After waffling around for more than six months, panicking over the cost of airfare etc, we've finally booked our European cruise! I finally gave up on trying to do it myself and went to a travel agent. We will be going on Norwegian Cruise Lines from Istanbul to Barcelona, with stops including Athens, Rome, Naples, and Venice. We sail November 6th! I had almost given up hope that this was ever going to happen.

I'm so excited!! Now it's time to start obsessing over what to pack and how to handle the looooong flight. We've already got our passports. I want any and all advice on traveling, packing, and what to do once we get there!

Wow! What a thrilling tour that is! Lots of pics and do keep a journal of your adventures, you'll love yourself later for it.

As far as cruises and packing, seriously consider whether it's a priority to stay in your assigned dining rotation. There are plenty of eating opportunities that don't require the dress code, thus, less to pack. If you want to dine the upscale experiences. I highly recommend one skirt or pair of very nice black slacks and fill in with the tops. Limit your urges on the shoes, they will use all your space and it's almost inevitable, one pair will become your staples and the rest will just sit.

Pack for all weather contingencies by using packable rain gear and lightweight layers. Polar fleece is bulky to pack. Air vacuum bags may be helpful to compress but be sure to get the ones you can sit on instead of having to hunt down a housekeeper with a vac.

Bring a collapsable travel bag, you'll need it.

Have souvenirs shipped straight home rather than try to carry them around and leave in your cabin to later try and jam them in the bags. Olive oil is not a good, packable souvenir!

Please do not wear a fanny-pack! Three of my friends, all on separate trips in different countries have had a local thief walk right into their group, casually cut the fanny pack belt and nonchalantly stroll away. They didn't even run!

If you wear a backpack, get one with a sternum strap and use it. Keep your docs and currency close to your skin.

Sounds GREAT !!!

I hope that you have a great time !!!

-Vic

Whoohoo! I cruised on Norwegian for our 15th anniversary. We loved them. And now they offer freestyle cruising so no dress codes if you don't want to! We had assigned meals and although it was nice to "dress" up, I would have preferred eating when I felt like it.

One piece of advice is to check their activity schedule. We had three theme nights, reggae, cowboy and 50's. While it is not required to dress the part, I think you will find you'll have a blast if you do. We did it and haven't regretted it one bit.

Have fun and take lots of pics. Oh yea, they will snap pics of you all over the boat. They will give you tickets to pick up your pics if you want to buy them. Be careful as they are expensive. We bought a few but not all. We're probably in a brochure somewhere. lol

When in Rome you must see the Colosseum and take a pic by it for me. Ok?

Wow, Super. I'm soooo jealous...have fun!!!!

Congrats! NCL is my absolute favorite cruise line. There are no longer any set dinner times or tables. Perfect for the days you may just not be all with it. They have been really wonderful when I needed assistance also. They recently expanded thier room service menu's and redid thier dining room menu's. All for an even better experience. Will you be sailing on the Jade? I cannot wait to see pictures. We will sail on the Star in September to Mexico. Have a ball!

Joyce

Joyce, we cruised on the now retired SS Norway. It was like being on the Titanic and was full of history. For example, the Mona Lisa was carried on the SS Norway.

Sandy that is very cool! I know when we were on the Dawn they had many of the Masters in one of the dining rooms. We would just go in to look at them.

Joyce

That's awesome!


I have always wanted to take a cruise on NCL.

Wow, Have a wonderful time!