theloo

Question: how much time elapsed between receiving your passport and supporting documents? When I applied for my kids' passports in February, the packages came the same week. I renewed in August, received my new passport 2 weeks ago, but haven't gotten back my expired passport and other documents yet.

Sometimes, it is hard to get a passport in time, especially if you're traveling and need your passport and can't send it in for renewal until you get back. Even with expedited processing, the State Department was very backed up. I have 5 months between trips and fortunately got my passport renewed quickly, but I can see how a person might end up without a passport unexpectedly.

Glad to hear you were able to get a new mattress. That is one of my big concerns for my upcoming 16-day cruise.

I should mention that I would have been willing to do a one-day access pass, if needed. When I travel without my family later this year, I will probably pay for a day or two so that I can keep in touch, but really don't need it for the whole trip.

I just went on a 16-day cruise to Hawaii with no internet while on board. It was totally fine. I had my family with me and left my pet in capable hands. I had a slight dental emergency right after we left the last port in Hawaii, but I just made do until I could get back to my regular dentist a week later. 5 sea days there and 5 sea days back without internet was not a major inconvenience. I kind of liked the enforced digital hiatus :)

I will be there December 28 (a Thursday). How do I find out if there's any competition that day?

Is this your experience recently? I was on my first cruise in years this past July. I had a fair amount of refundable OBC left at the end of the cruise. I asked to use it for extra gratuities, but was refused; was told I needed to leave extra tips in cash only and was handed some envelopes. I still haven't received that refundable OBC either.

I tried to lock the door on my cabin as an experiment and I could still get in using the medallion. It wasn't like a deadbolt or anything.

Good to know. I never go to the casino. I'm sure most people know this, but I didn't know that I couldn't use refundable OBC for extra gratuities.

I brought cash for tips, but not enough! I wanted to tip some MDR waiters, so they got some of the tips that I had planned for my room steward. So, consider all the people you might want to tip and how hard it might be to get cash at sea.

Will be there in late December between Christmas & New Year's. Will it be super crowded with surfers?

If you decide to do it, can I get a ride? 😁

Sunrise is at 7am and the park opens at 6am, so getting there that early from the ship will be a challenge!

That's one reason I want to DIY ... the tour sounded like it was a lot of driving by and not stopping to enjoy or explore. Was the blowhole active? I went to the blowhole in Kauai and was not impressed.

Hwy 83 looks a little scary. Is Turtle Bay worth it?

Can I ask what your favorite stops were on your circle tour? Thinking about hiking Diamond Head on Day 2 also.

@scottca075 do you have a drive recommendation for Oahu? (I followed most of your path in Kauai.)

Just curious about where you're going. We'll be on the same sailing and may rent a car for day 1 and drive around the island. Probably will go to a nearby beach for day 2.

Good luck. Sounds like a fabulous offer!

I submitted our renewals by mail on August 7. Never received any information or email from the State Department. Today, I got a notice from USPS that I'm getting 2 packages from passport services tomorrow. When I checked on my passport status, it only says my application was approved, not shipped, so the packages might be my supporting documents and/or old passports. One month of processing is not bad. I was prepared for the full 13 weeks, plus 4 weeks for shipping.

That's why it's crushing for those of us who visit and are there only during the times when it's not actively erupting😞

Thanks. I have been on Emerald & Ruby, so Crown will be pretty similar, but my friend is new to Princess and I think a map would be handy.

I missed it years ago when it paused for a few months. I missed it again when we cruised this past July 😭. I have one more chance when I cruise again in December 🤞

I was considering doing a tour, but the timing (8am-5:30pm) doesn't work with my port stay. I'm wondering if anyone has rented a car and did something similar. How was it and what did you do?

This was posted on another thread. Goes a little into 2024