Dis Viking River Cruise 10/19 - 10/26/2015

[NejTheLion]

Whether or not Viking did the "turning" test and whether or not it worked, I would be surprised at this point if they could change the docking plans.

 

[aspen37]

If you have never been to France and still are under the impression that the French are rude this podcast will explain why that is.
I don't find them rude at all and this one little word has helped me so much. The word is Bonjour.

http://joinusinfrance.com/are-french-people-rude-episode-9/

 

[TheFairyGodmother]

Double cruise docs...check
Wintery clothes...check
Ground Transportation booked...check
Cat sitter confirmed...check
I'm so excited to go back to London & Paris

 

[DisneyKevin]

If you have never been to France and still are under the impression that the French are rude this podcast will explain why that is.
I don't find them rude at all and this one little word has helped me so much. The word is Bonjour.

http://joinusinfrance.com/are-french-people-rude-episode-9/

I agree 100%.

Before we went to France for the first time, someone explained to me that in French culture, when you enter a shop, restaurant etc, the French feel as if you are entering their "home".

You would never enter someone's home with out saying "hello".

While we in America are used to walking through the door of a business and being greeted with "Welcome to Blockbuster" etc.....in France it's custom that you initiate the greeting.

You will see a very noticeable difference if you just say "Bonjour" upon entering.

If you decide not to do this, you will come home with stories of how the French are rude and left you standing at the bakery counter unattended.

"Bonjour" and "Merci" go a very long way in changing your experience.

Lesson over.

Mic drop.

 

[NejTheLion]

I agree 100%.

Before we went to France for the first time, someone explained to me that in French culture, when you enter a shop, restaurant etc, the French feel as if you are entering their "home".

You would never enter someone's home with out saying "hello".

While we in America are used to walking through the door of a business and being greeted with "Welcome to Blockbuster" etc.....in France it's custom that you initiate the greeting.

You will see a very noticeable difference if you just say "Bonjour" upon entering.

If you decide not to do this, you will come home with stories of how the French are rude and left you standing at the bakery counter unattended.

"Bonjour" and "Merci" go a very long way in changing your experience.

Lesson over.

Mic drop.

Absolument! Merci, Kevin.

"Bonjour, madame! Bonjour, monsieur! Merci!"

 

[The Running Ann]

The New York Times website (travel section) posted one of its "36 Hours In . . ." installments this week and its Paris, Right Bank! Perfect timing. It is only 5 minutes long, but it is atmospheric and a nice promise of beautiful things to come.

Ann

 

[Sarabi's Cubs]

Visited my parents this weekend and talked about their recent Paris to Normandy cruise on another line. Two takeaways (1) the weather in Normandy is very changeable. Storms pop up quickly and quickly blow over. Bring a raincoat or umbrella even if the sky looks clear, especially on the coast and (2) initially, when they docked in Rouen, they thought it looked like Cleveland. They advised that the area behind the cathedral is very charming with lots of little shops and restaurants and timbered buildings.

I can't believe we're only 3 weeks out!!!!

Laurie

 

[belle41379]

Oh, the packing! Deciding what to bring to stay warm is my key. Wishing I had more than one pair of warm and waterproof shoes! lol

How is everyone planning to dress for the Captains dinner?

Laurie, did your parents visit any shops or cafes that they particularly loved?

I can't believe it's almost time!!!! Kevin, thank you for working so hard to make this trip happen. It's going to be another amazing experience with our DIS friends!

 

[Sarabi's Cubs]

Cynthia - my parents informed me that they visited several cool shops with French sounding names. One was on a road near a clock. Not the most helpful information. The only name they did remember was Fauchon - which I told them about based on Kevin's description from the London/Paris ABD. They ate all their meals on their ship, except for several in places we aren't going.

Laurie

 

[stenogoddess]

Oh, the packing! Deciding what to bring to stay warm is my key. Wishing I had more than one pair of warm and waterproof shoes! lol

How is everyone planning to dress for the Captains dinner?

There are few things I hate more than packing! yak! Some of my clothes that I had ordered got stolen off my front porch. I'm so sad about that. I'm trying to hope that a nice lady who really needed them is wearing them right now. Package stealing is epidemic here. The post office knows this and yet letting me come down to the post office to pick up my packages and just too hard for them to do. It's even their policy to leave a note for me to come pick them up. And yet here we are. Again.

My Capt.'s dinner clothes will look remarkably like all of my other day clothes. I just don't have enough room to cruise it up with special clothes like we do for the Bahamas. I've got to be able to tote my own bag through the Metro this time!

 

[stenogoddess]

Oh, hey, I broke 2,000 posts and didn't even notice!!!!

 

[belle41379]

Cynthia - my parents informed me that they visited several cool shops with French sounding names. One was on a road near a clock. Not the most helpful information. The only name they did remember was Fauchon - which I told them about based on Kevin's description from the London/Paris ABD. They ate all their meals on their ship, except for several in places we aren't going.

Laurie

That's funny! Fauchon is definitely already on the list. I just can't get over how soon this trip is!!!!! We are going tonight to replenish some needed fall/winter clothing items.

 

[belle41379]

There are few things I hate more than packing! yak! Some of my clothes that I had ordered got stolen off my front porch. I'm so sad about that. I'm trying to hope that a nice lady who really needed them is wearing them right now. Package stealing is epidemic here. The post office knows this and yet letting me come down to the post office to pick up my packages and just too hard for them to do. It's even their policy to leave a note for me to come pick them up. And yet here we are. Again.

My Capt.'s dinner clothes will look remarkably like all of my other day clothes. I just don't have enough room to cruise it up with special clothes like we do for the Bahamas. I've got to be able to tote my own bag through the Metro this time!

That's horrible! I hope whoever has them needed them. So frustrating!

 

[OKW Lover]

Oh, hey, I broke 2,000 posts and didn't even notice!!!!

Congratulations!!!

 

[belle41379]

Casseroles made and frozen for grandma and the kids. Is it time to leave yet???

 

[OKW Lover]

Ordered Euros from the bank today.

 

[belle41379]

Ordered Euros from the bank today.

This is still on our to-do. I think we have everything else we need. When do you guys fly out?

 

[OKW Lover]

When do you guys fly out?

We leave here on the 14th. Get to Paris about 6 am their time on the 15th.

 

[OKW Lover]

Ordered Euros from the bank today.

Picked up Euros from the bank today.

 

[stenogoddess]

Money is always a good thing!