Nebr.cruiser

For private tours in Europe (and by private I don't mean just us, I mean a smaller independent tour, not a cruise tour) we generally tip $5 to $10pp (or equivalent in Euros) depending on the length and quality of the tour.  

On 6/1/2024 at 9:30 PM, MVMom&Dad said:

Going on 10 day to Mexico , mine is insurance question ! I always get the platinum princess insurance but now we are in 70s is this enough coverage if you need to be air lifted or big emergency ? Thank you

I haven't looked at the particulars recently.  As I remember it is probably not enough for really good evacuation, major medical etc. costs.  We usually buy an annual policy, such as Geo Blue, for that kind of extreme costs.  We are late 70's now.

We had Platinum insurance for our South America cruise last December.  We had to cancel three days before due to a health problem.  It covered everything it was supposed to and, after sending in all the required documents online, (mostly Dr. affidavits) we had our money back within a week.  Since we are Elite, the cost was very good.  We were also lucky that all of our independent excursions were refunded quickly (if we had put deposits down), even the one that was supposed to be non-refundable that close to sailing.

On 5/29/2024 at 11:14 AM, geoherb said:

There is not a separate conditioner. It's a shampoo/conditioner combination. I take a small bottle of conditioner with me. I also bring along a bar of soap. I don't like body wash.

And, in my experience the shampoo-conditioner doesn't 'condition' at all.  I'm not picky and use cheaper conditioners at home, but after using the Princess combo my hair actually felt crunchy and stiff.  I just bring a travel size bottle or two; I don't need much. The lotion is fine.

I use them but they are not very powerful and take longer than at home for my shoulder length hair.  But I deal with it, partly because I don't want to haul my own along and partly because I just air dry my hair quite often.  I also don't like that you have to hold the button down the whole time.

Thanks for the input.  We have done one cruise on the Oosterdam and somehow it just felt flat.  I know HAL is a much more traditional line, but this one was really, really old school.  We have cruised about 50 times on many different lines, mostly Princess.  I can't put my finger on the reason--it wasn't a bad cruise (we've never had a bad cruise) just somehow lacking and probably our least favorite cruise.

This cruise was about 10 years ago.  We understand the sea days from California to Hawaii, as we did a Hawaii round-trip.  The sea days were surprisingly cool with wind and some rain.  So we do get that will most likely happen again.

Only you can figure out if it is 'worth it' to you--it totally depends on your drinking habits and the cost and also what is included in the package.

So far I've never been able to make it work for us, but then we rarely drink alcohol.  It might come fairly close on packages that included wifi, gratuities and some other perks, such as on Princess.  

1 hour ago, SailorJack said:

 

We did go to Papeete!  One of the criticisms I get is that my reviews are too long.  I normally try to keep them at 12 typewritten pages, but on this 32 day cruise I actually had 15 pages so I had to edit it. As it was, even after editing I had 13 pages....so Papeete would up on the cutting room floor.😅.

 

That is not to denigrate Papeete  - it is a great place to visit.  I just ran out of Space.

 

Jack

Please don't cut your reviews too short--I love every word.  So much humor and great information.

Thanks so much for the report--always so entertaining.  We are seriously considering this cruise or a similar one on HAL but wondered if it was just too many sea days--even though we love sea days.,this seems like a a bit much.

  The big draw to us is not having to fly, after the terribly long flight on our trip to Australia last year. Plus Tahiti, of course.

I know-- I mean, I walk, I hike, I swim a lot, I have snorkeled for many years, I paddle board almost daily in the summer, etc., etc and yet I can't ride a trolley?  Or go to a beach?  Arrgh!

On 5/17/2024 at 10:01 AM, spirit rev said:

I renewed my passport a couple of months ago. I used the expedited service. I had my new passport and my old passport back within 2 weeks of sending them in. I was amazed! Now to figure out where to go to use the new one.  

Well, that's good news.  Last year it took almost 4 months for my sister's expedited passport--she would have had to cancel the cruise.  Unfortunately, it turned out she had to cancel anyway for health reasons, but nevertheless 4 months is horrible.

1 hour ago, KimA75 said:

 

My dad (83) was just excluded for a trolley tour at a port.  He is too old to ride a trolley... I am still shaking my head at that one.

Oh-my-gosh!  Unbelievable.  

It is annoying.  I understand the insurance issue.  Of course there are plenty of us older 

travelers who are in better shape and health than younger ones, but I guess they have to go with the averages. 

So far I haven't encountered even a ship tour (on the rare occasion we do one) that I have aged out of, but since 79 is only a week away, I am sure it will happen, especially once I hit 80.

I agree with you about the newer Princess ships--I like the older style much better.  Real promenades, more connection to the ocean, etc. etc.  The Sapphire, the Emerald, etc. just suits us better.  Public spaces in the newer ships are just a mess.  

Of the older ships, I still don't care much for the Island.  But I'd sail her again for the right itinerary.  I like the Coral better.

11 minutes ago, mjkacmom said:

Most states require 180 days but there is no such requirement in Nebraska. Here students get out the end of June and go back Labor Day week. It looks like Nebraska added weeks on to make it more like other states.

That is probably right. Also, most schools have air conditioning now.  Before I retired, we were generally going back the last week in August.  Without air conditioning, if we hit a heat spell, my classroom would get up to 95.  Not a lot of learning goes on then!  Even normal summer temps of 85 or so were very uncomfortable.

The Island ismy least favorite Princess ship--we're Platinum so have sailed Princess a lot.  But, if it truly is a bucket list cruise, I would book her again--meaning a place I really, really want to book and nothing else works itinerary and price wise.

  I mostly hate that they don't have an International Cafe and took out too many public spaces to add more cabins.

I realize this is true in some areas, but here in Nebr. we literally have lost about 3 weeks.  Historically we got out about May 15 and went back to school around August 30--a few days either way.  This schedule was at least partly because we are a rural state and it fit the farming Calander better.  Farming is different now.

Now we get out around May 20 but go back around August 10.  It is possible that there are a few more days off during the school year, but not 3-4 weeks.

So kids used to have 10-15 days in May, all of June and July and almost all of August.  School used to start after the County Fairs were ove, which was usually the last weekend in August.  Now, County Fairs have had to reschedule in July because of the earlier school start.

10 hours ago, firefly333 said:

The problem with this is most private have a higher price for just 1 person. Couples or families it's less expensive but for me as a solo it's a higher cost and not worth it. This really depends on the size of the group you want to book. I just dont find deals for 1 with private excursions. I just skip or book something else. 

Maybe by 'private' they meant tours not associated with the cruise line., not a truly private tour for one person.   There are many tours you can find by googling, or by searching the Ports of Call on these boards that are group tours (usually much smaller groups than the cruise line tours) and are often better priced and better quality.  We have also just picked up tours that are by venders right at the port. We seldom take cruise line tours unless nothing else works.

3 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

Native Choice runs quite a good ship down there in Costa Maya.

We've used them twice.  Both tours were very good.

1 hour ago, Engineroom Snipe said:

Well stated.

 

Floaties and Class Three life jackets are not "self righting". This means the person will float on top of the water but their face will not be self righting and they will drown floating on the water face-down.

 

You are very experienced and I appreciate your comments on this matter.

As a former lifeguard I am often appalled at the number of parents who stick a life jacket, or worse, arm floaties on a child and figure they are safe and can be ignored watched casually. This is especially true for any child under 5 and/or Non swimmers.  

Even approved life jackets cannot prevent some awful accidents.  Parents should always be right with their children within an arm's reach with eyes on the child. Children can drown with almost no noise--often just slip beneath the surface.

Also, swim diapers don't keep everything out of the water!

I want to add that pool noodles, life rings and various inflatable 'toys' are not enough to keep kids safe either.

As a former lifeguard I am often appalled at the number of parents who stick a life jacket, or worse, arm floaties on a child, a cute inflatable toy or pool noodle and figure they are safe and can be ignored watched casually. This is especially true for any child under 5 and/or Non swimmers.  

Even approved life jackets cannot prevent some awful accidents.  Parents should always be right with their children within an arm's reach with eyes on the child. Children can drown with almost no noise--often just slip beneath the surface.

Also, swim diapers don't keep everything out of the water!

I pack the day before, but go through my clothes, try on, make sure they are all clean, etc. and then hang or lay them in a separate area in my closet.  I do the same with other things I take, like otc meds, travel size toiletries, etc. I make a list and cross things off as they are added.

If I pack too far ahead I just end up taking it all outand, rearranging it, double checking or repacking it more than once.  My husband packs the day of, if we have a late flight or the day before if an early flight.

Plus, I don't like leaving my clothes in the suitcase that long.

1 hour ago, navybankerteacher said:

I always wear a blazer while travelling (so no need to pack it). —serves for any formal nights with good trousers, tie and dress shirt— also  the pockets are good for carrying travel documents.

That is usually what my husband does for much the same reasons.

You are on track with what we do.  DH wears khakis and dress shirt on dressy nights, sometimes with a sport coat.  (He generally wears that on the plane.) jeans or khakis with polo shirts other nights.  I wear black slim pants with dressy tops a skirt or dress for the dressy nights.  I used to take gowns or cocktail dresses but seldom do now.  'Church' or smart casual other nights.

You're cruising in May so it will be hot most of the time.  Shorts, tanks, t shirts, etc. or casual sun dresses are perfect.  On board in the day I wear shorts normally over a swim suit or throw on a casual dress.  

I usually bring a cardigan to dinner as it can be cool in the dining rooms, although it doesn't seem to be such a problem anymore. Also good for on deck at night.  I always have a light jacket along and so far (in over 30 Caribbean cruises) haven't needed a rain jacket, although I usually pack one of the cheap ones that come in a pouch.  

We each bring a 24" suitcase and a small carryon.  If it was a 7 day cruise, maybe a 21" instead.  Since we get free bags we generally don't carry on.  I wear my walking shoes and  bring a couple of sandals, a couple of dressier wedges for evening and sometimes a pair of flats.  I've found that more than one pair of sandal is essential as I have had problems with blisters wearing even shoes that are well broken in, probably due to the heat and extensive walking.  Sometimes I throw in a pair of water shoes, depending on itinerary.

My small carryon has a shoe compartment that holds at least 3 pair of shoes, the rest fit in my suitcase.  I have smaller feet, so that helps, but also problem feet that need options. 

3 hours ago, Jetdriver787 said:

In port?

 

I guess it was a case of “Gulls & Bouys” (British pronunciation is “Boys”)

It also made quite the mess!

We actually had a large seagull on our balcony in the Med once, while in port.  Then it hopped to our neighbor's balcony.  We called customer service and a couple of guys came to remove it.  It was quite a process--it was big!