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Re: Transatlantic 2021 - Trip Report
[Re: TomB]
#272393
01/03/2022 10:02 AM
01/03/2022 10:02 AM
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,455 Virginia wishing STJ
TomB
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Mike,
Is the 90/180 just for citizens of the UK? I had always thought you 180 days as a tourist before having to exit.
With the 90/180 rule, planning must become extremely important on where are you going to be when.
Are you eligible for a D Visa. Just googled and from a 10,000 foot view is would appear you would be eligible.
Last edited by TomB; 01/03/2022 10:08 AM.
“Every time I open a bottle of wine, it is an amazing trip somewhere!” José Andrés
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Re: Transatlantic 2021 - Trip Report
[Re: TomB]
#272409
01/03/2022 02:41 PM
01/03/2022 02:41 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,046 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Tom--we were just reading about the snow on the net! You can have that snow!!!
Carol Hill
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Re: Transatlantic 2021 - Trip Report
[Re: TomB]
#272413
01/03/2022 03:08 PM
01/03/2022 03:08 PM
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 124 Fort Walton Beach, FL
SeeDiver
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Mike, My wife and I were in Valencia a few years ago for Las Fallas. What an experience. Have you ever been ?
Roger Cenosillicaphobia - Fear of an empty glass
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Re: Transatlantic 2021 - Trip Report
[Re: TomB]
#272421
01/03/2022 07:37 PM
01/03/2022 07:37 PM
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Posts: 3,455 Virginia wishing STJ
TomB
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just finished making spaghetti on camp stove, great salad, and of course wine 🍷
No power but life is good on the farm. Still have about 500 more bottles before I will get concerned 😉
“Every time I open a bottle of wine, it is an amazing trip somewhere!” José Andrés
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Re: Transatlantic 2021 - Trip Report
[Re: TomB]
#272443
01/04/2022 05:11 AM
01/04/2022 05:11 AM
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,009 U.K. and Spain
Jeannius
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got you! But here is why you winter there! 8 inches still falling - no power welcome to Virginia And I thought we had it bad here in the UK. Least hours of sunshine in a month since 1956, 26.6, during December. Mind you, New Year's Eve was also the warmest ever recorded in the UK at 60.4F. Hope you get your power back soon. Do you have a generator?
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Re: Transatlantic 2021 - Trip Report
[Re: TomB]
#272445
01/04/2022 07:25 AM
01/04/2022 07:25 AM
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Posts: 3,455 Virginia wishing STJ
TomB
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6 am EST No power but have water Coffee made and sitting by gas logs the simple life....
Crazy thing when we went to bed Sunday night it was 61F Woke Monday to snow and more snow.
Looking forward to sunrise 🌅 Forgot to add it is 19F this morning
Last edited by TomB; 01/04/2022 08:57 AM.
“Every time I open a bottle of wine, it is an amazing trip somewhere!” José Andrés
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Re: Transatlantic 2021 - Trip Report
[Re: TomB]
#272464
01/04/2022 09:57 AM
01/04/2022 09:57 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,046 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Yikes!! Good luck Tom!! I guess I'd rather be stuck where you are than on I 95!!! Link
Last edited by Carol_Hill; 01/04/2022 10:07 AM.
Carol Hill
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Re: Transatlantic 2021 - Trip Report
[Re: TomB]
#272486
01/04/2022 03:32 PM
01/04/2022 03:32 PM
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,455 Virginia wishing STJ
TomB
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Power restored 1430 EST back to blog writing ✍
spoke too soon power 1435 EST
Last edited by TomB; 01/04/2022 03:34 PM.
“Every time I open a bottle of wine, it is an amazing trip somewhere!” José Andrés
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Re: Transatlantic 2021 - Trip Report
[Re: TomB]
#272501
01/04/2022 05:26 PM
01/04/2022 05:26 PM
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,455 Virginia wishing STJ
TomB
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95 is still a dead stop from Fredericksburg to Quantico, but we have power! House warming up.
“Every time I open a bottle of wine, it is an amazing trip somewhere!” José Andrés
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Re: Transatlantic 2021 - Trip Report
[Re: TomB]
#272513
01/04/2022 07:10 PM
01/04/2022 07:10 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,046 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Glad you have power. That I 95 situation is crazy.
Sorry for hijacking your thread. Looking forward to hearing more about your trip, once your teeth stop chattering!!!!
Carol Hill
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Re: Transatlantic 2021 - Trip Report - Day at Sea
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#272616
01/05/2022 06:00 PM
01/05/2022 06:00 PM
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Posts: 3,455 Virginia wishing STJ
TomB
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No problem Carol! What a mess the last 48 hours have been, but now it is time to head back to sea. Today's blog entry is our first full day a sea, which was what what this trip was all about for me - Crossing the Atlantic. Enjoy! More snow here tonight - fingers crossed it does not repeat itself. Link: A Day at Sea!
“Every time I open a bottle of wine, it is an amazing trip somewhere!” José Andrés
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Re: Transatlantic 2021 - Trip Report - Day at Sea
[Re: TomB]
#272617
01/05/2022 06:22 PM
01/05/2022 06:22 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,046 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Holy crap! More snow??
Thanks for the next installment!
Carol Hill
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Re: Transatlantic 2021 - Trip Report
[Re: Jeannius]
#272624
01/05/2022 08:21 PM
01/05/2022 08:21 PM
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,455 Virginia wishing STJ
TomB
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off ramp... if you have not seen the David Gilmour DVD Live at Albert Hall or heard the concert it is a must! David Crosby and Graham Nash background vocals. David Bowie guest performance and one of Richard Wright's last live performances. Amazon it - it will be there in 48 hours.
Back on the highway... the open ocean is amazing!
Last edited by TomB; 01/05/2022 08:51 PM.
“Every time I open a bottle of wine, it is an amazing trip somewhere!” José Andrés
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Re: Transatlantic 2021 - Trip Report
[Re: TomB]
#272640
01/06/2022 10:16 AM
01/06/2022 10:16 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,046 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Tom--Something tells me this will not be your last transatlantic voyage!! So enjoying reading along!!
Carol Hill
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Re: Transatlantic 2021 - Trip Report
[Re: TomB]
#272890
01/09/2022 06:03 PM
01/09/2022 06:03 PM
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Carol - Not sure if I will or will not do another transatlantic, but before the trip I would have said this is a one in done. So maybe.
Beerman - hope the cabin is in ok shape. I am afraid, I would have cx'd the Nashville trip. Glad you made it safely and were able to spend time with family. There is a funny thing going around. It is a short video of somebody's GPS on I95 and you hear the computer voice say something to the effect - In 1 mile turn right at the first exit to reach your destination in 2 days" What a mess you must have been in.
Stay safe and update us on the cabin.
“Every time I open a bottle of wine, it is an amazing trip somewhere!” José Andrés
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Re: Transatlantic 2021 - Trip Report
[Re: TomB]
#272892
01/09/2022 06:08 PM
01/09/2022 06:08 PM
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TomB
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Today, the blog will take us to Magical Madeira! What a special place and we wish we could have had much more time on island. It definitely deserves the Douglas MacArthur quote - I shall..... Link: Magical Madeira
Last edited by TomB; 01/09/2022 06:08 PM.
“Every time I open a bottle of wine, it is an amazing trip somewhere!” José Andrés
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Re: Transatlantic 2021 - Trip Report
[Re: TomB]
#272935
01/10/2022 12:56 PM
01/10/2022 12:56 PM
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,455 Virginia wishing STJ
TomB
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The crazy thing is I use to fly for living and had no problem standing in helicopter door, but there is something about tall buildings and sheer cliffs that rattle me. Thanks for following along
“Every time I open a bottle of wine, it is an amazing trip somewhere!” José Andrés
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Re: Transatlantic 2021 - Trip Report
[Re: TomB]
#272955
01/10/2022 05:59 PM
01/10/2022 05:59 PM
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TomB
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Glad you are enjoying them. I am surprised that your pond is not frozen over. Looks great for ice skating. Stay warm.
“Every time I open a bottle of wine, it is an amazing trip somewhere!” José Andrés
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Re: Transatlantic 2021 - Trip Report
[Re: TravelHat]
#273011
01/11/2022 10:38 AM
01/11/2022 10:38 AM
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TomB
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TravelHat, We chose the excursion we did based on that I really do not care for Madeira. It has a black walnut flavor that I do not like. In your question, you said Port, but I am thinking you meant Sherry in Jerez. Here again, not one of my favorite libations, but it is growing on me. Maybe Madeira will one day . Sherry, Madeira, and for that matter Port are all an acquired taste. From the port to Blandy's and other Madeira wineries is walkable. The vineyards are another story. The island is so beautiful that it is truly worth getting out of Funchal, albeit I am ready to explore Funchal - Just not on a Sunday.
“Every time I open a bottle of wine, it is an amazing trip somewhere!” José Andrés
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Re: Transatlantic 2021 - Trip Report
[Re: TomB]
#273057
01/11/2022 08:50 PM
01/11/2022 08:50 PM
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Posts: 3,455 Virginia wishing STJ
TomB
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There is an easy solution to that problem! Dad is paying! Meet me in Civitavecchia on this date! I would have loved for my children to have been with us. What do they say.... Follow the money
“Every time I open a bottle of wine, it is an amazing trip somewhere!” José Andrés
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Re: Transatlantic 2021 - Trip Report
[Re: TomB]
#273073
01/12/2022 09:52 AM
01/12/2022 09:52 AM
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,455 Virginia wishing STJ
TomB
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The big advantage is there are no real luggage restrictions. There was a young couple in the USAF coming back from Germany on our trip.
“Every time I open a bottle of wine, it is an amazing trip somewhere!” José Andrés
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Re: Transatlantic 2021 - Trip Report
[Re: TomB]
#273731
01/19/2022 11:38 AM
01/19/2022 11:38 AM
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Ok, I know it was a long interlude, but the next installment of the blog has been published. It covers the 5 days at sea during the crossing. Really it is more of the Trip Report covering the Ship and the Services. Lots of Pictures Link: 5 Days at Sea
“Every time I open a bottle of wine, it is an amazing trip somewhere!” José Andrés
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Re: Transatlantic 2021 - Trip Report
[Re: TomB]
#273746
01/19/2022 02:47 PM
01/19/2022 02:47 PM
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Posts: 83,046 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Thanks for the continuation of the report. Cruising surely has changed since our first cruise on the NCL Seaward, back in 1987! Back then, there was the main restaurant and the buffet, and I think that was it! I would be interested to know what percentage the cruise lines make off of food these days. We haven't cruised a lot lately, but the food in the main dining room isn't that attractive to us anymore. And I have zero desire to eat at a buffet, even here at home. So we have been eating in the specialty restaurants a lot, but I consider them to be somewhat pricy, running perhaps $50 per person? Not sure what they run now. It was good that you did get free specialty meals included. Of course back when we started cruising, I think you could carry on liquor also, and definitely could carry on wine, I think as much as you wanted! But, there was no such thing as a drinks package back then. You said that you didn't go past the $15 package? Sorry, you got a package that only covered $15 a day worth of drinks? That is only like two drinks, maybe.
Carol Hill
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Re: Transatlantic 2021 - Trip Report
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#273754
01/19/2022 05:13 PM
01/19/2022 05:13 PM
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Carol, Do not remember the upcharge for each restaurant. I did find this on the web, but not sure if it is 2022 pricing but it is in the ball park. Cagney’s Steakhouse: $30 per person French Bistro: $20 per person Brazilian Moderno Churrascaria: $20 per person La Cucina: $15 per person Teppanyaki: $25 per person They also have specialty dinner packages where you can buy by the night. For example if you are on a 7 day cruise and want to eat 4 nights in specialty restaurants there is a package for you... I think it gives you a slight break also the more nights you get. I think... As for the drink package, it was unlimited beer, wine, spirits, and soda drinks... Not water... Not bottles of wine. The $15 limit was per drink. So if you wanted a Martini it was like $12 so it was free. If you wanted a Chocolate Martini it may have been $17, so you would be charged $2. The drink package took care of the first $15. 99% of the drinks we consumed were less than $15. As for the wine, If it was on the wine list for $75 a bottle and a glass was $18, we bought the bottle by the glass. In that example... it was $3 a glass. The premium drink package covered a bunch of the high end scotches, cognacs, and other digestifs. It also covered water and most bottles of wine. If you only drink 30 year old scotch I would suggest the premium package. Best wine buy on the ship was 2015 Opus One. It was only $350 a bottle. Total wine near me carries it for $365. Cheaper to drink underway NCL policy allows you to bring wine/champagne onboard also, but only at your port of embarkation. No limit, but they charge a $15 corkage fee per bottle. It does not allow for spirits to be brought onboard. If you buy wine at a port, when you board they will take it and store it and give it back the night before you disembark. Our group had cases. But that is tomorrow's blog
“Every time I open a bottle of wine, it is an amazing trip somewhere!” José Andrés
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Re: Transatlantic 2021 - Trip Report
[Re: TomB]
#273762
01/19/2022 06:44 PM
01/19/2022 06:44 PM
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Carol_Hill
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Tom--When we were on Princess last, which was maybe 5 years ago, I'm pretty sure their prices were more than that for the specialty restaurants. Oh, $15 per drink?? I thought you meant $15 per day.
Carol Hill
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