Hlitner

We try not to rely on the reps or anyone else to do our bookings. With Flightease we can simply look online, compare various airports, and choose our own flights. Living in the Northeast. We have access to 5 International airports and using the online system makes it ez for us to compare many options. There are times when a business class seat out if Dulles will be a lot cheaper than Newark or perhaps Philly will have the best deal. We are willing to drive hours to a more distant airport if we can get a decent non stop flight. These days, flight changes can mean missed connections, lost luggage, etc Hank

Mary, we do know one luxury cruise line that will generally get involved and work with the airlines to get luggage to a future port. But this is likely the exception rather than the rule. These days the stars favor those of us who are independent travelers and are used to taking personal control when things go wrong. Just getting an airport to ship can be a challenge for some folks who do not seem to know about taxis, uber, etc. You are asking a great question, but the answer will vary depending on cruise line and even the individual Guest Relations Supervisor and Hotel Manager. Bottom line is you should know how to dealt with the problem on your own, and then hope that you will find an ally on the ship. Hank

A few observations from 50+ years of extensive travel. We have never lost a bag (knock on a bulkhead) which we attribute to keeping our luggage with us when traveling. Shipping luggage to third world countries is just not something we will do. These days, having Air Tags in each piece is also a smart strategy. We have met plenty of folks who swear by Luggage Direct, DHL, and others. We have also met quite a few who have spent weeks waiting for luggage services to react to missing bags. It’s great when you get to your destination and the luggage is awaiting your arrival. But a true nightmare when the pieces disappear and the various services start playing the blame game while you seethe. Following Silverseas thread where a lady going on their world cruise has two missing bags (out of 7) last seen in Memphis on their way to Florida. Such is life. Hank

I guess some like fast food, but others prefer dining.

We went to Alfredo’s. Buffet dinners are not in our DNA

The devil is in the details. Offering whole Maine lobster is one thing while typical Princess so-so lobster tails is something else. And there are kinds of different grades of caviar. The price could be reasonable or a complete rip off. Also consider that the $300 per couple would likely have 18% tacked on so we are talking $354’per couple. Hank

Mass market cruising is all about “maximizing onboard revenue.” Ships are now designed with that in mind. You can avoid this by booking small ship luxury lines, but of course, this comes at a higher financial price. Hank

We are still on the Sky (back to back) and would not disagree with any of your scores. My only negatives are the lack of a Crooners” and my steak in the Crown Grill. One might consider that a steakhouse that likes to make a big deal out of salt, rather than the beef, is telling. Hank

An amazing thing happens around 7:45. The lines for the MDRs magically disappear, there are plenty of empty tables, the waiters are under less pressure and the atmosphere is also laid back. But most folks are stuck with their habits and prefer to deal with the prime time crowds. DW and I used to joke (it is no joke) that we practice “queue avoidance.” Many folks spend lots of time, every day, waiting in queues where they can be heard complaining about waiting in queues. But that is their personal choice and their whining about queues is only heard by others who also like to wait in queues (and whine about it). Even on a big ship it is possible to avoid much of the crowds and waiting by simply modifying one’s habits. But fortunately for some of us. most folks stick to their normal ways. Hank

Am currently on the Sky Princess and have not seen a single door decoration in the past week. Hank

This will be an interesting cruise with such a large group, Porsche Club. All the cakes at the IC have been replaced with Porsche decorated cakes. Those of us doing turn around are to meet at 9:15 so that bodes well for early boarding (last week they started about 10:30). Hank

We were able to get 2 reservations in each of the 3 specialties so all is fine. But it only worked for us because we prefer to dine late. Hank

Just in San Juan on Tuesday and there were plenty of taxis parked outside the port. You might want to simply hire one for a local driving tour. Walking is great for those who like to walk, but we walked over 3 miles just doing a short stroll through old town to El Moro and circuling back along the coast. Too hilly and long for those with limitations. Hank

When we went from ship to ferry (to Naxos) we found a ferry that departed Piraeus around noon. That worked well in that we got a taxi to drive us around the harbor to our ferry area (across the street from the train station) and then found a coffee shop inside the port where we relaxed until boarding time. A 9am ferry would be a huge gamble since you need some extra time for checking in and boarding. As to the taxis at the port, while they do not want to take the short haul fare, money does talk. Try 10 Euros, but be prepared to go higher if necessary. We don’t mind the walk, but not doing it with luggage. Hank

Appears to be no good answer why or why not things work. Even the two Princess reps, with whom we talked. had no answers other than to “elevate the issue” to IT. With Princess that is the kiss of death and inaction.

Yep, we will say it and have said it in another post. Am on the Sky now (for 2 weeks) and we could not book our 2 included specialty meals until aboard. Prior to the cruise the app would only allow us to book if we made full payment via CC. Called Princess (twice) mans they had no solution other than to pay and beg for a refund once aboard. Hank

If you are taking the cruise with the idea of the ship being the destination, than go for it. Otherwise, it is just not the best time if the year for that itinerary. Hank

Looking forward to getting “fresh meat” aboard. Plenty of booze awaits your arrival. Last night DW and U had one of the best meals we have ever on any cruise (and we often cruise on luxury lines) in Catch by Rudi. Having dined in all the alternative venues, Catch by Rudi is in its own class. DW and I both enjoyed the Dover Sole (fileted tableside) which was as good as a similar dish in Seabourns Thomas Keller venue. On the downside, it looks like tonight’s highlight in the MDRs is meatloaf. Have to take the bitter with the sweet 🤮 Hank

There used to be one in Nuevo Vallarta, but I thought it was closed and business all handled out of Guadalajara. But they do now show a consular agency.

Ridiculous. When we cruise in MSCs Yacht Club, those not in the YC would not even know who is or isn’t in the YC. Wanting the nicer suites, butler service, uncrowned pool deck with its own buffet and good service, and the nice private lounge is worth the extra dollars. Have no clue what you mean by showing off or putting folks down. Our YC venue is private, out of view, and those outside the YC would not even be aware of the YC unless they have some reason to care. It is the same on ships like the Queen Mary 2 or NCLs Haven Suites. Most outside of the higher priced venues have no idea or could care less. Giving folks, willing to pay, nicer suites and venues is simply the way of the world. Folks simply make their own choices. No biggie Hank

It gets interesting to compare Chase Sapphire to AMEX Platinum. Chase gives us up to $10,000 per person cancellation/interruption insurance. AMEx is just $10,000 and comes with a lot of extra qualifying language such as insisting you book your air with AMEX. For us, the insurance benefit strongly favors Chase….in most cases. Hank

I just had a conversation with the nice folks at the shore excursion desk. They are still scrambling to reschedule tours and told me to stop back tomorrow when they hope to have more info. Also learned there are only about 330 of us continuing on the Dec 9 cruise (back to backs). Last night we are in the MDR and the food was quite good. I was in the mood for meat and they had both rack of lamb and beef Wellington on the menu. When I asked the waiter (who does not eat meat) for a recommendation, he simply brought both. Both items were very good (better than the meat I had in the Crown Grill). The vol et vent starter was also quite good. Even though the ship is at capacity, we find the MDRs not busy at 8. The app makes it difficult to get a 7:50 reservation, but one can easily be seated at that time without a reservation. I sometimes think there are two cruise worlds. The constant crowding enjoyed by those on an early dining schedule and the laid back relaxing life for those on a later dining schedule. When the masses are jammed into the dining venues at 7, we are enjoying the not overcrowded bars. When they are later packed into bars, we are enjoying a quiet dinner with relaxed waiters who are not overwhelmed. Hank

Have to laugh about taking a “taxi to the embassy.” For example, the nearest US Consulate to Puerto Vallarta is about 5 hours drive (one way).

We just booked a Seabourn cruise that embarks from Istanbul in August and has several ports in Turkey. Apparently minor players like CCL do not see an issue at this time.

Have not gone to the excursion desk which I sometimes find is an exercise in masochism. The onboard app does not give us access to any options for next week. This all takes me back to my independent travel routes. I have never understood the love of overpriced, and overcrowded excursions, and this latest fiasco is just one more mail on that coffin Hank