harrodsfan

Yes homework is important! We have traveled on most of the major cruise lines and have had good experiences on all from Regent to Seabourn to Carnival. We pick by the itinerary. Overall we liked Celebrity the least. And our best cruises were on Royal Carribean, Regent and the old Royal Viking known to Hal as the Prisendam.

I self insure. All travel for 20 years.

 

 

 

If a company offers insurance, I just take their number and put that amount into my travel insurance savings account.

 

 

 

When a flight gets cancelled on me, I use that account to immediately rebook.

 

 

 

If a cruise no longer works for me, I have plenty in my self insurance account to book something else in place.

 

 

 

There's no excuse not to self insure every trip. The costs individually are minimal and over 20 years I think I've had to rebook with my own savings maybe 3 times. Very low risk and the reward is all mine.

Brilliant plan!

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Most boring cruise we ever took was on the Amazon. The scenery was all the same. The towns had no culture and were sometimes just pretend tourist sights with children begging or grabbing for money and nothing to see. I tell everyone to take it off their bucket list.

(A trip to the upper amazon might be interesting.)

Worst Christmas ever was at the Hong Kong Airport trying to convince Vietnam air to let us fly to Hanoi even though his visa had the wrong dates of entry.

I decided to save money and apply for the visa myself. Got it back.. it looked fine but I didn't check the entry date carefully. My dates were correct but his, even though we we obviously married and traveling itogether his dates started with the date we were suppose to leave. Cathy Pacific insisted that Vietnam would not let my husband in the country with the wrong dates. Finally I cried (it was Christmas) and they let us on the flight. When we got to Hanoi it was a non issue.

My recommendation is use a Visa service. its $$$ but well worth it to avoid things like this.

Well I love River cruising and we have done most of the major rivers of the world. Yes small cabins but scenery is very interesting.. The only really bad river cruise was a barge trip and the ship really needed refurbishing. very very tiny cabin. But We usually spend all our time in the lounge or deck.

but as for Tours... we hate walking tours. We take the bus to town and strike out on our own having done our homework and having fortified ourselves with maps. We meet up with the bus to go back to the ship.

I like to do my own thing always. Usually its no problem. And some days (like on the Mekong or Nile..) we just stayed on the boat and relaxed.

I have a list that I print out and cross out items that are not needed for my next cruise.

 

I start pulling out items about a week in advance. I separate into "must bring" and "want to bring" piles.

 

About 4-5 days before leaving, I start packing my cubes, starting with "unmentionables" and then the must haves.

 

Two days before leaving, I finish packing my cubes and add in some of the "want to bring" items if there's room in the cubes. I also organize toiletries, medications, etc.

 

The day before leaving, I pull out my suitcase and pack the cubes, toiletries, etc. It usually doesn't take long.

 

I try to be organized as I know that almost always, something will come up that needs my attention that last day that I hadn't planned for.

Boy isn't that the truth. If I waited till the last minute I wouldn't travel because something always comes up at the last minute that needs my attention.

I sorted toiletries today for a trip in October. I plan options for each day and for a variety of weather. Everything coordinates... every top can go with every bottom. I too use a clothing rack. I use packing cubes and folders and every imaginable aid I can find. I travel with a hanging garment bag and a suitcase. I do not ever carry on everything but everything with any value is in my carry on.

I love styling everything. I love packing.. sorting luggage..

But unpacking not so much.

Exactly.

In addition, while it is tempting to take a nap after an overnight flight, it is not a good idea. It is best to spend most of the day being active and then go to bed early. This allows one to get adjusted to the local time faster.

If you sleep most of the day, you'll be up during the night and tired the next day again - not a good plan.

A vey good point!

A little black dress with different scarves, stoles, jewelry and jackets can be made to look different every time. Don't take something different for each night.

This is the key! I do wear something different every night but mostly different accessories, shawls, jewelry.. mix and match is the key.

Plus I love to shop while traveling so usually pick up a few things to freshen up looks. Another key is to limit shoes.. I travel with a pair of good comfortable walking shoes, a pair of black ballet flats for dress and another pair of some kind of Sandal. I have traveled around the world on three pairs of shoes! I put everything on a hanging rack and plan out the look for each, day and evening. Then I prune. Stick to a color palate which works together.

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We stayed with tours in rio and other places in Brazil. And Argentina. Wore only cheap jewelry. Felt totally safe in Argentina. In Brazil we got more comfortable as the trip went on and we were farther away from Rio. (We did walk around a small area by the h stern store and felt safe.) in Manaus we hired a taxi and went to a very nice shopping center and walked around and felt safe. Enjoy. The culture is worth seeing and worth the tiny bit of extra effort to wear practical sensible clothing and jewelry.

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Been on 5 river cruises and would rather have a table for two. So, I guess you are wrong.

We have been on 8 river cruises...and as on ocean cruises we prefer tables for two as we have had many many bad experiences with table companions.. The one that took the cake were the Canadian and English couple. The husband of the Canadian couple was a **** airplane pilot during WW2. He admitted that he bombed the city of the English couple. The parents of the English couple's wife were killed in a bombing raid. Talk about a conversation stopper.

On our last cruise with only tables of 8 we attracted several very introverted couples who loved to sit with us. It was exhausting. I go on vacation to be with my husband. or Family.

It is a real issue.

Our Viking cruise...

My husband and I don't particularly like to share a table with anyone but friends and family. Our Viking experience reinforces that.

The first night we were seated a table for 6. Two couples joined us ad they were boring and not able to carry on anything but monosylabbic conversations. We tried to sit with different people but most of the people were traveling with families and in groups. The same four people glommed on to us each evening and it was not fun at all. We had to carry most of the conversation. They liked us but it was exhausting.. especially since service was slow. The last two nights we ate in the terrace buffet..

Here's a tip.

Put one of the shoes you'll be wearing in the morning in the safe.

I reckon you'll remember to check your safe.

That is a great idea. I have forgotten a passport in a safe. Got it back.

When at home and i need to remember something to take with me when I leave the house I put my car keys with it...

I echo all the above posts. Thanks for taking me along on your journey!!!

Really enjoying being an arm chair traveler on your trip! I read up about your hotel. Prince Charles spent his 65 birthday there. and the BBC calls it one of the best hotels in the world! It looks fabulous! We so enjoy India. Sounds like a great trip.

What gorgeous photos! Congratulations! Such fun to do this on the Love Boat!

We have always had disasters with table seating. Once we sat with a Canadian and an English couple.

It turned out that the canadian man was from Germany and had been a pilot in WW2. He bombed the city where the Engligh couple's parents were killed. Now that was a conversation stopper.

Oddly that night our ship hit a reef and we all had to be evacuated from the ship

We never shared a table again. We have met people and had dinner together with anytime dinning. But that is our choice.

We have been on many long cruises and the ones I like are port intensive. The thing I like about cruising is the adventure of going to bed and waking up in a new place. Sea days can mean rough seas.. not my cup of tea. The longer cruises have a lot of sea days.. so probably wouldn't do a world cruise..Have done part of one though.

Thanks for taking us along on your really fun journey.

Loved your blog!!

Congratulations! What an amazing wedding... best wishes for a wonderful life together!

Well she's had her 2 minutes of fame

 

I mean, it's obvious, RCI has full control over the condition of the sea don't they

 

"Not enough was done to keep them same"... Maybe they should get the ship to fly over it next time, that'll prevent it rocking

I have done over 20 cruises... with some roughish seas.. but a hurricane. no.

I think they should have at least told the passengers this was a possibility and given them the option to get off the boat.

This is the second time this has happened to this ship. Something is wrong.

Would not trust this cruise line.

by the way there is another thread about this cruise on this board.

Best wishes for a lovely marriage. you had a lovely wedding!:):):)

Just got off the Inspiration...

Loved the Beet Carapacio appetizer...

And spring rolls were yummy too

Loved both Guys Burgers and Blue Iquana.

The Beef tenderloin the last night was as good as I've Had anywhere.

Didn't like the Sea bass.....yuck.

And not a fan of the melting cake.. mine had melted too much and was like uncooked cake batter.

I was is Paris in the 80ies and the burger king i had lunch in was bombed 3 hours later. I was in London when the Tower of London was bombed by the Ira. I have been on a ship (Cunard) that hit a reef and almost sank.

I was in Rio and the shopping mall by my home in Ca had a shooter. Life is short.. Enjoy your trip but do stay vigilant.

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Regent is more expensive but I don't recall any off limits areas.. other than the normal ones.. crew area.. bridge etc.

You looked lovely. Glad things out well. Congratulations.