geocruiser

If you want to tour Manhattan then I would stay there. Here is some more info; https://www.nycgo.com/boroughs-neighborhoods/brooklyn/,

https://www.nycgo.com/ Click on Explore

You might want to get the a deluxe balcony too. When you go to a regular balcony there is only one chair to sit on. For us, we both need a place to sit. And if you are told that you can get another chair, well that is a hit and miss deal. So, if one of you wants to stand or sit on the bed, then keep the balcony, if not then upgrade.

CanadianBurger, It is great to see that you are on board. Enjoy your cruise, Geo

How far a drive is it for you? Is it doable?

I am so sorry that Kathi is going through all this.

You said " I really need relaxation". If you go to Alaska you will have a long flight. You will also have a time change to adjust to., I think it is a 4 hour difference from EST. And the cruise is only one week. At least for me I would not find that relaxing.

You are right food prices have gone up on HAL and in my local store.. HAL is now spending $2.15 more per day per person.(taken from your post). But from reading this thread, they have cut back on some food, maybe to keep the increase to $2.15 per day per person. Therefore, if they did not cut back the increase in food cost per day per person would be more. For me, when I get back to cruising I would rather not have the food cut backs and pay the extra per day to keep the quality up. PS. I can't eat lobster, so for me it is not about that. just the food in general.

Hi CruiserBruce, I started cruising back in 1976. Every ship that I have been on has had a lobster night. I do recall , I believe it was on Home Lines, that they gave you the whole lobster. I also remember our first Princess cruise that our waiter came with a full tray of the tails and kept giving them out until PAX said no more at our table. I remember lobster claws at the buffet on HAL. Times have changed with cruising, some things for the better and others not such a good change. When I began to cruise, it was some thing really special. Food back then was one of the highlights of the cruise. And lobster night was part of it. Now, to me it seems to be going in the direction of the Staten Island ferry and a hot dog! But this is just me. By the way I can't eat lobster. Geo

That is your opinion. And I respect that.

I don't mind music, but I don't like loud. I want to keep my hearing.

I hope that this worded out for you.

Has any one found monkeys on their car in the parking lots?? https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/vervet-monkeys-fll-broward/

I would think that a hull cleaning would be on some sort of a regular schedule, not done mid cruise. Do they have divers on board?

I would think that a hull cleaning would be on some sort of a regular schedule, not done mid cruise.

Could the age limit have anything to do with the on board medical faculty and so many sea days? Being at sea so so many days, mabe medical is not equipped to hand a baby that young.

Ni heels for me ever. None on land or sea. I wear flats all the time.

It sound like it would be prefect for Hawaii. Making it out of a YSl sheet was a great idea. It will wash and wear well and feel great on.

We almost had a problem. I say "almost" because it was corrected. We got to the port, I gave the porter our luggage plus tip. I started to walk away and I turned around to see if he put it on the rack. A departing bus driver had my bag and was putting it into the cargo hold of the departing bus. I yell , the cruise porter yelled and grab the bag. After that we use carry-ons only.

I looks like the Passport card is good for the Caribbean, Panama is in Central America. Maybe Panama is not considered a Caribbean Nation, being in Central America. https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/need-passport/card.html

I am very sorry to hear of all the issues that you are having. A cruise is to be a relaxing vacation, not one full of problems. Or if a problem happens, that it gets fix in proper time. Spending money for a cabin with this trouble would be very upsetting. I hoe that it works out.

It came out really nice. I like both the fabrics that you used.

I don't see them.

Brocade, pinwale corduroy, crepe, lightweight Demin & gabardine, lightweight twill & lightweight wool types.

I just brought this pattern. https://simplicity.com/simplicity/s8955 I want to make it using fleece. but is not one of the fabrics that they recommend. what do you think? The jacket is unlined. It is not a heavy fleece.