StickyMicky

they do suck

but

i can see my apartment from the skybar when its docked, its a 5 min walk to the port max, its quicker for me to pop to the ferry terminal, then pop top the local shop for a newspaper

and the trip cost me absolutely nothing

apart from the food, had a nice tenderlion steak (tenderloin or primeloin, cant remember now which one it was)
i was pissed off about us having our own private lounge and bar, while at the same time having to que with the scruffy council estate scumbags when trying to leave the ship getting on was fine, getting off had us queuing for far to long

2 beers in the cabin fridge and a few bottles of water IIRC, but the private lounge had free beers in anyway?, so the beer cost once we discovered that was nothing

i did have a lacky come back up and make the bed properly

had fun watching a load of student types trying to get into the private section and not being able to as they did not have the required key cards

even more comical was the taxi tout outside trying to get me to get his taxi, he was not impressed when i asked him if he could give me a bunk over the fence as "i live in that apartment overlooking the marina"

i once went on the same ship a good few years back in the poverty spec cabins, christ they are bad, really, you would be amazed at how bad they are

Scoobychick

iTrader: (1)

We're only passing through Vegas en route from LA to GC, staying for two nights then buggering off into the Grand Canyon. Vegas doesn't appeal to me too much but I think it's one of the places you just have to see to believe. I'm much more excited about getting out into Grand Canyon, Route 66 and Monument Valley oh and a quick drive along the extraterrestrial highway before heading back to the parks of the Sierra Nevada

We'll probably decide where to stay in Vegas when we get there, I don't want to pre-book as we don't want to tie ourselves into a strict schedule. Likewise with the Grand Canyon although I realise we'll probably have to stay well outside the park to find vacant rooms. If all else fails there's always the night in the car under the stars option

StickyMicky

the parents (now parent sadly ) used to do the American thing every year for 3 weeks, basic plan for them, was hire some massive yank, monster engined car, and drive across everything.

old man used to do some crazy co ordination type shenanigans and book loads of hotels across everywhere, and they would have a different trip each time, pretty much seen everything to be seen, but still liked to go back every year and try and find something new, I'm pretty sure the old fella lost a small fortune in vegas last year

Scoobychick

iTrader: (1)

That's pretty much what we're doing, three weeks starting and finishing in San Francisco in a Mustang convertible. Although we've only booked for San Francisco, the rest we're making up as we go although I have got a huge list of places to see, things to do, mileages everywhere and approximate driving times. I've spent the last few days on Google Maps working it all out

StickyMicky

LOL

yea, old fella had his always marked out with army style precision, but they never go to plan

i remember the first time they did the drive thing, came back with videos, mainly of him sitting in some massive american car, just revving the **** of the engine, with a big grin on his face LOL

iirc he hired a viper at some point as well, which was cool as ****!

Snazy

However as a non consumer of alcohol, complimentary cocktails (which you no doubt pay for in the room price) would be yet another thing wasted on me.
As for been or going to Vegas, its never appealed to me, so you are right on one thing at least

The bit im muddled on is, do you or dont you hire a car? Walking is a no no just because its 40 degree's ? Wimp Dubai was hotter than that and we walked from the Hilton to the shopping mall and back lol

As for choice of location, as long as its recognised as a choice and not the best people can afford........ I will leave it there

NACRO

Be aware that the standard Mustang is a limp wristed and pathetic V6 and not worth having in the slightest. Get the GT V8 or don't bother and go for something rubbish. No point paying a premium for a pony that won't gallop.

I had a good look around and the only people offering them at a decent price were Hertz who had a Shelby convertible for about 50 quid a day.

I decided it wasn't worth messing around and went straight for a Corvette. Nice car if a little slow and crude compared to what I left in the long term car park at Heathrow.

Re: DFDS, it is amusing watching the plebs trying to get into the lounge. Sadly there was no free alcohol in there when I travelled earlier this year. Total con.

Snazy

Last time I looked the Shelby was about 750 a week. Maybe its come down a bit or location varies by that much I dont know.
But at the end of the day, your touring, not street racing. Dont waste your budget on an upgrade you dont need

My choice, a nice BIG SUV lol, however we also have a Stang convertible for the shorter journies lol

NACRO

As you don't consume alcohol then you'd make a great driver for someone. It's always good to have someone like you along for such utility. "Just wait in the car we'll be back in a few hours when we've finished enjoying ourselves"

Vegas is a hole, that's a fact. It also offer great opulance and the opportunity to indulge crass and vulgar whims. Therefore I like it. It probably won't suit you, IMO you need to burn a lot of dollars to enjoy it properly. Sort of reminds me of a modern day ancient Rome, you can eat lark's tongues before vomiting the lot up and attending yet another orgy (sort of).

Yes I hire a car, as I expense the entire trip it would be stupid not to. Sadly the Corvette just sat in various garages most of the time. Although it was a joy to blast down Route 66 in excess of 140mph, do burnouts etc.

As for the sun- only mad dogs and englishmen and I'm obviously smarter than either. No fun in being blasted by it besides the sun is terribly ageing........

Snazy

Just checked £490 a week. Not bad I guess.
But you only get 110 miles a day as an allowance

You have selected a Hertz Shelby GTH / Currency Converter
Compact Special
3 weeks at 487.5 GBP
770 FREE Miles included per WEEKLY: Rental .20 EXTRA MI GBP per extra mile

Total Approximate Charge: 1545.34 GBP

NACRO

Speak for yourself- I found it quite amusing getting up jet lagged at 4 in the morning and using the local roads as a drag strip.

Snazy

I get it now

Snazy

Really???

And you seemed so refined and above my level too. Im shocked !

Standard Mustang convertible is just over 1/3 of the cost of the Shelby, with unlimited mileage, perfect for touring. But would still prefer an SUV lol.

Jet lagged thought..... blimey, scared to walk in the heat, jet lagged.... Now the picture is becoming SO clear

NACRO

You do realise that if you book lower rate car hire and then negotiate with the people at the desk you can achieve big discounts over their published rates?

The lack of basic negotiating skills and nouse I suspect of some people is breathtaking.

In Vegas if you suggest they upgrade you using a 50/100 dollar bill to back up your argument you're quite likely to get moved up into the car you want for a fraction of the cost.

A standard V6 Mustang is a dog of a car, no point whatsoever IMO, useless to drive, slow and as for unlimited miles- again you can negotiate these assuming you have the ability to communicate.

Snazy

lol far from unaware of it, but its best to plan ahead with the worst case scenarios.
However im one of those people who is willing to plan and pay for what I want, and not hope and haggle at the last minute trying to upgrade from an economy car I received as a freebie with the flights or something

Why hope, when you can simply have. I mean... whats a couple of hundred quid to guarentee happiness. Expecially for someone who insists on the Presidential Suite, with a view

What you said just makes you sound..... "cheap"

Scoobychick

iTrader: (1)

Yep that's the one we've gone for Christ if I believed everything you wrote I'd be cancelling the entire holiday, what with flying Virgin PE, hiring a 'Stang and staying the Luxor the trip is almost certainly doomed

Michael, I looked at the Hertz Shelby and it was a LOT more expensive than the V6, however I keep going back to it and I admit I am very tempted but after speaking to J4CKO who hired a V6 recently I'm happy with our choice. I realise it won't be as quick or well handling as my current car but it'll be fun if slightly more economical on fuel

I'm just off for another look at the Shelby....

Sonic'

LOL I have never had to show a 50/100 dollar bill to back up any argument for upgrading, some people seem quite gullible in their own negatiating skills

Snazy

lol normality returns
The Shelby is a tool indeed, but almost pointless, especially for the miles you will be doing.
Big powered SUV all the way hehe

Sonic'

I think it was more a case of sharing the presidential jizz stained sheets than the view the suite offered

Snazy

Oh come on!!
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No I mean it... the sheets have come on !!

NACRO : Really, I will take it !

Paul3446

Is there a worse possible trait than boasting about how much money you have?

Snazy

Yes, boasting about how much money you have got, when you have not really

At the start I thought that too, but from reading some of the replies, all if forgiven. Its all about seeing what you can get "cheap" Rather than all out "loadsa money"

Fair play I say, someone has to collect the tokens in The Sun eh

rob878

An early musical release

YouTube - harry enfield: loadsemoney

Paul3446

This thread perfectly demonstrates that, no matter how much money you have, you can't buy class!

Snazy

And neither do you need lots of it to have class..... and modesty.

LIKE ME

Scoobychick

iTrader: (1)

I've got class apparently, I wear a full size watch

^^ well according to NACRO anyway so it may not be true

Paul3446

In other words, he's noticed in Hello magazine that footballer's wives (his ultimate women no doubt) are wearing them.

NACRO

I had no idea you were flying Virgin or hiring a 'low end no point' mustang. I'll ask you this though- are you likely to go back there on a regular basis or is this a one shot deal? If it is why on earth would you compromise by having a rubbish car when you can pay a few quid more and get a 'real' one? Believe me a V6 Mustang is useless. My advice- book the V6, get there, express an interest in the V8, if it's available ask how much to upgrade then hit them with your counter offer of a small tip and free upgrade with unlimited miles. Obviously this ploy is no good if you are the typical tongue tied British person,afraid to say boo to a goose etc.

Re upgrading Sonic obviously has no idea how Vegas works- the tip is a must to get a worthwhile upgrade. This works throughout your trip, don't like your room? Go down to reception, ask nicely, give them a small tip-get upgraded for free. Don't like the people in the queue? Flash some cash and walk past while the plebs stand there getting sore feet. It really is very civilised.

StickyMicky

did you look in the fridges underneath the bar ?

that is where i was told they were, never got up off my seat myself, did the "while you are up trick" whenever the misses went walking past and she got them for me

i had much more pressing issues to hand, in checking out the "top one hundred" babes mags that were on the table

Sonic'

LOL NACRO, you have no idea about me

Ive been to Vegas many times now, and I know exactly how it works

Your viewpoint on how things work and what you like to do there is an interesting one