navybankerteacher

Perhaps coming from Montreal driving makes sense - but for many in the US Amtrak is easier and frequently less expensive (even for several travelling together) when the cost of driving is realistically figured, including that of parking. I was responding to OP who did not indicate where they were coming from. There are many in the US who seem unaware of rail as a reasonable alternative.

Perhaps if they understand the ramification of driving to Boston for a cruise they might reconsider how to get there. OP didn’t mention where they were coming from.

They are, in large part, British after all. Of course, there is a Houston couple with whom I am distantly connected through (failed) marriage - whenever they leave a restaurant they take with them all the bread, rolls, biscuits, etc. from the basket on the table (having asked just earlier that it be refilled).

True - at least in part because the New Yorker is likely to be a bit more cautious in the beginning because of the wide mix of folks. (Raised in Manhattan and lived there - other than USN time- until my thirties - and worked there until 60+/-.)

We took a QM2 Christmas/New Years cruise from NY to the Caribbean. The ship was very decorated and there was Carol singing on board. I would be surprised if Princess did not do something comparable - perhaps you could call a Princess cruise consultant - or have your travel agent do it if you did not book directly. As a rule, most activities in ports (particularly in a largely Catholic country like Honduras) will be largely closed down on Christmas Day.

You also do not want to drive to Boston - train or plane is the way to get there.

We’ve sailed a number of lines from a number of ports. Rather than the port seeming to have influence on the passenger mix, we have noted obvious differences between the demographics choosing to sail different lines.

This smaller ship port experience applies to virtually all ports (let alone the more comfortable on board experience). Especially noticeable when the only ship in port that day. While HAL quality has certainly slid over the past two decades, their ships remain “small” when compared with those of their sister lines.

I believe my being away for a while is gift enough for my children.

Correct - it was not really “American tax math” - just bad math. While we were not bright enough to accept the metric system, we can do our arithmetic (when not in a rush to make a point).

VAT can be 20% - so if you bought something worth $1,000 you could be talking about claiming a refund of $200. You have to have receipts to show at your point of departure - and my be expected to show the item to prove you are taking it with you (they do not want a local to escape taxes on something a visitor bought for him). It is a bit of a hassle at an airport as you fly out - probably not worth it to claim $10 or $20 - but much more of a hassle if you are trying to do it at your ship’s last port of call in Europe. Certainly not worth it for a small amount.

I do not think so.

Not only is there no such deal in Boston, you will have to pay your hotel a pretty high charge to park each night you stay at the hotel. For those three nights, plus the week of your cruise, your best bet would be the economy long term parking at Logan Airport - I believe $120 per week. It’s easy to get to downtown Boston from the airport. Anyone going to Boston should always check Amtrak as an option.

“We” implies a couple - which means £130 per day (unless, as is likely, tips would be added on). Are you planning to spend any time ashore at ports (or much time on board sober)? Talking about before you go on board: try dusting off your elementary school arithmetic and figure how many drinks you really need to enjoy a week or so away - and compare total one-at-a-time beverages with the package

Even when cruise ships stopped at Labadee, it wasn’t really Haiti -rather a remote cruise line operated enclave on the north shore completely fenced off from the rest of Haiti . I suppose there might have been some chance of gangs moving in - so it made sense to stop port calls there — small loss, it was a rather unattractive phony port - not a good beach, but some attractions - hardly any kind of real Caribbean experience

And accept the cost of ship’s laundry as an acceptable part of your cruise “fare”. Why are people willing to pay extra for alternative restaurants on NCL (because included dining is rather disappointing) but seem to feel paying for having laundry done is unacceptable? $29 a bag for stuff washed and folded is not that excessive.

Given the virtual certainty that we are in an inflationary cycle - it may be wise to assume a 5 to 7% annual increase in cruise fares. So perhaps “first minute” cruise fares might be the thing to consider. Book now, with a very low deposit, and protect yourself from likely increases as sailing date nears.

Depends upon if you mean adults ONLY - in which case stick with Viking, or MAINLY adult - meaning Celebrity or HAL, or the pricey and smaller Azamara and Oceania,

Well, Monticello is a far away place - where people might be expected to eat strange foods.

At a busy port like Miami or Fort Lauderdale (close enough so you could have access to both), the chances would be pretty good of finding space - but I think two days lead is minimum, and you would have to be willing to spend your whole time on shore. For example: if you flew to South a Florida on May 1 you would have a shot at the following four 7 day cruises: May 4: Princess from Fort Lauderdale, MSC from Miami; or May 5: Celebrity from Fort Lauderdale , Carnival from .

Very.convenient - you might consider dinner, or at least drinks, at Harry’s , One Hanover Square (in India House) or Frances Tavern on Pearl Street (where George Washington had farewell dinner with his officers - both great old places.

How does anyone know exactly what his house is worth when deciding to sell? It’s worth is really only established by the amount someone else is willing to pay for it at that time. The seller can figure roughly what it should go for from recent local transactions - but really does not have a grasp on local demand at the time he/she lists the house. It is always easy to reduce asking price if there are no takers - but if someone snaps it up the first day you must accept the fact that you have under-priced it - there is little chance of increasing asking price once an offer comes in — unless you are in the unusual situation of multiple competing offers resulting in an effective auction in a bidding war.

They are reluctant to let their customer base get the notion that, if they wait, they will get a cheaper cruise. Yes, sailing with a few empty $3,000 cabins seems like a waste, but it is a necessary tactic to avoid the uncertainty of a last minute sale on every itinerary.

There are several reasonably priced lower Manhattan hotels an easy walk( or short taxi ride) to the ferry across to right next to the cruise terminal - convenient to several restaurants and places of interest in the Wall Street area - which is among the safest neighborhoods in the city. There are few comparable options on the Brooklyn side.

Did you ever buy a house or an apartment — and did you immediately agree to the original asking price? Did you ever interview for a job - and not accept an offer because you knew you could do better elsewhere? Did you ever leave one job for another because you got better pay - or better hours, or better conditions or prospects, or a shorter commute? Did you ever make a concession to a spouse or partner - in return for a concession made to you - perhaps as simple a transaction as agreeing to see their choice of movie because next time they would see yours? ”never” is a very long word.