We chose the dark side - Carnival VS Disney

[Love2Cruz]

As for Rome and Barcelona, yes there are tons of pick pockets and gypsies...I have traveled Europe and know their tricks. My dad actually almost got pick pocket ted on a bus in Rome many years ago...but they failed. You just have to travel smart and not have your head in the clouds.

 

[Ofinn]

Hmm, well Marseille is the 2nd largest city in France so there is definitely poverty as in any large metropolitan area. You won't see this though if you are just visiting the major tourist attractions. It's also no more dangerous than any other large city. Stereotypes like these are totally unnecessary to spread around. The French get a bad rap just like Carnival does and it is totally unwarranted. I love France, the French people and culture and have been several times and we are planning another visit soon. I wouldn't take my children somewhere that put them in harms way (like NYC, see I am assuming here).

What large city doesn't have poverty and ghetto areas. I live in a nice middle to upper class neighborhood, but I only have to drive 5 miles to be an area populated by Mexican gangs. Any city you visit you have to be aware of what parts to stay out of. This is where you have to do your research.

 

[Love2Cruz]

Ofinn, where does your Vista cruise go to?

 

[brewcrew]

My friend just went in the Carnival Vista and had a great time! I wonder if they will go back to the Mediterranean???

 

[trvlgirlmq]

What large city doesn't have poverty and ghetto areas. I live in a nice middle to upper class neighborhood, but I only have to drive 5 miles to be an area populated by Mexican gangs. Any city you visit you have to be aware of what parts to stay out of. This is where you have to do your research.

Exactly which is why I take exception to the OP saying their friends told them that the city is full of poverty. Yes, the city does have a large population of immigrants from North Africa but you won't see this unless you seek out those neighborhoods. We were walking back from the Vieux Port to where the local bus back to the port was and took a wrong turn but never felt unsafe. We ended up in a residential area until we got ourselves turned around again. Yes, lots of research on where you plan to visit, how to get there, etc is a must.

As for pick pockets, yes they are a problem, but if you keep your hands on your belongings and stay focused on public transportation then you should be OK.

 

[trvlgirlmq]

My friend just went in the Carnival Vista and had a great time! I wonder if they will go back to the Mediterranean???

The Vista won't be back once it comes to the US but the new Carnival Horizon launches in March 2018 and it's rumored to doing a European season first. Most likely dates and itineraries will be announced late this year or January 2017 so check the Carnival website if you are interested.

 

[Ofinn]

Ofinn, where does your Vista cruise go to?

Rhodes, Malta, Sicily, Naples, Rome, Marseilles, Livorno. Not in that order. We start in Athens end in Barcelona.

 

[Ofinn]

Has anyone had a PVP on a DCl cruise. I ask because I called a couple of days ago to inquire about the interline rates they are offering on the New York sailings. Not because I wanted to book one I was just curious in case these cruises don't sell well again next year. The guy I talked to said he was a personal vacation planner PVP. I know Carnival, Royal and NCL have them. I almost always call to book my cruises and have never heard of this on DCL. He was a little pushy. He really wanted me to put a cruise on hold. Of course I couldn't because I'm already sailing on Carnival next month. The rates were pretty good, but still about 500.00 more than the 11 night Vista cruise out of New York I had originally booked. I was just wondering if this was something new with DCL.
I think DCL brought the price down a little on these sailings for next year, but I still don't see these as big sellers because schools in session and it's not Orlando.

 

[mevelandry]

Hmm, well Marseille is the 2nd largest city in France so there is definitely poverty as in any large metropolitan area. You won't see this though if you are just visiting the major tourist attractions. It's also no more dangerous than any other large city.

Marseille is (and has been for years) listed as one of the most dangerous cities of Europe.

A few years ago, too many people showed up for the last bus from NYC to Montreal. My friend and I slept on the floor in Port Authority (NYC) to catch another bus the next morning. Nothing happened to us... Doesn't mean sleeping on the floor overthere is a good idea. Doesn't change the fact that Port Authority is one of the most unsafe spots of Manhattan.

All I'm saying is, yes, you have to be careful everywhere, but in some places, you have to take more precautions... And that according to many reports + my friends experience, Marseille is one of them.

Of course, you are more than free to ignore my suggestion...

 

[trvlgirlmq]

Marseille is (and has been for years) listed as one of the most dangerous cities of Europe.

A few years ago, too many people showed up for the last bus from NYC to Montreal. My friend and I slept on the floor in Port Authority (NYC) to catch another bus the next morning. Nothing happened to us... Doesn't mean sleeping on the floor overthere is a good idea. Doesn't change the fact that Port Authority is one of the most unsafe spots of Manhattan.

All I'm saying is, yes, you have to be careful everywhere, but in some places, you have to take more precautions... And that according to many reports + my friends experience, Marseille is one of them.

Of course, you are more than free to ignore my suggestion...

Well, since I have been there and survived the horrid conditions I think I will ignore you. I have also survived London, Paris, Barcelona, Rome and Athens. It's a wonder I can make myself get out of bed every morning after all of that trauma.

 

[mevelandry]

As for Rome and Barcelona, yes there are tons of pick pockets and gypsies...I have traveled Europe and know their tricks. My dad actually almost got pick pocket ted on a bus in Rome many years ago...but they failed. You just have to travel smart and not have your head in the clouds.

I have found videos on youtube when they show some of the tricks the scammer will use. I think it's good to know them so you don't fall for it.

 

[mevelandry]

Well, since I have been there and survived the horrid conditions I think I will ignore you. I have also survived London, Paris, Barcelona, Rome and Athens. It's a wonder I can make myself get out of bed every morning after all of that trauma.

Please... don't be like that. I'm not here to argue or fight with anybody. I'm here to have fun and talk about my passion.

Also my tone (which was intended to be... light?) can be lost in translation: english is not my first langage (I'm french), therefore, my writing skills still lacks nuance and sometimes, I may sound more dramatic than I really want to be.

 

[Dug720]

I had no issues with Barcelona this summer - and yes, I was walking all around Las Ramblas. You just have to exercise city smarts and you're fine. Zero issues with Rome either - and hit the major tourist spots.

Basically don't act like a tourist - don't dress conspicuously, don't flash money/big bulky cameras, don't flash a ton of cash. DO NOT gawk around with your mouth open. Walk with purpose.

 

[Love2Cruz]

I usually walk around with my iPad for pictures purposes as they come out really nice ...and easy to directly post on FB or CC when I do a trip report. I was extra careful this summer as I traveled through Greece (Athens is also known for pickpockets) and through Italy and luckily it got home untouched...but I am now wondering if its smart to use it as a camera. I clutch it pretty tight when using and when not in use it's in my crossbody with a zipper and it sits in the front...but wondering if it's smarter to just use an iphone instead. Everyone has one of those, but I didn't see any iPads in Europe.

 

[mevelandry]

I usually walk around with my iPad for pictures purposes as they come out really nice ...and easy to directly post on FB or CC when I do a trip report. I was extra careful this summer as I traveled through Greece (Athens is also known for pickpockets) and through Italy and luckily it got home untouched...but I am now wondering if its smart to use it as a camera. I clutch it pretty tight when using and when not in use it's in my crossbody with a zipper and it sits in the front...but wondering if it's smarter to just use an iphone instead. Everyone has one of those, but I didn't see any iPads in Europe.

In Montreal, the iPhone gets stolen a lot (that being said, everybody flaunt their stuff like they just don't care) because they are expensive. I guess it's the same everywhere.

I guess it's always good to have it covered by insurance when you travel.

I like to use a good old (with the screen cracked) cellphone for pictures when travelling. I usually pick cheap cellphones with a good camera in it. The phone looks horrible but the pictures are good and just like you, I find it easier to pit the pictures on FB.

 

[Ofinn]

Please... don't be like that. I'm not here to argue or fight with anybody. I'm here to have fun and talk about my passion.

Also my tone (which was intended to be... light?) can be lost in translation: english is not my first langage (I'm french), therefore, my writing skills still lacks nuance and sometimes, I may sound more dramatic than I really want to be.

Its hard to intepret tone on a message board. Not only that but you have to be extremely careful what you say or you'll offend someone. In real life I speak my mind. Sarcasm, debates, hot topics are an everday event in our house.

 

[Dug720]

I usually walk around with my iPad for pictures purposes as they come out really nice ...and easy to directly post on FB or CC when I do a trip report. I was extra careful this summer as I traveled through Greece (Athens is also known for pickpockets) and through Italy and luckily it got home untouched...but I am now wondering if its smart to use it as a camera. I clutch it pretty tight when using and when not in use it's in my crossbody with a zipper and it sits in the front...but wondering if it's smarter to just use an iphone instead. Everyone has one of those, but I didn't see any iPads in Europe.

To me, using the iPad as a camera SCREAMS "tourist". So even if I had one, I would never use it as a camera. At least in NYC locals use their phones as such, so that's not as "touristy". But an iPad?? Total tourist move IMHO.

 

[Ofinn]

Since we are all blond haired and blue eyed we looked like we belonged on our Iceland and Norway cruise. Our heritage is northern European. Of course you don't have to worry about crime in those ports. I would think..... I don't know, but I would think it would be pretty obvious in the Southern European ports that we are tourists especially if they hear us talking. I'm going to take every precaution against pick pockets, but I'm not sure I'll pass as a local. Now Love2cruz is Italian if I'm not mistaken so she may just fit right in.

 

[Dug720]

Since we are all blond haired and blue eyed we looked like we belonged on our Iceland and Norway cruise. Our heritage is northern European. Of course you don't have to worry about crime in those ports. I would think..... I don't know, but I would think it would be pretty obvious in the Southern European ports that we are tourists especially if they hear us talking. I'm going to take every precaution against pick pockets, but I'm not sure I'll pass as a local. Now Love2cruz is Italian if I'm not mistaken so she may just fit right in.

"Not looking like a tourist" has very little to do with skin tone and eye color - especially since so many places ARE multi-cultural. It has to do with dressing (writing on t-shirts is a BIG give away), the amount of "stuff" you have (I had a smallish bag that hangs cross-body it held a hand-held camera, my phone for in case I wanted to take a picture to upload immediately when I got to wifi, printed directions from Google maps (something I've seen even locals here in NYC move), money, ID, a pen, and chapstick - but it doesn't look any different from a "regular" purse because really it IS a regular purse - and that was it!), and again, attitude with how you walk around. It is quite possible to take things in without gawking with your mouth hanging open and stopping and staring. Again, no iPads for photos - that screams tourist like nothing else. I travel solo, so talking isn't a big thing for me, but if you're really worried about it (my guess is if you don't look like a tourist they may not bother to get close enough to listen), work on not having the kids scream or talk loud (think inside voices even outside) and consider trying to keep conversation to a minimum in public areas.

At restaurants, DO NOT put your bag on the back of your chair under any circumstances. Again, advantage of the small purse I carry is I can leave it across my body and put it in my lap. If you MUST carry a mini-suitcase with you and place it on the floor, put it between your legs and wrap the strap around your leg so the bag cannot be scooted off. Ensure that all zippers are closed. And I'd take out the wallet and put it in a front pocket or hold it between your legs while eating so if the bag DOES walk away, your wallet doesn't go with it.

It's hard to explain - and I don't have pictures of myself from when I was in Barcelona, but I know my guide from Rainbow Barcelona when we met up in my hotel lobby said "OK, well, I can skip the normal first part where I talk about not looking like a tourist. Usually I have to give people lots of tips because they are obvious. But you? You fit right in on the street."

 

[mevelandry]

Dug720, you are so right about the writings on clothing. So easy to spot tourists when they wear a shirt with the name of the town they visit (ex: I love NY).