Teechur

Maui to Las Vegas (Hawaiian) nonstop, stay 4 days. LV. to Ca. via Phoenix (American), stay 5 days. Ca. to Florida via DFW. (American) Begin cruise to Quebec. Montreal to Maui via Denver. (Air Canada/United) After cruise. 7 flights total in June and July.

Do you have a United credit card or high status with United? If I am asked to pay, I'm hoping to do so with miles. I'm just not sure about the codeshare flight on Air Canada.

Surprisingly, upgrading from United Economy to Economy Plus doesn't include a free bag. I'm counting on my United Credit Card for that. In June, I will fly from Maui to Las Vegas; LV to California; California to Florida; Montreal to Denver; and Denver to Maui. I would hate to have to pay a bag fee on every flight. I think I will only have to pay it on the first flight (Hawaiian) because I don't have their credit card.

I enjoy your writing as well. I have learned a lot and hope you will continue to do "live" reports. We will be on the Majestic in September for a quick (7-day) Alaska trip with friends and two grandsons. ⚓ Next up: Fort Lauderdale to Quebec City.

My experience has been that booking non-refundable fares directly with the airlines is either comparable or slightly cheaper than using EZ Air domestically. Booking refundable fares directly with the airlines cost more than EZ Air, whose tickets are refundable until (I believe) the last 45 days. You also receive the Princess guarantee of getting you to the ship when flights are late.

I already have seat assignments on all of my flights, currently 45 days prior to departure. I went to United/Air Canada websites and purchased upgraded seats directly. I have always booked full-fare coach or above. Never basic economy, and EZ Air doesn't book basic economy.

For us it depends on prices at the ports. In Finland, a single can of beer was $10 dollars at a liquor store near the port. 😮 We each had one beer and then went back to the ship for lunch. In reasonably priced ports, we eat off of the ship as well.

It seems to depend on the ship. For Alaska cruises from Seattle round-trip, the Emerald has a 4–5-hour window in Victoria. We are going to visit a couple of pubs downtown. The Discovery apparently only has a two-hour window. Not enough time to bother getting off of the ship.

I think it's fair to say that the food on Princess ships is better than you would get at Applebee's, Chili's, TGIF, Outback Steakhouse, etc. It isn't gourmet quality, but it is still very good. Where they have the aforementioned restaurants beat is in presentation. The dining room experience is first class even if the food is not quite. 👌

We sailed to Iceland, Ireland, Scotland, and England on her in September 2023. A bit tired but perfectly serviceable. The food was good, the covered pool was nice, great library, large balconies, scooped ice cream at no extra charge, and I liked the location of the buffet. Room steward was the best one ever! (Dmetri from Ukraine.) The only downside was saggy mattresses. By the end of the cruise, 3 out of the 4 in our group had Covid. The one who didn't catch it received a booster before we traveled. I'm getting a booster tomorrow for my cruise in 45 days. 😵‍💫

T The Air Canada baggage fee is U.S. $22.00. If we pay that, what happens when our luggage is moved to the second leg on a United-owned plane? Do we pay again? 🤪 We paid extra for exit row seats. It appears that our first bag is included. I guess we won't know until we check in at the Montreal Airport. I will try to remember to come back and post what happens in each case, after the cruise. 😀

I wonder if the unnecessary sea day between Victoria and Seattle is so they can open the casino?

On the American Airlines website, it states that if you prepay the baggage fee, there is no refund even if you later upgrade to a higher priced cabin that includes free bags. United may be the same. I would take a chance and wait until at the airport. You are only risking $5.00.

OUCH!!! I'm no fan of sea days and just received notice that a port has been cancelled on our upcoming cruise, adding 1 more sea day. I can't imagine 10 days at sea with no ports and will never do any ocean crossing for that reason. You have my sympathy!

It is surprising that Vancouver to Seattle is a 3-day run. Does Princess intentionally extend the travel time? On our Alaska cruise in September, we depart Victoria one evening and arrive in Seattle the next morning.