't expect to receive a lecture on identity theft and the difference between SSN's and Passport information..

I have traveled outside the US...turned in my passport when requested and it was returned at the appropriate time..Hopefully we can get back to enjoying Pia's blog which is much more entertaining..

 

Carol

[Carolyn R]

Like the original poster..I only wished to point out another example of how protective we've become of our personal information..I didn't expect to receive a lecture on identity theft and the difference between SSN's and Passport information..

I have traveled outside the US...turned in my passport when requested and it was returned at the appropriate time..Hopefully we can get back to enjoying Pia's blog which is much more entertaining..

 

Carol

 

:eek::eek::eek:

[Pia1913]

Hello from Livorno; just returned from our 4 1/2 hour shorex to Lucca. Transport was approx 30 minutes each way.

The weather remains overcast but with just a sporadic drizzle or two. That I can handle. Our tour guide was wonderful; didn't stop talking, explaining and showing us things for one second. She was knowledgeable and most of all understandable.

Lucca is a charming little ancient town in Tuscany. The walled fortifications that were built to keep the enemies away, still surround the city. There are many tiny streets and time flies by while you are exploring the many shops and outlets. This is an area that needs a lot of time to appreciate it, but we did manage to stop in a cafe to have wonderful coffee and share a delicious pastry. Another bit of info is about Puccini, who studied music in Milan, but was born in Lucca and also died there in 1924.

I will continue this after lunch. Lido is calling. OK. Back from lunch which consisted of a salad, 2 chicken strips, and bok choy. I eat bok choy or some such derivitive every single day.

I submitted a limerick yesterday on Monaco, but alas, they decided not to read it today. They haven't officially started a limerick contest so they are putting it "on ice." You think they just don't want to give me any more drink cards? LOL

Tonight's entertainment will be Broadway Ballroom in the theater, Don Sherman in Explorer's and the band East Coast Connection in Fusion. MUTS will have "NINE." We will most likely see the production show followed by casino. I haven't been mentioning the casino because so far it hates me.

The passport story: The passports are being collected in preparation of entering non EU countries; i.e. Turkey. This time they are doing it differently, and nobody will have to stand in line. Each stateroom steward will be responsible for collection of passports between 5 and 9 tonight and he/she will give you a receipt. It has been specifically stated that you DO NOT try to hand it in to the PSD. Passports will be returned by the steward on May 15th. To those who stated above they don't want to do it; the choice is not yours.

As for Athens, no word yet. You guys know more about what's happening than we do.

Ciao for now.

[Woobstr112G]

Pia;

 

Continue to have a great cruise.....:):):)

 

Bob

[happytalk44]

Pia

Thanks for the explanation on the passport question. Sure didn't mean to cause an "issue" on your thread. All I wanted was to understand. The "non-EU countries" explanation was all I needed to know. Now I know. Some folks respond much better to demands when the reason is understood. "Just do it" does not expand my knowledge.:)

[cruisingallover]

Pia did you take a private or ship excursion to Lucca and how much did it cost? We were thinking of taking the train.

[BalconyGal]

Pia,

 

Sounds like a much more civilized way to handle passport issues. We were in one of those "cattle calls" on NCL. Not fun! :mad: The captain woke us at 7 am on the loudspeaker over the bed and we were forced to stand on line dazed and uncaffeinated for over an hour! :mad: Much rather see my steward for 5 mins.

 

Keep up the entertaining live, I hope the casino changes it's mind about you!

[doublemm16]

Pia did you take a private or ship excursion to Lucca and how much did it cost? We were thinking of taking the train.

 

Pia mentioned that she took the Shorex (or ship tour) of Lucca. I will be joining Pia on the May 17th leg of her trip, and according to my personalizer, the Lucca excursion is $59.00 per adult and $49.00 per child. Hope this helps!!

[DonahCBrown]

Pia did you take a private or ship excursion to Lucca and how much did it cost? We were thinking of taking the train.

 

The train is very doable but you have to change in Pisa, and remain mindful of your timing to get back, and you also miss out on the commentary, of course. Train station is a good 15 minute walk at a brisk pace from the spot where the shuttle drops you off in Livorno, then you change trains in Pisa, which can be a little confusing if you haven't done trains in Italy before and/or don't read Italian. The station in Lucca is across the street from the gate through the wall. You can purchase your tickets ahead of time on line at the Italian train website and get them printed out at a special machine in the station lobby. Make sure you click on the little tiny British flag up in the upper (I think it was the right hand?) corner of the screen for English instructions. You put the ticket through an automatic stamper machine on the train platform when you take the train and there may be a conductor who comes along and checks it as well.

[financialgrl]

I am taking this same cruise May 29th. A friend that cruises Princess almost exclusively told me about two years back one lone woman was adamant about not relinquishing her passport. She finally relented when she was told that if the ship didn't have ALL passports, no one would be allowed to leave the ship in Turkey. I'd have changed my mind too - let's see, a floating vessel and anyone knowing I was the sole cause of missing a port - the two don't go together!!

 

Keep posting Pia - I love it - not only your excursions but very interested to see how they handle the Greece portions also.

[jonikal]

Here's our little tale of our adventure after disembarking the Ruby on May 5. The Icelandic volcano decided to blow another ash cloud towards Ireland and our Aer Lingus flights were cancelled. We spent 12 hours on May 5 at the Barcelona airport waiting for alternate flights back to the States. There was no Aer Lingus rep available and the local airport and the contractors handling the 100 or so flightless passengers didn't have the authority to make any decisions. That was what took such a long time because every step taken had to be authorized by Dublin. And they, of course, were completely overwhelmed with their cancelled flights all over Europe. Finally they gave us food vouchers and provided us with transportation to a hotel which was about a 40 minute ride from the airport and nowhere near the city of Barcelona. They managed to get us on a direct New York bound AA flight and we finally arrived home in Florida last night.

 

Interestingly the 100 or so Aer Lingus passengers also included people who had disembarked from the Disney ship that limped in the same morning as the Ruby. They had a very rough night sailing into Barcelona, and being a much smaller vessel even had water cascading down the stairways!

 

Hopefully the volcano will have decided to fall back asleep by the time you all disembark in Barcelona for your flights back home. If not, be prepared to wait at the airport and they will help you get home - eventually. Oh yes, I had my 5 minutes of fame as Spanish TV came and interviewed some of us. I think we were all pretty diplomatic and polite despite the fatigue and frustration. Good luck!

[venicia]

I love reading Pia's postings! She has the ability to make you feel you are there. Our cruise on the 17th will be the first time we have ever cruised in the Med and it is fantastic to have some information what happens on the ship. I think seeing Europe this way will be much better than traveling from one hotel to another as we did in the past.

 

Wishing you sunny weather all the way to Venice Pia!:)

 

Joan

[Off2China]

 

Wishing you sunny weather all the way to Venice Pia!:)

 

Joan

 

Ditto . . . and then all the way from there to Barcelona after we join you on the 17th :D

 

Thanks for the Live, Pia. We're all hoping for the best in Athens.

[teachergal29]

Love cruising along with you, Pia. Thanks so much for posting...:)

[rdsqrl]

You didn't go see Nine, Pia?! After finding out for us what happened to the Morgans and letting us know it was worth our time, you couldn't have helped a girl out once more with her Netflix queue??!!

Thanks for the detail about Lucca -- I've filed it away for my next port call in Livorno, as I've "been there-done that" with Florence and it's not one of my favourite cities. Glad to hear of a worthwhile alternative.

[Pia1913]

oo Hoo........something different. Sun is shining. Welcome to Civitavecchia on this lovely Saturday morning. The ship is so quiet; had the gym almost to ourselves. We'll get dressed soon and wander into town. Hutch said it's 1 1/2 miles, but evidentally there's a free (yes, I said free) shuttle to the end of the port area. Afterwards a ten minute walk. Maybe 10 for DH, but not for this power walker. I can do it in nine. hahaha

Attended Broadway Ballroom show last night; still very entertaining. Tonight's featured show is a pianist labeled the female Liberace; Linda Gentile. I never liked the "male" Liberace, so this one is on the back burner. Explorer's will do Majority Rules game show and Fusion has a Motown tribute followed by Princess Pop Star; Heat #2. Not very exciting, so casino for us. I'm still waiting for the 3 card poker table to get some action. No way will I play with just the dealer or one other person. The casino is definitely busier this cruise, but certain areas don't get any action at all. Texas Hold Em' last cruise was always busy and this cruise empty.

MUTS tonight will have "When in Rome" which we missed on the last cruise. There is no way we can sit out there at night even with a blanket.

We received a notice about Athens as follows:

"At this time the information we have indicates there should not be any significant problems for our passengers. The earlier protests were not directed at tourists and relate to internal Greek politics, but some tourist sites were impacted. The situation in Athens can change at short notice so we will continue to carefully watch for further developments and provide updates. If it becomes necessary to alter any shore excursions in Athens, the Shorex desk will provide you with updaes to particular tours."

See you later.

[Billy and Charlie's Mum]

Hey Pia, I was showing Clive last night this B2B2B you are on and he wants to do it too. LOL. Maybe 2012, we shall see. Enjoy what is left of your adventure. I will be reading along.

[mrspaper]

Pia

Thanks for updating the info about Athens. That is helpful and I will share it with my group.

 

Sorry it's too cold to sit outside at night

 

Eileen-thought you were thinking of a trans. at for 2011. Guess it could be 2012. You can sail with Pia, possibly

 

Linda

[Billy and Charlie's Mum]

Pia

Thanks for updating the info about Athens. That is helpful and I will share it with my group.

 

Sorry it's too cold to sit outside at night

 

Eileen-thought you were thinking of a trans. at for 2011. Guess it could be 2012. You can sail with Pia, possibly

 

Linda

 

Linda, you are still a fully fledged member of the blonde club. :eek: It was 2012. Are you gunna change your mind?

[mrspaper]

Linda' date=' you are still a fully fledged member of the blonde club. :eek: It was 2012. Are you gunna change your mind?[/quote']

thanks Eileen

Excuse our shenanigans, Pia

[wineforhealth]

Pia

 

Thanks again for your trip log and info.

 

If you are able to get off in Athens watch out for the pick~pockets

[Valentino]

Hi Pia, enjoying your updates as the out laws are on the ship as well so it's interesting to see where they are at and how the trip is going. (Barbara and Ray Cornell - they're from England - JUST in case you get chatting to the best outlaws in the world that is).:D

 

Ciao!

 

Penny

[Pia1913]

checking in again; it's just after 5 PM. We had a fun day today; made our own fun. Took the free shuttle to outside of port where we found a flea market. Lots of street vendors. This is definitely not for tourists since they were selling linens and housewares as well as jewelry, purses and other stuff. My wonderful purchase was sunglasses which were priced at 10 euros and which I paid 6 US dollars. What a bargain! Lots of cafes and shops in this area. I don't know whether this is an every day market or just because it's a Saturday.

 

On our way back to the port entrance we passed a small church and a wedding party just starting to enter. So...........we did too. As the bride walked down the aisle with her father we entered and attended the wedding. Lots of outside folks did the same thing, though we were definitely the only ship people. It's the Church of the Immaculate Conception and Giancarlo married Loreto. Yes, we took pictures.

Back on the ship we grabbed a quickie lunch at the IC in order to make the 2:00 PM movie. Nine; the movie everyone says is a bomb. I gave it 20 minutes before walking out. DH stayed 5 extra minutes. At 4:00 there was a male opera singer (tenor) doing some selections in the Piazza. The only thing recognizable was Ave Maria.

Since we haven't been doing much trivia, we went to the 4:30 session in the Wheelhouse. After our team of 2 won, we were told there was no prize. It seems that effective now, prizes will only be awarded on sea days and not on port days. We were told this is a corporate decision. Can you believe this chintziness? There are only two sea days on this itinerary. So what will they save; 5 bucks? YIKES!

We haven't decided yet what to do tomorrow. We're in Naples and thought we might like to visit Capri again. However, it's a Sunday and shops might all be closed. No loss for us, since we've been here previously and will also be back again on Tuesday, May 25th.

 

Ciao. Probably until tomorrow morning.

[Colo Cruiser]

Thanks for the update.

You are right, YIKES on the no prize ruling. :(