navybankerteacher

If I were interested in making my cruise and not stressing over (fairly likely) train delays, I would go for the 7:38, or even the 6:57, train. You are leaving yourself very little wiggle room. Also, why not take the taxi/Uber direct to Red Hook rather than build in an extra change of mode?

The drop off is simple, but a pick up at MCT can be a nightmare - especially if there are several thousand passengers debarking with you. Our approach is to arrange to meet our ride near the corner of West 49th Street (which is midway between piers 88 and 90) and the east side of 12th Avenue. We pick a time - say 9:30 or so, and walk across to the east side of 12th Ave and then call our ride , who will be hanging out nearby - and can come westbound on 49th and pick us up, then turn right on 12th.

Sheraton Old San Juan, just across the street from the pier Carnival (and occasional other lines) uses. As of a year ago it was in good shape - is right on the edge of the Old City

Check with Alianz Travel insurance for the trip. - they would probably come in somewhere between $600 and $900 for the two of you - cancellation, medical, evacuation, etc. covered

Virginia Beach this time of year is great. If you are going to be in Norfolk area for several days you might want to head up to Williamsburg - about an hour away.

Has it occurred to you that members of Congress might be just a little bit likely to receive expedited handling - at no extra cost. Because it is now necessary to allow roughly six months, it is also necessary to pick a time when you know for sure that you will not need it for said six months, you may have to pick the right time - which might be several years before your expiration date.

Sounds like you’ll be going from Dubai to the Med. At the very least the food and service will be superior to that on HAL - and it seems you will be staying in ports much later than would be the case on a HAL itinerary. Although, I was disappointed to learn that on our upcoming Bermuda sailing we will be pulling out of Hamilton much earlier on our last port day than originally scheduled —- most likely an effort to economize on fuel with a much slower return to New York: a rather disappointing cut in overall quality. I am inclined to think that at least some of the negative posts are from people with little real Oceania experience - or simply justifying their reluctance to pay for Oceania quality.

Of course there are-- but ANY competent organization will adjust procedures to respond to demand.

Perhaps it is time to seriously ask the questions: Who in Hell is running this operation, and why (in this modern age of automation) are things that used to be done in a couple of weeks taking up to half a year?

It would take about the same time to get to Ocean View beach as to Virginia Beach - just under a half hour in each case. While Ocean View is closer, much of the way would be on slow moving roads rather than the Interstate all the way to Virginia Beach.

Perhaps both State Department and the cruise lines are following the same suggestion from their consultants: start charging extra fees for things which used to be included in basic charges: the cruise lines for well prepared, well served meals, and the State Department for reasonable turn-around time on passport renewals.

Agree with the fact that Oceania has slid in recent years (not as badly as NCL) - but then, what cruise line, other than the really top shelf, has not degraded? Certainly Princess, Carnival, Celebrity, HAL, Royal Caribbean, etc. have all entered the race to the bottom. One thing Oceania still offers (aside from generally superior itineraries) is the ability to enter smaller ports. A cruise to Bermuda stopping at St. George and Hamilton is far better than those offered by the big ship operators which can only fit into that out-of-the-way tourist trap of Dockyard.

Good advice - there are better souvenirs than unnecessary stamps which eat up time obtaining and fill your passport requiring an unnecessary (and somewhat expensive) early replacement.

This makes sense; while trying to get expedited debarkation at Civita Vecchia , speedy transfer to Rome, followed by no-delay train service to Venice, so you can get transfer to Marghera is a kind of looney toon concept.

If you do not want to rent a car - store your luggage while you do something and get you to the airport - the best alternative would be to go to a nearby hotel and tip the bellman to hold your luggage while you do your walkabout.

It may be interesting - but Piraeus (the actual port ) shows little of what people think of as Athens.

Probably disclosing my age, but I recall receiving my first passport about 3 weeks after completing application. No special rush requested - just done in a time when many things seem to have been done better.

Sometimes being able to see the port as you sail out is worth postponing dinner - it depends upon the port. New York (Manhattan), certainly - Fort Lauderdale or Miami, not so much.

How did you stand Oceania - when most of their ships were R class (which I happen to prefer greatly over the absurd, multi thousand passenger tubs which cannot even enter many most attractive ports)? Of course, the declines in product are, sadly, across the board - and much more pronounced on the mass market lines.

Have you actually sailed Oceania - or are aware of some of their many itineraries in the $14,000 range ? Seems strange to classify them with the likes of NCL and Carnival.

Good suggestion - there are pretty good interstates via Elmira and Binghamton, NY and Scranton, PA which would give a much shorter route than the NY Thruway.

Of course I would spend $14,000 on a cruise - but then there are cruises I would spend money on just to avoid. As with virtually every question, an intelligent answer should start with “It depends”. Would you spend $14,000 on a car? Gladly if it were a new Land Rover or a good new Mercedes — but hardly likely if it were a mid 70’s rusted heap.

“Brunch” makes me think either upscale venue with mimosas, linen tablecloths and napkins or plain basic diners. Not too much upscale in that part of town, so you might consider Westway Diner at 9th Ave and 46th St. - probably a 15 - 20 minute walk from MCT.

Good points — of course extending hours is not the only tack. In the past couple of decades. mass market lines have expanded passenger capacity from 2,000 on a then “large” ship to 5,000 and mor e on today’s “large” ships. They have not come close to comparably expanding the capacity of non-revenue producing common areas: lido’s, theatres, card rooms, etc. Libraries no longer exist on many ships - without spaces such as libraries and card rooms, buffet area dining tables will be required to serve double duty. It seems to work for the lines, so we should expect to see more crowding in the future.

Are you sure you want to pay for NCL tour, then be dropped at airport with luggage to get to your hotel? I’d just taxi to hotel, drop bags , then either go into town on own.