Sunday, March 24, 2013
No More Carnival for Me
Well, I've created a new blog for the new cruise - http://frenchitalianadventure.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Florence
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Refresh of an old Post
This month's to do list:
- Check airline reservations (again), they keep changing flights and my seats
- Contact each credit card company to notify them of foreign travel in case I want to use a credit card
- Order Euros from my bank
- Learn how to use my new camera!
Old Post but worth mentioning again:
Things that I noticed when in Europe or other interesting stuff:
When viewing foreign websites, look for the "en" or the picture of the british flag and click. This is the option to change the website to English.
Dates: Europeans list dates differently. They are DD/MM/YY (Day, then month , then year) so 11/4/12 is April 11, 2012.
Space: They can be crowded, noisy and in general, many europeans have a different idea of personal space so they don't feel uncomfortable getting close.
Lines: they are called Queues and other than Germans, many feel they are more suggestions than "rules" so budging can be an issue. Also remember the personal space issue... if you leave enough room for a person to stand in front of you someone will probably try to take that space.
Transportation: There are several options from the airport. This couple has a really nice website with photos that explains each transportation option from the airport to the cruise pier:
http://europeforvisitors.com/venice/articles/arriving_in_venice.htm
Money: Euros are more expensive to obtain on the ship. Get some from your bank before you leave home. You often have to pre-order them. Other than that, I use the ATM machines (AFTER checking with my bank to make sure they have decent exchange fees and foreign transaction fees) NOTE: You must notify your bank and credit card companies you are traveling internationally or they often will block foreign transactions on your card.
Dates: Europeans list dates differently. They are DD/MM/YY (Day, then month , then year) so 11/4/12 is April 11, 2012.
Space: They can be crowded, noisy and in general, many europeans have a different idea of personal space so they don't feel uncomfortable getting close.
Lines: they are called Queues and other than Germans, many feel they are more suggestions than "rules" so budging can be an issue. Also remember the personal space issue... if you leave enough room for a person to stand in front of you someone will probably try to take that space.
Transportation: There are several options from the airport. This couple has a really nice website with photos that explains each transportation option from the airport to the cruise pier:
http://europeforvisitors.com/venice/articles/arriving_in_venice.htm
Money: Euros are more expensive to obtain on the ship. Get some from your bank before you leave home. You often have to pre-order them. Other than that, I use the ATM machines (AFTER checking with my bank to make sure they have decent exchange fees and foreign transaction fees) NOTE: You must notify your bank and credit card companies you are traveling internationally or they often will block foreign transactions on your card.
Sunday, February 24, 2013
The beginning of Sunshine
I don't speak Italian, but found an article in an Italian paper with two photo albums of the Destiny arriving.
LInk to Il Picollo
under the photo, there are links to two albums. The last photo of the second album is an aft picture - I can almost see our cabin!
LInk to Il Picollo
under the photo, there are links to two albums. The last photo of the second album is an aft picture - I can almost see our cabin!
Monday, February 11, 2013
I Need a Vacation NOW!
OK.... am getting very impatient, but in anticipation, I keep looking at the pictures from my last Mediterranean cruise with my mom in Oct 2011. Here are the photos of our Joe Banana Naples excursion. Naples Excursion
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Monday, January 28, 2013
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Airline Reservations
Remember to check your airline reservations online. Flights change often and they do not have to contact you, it's the ticket holder's responsibility to verify the flight information.
Just a heads up as many of us have had flight changes recently.
Just a heads up as many of us have had flight changes recently.
Monday, January 7, 2013
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Friday, September 7, 2012
Friday, August 24, 2012
Cruise Links
Some of my favorite links about Cruising. Anyone have more to share?
www.cruisecritic.com (duh)
http://www.lifeiscruising.com/home (an Orlando travel writer's page)
https://secure.shoretrips.com/
http://www.cruisecal.com/portal/ (what ship is at what port)
http://shipstips.com/ (someone's personal website - too many ads, but interesting info)
http://www.cruiselinerooms.com/ (users post photos of specific ship staterooms)
http://www.zydecocruiser.net/
http://beyondships.com/index.html
http://moonprincess.com/travel/ (blog)
http://johnhealdsblog.com/
http://www.heinbloed-on-tour.de/ (German blogger - mostly European stuff)
https://www.goccl.com/irman/bookccl/sections/shipboard/DiningOnboard_master.html
http://www.kroooz-cams.com/carnival-fleet.php (webcams)
http://www.cruisefish.net/finder.md?id_cruise=23057
This is just cruising... it doesn't even start on my list of favorites for shore excursions.
www.cruisecritic.com (duh)
http://www.lifeiscruising.com/home (an Orlando travel writer's page)
https://secure.shoretrips.com/
http://www.cruisecal.com/portal/ (what ship is at what port)
http://shipstips.com/ (someone's personal website - too many ads, but interesting info)
http://www.cruiselinerooms.com/ (users post photos of specific ship staterooms)
http://www.zydecocruiser.net/
http://beyondships.com/index.html
http://moonprincess.com/travel/ (blog)
http://johnhealdsblog.com/
http://www.heinbloed-on-tour.de/ (German blogger - mostly European stuff)
https://www.goccl.com/irman/bookccl/sections/shipboard/DiningOnboard_master.html
http://www.kroooz-cams.com/carnival-fleet.php (webcams)
http://www.cruisefish.net/finder.md?id_cruise=23057
This is just cruising... it doesn't even start on my list of favorites for shore excursions.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Air Travel
I don't travel near as much as I used to, but often still follow the blogs/boards and news about air travel.
Here are some of my favorite links:
http://flightaware.com (track your flight)
www.flyertalk.com (kinda like cruise critic for air travel)
www.airplanefood.net
www.airlinemeals.net
www.flyerwiki.net (wikipedia for flyers)
www.freakjet.com (when I'm really bored)
www.boardingarea.com (blogs)
www.seatguru.com (which seat is best)
www.expertflyer.com (see how what seats are booked vs blocked)
Here are some of my favorite links:
http://flightaware.com (track your flight)
www.flyertalk.com (kinda like cruise critic for air travel)
www.airplanefood.net
www.airlinemeals.net
www.flyerwiki.net (wikipedia for flyers)
www.freakjet.com (when I'm really bored)
www.boardingarea.com (blogs)
www.seatguru.com (which seat is best)
www.expertflyer.com (see how what seats are booked vs blocked)
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Ups and Downs
First, we booked the cruise and I was so excited it was hard to sleep. Then I stressed about airfare until we finally got that booked. Then I went into overdrive planning, researching, spending hours on the internet looking for ideas, tips, tricks and discounts for excursions. Then we all got on Cruise Critic and shared our mutual excitement.
Then I looked at my countdown clock and it seemed so far away. Today it reads 244 days until we leave. Waaaay to long to wait.
Then... I think excitement overload hit and things got quite. The Roll Call died down, I stopped looking at the internet as much and work seemed much more stressfull than ever before.
This must be the cycle of ups and downs that comes when you plan your exciting European vacation so far in advance. I'm sure the "UP" will come again and this time I'll try not to burn out by staying up late every night looking at everything I can find onine about our vacation.
Then I looked at my countdown clock and it seemed so far away. Today it reads 244 days until we leave. Waaaay to long to wait.
Then... I think excitement overload hit and things got quite. The Roll Call died down, I stopped looking at the internet as much and work seemed much more stressfull than ever before.
This must be the cycle of ups and downs that comes when you plan your exciting European vacation so far in advance. I'm sure the "UP" will come again and this time I'll try not to burn out by staying up late every night looking at everything I can find onine about our vacation.
Monday, July 2, 2012
Planning for Venice!
Venice! Starting from the beginning of this trip I am already in serious planning mode. For those of you new to international travel, here are a few helpful hints.
When viewing foreign websites, look for the "en" or the picture of the british flag and click. This is the option to change the website to English.
Dates: Europeans list dates differently. They are DD/MM/YY (Day, then month , then year) so 11/4/12 is April 11, 2012.
Space: They can be crowded, noisy and in general, many europeans have a different idea of personal space so they don't feel uncomfortable getting close.
Lines: they are called Queues and other than Germans, many feel they are more suggestions than "rules" so budging can be an issue. Also remember the personal space issue... if you leave enough room for a person to stand in front of you someone will probably try to take that space.
Transportation: There are several options from the airport. This couple has a really nice website with photos that explains each transportation option from the airport to the cruise pier:
http://europeforvisitors.com/venice/articles/arriving_in_venice.htm
Money: Euros are more expensive to obtain on the ship. Get some from your bank before you leave home. You often have to pre-order them. Other than that, I use the ATM machines (AFTER checking with my bank to make sure they have decent exchange fees and foreign transaction fees) NOTE: You must notify your bank and credit card companies you are traveling internationally or they often will block foreign transactions on your card.
When viewing foreign websites, look for the "en" or the picture of the british flag and click. This is the option to change the website to English.
Dates: Europeans list dates differently. They are DD/MM/YY (Day, then month , then year) so 11/4/12 is April 11, 2012.
Space: They can be crowded, noisy and in general, many europeans have a different idea of personal space so they don't feel uncomfortable getting close.
Lines: they are called Queues and other than Germans, many feel they are more suggestions than "rules" so budging can be an issue. Also remember the personal space issue... if you leave enough room for a person to stand in front of you someone will probably try to take that space.
Transportation: There are several options from the airport. This couple has a really nice website with photos that explains each transportation option from the airport to the cruise pier:
http://europeforvisitors.com/venice/articles/arriving_in_venice.htm
Money: Euros are more expensive to obtain on the ship. Get some from your bank before you leave home. You often have to pre-order them. Other than that, I use the ATM machines (AFTER checking with my bank to make sure they have decent exchange fees and foreign transaction fees) NOTE: You must notify your bank and credit card companies you are traveling internationally or they often will block foreign transactions on your card.
Thursday, May 17, 2012
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