A Voyage for the Ages – VY 7/8/2024 – 7/15/2024

On 6/21/2024 at 10:12 PM, Lovetocruise2002 said:

2 - large 29" rollers

That's the totality of our packing and mine usually has some space leftover (to be partially filled with take-home ranger cookies). Granted we're always just doing the Caribbean/Bahamas. Oh, and one small carry-on backpack (which varies depending on planned excursions).

1 hour ago, OCSC Mike said:

That's the totality of our packing and mine usually has some space leftover (to be partially filled with take-home ranger cookies). Granted we're always just doing the Caribbean/Bahamas. Oh, and one small carry-on backpack (which varies depending on planned excursions).

James loves cookies. We have the 2.5 gallon size ziplock. Two bags will go in the carry on bag.

1 minute ago, Sweety said:

We have the 2.5 gallon size ziplock

Wow, he's got me beat, lol.

5 hours ago, WannaCruise said:

At home, we do our own thing, but when we travel, it brings us all together and we can share these special moments together.

We are very much like this too. Our lives at home are pretty busy. We always try to insist on dinner together but that is pretty much our "together time" for the day. You are totally right when you say these travels brings (forces lol) us all together. We get in our share of family chaos during each trip, but it all makes for a great time. This is going to be two solid weeks together, really looking forward to it.

It was funny because when we were selecting our seats for the return home, we had the option to go 2-2 or all single pods. At first we picked 2-2, but then D17 said we would likely all be needing our own space by then so we ended up choosing all single pods for the return trip home lol

4 hours ago, Kelseylovestocruise said:

Yes Canadian! I’m very happy with what I payed.

What a great deal!

4 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

Granted we're always just doing the Caribbean/Bahamas.

I have a feeling we will still walk off with Ranger cookies (if we can find them) in Europe!

2 hours ago, Sweety said:

We have the 2.5 gallon size ziplock.

2 hours ago, OCSC Mike said:

Wow, he's got me beat, lol.

Wow! 2.5 gallons?! That has us beat too!

1 minute ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

I have a feeling we will still walk off with Ranger cookies (if we can find them) in Europe!

If I did that I fear they would wind up in my carry-on for the plane ride home... and far fewer would make it all the way back, lol.

Super excited for this blog. Hubby and I will be on Voyager a month after you (Rome to Athens) for our 10-year anniversary. Long-time reader and considering blogging for the first time. We booked the night the 2024 Med itineraries opened and our flights were almost twice as much as the cruise fare (jr. suite). 

18 minutes ago, CruisingAndy said:

Super excited for this blog. Hubby and I will be on Voyager a month after you (Rome to Athens) for our 10-year anniversary. Long-time reader and considering blogging for the first time. We booked the night the 2024 Med itineraries opened and our flights were almost twice as much as the cruise fare (jr. suite). 

Happy anniversary in advance! And I would love a to follow a blog with that itinerary. Also, does it sound terrible if I said hearing about your flights make me feel better, that we are not the only ones dealing with crazy international airfares. Make the most of it! 

23 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

Happy anniversary in advance! And I would love a to follow a blog with that itinerary. Also, does it sound terrible if I said hearing about your flights make me feel better, that we are not the only ones dealing with crazy international airfares. Make the most of it! 

Totally get it about the flights. It was especially painful because we got such a great deal on the cruise fare (especially given current prices). Oh well, at this point it’s done and paid for and we’re looking forward to a great trip!

3 hours ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

I have a feeling we will still walk off with Ranger cookies (if we can find them) in Europe!

 

Wow! 2.5 gallons?! That has us beat too!

We brought them at the dollar store. James washes them when he gets home and dry them out for the next cruise.

My brother has the 2.5-gallon bags and he uses them to keep his swimwear and gym clothes for cruises. We carry the regular gallon to get bread. We have the reusable quart sizes for cookies, because it keeps them fresher. He also brought some heavy-duty kind from Amazon that worked great keeping Playmakers and Johny Rockets burgers fresh for in-between hotel stays. 

17 hours ago, Ampurp85 said:

He also brought some heavy-duty kind from Amazon that worked great keeping Playmakers and Johny Rockets burgers fresh for in-between hotel stays. 

That is next level!!!

James’s bag.

These are the bags

Amazon.com: HEAVY DUTY Reusable STAND-UP Ziplock Bags for Food Storage by Smelly Proof, USA Made, NO PEVA & BPA FREE, Reusable Freezer Bags, Dishwasher-Safe, Triple Zip, CLEAR 5-mils LRG Quart 8.5" x 10" - 5pk : Home & Kitchen

They are pretty next level. 

Which speaking of Bezos and cruises, he got lots of money from me this week as the Columbia jackets I was eyeing for Alaska finally went on sale. Additionally, I am doing some cleaning/restructuring and I found great under the bed storage containers. So, I can separate all my cruise stuff instead of just keeping it in luggage and boxes. 

OMG!!!! I am so far behind on all of these blogs I have been so busy with work, and freeloaders etc etc. 

@Lovetocruise2002 I cant wait to follow along (as best as I can) I am so jealous of this trip. (more on that later)

1) K looks stunning in her dress, @TheBoss518 agrees here too

2) If you find the, when the freeloaders are gone class, send it my way so I can prepare. Johnny is moving on to middle school. There was a moving up ceremony the other day, and they played a side show of pictures of all of the kids through the years. Between the pictures and the music chosen.......I swear someone was cutting onions behind me.....

3) We both laughed so hard at the CE conversation that Johnny came into the room to make sure we were okay...

4) After your flights talk, I am not looking forward to booking our flights to Scotland next summer. We already have our flights for Allure (PE on Delta, and they weren't horrible)

5) Here is the later part. I have been lucky enough to have traveled to Europe a number of times. I have an Aunt who lives in Luxembourg so I have an excuse to go. I got to spend an entire summer vacation with them when I was in high school, but I digress.

Anyway, they had a summer home in Le Cannet with is just north of Cannes, so I have been to Nice and Eze a bunch of times. Eze is my favorite little village to visit. It's a cute place to walk around. I'm not sure if it will still be there, but look for the shop with the little pigs out front. 

If you can find it, try the violet ice cream with the candied violets on top. It is most commonly found in another village (Tourettes-Sur-Loup), but may have made its way to Eze as well. On the hot summer days it's quite refreshing. 

Speaking of hot summer days, it will be boiling hot there so stay hydrated!!!

Another fun Eze fact I just rediscovered. Since the village is at the top of a mountain, and you basically have to walk up to the top to get there. One of the hotels has donkeys that bring peoples luggage from the parking lots up the mountain to the hotel! I took this picture in 2008 when @TheBoss518 and I were on our Honeymoon. I don't know if these two are still there.

28 minutes ago, GregD said:

K looks stunning in her dress, @TheBoss518 agrees here too

Thank you! I will let her know

29 minutes ago, GregD said:

We both laughed so hard at the CE conversation that Johnny came into the room to make sure we were okay...

I think because you know Hubby, you can picture the conversation better

30 minutes ago, GregD said:

After your flights talk, I am not looking forward to booking our flights to Scotland next summer.

You will have to keep me posted on your pricing so I can decide if I want to venture back to Europe after this. 
 

31 minutes ago, GregD said:

Speaking of hot summer days, it will be boiling hot there so stay hydrated!!!

Noted. I still remember when we did the Med in July 2005. I remember the heat. 
 

9 minutes ago, GregD said:

One of the hotels has donkeys that bring peoples luggage from the parking lots up the mountain to the hotel! I took this picture in 2008 when @TheBoss518 and I were on our Honeymoon. I don't know if these two are still there.

I hate to break it to you, but I don’t plan to find out! I didn’t even like the monkeys and sloths in Roatan! Can you imagine me in a village with pigs and donkeys! Although that might make for a priceless picture for the blog lol

1 hour ago, Ampurp85 said:

These are the bags

Amazon.com: HEAVY DUTY Reusable STAND-UP Ziplock Bags for Food Storage by Smelly Proof, USA Made, NO PEVA & BPA FREE, Reusable Freezer Bags, Dishwasher-Safe, Triple Zip, CLEAR 5-mils LRG Quart 8.5" x 10" - 5pk : Home & Kitchen

They are pretty next level. 

I love how they say “smelly proof”! 

5 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

I didn’t even like the monkeys and sloths in Roatan! Can you imagine me in a village with pigs and donkeys!

You monster, they’re all adorable!  OK, maybe not the pigs.

5 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

! Can you imagine me in a village with pigs and donkeys! Although that might make for a priceless picture for the blog lol

The donkeys are easy, their pen is on the side of the main road as you hike up the hill, you don’t even have to interact. The pigs are even easier, they are ceramic

19 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

You monster, they’re all adorable!  OK, maybe not the pigs.

18 minutes ago, GregD said:

The donkeys are easy, their pen is on the side of the main road as you hike up the hill, you don’t even have to interact. The pigs are even easier, they are ceramic

The 3 of us need to cruise together and I will have to tell you my cow story and you will see why I steer clear of all animals lol

17 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

The 3 of us need to cruise together and I will have to tell you my cow story and you will see why I steer clear of all animals lol

Can’t wait to meet someday, order some desert pear margaritas at the Schooner Bar… and hear the cow story???

I grew up around tons of animals. Now I live in a place where they’re… ummm… not so adorable.

3 minutes ago, OCSC Mike said:

Can’t wait to meet someday, order some desert pear margaritas at the Schooner Bar… and hear the cow story???

Yes! One day

One idea for Rome . . . Go Underground!   Most of Ancient Rome remains buried, and many places offer tours to view excavated sites.  Underground remains blissfully cool and sunless in the day’s heat.  We visited outdoor sites in the evening when the heat is bearable; they are mostly well lit.  I researched Rome underground before heading there during the summer.  It was just roasting above ground, but we saw so much comfortably underground.  And the Colesseum at night was beautiful!  

8 hours ago, Babsy47 said:

One idea for Rome . . . Go Underground!   Most of Ancient Rome remains buried, and many places offer tours to view excavated sites.  Underground remains blissfully cool and sunless in the day’s heat.  We visited outdoor sites in the evening when the heat is bearable; they are mostly well lit.  I researched Rome underground before heading there during the summer.  It was just roasting above ground, but we saw so much comfortably underground.  And the Colesseum at night was beautiful!  

I have done some underground Italy….and while very interesting, it is very difficult with all the “stairs” for me to negotiate.  There are also some very tight spaces so those with claustrophobia, be aware.  It is nice to be out of the sun though….

9 hours ago, Babsy47 said:

One idea for Rome . . . Go Underground!  

We made it a point, when we booked the private tour, to pick one that includes the catacombs. It's something that Hubby and I did not get a chance to do on our last Med cruise so it was a must do for this one.

The Colosseum is absolutely breathtaking at night. The only downside to cruising through Europe is the limited time in ports. But it works as a taster to what the world has to offer. It also gives you a better idea of what you can plan if you decide to go back later. 

50 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

The only downside to cruising through Europe is the limited time in ports. But it works as a taster to what the world has to offer. It also gives you a better idea of what you can plan if you decide to go back later. 

Exactly! The last time we sailed the Med in 2005, we only one day in Rome. We whizzed through the sites in a blur, I am still amazed we accomplished what we did. But that is why this time we are extending our stay there. We knew we wanted more time there. Same with Barcelona. My biggest regret with that 2005 trip was flying in the day of.

1 hour ago, Ampurp85 said:

... The only downside to cruising through Europe is the limited time in ports. But it works as a taster to what the world has to offer. It also gives you a better idea of what you can plan if you decide to go back later. 

Completely agree! Next summer is the Western Med roundtrip Barcelona itinerary for us. Our hope is to return to Europe a few years laterand do the roundtrip Rome Greek Isles itinerary so we can really explore Rome and the surrounding areas pre/post cruise once we've done the whirlwind tours next summer and had a taste of Italy! 

2 hours ago, JohnK6404 said:

Completely agree! Next summer is the Western Med roundtrip Barcelona itinerary for us. Our hope is to return to Europe a few years laterand do the roundtrip Rome Greek Isles itinerary so we can really explore Rome and the surrounding areas pre/post cruise once we've done the whirlwind tours next summer and had a taste of Italy! 

It just occurred to me today that next year is the jubilee in Rome. I hope your dates don't run into that. Yikes! That would make it even busier than it usually is.

51 minutes ago, Lovetocruise2002 said:

It just occurred to me today that next year is the jubilee in Rome. I hope your dates don't run into that. Yikes! That would make it even busier than it usually is.

Uggghhh... at least it's spread out throughout all of 2025 starting this Christmas from what I read! Thank you for the heads up!

It looks like the whole season/year is going to be unusually busy with all of the visitors. Organized excursions only for us... no wandering around on our own in Rome this trip!  They mention that Rome will be at it's most beautiful as so many restoration and public projects are underway this year to spruce up the city for next year!

I found a calendar of events... Hopefully, since we're in port on 5/15/25, we'll miss out on a little of the craziness!

45 minutes ago, JohnK6404 said:

It looks like the whole season/year is going to be unusually busy with all of the visitors.

Oh my! 

45 minutes ago, JohnK6404 said:

Organized excursions only for us... no wandering around on our own in Rome this trip!  

LivTours lol

About last night…

Congratulations!! What a beautiful family you are. Many well wishes and huge successes to your newly minted graduate!!  

Congratulations!!You already know how much I love these pictures. Enjoy your remaining grad festivities! 

Congratulations on D17's graduation! A new adventure begins.

And I'm excited for you and your family's European adventures. I spent a week in Barcelona on the Ramblas when I was in college, and our favorite thing to do was get food at the market (strawberries, fresh bread, and cheese), take it down to the beach, and just sit there all afternoon. We also thoroughly enjoyed Parc Guell - definitely explore all the nooks and crannies that aren't as popular, as they are still worth seeing. I agree with everyone's comments about exploring Rome at night - breathtaking! Are there still a million stray cats inside the Colosseum?!  

Do you use any particular services for tracking flights? I use Going, but I'm curious if you use something else.

29 minutes ago, Cactus527 said:

Do you use any particular services for tracking flights?

I use my Google account at flights.google.com. You can set trackers for specific flights on specific airlines or set up a general one for dates to a location if you just want a deal.

Congratulations!!! Thank you for sharing your beautiful daughter and graduation.

Thank you for all the warm wishes for D17. It was a wonderful night! Lots of reminiscing about the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.  With grad stuff finally done, tonight the plan is go to bed for a good night's sleep and really start focusing on this trip coming up. Packing can hopefully begin this weekend.

2 hours ago, Cactus527 said:

and our favorite thing to do was get food at the market

We have watched quite a few YouTube videos and we are really looking forward to this!

2 hours ago, Cactus527 said:

Are there still a million stray cats inside the Colosseum?! 

I will let you know 

2 hours ago, Cactus527 said:

Do you use any particular services for tracking flights? 

I have tried using Hopper and Google flights but I don't find either to be very accurate or useful for the types of fares/schedules I am usually looking for. Maybe if we were more flexible on the airline and schedules (we usually always try to fly non-stop) those programs would be better for us, but so far I don't have anything that good.

Congrats, you all look beautiful!. I hope you didn't cry too hard. 

Although......, is the light making your hair appear more auburn? Or have you always had such a red tint to it? Either way I am loving the dress, it makes your skin pop. 

I feel like hopper is a lie as well, it never gives me any real info to go off of. Google flights tend to be the best for me.