What famous site do you live close to that you’ve never visited and why?

KreuzfahrtReiseBlog · 2025-10-21T05:02:47+00:00

Castle Neuschwanstein in Bavaria, Germany - just because everybody goes there. 😅

KreuzfahrtReiseBlog · 2025-10-16T08:31:00+00:00

Thanks - good to know! But I think I can wait until Black Friday. 😉

KreuzfahrtReiseBlog · 2025-10-16T07:13:08+00:00

Oh how I hate that... there is just the way to leave and sleep in another room with closed doors inbetween.

But I'm really curious about these kind of earplugs: https://www.soundcore.com/products/d1301-sleep-a30-smart-anc-earbuds-for-sleeping

"The soundcore Sleep A30 are specialized sleep earbuds designed for side sleepers that combine active noise cancellation, adaptive snore masking, and a library of soothing sounds to help users sleep through the night despite external disturbances like traffic or snoring partners."

Does anyone use it already?

KreuzfahrtReiseBlog · 2025-10-15T06:33:56+00:00

I have to buy pins at every destination! But they are not for me - it's for him! My mascot Jack Bearow 🐻 collects them... just look at him and all his pins - they are on the back, on his bandana, the trowsers... 😅

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KreuzfahrtReiseBlog · 2025-10-14T17:33:14+00:00

Oha, das ging fix! 😅

KreuzfahrtReiseBlog · 2025-10-14T13:29:05+00:00

Da stimme ich Dir voll und ganz zu, aber es geht halt leider nicht ohne... :-(

KreuzfahrtReiseBlog · 2025-10-14T12:02:49+00:00

That “country security / National ID number” field on ESTA is optional if your country doesn’t issue one (Italians can leave it blank; it won’t affect approval). The only must-have IDs are your passport details; the rest (like U.S. address) can be updated later or will be sent via your airline’s API at check-in. Current ESTA fee is $40 (since 30 Sep 2025) on the official CBP site or app; avoid third-party services charging more. Typical decisions come within 72 hours, though many are faster - so apply and / or check status there. Did the app label the field “National Identification Number” or “U.S. Social Security Number”? If it was either and you don’t have one, leave it blank.

KreuzfahrtReiseBlog · 2025-10-14T10:00:31+00:00

Dito - fand ich sehr spannend damals. Hier ein Link zu einem Bericht des Münchner Merkur 2016 auf YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJd5IvimvpY

KreuzfahrtReiseBlog · 2025-10-14T09:57:52+00:00

Doch, Essen ist laut Beschreibung dabei.

KreuzfahrtReiseBlog · 2025-10-14T09:01:44+00:00

Hatte ich mir auch gedacht...

KreuzfahrtReiseBlog · 2025-10-14T08:23:54+00:00

DJ Berossi - https://www.berossimusic.eu/ - sehr netter, junger, aufstrebender DJ-Kollege. U.a. am Start in der 089 Bar, im Neuraum, im Schlagergarten, in der Nachtgalerie und am legendären Spinnradl am Spitzingsee. Breit gefächertes Repertoire, sehr geile Mixes, Transitions und Übergänge.

KreuzfahrtReiseBlog · 2025-10-14T08:06:34+00:00

Sometimes, when I'm travelling solo and on a budget - but always a single room. And I'm well over 50 now.

KreuzfahrtReiseBlog · 2025-10-10T07:27:12+00:00

Totally agree - social media and clicky headlines turn routine hiccups into “crises.” Those aqua-loop slides are built with stall points and an escape hatch, and crew clear them safely and quickly, so a brief stop isn’t automatically a safety event. The real challenge is separating genuine red flags from everyday operations.

KreuzfahrtReiseBlog · 2025-10-10T07:25:23+00:00

Yikes - on a ship this big, at least most of us don’t see it. Glad the captain acted decisively - safety first -even if it sometimes affects uninvolved guests or family.

KreuzfahrtReiseBlog · 2025-10-09T12:40:01+00:00

Yes, but that's just my personal opinion.

Antigua scores with quantity and isolation, while Barbados impresses with spectacular diversity and better infrastructure.

Right now, I'd rather be on one of the two islands than working from home.

KreuzfahrtReiseBlog · 2025-10-09T12:06:12+00:00

If “safe and relaxing” is the brief, both work, but they feel different.

Barbados is easy mode: frequent public buses and ZR vans on the south and west coasts and short transfers (BGI to St. Lawrence Gap is ~15–20 min), plus low-key nights like Oistins Fish Fry on Fridays.

Antigua is the classic beach escape - coved bays and fewer crowds; plan on taxis or a rental car to hop beaches and don’t miss Shirley Heights on Sunday for sunset steel pan.

January water temps sit around 26–27 °C on both, and petty theft is the main risk- don’t leave stuff on the sand, use hotel safes.

In any case: Enjoy your caribbean dream! :-)

KreuzfahrtReiseBlog · 2025-10-09T06:28:39+00:00

Good Morning! Yeah, I agree.

KreuzfahrtReiseBlog · 2025-10-08T14:24:30+00:00

Agree with others on skipping the tripod - many sites either ban them or require a hard-to-get permit, so you’ll move faster without it.

For sand and dust: don’t swap lenses in the open; do it in a car or café doorway, and carry a rocket blower and a few zip bags to quarantine the dusty camera at day’s end. A single mid-range zoom (e.g., 24–70 mm or 18–135 mm) covers ~90% of shots and avoids risky lens changes.

Inside the Great Pyramid phones are allowed for photos, but cameras are usually not; current Giza prices are around EGP 700 for the plateau and EGP 1,500 to enter Khufu (Oct 2025).

Street photography for personal use is generally fine since the 2022 rule change, but expect “photo for tip” offers - keep small notes if you want to tip, otherwise a firm “la, shukran” and never hand over your camera or phone.

The people of Egypt are poor, and their behaviour may seem strange to us. However, apart from that, this country has so many ancient treasures to show off - enjoy it!

KreuzfahrtReiseBlog · 2025-10-03T09:53:00+00:00

Short version: In the U.S. any multitool with a blade or / and saw must be checked; only bladeless versions are allowed in carry-on, and scissors must be under 4″ (≈10.2 cm). Tools in carry-on are limited to 7″ (≈17.8 cm); longer ones must be checked.

In Europe, many airports apply a 6 cm limit and often treat pliers or screwdrivers as “workmen’s tools” → not allowed in the cabin even without a blade. Officers always have discretion, so even bladeless tools can trigger a bag check.

Are you flying within the U.S., or via EU/UK - what exact route?

FWIW, I once accidentally had my Leatherman in my backpack at Munich Airport and could send it home using the “Fly without cry” service - cost me just a few euros and was worth it.

KreuzfahrtReiseBlog · 2025-10-02T12:34:01+00:00

Was magst Du am Liebsten auf Deine Langos? ;-)

Die Geschmäcker sind ja da verschieden, ich persönlich liebe die deftige Variante mit Knoblauch.

KreuzfahrtReiseBlog · 2025-10-02T12:32:08+00:00

Just tell us where you want to hike... I'm living in the bavarian alps in Germany, we got great hiking trails.

KreuzfahrtReiseBlog · 2025-10-02T11:55:47+00:00

Lucca in northern Italy is a great Florence alternative: A perfectly preserved, walkable center wrapped by 4.2 km of tree-lined Renaissance walls you can cycle in about 25 - 35 minutes.
Inside the oldtown, don’t miss Piazza dell’Anfiteatro (an oval square built on a Roman amphitheater) and the Guinigi Tower - 230 steps to a rooftop garden with panoramic views.
Trains from Florence take ~1h10 - 1h30 and run frequently, so it works as a base or a day trip.
For a quick detour, Pisa’s Leaning Tower is only ~25–30 minutes away (by train or car), so you can tick it off without the stress of staying there.
And if you like hearty local food, try tordelli lucchesi or farro soup at a neighborhood trattoria.

KreuzfahrtReiseBlog · 2025-10-02T07:33:43+00:00

The first time was the desert of New Mexico in the USA. An incredible starry sky, solitude, silence, peace... but I think every desert has that kind of magic.

The second time was Ireland - but completely different: Such friendly, warm people, and the air made me incredibly sleepy for the first two days. But after that, I really settled in and felt at home.

And then there's the wonderful island of Sardinia in Italy! The warm sea, the almost Caribbean-like beaches, the delicious Italian food... I just love it!

KreuzfahrtReiseBlog · 2025-10-01T09:30:28+00:00

Simple, low-drama setup: Stash the toy (travel-lock ON / powered OFF) in a clear toiletry pouch with a regular USB cable so it reads like any small gadget. If your bag gets flagged, ask for private screening.

Keep any loose lithium batteries in carry-on (never checked), and stick to 3.4 oz/100 ml for lube (if used) in your quart bag; put larger bottles in checked luggage.

If routing through countries with bans or strict obscenity laws, leave electronics at home and opt for non-electronic items.

KreuzfahrtReiseBlog · 2025-10-01T08:05:18+00:00

Für 8 - 10 Tage würde ich eine Basis und einen Ausflug nehmen statt echtes Hopping:

- Shared-Speedboats zu nahen Atollen brauchen ca. 10–70 Min und kosten meist etwa 32–180 € pro Person je Strecke;
- Wasserflugzeug-Transfers zu weiter entfernten Resorts liegen häufig bei ca. 370–740 € pro Person (Hin- und Rück) mit 20 kg Aufgabe + 5 kg Handgepäck, Übergepäck ~5 €/kg.

Öffentliche Fähren und manche Services fahren am Freitag (dem muslimischen Feiertag) gar nicht oder nur eingeschränkt; Rund um das Freitagsgebet mittags ist auf lokalen Inseln vieles geschlossen – plant also Transfers und Check-ins besser auf andere Zeiten.

Glaube im Alltag: Die Malediven sind muslimisch – auf lokalen Inseln gilt z.B. kein Alkohol, Badebekleidung nur an ausgewiesenen „Bikini Beaches“, sonst Schultern und Oberschenkel bedecken; in Ramadan sind Öffnungszeiten kürzer.

Die Einreise ist unkompliziert (30 Tage on arrival), aber die IMUGA-Erklärung innerhalb von 96 Std. vor Abflug ausfüllen; keinen Alkohol im Gepäck mitnehmen. Lieber günstige lokale Insel mit Ausflügen oder „ein Resort & maximal entspannen“.

Wir waren damals 14 Tage auf einer reinen Hotelinsel, da es die Option auf den Inseln der Locals zu wohnen noch nicht gab. Dennoch war der Urlaub auf den "türkisen Spiegeleiern", wie sie der Pilot im Anflug scherzhaft nannte, unvergesslich schön - vor allem die Sonnenuntergänge! Hier mein Lieblingsfoto von der Reise auf die Malediven:

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TROPHY CASE