PaulaW

Thanks for the list, MaryAnn. Most items are things that I always do, but never write down. Very helpful to have it concisely written down!

Happy Labor Day Everyone! I am all checked in online too! I have to remind Trish to do the same. Diane-- I just wanted to confirm with you that Fabrizio will have our tickets ahead of time for David and the Vatican, correct? I am pretty sure I remember you saying that, but just to be sure.

Hello Everyone! I hope everyone has a fun and safe holiday weekend. The last hurrah of summer! I don't have too many plans for the weekend. We are getting pelted with rain here right now-- courtesy of the remnants of Ernesto! I have to try to enjoy this weekend anyway. I have to work nights starting Monday thru the following Monday AM. Tonia-- you and I will be on the same schedule. When I've done this in the past, I feel pretty isolated from the rest of the world because I'm on a different schedule, so I'm hoping to spend some time with my family this weekend. Enjoy!

Jackie-- Glad to hear your tests over--hope all will turn out well! I am planning on packing my liquids in my toiletry bag probably with each bottle in its own Ziploc bag. I will test this method out when I fly to Las Vegas in 2 weeks. If it works, then I am all set. I am also planning on bringing bubble wrap for fragile items and putting them in the huge 2 gallon Ziploc bags. Hopefully, that is sufficient!

Great site Joey! The podcasts are really cool too. I am working on downloading all of them now to my iPod.

I am planning on getting an absentee ballot. That is my only option here. We have a couple of big elections (Governor and Senator-- Hillary's up for re-election) so I really want to be able to participate. We are doing ship's tours for Villefranche. Visiting Monaco is one of my dreams in life-- so definitely looking forward to that one. I have been focusing so much energy on this trip, that I have been neglecting my Las Vegas trip. I leave in two weeks for a Continuing Education program. I am required by law to have 45 hours of "CE" every 3 years, so I thought why not make it fun? So, I'm meeting a friend out there and we are spending 4 days in "Sin City."

Jackie- I'm sorry to hear that you're not feeling well. You are in my thoughts and I hope every goes well.

Gail, As you might have guessed-- I am a list maker! Usually the week before I leave, I start writing down everything I need to do, otherwise I can't rest. I wake up in the morning and I immediately start feeling stressed that I will forget something, so once I write it down, it's off my mind. I ended buying a Siemens global phone from rangeroamer.com. It comes with an unlocked phone and a global SIM card. What I like about it is that you pay as you go and I own the phone, so next time I travel, I have it and can just add more air time. It also has the option of an 800 number to give to family and friends so that it does not cost them to call you.

Hi Gail- Yes, I am good at being an early bird. I think I am almost always early for everything. It's that "anal" side of me, I guess :grin: I am a pharmacist at a very large urban hospital. We have about 450 beds and we are literally "bursting at the seams" right now. However, we are staffed in the pharmacy at about half the level we should be. I will hang out for a little while, too. I would like to see if we break the record.

I'm here! Bring on the snacks!

Hello Everyone! Paula here.

Hi Everyone! Just checking in. Not too much to report. I got my global cell phone in the mail today, so that's one less thing I have to worry about. Tonia-- I don't have my time off confirmed yet, either. I won't know for sure until about 10/6. But I'm not too worried. I definitely have the week of 11/5 to 11/11 off, it's just the rest of the time that I have to finagle. Fortunately, I should have enough seniority and it is not a popular time for time off requests. If this were July, THEN I might have a problem. The other good thing is that I am in a high demand profession and my Director is trying really hard to keep everyone happy right now, so I think the likelihood of being denied is slim. We've had a couple of recent resignations so we can't afford anyone else getting upset right now. See everyone at the Deck Party!

Very creative Joey! Thanks to you and Jackie for your hopes! I will not get my hopes up, but it would be nice! I would love to visit St. Paul de Vence-- but not sure if it would work out. We have a ship's excursion to Nice and Eze because I had heard such great things about Eze, but now I don't know!

Welcome home Diane and Lou! Glad you had a nice trip! We also have Parc Guell and La Familia Sagrada on our itinerary. We will not have a lot of time in Barcelona, but plan to pack in as much as possible. Jackie-- I think traveling by water bus in Venice is definitely the cheapest way to go. When I was there, it was part of an organized tour, so all of our transportation was included and pre-arranged, so I am not sure of costs. I am thinking of getting at least the 24 hour water bus pass. It seems that if you use it at least twice, it is the better deal. I would love a visit from the upgrade fairy. I have been on 10 cruises and never been upgraded. I think I'm overdue, don't you? :grin:

I visited Burano last year when I was in Venice and it is so beautiful. It's quite a change of pace from Venice proper. Very quiet, laid-back and cute! There are no cars, just brightly painted homes and life seems not have changed in 200 years! They are well-known for their seafood and lace. Trish and I are considering going there on Friday after disembarkation and after check-in. I am assuming it is easy enough to get there via water bus. For anyone else this applies to: I found out that when connecting from one EU airport to another, you do not have to reclaim your luggage and go thru customs, provided you are staying on the same carrier and you have tickets all the way thru. You only have to go thru exit immigration when you are headed back to the US which I guess is not that big a deal.

Wow-- that is unbelievable! I would love to do that , but I don't think I'd have a job when I got back. I will be gone about 3 weeks as it is, and to add another 11 days--well that might be pushing it! And I know Trish could not do it-- her boss is not happy with the amount of time she is using right now. I wish I could be retired like some of you are or will soon be! Thanks to everyone for the info on flights. Yes, I figured I'd clear customs once back in the US, but CDG was the uncertainty. I will check the "dark side" now to see what comes up over there.

Margaret- Thanks for the info. That was more or less what I was thinking too. I did post my question over on the "dark side" too to see if I get any other response from anyone who has traveled very recently. Also, welcome TC! Glad to have you. Anxious to hear a little bit about yourself!

Does anyone know if we will have to go through customs when arriving in Paris from Venice? I would think that between two European Union countries, there may not be the need, but I don't know. I also know that everything is different now. We have about 1 hour and 40 minutes between flights and I am starting to get concerned about time. Any thoughts?

Jackie- Thanks for the head's up! We are also flying Air France from Venice to Paris. Anything in particular that they mentioned that would be good to know?

Joey, Sorry your plans for Venice didn't work out. Sometimes it seems you can get lucky with the airlines and they'll let you switch with minimal or no fee. $200pp is unreasonable! Was there any other change in your schedule? Because I know from past experience, if they change your flights/schedule and you're not happy with the changes, you have the right to make alterations in your itinerary with no additional charges. That's how I was able to get a later flight out of Venice. We've had the most beautiful weather here in Western New York. It has been mid 70's, gorgeous sun and blue skies and low humidity! I really hit the jackpot for a vacation week! Let's hope my luck holds for my next vacation---Europe!

We are flying to Atlanta and then direct to Madrid where we are spending two nights before flying to Barcelona. On the return we fly from Venice, to Charles de Gaulle (Paris) to Atlanta then home. So, no London for us either! Last year, I flew to Heathrow-- I am very happy that there were no issues then-- Heathrow is a huge, confusing airport! But I wouldn't worry about things yet. Just today, they have announced some changes in carry-on allowances-- so I think (hope) that things will continue to ease as the investigation continues.

Good Morning Everyone! Joey, thanks for the offer. I will hopefully get mine soon. If not, I may take you up on it!

Yikes-- I didn't even think about the olive oil thing! I guess I will be bringing lots of bubble wrap and hope for the best. You know, I feel really bad about thinking so selfishly about the carry-on restrictions, but it is really going to affect the way we travel. Spending 8 hours on a plane without hand lotion and bottles of water is going to be difficult. Air travel is so drying. It would be nice if the airlines would distribute some of these items once on board especially for long haul flights. Unfortunately, with of all the cuts in service they are making, that is highly unlikely. I guess we can hope that maybe things will ease up before we travel. I did not get that shore excursion booklet either. But I just contacted my TA to have her apply our final payment-- it is not due until 8/20 either. So i guess there is something else to look forward to!

Been working a lot the past couple of days, so I'm catching up now. The best thing now after working a lot is that I am on VACATION until 8/20!! Please think of my friend and traveling companion, Trish, today, as she is supposed to be flying to Orlando for a 3 day Bahamas cruise. Traveling today has to be a complete nightmare! I will fill you all in when I hear from her when she gets back. I am sure she will have some good suggestions for us-- especially if these carry-on restrictions continue! Dinner: we are late seating. I hate eating late, and always opt for early, but I think when you consider the demands of this itinerary, it makes more sense. I am definitely not one to miss dinner!! I definitely agree with you all about the balcony. I have always had a balcony and I do not have one this trip. Cost was a real issue for us this trip-- I probably would have spent the money, but Trish did not feel comfortable spending the extra $500 pp to upgrade. But then again, she has never cruised with a balcony (she actually wanted an inside cabin--I drew the line at that!), so she does not know what she is missing. Unfortunately, I do! :sad: I hope I do not miss it too much! I am telling myself that we got a great deal on an oceanview room and now there is more money for excursions.

Welcome Gail and Deb! I cannot believe how quickly our group is growing! Joey, you have definitely earned your title of "social host!" Without you, I would hazard a guess that none of us would have made it over to cruisecrazies. I think you are singlehandedly responsible for the majority of the new members in the past 2 months or so. Bravo!